2.2. Sulla, Omar and Song Qi

The first day- Dream Domain

Sulla

Sulla opens his eyes and quickly sits up, looking around. 

He sighs in relief—he is still in his house, not kidnapped. 

Although the experience inside the simulation room and combat training room felt real, a small doubt remains at the back of his mind. 

Everything had felt so real that it was hard to believe his mind alone travelled while his body slept.

After the relief fades, excitement surges through him. 

The training ground, opened by a powerful being, may be his way to rise, to break the destiny he was born into. 

Before, school was his only path out—his only hope to avoid working day and night in a factory like his father and mother.

The Light Spirit Empire provides free schooling to those up to sixteen years old. 

After that, only two paths lead into the prestigious Academies: 

one, paying the hefty fees, which he and his family could never afford; 

two, clearing the Academy entrance exam, where the passing rate is less than five per cent.

He performs well in his studies, ranking among the top ten at his school, but even then, he is unsure if it will be enough. 

Often, he dreams of other ways to get a meditation technique: 

falling off a cliff and meeting an expert in disguise, 

helping a beggar who turns out to be a hidden master, 

winning the favour of some upper-class figure, 

even becoming the lover of a noble widow who gifts him a technique.

Only sometimes does he dream of passing the entrance test and getting the technique from the Academy.

Now, there is another way. 

Through the training ground, there is a real chance. 

The great being who created it might grant him a meditation technique— 

But in exchange for information.

Sulla frowns, thinking. 

What information does he have? 

Only the contents of his schoolbooks, daily life observations, and surface-level knowledge about the Light Spirit Empire. 

The number of sky islands the Empire occupies, the name of their world, their enemies and rival countries— 

Things every citizen knows.

He doubts a great being capable of creating an entire dream world would care about such trivial knowledge.

If Merin could hear his thoughts, he would jump up and down in excitement, shouting that he is very much interested. 

For now, what Merin needs most is any information about this world.

Sulla hears his mother calling him. 

He quickly gets up with a skip in his step, brushes his teeth, washes his face, and heads downstairs. 

The breakfast table is already set, food laid out neatly, with his father and 12-year-old brother Milo sitting and waiting. 

Sulla takes a seat and says, "Good morning," receiving the same reply. 

As his mother appears, holding his 9-year-old sister Lena, his father speaks.

"The final test of your school is finished, and in two weeks, your schooling will end. Then what will you do?"

Sulla nods. The final test ended three weeks ago. 

Now, classes continue only for those preparing for the entrance exams. 

The school encourages this—every student who enters an academy brings the school more resources and recognition. 

So even after the final exams, teachers still guide them.

Before Sulla can answer, his father continues. 

"I know you want to take the entrance test for the academies, but we don't have the money for you to go to other sky islands. 

The only option is Aeroc Academy."

His father looks at him carefully and says, "I'm sure you will pass the entrance test, but if something happens and you fail, then what will you do?"

Sulla, taking a bite of his food, says, "I will enter the factories where you two work."

His mother says, "Why not? If you work where I worked or the factory where your father works, we can take care of you."

Sulla says, "No, I am not."

His mother frowns and says, "Don't be stubborn."

Sulla replies, "I will think about what I will do if I fail." 

He cannot tell them he can enter another place after falling asleep, and might get a meditation technique from there.

Then his father says, "What about becoming a city guard?"

Milo interjects, "Like Uncle Owen."

Uncle Owen is his father's younger brother and a city guard.

Sulla opens his mouth to refuse but pauses. 

If he becomes a guard, he might gain valuable information to exchange for a meditation technique.

Sulla asks, "How?"

His father smiles at the question and says, "From tomorrow, the Guard Training School will start, and Owen can get a place for you."

For Sulla, becoming a guard interests him, but passing the entrance exam is more important. 

If he passes the test, he will get a meditation technique easily and be free.

Sulla says, "But I have classes tomorrow."

His father replies, "It's only three hours in the evening, and the guard training school is in the morning."

Sulla asks, "Training school classes take how much time? I have to study for the entrance exam."

His father says, "That I don't know. Today, everything is closed. Let's go and meet your uncle."

Milo shouts, "I also want to go!"

Lena's soft voice follows, "Me too, Father."

Today, his school and his parents' factory are closed because after every five days, the sixth day is a holiday. After breakfast, Sulla, his father, his brother, and his sister walk toward Uncle Owen's house. His uncle lives only ten minutes away and alone.

Knocking at the front door, they wait a few seconds before it opens. Uncle Owen smiles and says, "What brings all of you here?"

They step inside, and after some small greetings, Sulla's father brings up the guard training school. 

Then Sulla learns everything.

The guard training school lasts two months. They will teach combat and guard duties. After two months, a fighting competition will be held. Out of 200 participants, 30 will be selected — the top 25 by ranking and 5 chosen by judges.

After some more small talk, they return home. 

Sulla spends the rest of the time studying and having an early dinner. He tries to sleep early because the guard training school starts at 6 AM.

He also wants to find out if he can enter the training ground created by the great being in his sleep. 

Passing the guard test depends heavily on the training ground, where he can experience fighting without the fear of injuries. 

With that thought, he wills himself to sleep.

As he drifts into sleep, Sulla finds himself inside the hall again. He looks around and finds no one. That does not surprise him, as last time he left after three people, and everyone's sleeping times are different. 

He asks the spirit, "No one came?" 

The answer he receives is, "Talun is present and is inside the training room."

He remembers that last time, Talun was the first to disappear. Hearing this, Sulla walks toward the door of the combat training room and appears in the familiar pavilion. 

On the sandy ground of the arena, he finds Talun, his snake tail shifting through the sand as he moves, practising with his spear.

Sulla shouts, "Talun, can you teach me how to fight?"

Talun stops, his snake-like eyes narrowing as he focuses on Sulla. "I thought you wanted to enter the so-called academy," Talun says.

Last time, Sulla had introduced himself here. He had shared information about his world and learned about the others, too. 

Among them, he was most jealous of Talun, already a low-ranking demon and the only extraordinary among them. 

He learned that Talun was born as a low-rank demon and had inherited memory from his ancestor with cultivation for his race up to the Divine Core Realm. 

Before coming here, Sulla only knew cultivation up to the Divine Seal Realm. 

He also learned that the first four realms together are called the Mortal Realm, and that every profession has different names for these four realms, but from the Divine Seal Realm onward, the names become the same.

He turns his attention back to Talun, who says, "You should practice with Omar. Even if you are not human, your appearance is similar to humans."

Sulla agrees with him, but he wonders when Omar will fall asleep and come here. 

He knows Omar is involved in a war and fears he may have even died today.

Sulla says, "Let me practise with you till Omar comes."

Talun thinks that he may need Sulla's help one day, so he says, "Then come." 

Sulla takes the stairs down to the arena, and as he walks toward Talun, his thoughts materialise a sword in his hand. 

He feels the wooden handle, and it feels more like real wood today. 

Last time, when he materialised a sword, the handle felt cold like metal even though it appeared made of wood.

Then he starts practising with Talun. 

After some time, the shadow snake appears above the pavilion and slithers down to the arena, starting his own practice. 

Again, after some time, Omar appears. 

Sulla stops his training with Talun and approaches Omar, who says he can give him only an hour. 

Omar wants to train with Talun, as their combat effectiveness is equal, and without the worry of injury, he feels his improvement fighting Talun. 

Sulla agrees, knowing Omar is involved in a war and fights daily, and any improvement might help him survive another day.

The second day- Dream Domain

Omar

Omar opens his eyes as he hears shifting and people running around. 

He is sleeping inside the army camp, in a large tent where twenty people are present. 

He spots some leaving the tent and also gets up, rolls up his bedding, and leaves. 

Outside, the sun rises, and he spots a basket full of red star tree leaves. 

He picks some leaves and starts chewing them. 

The leaves of the red star tree contain juice that cleanses the mouth, according to the witch in their city.

After some time, he reaches an open space at the back of the camp where he finds people, as usual, practising with their weapons or practising their body techniques. 

He finds a space for himself and starts practising the body technique. 

Since he already practised his combat in his dream with Talun, he focuses now on the War Wolf technique. 

He moves his body; the War Wolf technique contains thirty-six body movements and can be practised up to the Master realm. 

If he perfectly masters the first twelve body movements, then Omar will break through to the Warrior realm, as vital energy will appear in him. 

The first twelve movements are not the direct reason to break through, but if his body becomes strong enough, with the breathing method in the War Wolf technique, he can form his vital energy and become a Warrior. 

This means that when his body reaches a certain strength, he doesn't need to perfect all twelve movements; he can still form his vital energy with the breathing method. 

Even before the body is fully strong enough, some people form their vital energy, but it is risky. 

The breathing squeezes the body to form vital energy, and if it fails, the body would be injured.

He takes an energy pill and starts practising the movements one by one. 

He can practise up to eight movements perfectly, and now he is trying to perfect the ninth movement.

After a few hours, under the heat of the summer morning sun, Omar stands wearing his leather armour, sword in one hand and shield in the other, waiting and sweating. 

He is in a group of thirty people, arranged in six rows and five columns. 

He stands in the third row, second from the left. 

He leans forward and looks ahead across the grassland, spotting the army of Breece City. 

He waits, and as soon as he hears the sound of a horn blowing, he ducks his head, raises his shield, and step by step moves forward in formation. 

Then he hears the sound of arrows striking shields, and soon after, he feels an arrow hit his own shield. 

He stays calm, as this has been a daily occurrence for the past ten days. 

Before he reaches close to the enemy, he feels three more arrows hit his shield and feels the force behind each impact. 

When the enemy's faces become clear, the people in front of him start shouting and running forward, and he follows them. 

The enemy shouts and rushes forward, and the battle starts without any formation. 

Omar faces an enemy armed with a shield and sword and fights carefully, always alert for attacks from others. 

As they clash, Omar senses the enemy's strength is about the same as his. 

As the fight goes on, he feels his own skill is slightly stronger. 

If he pushed harder, he might be able to kill the enemy, but doing so would increase his chances of getting injured and becoming a target for others. 

He would have taken the risk for the reward—a body refining pill that strengthens the body—if not for the adventures he has experienced in his dreams. 

Now, he chooses to wait, letting his sword skill refine further, planning to kill the enemy at a later date when he can avoid injury.

Now, he chooses to wait, letting his sword skill refine further, planning to kill the enemy at a later date when he can avoid injury. 

All around him, the sound of swords clashing fills the air. Soldiers shout, boots pound the ground, and metal rings against metal. 

The chaos of battle surrounds Omar, but at this early stage, he does not yet hear the screams of pain or the cries of the dying. 

The lines are still holding, and the blood has not yet fully soaked the field. 

Omar calms down after deciding not to go for the kill. 

He focuses on defending himself, raising his shield steadily, only striking when he clearly sees an opening. 

His opponent grows more aggressive with every passing minute, sword flashing with deadly intent, wanting to end Omar's life. 

As time drags on and Omar continues to defend without panic, the enemy mistakes his patience for weakness. 

Believing Omar to be fragile prey, the enemy starts attacking with full force, his strikes are faster and heavier. 

Omar calmly blocks each blow, retreating a step when needed, his breathing steady, eyes sharp. 

The sun slowly sinks toward the horizon, painting the sky with shades of red and gold. 

Omar notices the enemy's movements are growing sluggish, the sword heavy and slow. 

Fatigue shows in the man's arms and legs, his breathing loud and uneven. 

Sensing his chance, Omar decides to take a risk. 

The horn announcing the end of today's battle could sound at any moment, and he cannot afford to let this opportunity slip. 

He lunges forward, his sword flashing with sudden ferocity. 

The enemy barely raises his shield in time. Omar steps to the side and attacks again, striking fast and hard. 

The enemy stumbles under the relentless assault. 

In the next breath, Omar's sword pierces through the enemy's leather armour and into his heart. 

The man's eyes widen in shock before he crumples to the ground. 

Omar stands still for a moment, his heart beating fast. 

After ten days of fighting, this is his first kill. 

Before today, his only thought had been survival, never about taking a life. 

Snapping back to the present, Omar bends down and pulls the locket from the dead man's neck. 

The locket, an identification mark, is necessary to claim rewards after the battle. 

He knows the enemy would have done the same to him if their positions were reversed. 

Looking up, he spots one of his teammates struggling, blood running from a wound on his arm. 

Without hesitation, Omar runs to help, shielding his comrade and pushing back the enemy with quick, defensive strikes. 

After a few tense minutes, the long, deep sound of the horn echoes across the battlefield. 

The fighting slows, and soldiers from both sides begin retreating back to their camps, the day's war coming to a close. 

Omar walks into his camp, supporting his injured teammate. 

He leads him to the medical tent, handing him over to the healers before turning away. 

Alone, he walks toward the back of a long line of people, all waiting to exchange their battle participation for resources. 

Each day, every fighter who joins the battle receives three energy pills as a reward for their efforts. 

Slowly, Omar reaches the front of the line. 

He stands before an officer, Tak, who sits behind a wooden desk. 

Omar shows the identification locket hanging from his neck and says, "Omar." 

Tak nods and hands him three light green pills, saying, "Next one." 

But Omar does not move away. 

Instead, he says, "Sir Tak, I have this," and places the enemy's identification locket on the table. 

Tak looks up, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studies the teenage face before him. 

After a moment, he says, "Good job. Omar, is this your first kill?" 

Without waiting for a reply, Tak writes Omar's name on a piece of animal skin and marks a symbol next to it, noting the kill. 

Omar answers, "Yes," and places the locket carefully on the desk. 

Tak nods again and hands him a red-colored pill—the body refining pill. 

Without lingering, Omar quickly walks away. 

He hears people whispering about him, but he pays no attention. 

Entering his tent, he opens his bedding and sits down, wasting no time before swallowing the body refining pill. 

Almost immediately, he feels heat spreading from his stomach, searing through his muscles and bones. 

Pain blossoms across his body, but he grits his teeth and endures it. 

After some time, Omar heard footsteps of people entering the tent, then their voices: 

"What happened to Omar?" 

"Should we call the witch? He looks like he's in pain." 

"It looks like the effect of the body refining pill." 

"Yeah, it is. Today, Omar made his first kill." 

"Woah!" 

"Hey, where's Aman?" 

"I saw Aman get killed today." 

"Furze too. He died today." 

"Is Korsai dead?" 

"No, I saw him eating with his arm all bandaged." 

A heavy sigh follows: 

"When we came here, this tent held thirty people." 

"Now... we're just eighteen." 

"When will the war end?" 

More sighs, and more voices repeating the same desperate question: 

"When will the war end?" 

Through the waves of pain and heat, Omar also wonders the same thing, but he clutches onto his willpower and endures. 

At night, exhausted from the war and drained by the effects of the body refining pill, Omar falls asleep quickly. 

The pain faded away hours ago, and with the thought that if he gets his hands on another body refining pill, he will be able to perform the ninth body movement without any struggle. 

Drifting into the oblivion of sleep, Omar finds himself once again in the familiar black stone hall. 

Above him hangs the same strange object that Sulla once called a chandelier, glowing softly. 

In his own home and the city, the only night lighting is a cloth soaked in animal fat oil and burned for light. 

Before Omar can take a step, he hears a low humming sound beside him. 

Turning, he sees Song Qi appearing in the hall. 

Omar doesn't know much about Song Qi. 

He only knows that Song Qi is an orphan and a woodworker, skilled in carving pictures, statues, and crafting simple wooden objects. 

Unlike Omar, Song Qi's cultivation path is not combat-oriented; he is a spiritual carpenter, while Omar walks the path of a warrior. 

They do not share much in common. 

After exchanging a simple nod of greeting, Omar walks away and enters the combat training room. 

The third day- Dream Domain

Song Qi

Song Qi opens his eyes and sees the morning glow seeping through the gaps in his room's roof and walls. 

Birds chirp, dogs bark, and the sound of people talking drifts inside. 

He quickly gets up, leaves his room, and walks outside to complete his morning duties. 

When he returns, he finds Zhu Pan practising in their yard. 

The house Song Qi lives in is shared with three others of his age, one of whom is Zhu Pan. 

Seeing him, Zhu Pan stops his practice and calls out, "Hey, Song Qi." 

Song Qi nods back and asks, "Zhu Pan, can you tell me about how to become a warrior?" 

Zhu Pan looks at him quizzically, "I thought you had no interest in any profession other than spiritual carpenter." 

Song Qi hadn't before. 

He entered the strange space in his sleep, and it opened his mind. 

Before, he had focused only on spiritual carpentry because he could not see a clear future in which he could become a spiritual carpenter. 

Now he realises he can one day become a spiritual carpenter, but that profession has little to no combat strength, no stronger than an ordinary person. 

To protect himself, he decides to also pursue the path of a warrior. 

He says, "Carpentry is physical work, and sometimes while working, I feel tired and make mistakes. So, I want to become a warrior to strengthen my body." 

Zhu Pan nods, "It is good, but you won't have the time to become a warrior with my cultivation method, and you would feel even more tired. The best choice for you is an inner breathing exercise." 

Song Qi asks, "What is the difference between inner breathing and your cultivation method?" 

Zhu Pan explains, "My cultivation is the external body refining method. It strengthens the body and generates inner energy once the body's strength reaches a certain level. The disadvantage is that you have to practice daily for hours, and it often causes inner injuries. But it is fast—if you have even a little talent, you can generate inner energy in two to three years." 

He stops for a moment to catch his breath, then continues, "Inner breathing is a method that refines the body from inside, using energy from food and precious spiritual plants. If you master inner breathing and have the resources, you can practise it while doing other work. But it consumes more resources." 

Song Qi immediately likes the idea of the inner breathing method and asks, "Where can I get an inner breathing exercise?" 

Zhu Pan says, "You can see the advantage of the inner breathing exercise. This also makes them hard to get, and only martial arts halls, noble families, or martial arts sects have them. You can also buy them from some treasure houses." 

Song Qi frowns, hearing this. "This means I cannot get my hands on an inner breathing exercise, then. And now I do not have time to practice the external breathing exercise." 

Zhu Pan replies, "You can get one inner breathing exercise. It is called the Evergreen Pine Breathing Exercise. It is made for old people who simply want to strengthen their bodies, but it is very difficult to become a warrior with this exercise. However, since you want only to strengthen your body, it is best for you." 

Song Qi, hearing this, thinks it is for old people, but he decides he can start with it. Later, when he becomes a Tier-1 spiritual carpenter, he can find another inner breathing exercise. He asks, "Then where can I get it?" 

Zhu Pan says, "Our village guard captain, Zhou Yu, has it. I will get it for you and give it to you tonight." 

Song Qi says, "Thank you," and leaves Zhu Pan to his practice. After having breakfast, he leaves for his work.

After a few hours, wiping the sweat off his face, Song Qi looks at the furniture he created. Now, only the design work is left, and then he will finish. He must carve the design carefully without any mistakes because it is the first furniture piece he has been given to design. 

If he succeeds, the manager might send him to Longpo Town, where the main branch of the workshop is located, and he can learn how to become a spiritual carpenter. Where he works now is in his village, a branch where only apprentices and some old former workers, who have passed their prime and are unable to become spiritual carpenters, remain. 

Song Qi stops his mind from wandering and focuses completely on the furniture. Holding his chisel with steady hands, he places its tip gently against the wood. He takes a deep breath, feeling the texture beneath his fingers, and slowly pushes the chisel forward. His movements are precise, each line following the pattern he has already visualised in his mind. 

The wood shavings curl away with every stroke, falling silently to the floor. His eyes do not blink, and his hand does not tremble. The design begins to take shape—curved lines, delicate swirls, and firm edges, all flowing naturally under his careful touch. 

He works patiently, every motion calculated, every detail clear in his mind. Even when a bead of sweat rolls down his forehead and threatens to fall onto the wood, he ignores it. 

Hours pass, and the rough wood slowly transforms into a beautiful piece, the design breathing life into the furniture under Song Qi's unwavering attention. Song Qi sighs, looking at his design come to life, and a joy spreads through his body. Then he hears clapping around him and finds all the apprentices, old workers, and even the manager watching as he carves the design. He hears congratulations from them. 

Then the manager's deep voice booms, "Song Qi, come with me. Everyone else, go back to your work." Song Qi bows to everyone and promises the apprentices he will treat them to dinner today. He follows behind the manager to the manager's office. 

He enters behind the manager and waits for him to take his seat and face him. The manager looks at him and says, "Song Qi, I am surprised you improved so rapidly over the past two days. I thought it would take a week for you to complete a full piece by yourself." 

Song Qi, in his mind, thinks he really did take a week to improve. He learned in the dream space from Ivy that three hours passed there for every one hour in the real world. So he practised altogether eight days, one day more even. Song Qi simply smiles and says, "It is all because of your teaching." 

The manager says, "I know what is due to me and what is not. No need to say such things." Song Qi only nods in reply. Then the manager continues, "I know you want to go and work under Master Li, but not all can." 

Song Qi asks, "What do I have to do to work under Master Li?" 

The manager says, "Take a wooden board and carve your own design. You carved the design of the workshop on the furniture, but to work under a Master, you have to create your own design."

Song Qi, hearing this, nods and asks, "How much time do I have to create my own design?" 

The manager replies, "It is unlimited. You can submit your design anytime. If Master Li likes it, then you will work under him in Longpo Town." 

Song Qi says, "Then I will try to create a design as quickly as possible." 

The manager replies, "You can take your time and design carefully because your design will become one of the pieces of our workshop. When they order works with your design, you will get 10% of the profit earned." 

Song Qi says, "I am not interested in money. I want to become a spiritual carpenter." 

The manager replies, "If you want to become a spiritual carpenter, then you don't need to work under Master Li." 

Song Qi raises his eyebrows, hearing this, and says, "Without Master's teaching, how can I carve a core and create spiritual woodwork?" 

The manager replies, "For that, you need to learn under Master Li. But before that, you have to become a Spiritualist." 

Song Qi asks, "Spiritualist?" 

The manager says, "To awaken your mental energy, you have to practice a spiritual cultivation technique. When you awaken your mental energy, you are a spiritualist." 

Song Qi replies, "But I heard that to awaken mental energy, one has to create a spiritual woodwork. Then, when the woodwork absorbs spiritual energy from outside, the energy feeds back to the carver, and the mental energy awakens by itself." 

The manager waves his hand, showing it is false, and says, "It is false. It is impossible. Because to create a spiritual core, you need mental energy to carve the core inside the furniture." 

Song Qi frowns, thinking, then asks, "Then how can I awaken my mental energy?" 

The manager says, "Don't worry. You have completed a woodwork by yourself. According to the rules, you can now go to the workshop in Longpo Town and get a low-level spiritual cultivation method." 

Song Qi says, "Low level?" 

The manager says, "Spiritual cultivation methods are divided into four levels—low, medium, high, and complete. With a low-level method, you can only become a Spiritual Master." 

Song Qi nods and asks, "Is there a higher realm after Spiritual Master?" 

The manager says, "Yes. The first realm is Spiritualist, then comes the Spiritual Master, after that comes the Spiritual Great Master, then the Spiritual Grandmaster, and after that, the Divine Seal Realm." 

Song Qi asks, "And after Divine Seal Realm?" 

The manager says, "First, become a Spiritualist. Then think about what comes after the Divine Seal Realm. It is too far away from you now." 

Song Qi nods and asks, "When can I go and get the spiritual cultivation method?" 

The manager says, "Wait," and then starts writing. After a moment, he hands a letter to Song Qi and says, "With this letter, you can get the spiritual cultivation method." 

Song Qi takes the letter and says, "Thank you. Then, can I go now?" 

The manager says, "You promised to treat the apprentices to some food. Take them now to Longpo Town and also get the spiritual cultivation method."

Song Qi replies, "But the time to end today's work has not come yet." 

The manager says, "You have created a complete woodwork by yourself, so as a reward, your work is finished for today. I am also rewarding the apprentices the same. So, you can take them away." 

Song Qi says, "Thank you, Manager," and asks, "Can I go now?" 

The manager nods and says, "You can go. Also, take this—it's another reward from me," and throws something toward Song Qi. 

Song Qi reacts instantly, catching it, and finds it is a gold coin. He asks, "Manager, what is this?" 

The manager says, "It's a reward from me. Now go." 

Song Qi says, "Thank you," and turns to leave the manager's room. 

He then walks to the workshop, where he raises his voice loudly over the sounds of wood carving, cutting, and hammering, "Everybody listen!" 

When everyone stops, Song Qi continues, "The manager told me that all apprentices can end their work for today. He also gave me a gold coin to take you all for a treat in Longpo Town." 

The apprentices break into jubilant cheers, and after a few moments, they walk out with Song Qi onto the streets of the village. 

Outside, Song Qi says, "Let's go and clean ourselves first, then meet at the village entrance." 

The apprentices nod and head toward their respective homes. Some walk with Song Qi for a while, but by the time he reaches his house, he is alone. 

As Song Qi opens the gate to enter his house's front yard, he hears someone calling him, "Brother Qi!" 

He turns toward the voice and finds Lan Yue standing there. 

Song Qi replies, "The manager gave me and the other apprentices an early break today." 

Lan Yue nods and asks, "My father gave the early break?" 

Yes, Lan Yue is the only daughter of the manager. After giving birth to Lan Yue, her mother had passed away, and the manager never remarried. 

Song Qi replies, "Yes," and explains the reason. 

He then continues, "Yue, I am disappointed in you. You didn't mention that I have to become a Spiritualist before I can become a Spiritual Carpenter." 

Lan Yue says, "You can't blame me for that. I thought you already knew." 

Song Qi replies, "I didn't know," and asks, "Do you want to come with us?" 

Lan Yue shakes her head and says, "No, I have some other work to do. Maybe next time, when you get the opportunity to work in Longpo Town." 

Song Qi nods and says, "Ok," then watches Lan Yue as she walks away. 

He then enters his house.

Lan Yue walks into her father's office and finds him working behind his desk. Hearing someone enter, he raises his head and sees his daughter. 

"You have already packed your luggage?" he asks. 

Lan Yue nods and says, "Yes." 

Her father says, "Then go and meet with your friends. You will leave tomorrow, and we don't know when you will come back." 

Lan Yue says, "I came to ask if I can take Song Qi with me tomorrow." 

Seeing her father look at her in silence, Lan Yue continues, "I will enter as an inner disciple of the Thousand Crane Sect, and I can bring someone with me as a menial disciple. How about I take Song Qi with me?" 

Her father says, "Song Qi's talent in woodwork is good. With some teaching, he would be able to become a Tier-1 Spiritual Carpenter and then advance to become an outer disciple. It's a good choice to take him, but you have to ask him yourself." 

Lan Yue nods and says, "Yes, then I will ask him after he returns from Longpo Town."

A few hours later, as night shrouds the village, Lan Yue is cultivating her spiritual cultivation method. Using her mental energy, she captures the spiritual energy in the air to nourish her mind. 

She has to stop when a knock sounds from her door. 

She asks, "Who?" 

The reply comes, "Miss, Gang Li brought Song Qi." 

Hearing this, she stands up, fixes her clothes and hair, and walks outside. 

Song Qi opens his eyes to see the familiar hallway. 

Today, his mind is a rollercoaster. He received two exercises and then heard from Lan Yue about the spiritual cultivation sect. 

Lan Yue became an inner disciple of a spiritual cultivation sect because she has a spiritual body. It is not activated yet, but after she reaches the Spiritual Grandmaster realm, it will awaken, making her breakthrough to the Divine Seal Realm much easier. 

She entered the Thousand Crane Sect, a thousand-year-old sect stronger than even the imperial court in this region. 

For him, if he wants to go further in spiritual practice, then the Thousand Crane Sect is the best option. 

He would have to start as the lowest menial disciple, but if he becomes a Tier-1 Spiritual Cultivator, he would automatically become an outer disciple. 

With the resources given to the outer disciples, his cultivation speed would increase greatly. 

At last, Song Qi agreed because this opportunity might not come again. 

And with the help of the strange space he enters when he sleeps, he feels confident he will quickly become an outer disciple.

Song Qi now has some questions to ask the spirit of this space and asks, "Spirit, can I practice the inner breathing exercise and the spiritual cultivation method?" 

He hears the voice saying, "You can practice the spiritual cultivation method. You will be able to practice the inner breathing exercise after the great being improves the space." 

Song Qi asks, "When will that happen?" 

The voice replies, "That depends on the great being. When the great being wishes, he will improve the space." 

Song Qi nods and walks into the simulation room. 

This time, he does not change the room into his workshop but sits down on the blank floor and begins to practice the spiritual cultivation method. 

The first chapter requires him to visualise a symbol. 

Once he successfully visualises the symbol, it will open the gate to his spirit and awaken his ability to use mental energy.