chapter 9 “Cultivation”

The figure spoke again, its voice cold and distant yet imbued with a weight of ancient knowledge. "You are the last key."

Lu Yan's breath caught in his throat. What did it mean by "last key"? He had already faced countless dangers and trials, but nothing had prepared him for what lay ahead.

The figure continued, its form flickering like a flame on the verge of extinction. "Take my teachings. Take my Spirit Root. Learn from the history of my Sect. Use the techniques that forged me into the powerhouse you see before you, and the world will tremble before you, as it once did before me."

With a flick of the Senior's hand, Lu Yan felt a surge of energy course through him. It was not just spiritual energy—it was something more. A connection to the very roots of the world itself. His spirit felt alive, vibrating with a power that he had never known.

"Understand, Senior," Lu Yan spoke, his voice steady despite the chaos swirling around him. He wasn't sure what lay ahead, but he knew one thing: this was his moment.

The figure's form shifted again, its shape becoming clearer as it extended a hand toward him. "Good."

With a sudden, fluid motion, the figure materialized a ring of dark energy, which it passed to Lu Yan. "Take this. It is a Storage Ring. In it Everything," The ring pulsed with energy, humming in tune with the heartbeats of both the figure and the land itself.

Lu Yan took it, feeling the weight of responsibility settle upon his shoulders. The darkness surrounding him seemed to recoil, the ominous presence pulling back as if giving him the space to think, to process the magnitude of the offer.

His first instinct was to treat this like some kind of dungeon or trap, but deep down, he knew better. This place was far beyond any ordinary trial. The teachings, the techniques—everything about this was something far older, far more dangerous than anything he had ever encountered.

Instead of rushing into the riches of the Storage Ring, Lu Yan felt compelled to search the depths of the library. Not for the immediate power, but for History of this world or Dungeon to determine just in case. 

The ancient, crumbling tome that Lu Yan discovered was unlike anything he had ever encountered before. Its pages were yellowed and fragile, as if centuries of neglect had worn away at its integrity. Yet, the moment he touched it, a strange sensation coursed through his body, and his spirit seemed to stir. A force, ancient and unfamiliar, beckoned him closer. This was not a mere book—it was an inheritance. A legacy of power and wisdom that had withstood the ravages of time.

The thick, dusty air around him seemed to shimmer, the shadows in the corners of the room flickering like living things. Lu Yan's heart pounded in his chest as he flipped the first page.

The words written in elegant, flowing characters seemed to pulse with life, glowing faintly as if to call out to him. The text described the history of the Sect—the once-glorious sect that had dominated this land, a powerhouse among all cultivators. The Sect was known not only for its strength in the art of the sword but also for its mastery of numerous secret techniques that had once made it the pinnacle of cultivation in this world. Each technique was more than just a martial skill—it was a part of the Sect's very soul, each one passed down by the Masters to shape their disciples into beings of unimaginable power.

Lu Yan's mind buzzed as he read about the Sect's rise to dominance. They had ruled with a force of will unmatched by any other. Legends told of Masters who could cleave mountains with a single sword stroke, warriors who could summon storms with their breath, and cultivators who could commune with the very elements. The Sect had once been the undisputed ruler of this land, a beacon of strength and wisdom in a world of chaos.

But as with all great powers, the Sect's downfall was inevitable. Lu Yan read of the devastating betrayal that tore the Sect apart, of factions rising against each other in a bid for control. Demons, so-called righteous cultivators, and traitorous disciples had all conspired to bring about its destruction. The Sect was shattered, its most powerful techniques stolen or lost. Its once-proud leaders were either slain or vanished without a trace. The land had been drowned in blood, and the remnants of the Sect were left to rot.

Yet, amidst the ashes, something had remained—something powerful enough to change the fate of this world.

Lu Yan felt a chill creep up his spine as he read about the so-called "last key." The figure in the book had spoken of it, calling it a vital piece of the puzzle that would unlock the Sect's full potential once more. The final heir to this power. The person who could rebuild the Sect from the ground up.

Lu Yan's mind raced. Could it be? Was he truly the one chosen to wield this power?

The next pages spoke of techniques, "It starts at the Basic level, then progresses through Copper, Iron, Jade, Forbidden, all the way to Supreme and Unknown. Qi Circulation the most basic one, Then there was Heavenly Blade of the Eternal Sky (Rank: Supreme), a sword technique so powerful that it could slice through the fabric of space, its blade capable of severing both flesh and time. There was the Soul Devouring Seal( Rank: Supreme), a dark art that could strip away the very soul of an opponent, leaving them a hollow shell. And the Windstrider Technique (Rank: Supreme), a running technique that harnessed the power of the wind, allowing its practitioner to move with such speed and agility that they appeared to blur into a gust of wind, leaving no trace behind, and etc.... But they weren't for his level for now just the Basics.

Lu Yan's eyes widened as he turned each page. This was not just a history—it was a treasure trove of power. A map to his ascension.

But it wasn't just the techniques that intrigued him. It was the world within the pages of the book itself. The deeper Lu Yan read, the more he began to understand the true nature of the Sect's power. This was a world like no other—a realm of cultivation, of trials, of endless possibilities. The Sect had existed in a space where the rules of reality were malleable, where the forces of heaven and earth could be shaped with a thought. And, according to the text, this world was not a mere fiction—it was real. A reality that had been intertwined with their own.

A surge of emotion rushed through Lu Yan as the implications of the book hit him. He had always believed that the world he lived in was the only reality. But now, the lines between dimensions seemed to blur. There was a world beyond this one—a world of unimaginable power. And the Sect, in its prime, had straddled both worlds.

Lu Yan snapped the book shut, his thoughts spinning.

"This… this can't be real…" he murmured to himself. But the words, the techniques, the power—everything felt so undeniable. It was as if he had unlocked the door to a new reality, one that would change his life forever.

The figure before him, a manifestation of the Sect's former master, watched in silence, its ancient eyes glimmering with approval. After a long pause, the figure spoke, its voice like a deep echo from another time.

"You've chosen wisely. This is a rare opportunity, one that few ever get to witness. You have unlocked the path that will lead you to the highest realms. The techniques you now possess are the very foundation of this Sect's strength, but they are not all that you need. Power alone is nothing without the right environment to cultivate it."

Lu Yan looked up, still processing the weight of the teachings that had just flooded his consciousness. His hands clenched, feeling the power that now surged within his body, yet the emptiness of it lingered. He could almost taste it—he was so close to something great, but not yet there.

"The path ahead is yours," the figure continued, its presence growing more distant, as if preparing to fade away. "You will need the high Qi energy of the Sacred Grounds to unlock your full potential. Come. I will guide you."

Before Lu Yan could respond, the figure flicked a hand, and the entire space around him seemed to ripple. The walls of the ancient library dissolved into mist, revealing a new landscape—lush and vibrant, as though the very earth had been imbued with spiritual power. It was a place of ethereal beauty, yet the energy here was palpable, suffocating in its intensity. The air itself seemed to vibrate with untapped power.

The figure's voice echoed in the stillness. "This is the Lower High Qi Energy Practice Area, There rank from Lower to Jade and unknown.... Only those with the right foundation can survive in such an environment. But you, Lu Yan, have already begun the path. With my great strongest Wood Spirt roots alongside these techniques in hand, you will shape this energy to your will."

The figure gestured, and before Lu Yan stood a massive stone platform, surrounded by dense forests and towering trees. Each tree radiated with spiritual energy, their roots twisting into the earth like veins of power. The air was thick with the scent of fresh pine and damp earth, the wind carrying whispers of forgotten knowledge.

"You must cultivate here," the figure instructed. "Absorb the energy, let it infuse your body, and refine your essence. Only then will you begin to understand the true potential of the techniques you've unlocked."

Lu Yan stepped forward, his feet pressing against the ground, his pulse rising. He felt an overwhelming sense of awe as he gazed at the vast expanse of energy before him. This was no ordinary place. It felt like the very core of the world itself.

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, the air around him growing heavier with every passing second. His body tensed, preparing for the immense pressure of the Qi that would soon flow into him. As he opened his eyes, the world around him seemed to blur, the power calling to him like a magnet.

A surge of energy filled him, coursing through his veins with a raw intensity that threatened to overwhelm him. His muscles burned with the effort of containing the energy, but he gritted his teeth and focused, drawing on the techniques passed down to him.

The trees around him seemed to respond to his will, their roots shifting beneath the earth, as if eager to assist in his cultivation. The energy in the air spiraled around him, gathering into a whirlwind of power that he could sense, but not yet control.

"This is it," Lu Yan thought, his mind focused, the world narrowing to just him and the immense power around him. "This is the moment."

As he began to channel the energy, something deep within him shifted. The raw power he had felt earlier grew into something tangible, something he could shape and mold. His body thrummed with energy, and for the first time, he truly understood the magnitude of the path he had chosen.

It was only the beginning. The ground beneath him seemed to hum, as if in agreement. He was no longer just a person—he was a part of the world around him, an extension of the very energy that flowed through it. This was a world of cultivation, a world where the strongest ruled, and Lu Yan had just begun to carve his place into it.

The figure's voice came once more, resonating in the air like a final, lingering command: "Now, cultivate. The world is waiting for you to ascend. Do not squander this gift."

Lu Yan closed his eyes again, breathing deeply. As the power swirled around him, he felt the weight of the world pressing in, the infinite possibilities stretching before him. There would be no going back now.

A sudden, sharp chime rang in his mind, breaking through the overwhelming sensation of power. It was the familiar sound of the system—a notification.

Ding!

Congratulations! You have unlocked the hidden class [Cultivator].

Lu Yan froze for a moment, his eyes snapping open as the words appeared in his vision. A hidden class? He hadn't expected there is such a thing as this. 

Class: [Cultivator]

Level: 1

Description: A hidden path unlocked for those who possess the rare ability to channel both the spiritual and natural energies of the world. The cultivation path of this class will enhance one's physical, spiritual, and elemental prowess, leading them to transcendence.

The next few days felt like an eternity to Lu Yan. Every moment was a constant battle between exhaustion and resolve, between the overwhelming weight of his past decisions and the promise of his future. Yet, no matter how hard he pushed himself, the brutal truth was undeniable—he was changing.

The air around him crackled with energy as Lu Yan stood, his legs still trembling from the trial, yet something inside him had awakened. He was no longer just a man—he was a cultivator. 

His shelter—a modest clearing surrounded by trees and rugged stone—had slowly come together. It wasn't anything remarkable, but it was his own. A quiet, personal space where he could focus and train in peace. He'd spent hours, days even, clearing the area, cutting branches, and arranging stones. The earth had been shaped by his hands, not perfectly, but with enough care to make it functional and sturdy.

The trees, while still wild and untamed, now provided shelter, their thick canopies offering protection from the sun and rain. The stone walls he'd built weren't majestic but solid enough to block the wind and shield him from any wild animals that might wander too close. It wasn't a home in the traditional sense.

Lu Yan set out to train, to truly cultivate. This wasn't the playful, haphazard training he had done before. It was grueling, calculated, and relentless. For hours, he sat cross-legged in the center of his shelter, the air thick with his focus. His breath became steady, rhythmic—each inhale bringing power, each exhale releasing tension.

He found a section detailing the many realms of cultivation—a path that led from the lowest levels to unimaginable heights.

Cultivation Realms:

1. Qi Condensation: 

This is the first stage of cultivation. At this level, cultivators begin to refine their Qi, establishing a foundation for their journey. The stronger the Qi, the faster they can advance.

2. Foundation Establishment: 

The next stage focuses on the solidification of a cultivator's core. At this level, the cultivator can begin to feel the forces of nature, manipulate the elements, and tap into deeper pools of energy.

3. Golden Core Formation:

At this stage, a cultivator's connection to the world becomes unbreakable. Their Qi, once scattered and raw, begins to condense into a singular, radiant Golden Core deep within their body. This Core, unlike any mere energy, serves as the heart of their power. It pulsates with life, becoming the foundation of everything they will ever achieve. The energy within it is dense and concentrated, granting them an unimaginable strength and control over their Qi. 

4. Nascent Soul: 

The Nascent Soul represents the formation of a true soul within the cultivator's body. At this stage, cultivators gain immense spiritual and physical power. They are capable of controlling elemental forces on a large scale, and their connection to the world deepens beyond the physical.

5. Soul Transformation: 

Once a cultivator's soul has matured, they begin to transform themselves into a higher being, transcending mortal limits. Their bodies are refined and they reach levels of power unimaginable to lower cultivators.

6. Unity Realm: The final realm, where a cultivator becomes one with the world itself. Their body, mind, and soul align with the very forces of nature. They can manipulate the elements on a cosmic scale, defying the boundaries of mortal life.