Li An pushed open the heavy wooden door of the Black Rock Inn. The bright interior was a welcome respite from the tension outside. The inn was modest but clean, with sturdy wooden tables and chairs scattered around the room. A few patrons nursed their drinks in quiet corners, casting wary glances at newcomers.
The innkeeper, a burly man with a weathered face and a bald head, stood behind the counter, wiping a mug with a cloth that had seen better days. He looked up as Li An approached, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Welcome. What can I do for ya?"
Li An smiled warmly. "Good evening. I'm looking for a room. What are your prices?"
The innkeeper scratched his chin. "Two merit points a night, or twenty gold coins."
"I don't know how much two merit points are, but twenty gold coins for a night is basically robbery."
Li An raised an eyebrow. "Twenty gold coins? That's quite steep. How about we make it ten gold coins a night, and I stay for at least three nights?"
"Fifteen gold coins per night, and you got yerself a deal," the innkeeper grumbled with a twitch of his lips.
"Deal."
Li An extended her hand, and the innkeeper shook on it. His expression softened just a bit when he noticed how young she was. "Name's Old Zhou, by the way. What brings ya to Crimson Demon City?"
Li An leaned against the counter.
"Just passing through. The city's quite lively these days. Lots of soldiers being sent to the frontline, I hear," she whispered.
Old Zhou snorted. "Lively ain't the word I'd use. More like desperate. Prices goin' up, inflation's a killer. These days, only thing worth a damn is merit points. Gold coins? Might as well use 'em for firewood."
"It must be tough. When's the next war recruitment?"
Old Zhou sighed, setting the mug down. "In four days. Always lookin' for fresh meat to send to the slaughter. It ain't pretty, but it's what we gotta do."
"Old bastard, bring me that flour! I can't reach it from here!" A voice shouted from the kitchen.
Old Zhou rolled his eyes but there was a hint of a smile on his lips. "Be right there, love!" He turned back to Li An. "That's the wife. Can't get nothin' done without her hollerin' at me."
Li An chuckled. "You two seem close. It's nice to see some warmth in these hard times."
"Yeah, she's my rock. Keeps me sane, ya know?" Old Zhou's rough exterior softened momentarily.
Li An nodded. "Thank you for the room and the conversation, Old Zhou. I appreciate it."
"Anytime, miss." He grunted, but there was a twinkle in his eye. "You need anything, you just holler."
He placed the keys on the counter. "Room 9, up the stairs."
Li An picked up the keys and turned towards the creaking staircase. The inn had a cozy, rustic feel to it, with wooden beams and dim orange lighting adding to its charm. As she climbed the stairs, the wood groaned under her weight.
The sounds of muffled conversations mixed with occasional outbursts of laughter drifted from behind closed doors. More noticeable, however, were the moans of fornication that echoed through the narrow hallway.
Li An ignored these distractions and continued until she reached room 9.
She slid the key into the lock and pushed the door open, stepping inside cautiously. The room was small, essentially a tiny studio with just enough space for a bed, a small table, and a chair. A narrow window let in a sliver of moonlight, casting faint shadows across the wooden floor.
Li An quickly checked the room for any traps. She looked under the bed, behind the door, and even inspected the walls and floorboards for hidden mechanisms. Satisfied that the room was safe, she locked the door and sat down on the edge of the bed.
The room was simple but functional. The bed had a rough woolen blanket, and the table held a small basin for washing. A single flickering candle provided a dim light, adding to the room's somber ambiance.
Li An took a deep breath. "It's finally time."
Her consciousness reached into her ring, and she pulled out several pouches and vials filled with the pills she had worked so hard to get.
After laying them out on the table, Li An picked up the first pill with a steady hand. "It's time to break through."
As soon as she consumed the pill, a surge of energy flowed through her body. Absorbing the energy was surprisingly easy; it felt smooth and almost effortless. But as soon as the energy reached her hexanodes, it was like they turned into bottomless pits, swallowing all of it instantly.
She frowned. The energy vanished without a trace, leaving no noticeable change except for a slight increase in the density of pure energy within her. It felt like her hexanodes were insatiable, demanding more and more.
Determined, Li An took another pill, and then another. Each one disappeared into the void of her hexanodes, the energy consumed almost instantly. The struggle became clear as the night wore on. No matter how many pills she took, the hexanodes remained unfilled, their hunger endless.
"If you want more, I'll give you more."
For three nights, Li An kept consuming pills relentlessly. The amount of energy she absorbed was enough to elevate a normal Essence Condensation cultivator to the Nascent Soul realm. She felt the density of pure energy within her growing, but the breakthrough stayed just out of reach.
Her body was aching, and her mind was weary from the lack of sleep, but Li An never faltered.
Each pill pushed her closer to her goal. On the third night, as she took yet another pill, she finally sensed a qualitative difference. The energy within her hexanodes began to shift, becoming more refined and potent. She also noticed that her hexanodes were getting smaller as the energy density increased.
Just as she began to show the first signs of a breakthrough, there was a sudden knock on the door.
Knock knock
Li An heard the knock but chose to ignore it. She focused intensely on condensing her hexanodes, her body drawing in spiritual energy like a black hole. The energy from the pills was now being devoured at an alarming rate, and the spiritual energy in the room began to deplete rapidly.
The aura around her grew more intense.
The knock came again, this time louder and more insistent.
"Hey! You were supposed to leave yesterday!" Old Zhou's rough voice echoed through the door. "If you want to stay, you gotta pay up!"
Li An's skin started to glow with a faint golden light as the breakthrough neared. Her hexanodes were condensing, growing smaller but denser with every moment. The room felt charged, as if on the brink of something explosive.
"Open this door, or I'll bring it down myself!" Old Zhou shouted.
Li An's body continued to absorb all the spiritual energy in the area, the air growing thin and charged. The tension was almost unbearable. The golden light from her skin grew brighter, illuminating the small room with an otherworldly glow. She was so close now, the breakthrough just within reach.
Old Zhou pounded on the door again, harder this time. "Last warnin'! Answer me, or I'm comin' in!"
Suddenly, the air in the room grew still, silent except for the faint hum of energy around Li An. Her breakthrough reached its peak, and with a final, intense focus, she completed the transformation.
Kaboom!
The room exploded with force. Furniture was sent flying, crashing against the walls. The door blew off its hinges, slamming into Old Zhou and sending him careening into the wall outside. He crumpled to the ground with his mouth wide open, the wind knocked out of him.
The energy around Li An settled.
She had done it—she had reached the Spirit realm!
Breathing deeply, Li An stepped over the debris and approached the doorway. Old Zhou was groaning, slowly picking himself up from the floor.
"Are you alright, Old Zhou?" she asked with a light blush on her cheeks. "Sorry for that. I'll pay for the damages."
He looked at the door hanging off its hinges and the mess inside the room. Then he glanced at Li An.
"Ah, I'm real sorry fer interruptin' ya in the middle of yer breakthrough. Didn't know it was somethin' so important," he said bitterly.
Li An offered him a friendly smile. "Don't worry about it, Old Zhou. I should've warned you."
Old Zhou visibly relaxed and then grinned. "Well, I gotta say, congratulations on yer breakthrough! Mighty impressive fer someone so young. Means yer future's lookin' real bright."
He scratched his head and looked around the ruined room.
"Tell ya what, you don't gotta pay for the damage. Consider it a favor. Connections are important, after all."
Li An nodded. "Thank you, Old Zhou. I appreciate it."
With that settled, Li An left the inn, stepping out into the bustling streets of Crimson Demon City. As she walked, she thought about her recent breakthrough, a solemn light in her eyes. She had used up all the pills she had, consuming an immense amount of energy for just a single breakthrough to the Spirit realm.
"This is ridiculous," she thought to herself. "If advancing one large realm requires this much effort and resources, the other realms are going to be incredibly harder compared to others."
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
The reality of her unique cultivation path was starting to sink in.
Li An needed resources! Not a few pills; she required the same as the combined wealth of all the top cultivators in the Forsaken Region.
Killing intent began to grow inside her heart.
Although Li An did not enjoy killing, she also didn't dislike it when necessary. Plunder and murder had always been the quickest ways of obtaining resources.
Turning a corner, she saw a crowd gathered around a group of street performers setting up a puppet show. They had a small wooden stage, decorated with colorful banners and painted backdrops showing a white castle.
The children were sitting in a semicircle on the cobblestone streets, chatting with each other while waiting for the show to start. As for the parents, they held younger children or chatted and laughed among themselves.
After a couple minutes, the puppet stage had been set and the strings were ready. The puppeteers took their places, and the narrator's voice boomed out.
"Once upon a time, in a land shrouded in perpetual twilight, there was a great kingdom known as Yinshan. This was a peaceful realm that had never known war. The people lived happily in their homes, never having much wealth, but always content."
The children watched as puppets representing the peaceful citizens of Yinshan moved about the stage, their simple, joyful lives depicted through cheerful gestures and interactions. The children cheered and clapped, enchanted by the lively scene.
"However," the narrator continued, his voice growing darker, "one day, a magnificent tree grew in the heart of Yinshan. A tree called the Tree of Prosperity. It was said that whoever tasted its fruit called 'benefits' would gain unparalleled wealth and power."
On the stage, a puppet tree sprang up, its branches laden with shimmering, golden fruits. The children gasped in awe.
"Naturally, this tree became the focal point of countless conflicts. Knights fought to claim its bounty," the narrator said, as puppet knights clashed swords around the tree, their movements swift and dramatic. "Merchants schemed to monopolize its harvest," he continued, showing puppets in rich robes plotting and whispering. "Even the wise and the virtuous were not immune to its allure."
Puppets representing wise men and virtuous women reached for the fruit, their faces showing inner turmoil.
"Wars raged around the Tree of Prosperity," the narrator's voice grew somber, "battles that stained the soil with blood and sowed the seeds of hatred and greed. Yet, even when the fiercest warriors lay down their arms, exhausted and broken, the war for this fruit persisted."
The stage depicted fierce battles, puppets falling in dramatic fashion, and the children gasped and shouted, enthralled by the action.
"In this endless war, the first princess named Yu Rong emerged, determined to change things. Yu Rong understood that the true war was not fought on the battlefield, but in the hearts and minds of the people."
A puppet of Princess Yu Rong appeared in a pink dress, her gestures graceful and her face kind.
"She appealed to the kindness of the people and showed the kingdom that the fruit of the Tree of Prosperity was finite, that only a select few could ever hope to taste its sweetness. However, instead of saving the people, her words brought more violence into the picture. 'If not everyone can have it, then I will have it,' was what everyone thought."
The children murmured in confusion and dismay as the puppets began to fight even more fiercely, turning on each other with renewed ferocity.
"Yu Rong was poisoned," the narrator's voice was heavy with sadness, "and the war turned into a catastrophe, completely destroying the kingdom of Yinshan. The entire country was burned to the ground, but the Tree of Prosperity stood tall, as majestic as ever, waiting for the next victims to appear."
The puppet stage depicted a desolate, burned landscape with the majestic tree still standing in the center. The children were silent, absorbing the tragic end of the tale.
"And so, the lesson is clear: greed and desire can destroy even the most peaceful of kingdoms. Let us remember this tale of Yinshan and Princess Yu Rong, and strive to live with kindness and humility."
Clap clap clap
The puppeteers took their bows and the parents joined in the applause with their children, appreciating the moral of the story.
Li An watched the scene with indifference, the cheers and shouts of the children and the laughter of the parents washing over her.
The story was interesting, but the moral of the story was wrong.
Of course, there would be no conflicts if people were kind and humble. Princess Yu Rong was an admirable person who strived for her own vision of the future.
"Unfortunately, being admirable is not the same as being competent. Prosperity was, is and will always be the supreme war of mankind."
This is a war that transcends all others, a conflict that endures beyond the clash of swords and the fall of empires. It is a war that will never cease, as long as even one human draws breath.
"A human with no desire for prosperity is not a human, but an empty oak. Yu Rong's dream was too unrealistic to come true," Li An smirked. "Nor is it in my interest for it to come true."
Because even in the story, she was sure that some people managed to obtain the fruit of 'benefits'. Those were the true winners! Who cared if the Kingdom of Yinshan was burned to ashes? Who cared if millions died? Benefits are everything.
The war for benefits was eternal, an ouroboros devouring itself in an endless cycle of desire and ambition.
And so it is with humankind.
The battles for territory and power may cease, treaties may be signed, and peace may be proclaimed.
Yet, the war for benefits endures.
It is fought in boardrooms and marketplaces, in homes and hearts. As long as even one human remains, the war for benefits will continue, shaping destinies and driving the wheels of history.
And only the winners had a right to be in it.
· · ────── ·𖥸· ────── · ·
Li An approached the recruitment temple of the Black Lotus Cult. Made from dark stone, the walls were covered in detailed carvings showing bloody scenes of battle and victory. Tall, imposing columns flanked the entrance, each one wrapped in crimson banners that fluttered gently in the breeze.
A long line of young people stretched out from the entrance, all waiting their turn to be recruited. Most of them were young, their faces showing a mix of excitement and nerves.
As Li An joined the line, a young, blonde man around 19 years old with the aura of a Spirit realm cultivator walked up to her. He had a friendly smile and seemed confident, standing out from the crowd.
"Hey there," he said, extending his hand. "I'm Zhang Wei, son of a merchant from Black Lotus City. I see you are also a Spirit realm cultivator. Thought it'd be good to make some connections with future talents."
Li An shook his hand, returning his smile. "Li An. Nice to meet you, Zhang Wei."
They started chatting as they waited in line.
"Worthy of a merchant's son," she thought.
Zhang Wei was engaging and informative, explaining the military ranks within the Black Lotus Cult's forces and what each one involved.
Overall, most recruits were at the Foundation realm, so they had the lowest rank of private. When Spirit realm cultivators joined, they were automatically promoted to Corporals, who assisted the Sergeants in managing a squad of ten to twelve privates.
"To be honest, it's a bit overwhelming," Zhang Wei admitted. "But the opportunities for advancement are real. Merit points can be earned in many ways, and if you're talented and hardworking, you can rise quickly through the ranks."
Li An listened carefully, taking it all in. "And what about the reason behind the war? Do you know anything about it?"
Zhang Wei nodded and placed his lips close to her ear.
"Yeah, I do. The war is mostly about control over a newly discovered pocket realm. It's supposed to be left behind by a super powerful cultivator, filled with treasures and knowledge beyond our imagination," he whispered. "The issue is that the pocket realm is located on the border between the two organisations."
"What exactly is a pocket realm?" It was the first time Li An had heard the term.
Zhang Wei smiled, happy to explain. "A pocket realm is like a small, self-contained world created by a powerful cultivator. It's usually hidden from the main world and can have all sorts of resources, artifacts, and ancient techniques. Think of it as a treasure chest left behind by a master, but only accessible to those who can find and unlock it."
"That sounds fascinating," Li An replied, her mind focused on the word 'resources'. "Definitely worth fighting for."
"It is," Zhang Wei agreed. "But it's also incredibly dangerous. Many have lost their lives trying to claim its treasures. The Black Lotus Cult believes that controlling this pocket realm will give them a huge advantage in the breakthrough beyond Nascent Soul."
As Li An and Zhang Wei continued their conversation, the topic naturally shifted to their origins and backgrounds.
"So, where are you from, Li An?" Zhang Wei asked, genuinely curious. He could see she was wearing shabby brown robes stained with dry blood. It was weird, considering her talent.
"I'm from a small village far from here," Li An replied, keeping her details vague. "Nothing as grand as Black Lotus City, that's for sure."
Zhang Wei nodded. "I understand. Black Lotus City can be overwhelming at first, but it has its perks. My father runs a successful merchant group there."
Li An raised an eyebrow. "A merchant group, huh? That must be interesting."
"It is," Zhang Wei said with a grin. "My father's group is called the Golden Phoenix Trading Company. We deal in all sorts of goods—spiritual artifacts, rare herbs, you name it. It's given me a good life and some advantages, but I want to make my own way, you know?"
Li An nodded. "I get that. It's important to carve out your own path."
Inside her head, though, she was sneering at him. He abandoned a fat sheep like the merchant group to go into a war where life and death were uncertain. He could have at least brought some allies with him to the war, but he didn't because of his 'pride'.
Zhang Wei's expression turned serious. "Listen, Li An. If you ever need help, especially financially, don't hesitate to reach out. The Golden Phoenix Trading Company has a lot of resources. Just mention my name, and my father will take care of you."
Li An looked at him, seemingly surprised by the offer. "That's very generous of you, Zhang Wei. I appreciate it."
"His offer is pleasant, but there's nothing free in this world," Li An mused to herself. "However, having a backup in case things go wrong never hurts anyone."
Zhang Wei shrugged and a friendly smile returned to his face. "It's nothing. In these times, we all need to look out for each other. Besides, I have a feeling you're going to be a successful person. Call it a merchant's eye if you will."
"Oh?" Li An looked at him with her lips slightly curled upward. "He might be better than I thought."
"Thank you," Li An said sincerely. "I'll keep that in mind."
Li An and Zhang Wei's conversation was cut short by a sharp voice. "Hey, you two! Stop talking and wasting my time. It's your turn."
They looked up to see a stern-looking disciple from the Black Lotus Cult, his aura radiating the power of a Spirit realm cultivator. He gestured impatiently for them to enter the building.
"Come on, let's go," Zhang Wei said, nodding towards the door. They stepped inside together.
The interior of the test room was surprisingly simple. The walls were bare, and the floor was plain white stone. In the center of the room stood a strange machine with a crystal sphere mounted above it. An old man with a mid-stage Core Formation aura was beside the machine. His face was lined with deep wrinkles, and a series of scars ran across his arms and neck, marking him as a battle veteran.
The old man's eyes were narrowed as he looked them over. "Welcome. I'm Lieutenant Han. I'll be conducting your examination today."
Lieutenant Han pointed to the strange machine. "First, we will measure your bone age with this device. It is important to determine your true age in relation to your cultivation level."
Li An's eyes shone with a dark light as she looked at the machine. It was a creative blend of machinery and spiritual energy, unlike anything she had seen before. The most important part was that the machine was not emitting any spiritual energy, which meant it wasn't an artifact.
"This is amazing," she thought. "Technology in the Cultivation World. It's rough, but still impressive. It mimics artifacts without actually being one."
Lieutenant Han continued. "After we determine your bone age, you will move to the training field. There, you will choose a weapon of your liking and use it to kill the puppets controlled by one of our cultivators."
He gestured to a door at the back of the room, leading to the training field. "This will test your combat skills and proficiency with your chosen weapon. We cannot make any country bumpkin a Corporal."
Zhang Wei nodded, showing no surprise at the procedures. "Understood, Lieutenant."
Li An glanced at Zhang Wei and then back at Lieutenant Han, her curiosity piqued.
"Let's begin then," she said.
Lieutenant Han stepped aside, allowing them to approach the machine. "Place your hand on the crystal sphere, one at a time. It will measure your bone age."
Zhang Wei went first, placing his hand on the smooth surface. The device glowed brighter, and the crystal sphere pulsed with his spiritual energy. After a few moments, Lieutenant Han nodded. "Nineteen years old. Good."
Li An stepped up next, placing her hand on the sphere. She felt a gentle warmth spread through her hand as the device activated.
The crystal pulsed, and Lieutenant Han's eyes widened slightly. "You fuckin'- ahem. Fifteen years old. Impressive."
Li An's face didn't even twitch. She was already expecting this kind of reaction, and she had no need to hide her talent during a war.
With the bone age measurements complete, Lieutenant Han led them to the training field. The field was open, with various weapons displayed on racks. At the far end, a row of puppets stood ready, each one designed to simulate combat.
"Another example of technology, this time used for the military. The Black Lotus Cult is much more advanced than the Gentle Sword Sect," Li An thought.
"Choose your weapon," Lieutenant Han instructed. "Then proceed to the field and show me what you've got."
Zhang Wei chose a sturdy spear, clearly familiar to him. Li An's fingers brushed over the handles as she walked along the rack of weapons, her eyes roving over the array of swords, spears, and other armaments.
"Do you have any other weapons?" she asked calmly.
Elder Han raised an eyebrow. "What weapon do you use, then?"
Li An met his gaze.
"Would you happen to have a scythe?"