Makeshift Tent and Meditation Starts

Bai Yunfei was in the middle of a forest. Everything around him was green, and the sounds of nature echoed all around. He had imagined Cloud Province as something a little more civilized, but it seemed that wasn't the case. At least not in the exact location he was in.

'Yu Yan said Cloud Province is huge since a lot of people will be entering this game, but I still need to be careful,' thought Bai Yunfei.

With silent steps and heightened attention, Bai Yunfei walked through the forest, trying to find a slightly safer place to set up his initial base.

The beginning of a cultivator's journey was complicated. Bai Yunfei didn't have enough power to explore the world the way he wanted to, and the means for him to progress were limited.

Not to mention he also had no money. But he believed it was only a matter of time before he got those things.

Bai Yunfei walked through the dense forest and found a slightly better spot. It was near a river with a waterfall, and the water appeared to be great for drinking.

Living near a water source was the best place — obviously — but it also meant that other people would think the same way!

A dilemma came to Bai Yunfei. He didn't know whether to set up his initial base there or find a more isolated place.

After some reflection, he decided to stay there, but temporarily. For him, the best thing was to cultivate and improve his strength as quickly as possible.

With a higher cultivation level, he would be able to protect himself and look for a more suitable place to build his base, and his future sect. Therefore, Bai Yunfei began his preparations.

Creating a base was no easy task, especially for Bai Yunfei, who currently lacked any tools.

Not only that, but his cultivation level was low, and his attributes were even lower. Gathering the resources needed to build his base would be a challenge.

But this didn't discourage him at all. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Bai Yunfei had lived in a palace for hundreds of years, and he was feeling a sense of nostalgia about his current circumstances.

It was as if he were back in the time when he first started cultivating, possessing no resources and living in a tiny house before joining his first sect.

'This is exciting!' he thought.

Building a small cabin would take time, so Bai Yunfei decided to focus on constructing a simpler shelter using twigs and leaves from the surrounding trees.

He gathered twigs from the ground — breaking a few that were within reach — and gradually built a makeshift tent.

Despite his low cultivation level and attributes, he was still in the first layer of Qi Condensation. His body was far superior to that of an ordinary human who didn't practice cultivation.

This gave him ample energy to complete his tent before nightfall, granting him a bit of peace of mind.

Bai Yunfei noticed that he was starting to feel sleepy, and based on what Yu Yan had told him, it seemed the game was even more impressive than he had initially thought.

Time flowed differently within the game. According to the game's creators, one month in-game was equivalent to eight hours in real life!

This would indeed become a second life for most people, and the most incredible thing was that the game significantly increased people's life expectancy!

Even with sleep approaching, Bai Yunfei wanted to cultivate, to meditate. He needed to become stronger than the other players!

He possessed knowledge of thousands of techniques, but nearly all of them were currently useless. Bai Yunfei first needed to increase his cultivation base before practicing specific techniques.

His cultivation technique, the Nine Heavens Rumbling Thunder Art, was extraordinary but difficult to practice. It required intense concentration, physical and mental strength, and even a bit of luck!

'The best time to practice the technique is during thunderstorms, but it doesn't look like I'll be that lucky today,' Bai Yunfei thought as he gazed at the starry sky.

With his legs crossed, Bai Yunfei began his meditation, closing his eyes and focusing on his breathing pattern.

The first stage of the Nine Heavens Rumbling Thunder Art involved harnessing the power of lightning to open his meridians, facilitating a smoother cultivation process when he reached the next realm, the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Symbols materialized within Bai Yunfei's mind. Having practiced this technique before — and therefore already familiar with all the symbols — his progress was significantly easier

He followed the instructions that appeared in his mind, breathing deeply and steadily. As he did so, he could feel a faint tingling sensation coursing through his body, a subtle energy beginning to awaken within him.

It was slow going at first, the meridians resistant to being opened. But Bai Yunfei was patient, drawing upon his past experiences and the deep reserves of willpower he had cultivated over centuries.

As the night deepened, the tingling sensation intensified, focusing on a single point. He could feel the energy gather there, pressing against the blockage with increasing force.

The process was not without its challenges. There were moments of intense discomfort, a sharp pain as the blockage resisted his efforts. Bai Yunfei gritted his teeth, his determination unwavering.

Finally, with a surge of energy, the blockage gave way. A wave of relief washed over him, followed by a sense of lightness and clarity. He could feel the energy flowing freely through the newly opened meridian, a gentle hum resonating within him.

He opened his eyes, the starlight reflecting in their depths. A tired but satisfied smile played on his lips. Though he had only managed to open one meridian tonight, it was a significant accomplishment. The foundation was being laid, the path to greater strength opening before him.

A notification blinked into existence before his eyes:

+1 Spirit

Bai Yunfei nodded in satisfaction. The benefits were already apparent; his mind felt sharper, his senses more acute.