Kael walked briskly through the bustling halls of the Stormwright Sect, the weight of the bronze token—now marked with thirty-five contribution points—still in his pocket. Despite the accomplishment, a knot of uncertainty twisted in his stomach. His encounter with Lan Mei at the Contribution Hall had been nerve-wracking, and although the rogue cultivator story had worked for now, he couldn’t afford to let his guard down.

His thoughts were interrupted as he approached the library building, a massive structure that stood tall at the heart of the sect. The grand stone steps leading to the entrance were worn from the footsteps of countless disciples, yet the imposing doors remained a symbol of both knowledge and prestige. To gain access to the library was to step closer to the secrets of cultivation and the power that came with it.

Kael paused at the foot of the stairs, glancing up at the towering edifice.

I need to make sure I stay under the radar.

He had already heard that the first floor of the library was open to all disciples, but he knew that it contained only basic information. The real treasure lay beyond that, in the restricted sections that required not only contribution points but a certain status within the sect to access.

Still, Kael was determined to learn what he could. He needed more than just a few scraps of cultivation knowledge. He needed a foundation, something that could help him progress quickly. The first step was to understand the basic cultivation system.

He took a deep breath and ascended the stairs, pushing open the heavy doors to reveal the quiet interior of the library.

Kael stepped into the vast library, his footsteps echoing softly across the polished marble floor. The atmosphere inside was serene, a quiet hum of energy filling the air as if the very walls resonated with the power of knowledge. Shelves stretched up to the high ceilings, filled with countless books, scrolls, and tomes. He could feel the weight of centuries of wisdom and secrets hidden within the walls.

He had heard of this library before. As a disciple of the Stormwright Sect, he was allowed access to the first floor, where basic cultivation knowledge and some martial techniques were stored. It wasn’t the most impressive section, but for a beginner like Kael, it was more than enough. His fingers traced along the spines of the books as he walked down the aisles, taking in the smell of aged paper and ink.

Kael had one goal today: to learn more about cultivation and the world he now inhabited. He was aware that he was in a very different place than the one he had known. The skills of his past life, including his understanding of games and loot mechanics, might not be enough here. He needed to understand the fundamentals of cultivation, especially since his reincarnation had left him with a weaker body than most disciples.

The first book he picked up was titled The Foundations of Cultivation: The Journey of the Mortal Soul. It contained a brief introduction to the basics of cultivation, explaining the significance of the five major realms: Qi Gathering, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, and beyond.

As Kael flipped through the pages, he learned that cultivation was the path of harnessing and refining spiritual energy, called Qi, within one’s body to achieve higher realms of power. In the world of Orinthar, Qi cultivation was the foundation of strength. Cultivators absorbed and refined Qi, used it to enhance their bodies, and finally reached the transcendent stages where their souls could ascend to greater planes.

The first realm described in the book was Qi Gathering, the foundation of every cultivator’s journey. It was the stage where cultivators learned to harness and refine the spiritual energy around them, channeling it into their bodies to strengthen their bones, muscles, and meridians. The cultivation journey began here, and it was a crucial period of learning to control one’s inner energy. Kael could relate to this—the concept of gathering energy to strengthen oneself resonated with his own understanding of progress in games, though the stakes here were far more real.

Next came Foundation Establishment, where cultivators solidified their base of power and advanced their control over Qi. This realm marked a significant leap, as it not only refined the body but also allowed the cultivator to start forming a stronger connection with the spiritual world. The book described how the soul began to take a more prominent role, and a cultivator’s Qi would be far more stable, making them capable of performing feats beyond what a Qi Gathering cultivator could achieve.

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The Core Formation realm followed. Here, cultivators forged a “core” of power within their bodies, a crystallized form of Qi that served as the heart of their strength. This was where a cultivator’s abilities became truly formidable. The book described how cultivators in this realm could control elemental forces with ease, perform powerful combat techniques, and even begin to manipulate the natural world around them.

Finally, the book reached the Nascent Soul realm, which was described as the point where a cultivator truly began to understand the nature of the universe. It was not just about refining the body and soul; it was about transcending mortal limitations and perceiving the deeper forces that governed the world. Cultivators at this stage could begin to comprehend the laws of the world, manipulate spiritual energy on a vast scale, and even begin to approach immortality.

As Kael read these descriptions, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe. While the stages of cultivation were clear, there was a deeper layer of complexity that lay beyond the written words. This was a path that required not only strength but also wisdom, discipline, and a mastery of one’s own body and soul. And Kael was still at the very beginning, at the Qi Gathering realm. It seemed like such a long road ahead, but it was a road he had to walk if he wanted to survive and grow stronger.

He continued to skim through the book, learning about the inner workings of cultivation, the various techniques cultivators used, and the vast expanse of spiritual energy that filled the world. But just as he thought he had absorbed everything there was to know from this section, a sudden thought occurred to him.

He turned to the next aisle and pulled out a different book. The World of Orinthar: The Realm of Cultivators. This book looked like a more advanced read, but Kael was eager to understand the world he was in.

As he flipped through the pages, he learned that Orinthar was a vast, ancient planet, home to countless cultivation sects. These sects were scattered across the world, each one with its own unique philosophies and powers. The book explained that Orinthar was divided into multiple continents, each with its own distinct resources, beasts, and landscapes.

The central continent was home to the most powerful sects, including Kael’s own Stormwright Sect, which was a Tier 1 sect. This tier system was essential in understanding the overall strength of the sects in Orinthar. The sects were ranked by their power, influence, and resources. The Stormwright Sect was considered strong within its region but was still not on the level of the Great Sects that dominated the world. Tier 1 sects had their own powerful cultivators and resources, but they were constantly vying for control over more territory and influence.

Kael learned that there were five recognized tiers for cultivation sects:

Tier 1 Sect: Powerful sects with vast resources and influence.

Tier 2 Sect: Strong but not as influential, often regional in scope.

Tier 3 Sect: Smaller sects, focused more on survival.

Tier 4 Sect: Weak sects with limited resources and influence.

Tier 5 Sect: The lowest, often barely surviving in the competitive world of cultivation.

As Kael read on, he realized that his sect was far from the most powerful, but it was still a significant player in the region. It was strong enough to provide him with opportunities, but he would need to cultivate quickly if he wanted to rise above the level of an ordinary disciple.

While studying, Kael was interrupted by the approach of a familiar figure. It was Huo Jian, a fellow disciple who had joined the sect at the same time as Kael. Huo was a tall, broad-shouldered young man, with a confident air about him. He smiled when he saw Kael and walked over.

"Ah, Kael," Huo said with a grin. "I see you’ve found yourself some good reading material. You look deep in thought. What have you learned so far?"

Kael returned the smile, though his mind was still processing all the information he had absorbed. "A lot, actually. It’s a bit overwhelming, but I’m starting to get a grasp on the basics. The five realms of cultivation—Qi Gathering, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul—and all the rest... it’s a lot to take in."

Huo nodded knowingly. "It’s a big world, Kael. The truth is, what we’ve learned here is just the beginning. Once we hit Qi Gathering Stage 3, we’ll be able to choose a cultivation technique and combat technique from the sect’s library. But don’t get too excited. It’s nothing special, just the basics to help you with your growth."

Kael looked at Huo, surprised. "You mean we can choose something like that?"

Huo shrugged. "Everyone gets one. But don’t expect some amazing secret technique. Most of what’s available here is for beginners, like us. But it’s still useful. And it’ll help you get stronger. Though..." He paused, glancing at Kael, his tone turning more serious. "You took quite the risk by fighting that Stage 2 tiger, didn’t you? I heard about it."

Kael chuckled awkwardly. "Well... I needed to gather resources. You know how it is. You can’t rely on the sect forever."

Huo studied him for a moment. "True, but don’t compare yourself to the others too much. Many of our batchmates are already at Stage 2, and a few even reached Stage 3. But you’re still doing well. And honestly, if you had been in a lower-tier sect, you’d be considered an exceptionally talented disciple. So don’t worry too much about the competition."

Kael nodded, feeling slightly reassured by Huo’s words. It was easy to forget just how competitive the sect environment could be, but Huo’s reminder helped him put things in perspective. "Thanks, Huo. I appreciate it."

Huo grinned again. "No problem. Just focus on your own path, and you’ll be fine. Remember, the cultivation world is full of opportunities, but you have to make the most of them."

With that, Huo clapped Kael on the shoulder and walked off, leaving Kael alone in the library once more. As Kael returned to his books, a new sense of determination filled him. He had a lot to learn, but now he understood that the path ahead was his to carve. The more he studied, the clearer the road became.

And with the vast world of Orinthar before him, Kael couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement. His journey was only just beginning, but already, he knew that it would be one filled with challenges, growth, and perhaps even greater rewards than he had imagined.