Scorching Purge!"
Ning made a series of hand gestures, qi converging from all directions as a wisp of flame appeared out of thin air and burned the stubborn weed to ash.
It almost felt euphoric, watching the tenacious weed erased from existence, wiped clean from the face of the earth.
"This technique is quite useful," Ning murmured, nodding to himself as he examined the result.
Unlike the flashy "throw-a-fireball-and-blow-up" kind of spell, Scorching Purge was refined. It carried a specialized focus. Though it possessed the fire attribute, its true purpose was precision, eradicating unwanted elements while leaving the surrounding soil untouched.
In this world, weeds were no ordinary plants. They came in all kinds of troublesome breeds, fast-growing, invasive ones that could strangle a field of spiritual grains within days, and hardy types that absorbed the nutrients meant for cultivators' crops. Some even secreted toxic qi, posing danger to anyone foolish enough to pull them out by hand.
Ning crouched slightly, feeling the lingering heat against his palms and inhaling the faint, acrid scent of burnt grass.
"Power of the sun at the palm of my hand..." Ning mumbled, gazing at the power of his first offensive spell.
Of course, that was just a bit of theatrics.
Now, he had learned three different types of spiritual farming techniques. In fact, he was looking forward to the next technique even more.
The Flourishing and Withering Technique, like the Small Cloud Rain Technique, was indispensable for spiritual farmers. It allowed the cultivator to absorb the wood qi from one plant and transfer it to nourish others, greatly reducing the long growth periods of certain crops. Unfortunately, the technique demanded a large amount of spiritual energy and could only be properly used by cultivators in the mid-stage of Qi Refining.
Speaking of cultivation;
[Cultivation Method: Pure Qi Sutra (1st Floor: 96/100)]
The Pure Qi Sutra served as the sect's primary cultivation method, renowned for its stability and reliability. It was an excellent foundation-building technique, suitable for almost anyone.
Its essence lay in its name, pure qi. As a rare, attribute-less cultivation method, it allowed cultivators of any spiritual root to refine their qi up to the late stage of Qi Condensation. Moreover, this technique had a major benefit. It didn't require supplementary material for practice.
In every way, it was truly a great beginner technique for everyone, no matter the status.
Of course, as a primary cultivation technique, it also had three different levels or floors, each granting faster cultivation speed and a greater degree of purity.
Now, Ning was only one step away from reaching the second floor.
He took out one of his remaining Star-Marked Pills and swallowed it. A rich aura spread through his body, flowing into his meridians. The influx of energy brought with it a faint sensation of expansion and a subtle resonance.
Ning focused his mind, recalling the sutra's essence.
According to his comprehension of the technique, the best way to achieve the pure Qi was through the use of compression. By condensing qi within the dantian and removing its impurities, one could attain true purity.
He concentrated, visualizing the process. Each breath drew in vital energy; each exhalation expelled turbid qi. Slowly, his internal energy began to refine and condense.
Using his otherworldly knowledge, he imagined his dantian as a sealed chamber, a vessel of gas being steadily compressed. With every controlled breath, his qi particles condensed, occupying less and less space. Like a phase transition, where vapor turned liquid, his qi shifted into a denser, more potent form.
The process was delicate, like an alchemist refining crude ore into essence. Each breath, each visualization required precision.
As time stretched on, Ning's qi grew purer and denser. Each passing second brought him infinitesimally closer to a breakthrough.
Finally, the moment arrived.
Ning directed his compressed qi through his meridians. Suddenly, the pressure burst forth, a surge like a dam breaking. His body trembled as waves of energy flooded through him, glowing faintly beneath his skin. Within his dantian, the qi took on a milky-white hue, brilliant and refined.
[Cultivation Method: Pure Qi Sutra (2nd Floor: 1/400)]
"It's done." Ning exhaled softly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He could feel it; the improvement was tangible. His qi was cleaner, smoother, and his cultivation speed had increased by nearly half again.
The path to the third stage was now within sight.
"Fortunately, everything went according to the theory." Ning smiled.
Compression without any regard to meridians would naturally lead to failure. Thankfully, he can observe if the process was successful or not using the panel.
Over the past months, Ning had grown to understand its true nature. The panel wasn't some broken, game-like cheat that erased bottlenecks. It didn't grant power endlessly.
It was not like those RPGs where one can just continue to progress in a technique as long as they put in effort.
The panel simply reflected his progress. It was a mirror of cultivation, not its substitute.
And that alone was enough.
Through it, he could see his mistakes, adjust his method, and recognize when he had strayed from the correct path. It was a tool for guidance, a learning tool.
With it, even without the guidance of teachers, he could choose the most effective path.
Thanks to it, he had refined his qi with remarkable efficiency.
In the following month, Ning secluded himself, tending his fields, practicing his spells, and cultivating as if possessed by a demon to make his numbers go up.
With such single-minded practice, he soon reached a critical point.
One evening, seated cross-legged in his quiet room, Ning steadied his breathing and guided his spiritual energy through his body. Then, using the stored potential within his compressed Qi to propel his pure Qi to attack the bottleneck toward the third stage of Qi condensation.
Boom!
The bottleneck shattered under the sheer intensity of his pure Qi. A surge of power coursed through Ning's body, almost doubling the vigor of his Qi. The meridians, once tranquil conduits, now roiled turbulently, circulating the amplified energy within his being.
He had broken through.
After consolidating his breakthrough, Ning opened his eyes; they were shining brightly with the huge influx of spirituality.
[Cultivation: Third Stage of Qi Condensation (Consolidating)]
For the past two months, he had focused solely on cultivation, rarely leaving seclusion except to buy pills. The only major activity is the second harvest of the spiritual grain.
After all, he was not the protagonist. He didn't have to fight bandits, awaken ancient bloodlines, or survive a lightning tribulation to upgrade each level.
With the help of pills and his advanced technique, the breakthrough came naturally.
"Seven months," he murmured, looking up at the faint light streaming through the window. "Finally, I've achieved my goal."
...
Thanks for reading~ Like ReplyReport Reactions:Kukulkan, Siaofac, darkli4n and 388 othersPlumBlossomOct 23, 2025NewAdd bookmarkView discussionThreadmarks 1.18 Mission Hall New View contentPlumBlossomSloth incarnateOct 23, 2025Add bookmark#134Ning walked toward the Mission Hall.
After reaching the third stage of Qi Condensation, his next goal was naturally to advance to the fourth. With more than five months at his disposal, if he could break through to mid-stage Qi Condensation, he'd earn a cleansing pill.
After asking around, Ning learned that the pill was highly sought after, costing at least a thousand spirit stones. He could pay off all his debts with just that one pill, even if he didn't use it himself.
"Truly, human desire is endless," Ning muttered. His initial goal was only the third stage, but now he was not satisfied after achieving the goal.
Alas, no matter how much they desired progress, resources were everything. Hence, the Mission Hall.
Like most major sect buildings, the Mission Hall was a towering pagoda of clean symmetry and ornate rooftops.
When Ning entered, a large crowd had gathered near one of the counters.
Walking toward a deserted counter, he asked the attendant there, "Senior Sister, what's going on? Is there some kind of event today?"
"Hm?" The senior sister in outer sect robes looked up from the ongoing commotion, "It seems there is going to be a fight. Quiet down for a bit, I don't want to miss the good part."
Curious, Ning glanced at the commotion and immediately spotted a familiar face.
Xiao Fan.
Of course, it was him.
"Fight? I should've known," Ning sighed. Naturally, Xiao Fan must be in the middle of some 'protagonist arc.'
And as if it were customary, there were already some people who were provoking him.
"That trash is accepting a mission that would be difficult even for a cultivator of the Fourth stage of Qi condensation. Has he already decided to commit suicide?" Some random guy said in a mocking tone.
It was not only that guy, but there were several others who were doing the same.
Looking at the scene in front of him, Ning had a single question. "Why the f*ck is everyone so braindead? It must be the protagonist Halo, isn't it?"
Ning was quite exasperated. The current situation was familiar, extremely familiar.
This was the classic setup: the main character taking a mission too difficult for his rank, shocking everyone later by completing it effortlessly.
Xiao Fan handed in his form, ignored the jeers, and left without a word. The crowd dispersed shortly after.
"Eh? No fight? How boring. I thought I would see some bloodshed," the senior sister pouted.
The senior sister truly was the definition of "There are always people who just want to see the world burn."
Then, the senior sister turned to him suddenly. "Wait, you're still here? I thought you'd join that line."
"Line?" Ning followed her gaze. The counter that Xiao Fan was just at had already formed a queue long enough to rival a bank on payday. "Is there something special about that one, Senior Sister?"
"Hoho, glad you asked," she said, smirking. "That counter's handled by none other than Senior Qi Xia."
"Qi Xia? As in one of the Ten Beauties of the Outer Sect?" Ning blinked.
Cultivation societies loved their rankings. "Ten Beauties" was basically a leaderboard for attractive women with high cultivation.
Though Ning rarely mingled in sect gossip to avoid trouble, he always made sure to stay informed. After all, information was also power.
"That's right," she said proudly. "She's been stationed here for a month now, and half the sect's male disciples show up daily just to see her. Even that earlier fight started because Qi Xia gave that junior brother a protective talisman."
"So," she leaned in with a lazy grin, "wanna go stand in that line? I can slack off then."
"I'm just here for a mission," Ning said politely. "I'll queue for that another day."
He eyed the absurdly long line and shook his head. How did these people have so much free time when he was counting every breath?
Truly, simps were the most powerful species in any world, powered entirely by imagination and lack of self-awareness.
Of course, Ning only thought that. Saying it aloud would probably get him surrounded and beaten within minutes.
"Also, Junior Brother, did you bring food?" the senior sister suddenly asked, sniffing the air. "I smell something delicious."
Ning blinked. Her nose was terrifying.
"It's my lunch, Senior Sister," he said carefully. Then, after a brief pause, he added, "Actually, I'm new here. Could you explain how the Mission Hall works? In exchange, I'll share some food."
Her eyes brightened immediately, though she feigned hesitation. "Isn't that considered a bribe? We're not supposed to accept gifts."
Ning smiled innocently. "How could it be a bribe? I'm just thanking the hardworking Senior Sister who's been standing here all day. This is merely an expression of care from a junior to his senior."
She paused, then nodded in admiration. "Damn, you're a talent, Junior Brother. It would be rude for me not to accept."
And since she had "not" accepted a bribe, she began to explain. "Missions come in five colors: green, yellow, red, purple, and black, each representing danger levels.
"Green missions are the safest and usually within the sect, like repairing the martial arena. It gets destroyed multiple times a day, so we often need Earth-attribute cultivators to fix it."
"Yellow missions are mostly safe but can vary depending on the situation, usually outside the sect. Red missions are dangerous and often involve combat; they can take months. Purple and black are only for Foundation Establishment cultivators or higher, and those can earn merit points. Missions below red usually pay spirit stones."
Ning nodded. "Understood. I'm a first-year spiritual farmer, and I still have to care for my farm daily. Could you recommend something suitable?"
She gave him a knowing look. "You were waiting for me to say that, weren't you?"
As a receptionist, she had access to a mission jade that could instantly filter results.
"How could it be?" Ning smiled. "I'm just humbly seeking Senior Sister's advice."
"Yeah, yeah." She sighed. "Who told me to take your food?"
She tapped the jade tablet and quickly found a few missions. "Since you're a spiritual farmer, what level is your Cloud Rain Technique?"
"Minor accomplishment," Ning replied.
Her brow lifted. "Impressive. No wonder you're looking for missions already; most farmers take a year off."
She handed him two slips.
[An outer sect senior brother is leaving for a mission. Tend to his garden using the Small Cloud Rain Technique.
Reward: 105 spirit stones.]
[An inner sect senior sister is leaving for a mission. Tend to her garden using the Small Cloud Rain Technique.
Reward: 100 spirit stones.]
The template for issuing the mission was the same, so both missions looked identical to each other. Both lasted three months with similar rewards.
"If you can't decide, take the inner sect one," she said between bites of his egg sandwich. "Her garden's rich with spiritual energy; you can cultivate there while working."
"I see." Ning smiled faintly. He didn't mind her snacking on his lunch. Totally not, anyone saying otherwise was lying.
Alas, since he had traded his lunch away, he could only follow her advice, "Then please register me for that mission, Senior Sister."
...
Thanks for reading~ Like ReplyReport Reactions:Eyemore, Dhjeeyn, Kukulkan and 437 othersPlumBlossomOct 23, 2025NewAdd bookmarkView discussionThreadmarks 1.19 First Mission New View contentPlumBlossomSloth incarnateOct 24, 2025Add bookmark#154The next morning, Ning made his way toward the inner sect.
In the Pure Qi Sect, the peripheral and outer sect disciples were what he liked to call "glorified workers," while the inner sect disciples were the true disciples.
The living quarters reflected that hierarchy perfectly. The outer and peripheral disciples' lodgings were clustered together, practical, dull, and depressingly beige. The Inner Sect, on the other hand, was like stepping into an entirely different game map.
Jade-tiled pavilions gleamed under the morning light, and the spiritual energy was so dense it almost shimmered in the air.
"I see why they call this the Inner Sect," Ning muttered, squinting at the lush scenery. "They've basically unlocked the paid DLC of the sect."
He presented his jade pass to the gatekeeper, who merely scanned it with a spiritual token and waved him through without a word.
As Ning walked deeper in, the crowd thinned. Inner sect disciples wore more elegant robes and moved with quiet focus.
Finally, he reached a bamboo courtyard surrounded by a formation barrier. A stone plaque hung near the gate, engraved with the name:
Jadeleaf Residence.
Ning exhaled softly. "Alright, this must be the place."
Just as he was about to knock, the gate slid open without a sound.
A woman stepped out.
She wore a snow-white robe embroidered with faint silver lines. Her expression was cold and distant.
"You must be the one assigned to my garden," she said, voice soft but chilly.
"Yes, Senior Sister," Ning said, cupping his fists respectfully.
"This is not a difficult task. The garden is self-sustaining, but it requires rainfall every three days. Do not enter the central pavilion or touch the array stones."
"Understood."
She gave a curt nod. "If any spiritual beasts approach, do not panic. My guardian will handle it."
"Mrrrow."
Ning blinked. From behind her, padding gracefully into view, came a creature that made him rethink the phrase spiritual beast.
It was a cat.
Its fur shimmered with faint gold streaks, its tail swayed like a silken banner, and between its ears flickered a small wisp of spiritual flame, burning silently and menacingly.
"This is Lumi," the senior sister said. "He will guide you. And ensure you don't… misbehave."
The cat stared at Ning with the disdain of a divine being forced to acknowledge a worm.
Damn.
Ning had heard that if you fed a dog, it would think you were a god. If you fed a cat, it would think it was the god.
Glancing at Lumi, he was pretty sure that was a universal truth, even in cultivation worlds.
"…Understood," he repeated.
"Good. I'll be gone for several weeks." Her robe fluttered as she turned away, not even sparing him a final glance. "Do not disturb the formations. And do not touch anything."
Before Ning could process the irony of being told that twice, she was gone, her presence evaporating like mist.
For a long moment, Ning just stood there, processing.
Then he looked down at the cat.
Lumi yawned. A faint spark flickered from its whiskers.
"So…" Ning crouched slightly. "You're the supervisor, huh?"
"Mrr."
The cat tilted its head, unimpressed. Then, with deliberate slowness, it padded toward the garden gate and looked back expectantly.
"Ah. Follow you, right? Got it."
As Ning entered the garden, a surge of dense, pure spiritual energy washed over him. The plants inside were mostly foreign to him, but after months of staring at nothing but green grains, their exotic colors and shapes felt refreshing.
"Not bad," Ning murmured, inspecting a bed of glowing orchids. He wasn't exactly an expert at plant diagnosis, but the qi flowing through them was clearly of high quality.
Lumi meowed, leaping onto a stone bench and motioning toward the flowerbeds.
"Okay." Ning formed a quick seal and activated his Small Cloud Rain Technique.
Immediately, he felt the difference; the air resonated with water qi, and each droplet of spiritual rain sank perfectly into the soil. The plants responded almost instantly, their leaves glistening with renewed vitality.
"This is absurdly efficient…" Ning muttered. "The soil must be first-grade."
"Mrr."
He turned toward Lumi, who was watching him with an expression that could only be described as: Good job.
Wait, do I speak cat?
He almost believed it, given the creature's intelligence. Then again, cultivation was about enlightenment, and spiritual intelligence naturally came with progress.
Still, Old Zhou had once said that only late-stage spiritual beasts displayed true sentience, unless they were of a superior bloodline.
And since this was the pet of an inner sect disciple… well, Lumi was probably both.
"Don't worry, Your Excellency," Ning said dryly. "I'll do my best."
The cat closed its eyes and curled up, clearly done supervising for now.
Just then, the senior sister returned with a small pouch. "Here. This is your reward."
Ning accepted the spirit stones without counting them immediately; it would be rude to do so.
"Do your best over the next few weeks. You may cultivate here, but don't touch anything." Her tone remained cold, and her spiritual pressure subtly flared as she spoke.
"Understood." Ning bowed quickly. The pressure she released was clearly a warning.
"Good." With that, she disappeared again.
As soon as she vanished, Ning exhaled. "Well… that was terrifying."
Her spiritual pressure had rolled over him like a silent storm. Just a tiny flex of her qi, yet his instincts screamed Don't mess around.
"Guess I'll shelve my plan to borrow some first-grade soil," he muttered. "Shame. I wanted to try blending a fistful of first-grade soil in mine to see some effect."
He straightened up and dusted his robe. "Still, that gap in cultivation… It's massive."
Inner sect disciples were called "true disciples" for a reason. Those who made it that far had the potential to reach Foundation Establishment. The sect didn't care for ordinary Qi Condensation cultivators; it sought Foundation and Purple Mansion experts. Most inner sect disciples were already at the late or even peak stage of Qi Condensation.
"Well, let's just do my job." Ning straightened his back.
After all, he wasn't some protagonist who picked fights with stronger women for no reason.
He didn't have that kind of protagonist rizz to pull it off anyway.
"Looks like the next three months are going to be busy," Ning said, thinking about the hectic schedule ahead.
...
Thanks for reading~ Like ReplyReport Reactions:Kukulkan, darkli4n, grimr and 412 othersPlumBlossomOct 24, 2025NewAdd bookmarkView discussionThreadmarks 1.20 Drunken Aphid New View contentPlumBlossomSloth incarnateOct 25, 2025Add bookmark#168There are no hopes and dreams; all we have are lies and disappointment.
Everything was going smoothly for Ning. With access to the inner sect now, his cultivation progress had increased further, and the fourth stage of Qi Condensation seemed closer than ever.
Alas! Everything changed when the pests attacked. And when he was needed the most, Old Zhou disappeared.
It began with the sound of a gong. A low, resonant boom that rolled through Sector 3 like the drums of war.
"Drunken Aphids! Drunken Aphids have appeared! Everyone, wake up!"
The shout jolted Ning upright. He stumbled out of his hut, still half-dressed, his eyes snapping open instantly.
All around him, disciples were pouring out of their fields, in panic, shouting, and the faint smell of smoke filled the air.
Ning's eyes widened. At the edge of his plot, the earth was trembling. A buzzing like grinding metal filled the air, and then he saw it:
A bug the size of two of his palms, translucent green with crimson veins, gnawing at the roots of his spiritual rice, which stood half as tall as a man. Its abdomen pulsed rhythmically, glowing faintly as it sucked the qi straight from the soil.
"...What the hell," Ning muttered. "That's just cockroach on steroids."
Drunken Aphids. The name alone sounded like a joke, but Ning remembered learning about them from Old Zhou.
They were parasitic spirit insects that fed on spiritual grain fields, converting refined qi into intoxicating nectar. When mature, they flew so fast they became streaks of light, impossible to catch and devastating in swarms.
Palm-sized, this one was just a larva.
"Of course," Ning whispered bitterly. "Because why would anything in this world stay small and manageable?"
Around him, cultivators were already engaging. Blades of spiritual energy cut through the air, while flames, frost, and lightning danced across the fields. The air filled with the sound of snapping wings and panicked shouting.
The aphids were everywhere, crawling from the soil, bursting through grain stalks, blotting out patches of sunlight.
Ning gritted his teeth. "Old Zhou! Where the hell are you!?"
No answer. The old man's hut was empty. Of all the times for the geezer to vanish, it had to be during a plague.
The buzzing intensified. More aphids were spilling in from neighboring plots, drawn to the concentrated qi of his fields.
Ning slammed his palms together, forming a hand seal."Scorching Purge!"
Fire burst forth, sweeping through the soil like a tide. The nearest aphid hissed and convulsed, turning to ash with a sound like boiling oil.
But for every one that burned, three more appeared.
A shriek split the air, and one of the disciples nearby lost control of his technique; half his field exploded into a plume of spiritual smoke. The scent of burnt rice filled the air.
Ning cursed under his breath and switched techniques. His fingers flashed through another seal.
"Golden Finger Technique!"
His recent addition among the spiritual farming spells.
Golden qi condensed into a sharp beam, piercing through a cluster of insects mid-flight. They burst apart, leaving faint trails of light.
But the swarm kept coming.
His field wasn't overrun yet, but the nearby ones were collapsing fast, and the insects were migrating. They were drawn to density, and Ning's fields were particularly rich after his recent cultivation upgrades.
"Oh, fantastic," he muttered. "Just when I planted four acres this time."
He struck again, scorching the ground to cinders. The smell of roasted aphid was... unpleasant. Acrid, bitter, and faintly alcoholic, hence the name Drunken Aphid. The damn things actually fermented spiritual energy inside their bodies.
A single burst of their blood could intoxicate a mortal for three days. For cultivators, it just caused headaches and regret.
By now, the sky had darkened with the swarm. Their wings shimmered like fractured glass under sunlight, each movement producing a faint buzz that reverberated in Ning's chest.
He realized this wasn't just a pest problem. This was a fudging calamity.
He leapt over a charred fence, his robe singed and dirt-streaked, his breath heavy with qi exhaustion.
"Alright, alright," he said between breaths. "You want a fight? Fine. I'll burn every last one of you!"
Among the four acres, two were already overrun.
Gritting his teeth, Ning made the cruel decision.
Those two acres were far too gone; it was too late to recover them. So, he'd burn it all before the infestation spread to the rest.
He slammed his palm down again, channeling every ounce of focus he had left."Scorching Purge!"
The flames surged outward in a wave, brilliant and controlled... until they weren't.
Half his field went up in flames.
It was a necessary loss. Better to burn it than let the aphids feed. Still, his heart ached.
He spent the next few minutes battling fire, smoke, and bugs in a chaotic dance of exhaustion. By the end, his qi reserves were drained, his robe tattered, and his once-thriving field looked like it had been bombed.
Only one and a half acres remained.
And just like the police, sect personnel only arrived after the whole ordeal was resolved.
"Are you okay?" one of the outer sect disciples asked, waving a talisman as he appeared in the field.
Ning glanced at the burning surroundings and forced a dry smile. "I'm fine. Please, help the others."
"Okay." The outer sect disciple hurried off.
Ning dropped to a sitting position, staring at the ruin of his efforts.
Three months of careful cultivation, gone in an hour.
No, he was not crying. The air just tasted salty.
...
The drunken aphid disaster was swiftly put to an end. Many new farmers, including Ning, were left devastated, but as they say, life goes on. They could only sigh, shake their heads, and put the matter behind them.
For Ning, the losses were severe. Even after selling all the carcasses of the drunken aphids for five spirit stones, he barely made up a fraction of what he'd lost.
Alas, as the saying goes, man proposes, but heaven disposes. Plans never keep up with change.
Amidst all this, Ning's first mission also came to an end.
"Senior Sister, welcome back," Ning greeted respectfully as the cold inner sect disciple returned.
"Hmm. You've done a good job." The senior sister gave a small nod, her expression as calm as ever, while she gently stroked the chin of her cat.
Ning bowed slightly. "Thank you, Senior Sister."
And just like that, his first mission was over. No twists, no turns, simply a quiet end.
As she turned away, Lumi brushed against Ning's leg, its tail faintly brushing his wrist like a subtle farewell.
Ning couldn't help but feel a touch of envy. His senior sister was a beast tamer, one of the hundred recognized professions. Beast tamers formed bonds with spirit beasts, training them, fighting alongside them, or even using them for more practical purposes.
The Pure Qi Sect itself was famous for its Nine-Striped Bee, a spiritual insect species domesticated by the sect long ago. So, beast taming was also one of the major professions in the sect.
Simply put, beast tamers were like cultivator versions of Pokémon trainers. And really, who wouldn't want to be one?
If Ning had a spiritual chicken or a duck under his command, the drunken aphids would've been wiped out in no time.
He sighed. "Alas, beast taming is also a rich man's path. You need to cultivate yourself and your beast."
He glanced at his light pouch. Then, put his dreams behind.
"Damn," he muttered. "Still limited by poverty."
...
Thanks for reading~ Like ReplyReport Reactions:Kukulkan, darkli4n, grimr and 406 othersPlumBlossomOct 25, 2025NewAdd bookmarkView discussionThreadmarks 1.21 Registration New View contentPlumBlossomSloth incarnateOct 30, 2025Add bookmark#194[Panel]
[Name: Ji Ning
Spiritual Root: Mid-grade Spiritual Root
Attributes: Five Elemental Attributes
Talent: Extreme Space-Time Sensitivity
Realm: 3rd Stage of Qi Condensation (390/400)
Cultivation Method: Pure Qi Sutra (2nd floor: 24/400)
Martial Arts: Bone Forging Fist (Minor Accomplishment: 21/200), Shadow Steps (Minor Accomplishment: 26/100)
Spells: Small Cloud Rain Technique(Minor Accomplishment: 169/200), Soil Refining Technique(Small Accomplishment: 23/200), Scorching Purge(Minor Accomplishment:3/200), Golden Finger(Starting: 13/100)]
Ning glanced at the panel in disappointment, much like Ash Ketchum rushing toward a rustling bush expecting a wild Pokémon, only to find a girl instead.
Alas, he'd missed the finish line by a sliver.
Because of the Drunken Aphid disaster, he hadn't earned much during the harvest season. The missions he could take weren't particularly rewarding either. Being bound to the sect's farmlands meant he could only accept low-level assignments, mostly planting and cleaning work.
So even after borrowing an extra thirty spirit stones from Old Zhou, he still failed to reach the bottleneck of the third stage, let alone the fourth stage.
If he were honest, Ning was quite bummed out. Naturally so.
All that effort, only to get tripped up by luck.
"I guess being a spiritual farmer really does entail unexpected disasters," Ning thought. He understood it, but understanding didn't mean accepting it.
And since today was the last day to register one's cultivation for the newbie assessment, his time had run out. With a sigh, Ning brushed the dust off his robes and made his way toward the General Affairs Hall.
It was already evening, so while there was still a line for registration, it was much shorter now.
Glancing around, Ning noticed most of the new disciples were at the second stage of Qi Condensation, a few barely at the third. It seemed that those who'd reached the fourth stage had already registered.
It made sense; the fourth stage was all that was needed to obtain a Cleansing Pill. A day or two of extra cultivation wouldn't make much difference for them, so they probably won't wait till the last minute.
With another quiet sigh, Ning joined the end of the line. It was already dark by the time his turn came. The wait had been peaceful, unsurprising, since this was the sect's administrative hub. No one dared cause trouble here. The guards at the entrance weren't mere decorations.
Before long, a servant guided Ning inside to the elder's quarters.
"Ji Ning," the elder greeted, looking up from a pile of documents. "You were assigned to spiritual farming, yes? Your performance has been satisfactory." He nodded approvingly, then gestured for Ning to sit. "Moreover, it seems you have reached the third stage of Qi Condensation."
"Yes. It's all thanks to the teachings of the sect," Ning replied respectfully, bowing slightly.
The way to get along with senior management could be summed up in one word: loyalty.
In this case, loyalty to the sect. Gratitude to the sect.
As expected, the elder smiled faintly. "Since you managed to reach the third stage within a year, you are entitled to a reward. You may choose one technique from the Scripture Pavilion. Take this identification token, present it there, and you'll be granted access."
He flicked a small bronze token toward Ning, who caught it with both hands.
"Thank you, Elder."
"Also, as a young man, you should take better care of your health. Don't overexert yourself." The elder pointed at Ning's dark circles, his tone kind.
Sleeping barely three hours a night had clearly taken its toll; the evidence hung under his eyes. Heavy dark circles and traces of fatigue were quite visible.
Ning only bowed and retreated.
The elder's words held truth, but if he didn't push himself to the limit, he'd feel sorry for himself for slacking off.
Just as he stepped out, someone rushed past him, nearly colliding before sidestepping with practiced reflexes.
"Sorry!" the person called out before disappearing inside.
Ning blinked. That voice, Xiao Fan.
Judging by his unsteady qi, he'd just broken through to the fourth stage. His energy was still turbulent, unrefined.
Ning couldn't help but sigh with a wry smile. "As expected of the protagonist. Showing up at the last second."
...
Back at his quarters, Ning sat for a moment before resuming his cultivation.
Now that his one-year mission exemption had ended, he needed to reach mid-stage Qi Condensation and earn his outer sect status. There was no time to waste.
His hands formed a seal, and his breathing steadied. Spiritual energy began to circulate through his meridians.
With his eyes closed, his breath followed a steady rhythm, though heavier than usual. Ning didn't pay it much mind, assuming it was due to the lack of spiritual incense.
He circulated his qi according to the Pure Qi Sutra. One circulation, two circulations, slowly refining his essence.
Yet as his consciousness sank deeper, his thoughts began to stir, like bubbles rising from a dark pond.
When will days like this end?
Was all that effort in vain?
Maybe I should just relax and stop being so hard on myself.
Each thought slithered into the next, soft at first, then louder, sharper, overlapping until they felt like voices whispering directly into his mind.
The gentle hum of qi warped into jagged, erratic pulses.
Ning's breath caught. His vision blurred.
Transmigrator…
Chosen one…
Hah. Chosen for what, exactly?
Be the protagonist…
Kill, and steal the halo…
Why even bother?
All of this… meaningless…
NO!
What are these suicidal thoughts?!
Ning quickly realized something was wrong. He was self-aware; his mind wandered sometimes, yes, but never like this.
He was obsessed.
Instantly, Ning understood the cause. The lecturing elder had spoken about several precautions and various problems one encountered during cultivation.
Inner demons.
Human beings are creatures prone to nihilism and pessimism. In a normal world, such thoughts, though severe, are rarely fatal.
Unfortunately, this was the world of cultivation, one steeped in spirituality. Such thoughts could lead to an attack of inner demons.
The symptoms were clear. He had merely been cultivating, and suddenly his thoughts had turned dark, his qi spiraling beyond control.
All of this was so abrupt that it caught him by surprise.
Fck! Panel!
𝕀𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕪 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝?
𝔸𝕞 𝕀 𝕕𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕘?
𝕐𝕠𝕦'𝕣𝕖 𝕛𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕒 𝕤𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨 𝕚𝕟 𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕖𝕝𝕤𝕖'𝕤 𝕝𝕚𝕗𝕖.
𝕎𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕦𝕡. ℕ𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕚𝕤 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝.
[Name: Ji Ning]
[Realm: Qi Condensation – 3rd Stage (390/400)]
That mechanical glow stabbed through the chaos. Ning seized onto it desperately.
The elder had said that inner demons attacked through negative thoughts, causing qi deviation. The only way to overcome them was to persist: to focus on maintaining a clear mind amidst the chaos, and to calm the qi within.
The elder had mentioned these things only in passing. His words echoed in Ning's mind:
"Inner demons prey on those whose hearts are clouded, people drowning in obsession, doubt, or fear. It usually happens to those who've gone through… intense things."
Juniors like them, well-protected within the sect, rarely encountered such danger.
So, the elder had not spoken much about it. It was only because Ning regularly read his notes that he had become familiar with such things.
Unfortunately, Ning was a transmigrator, a stranger in another's skin, his soul stitched together with another's memories. His very existence was a mystery.
Being dropped into another world, merging souls, and inheriting foreign experiences, it was far removed from the life of an ordinary Joe.
Even during mundane days, his thoughts sometimes drifted back to the life he had abruptly left behind. And being in the same sect as Xiao Fan, a protagonist straight out of a third-rate xianxia novel, didn't help.
Ning couldn't stop questioning his own reality.
With such confusion, doubt was natural. Fear of all of this just being a dream.
In simpler terms, it was an existential crisis, one that Ning usually managed to bury beneath his relentless drive to keep himself busy.
𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕟𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘!
ℕ𝕠 𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕔𝕒𝕣𝕖𝕤. ℕ𝕠 𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕣𝕖𝕞𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣𝕤.
𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕𝕟'𝕥 𝕖𝕩𝕚𝕤𝕥.
𝕋𝕣𝕒𝕟𝕤𝕞𝕚𝕘𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕚𝕤 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝.
Panel… focus on the panel!
Ning's ears buzzed with tens, hundreds, of overlapping voices. His qi threatened to spiral out of control.
His thoughts trembled and fought back, but the whispers were like claws scraping the inside of his skull.
He clung to the glowing words on the panel, his anchor, his lifeline.
After what felt like an eternity, the cacophony began to fade. The shadows receded like a tide drawn back into the abyss.
He gasped as his vision snapped into focus.
Puff!
A mouthful of bright red blood splattered onto the floor.
He had survived.
For the next few minutes, Ning took deep breaths, trying to calm down his nerves.
"Damn! That was too f*cking dangerous."
Though Ning rarely cursed, this time he couldn't help it. The situation had taken a heavy toll on him.
Unlike the "inner demons" gym bros faced after breakups, Ning's were lethal, both physically and mentally.
"Fortunately, I managed to snap out of it… just barely."
With the panel as his anchor, he had steadied himself amidst the chaos. Still, the fear lingered; those whispers had felt disturbingly real.
As his thoughts settled, Ning realized the true danger of inner demons: not their suddenness, but their subtlety.
Ning, while a workaholic, knew the importance of balancing rest and practice.
But for the past month, he'd been working himself to the bone. This in itself was not concerning, but today, despite the extreme exhaustion, he still pushed through to cultivate even when his condition was not good.
A coincidence? He thinks not.
Inner demons rarely attacked without warning. A strong mind and body could usually hold them at bay.
So their modus operandi was simple. They worked slowly, twisting emotions, deepening cracks, until finally, they struck.
Most importantly, the fact that it could influence his emotions, especially by preying on his tendency to overwork, made such things all the more dangerous.
As he reflected, Ning finally understood why the elder's expression had been so grave when speaking of inner demons.
Fortunately, inner demons scaled with cultivation. Ning was only at the early stage of Qi Condensation, so his demon wasn't strong. With the panel as his anchor, he had managed to overcome this hurdle.
Alas, an inner demon attack at the Qi Condensation stage was a privilege usually reserved for protagonists, sentimental fools, desperate men… and now transmigrators.
Ning sighed. "Alas, how do isekai protagonist deal with getting thrown into another world so smoothly with any issues?"
He stood up, washed his face, and stepped outside.
The night was deep and silent.
A cool breeze brushed past, clearing his mind.
"It's just a few bumps on the road to immortality," he murmured. "Mysteries, so what? As long as I keep moving forward, everything will sort itself out."
"Strive, strive, and never give up."
As he was mentally psyching himself up. A sudden gust hit him square in the face.
Ning shivered violently; the cold of this world far surpassed that of his previous life.
"…Damn," he muttered through chattering teeth, "how do protagonists make this look so cool?"
...
Thanks for reading~Last edited: Oct 30, 2025 Like ReplyReport Reactions:Kukulkan, darkli4n, grimr and 334 othersPlumBlossomOct 30, 2025NewAdd bookmarkView discussionThreadmarks 1.22 Scripture Pavillion New View contentPlumBlossomSloth incarnateOct 30, 2025Add bookmark#195"You seem great today, Xiao Ning," Old Zhou said, glancing over at him. Compared to the dead-fish aura Ning had been giving off just a few days ago, he looked almost radiant.
His complexion was fresh, his eyes lively, and for once, there were no dark circles dragging his face down. If this were a shoujo manga, sparkles would be glittering around him.
"Yes," Ning replied with a small smile. "I decided to take it slow from now on."
After months of pushing himself to the brink, sleeping for a full eight hours had done wonders.
"That's good," Old Zhou chuckled, clearly relieved. "You were working too hard these past few days. Now, though… your temperament seems different."
"Temperament?" Ning tilted his head, amused.
It was said that one's appearance reflects the heart; perhaps the brighter spirit truly showed on his face.
In truth, Ning had also noticed the change.
It was said that between life and death lay great terror, and for those who crossed that threshold, great bounty awaited.
After confronting his inner demons, his thoughts were clearer, his focus sharper. There was a new steadiness in his mind, like a lake finally settling after a storm.
They said that defeating one's inner demons, or resolving mental blockades, strengthened the Dao Heart, the so-called heart of perseverance toward immortality.
Whether that was true or not, Ning wasn't sure. But his morning spell practice had indeed gone much smoothly than before.
Even so, although confronting inner demons had such benefits, he had no desire to experience it again anytime soon. The mental intrusion had been terrifying enough.
"Old Zhou," Ning said suddenly, "I'll return your spirit stones soon, so just hold off for a while."
"Eh? There's no rush," Old Zhou waved a hand. "Besides, I don't even know if I should take them, considering you taught me that qi control exercise."
Ning had taught him a simple but effective spiritual circulation method, a way to train his control. Old Zhou had been diligently practicing it ever since, hoping to refine his spellwork and perhaps even qualify for a Spiritual Farmer Certificate.
With such a title, he could remain within the sect as an official cultivator-farmer. That meant stability, resources, and, most importantly, safety. As for his grand dream of marrying ten wives, well, that didn't conflict with the plan either.
"It's just a random exercise," Ning said with a faint smile. "I'll return your stones, and I won't hear a 'no' about it."
Before Old Zhou could argue, Ning turned and left.
Old Zhou had helped him plenty over the past year. Returning the favor was the least Ning could do.
'Alas,' Ning thought as he walked, 'Time to start settling my debts.'
Let's see… 100 from Wei Zhusang, 100 from Lang Rulang, 80 from Zhang Feng, and another 80 from Old Zhou, a total of 360 spirit stones.
For the Ning of a year ago, that sum would have been unimaginable.
But now? With his current farming skill and a four-acre plot under his name, it was manageable. This coming harvest alone, he expected to earn around 120 to 130 spirit stones. Two harvests would be enough to repay everything, and if he reached mid-stage Qi Condensation by then, his income might even double.
Of course, he still had to account for cultivation expenses, so the timing wasn't perfectly accurate.
Lost in thought, Ning soon arrived at the Scripture Pavilion.
The Pavilion stood in the eastern quarter of the outer sect, a towering structure of dark wood and pale stone, its roof tiles carved with runic seals that shimmered faintly under the sunlight.
Most of the major divisions of the outer sect were arranged along the four directions: the Alchemy Hall to the west, the Combat Grounds to the north, the Beast-Taming Yards to the south, and the Mission Hall at the center, the beating heart of all sect activity.
Upon entering the pavilion, Ning's eyes fell upon an elderly man seated lazily behind the wooden counter. His robes were wrinkled, his hair disheveled, and his demeanor anything but bright.
'Probably an op character,' Ning judged instantly.
An old man this sloppy, stationed in one of the sect's most important places? He couldn't not be important.
Approaching the counter, Ning respectfully bowed, hands cupped in deference as he introduced himself.
"Excuse me, Elder. I am a new disciple, and was instructed to come to the martial arts pavilion to borrow a manual," Ning said earnestly, handing over his bronze token.
The elder stroked his chin, squinting as if mulling something over, then lazily gestured toward one of the colossal bookshelves.
"Alright, go to the second floor to pick a technique," he drawled. "Since you're new, I'll explain. The first floor is for general reading, books for all outer sect disciples. The second floor holds techniques, spells, and martial arts suitable for the Qi Condensation stage. Third floor's for Foundation Building and above." His words slurred faintly; his breath carried the distinct aroma of alcohol.
"Thank you, Elder." Ning bowed politely.
"Yeah, yeah… also, you're forbidden from passing on anything you learn from these manuals to outsiders. If you do, punishment will follow," the elder added, waving him off. "You've got about three hours upstairs to choose, so don't dawdle."
"Understood." Ning nodded and quickly moved deeper inside.
The first floor was lined with countless shelves and scroll racks, but Ning barely glanced at them, heading straight for the stairs.
...
"It seems the newbies have finished their first year. I saw a lot of them here this past week," one disciple commented, glancing at Ning.
"Yeah, it makes me nostalgic. I remember how confused I was back then; the library was too big, and there were too many martial arts, but we could only choose one. Ironic, isn't it?"
"Haha, I know, right? When I first came, I was overwhelmed. It took me three days just to pick a martial art that suited me."
"Three days? That's fast! It took me a whole week to find something called the Heaven Bursting Fist Technique. When I finally got it, I realized it was just a basic fist art. I almost slammed it to the floor out of frustration."
"Three days? A week? You're lucky. It took me a month to find one I fancied. And even then, after two years, I couldn't reach Small Accomplishment, so the sect told me to replace it. I was so traumatized that I asked a senior brother to choose for me. He gave me something called the Earth Drilling Technique."
"Earth Drilling Technique? Never heard of it," someone said curiously.
"It's a lesser version of the Earth Escape Technique. My senior brother said it's the easiest martial skill to master; I just had to dig the soil every day. After half a year, I finally mastered it. I was so proud back then… now I just feel stupid."
"..."
"Brother, since it's related to the Earth Escape Technique, can you at least use it to escape danger?"
The Earth Escape Technique was famous for being one of the top-tier escape arts, though notoriously hard to master.
"Nah," the man sighed. "All I can do is hide underground for a short time."
"..."
For a while, no one spoke. Truly, that was pitiful, half a year of digging, only to become worse than a mole.
Eventually, the crowd dispersed, each returning to their own search.
...
Meanwhile, Ning continued his own browsing, ignoring titles like Heavenly Body Art, Hundred Tribulation Physique, and the like, until he finally came across the one.
[Jade Skin and Icy Meridians]Temper the body like jade, hard yet pure. Channel icy currents through the meridians, not to harm but to refine. Refine the flesh, temper the meridians, and attain a body of jade and frost.It can be practiced up to the Foundation Building stage.Price: 5,000 spirit stones.
"Finally found it," Ning murmured.
Before coming to the Scripture Pavilion, he had already discussed with Fang Zhu, Wei Zhusang, and others with connections. After much comparison, this technique stood out.
It strengthened the meridians far beyond ordinary methods, could be practiced throughout the Qi Condensation stage, and, most conveniently, the required resources could be cultivated right on his own farm.
All of that made it far more suitable than those brute-force techniques focused on blood and muscle enhancement.
"Welp! That took a while," he muttered, stretching. "Since I've still got time, let's check out a few martial arts."
For the next several minutes, Ning wandered between shelves, glancing at scrolls and manuals, broadening his horizons, until his eyes landed on a peculiar title.
The Turtle Breathing Art.
...
Thanks for reading~ Like ReplyReport Reactions:Eyemore, Kukulkan, darkli4n and 381 othersPlumBlossomOct 30, 2025NewAdd bookmarkView discussionThreadmarks 1.23 Exchange New View contentPlumBlossomSloth incarnateNov 1, 2025