Next day afternoon, I found myself in alchemy room, sorting herbs. Whan I entered the alchemy room, the air thick with the mingling scents of herbs, minerals, and a faint acrid tang of burnt residue. Rows of shelves lined the walls, holding jars filled with colorful powders and dried plants. Cauldrons of various sizes gleamed in the light of glowing spirit stones embedded in the ceiling.
I looked around, a mix of curiosity and mild apprehension on his face. “Alright, Vernor, first day as an alchemy genius. What could possibly go wrong?”
“Plenty,” Vernor replied. “Let’s start by ensuring you don’t embarrass yourself. "
“Need help? Some of these can be tricky for beginners.” A girl with a cheerful smile approached me. She picked up the herb I had just sorted and tilted her head. “This one’s not Spirit Ginseng. Look at the tips—they’re slightly darker.”
“It’s… not?” I replied, already questioning my life choices.
“That’s False Spirit Ginseng,” she explained patiently. “They look similar, but the tip is the giveaway. Spirit Ginseng has a faint glow at the tip, while this one looks like it’s been through a bad breakup.” She pointed out the difference with a knowing smile, " And there's also, Look at this one—see the texture of the leaves? And this one? The smell is a giveaway. Spirit Ginseng has a sweet aroma, while False Spirit Ginseng smells a bit… earthy, like wet socks.”
Great. Now I’ll associate wet socks with ginseng forever, I grumbled, though I was secretly grateful for her guidance.
“Oh. That’s helpful.” I scratched my head, wondering if my ability to sort herbs was on par with a blindfolded goat.
“I’m Yun Fei. I watch over Section A , you can think me a supervisor of room A ,” she said with a light laugh, clearly used to clueless newcomers.
“Lu Ming. As you can see, I’m a complete newbie at this… as in, the herb just called me out on my mistake.”
Yun Fei burst into laughter. “Don’t worry, most disciples are. They come here lured by the high points, but most of them end up leaving after a few days. Turns out, making cauldrons explode isn’t for everyone.”
> [System Update: Alchemy-related features unlocked.]
>
> Basic Herb Identification: Activated.
>
> Alchemy Efficiency Boost: +10% for identification tasks.
>
> Progress: Novice Alchemist (Complete Newbie).
“Great,” I muttered under my breath. “Now even the system’s mocking me.”
“Hmm?” Yun Fei raised an eyebrow.
“Nothing, nothing! Just saying it’s nice to meet someone who knows their way around,” I said quickly. “Mind if I work near you? You know, in case I mix up a Spirit Ginseng with, uh… firewood.”
She chuckled. “Sure, it's good to have company who doesn't nag all the time instead of work.”
Yun Fei gestured to a messy heap of herbs on the table. “Your task is simple: sort these herbs by type and quality. Simple doesn’t mean easy, though.”
“Easy enough,” I said with misplaced confidence.
“Not bad,” Yun Fei teased, looking over my shoulder.
“Thanks for the confidence boost” I muttered, glaring at the herbs like they’d insulted my ancestors.
By the end of the day, my sorting had improved significantly. Yun Fei clapped me on the back. “Not bad for your first day. You have grate eye. "
"Thanks," I said . "Think I could make this a regular thing?"
"Supervisor's hours are fixed - same time every afternoon. Don't be late!" She waved and headed off toward the outer disciples' dining hall.
> [System Notification: Progress Updated.]
>
> [Task Completed: Herb Identification.]
>
> Total Points: 35.
>
> Progress: still Complete Newbie (With Slight knowledge)
Additional Function Activated -
Social network tracking " Yun Fei " Added.
"Social Network tracking? When I get this" I thought, vernor popped out " Social network is also substantial factor in everyone's life, it's helpful to keep track of it, you can even track your relationship lavel. " As he said.
Well whatever let's check this first, I said
“35 points?” I said, blinking at the notification. “I might actually survive this.”
“Comforting thoughts,” I replied dryly.
As I left the alchemy room, Vernor chimed in. “While your performance was… adequate, there’s much room for improvement. Tomorrow, let’s aim for 50 points.”
I sighed. “Sure thing, Vernor. But if I end up glowing green from some herb accident, I’m blaming you.”
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Vernor’s voice remained emotionless. “Noted.”
Yun Fei called after me, “See you tomorrow, then !”
I shook my head, but I couldn’t help smiling. Day one was rough, but at least It was rewarding. So, guess now what comes?
"Yes, it's shopping time"
Lets hit the shop and then hurry to dinner.
The sect's supply hall was a massive building near the central plaza, its shelves stocked with everything a cultivator might need - assuming they had the points to pay for it.
"One Spirit Stone," I told the stern-faced elder managing the basic supplies section, handing over my jade tablet.
He waved his hand over it, deducting 10 points, and handed me a crystal about the size of my thumb. It pulsed with pure spiritual energy.v
Item Acquired: Low-Grade Spirit Stone
Quality: 33/100
Energy Content: 1000 units
Recommended Use: Inner World Enhancement
And with that i went to hit dinner, and guess whom o show, of course it's ling song, he was hurriedly stuffing his treasures in mouth. "Hey ling dong what are doing? "
"Of course stuffing, I mean getting ready to cultivate, you will not understand you are just a nerd, who hanged on one thing cultivation. "
"Fair enough, okay enjoy".
That evening, in my room, I examined my new spirit stone while reviewing the day's lessons.
"Ready to begin enhancement procedures?" Vernor asked, materializing in my inner world.
The space had developed nicely over the past weeks. Basic circulation paths created patterns of flowing light, and the energy collection array hummed quietly in the center. Still, there was plenty of room for improvement.
"Let's here your opinion?"
"Expanding your inner world would be the best thing to do right now," Vernor advised. "A larger inner world means more room for future developments and faster spiritual energy absorption."
Made sense. "Let's do it."
Vernor guided me through the process of breaking down the spirit stone and incorporating its energy into my inner world's structure. It was like watching a magical construction project - glowing lines of force extended from the central array, pushing against the void and gradually expanding the available space.
> Enhancement in Progress Space Expansion Foundation forming...
>
> Current Status: 39%
>
> Estimated completion time: 4 hours
"Oho! it would take quite some time huh! "
***
The morning sun painted the sect courtyard in hues of gold, its warmth mingling with the crisp air as disciples gathered in orderly rows. At the front stood Senior Sister Wun’er, her composed demeanor radiating an air of quiet authority.
I found himself among the crowd, as always standing at front of the row . My thoughts were scattered, half-focused on the lecture and half-wondering whether breakfast would involve steamed buns again.
“Silence,” Wun’er began, her voice cutting through the murmurs. “Today’s topic is the foundation of cultivation—the formation of the primordial seed within your spiritual core.”
The disciples straightened, their chatter dying down. A translucent projection appeared behind Wun’er, a vivid visualization of an empty inner world with a single glowing speck at its center.
“This is the seed of creation,” she said, her voice calm yet commanding. “It is the spark that ignites your cultivation journey. Without it, there is no path forward.”
My curiosity was piqued, and Vernor and system chose that moment to chime in.
> [System Notification: Formation of the Primordial Seed—Guidance Available.]
>
> [Note: Success in this stage will solidify your cultivation foundation. Failure may require repetitive attempts.
>
> Effort: Moderate to High.]
“Repetitive attempts?” I thought. “Great, just like trying to fry an egg without burning it.”
“Focus,” Vernor’s voice was firm. “This is no trivial matter. The primordial seed is the anchor for all your future growth. Neglecting this step is equivalent to building a house on sand.”
Senior Sister Wun’er continued, her tone tinged with the wisdom of experience. “To form the primordial seed, you must first stabilize your spiritual core. Gather your energy, refine it, and channel it toward a singular point within your inner world. This point will serve as the seed’s foundation.”
She gestured toward the projection, which now showed streams of glowing energy spiraling toward the central speck. “Balance is key. Too much energy, and the seed will collapse. Too little, and it will fail to form. Let the energy flow naturally, like water filling a cup. Impose your intent, but do not force it.”
I closed his eyes, taking in her words. In my mind’s eye, i visualized my own inner world—a dim, cubic meter of space with faint motes of light drifting aimlessly.
> [System Notification: Initiating Seed Formation Process.]
>
> [Step 1: Gather Energy.]
“Begin by drawing the energy within your spiritual core,” Vernor guided. “Picture it converging at the center, a single point of light waiting to take shape.”
I inhaled deeply and focused. Slowly, the motes of golden light in my inner world began to drift toward the center. At first, they scattered like frightened birds, refusing to coalesce.
“Don’t rush,” Vernor advised. “Stability is more important than speed.”
Time stretched as I poured my focus into the task. Gradually, the motes stopped resisting, spiraling toward the central point. My brow furrowed in concentration, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
> [System Notification: Energy Stabilized.
>
> Proceed to Step 2: Compression.]
“Now, compress the energy into a single point,” Vernor said. “Like molding clay, shape it into something tangible within your inner world.”
The task proved harder than it sounded. The gathered energy pulsed and flickered, resisting compression. It felt like trying to hold water in his hands.
“Steady your intent,” Wun’er’s voice echoed in his memory. “Your will must be firm, yet gentle.”
I exhaled slowly, calming my thoughts. I visualized the energy compressing, its chaotic movement settling into a calm, rhythmic pulse. Slowly, the point of light began to stabilize.
> [System Notification: Compression Complete.
>
> Proceed to Step 3: Imprint Intent.]
“Imprinting your intent is the most critical step,” Vernor said. “What do you desire from your cultivation? What path do you wish to walk?”
I hesitated. What did I want? Power? Freedom? Understanding? My thoughts raced, but one truth stood out—i wanted to move forward, to grow stronger, and to carve out a place for myself in this vast world.
With that thought, i projected my intent into the seed. A faint warmth spread through my inner world as the green light ball absorbed my will, glowing brighter and more defined.
> [System Notification: Primordial Seed Formation Successful.]
A subtle hum resonated within me, a sensation both alien and comforting. I opened my eyes, my breathing steady but heavy.
“It’s… done?” i murmured.
Senior Sister Wun’er’s gaze swept over the crowd, her serene smile unchanged. “Those who succeed will feel a resonance, a sign that your seed has formed. This is only the beginning. The seed is fragile; nurturing it will require constant effort and discipline.”
> Primordial Seed Status
>
> State: Stabilized
>
> Size: Minimal
>
> Potential: Unlimited
Vernor’s tone carried a hint of approval. “You have taken your first true step, Master . The road ahead is arduous, but now you have a foundation. Cultivate wisely.”
I let out a small, triumphant sigh. For the first time, I felt connected to something greater—a journey just beginning, its end yet unwritten.
I looked other disciples as Senior Sister Win'er moving between students, checking their progress. Some looked excited, others confused, and a few seemed almost in tears - whether from joy or frustration, I couldn't tell.
Then I looked at ling dong , he noticed my gaze and looked and send thums up, he mostly likely , we'll talk later.
I wonder how long it'll take for me acchive a minor success in it,