Xuhan's heart bled as he handed the 120 spirit stones in total to the archive pavilion's treasurer and came out with two scrolls in his hands.

"Even though I'm a tycoon now, it still hits so hard every time I see what a money grubbing jerk the authorities of this sect are. 120 spirit stones..."

Xuhan clutched both scrolls and hurried toward his hut in the black sheep mountain peak. His first priority now was to cultivate one of the techniques and reach the first layer of physique transformation realm.

Inside his hut, Xuhan sat on his small bed, feeling that this moment was perhaps the most important turning point of his life. He would turn into a cultivator from today forth; what a glorious fate! He had fantasized so much about this in his previous life...

"I'll try the skeleton monarch technique first to summon the skeletons. So what's the first step...Ah, there it is. Use your spirit qi to channel them in the way shown in the diagram below...Wait.

How do I use spirit qi?

In fact, what the hell is this spirit qi? I get that every xianxia novel has something like this as a source of their powers but is that supposed to be common knowledge?

Even though I'm familiar with this trope, I don't even know what this thing actually is...

So how am I supposed to use it?"

With a huge pang of realization, Xuhan became aware that he didn't know the first thing about practical cultivation in this world. All his assumptions were based on novels he had read in his previous life.

Then he remembered a very important matter. He had a boss now who was supposedly a protagonist level character.

"Hahah, can't i just ask boss?"

Bubbling with happiness, Xuhan ran to Mu Ran's hut.

His boss was sitting inside, calmly reading the scroll he had purchased from the archives. Seeing Xuhan, his eyes lit up.

"Ah, martial brother. Have you come to a decision yet? Are you finally giving in and now agree to become mine?"

Xuhan blanched and nearly choked on his own saliva. What was up with that last sentence? Don't tell me this guy is a BL novel protagonist...dear god! He didn't swing that way!

Mu Ran seemed to have noticed his blunder and coughed.

"Don't misunderstand martial brother. I was just thinking about my childhood sweetheart whom I haven't met in a long time and blurted out something strange."

Xuhan was dazed again. Heavens, this guy has a childhood sweetheart? Yet she had been separated from him? How many more tropes was he going to see from now on?"

And exactly what had Mu Ran been thinking about at that moment where such phrases could be suitable...?

Either way, Xuhan was now sure that this guy was a protagonist and was determined to latch onto his coattails.

"Yes! I agree to become your underling, martial brother."

Xuhan slapped his own chest and put on a strong pose after taking a deep breath.

"I'll definitely do my best in this job. That technique you gave me was so cool! The description verified that it was a super awesome technique made by a super genius cultivator! Thank you so much!"

An awkward smile appeared on Mu Ran's face as he listened to Xuhan boasting about that technique. Ahh, this underling of his was so innocent! Why are people so easy to fool these days? Or is it that he, Mu Ran, was just too smart?

"Now that you've become my underling, I'll surely look after you in perilous situations, martial brother. As for your first duty as a lackey, go buy some delicious food for me from the sect's kitchen. Let's throw a celebratory feast!"

Xuhan nodded solemnly and ran to perform his duty as if it was a mission from the gods. After forking out another two spirit stones, he bought one of the most popular and tasty dishes from the kitchen, not even bothered by the expense.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Mu Ran's eyes widened at the sight of the dish and he nodded with appreciation.

"Martial brother sure knows how to celebrate!"

"Haha, this is our first feast together, so a bit of luxury is nothing!"

"Mmm...this dish is not bad! Martial brother, I'm very happy with your service. If you need anything right now, just tell me!"

"Ah, there IS something I needed to know boss. Could you teach me how to cultivate?"

"...You don't even know that? Agh fine, I'll teach you after we finish this up *crunch* . In fact, you're my underling, so I'll even let you in on some secrets very few people know in this world about cultivation. You can leave it to your boss!"

Looking at Mu Ran's satisfied expression, Xuhan nodded to himself. Indeed, these protagonists were too easy to scam. He's telling me incredible secrets over two spirit stones...

After licking their plates clean, both of them cleaned up and settled down inside Mu Ran's hut, a solemn atmosphere draping over the surroundings.

"Martial brother, I won't hide it from you. There really is a zeroth layer of physique transformation realm. If we were to count the number of people who knows about this secret, my dick would be enough to keep the count."

"...What?"

"Sigh...you're so slow Xuhan. It means only I know this secret! Wasn't it obvious? See, I've got only one di-"

"Yeah, boss, understood! Please Continue with the cultivation's part. "

Xuhan imperiously interrupted the explanation of his analogy and glared at him in a menacing manner.

"Yes. To most cultivators, the start of cultivation is a common point. They learn to sense and absorb spirit qi from the air and cycle it throughout their meridians, thus slowly unlocking the door to the first layer of physique transformation realm, except...there exists a different method to start cultivation, which is opening the door to the zeroth layer of physique transformation realm. "

Completely oblivious to Xuhan's glare, Mu Ran lazily spoke in his own pace.

"For most cultivation techniques in the Crimson snow sect, the cycling of spirit qi takes up the shape of an intricate snowflake from a larger perspective. This cycle of spirit qi unlocks the shackles inside our body to let us step out of the mortal boundary, guiding us to the door of the first layer of physique transformation when the cycle is repeated enough times, perfected and saturated, settling down with its mark on the practitioner's body. Every disciple of this sect starts out from there. "

"However, the zeroth layer of physique transformation is a realm that completely deviates from this path. It is also an extraordinary layer that can enhance your abilities to a very formidable degree. It also removes the cracks and weaknesses of your dao foundation to some extent, thus taking your cultivation to the very peak or perfection. This layer forms a complete cycle with the other nine known layers of this realm, thus making one's dao foundation perfect. It gives you an absolute advantage over any cultivator in the same layer and even some above your cultivation base!"

After saying all this, Mu Ran smugly looked at Xuhan, expecting a stupified expression and amazed exclamations, only to find him staring back with the same expressionless face as before, as if he had been expecting Mu Ran to say these things already.

In fact, that wasn't far from the truth. Xuhan knew that most xianxia novels had a unique cultivation system with a few extra levels and layers reserved for the main character. So he wasn't particularly surprised by this revelation. He already had a few guesses in his mind when he first heard the term from Mu Ran.

Seeing him unmoved, Mu Ran snorted and continued.

"Now comes the question, how do you reach the zeroth layer of physique transformation realm?

This is a diagram I made from my comprehension of this realm. According to my own experience, this should be the most ideal way to channel and cycle your spirit qi into guiding you to the zeroth layer."

Mu Ran took out a scroll and opened it to let Xuhan see the shockingly complex diagram with many letters and strangely shaped symbols that almost hurt his eyes.

"How did I know how to draw this- that question should have appeared in your mind, correct?

That, however, is a big secret. So let's skip that part and assume that I'm just an average heaven defying genius, nothing too serious.

In short, if you absorb and cycle your spirit qi like this, you'll definitely reach the zeroth layer like me and become a mighty, formidable cultivator."

"Erm... a question boss. What is spirit qi and how do I absorb that?"

"...My god! What backwater hovel are you from, underling Xuhan? How can you not even know what spirit qi is?"

"Ah, not everyone can be as knowledgeable and wise as boss now, can they?"

"Haha, underling, you certainly know your place! I'll teach you for sure.

Spirit qi is the source of every cultivator's power. It can be absorbed very easily with the help of formations, precious treasures or with secret techniques. I assume you do not have any of those, yes?"

Seeing Xuhan nod minutely, Mu Ran was immensely satisfied.

"Very well. I'll give you a reward for your fast decision on the topic of becoming my lackey. Here is a secret incantation used for spirit qi absorption. Do not reveal it to anyone and practice regularly. As for the diagram of the zeroth layer, you can borrow it if you can manage to absorb and control spirit qi inside your body."

Xuhan was greatly touched. This was so smooth and easy. What an wonderful job he had!

"Now, martial brother, as my underling, your next job is to help me clean up my toilet. It needs a thorough renovation!"

Xuhan immediately regretted his internal exclamation.