3. The World of Cultivation
Gar-Wahgar Calendar 31627-09-23
It is a sunny afternoon and a skinny five-year-old boy is looking through a window with his hands on his chin. Within his view is a courtyard where children his age are training rigorously.
As he watched their coordinated martial arts exercises, his thoughts were distracted when one of the children collapsed.
It reminded him of an incident two months ago.
Thinking back, he passed some sort of test and was supposed to be brought to Lanas Family but the same day they were travelling, they were intercepted by a merciless group of bandits and killed the handsome blue-eyed Lanas descendant. He can still vividly recall that arrow that suddenly came out of than man’s forehead which to this day, the bloody scene haunts him during sleep.
Just when he thought he had meet his untimely death, he actually regained consciousness and woke up on a nice bed prepared by the same hands that killed the first person to have had showed him compassion.
The name of the bandits is called Buaki Gang and he was expecting to be treated like an expendable slave but contrary to his expectations, he was brought to an unknown mountain and is actually living what a normal kid deserves - a roof over his head, a comfortable bed, full three meals, and they even gave him a simple form of education.
The past two months, he had been thought basic writing and reading and while he still has long way to go, it was more than sufficient to understand the written communication of this world primary dialect.
What is interesting is that the first time he held a pen, he was assaulted by an unknown headache then foreign memories flooded his brain which he believes is a former life. Unfortunately, these memories are fragmented and mostly confusing that even his previous complete name eludes him. He just knew that he was once called Clay and interestingly enough, the bandits gave him a similar name which is Khlay.
Clay closed his eyes hoping to remember more if his past life. Aside from being a responsible adult, the only thing vivid is a scene of him watching a sea of apocalyptic zombies.
*Sigh
The young boy let a long sigh then walked towards the desk behind him. He is still in the middle of home schooling and his teacher left him to read a book called Travel Logs of Ancestor Jun.
Accordingly, they are situated within Bang'et, the third human territory of the six provinces of Ca'ar Continent. It did not elaborate on other territories but it did say about Elven Race and other species.
It has hundred languages, but the common dialect of Martial Practitioners is Elven which he is currently learning. The book also depicts how inferior humans are compared to other species. If not because of human clans having inherited bloodlines, human tribes would still be slaves.
The book further elaborates how the strong are revered in this world. There are 4 levels of cultivation namely Qi-Condensation, Foundation, Core Formation, and Nascent. Each level is divided into 3 categories - early, mid, and late and each again further divided into three levels.
There is no explanation as to what each stages can do but when Clay read that these cultivators gradually gains hundred years of life each time they reach a level, even he can’t help but dream of becoming one of them. Maybe when he is strong enough, he can free himself and roam the world like a free bird.
Clay opened the booked and skipped a few pages then looked at the image of Qi-Sensing Pill.
Unfortunately, this book really has limited information on the aspects of cultivation. It did depict about humans and half-humans having pre-cultivation period called Qi Sensing Phase. Accordingly, children must train their bodies through Martial Arts for a natural Qi-awakening between the ages of 8 to 15 years old and if they fail to sense the supernatural energy but has an acceptable level of Spiritual Elemental Affinity, they can seek external assistance like consuming a Qi-Sensing Pill, an expensive treasure concocted by Alchemists. For wealthy families, they will use this pill to by-pass pre-cultivation period.
In fact, the gang had let him consumed four of this pill already. But the problem is that, he cannot tell if he had already reached Early Condensation stage.
“Master Clay”
Clay almost jumped in surprise when he heard his name. The person who called him is the house’s dedicated maid and her name is Tao Shi.
"Elder Tao Ad wants to see you. He’s downstairs."
Clay turned around and smiled at the maid.
If there is one thing he needs to get used at, it is the weird names of people. To him, it felt like Chinese and Greek mixed together then pronounced in Malayan tongue. The first time he heard the name of one of their leaders, he almost blurted in laughter. Had he not witnessed how ruthless the gang actually is, he probably will make fun of everyone.
For now, he decided to live with this gang until he is strong enough.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
Clay got to his feet and greeted Elder Tao Ad.
“Follow me.”
Clay did not dare look at Elder Tao Ad’s face. Not only is the man huge but this guy has a deep scar below his left eye and couple that with an oily face and bulging limbs as thick as a thousand year old lumber, this man can easily win a Halloween contest with his intimidating presence.
As they approached one of the halls at the center of the gang’s territory, Clay noticed two men playing a board game while seeping tea. One is an elderly with a long white beard while the other looks like in his twenties.
"Master, I have brought the boy. He broke through Qi-Sensing Realm last night.” Tao Ad greeted respectfully.
"It seems like you're ready to replace the old man. I assume he already knows how to read?" The old man with clean hanging beard responded.
"He was thought properly in the orphanage", Tao Ad responded.
The old man turned his head and looked at the boy from head to toe.
Like the first time he saw him, the boy looked so normal. Had it not been for the fact that Clay has an entry level Spiritual Mental Strength, no one would even take him. Knowing Clay’s Elemental Affinity, he does not really have much of a choice.
"My name is Tao Rao. Kneel and acknowledge me as your master. From now on you will be my 7th disciple.” The old man introduced himself and while speaking, he released a portion of his aura outwards enveloping the Clay’s entire body.
Clay immediately kneeled bowed without question. What he thought was weak and senile old man just released a suffocating aura making it hard to breathe.
"It is an honor to receive the guidance of a great master"
Elder Rao retrieved a necklace with a ring attached to it.
"Within this ring are 3 books and some materials you will need to learn Inscriptions and Formations. This here is your older brother Tao Rani."
The old man did not need to point who Rani is as the only other person in within the hall is a teenage-looking boy on the opposite side of the board game.
"Rani, bring him to your quarters and teach him the basics. Let him see me a month from now."
"I will not disappoint master", Rani got to his feet and slightly bowed then saluted with his fists. He then signaled Clay to follow him back to their dedicated courtyard.
Clay was silent and obediently followed.
After a few minutes of walking, he was brought to another residential house. He was under the impression that there will be other disciples only to find out there were alone. But setting aside his unknown fellow brothers, Clay is beaming with excitement as he finally has a spatial ring.
The first time he had seen one, it was that young man from Lanas who tragically died and some of the few books he read mentioned this type of magical tool has a mysterious space where cultivators can store their items and as to how, he wanted to know now.
"I hope this senior brother will show me how to take out the books master said is hidden in the ring." Unable to hold his curiosity, Clay inquired.
There was no reaction on Rani’s face but the next second, he extended his aura and shaped into a sticky looking white thread and took the ring away from Clay’s hand.
“How are you doing that?” Clay quizzically thought as he observed the ring being taken away from his hand and when it reached Rani’s hand, all he saw are three books and a bottle containing six Qi Sensing Pills magically materialized out of the spatial ring.
Clay silently exclaimed and was bewildered by what he saw.
It looks similar to how magicians back on earth would conjure a rabbit out of a hat but this time, it was no illusion. With his two eyes and his ability to sense Spiritual Qi, he witnessed how the three books and a bottle came out of thin air.
"You will not be able to do this until you officially become a Qi Condensation Practitioner." Rani ignored the dumbfounded look on Clay’s face.
“Can this brother help me reach that level?” Clay whispered in confusion. Last night, they gave him four Qi Sensing Pills which he all ate and felt a warm and comfortable wave of energy spreading outwards from his navel and throughout his body and he could tell that there is still residue of that mysterious energy within his body which he believes has given him superpowers.
"Let me explain how meditation and Qi circulation work."
Rani is already aware that Clay knows nothing so he opened up the first book titled Basic Cultivation and showed it to his innocent junior. The book only has 4 pages and contains illustration of the human body marked with red and blue dots called Qi Nodes and Sub-Qi Nodes.
"You should have already felt that wave of warm energy spreading throughout your body. But his time, close your eyes and accumulate that energy towards the space below your navel. It should naturally accumulate in that area and that area is called Dantian. Form an image like ball accumulating Spiritual Qi from outside towards the center. Do it slowly and do not rush. When you think that ball of Qi is no longer expanding, it means you have reached your limit.
Keep the ball steady and once you have full control of that mass of Qi. This is an indication you have refined the Spiritual Qi and when that happens, only then will you be ready for circulation. Now you see those blue dots in picture? It is numbered and you will have to slowly release that ball of Spiritual Qi towards each of those blue dots to open up those Nodes then back to where it started. Since you are still too weak to feel the presence of these blue Qi Nodes, you need to eat one of these Qi Sensing Pills. The pill should take effect for at least around four hours."
Rani paused then continued, "Now, this is called Lotus Position. You need to sit this way to maximize the effect of Circulation. Now take one pill and you try it".
Clay was bewildered as he placed the pill into his mouth. There are many things he would like to clarify but he sensed a trace of unfriendliness on Rani Tone. Unsure if he can accomplish that obscure explanation about cultivation, he looked towards his navel.
“Concentrate and don’t waste the pill.” Rani interrupted Clay’s thoughts.
“Mhh” Clay gave a soft nod then closed his eyes and just like Rani said, the warm flow of energy seem to gravitate beneath his navel and with a simple thought, he was surprised that the energy seem to follow his will like how he can move his hand. He does not know the intricate mechanics as to how consciousness influence the synaptic pulses in his brain then through his nerves then finally towards his muscles and similarly, he can guide the flow of energy inside his body.
Clay opened his eyes upon this amazing discovery. Like a cave man that just discovered fire, Clay’s curiosity grew larger.
“I said concentrate. Seeing that you can sense it, only you can make it happen. I’ll come back tomorrow to check your progress.” There was still no emotion on Rani’s face as he stood up and left.
Clay ignored Rani’s reaction. What is important now is to practice circulating Spiritual Qi and reach the ranks of cultivators.
According to the Book, one must be able to circulate Spiritual Qi around nine Qi Nodes to qualify as an Early Qi Condensation Expert and it should be his sole focus.
“Let’s do this.” Full of vigor, Clay casted any distracting thoughts then concentrated.