The Green Lotus Peak is a low-tier sect in the Dragon Continent. Within the Cerulean Sky Region, this is one of the righteous sects existing among with seven others.
Being a low-tier sect, it is obvious that they have a lot of untalented disciples. Their strongest only reaches the middle stages of Golden Core. It's not surprising as this region has a severe lack of areas suitable for cultivation. It has low Qi concentrations around it.
The Green Lotus Peak covers at least two mountain peaks. One of those peaks is for the Elders and the Core Disciples, while the other peak is for the Inner and Outer Disciples. They call these peaks the Low Mountain Peak and the High Mountain Peak.
The lower part of the Low Mountain Peak is the part where outer disciples lives. They are respectively separated into four areas. They are the Northern Hall, Southern Hall, Eastern Hall, and the Western Hall. In one of the dorms of the Western Hall, a girl wearing a plain white robe sits up from her bed, still feeling groggy as she rubs one of her sleepy eyes with her hand.
This girl is Zhi Wanyi, a recent addition from this sect. A month ago, cultivators came from her village and she was fortunate to be chosen as one of their disciples. She has no special roots or anything. She just got the bare qualifications for the elders taking the test to accept her within the sect.
Within a month, it has been shown just how talentless she is. Unlike her peers who easily reaches the 2nd Stage of the Qi Condensation Realm, she is still at the 1st Stage. There is nothing she can do about it. Her cultivation roots is an inferior grade. She is also attributeless, so nature and wind Qi abundant on this sect doesn't help her from her advancement.
Though she is fine with that. She is just happy to cultivate. Being a cultivator is a dream amongst the mortals.
"I will become the greatest in this world!"
That's what she promised to her parents before she left their village.
This girl expects this day to be a normal one. She quickly got used to the chores given to them by the Sect Elders. Outer Sect Disciples are numerous and they act like servants for the maintenance of the sect. Others will suspect they simply got chosen because the sect is lacking servants. Zhi Wanyi thinks otherwise.
She thinks it is normal for them to work for the elders. It's common sense to follow her seniors. That's how her parents raised her.
So her mind is already expecting the usual. Wake up, eat, go to the quest stand, choose a work, do her job, take the reward for her job, continue cultivating with her free time, eat again, wash herself, and then sleep.
This day won't be like that. She freezes as her sight clears up, and then finally notices a floating panel in front of her eyes.
[Congratulations! You have been chosen to wield the almighty Fuse System!]
"Uwaaaah!"
She screamed.
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It takes awhile before Zhi Wanyi calms down. The System she got helpfully explained what it was to her after she calmed herself down.
[With the Fuse System, host can combine everything in this world! Martial Techniques, Daoist Arts, Alchemical Pills, Ancient Relics, anything in creation can be fused with the almighty Fuse System!]
[Everything has been explained to you. Open your status so you can start.]
"Ah... Open status?" She flinches when a new panel appears, this time showing words and numbers that she barely understands.
[STATUS]
(General)
Name: Zhi Wanyi
Age: 17
Gender: Female
Species: Human
Potential: F-
Attribute: None
Bloodline: None
(Realm)
Cultivation: Middle Grade 1st Stage Qi Condensation
Body: Mortal
Mind: Mortal
Soul: Mortal
(Methods)
[Tier 0] Farming (Mortal Grade)
[Tier 0] Knitting (Mortal Grade)
[Tier 1] Basic Qi Gathering Method (Initiate Grade)
(Techniques)
[Tier 0] Basic Combat Footwork (Mortal Grade)
[Tier 0] Basic Martial Arts (Mortal Grade)
(Arts)
[Tier 1] Basic Qi Manipulation (Initiate Grade)
She recognizes some of the things written on it. Those were the things she learned after she got to this sect. All of the skills that started with the word "Basic" were techniques and methods the sect taught to every new disciples. Though she is curious about one thing.
'Why does farming and knitting part of method? I know I've been doing that when I lived with my parents, but aren't those things any mortal can do?' She wonders to herself.
[Host may choose anything to combine with so long as host owns it. Try it now!]
"Ah... what do you mean by that?" She asks, but the mysterious floating panel didn't respond.
She sighs and then think about it for a moment.
'Combining everything sounds so powerful. Can I really choose anything?' She looks around her room.
Her room consists of a bed, some furnitures like a cabinet, a drawer, and a table, and some essentials for a female cultivator like a comb, a mirror, and other accessories.
"What can I combine actually?"
[Everything.]
"So... for example, if I take my comb and my mirror, can I fuse it?"
[Yes.]
"So... What about those written on this floating spiritual texts?"
[Host can also combine anything displayed there.]
"... Is there a limit to what I can combine?"
[Host may only combine anything host possess. Anything host doesn't own cannot be combined!]
"How does this work actually?"
[Host must choose two objects or aspect that the host owns and then pick which are the dominant one and the supplementary one. The result will vary depending on what kind of combination Host does.]
"Then... I'd like to combine my comb and this mirror."
[Please designate which is the dominant material and the supplementary material?]
A new popup occurs in front of her vision. This time there are two empty icons within the panel and two other images on the side, the images depicting a pixelated image of the comb and the mirror she picks.
'What a peculiar sketch... they look blocky?'
As that thought passes her mind, she picks the comb as the dominant material and the mirror as the supplementary one.
[Would you like to proceed?] (Y/N)
"What does that mean?" She wonders with a tilt of her head.
[The System is asking whether you want to proceed with your choice.]
She raises an eyebrow at that.
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"Is that even necessary? I think it's obvious I am fine with the choices I made when I pick it?"
[This prompt is to ensure Host won't regret the lost of the materials being fused.]
She thinks about it. "I see... so I will lost the materials I am combining..." She nods, finally understanding. "Then no, I don't want to proceed with that."
The popup vanishes from her eyes and nothing happens from the comb and the mirror. She sits on the side of her bed as a thought occurs to her.
"By the way, what's with the dominant and supplementary part?"
[The dominant material will be the base for the combination while the supplementary will be the essence that the base will inherit.]
"Which means...?"
[Materials used as the dominant one will become the finished product with the traits of the one used as a supplementary.]
"Does that mean if I fuse the mirror and the comb and I use the comb as a dominant material, it will turn into a comb with the traits of the mirror?"
[Yes.]
She nods in understanding.
"I see... such a miraculous ability." She suddenly stands up as realization hits her. "Wait, can't I just combine anything I own and turn them into superior treasures!?"
The System didn't respond but it wasn't needed. She already knew what she had to do.
"If I can combine everything, then I can quickly rise to the top! My dreams of becoming the greatest in the entire world is not so distant anymore!" She pumps her fist to the air as excitement fills her eyes. "This is surely a sign from the Heavens. Fate dictates that I will be the strongest in the whole cosmos!"
She laughs as visions of greatness fills her imagination. She is drooling at the imaginary sight of her being at the top of a mountain, standing imperiously while she looks coldly on the mortal world like a goddess.
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With the helpful guidance of the mysterious Fuse System, Zhi Wanyi starts with the fusing of her abilities.
The first thing she combined was her Knitting and Farming method. She used Farming as the dominant material from the two.
[You learned Weaving Growth Method!]
With the combination of Knitting and Farming, she acquired a new profound method that taught her a mysterious farming technique.
It's a farming method that connects anything she plants to each other, sharing their advantages and shedding all disadvantages with the use of a specialize technique, making it possible for her to turn a normal plant into a spiritual plant.
That alone makes it a valuable skill, but Zhi Wanyi wasn't satisfied. She combines that with her cultivation method. She chooses her cultivation method as the dominant material.
[You learned a new cultivation method! Would you like to name it?]
The knowledge of the Weaving Growth Method quickly fades from her mind. She can still recall bits of what she knows from it, but the intricate knowledge she learns from the mysterious farming method vanishes. In exchange, she learns a new cultivation method.
It's a cultivation method that expands upon the simple concept of just gathering Qi to their roots. It's a method that gathers nature Qi from the soil and other areas with abundant nature in it, weaving them into strands and then absorbing them to their roots as if they are weaving a thread to a cloth.
"I have to name it?"
[Yes Host. There are times when the results hasn't been named yet by the Heavens, and it is up to Host to give name to these unnamed creation.]
"Then, I will name it Superior Cultivation!"
[Are you sure about it?]
"Yes."
With that, she has the newest cultivation method called Superior Cultivation. If other cultivators hears this, they will facepalm so hard due to the simplicity of its name.
[STATUS]
(General)
Name: Zhi Wanyi
Age: 17
Gender: Female
Species: Human
Potential: F-
Attribute: None
Bloodline: None
(Realm)
Cultivation: Middle Grade 1st Stage Qi Condensation
Body: Mortal
Mind: Mortal
Soul: Mortal
(Methods)
[Tier 3] Superior Cultivation (Earth Grade)
(Techniques)
[Tier 0] Basic Combat Footwork (Mortal Grade)
[Tier 0] Basic Martial Arts (Mortal Grade)
(Arts)
[Tier 1] Basic Qi Manipulation (Initiate Grade)
Next, she fuses her two techniques into one, with the martial arts being the dominant material.
[You learned Foundational Martial Techniques!]
She is not done yet. She fuses her newfound martial skill with her only Arts skill. She designates the Foundational Martial Techniques as the dominant material among the two.
[You learned Profound Heavenly Movement!]
"Whoa! It sounds so mysterious!" She exclaims in awe at the name of the technique.
Her amazement increases through the peak after she closes her eyes and consolidate the new knowledge that enters her mind. It's a new technique that details the movements of nature itself. A martial technique that Foundation Establishment experts will find incredibly useful.
[STATUS]
(General)
Name: Zhi Wanyi
Age: 17
Gender: Female
Species: Human
Potential: F-
Attribute: None
Bloodline: None
(Realm)
Cultivation: Middle Grade 1st Stage Qi Condensation
Body: Mortal
Mind: Mortal
Soul: Mortal
(Methods)
[Tier 3] Superior Cultivation (Earth Grade)
(Techniques)
[Tier 2] Profound Heavenly Movement (Mystic Grade)
She is not done yet. She takes the pouch hidden beneath her bed and then spread the lower grade spiritual stones she has on top of her bed. These are her savings which she is planning to use to buy a weapon for herself, but now it doesn't matter to her.
She uses it all and combine them with each other. She has a total of sixteen lower grade spiritual stones. All of them turns into eight middle grade spiritual stones. Then four high grade spiritual stones. After that she now has two top grade spiritual stones.
"Wow, this is the first time I'm touching something this precious!"
She only knows of the lower grade spiritual stones. She doesn't know most things about cultivation stuff, and that includes spiritual stones. She only knows there are four grades of spiritual stones and the only one she sees since starting her life as a cultivator is the lower grade one.
"Can I still fuse these two?"
[Yes.]
"Hoh!"
With the System's confirmation, Wanyi combines the two top grade spirit stones on her bed. The two palm-sized stone brimming with pure Qi vanishes and then a new shimmering crystal replaces it.
[You successfully made a Low Grade Immortal Crystal!]
She claps in amazement at the bright crystal that emanates a sense of divinity in it. She feels at awe at it's appearance, her eyes gazing at the palm-sized crystal that pulses with profound energies she can't describe.
This is the first time she hears of an Immortal Crystal. She is clueless about them.
[You have successfully finished the Tutorial. Hints will now be disabled.]
[It is up to Host's fate what will happen with the help of the Fuse System. Combine everything and become the strongest in all creation!]
After that final prompt, it becomes silent once more. The panels vanishes from her sight. She tilts her head.
"Ah... hello? Are you there?"
There is no response after some time, so she thinks the System is done guiding her. She feels a bit sad, but quickly shakes her head as she looks at the immortal crystal.
"Whatever. This heaven-sent power will help me rise to the top!"
She feels like she is finally progressing to her goal. To become the greatest just like what she promise to her parents.
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Just outside the Western Halls for Outer Sect Disciples is a stand. Inside the stand is one of the Outer Sect Elders. He is in charge of the Quest Hall, a place where Outer Sect Disciples takes their work so they can earn Sect Points.
They can use the sect points to gain some cultivation resources like spiritual stones or qi condensation pills. So many disciples flocks here to do their work. They can also submit some cultivation resources they possess in exchange for sect points so they can use it for other things.
It's the start of the day so a lot of outer sect disciples are lining up to get their job for today. Some are here to exchange points for cultivation resources. The elder in charge of this hall is busily processing the disciples lining up for their work, giving them their objectives or in case of those who are simply here to exchange stuff, giving them a pouch that contains cultivation resources.
"Next."
He looks at the girl who has a cheerful expression on her face, and becomes a bit curious. He can sense that her cultivation is at the 1st Stage of Qi Condensation so he feels confuse why she looks happy.
"Esteemed Elder, I want to exchange this for points!"
Unaware of the thoughts of the guy who now gazes at the beautiful crystal she puts on the counter, Zhi Wanyi is smiling widely. She submits an immortal crystal to the Quest Hall, unaware of it's importance.
"... Hm!?" The elder quickly notices the peculiarity of this crystal. He takes it and then peers at it carefully with a frown.
This is the first time he sees such a beautiful crystal, and he can feel a profound energy within it. It releases a sense of mystique that tickles his spirit. There is this feeling within him that is beckoning him closer to the mysterious energy deep within it.
"An ancient relic!" He exclaims. Then he looks at the girl who is now looking at him with a tilt of her head. "Where did you get this?"
"... Huh? I just got it on the ground?"
Zhi Wanyi acted clueless. It was a blatant lie that anyone could discern. Even this Outer Sect Elder noticed it.
He peers at the girl with his eyes narrowing before he shakes his head.
'It doesn't matter. If this disciple is just giving it to the sect, then that means she is clueless about its value.'
He does not pursue the lie and then speak to her.
"Do you want to exchange this with sect points?"
"Yes, Elder!"
The elder shakes his head solemnly. She is so naive to give such a heavenly treasure. She is wasting miraculous encounters. He thinks the girl won't get far in this kind of world.
"Alright."
Seeing that the girl is willing to give it without a hint of reluctance with it, he finally relents and gives her a lot of sect points. He puts it on her wooden plaque, an object that acts as their ID and also the one that tracks how much points they have within the sect.
This is what Zhi Wanyi really wants. To exchange it for sect points. Unlike others who will horde such a divine treasure, this girl is clueless about its value. She doesn't even know what it is.
Her interest lies on what she simply knows. The cultivation manuals within the sect library in the middle of the Outer Halls, and the cultivation spots where she can cultivate. She plans to have more time there to learn a lot of things.
"200,000 sect points!" She looks at her plaque in astoundment. "With this much, I can spend a lot of time in a cultivation spot! I can also stay in the library all day!"
Such simplistic desires already makes her happy. She is unaware how much potential she is squandering. Her steps are light and without a care in the world as she walks towards the direction of the library.