More information and unexpected fame

Phew, finally done. Honestly, that was a lot more reading than I signed up for. But hey, our sect founder called "Great Love Immortal Venerable" was really something. Real generous founder of the sect… or so they say. I still can't believe those outsiders and those of central continent had the guts to accuse him of demonic practices. I mean, feeding children to bears? Burning them alive?

That's a bit over the top, at least accuse him of something believable, that aside, Heaven Refining Demon Venerable, though… now that's a title. Got to admit, it sounds way cooler. If I ever get a nickname in this world, I want something like that.

But really, all that study, and I can only learn up to the Core Formation Realm? I guess they don't want a newbie like me getting too ahead of myself. Still, it's kind of a bummer. There's probably way more interesting stuff at the higher levels. Oh well, baby steps.

Only learned this about the realms though:-

Qi Condensation:

The foundation of cultivation and the first step toward becoming a cultivator. As for the time taken by each talent to reach it, here:-

• Grade 1: These guys can only dream of progressing further, but some do reach the perfected stage of Qi Condensation… after about 10 years of effort. Their lifespan increases to about 150 years, but most don't make it much further.

• Grade 2: They make it to the perfected stage in around 6 years and have a slim shot at reaching the next realm. If they do, their lifespan also hits about 150 years, but it's still tough.

• Grade 3: These cultivators reach perfected Qi Condensation within 3 years. And if they're determined enough, they can push toward the next realm. Their lifespan bumps up to 150 years too.

• Grade 4: Me! One year, baby! With grade 4 talent, Qi Condensation is a breeze, and the best part? My lifespan hits 150 years as soon as I hit the middle stages. Not that I need it, though—thanks to my eternal youth, I'm basically a walking "forever young" ad. If only I cared about wrinkles.

• Grade 5: No records. It's basically legendary. They'd probably complete the realm in a few months and might have even more benefits to lifespan, but who knows?

Like all realms, this one has sub-stages: early, middle, late, and perfected. Each stage adds a bit more power—and a bit more lifespan, especially when you hit middle stage and beyond. Of course, in my case, that extra time is kinda wasted—can't age, after all. But still, I've got a family to find, so no time to slack off.

Foundation Establishment:

The real beginning of cultivation. The lifespan boost here is a lot more noticeable, though the climb is brutal compared to Qi Condensation.

• Grade 1: They can reach Foundation Establishment in about 25 years, but most give up halfway. If they do make it, their lifespan extends to about 250 years, but getting much past the early stage is rare.

• Grade 2: They take about 20 years to fully progress through Foundation Establishment, and most cap their lifespan at 250 years. Few reach the perfected stage, and even fewer push into the next realm.

• Grade 3: A decent grade for Foundation Establishment. These cultivators will likely hit the perfected stage after 12 years or so, extending their lifespan to 250 years. But the higher realms are still a tough challenge.

• Grade 4: For me, this realm should take about 4 to 6 years to complete. Once I hit the middle stage, my lifespan will extend to around 250 years, which is a pretty sweet deal… for someone who actually ages. For me? Not as exciting. But hey, faster progress means I can get back home faster. Maybe I'll ask the system to turn me into a speed cultivator. Is that a thing?

• Grade 5: No official records, but a Grade 5 would likely breeze through this realm, reaching perfected Foundation Establishment in a couple of years. Their lifespan would hit 250 years easily.

The early, middle, late, and perfected stages are still here, but moving through Foundation Establishment feels way slower and harder than Qi Condensation. Even with a lifespan boost, most people get stuck at the late stage. Me? I'm less worried about time and more about whether I'm cultivating fast enough to get back to my parents before they wonder why I disappeared into a whole new dimension.

Core Formation:

Now things get real. Core Formation not only boosts power but also adds a big chunk to lifespan. Forming an inner core is no joke—it's where cultivators start becoming truly formidable.

• Grade 1: Reaching Core Formation is nearly impossible for a Grade 1, but, Those who manage to hit the stage, reach it in roughly 100 years, see their lifespan boosted to around 450 years, but getting past the this stage? Certainly impossible. Most Grade 1s die well before reaching the perfected stage.

• Grade 2: A Grade 2 can reach Core Formation, in about 75 years. After decades, their lifespan reaches around 450 years. Although They are stuck at the early stage.

• Grade 3: These cultivators reach Core Formation after 20-30 years, seeing their lifespan climb to about 450 years at the middle stages.

• Grade 4: For me, it'll still take 5-10 years to reach the perfected stage of Core Formation. But once I hit the middle stage, my lifespan increases to around 450 years. It's a good thing I don't need those years—too bad I can't donate them. The real reward is moving up faster so I can start taking on bigger challenges. Also, I can't leave my family hanging. If they knew I had 450 years to burn, they'd probably think I'm off on some midlife crisis adventure.

• Grade 5: While no records exist, a Grade 5 would likely reach Core Formation's perfected stage within 3-5 years, increasing their lifespan to 450 years or more with ease. I'm guessing they'd also get some cool bonus powers along the way, though nothing compared to my wish system. Heh.

Like all the other realms, Core Formation has early, middle, late, and perfected stages. The increase in lifespan is nice, but the sheer difficulty of advancing makes it feel like an eternity. I wonder if my parents would recognize me if I showed up after 400 years… highly unlikely they would be alive though, if alive they'd be more impressed that I haven't aged a day. Probably the latter. So yeah, fast progress is key here.

Alright, that's enough daydreaming about eternal youth. Time to focus on the real goal—getting stronger, faster, and getting back to my parents before they think I've turned into some wandering immortal hermit. Or worse… become one of those 'Heaven Refining Demon Venerable' types. Now that would be awkward.

as I was remembering all the information, kael came and hurried me urgently to the sect grounds, located on the biggest floating island, I was confused but Kael explained to me in the way.

Apparently, I just learned that The sect master summoned every disciple to the sect grounds, perched high on the largest floating island above the sect. I had to admit though, flying there on those floating platforms had me feeling a little queasy—hovering above a bottomless drop wasn't exactly my idea of fun. But hey, who needs safety regulations when you have Qi?

As soon as we landed, it felt like I'd entered some kind of ancient stadium. The place was massive, big enough to fit hundreds of disciples, all gathered in tight groups. Kael and I hung near the back—my preferred spot for avoiding unnecessary attention. I wasn't exactly in the mood for standing out, especially with everything I'd just learned from the sect's endless supply of non-demonic scrolls.

I scanned the crowd from my spot in the last row. On one side were the male disciples, on the other, the female disciples. I couldn't help but notice the ratio.

Oh great. 450 guys… and 45 girls. A 10-to-1 ratio? Yeah, this place is really fair.

As I looked around, it was obvious I wasn't the only one thinking that. Half the guys were staring at the girls like they'd just spotted some rare treasure. I could practically see the hearts popping up in their eyes. Meanwhile, the girls were pretending not to notice—or maybe they were just used to this nonsense. Either way, the tension in the air was palpable. Not the kind of tension I thought I'd be dealing with in a cultivation sect.

Before things could get more awkward, the sect master appeared, descending with that whole "I'm-the-most-important-person-in-the-world" energy. He looked the part too—white robes, gold trim, and the kind of aura that demanded respect. Or fear. Hard to tell. His feet barely touched the ground, and suddenly, everyone snapped to attention.

Then came the speech. Oh, the speech.

At first, it was fine. Traditional sect values, honor, blah blah, stuff you'd expect. I tuned out fast. My mind wandered, thinking about the cool-sounding realms I wasn't allowed to study past Core Formation and how "Heaven Refining Demon Venerable" had such a cooler ring to it than whatever honorific they slapped on the guy in the library. I'd bet money that sect founders back in the day were a lot more fun.

"… dedication and growth."

Wait, what? Oh, right. He was getting to the point. The ranks. Focus, Michael.

"We have four tiers of disciples," the sect master droned on. "Outer disciples, inner disciples, core disciples, and elite disciples. All new disciples start as outer disciples. Through hard work and perseverance, you will have the opportunity to advance."

Right. Outer disciples. That's me. Safe, invisible. Fly under the radar. Nothing special. Perfect.

"However," the sect master said, and the dramatic pause that followed made me shiver. Oh no. Oh no, no, no, no, I have a bad feeling about this.

"There is one exception this year."

Please not me. Anyone but me.

"That exception is… Michael." sect master said while pointing at me.

Ahh, fuck. You've got to be kidding me.

"Michael will begin as a core disciple, due to his grade 4 talent and royal bloodline."

The air left my lungs. Silence fell over the sect grounds as every single person turned to stare at me. First, the girls. And let me tell you, they didn't look at me like before. No, this was a whole different kind of stare—like I was the main course at some fancy banquet. Hearts in their eyes, seriously. But worse—oh, the boys. The jealous glares hit me like a wave of pure malice.

Oh… crap. Why me?

Beside me, Kael lost it. He bent over, laughing so hard he was clutching his stomach, barely able to breathe. He slapped me on the back, wheezing, "Oh, man! HaHaHaHaHa, I can't stop laughing."

Meanwhile, I was trying to vanish into thin air. Royal bloodline? Core disciple? Why me? I didn't even ask for this! I didn't even know my blue eyes meant I was royalty until two days ago!

The sect master's speech dragged on, but I wasn't hearing a word. My mind was buzzing with panic as I tried to ignore the dozens of girls giving me doe eyes, and the guys looking like they were about to start a revolt.

Great. Now I have 450 enemies and maybe… maybe 45 overly enthusiastic admirers? No, No, that's a bad ratio. Terrible odds.

Kael wiped his eyes, still grinning like an idiot. "Seriously, this is the best thing I've ever seen."

"Why do bad things happen to good people, Kael?" I muttered, still shrinking under the weight of all those stares.

"And what, exactly, makes you 'good'?" he replied with a chuckle, leaning in.

"Shut up," I hissed.

The sect master, oblivious to my internal meltdown, was still talking about responsibility and honor. I wasn't paying attention anymore. My mind was stuck on one fact: starting as a core disciple meant I had to be serious about cultivation now. No more flying under the radar. And that meant figuring out how to power up fast.

Okay, okay, calm down. Focus. I need to cultivate as fast as possible anyway. My eternal youth is nice and all, but it's not like I'm here to enjoy the next 10,000 years in luxury. I need to get strong and get back home. My family is probably freaking out. I don't have time to waste being… a core disciple.

But one thing was clear: the pressure was on, and this "exceptional" status? Yeah, I was going to have to live up to it.