The sun had barely risen when Chen Lu Tian left the East Courtyard. The dew still clung to the grass, shimmering in the morning light, and the faint scent of sandalwood smoke drifted from the incense burners placed at the edges of the estate.
He walked with purpose. His system had given him a path forward, but he needed more than snakes and vermin to climb the cultivation ladder. He needed spirit beasts, treasures, and, eventually, the heads of those who mocked him.
As he crossed the central courtyard, he found the same maid from yesterday hurrying toward him, carrying a small basket.
"Young Master," she said breathlessly, bowing. "The Patriarch ordered me to bring you your breakfast. He seemed displeased with yesterday's words to the Xu emissary."
Lu Tian chuckled softly. "Good. If he's displeased, it means I'm doing something right."
The maid hesitated, glancing around before lowering her voice. "There's talk among the servants about the Power Rankings. Perhaps you've forgotten them after your injury."
Lu Tian's inherited memories were fragmented, but he let her speak. Sometimes, hearing it in another's words revealed more than memories alone.
The Power Rankings of the Eastern Continent
In this world, power was everything and it was divided into realms. Each realm represented a massive leap in strength, perception, and control over qi.
Body Tempering Realm - Stages 1 - 9.
The foundation of all cultivation, strengthening the body to withstand the flow of qi. Even at the ninth stage, one was still considered mortal in the eyes of true cultivators.
Qi Refining Realm - Stages 1 - 9.
The first step into real cultivation. Qi flows freely through the meridians, allowing for basic combat arts and minor spiritual abilities.
Core Formation Realm - Early, Middle, Late Stage.
Cultivators form their Golden Core, greatly amplifying their lifespan and power. At this level, they can level small armies alone.
Nascent Soul Realm - Early, Middle, Late Stage.
Cultivators condense their soul into a physical avatar, capable of leaving their body for short periods. They can destroy cities with a gesture.
Spirit Sovereign Realm - Early, Middle, Late Stage.
Masters of the elements, capable of manipulating weather and topography at will. Kingdoms bow before them.
Heavenly King Realm - Early, Middle, Late Stage.
Legends who can shatter mountains and alter rivers. Only great sect leaders and emperors reach this level.
Planetary Emperor Realm - Early, Middle, Late Stage.
A realm few even dream of reaching. These cultivators command such force they can devastate an entire planet's surface in battle.
Beyond that, the maid hesitated to speak, as if even naming the higher realms would invite disaster.
Lu Tian's lips curled upward. The first goal was clear leave the Body Tempering Realm far behind and reach Qi Refining as fast as possible.
"Where is the nearest place to hunt spirit beasts?" he asked.
The maid looked nervous. "The Azure Bamboo Forest but it's dangerous. Spirit beasts there are at least Body Tempering Sixth Stage. And there's a rumor of a Qi Refining beast roaming near the old ruins."
"Perfect," he said simply.
By midday, he had reached the edge of the forest. The towering bamboo stalks swayed in the wind, their leaves whispering secrets to one another. The ground was littered with paw prints, claw marks, and the occasional splatter of dried blood.
[Host entering high-risk zone.]
[Increased essence absorption efficiency: +20%.]
The system's calm voice was music to his ears.
Not long after entering, he heard it, the guttural growl of a beast. From behind a thicket emerged a Crimson Horned Boar, its hide thick as leather, a single blood-red horn jutting from its forehead. It was easily two meters long, muscles rippling beneath its fur.
[Target: Crimson Horned Boar - Body Tempering, Stage 5.]
Lu Tian tightened his grip on the dagger. "Come to me."
The boar charged. Its bulk tore through bamboo like paper. Lu Tian sidestepped at the last moment, his dagger flashing to slash along its flank. Blood sprayed, but the wound was shallow.
In his past life, he had fought men who could kill with a single strike. A beast's instincts were different more savage, less predictable. He danced around its lunges, using speed and precision over brute strength.
When it stumbled for just a breath, he leapt forward and drove the blade into its throat. The boar let out a choking squeal before collapsing.
[Essence absorption in progress…]
[Cultivation base: Body Tempering, Stage 4.]
Not enough. But it was a start.
Deeper into the forest, the bamboo grew thicker, the air heavier with the scent of damp earth and qi-rich flora. That was when he saw her.
A young woman stood in a small clearing, her white robes untouched by dirt, her black hair flowing freely in the wind. In her hands was a long ice-blue sword, its surface shimmering with frost. Her movements were graceful yet deadly, as she danced around a massive Ironhide Panther a beast at the Body Tempering, Stage 8.
From the inherited memories, he knew her instantly. Xu Lianhua. The fiancée who had rejected him.
But here, in this forest, she was no untouchable beauty on a pedestal she was a cultivator in battle.
He stayed in the shadows, watching as she fought. The panther's claws tore through the air, but her blade was faster, striking with pinpoint precision. A final thrust to its heart ended the battle, frost spreading across the beast's black fur.
She exhaled, lowering her sword, unaware of his presence.
Lu Tian stepped forward, his voice carrying through the clearing. "Impressive. I almost regret that we're no longer engaged."
Xu Lianhua spun around, eyes narrowing. "Chen Lu Tian? You dare follow me?"
"Follow? No. This forest belongs to no one. I was merely hunting." His gaze flicked to the panther's corpse. "But it seems you've already claimed the prize."
Her lips pressed into a thin line. "You should leave before you get yourself killed. You don't belong here anymore."
He smiled faintly. "Perhaps. Or perhaps I belong here more than you realize."
She didn't reply, only sheathed her sword and turned away. But Lu Tian's system chimed in his mind.
[Target essence available: Ironhide Panther.]
[Absorb discreetly? Y/N]
A predator's grin touched his lips. "Yes."
As the frost spread through the beast's body, a faint golden mist rose from it invisible to her eyes and flowed into him.
[Essence absorption complete.]
[Cultivation base: Body Tempering, Stage 6.]
The power thrummed through his veins, and he knew the climb had begun.