Arrived at the dojo, Tyler greeted Master Tanaka with gratitude for the tea that had significantly improved his cultivation. Then, he asked if he could spend a short hour cultivating before beginning his training for the day.

Fortunately, the dojo had cultivation rooms available, and Ryuji agreed, advising Tyler to take a shower first and wear proper clothes that could be found in the changing room.

Tyler did just that and then entered one of the side rooms and engaged in an hour of intensive cultivation using the Thundering Winds and Sword Clouds Method.

This process was physically taxing, as it involved moving his entire cultivation base within his body, which consumed a considerable amount of Qi.

Over time, these constant expenditures would expand his energy pathways and enhance his physical form, ultimately leading to more significant benefits during meditation sessions.

Cultivation was likened to physical exercise before the shattering, requiring consistent effort to yield results. The practice of cultivation served to deepen one's cultivation base and build a stronger foundation.

While the consumption of tea or other foodstuffs and special medicines could increase one’s Qi dramatically, without proper cultivation, the power gained would lack substance.

Tyler recognized the importance of this from his studies and reading various cultivation novels in the past.

The importance of combat as a means to temper one's cultivation and techniques was also emphasized in the library's texts. Tyler had come to the dojo with the specific goal of learning how to fight effectively as a cultivator.

These texts pointed out that it was through facing life-and-death scenarios that one could reach the true apex of their abilities.

The notion was that only when pushed to the brink of losing one's life would an individual push themselves past their limits and sharpen their skills to their fullest extent.

In this context, combat was seen as a crucible where cultivators could truly test and refine their abilities, making it an essential component of their training and growth.

During the day, Tyler diligently trained in the Iron Fist technique, occasionally seeking Sakura's guidance for demonstrations.

When lunchtime arrived, he paused to enjoy the meal Wang had brought to him once again. During this break, he received word that his new accommodation was prepared, and he was informed that he could simply use his communication crystal to summon Wang for guidance once he was ready to relocate.

In the afternoon, Sakura had to depart for her classes at Edge City's academy, leaving Tyler to his own devices. He was informed by her that if he needed any guidance or assistance, he could approach Master Tanaka directly.

The afternoons tended to be quieter than the mornings, providing a more suitable time for one-on-one instruction.

After hours of rigorous practice, Master Tanaka approached Tyler unprompted. "Attempt to infuse your punch with Qi, and experiment with and without utilizing your cultivation method. Once I'm satisfied with your progress, you can move on to the next technique if you desire."

Nodding at the man, Tyler asked for a demonstration once more to ensure his memory of the circulation of Qi was accurate. Then, after confirming he hadn’t remembered wrong, he took his stance.

Gathering his Qi from his acupoints and into his fist, he forced it to pool around his fist, creating a sort of bubble around his fist and before he even threw the punch, he stopped himself.

According to his divine sense, the Qi didn’t feel right. So he canceled the technique and tried again. And again. And again. Three hours passed before he was satisfied with the shape of his Qi around his fist.

Transitioning from the initial bubble-like formation, Tyler refined his Qi manipulation until it coalesced into a dense, glove-like structure that he condensed to its utmost limit. With a sense of accomplishment, he executed his first Iron Fist, channeling the Qi-laden strike.

As Tyler punched forward, he noticed wisps of wind forming around his fist without him actively activating his cultivation method.

Through his divine sense he could clearly sense it. His Qi had caused the ambient air to respond, generating pockets of positive and negative pressures that subtly aided the movement of his fist through the air.

This unintended synergy between his Qi and the surrounding atmosphere added an extra dimension to the power of his Iron Fist technique, enhancing its speed ever so slightly.

From a distance, Master Tanaka could only nod as he realized what was happening.

It seemed like Tyler was unwittingly tapping into the Laws of the Wind.

Although Master Tanaka lacked divine sense to clearly observe Tyler's manipulation of Qi, he could tell that Tyler hadn't used his cultivation method. The wind itself responded to Tyler's movements as if recognizing a master, a sign that Tyler was beginning to comprehend the laws.

To be more precise, this phenomenon was a result of Tyler's constant practice with the Cloud Swords, where he manipulated the winds within his inner world during his cultivation. This marked his initial foray into understanding and utilizing the laws.

Thanks to Tyler's consistent practice with the Thunder Winds and Sword Clouds Method, he had naturally developed a strong affinity for the movements of the air around him.

When he punched forward, the force of his punch displaced some of the air and through his connection to his Qi and divine sense, Tyler also sensed the wind attempting to assist him almost instinctively.

The results surpassed both Tyler's and Master Tanaka's expectations. The training dummy's chest slightly caved in as Tyler's Qi-reinforced glove shattered.

Unlike the Veridian Heartwood, these training dummies were made from a more common material known as Everbloom trees. These trees were so prevalent that Tyler could’ve identified them at a glance, having seen them extensively in Kingston's military base and his own neighborhood during his first expedition back into this world.

Satisfied with Tyler's display, Master Tanaka interjected from the side. "Well, it seems we'll have to move you to Heartwood dummies from now on if you're going to use your Qi. Also, congratulations on mastering aspects of the Laws of Wind."

Tyler responded in a hushed tone, "So this is what that was... I thought I had felt the winds help me, creating a tunnel of varying pressures to make my movements seem frictionless." He then turned to Ryuji and apologized, "Sorry I broke your dummy."

With an easygoing gesture, the Master swiftly replaced the dummy. "No worries. These Everbloom dummies don't cost much, and considering who’s the one footing the bill for you, you could likely level this entire dojo without denting my wallet," he quipped.

"Since it seems you've already mastered the Forming Stage of this technique, let's proceed to the Whispering Palm technique." Master Tanaka effortlessly demonstrated the precise movements once again.

As the day wore on, other students sought Master Tanaka's guidance, leaving Tyler to continue practicing the new technique. By the time the sun began its descent, Tyler's training had progressed significantly.

After exiting the dojo, Tyler inquired with Lo Wang, requesting his assistance to lead him to his new lodgings.

While waiting, Tyler and Master Tanaka reached an agreement to meet over a less potent brew of tea in the future to delve further into their respective homelands, a proposition to which Tyler readily assented.

A few minutes later, Lo Wang arrived at the dojo and guided Tyler through the city. Lo Wang had employed a level detection technique and couldn't help but be astonished by Tyler's rapid cultivation growth in less than 24 hours.

Going from level 4 when they first met to level 6 within a couple of days displayed unmistakable signs of a cultivation prodigy.

Lo Wang was beginning to understand his master's keen interest in this man, despite his seemingly advanced age for a mortal of his level.

They continued until they reached the outskirts of Edge City, and Lo Wang pressed on, leading them far beyond the city's boundaries. Departing from the main path, Tyler followed Lo Wang through woodland terrain into a cliff wall that stretched over 100 meters high, towering above the forest below.

With a respectful nod, Wang bid his farewell and appended, "Your residence rests atop this precipice. The protective formation permits entry solely to you and a select few, such as Young Master Shen and Master Tanaka."

Understanding that Tyler couldn't simply fly up the cliff using his current cultivation level, he reassured, "Scaling this cliff shouldn’t pose a challenge at your level."

“Thank you, Wang, and I'm grateful for the meal today. If you require any assistance from me, do not hesitate to contact me through your token,” Tyler expressed his appreciation sincerely.

And with that, Wang vanished with remarkable swiftness, employing a technique that seemingly melded him into the shadows.

Having been an avid boulderer a few years ago during his time in Calgary, ascending a hundred-meter cliff wouldn't have presented a challenge, even before he embarked on his cultivation journey.

However, free soloing such a climb would have been a showstopper due to the inherent risks. Fortunately, the holds on this cliff seemed solid and quite substantial.

Without hesitation, Tyler began his ascent, one foothold and crimp at a time. To his left, he spotted his favorite type of climb: a crack. He redirected his course towards it and inserted his hands one at a time, steadily progressing upward until he reached the summit.

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At the cliff's summit, a scene unfolded that rendered him momentarily speechless.

As if scripted, an unfamiliar woman emerged from the residence.

She possessed an imposing stature, nearly reaching six feet in height, with a robust frame that defied conventional expectations for a woman. Her blonde hair was gathered in a neat ponytail, and her piercing blue eyes bore a striking resemblance to his own.

She possessed striking beauty, and the first thought that crossed Tyler's somewhat deranged mind, influenced by years in the military and social media memes was Muscle Mommy.

“Hi, young lord. My name is Annie. I was assigned to this residence earlier today. I have cleaned everything up for you and have prepared a tour. If you may?”

Snapping out of his fantasies of doing unspeakable things to such a beautiful woman, Tyler looked around.

Perched atop the towering cliff that commanded a sweeping view of the sprawling city and the surrounding lake, this small estate exuded a serene and imposing presence.

The cliff itself lacked natural soil, but the determined architect had imported earth to create a suitable environment for the estate's inhabitants.

At its heart, nestled within a protective rock formation, stood a solitary locust tree, its roots intertwined with the brought-in soil—a symbol of resilience and life amidst the rugged stone.

Comprising three charming houses, each possessed a unique allure. The central dwelling, slightly larger than its counterparts, occupied the estate's farthest point, near the cliff's protective wall.

Constructed in a modern style, the buildings featured polished stone facades that glistened in the sunlight. Lush vegetation had been thoughtfully planted around the houses, seamlessly merging the natural world with contemporary design. Ivy gracefully descended the walls, and vibrant flowers adorned the immaculately maintained garden.

The estate's pièce de résistance was its cultivation ground, strategically positioned adjacent to one of the houses—a sanctuary dedicated to serenity and concentration.

Enclosed within a traditional Japanese-style Feng Shui garden, this space featured meticulously raked sands that formed intricate patterns, beckoning visitors to delve into introspection and meditation. Thoughtfully placed stone formations exuded an aura of equilibrium and harmony.

At the center, there was a small pond, inhabited by a few graceful fish, sunlight danced on the water's surface, instilling a profound sense of tranquility.

In the heart of the pond stood a solitary gazebo, accessible via a wooden path leading to the nearby house.

From this elevated viewpoint, the estate's occupants could not only relish the picturesque cityscape and its twinkling lights but also behold the grandeur of the vast lake extending beyond the city's boundaries.

The amalgamation of contemporary architecture, luxuriant greenery, and traditional garden design forged a distinctive and harmonious haven that seamlessly complemented the awe-inspiring natural surroundings.

Leading Tyler through the estate, Annie provided further insights. The smallest house on the left, near the entrance, served as guest quarters and was equipped with all necessary amenities—a bedroom, a living room, and a shower and bathroom.

The main house, the larger one at the rear, belonged to Annie and another caretaker responsible for maintaining the property and attending to Tyler's daily meals.

Unless necessary, Tyler had no obligation to enter this dwelling. Not that he couldn’t, but that there simply was no reason for him to do so unless he wanted to visit or chat.

The final house, positioned directly in front of the cultivation grounds and beside the majestic locust tree, was Tyler's.

Annie informed him that the bed had been freshly made, adorned with clean sheets, and the entire place had been meticulously cleaned less than an hour ago.

Unsure of how to respond, Tyler expressed his gratitude to Annie. "While I understand your role here and that you've probably been instructed to act this way, please, call me Tyler. I am no young lord. If that doesn't sit well with you, just call me Reed."

Annie, not accustomed to such casual treatment from those she served, was momentarily taken aback but she was a professional and answered just as freely as she was addressed. "I understand. Tyler it is." she replied.

Deciding to embrace his role a bit more, Tyler thought of how to put Annie at ease and gave her a task. "Now, I wouldn't mind some food. The day’s training was quite draining. I'll be in the gazebo talking to a friend."

He still felt a twinge of discomfort about having others bring and cook food for him, but he was slowly growing accustomed to it.

He realized that he might as well get used to it since he seemed destined to have servants around, and deep down, he didn't mind at all. After all, who enjoyed doing chores? He had been managing everything on his own since he was 15, so while this was a difficult change, it was also a welcome one.

Slowly making his way into the cultivation grounds behind his new residence, Tyler moved with deliberate steps, savoring the surroundings. He slowly walked on the wooden bridge until he reached the gazebo. With a wave of his hand, he summoned both of the chairs and the table that the Sword King had given him earlier in the day.

Sitting in the gazebo, Tyler expressed his gratitude to Lin Jian for the accommodations, finding them perfect for his needs knowing the man was most likely listening in.

Like clockwork, the old man appeared in the chair beside him, concealing himself from the senses of the servants to avoid detection and to avoid causing a scene.

Shortly after, Annie arrived bearing a plate of freshly cut fruits brimming with dense Qi and a dish made from Infernal Stallion meat, a type of fire-resistant horse that required special cooking techniques.

She bid Tyler farewell, oblivious to the presence of the Sword King.

Alone at last, Tyler and Lin Jian delved into a discussion about various topics, reminiscing about the world before the shattering. As they conversed, Lin Jian savored some of the fruits, while Tyler enjoyed the unique taste of the Infernal Stallion meat.

During the conversation, the matter of One Finger, One Sword came up and Lin Jian told Tyler that the revised technique had just been put back on the shelves of the restricted section as a Earth-Grade technique, selling for a whooping 200 points.

As the topic of expenses came up, Tyler decided to inquire about the cost of everything he had been provided with - the residence, the servants, the food, and all the amenities.

He was astounded by the figures he heard.

The house alone was valued at a staggering 10 Celestial Coins, equivalent to 100,000 silver coins! The daily expenses for maintaining the residence, including the servants, food, and materials for the various formations around the property, amounted to approximately 50 silver coins per day.

Initially, Tyler was inclined to decline such costly offerings, feeling it was too extravagant. However, Lin Jian chuckled at his reaction, fully aware that Tyler had no concept of the wealth of Soul Shattering cultivators.

To emphasize his point, Lin Jian conjured a purse filled with a currency Tyler had never heard of - Obsidian Coins. These coins were above Celestial Coins in value, each one worth not just 100 Celestials, but a staggering 1,000!

They were so rare and precious that their value soared. The materials used to create Obsidian Coins were highly prized, often incorporated into the crafting of treasure blades at the soul-shattering stage.

Tyler soon came to realize that he had vastly underestimated the wealth of the Sword King. Lin Jian ruled over an entire nation, spanning millions of square kilometers, and occupied the pinnacle of cultivation at the soul-shattering stage.

It would indeed be unusual if he didn't possess such immense wealth. To provide some context, the purse filled with Obsidian Coins alone would have made the Sword King the richest individual on Earth in the pre-shattering era. Hell, even richer than the whole of the USA.

According to Lin Jian, Ancestor Fang had carried multiple treasures worth at least double the value of that purse, making it a relatively modest display of wealth.

After their satisfying meal and enlightening conversation, the Sword King bid Tyler farewell.

He was pleased to have gained insights into the technologies of the pre-shattering world and to have expanded Tyler's perspective on the typical wealth of cultivators.

Their discussion had revolved around the ingenious nature of text messages and the internet, both marveling at the incredible ability of people from far-flung corners of the world to exchange messages almost instantaneously, all without the need for Qi or special techniques. While communication crystals were great, their range was severely limited, spanning a few hundred kilometers at most.

As a final note, Lin Jian emphasized to Tyler that, regardless of one's talent, money often served as the most significant impediment to one's cultivation journey.

He urged Tyler not to perceive the Sword King's substantial expenditure on him as a burden but rather as a form of repayment for the help he had received in breaking through his cultivation barriers.

This revelation fascinated him and shed light on both men towards the means of some factions in this world and their plans for the future.

The Sword King in particular gained insights into one of the few groups that still employed technology, the Technocrats. He had encountered them before and they proved to be complex and challenging to deal with and to escape from.

For Tyler, this shed light on the importance of actually finding his niche to be able to produce money in the future, something he had been thinking about for a while but came up empty.

After a while, Annie returned to collect the dishes, leaving Tyler alone once more. He stored the table and chairs within his inner world and settled into meditation.

To his astonishment, his mind immediately fell into a profound stillness. Assisted by the tranquil and invigorating atmosphere, the gazebo occupied a central position in the garden, precisely where the energies converged from all directions.

The widespread adoption of Feng Shui had swept across the world as various energies inundated the planet. People of all backgrounds sought to create ideal cultivation spaces, and Feng Shui, originating from the Eastern cultures, spread through the cultivation world like wildfire.

Taking a few moments to appreciate the gift bestowed upon him by Lin Jian, Tyler settled into his daily routine. He extended his divine sense outward, encompassing the entire garden that surrounded him.

Every fish swimming in the pond, every insect buzzing in the air, and every ripple on the water's surface became a part of him. The water itself felt almost palpable, and he could sense the movements of the fish as if they were an extension of his own body.

A little farther away, he detected the flow of energies guided by the intricate sand patterns, almost able to discern the coarse texture of the sand through his senses alone.

Tyler felt as though days had slipped by as he tirelessly endeavored to sustain his divine sense, attempting to immerse himself fully in the sensory world around him. In truth, only a few hours had elapsed, but the overwhelming influx of information had distorted his perception of time, making it seem like an extended period.

Now drained and with his divine sense persisting for a full hour before succumbing to a splitting headache, Tyler made his way to his charming nearby residence.

Upon entering, he promptly headed to the showers, cleansing himself thoroughly before slipping into bed for the night. It was a rare moment of serenity for Tyler, the first time since his arrival in this world where he went to sleep with a profound sense of peace. It was a life unimaginable during his days in Kingston, a world away from his former existence.

Like this, days passed and slowly turned into weeks.

Morning arrived, and as the sun ascended, Tyler embarked on a different kind of morning routine.

He would climb up and down the cliffside behind his house, using it as a challenging workout.

After a couple of strenuous hours of climbing, he devoted an hour to cultivate the Thundering Winds and Sword Clouds Method within the tranquil gazebo.

Then, he made his way to the Radiant Fist Dojo, where he honed his martial arts skills for hours on end.

Tyler dedicated himself to mastering various techniques, including the Iron Fist, Whispering Palm, Soaring Crane Kick, and Flowing River Sweep. He sought approval and guidance from Sakura and Master Tanaka, slowly but surely grasping the intricacies of these techniques.

Simultaneously, he continued to deepen his cultivation base, gradually unlocking more acupoints, reaching all the way to the 49th acupoint, each easier than the last aided by the various foods, ambient Qi and the qualitative shift in power merging mind body and soul into one had brought him.

Tyler wasn't in a rush; his only responsibilities were cultivation and martial arts.

After five weeks of diligent training, Tyler was finally given the green light to begin sparring with other students.

However, Master Tanaka wished to assess Tyler's progress personally. On a momentous morning at the dojo, all the students halted their training and gathered in a circle around their sensei.

"Come, Tyler. Let me witness the growth you've achieved over the past few weeks," Master Tanaka beckoned, assuming a stance that Tyler had come to know quite well.