Fang Hu woke up in a dim stone room. It seemed that he had awakened within an interrogation room. He could tell it was an interrogation room because of the chains that were bolted on the table. He could also tell this wasn't a prison cell because of the lack of a bed and shitter. Most prison cells would have some iteration of those two things. Our hero wasn't chained but knew he wasn't free to go because of the guard on the other side of the door, that, and the fact that you don't put people that are 'free to go' in interrogation rooms.

When Fang Hu regained his wits somewhat, he stopped marveling at the dingy room, and started marveling at his body. His entire body was clean and healthy. The healing wasn't surprising, he might have been fucked up beyond belief, but every cultivation novel would have you believe popping a pill or seeing a specialist would fix you right up. It was his cleanliness that surprised him the most, basic qi manipulation could keep yourself and your clothes from stinking to high heaven, but this was a new level. It felt as if his entire body had been deep steam cleaned, if he had kept his cavities from his old world, he was sure this would have gotten rid of them. Fang Hu was convinced that they used a technique on him, why would they waste the amount of qi required to brute force this, and a mortal doing this work would have definitely left its mark. Fang Hu vowed to obtain a technique or treasure that could mimic this effect, he was tired of feeling any less clean than this new standard.

After a moment of levity, Fang Hu began seriously inspecting his body. Something felt off, and he couldn't figure out what. Before stripping his clothes and searching himself, he sent his vision inwards. His qi sense swept throughout his body, but even with the endless concentration of a scholar, Fang Hu couldn't find any oddities inside himself. Fang Hu started sweating, his entire body felt lighter, his muscles felt packed with energy, and even his brain seemed to function better. Had they put him on some drug? Why would they do that, and how did they do it so the medicine couldn't be sensed by him? The only thing Fang Hu could think to do was to check to see if anything had popped up on it.

~~~

Fang Hu

15 yrs old

Roots: Non-elemental 22.34%

Cultivation: Qi Gathering 6/13 40.76% Average

Body Cultivation: Qi Gathering 5/13 24.90% Poor

Techniques: Serpent's Breath Cultivation Technique

Spiral Snake Striking Fist

Solar Body Reinforcement

Powers: Understanding

Theoretical Test

Background: A talented loose cultivator, operates as a scholar.

Potential: Low-High

~~~

'I take it back, my brain doesn't seem to be functioning better.'

It appeared that they'd had left him his amulet, which improved his mood considerably. If they let him keep spiritual treasures, then the odds are likely that they aren't planning on imprisoning him. His mood dropped somewhat whenever he realized his spirit stones were lost in the explosions. With newfound confidence, he called out to the guard.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

*Hey dude, do you know what I'm in for?*

"I would like to inquire my purpose for being placed in this dour room."

"Oh, so our esteemed guest doesn't like our accommodations?"

Without any warning, an older man appeared out of thin air. Fang Hu almost shot out of his skin. Some people may say that'd be appropriate for a snake cultivator. Some people's puns are bad, and they should feel bad. Anyway, Fang Hu almost dropped into a fighting stance, and he would have, if not for the man's aura telling him that would be a horrible idea. The man's aura was awfully peculiar. When one cultivates, one takes in qi, that qi, whether it's formed internally or taken from external sources, develops alongside yourself. As you cultivate, it takes on the form of yourself and your dao. The qi can then be read by any cultivators that with the ability. The ability can be comparable to swimming, it is extremely common, and can be learned by trial and error, but someone who doesn't bother with it won't be able to read auras.

Your aura says a lot about you, if your aura is aggressive, then you're likely aggressive. If your aura is ice-cold, then you either are an ice cultivator or are someone who should be in a mental hospital. Fang Hu came to know how to read auras when the system altered him, but this was the first time he had come across an aura he couldn't read. His reasonable mind told him that it was probably a technique or cultivation method, but Fang Hu's instinct told him that this man was above him and shouldn't be trifled with.

To be fair, his instincts were entirely correct, but it wasn't a very good mindset to have when in an interrogation. That was nothing, Liuxian was not in a playing mood, there had been an attack on the city, and he only had one witness strong enough not to pass out immediately when met with the qi of the perpetrators. He had pieced together enough to know that this man hadn't attacked the city together, but still should know what happened. He wasn't about to go easy on him. Liuxian pressed his aura forward and started to question this cultivator.

"Tell me what happened."

"Three people tried to attack me and fought amongst themselves."

"And why would they do that?"

"Because they lack manners and brains?"

"Tell me why."

"It's not my fault that the auction house enforcer, sect elder, and tribal diviner all fought each other!"

"..."

"Okay... I-I didn't have any way to know that it would happen."

"..."

"That might have been because I was lacking in foresight and intelligence."

Liuxain sighed, it seemed like this interrogation would be a long one.