“Thank you, Taylor. That day went well, and your role was well played.” Johan says over the phone.

“Yeah, what was with the song and dance? I don't think I've ever heard you lie. Well, until now, I guess.” Taylor says, hoping to get some answers. Otherwise he would have participated just to get abused, and that's no fun.

“Yes. I had to lie. I had to establish that I could.” Johan says, not really wanting to get into it.

“You're going to have to give me more than that, Johan. I took a lot of crap that day.” Taylor says, prodding for more.

Johan sighs. “I guess I do owe you an explanation. As you might be able to tell, I rarely lie. It is a pointless sin with minimal rewards, only serving to ensnare one's own mind. So I avoid the act, but that does not mean that I can't. I can sin in many other ways as well, but I tend to avoid that as well. Like I said, I follow the dao of gold, and all my actions tend to be golden in quality. Women are drawn to this and always come to think that nothing could go wrong if they spend their lives with me. In a way they're not wrong, but unfortunately, my dao refuses to settle for that, because it's not…” Johan tries to explain before his words dwindle.

“Golden?” Taylor asks with a smirk.

“Precisely. If I choose to love, it cannot be based on that. Unfortunately it's also against my nature to make mistakes, so the dilemma… It's very annoying.” Johan says with another sigh.

“But for Jesse... I needed to make the effort for her. And I think it worked. Although she is biased and would give me the benefit of the doubt when I spout crap, she is a smart girl. She probably sees by now that what I said was ridiculous, and her opinion of me must be leveling out. It's a good start for what I intend… I intend to marry this girl, Taylor. And I need her to see past the gold; I need her to see my humanity.” Johan says, sincerity in his words.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Well…” Taylor says, unsure of how to respond. “That's kind of gay. But you do you, Johan. I wish you the best. And if you're ever interested in, like a wife-swap sort of deal, let me know.” Taylor says before hanging up the phone to avoid the consequences.

…

…

Taylor was able to cultivate in peace for the next few months. And his cultivation was oddly moving at a very quick pace.

He was on the cusp of figuring out the fourth stage of the Flame Fist Resolution, but unfortunately, he lacked a certain quality in his cultivation energy. It lacked a will… or an intent.

What does my flame intend? What does it wish to burn away? Is it meant to destroy or to cleanse? Taylor asks himself in meditation.

Taylor takes a few controlled breaths. There are a few things I want to burn. Delusions. Twisted thoughts justifying what honesty would have better served. Unnecessary journeys. And impossible dreams. Dreams that would cost… everything.

Taylor's mind settles on his resolution. As his mind calms, he hears a click at the edge of his mind and it felt like a seal had unlocked in his mind.

The cultivation energy had once again began to gather in the room, flooding it, engulfing the house, before becoming a whirlpool settled on the neighborhood. Slowly but surely the energy was gathered in Taylor's body, building up till Taylor was full before becoming compressed to make room for more. It continued to build and compress until Taylor's body could no longer contain it. He greedily wished to consume the rest, but he knew his limits, and halted his body's intake of cultivation energy.

Taylor observes his body and began to readjust himself. Some of this energy was filled with in an incorrect intent, and Taylor began to take stock of all of it, rejecting what he didn't need from his body.

Hours passed, then days. Sylvie left Taylor to complete his level promotion, bathing in the extra cultivation energy with her son. Although they were not cultivators, being around such ample cultivation energy would have lasting effects on anyone's health.

Eventually the cultivation energy settled and Taylor had taken what he needed. His body's cultivation energy moved through his body unhindered, as natural as it could be.

Taylor exhales a breath and opens his eyes. He did it. He achieved the fourth stage of his cultivation technique, the Role Establishment Stage. He would no longer be an extra in this life. From now on his character had purpose and an end goal for each of his actions. From now on, he was a player in the game.