Nathan tumbled onto the grass, spinning before regaining his balance. Elder Darkan moved even faster than Orin, sending a wave of nausea up to his throat.

"Swallow it, boy. Or I'll shove that vomit back down your gullet."

Panicked by the threat, Nathan gulped hard. Blinking, he realized he was in the backyard of a small mountain building. The architecture struck him as more prison-like than residential. Built with dark stones, mostly deep gray with some red, the structures were square-edged and neatly arranged. He couldn't fathom how people lived here.

"Good constitution you've got," Darkan commented, perching on a rock. "Flying like that without flinching. Usually, others I scare like that still puke."

Hearing the elder's chuckle, Nathan turned, unsure whether to stand or kneel.

"Stand up, damn it! You're irritating me."

Nathan shot up from the ground as if spring-loaded.

"Good, now let's talk business!"

Darkan crossed his legs, staring intently at Nathan. Though unsure of Darkan's Tier, Nathan felt the pressure bearing down on him.

"What do you want?"

Nathan was about to answer when those eyes bored into his skull like drills. Clutching his head in pain, he looked at the disheveled elder before him, puzzled.

Darkan brushed back his long hair, revealing his gray eyes, saying, "Say it right!"

Unsure what "right" meant, Nathan thought for a moment before giving what he deemed the most appropriate answer. It encompassed his previous response of wanting to become stronger.

"I want to return to my old world to see my mother again, and if possible, save her."

Darkan clapped, creating a shockwave that bent the grass and made his oversized shirt flutter.

"Excellent! A mundane reason."

Nathan was about to speak when Darkan raised his hand.

"Mundane but personal. I need disciples who won't break when others influence their worldview. My method doesn't allow for that. And the most intense thing, in my opinion, is personal desire, not some grand, lofty ideal."

"But isn't it okay to want both?"

"Sure, sure," Darkan nodded so vigorously he seemed about to break his neck. "But you must grow strong, or you're just all talk, an empty barrel making noise. Ideals are the result of the strong, understand?"

Nathan nodded, half-understanding.

"I know you're not from this world," Darkan said. "In your world, everyone's equally weak, power must be gained through deception. But before absolute strength, all schemes are just jokes. This world has such absolute beings; their ideals are truth whether you think them false or not. So, live up to your role before you have a position on high."

"And what is that role, Elder?"

"Being a pawn."

Nathan blinked, instinctively feeling a bit of resistance.

Seeing this, Darkan laughed loudly, slapping his knee.

"Truly the hot blood of youth. But you didn't think you competed in the outer sect tournament for glory, did you? No, right? You were fighting for resources the Sect dangled like bait. And no one throws bait, catches the target, without their own purpose."

Thinking for a moment, Nathan wasn't really bothered by this view. His resistance was just a natural reaction. Rationally speaking, on Earth, he and most people were just pawns influenced by media to be tools for others. Power was the same everywhere, just that in this world, power was tied to cultivation and destruction. Making this dynamic harder to predict and control.

Seeing Nathan nod in understanding, Darkan felt a bit pleased. Not every disciple easily accepted such words. If this twenty-four-year-old disciple had been stubborn, he would have sent him away immediately.

"That's why I say you need personal motivation. A drive that can function in any circumstance, any ideology. As long as I help you get closer to your goal. And you accept this deal."

Nathan guessed this was also why other elders took direct disciples. Beyond the teacher-student relationship, it was also an investor-investee, sponsor-sponsored relationship. The benefits could come from assigned missions, future reputation, or countless other methods.

"So the deal you mentioned is becoming your disciple?"

"Right, but only half of it."

Darkan narrowed his eyes, straightening up solemnly.

"You become my personal disciple, and you must choose the Physical Cultivation Path."

Nathan's face contorted with questions, unsure where to start.

"Unbearable without even a PsiLink. I'll prepare one for you."

"I thought you could just buy one?" Nathan asked.

"Only fools use commercial PsiLinks, unless you're a fool too and want your genitals shown everywhere."

Nathan started, one of his fears confirmed by Darkan's words. PsiLinks were indeed toxic, like Earth's Internet.

"Back to the main point," Darkan waved dismissively. "You probably don't know that besides the Spirit Cultivation Path, there's also Physical, right?"

Nathan shook his head.

"Even today's teachers ignore this knowledge. Anyway, humanity's first cultivation path was Physical, not Spirit. Your ability to synchronize with ambient mana is a supreme skill of this school."

Nathan understood Darkan was referring to the [Into the Zone] state, a hidden effect of [Martial Art Mastery]. He hadn't had much time to research it. But Darkan seemed to understand it better than him.

"The Age of Knowledge found a new cultivation direction. Until the Great Breakthrough event, Physical Cultivation fell into oblivion."

"So does that mean Physical Cultivation is inferior to Spirit Cultivation?" Nathan blurted out.

Darkan angrily stood up, hand raised as if to hit Nathan but just waved it off frustratedly, sitting back down. After all, the disciple wasn't entirely wrong.

"Not entirely, but you could say that."

Then what's the difference? Nathan silently complained.

"Mainly, Physical Cultivation became obsolete due to its difficulty," Darkan continued. "Imagine it as a graph where difficulty increases linearly. Spirit Cultivation is like a wave, difficult at Tiers 2, 4, 6, and 8. Other Tiers just need normal cultivation. And don't ask me how those Tiers are classified, figure it out yourself. I'm here to talk about Physical Cultivation."

Nathan lowered his hand that was about to raise. He indeed wanted to ask more about the Tiers.

"Physical Cultivation resources are too expensive at later Tiers. From 1 to 5 is still quite easy, but after that, it gets increasingly steep, very hard to cultivate."

"In return, overwhelming strength?" Nathan accepted to follow Darkan's lead, focusing on one issue.

But the response was a face scrunched up as if eating vinegar.

"Not exactly."

Nathan really wanted to go crazy. Then why make him cultivate this path?

"Don't rush to conclusions," Darkan quickly said, "listen to me first. Physical Cultivation, true to its name, improves your physique. Skin, muscles, flesh, organs will reach high levels, tougher than precious metals, harder than Dragonium, the skin of dragons who've lived tens of thousands of years. Swords and blades won't be able to cut you."

"But to get there, surely one must go very far?" Nathan argued.

"That's right," Darkan replied bitterly.

"And in the early stages, it's still weaker than the equivalent Tier of Spirit Cultivation."

Darkan nodded slightly.

Nathan, hearing the description, was truly somewhat tempted. But now he wanted it even less.

"But you'll be more flexible and have more endurance," Darkan continued persuading. "You can fight endlessly without tiring thanks to your enhanced physique."

"Then why didn't you take Xander as a disciple? He'd surely benefit greatly with his Spear Intent, right?"

"That brat isn't suitable. No matter what they say, he already has an Aspect direction. Surely that kid won't want to go this path when he can summon mana spears to attack or defend."

Hearing this description, Nathan knew then that Xander would easily outmatch him at Tier 2 with that ability.

"And I'm suitable?"

"Yes, your physique is the best I've seen so far."

Saying this, he tossed a pill to Nathan.

"Swallow it, let me check. Also examine your condition."

Nathan hesitated, looking at the round, black, stinky pill in his hand.

"You think I'm tricking you for what?" Darkan said irritably. "If I can cure you, I'll tell Alaric to change the reward for treatment. A guy who's constantly wary of me from start to finish, I wouldn't want to take as a disciple anyway. If you won't eat it, give it back and get out!"

Before Darkan's hand reached it, the pill was swallowed whole. Smirking, Darkan pointed at Nathan’s throat.

Nathan blinked in panic, discovering his body had stiffened, completely unable to move.

"Chill, kid. Killing you would just be a waste of energy, so don't worry."

Darkan's finger guided the pill from the throat down to the stomach.

"Perform the cultivation method," he ordered.

Nathan obeyed and felt mana spreading from the pill like swallowing an 'Initial Advancing Pill'.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Darkan closed his eyes, releasing his spirit, entering to observe Nathan's body.

To his surprise, he was blocked when in the consciousness area. Using more power still couldn't penetrate. Suppressing his panic, Darkan could only stand outside and look. Mana and essence broke out from the pill as usual, flowing through blood vessels and seeking points according to the Novem Nexus. But a large part was sucked away by a black hole, sucked completely. Proportionally speaking, it left only one-tenth of the mana and essence for Nathan. Darkan spent some time observing the other's body before withdrawing his spirit.

This time, he looked at Nathan like a monster.

What the hell is in there? he didn't ask aloud, knowing this disciple was still clueless about his own condition.

But one thing was undeniable, Nathan's physique was extremely suitable for Physical Cultivation.

"There's no cure," Darkan announced.

"Can't you ask the Sect Leader before concluding?" Nathan still held a glimmer of hope.

"If I can't figure it out, dream on, kid!"

Knowing that being tough wouldn't work, Darkan chose his words.

"Listen, kid. Your condition needs someone higher than Alaric to know what it is. I'm not lying to you. If you need, I'll call him here to check you right now."

Nathan shook his head. As frustrating as Darkan was, the elder seemed genuine. He’d never encountered a teacher this patient with him before, and that had to count for something.

"Then how do other disciples improve their physique?" if it wasn't possible, he would go back to considering Physical Cultivation. "Like Xander looks quite strong."

"By normal training," Darkan happily replied, seeing the boy before him ask about a topic he rarely got to discuss. "Or using precious herbs or fruits worth a fortune."

"And I don't need them?"

"You do, you need them more than the likes of Xander."

This disciple, why does he keep asking such critical questions? Darkan cursed.

This elder, does he know how to sell to customers? Nathan cursed.

"But you need to follow the method," Darkan continued, "so it will be much better."

"Can you say something clearer?"

"Let's take an example. Normally, you all have to use mana to provide energy for your body, right? Especially when unleashing techniques. Now imagine that brat Xander is exhausted from overexertion, where does he get more energy from? From the mana pool. But the mana pool is limited, needs to be replenished. At Tier 2, when using common skills like Mana Slash, consumption is very large, so mana management is very important, unlike at Tier 1."

"And a Tier 2 of the Physical Cultivation Path will be more enduring."

"That's right," Darkan smiled and said. "Xander will tire after swinging his spear a hundred times, but you'll need a thousand. So your mana pool won't have to be divided for actions related to muscles, thereby increasing your chance of victory."

Nathan nodded, pondering what he had just heard.

"What about Roran, do you know him?"

Darkan squinted, thinking as he searched on PsiLink.

"He just has a good physique," he said boredly. "But doesn't possess the aptitude for this cultivation direction. Besides, that kid also has his own Aspect."

"So if I'm a Tier 2 Physical facing a Tier 2 Spirit of the same Phase, what would happen?"

"You'd lose."

Nathan was bewildered.

"But you can resist," Darkan smiled, as if having waited long for this question. "You won't take hits helplessly like with that Keira girl. Physical Cultivation also trains the mind. Even when fighting Xander, if you can maintain your technique like yesterday, you can still contend with them. And you don't even need to use items to resist Intent."

Seeing the wide-eyed disbelief of the young man, Darkan stepped closer, not letting the excitement dissipate.

"You’ll be able to create a defensive shield called ‘Qi Armor,’ similar to a Spirit Cultivator’s Mana Barrier. It’s a technique unique to Physical Cultivators that lets you shield yourself from powerful attacks. You’ve already shown some signs of it in the tournament. Once you reach Tier 2, you’ll be able to form a proper barrier by using stored essence."

"Spirit Cultivators can't store essence?"

"They can, but what's the use if they can't use it? Without proper training, channeling essence through blood vessels and releasing it through the skin will cause extreme damage to the body. Essence is the quintessence of heaven and earth, very unstable. The medicines you use have added soothing ingredients alongside the most important energy, mana. Only after you surpass Tier 1 of Physical Cultivation, comprehensively remodeling your body, can this supreme skill be used."

Seeing Nathan had somewhat relented, Darkan made his final move, a step he was sure would make him accept.

"Besides, kid. I never said you had to give up Spirit Cultivation."

"Cultivate both?" Nathan blurted out in surprise.

"Exactly. I also cultivate both, so why would I forbid you?"

Nathan only now noticed this point. Darkan had used his spirit on him, that pressure must have come from a higher Tier on the Spirit Cultivation path.

Gaining the upper hand, Darkan spoke more enthusiastically.

"What you need and what you want right now are in conflict. So what you must do is find a middle path to walk. Physical Cultivation is the answer. I won't boast that it's better than Spirit Cultivation, but to say the peak of both schools, it's not certain which is inferior. The focus is that you can become stronger. Only by becoming stronger can you get sponsorship, investment, work to earn resources to level up."

Nathan found this reasonable. The issue Kyron mentioned before was still a clear memory. Who would decide to assign missions, who would let him into groups, who would support him. This world revered strength, but still relied heavily on each other.

"Speaking of which, there's an immediate benefit for you," Darkan said smugly. "Surely you feel sore when striking, right? Especially that close-range technique."

Hearing this, Nathan nodded vigorously.

"That's why you're the worst among the top 4," Darkan couldn't help laughing heartily.

Seeing the young man frown again, he toned down his teasing.

"Everyone saw that even striking made you suffer, plus consuming resources more than a mountain, so you bearing the name of second place is no different from last place."

Nathan was speechless. [Titan's Descendant] had somewhat solved the obstacles when unleashing moves requiring too much force and continuity. But if he wanted to make it three instead of two punches for the one-inch punch in the future, both he and the enemy would be injured.

"Physical Cultivation will solve your problem," Darkan declared. "I guarantee that. It would be a waste to leave your physique uncultivated. Your potential is very great, it just needs the right environment."

"Alright, alright," Nathan had truly heard enough. This elder seemed not to know when to stop.

Darkan stood up, his back no longer hunched and bored, his expression serious and not joking.

"Then what are you waiting for?" he said, his voice steely.

Nathan understood, immediately kneeling down, placing his hand over his heart.

"Nathan Reed hopes the elder will accept me as a disciple."

Darkan threw his head back and laughed loudly, a laugh so powerful it made the wind stir and grass sway.

"Very good! Stand up, my dear disciple!"

Tossing over a small pouch about the size of a fist, he handed it to Nathan.

"Take this and go enjoy yourself in town. Come back tomorrow to receive my legacy and PsiLink."

"Legacy?"

"A Skill Orb," Darkan winked mischievously. "Tempting, isn't it?"

Nathan nodded vigorously, the legendary item he had only heard of finally within his grasp.

"Just pick any room around here to stay," Darkan gestured around. "Once you've chosen, the logistics team will prepare the essentials for you. Inner sect uniforms are in every room, change into one to smell less."

With that, he shooed Nathan away as if exorcising a spirit, afraid he might change his mind. When Nathan's figure disappeared at the bend of the simple entrance gate, he let out a long sigh of relief. Looking to one side, he immediately saw a human figure made of fallen leaves in the yard. It smiled and walked over, saying.

"Well done," Alaric's voice rang out. "You still listened to me."

"Damn you, you bastard," Darkan sat down cursing. "What a waste of time."

"I can't just let you freely deceive disciples," Alaric ignored being cursed, speaking mildly. "Look at the ninth mountain, are there any disciples staying?"

"Stop nagging, Alaric. They can't pass the trial because of themselves."

"You're still so stubborn," the leaf figure shook its head. "Destroying the future of the younger generation isn't something you should take for granted. You know that yourself, which is why you didn't clearly state what would happen to Nathan once he accepts your Skill Orb, right?"

Darkan turned to glare at the empty eye between the leaf gaps.

"Then why didn't you materialize to stop me?"

"Because even though I don't want to admit it, this time both you and I see this as the suitable path for the boy. Tomorrow, when you perform the inheritance, take some of his blood for testing. I reckon it's not ordinary."

"Get out of here," Darkan snapped at being ordered.

With another head shake, Alaric dissolved the human figure. The leaves fell to the yard, creating small rustling sounds.

“Annoying as hell,” Darkan shouted before going inside.

Nathan had thought the ninth mountain was huge, but except for a radius of about two hundred meters around Elder Darkan's residence, it was all forest, trees, and trails leading elsewhere. So he decided to choose a room close to Darkan, thinking if he had any cultivation problems, he could easily come ask. The house he chose was also built with a square and minimalist architecture. But it was quite spacious, a large part of this single-story house dedicated to a training room. Currently, it only had racks and stands without any equipment.

Finding his bedroom, he opened the wardrobe placed next to the window. Inside hung seven inner sect disciple uniforms. He couldn't resist taking one down, placing his hand on the smooth and cool fabric.

Removing his current clothes, he tried it on. Tightening the waist cord, tying the ankle straps, then adjusting the collar, he looked at himself in the mirror unable to hide his pride. The red uniform he had longed for was now on his body. He had maintained an unstable mood since yesterday afternoon, but Darkan had shown him a viable path. It was truly good to have a master. Surely others received similar treatment.

"Nate?" a familiar voice called from outside the door.

Nathan hurried out and saw Zeryn tiptoeing around looking.

"Zer, how did you get here?"

Zeryn happily entered.

"You know me. Is there anywhere I don't stick my nose into? Looking good in the inner sect outfit, eh?"

Hearing this, Nathan just laughed. He held out his arm to compare them both. Zeryn was still more handsome.

"Besides," Zeryn continued, "the ninth mountain is so empty that no one stops or cares."

"So you can freely come here to play now."

"That's right," Zeryn brightened up. "I can leave the common inner sect area to come here. Elder Darkan probably won't say anything, right?"

Recalling the carefree demeanor of his newly accepted master, Nathan replied.

"Probably. He seems like someone who doesn't care about these little details."

"It's amazing though. You've become Elder Darkan's disciple."

"Why? Is there something to note about him? I just feel chills when walking around here. There are no disciples at all."

Zeryn shuddered, looking left then right, coming close to Nathan and speaking in a hushed tone.

"Let's get out of here and I'll tell you."

The matter seemed serious so Nathan reluctantly nodded.

"What's that bag?" Zeryn asked.

"Oh, Darkan said it's a gift for me to go eat and drink."

They both opened it to look. A beam of blue light dazzled them both. Zeryn swept over it with his spirit.

"100 mana stones!"

"Really?" Nathan couldn't believe it.

"I don't make mistakes when it comes to money."

"Is that considered a lot?"

"Not too much, not too little. Enough for a party for all the disciples."

Hearing Zeryn's lack of excitement, Nathan could guess more or less.

"Hehe," Zeryn held out his fist, "a gift for you."

Nathan surprisingly accepted. Zeryn opened his hand, and a small square box about two fingers long fell out. Curiously flipping open the latch, Nathan saw a transparent square piece, faintly rainbow-reflecting light above, revealing the text in the middle, PsiLink.

"Whoa! For real?" Nathan jumped up, nearly dropping the box to the floor.

He felt like a child receiving a game console for the first time.

He hugged Zeryn tightly, indescribably happy.

"Calm down, my friend. It has a warranty policy but if it breaks from falling, I don't know if they'll give a new one."

Nathan stared intently at the PsiLink piece before him, his excitement suddenly braking.

"But Darkan said he'd prepare one for me," Nathan said.

Zeryn opened his mouth wide, unable to believe.

"Damn, really? If I'd known, I would've just randomly accepted anyone as a master. Arghhhh, my 100,000 points."

Nathan could only sympathize with his friend. PsiLinks were usually prepared by families for disciples beforehand so few bought them from within the sect. The sect models were high-end types including many modules so no one bought them. Disciples usually saved more by limiting PsiLink to their need.

"Then take it back and request a refund," Nathan suggested.

"No, no," Zeryn waved his hands. "Once given, not taken back. I just regret that I could have given you one earlier."

Hearing this, Nathan felt warmth in his heart, and put his arm around his friend's shoulder.

"Come on, today I'll treat you to a feast."

"What about the PsiLink?"

"I know who to give it to."

"Jessica?"

"That's right."

Zeryn got excited, forgetting about losing money.

"Is it far from here to outside?" Nathan asked. The last time he went out was a year and a half ago when he visited Jessica in Crystalton town. He still remembered having hope then and not thinking his cursed symptoms would last. He had promised to return in a few months but the situation got worse. Shame and disappointment had prevented him from leaving the Sect.

"What?" Zeryn asked as if shocked. "You're an inner sect disciple now, what are you thinking? Do you have your badge yet?"

Rummaging through the bag Darkan gave him, Nathan took out a small round badge, a mountain with a fist carved on its surface.

"Good," Zeryn said. "Now watch this."

Zeryn pressed his finger to his right temple, the position of the PsiLink. Then, above his head appeared a flickering line in the air. From afar, the sound of something moving fast in the wind could be heard.

Nathan marveled at everything happening. A gray box followed that faint line, moving towards where Zeryn was standing.

"Put on your badge," Zeryn reminded.

Nathan pinned the ninth mountain badge to his chest. Somehow his back automatically straightened.

A beam of blue light scanned Zeryn and Nathan. When confirmation was complete, the box split open, transforming into a booth wide enough for about ten people to stand, falling in front of the two.

"Get on," Zeryn waved.

They both stepped on and the exterior of the box became invisible like an open-air elevator, allowing them to admire the surrounding scenery. The booth was pulled up, and everything rushed by very quickly before Nathan's eyes.

Now, Nathan saw booths like his moving on an invisible network on the inner sect mountains and central area. Their speed was very fast and when arriving, they would turn back into a small box, that guideline also retracting. The ninth mountain couldn't be seen because it was too far and desolate. But the bustle in other areas was very clear. So what he had seen unclearly this morning were these mobile boxes.

He and Zeryn passed through the mist that he had seen enveloping some areas this morning. The roars of mysterious creatures could be heard even clearer. In the far distance, the full view of the palace in the afternoon could be seen. The spherical energy-containing architecture emanating waves of energy looked even more majestic when observed from the air. The mountains and glowing landmarks were imprinted in his eyes, showcasing the grandeur of Verdant Spire Sect.

"Welcome to the inner sect, Nate."