Cheng Hao marveled at his new physique as he ran and jumped around like an energetic monkey. He had ingested the [Coil Shedding Fruit], and quickly passed out from the pain. When he next woke up, the system confirmed he had reached the peak of Body Tempering.
Eager to explore what that meant, Cheng Hao performed a battery of tests designed to measure his new physical ability. Although he lacked proper measuring tools, the results still astounded him. All of his physical attributes, from strength to speed and agility were near the human peak back on Earth. He could easily lift rocks that weighed several hundred pounds, and sprint a hundred meters in ten to eleven seconds. What surprised him was that his body was also much more flexible. He easily landed a backflip, and he could even do the splits.
Cheng Hao’s overall evaluation was that his physical prowess was similar to an Olympic decathlete that was taking steroids.
“Not bad for an old man,” he mused.
A former Division 1 Fencer back in college, he had been forced to witness the deterioration of his physique as he grew older. Working hundred hour weeks in his twenties and early thirties robbed him of part of his strength, and by the time he turned fifty, old age robbed him of the rest. Returning back to his physical prime and even surpassing it was a night-euphoric experience.
Back on Earth, power was intangible. CEO was a title, managing director was a suggestion of a role he had to play. Here, Body Refining meant something. He could feel the power coursing through his veins as he clenched his fists. This was only the first stage of cultivation, the first step in an endless stairway and it already felt this good. He couldn't stop here, it was time to create a sect.
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Scrambling up the slippery slope of loose rocks, Cheng Hao paused to wipe the sweat that beaded his forehead. He had set out from the grassy meadows where he had been reincarnated, and walked for half a day until he reached the closest mountain. During his two days climbing the mountain he had been forced to push his new physique to its limits, as he ran from groups of monkeys made from stone, hid from birds the size of buses, and figured out how to start a fire.
Finally, with one last burst of effort he crested the mountain and reached the peak. Just the view was enough to make the tortures of the last few days worthwhile.
Looking back, he could see that the mountain that he climbed was part of a larger range that encircled the lush and fertile valley below in an O shape. The formation didn’t look very natural, and he supposed it was some sort of hidden beginner benefit. He could already imagine the higher ups living and cultivating in the mountains, while disciples tended to the land below.
The valley would also have been a great starting point for any of the other systems, as he held no doubt that the lush lands below held spiritual treasures that would be beneficial towards cultivation. The valley was populated by beasts, as he had managed to catch two rabbits on the way to the mountain using his upgraded physique. Unfortunately killing the rabbits failed to give any experience or sect points, crushing his dream that his system used some sort of kill to level up mechanism. Thankfully, he had managed to avoid larger predators although he did spot some tracks.
Looking at the other side, he could just barely spot some smoke rising from a village at the base of the mountain. Turning away for now, he considered whether or not he should activate the sect here or down in the valley. Finally with some hesitation he decided to activate the sect here. He had no idea what the activation would entail, but the wide and flat space of the mountain peak seemed a promising location for secluded cultivation. He clicked around on the system menu before managing to activate it.
Sect initializing…
Quest Create Your Sect completed
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Calculating optimal gift package…
Rewards disbursed: Cleansing of local environment, [Mortal Dwelling] (x12), [ Beginner Cultivator’s Cave] ( Trash-Grade Mortal Rank)
System Store unlocked
Cheng Hao fell to his feet as the land around him started rumbling. The various trees, shrubs and boulders that dotted the peak vanished. A large cave and several dozen huts rose to take their place.
Standing back up, Cheng Hao surveyed the newly changed peak before heading to the nearest hut. The four rickety wooden walls enclosed a spartan living environment, an uncomfortable looking bed and a dresser being the only amenities provided. He visited another couple of the huts to make sure, and they were indeed completely identical.
Having gotten that out of the way, he turned his attention to the large cave with some degree of anticipation. The interior was spacious and comfortable, and as soon as he stepped inside he felt like all the accumulated fatigue from hiking up the mountain was washed away. He assumed that the effect was caused by a higher concentration of Qi, although he couldn't actually sense it as he was still in the Body Refining realm. Settling down on a soft divan, Cheng Hao opened up the System.
Sect System (Level 1)
Name: Cheng Hao
Cultivation Level: Peak of Body Refining
Quests (!)
Permanent Store
Personal Disciples
Sect
Storage (500 sect points to unlock)
Settings
He clicked on the Sect tab
Sect Name: Not Set
Founder: Cheng Hao
Sect Leader: Cheng Hao
Disciple Count: 0
Other Personnel:0
Liquid Treasury: 0
Total Treasury: 4 coppers
Settings
Please upgrade the System and/or Sect to unlock more functionality.
This menu was rather useless to him at the moment, although he noted that he needed to experiment with the treasury and settings. He assumed that the total treasury included the value of non cash items, which meant that the two days old roasted rabbit he had remaining was worth 8 coppers. The liquid treasury probably only counted hard currency: coins and then eventually spiritual stones.
Opening up the store menu, he was met with a pleasant surprise: one [Sect Point] allowed him to afford what he needed.
Permanent Store
[Sect Library] (Mortal Rank) 5 points
[Smithy] (Trash Grade-Mortal Rank) 15 points
[Defensive Array] (Trash Grade-Mortal Rank) 10 points
[Illusion Array] (Trash Grade-Mortal Rank) 1 point
[Illusion Array] (Low Grade-Mortal Rank) 10 points
[Trash Grade Body Refining Manual] 0 points
[Low Grade Body Refining Manual] 1 point
[Trash Grade Qi Gathering Manual] 1 point
Settings
Cheng Hao remained a bit confused over the grading system used for items, but he figured with time he would understand it. He assumed that Mortal Rank items were meant for cultivators in the Body Refining and Qi Gathering realms, because according [Book of Basic Knowledge], only cultivators in the third rank of cultivation, Qi Condensation, were deemed proper cultivators. Even so, he hadn’t entirely figured out the rule for why some items came with a grade while some did not.
He wasn’t surprised at the lack of options. Most likely it was necessary to purchase a [Sect Library] to be able to purchase a greater variety of cultivation manuals. As for the lack of arrays, he assumed that he would have to create some himself or train disciples that were skilled in arrays. He couldn't just purchase what he needed while overlooking the holistic development of the sect. For the near future though, Low and Trash Grade arrays would have to suffice. It wasn’t like he could afford any for now anyways. Instead, it was time for some literature.
Cheng Hao leaned backwards as a pair of books appeared in front of him. He had made the easy decision to purchase the [Trash Grade Body Refining Manual] and the [Low Grade Qi Gathering Manual]. Since he was already at the peak of Body Refining, it shouldn't take too long to step into the Qi Gathering Realm. Once that happened, he would go down to the village to pick up a few disciples.