The Path of a Rogue Cultivator
Chapter 4: The Path of a Rogue Cultivator
The fire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows across the clearing.
Xu Liang sat cross-legged, observing the group around him. Zhao Wei, their apparent leader, exuded confidence and experience. Meilin, the dagger-wielding girl, had an aggressive yet controlled air about her. The two other young men, whom Xu Liang hadn't yet spoken to, carried themselves with the ease of people used to survival.
This was no ordinary group of outcasts.
They had structure. Discipline.
And Xu Liang needed to understand exactly what he had stepped into.
Zhao Wei leaned against a rock, smirking. "Alright, kid. You passed the little test. But surviving one fight doesn't mean you can slack off."
"I never planned to," Xu Liang replied coolly.
One of the young men chuckled. "Good. Because we don't take in dead weight."
Zhao Wei motioned toward the fire. "Since you're with us now, I'll lay things out clearly. We're not some band of bandits or beggars. We're rogue cultivators. The ones the sects throw away or ignore. But that doesn't mean we're weak."
Meilin flipped her dagger between her fingers. "If you can't pull your weight, you won't last."
Xu Liang didn't respond. Instead, he glanced at Zhao Wei.
"You said you don't follow sect rules. But where do you get your resources? Without spirit stones, techniques, or pills, how do you expect to cultivate?"
The group exchanged glances.
Then Zhao Wei grinned.
"Now that's a good question."
He tossed a small pouch to Xu Liang. "Open it."
Xu Liang caught it and pulled the string loose. Inside, a handful of low-grade spirit stones gleamed faintly in the firelight.
Spirit stones—condensed energy in mineral form, used for cultivation.
Xu Liang narrowed his eyes. "You steal from sects?"
One of the other men laughed. "Not exactly. We take what they don't bother guarding. Outer sect hunting grounds, abandoned mines, trade routes… the sects hoard more resources than they can protect."
Zhao Wei smirked. "And we make sure they don't go to waste."
Xu Liang ran his fingers over the stones, thinking.
Not exactly noble. But in a world where the strong rule, morality means nothing without power.
Besides, he had no sympathy for the sects—especially not Iron Wolf Sect, the very people who discarded him.
He met Zhao Wei's gaze. "And the techniques? You need manuals to cultivate."
Zhao Wei pulled out a worn scroll from his sleeve and tossed it over.
Xu Liang caught it and unrolled it.
—
[Iron Fang Body Refinement Art]
Grade: Low-Tier Mortal
Effect: Strengthens the body through external absorption of Qi. Enhances endurance and power but requires intense physical training.
—
Xu Liang raised an eyebrow.
"This is an Iron Wolf Sect technique."
Zhao Wei grinned. "What, you thought we'd just make up our own?"
Meilin smirked. "We take from those who don't deserve it."
Xu Liang studied the technique. It was basic, but better than nothing. The real problem was…
"This is a body refinement technique," Xu Liang said. "Not a true cultivation method."
Body refinement techniques strengthened the body but did not allow one to step into the true cultivation realms. A proper Qi Cultivation technique was necessary to become a martial artist.
Zhao Wei's smirk faded slightly. "You're sharp. Yeah, we haven't gotten our hands on a real Qi Cultivation method yet."
Xu Liang tapped his fingers against the scroll, considering.
If I want to reach immortality, I need more than scraps stolen from sects. But I have something they don't…
He took a deep breath and focused.
"System," he said internally. "Do I have access to a cultivation method?"
A familiar blue screen flashed before his eyes.
—
[Host Cultivation Path Selection Available]
Options:
Heaven-Defying Immortal Art (Exclusive) – A unique path that allows unrestricted growth, absorbing various energies and adapting infinitely. Grants enhanced lifespan and efficiency in all cultivation methods.
Standard Cultivation Path – Choose from existing techniques in the world.
—
Xu Liang's heartbeat quickened.
This was what he needed. A foundation that surpassed everyone else.
I choose the Heaven-Defying Immortal Art.
A wave of pure energy surged through his body. His muscles tensed, his mind sharpened, and for a brief moment, he felt connected to the world itself.
Then, a notification appeared.
—
[Cultivation Method Chosen: Heaven-Defying Immortal Art]
[Effect: Allows host to cultivate without restrictions. Qi absorption efficiency increased. Body refinement and Qi Cultivation can progress simultaneously.]
—
Xu Liang exhaled slowly.
Now, I have everything I need.
He rolled up the stolen scroll and tossed it back to Zhao Wei.
"This technique is useless to me," he said.
Zhao Wei raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You think you're too good for it?"
Xu Liang smirked. "I have my own way of getting stronger."
The group exchanged glances.
Meilin tilted her head. "Big words for someone with no cultivation."
Xu Liang didn't argue. Instead, he stood up.
"If you don't mind, I'm going to start training."
Zhao Wei chuckled. "Heh. Do whatever you want, kid. Just don't die."
Xu Liang walked toward a secluded spot, away from the firelight.
As soon as he was alone, he sat cross-legged and focused.
For the first time, he circulated Qi through his body.
A strange warmth spread through his meridians—clearer, purer than what he had expected. He could feel the natural energy of the world flowing into him, drawn in by the Heaven-Defying Immortal Art.
His body absorbed it greedily.
Then, another notification appeared.
—
[Qi Cultivation Initiated.]
[Stage: Initial Qi Gathering (0%)]
—
Xu Liang clenched his fists.
He had officially started cultivating.
No longer just a weak mortal.
This was the first step on his path to immortality.
And nothing—not sects, not beasts, not fate itself—would stop him.