Who are you

The sun was beginning its descent beyond the horizon when Zheng Yun entered the small, dimly lit shop. The air inside was thick with the musty scent of herbs and ancient books, but what truly captured his attention were the shelves filled with various stones, each one glowing faintly with an ethereal light. These were no ordinary stones; they were Spirit Stones, the key to cultivating one's spiritual energy.

Zheng Yun had already decided it was time to begin his cultivation in earnest. His ambitions had grown, and if he wanted to achieve immortality, he needed to cultivate faster, stronger. The Rana Power System had many stages, but Zheng Yun was more than willing to push past the limits of each rank. In fact, he intended to move through the stages quicker than anyone before him.

He approached the counter where an elderly shopkeeper was tidying a collection of books. The man looked up briefly, recognizing the young cultivator, then nodded.

"You seek a Spirit Stone?" the shopkeeper asked in a raspy voice.

Zheng Yun didn't respond immediately. Instead, he scanned the shelves. There were many Spirit Stones, but only one caught his eye. It was a deep, translucent red stone, almost glowing with a faint, unnatural light. It was smaller than most, but there was something unique about it—something that called to him.

He reached out and picked it up, feeling the heat emanating from it as if it had a life of its own. He knew instantly that this was the one. This was the Spirit Stone that would enhance his cultivation in ways the others could not.

As Zheng Yun turned the stone in his hand, admiring its eerie glow, the door to the shop opened with a sharp creak, and in walked a young man wearing fine clothing. He had an air of arrogance about him, his posture rigid with pride. Zheng Yun glanced up, only to see the young man's gaze immediately fixate on the same Spirit Stone Zheng Yun had chosen.

The young man was from the Han Family, a powerful clan known for its wealth and influence. Zheng Yun had encountered him before—Han Lu, the Han Family's young master.

"That's a fine choice," Han Lu said with a smirk, stepping closer to Zheng Yun. "I was hoping to purchase that Spirit Stone. It's quite rare, you know?"

Zheng Yun didn't flinch. He held the stone in his hand and studied Han Lu for a moment. "It's mine," he said coldly, his voice unwavering.

Han Lu's expression hardened, his lips curling into a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Is it now?" He took a step forward, clearly not accustomed to being denied. "You know who I am, don't you? I don't take kindly to being ignored."

Zheng Yun's eyes narrowed as he turned to face Han Lu fully. "I don't care who you are. If you want the stone, you'll have to take it from me."

The atmosphere in the shop grew tense. The shopkeeper seemed to shrink into the corner, aware that the confrontation could turn ugly.

But Han Lu's smirk only grew wider. He was used to getting what he wanted, and his hand moved toward a pouch at his side. "Perhaps I can change your mind," he said, as he drew out a Golden Spirit Coin—a rare and valuable currency used to purchase precious items in the world of cultivation.

He placed it on the counter with a clink, his gaze fixed on the stone. "I'll trade this for the Spirit Stone. It's more than enough for any cultivator of your rank."

Zheng Yun's eyes flickered with interest, but he didn't immediately give in. The Golden Spirit Coin was valuable, no doubt, but it wasn't the price that intrigued him. It was Han Lu's arrogance, the way he presumed that a simple coin could buy his way out of this situation.

Instead of taking the coin, Zheng Yun slowly placed the red Spirit Stone back on the shelf and turned to leave. Han Lu's brows furrowed in confusion.

"Are you not interested in the coin?" Han Lu asked, clearly taken aback. "What are you playing at?"

Zheng Yun paused, his back still turned. "The Spirit Stone is mine because it calls to me," he said, his voice cold, yet filled with an unspoken power. "It doesn't belong to you, no matter how many coins you have."

Without another word, Zheng Yun stepped outside, leaving Han Lu standing in the shop, his pride wounded.

Back in his room at the Hua Sect, Zheng Yun sat cross-legged, the red Spirit Stone resting in his palm. His mind was focused, calm. He was about to begin the first step of his cultivation journey.

The Rana Power System was vast, with each rank offering a new set of challenges and abilities. But Zheng Yun had no interest in the slow, steady path most cultivators took. He was going to move through the stages faster, stronger, and more ruthlessly than anyone ever had before.

He took a deep breath, feeling the energy around him, and then began to absorb the essence of the Spirit Stone. The energy was intense, flooding his body and mind, awakening his dormant spiritual power. He could feel his inner energy stirring, responding to the power of the stone.

As the cultivation process began, Zheng Yun entered the first stage of the Rana Power System: Novice Rank 1 - Seeker of Energy.

(Cultivation Stages)

Novice (Rank 1-3)

Rank 1: Seeker of Energy – At this stage, the cultivator starts learning to feel and manipulate the spiritual energy around them. They are still in the early stages, but their journey has begun.

Rank 2: Adept of the Elements – The cultivator can tap into basic elemental forces, like wind, fire, or water. They begin to refine their own energy.

Rank 3: Initiate of the Core – The cultivator harmonizes internal energy with external elements, laying the foundation for greater power.