At this moment, in a room that is filled with a formation which is meant for cultivation, the air thrummed softly—dense with swirling spiritual currents. The chamber glowed faintly, illuminated by the concentrated energy being cultivated by a boy who sat cross-legged at its center. He was at a critical moment and was planning on making his final breakthrough.
The boy frowned, his brows knitting tightly as he absorbed every wisp of energy he could reach. But even after drawing in everything available, he found that he was still lacking. A thin sheen of sweat formed on his forehead. So, without hesitation, he summoned all the spirits from his storage space. One after another, they flickered into existence, their forms shimmering like translucent flames in the dim room.
Seeing their master in such dire need, the spirits immediately surrounded him in a protective circle. Their small bodies pulsed with determination as they began to summon more spiritual energy from the environment, funneling it toward the boy to help him break through.
The boy finally sighed in relief as the last traces of the resources his mother had brought him were consumed in one go. For a moment, he had faced a terrifying wall—a complete halt at the critical instant—but summoning his spirit companions saved him. With one final surge of energy, the boy finally broke through to the fifth Qi stage of spiritual cultivation. His soul cultivation, which had been stagnant for some time, also ascended—breaking through to the fifth iron stage. Even his sword force surged, stabilizing at the late apprentice stage.
If you guessed the boy is Ray, then you are correct. It is Ray who finally managed to break through. He slowly opened his eyes, the world around him suddenly sharper, brighter, almost alive, and looked at the changes in his status from the system.
Name: Ray Walker
Spiritual Cultivation: 5th Qi Stage
Soul Cultivation: 5th Iron Stage
System: 3/3 [Completed]
Bloodline: Human [Common, (can be evolved)]
Telecommunication Tower: 1/4
Mini Towers: 200/200
Devices: 140,000 / 200,000
Weapon: Sword Razor
Tabs: Attributes | Swordsmanship | Formation | Talisman | Library | Ancient Relic | Storage
He could see that some of his attributes had increased. His strength and stamina had doubled; his limbs felt lighter yet more powerful. His speed and agility pulsed with new sharpness. His vitality rose like a warm fire spreading through his core—and his intelligence sharpened as if countless doors in his mind had unlocked at once. Now he could remember everything he read, even the most difficult languages.
Ray exhaled softly and turned toward the small spirits still floating nearby. A gentle smile warmed his expression. "Thank you," he said sincerely, his voice carrying genuine gratitude. "If not for you all, I wouldn't have made it at the last moment." The spirits brightened instantly, their tiny bodies glowing like lanterns of joy. Some twirled playfully in the air, releasing soft chiming sounds. Pleased that they could aid their master, they slowly dissolved into specks of light and drifted back into Ray's storage space, each leaving behind a comforting shimmer.
Ray was satisfied that his swordsmanship had increased thanks to Razor. It was because of Razor that his sword force had increased. Their bond had deepened by a lot. The rest of the tabs remained the same, so Ray didn't bother checking them.
He was excited that his cultivation had increased and his strength in spiritual cultivation rose by four levels. By pure luck, his soul cultivation, which had slowed down so much, had also increased by one level. Happiness warmed his chest.
But there was something else—something that made him even happier. A new tab appeared in the system, showing his weapon section. It seemed the system fully recognized Razor as his weapon after forming a bond through the matrix.
Ray summoned the sword, and like magic, it materialized into his hand with a soft hum. His face lit up instantly. He stood, taking several careful steps as he tried out basic movements with the blade. The sword had become perfect—the shape, weight, height, and sharpness exactly to his liking. After gaining enlightenment and becoming one with the sword, he felt the bond between him and Razor tighten into something seamless.
Razor finally spoke, its voice brushing through Ray's mind.
"Master, you have barely touched the 'one with the sword.' You have a long way to go. You and I need to practice a lot to become something even stronger. You better not train with that wood sword and train with me. You will become stronger."
Ray could clearly sense the sword's jealous tone after forming their bond. Amused, he agreed right away. After admiring Razor for a moment longer, he sheathed it and headed toward the exit, eager to tell his mother that his cultivation session was complete.
But as Ray opened the door, voices rushed in—tense, loud, and urgent.
Two ladies stood in front of the entrance, blocking the path of a man who was trying to push his way in. Their expressions were fierce, protective, and unwavering.
The two ladies were Ray's mother, Diana, and his third mother, Selene. The man was his father, Robert. The moment Ray stepped out, he realized the two women were desperately holding Robert back from interrupting his cultivation. Robert apparently wanted to bring Ray to train in swordsmanship, even if it meant barging in.
The trio turned at the same time when they heard the door. Diana and Selene immediately sighed in relief upon seeing Ray emerge. If he had come out just a moment later, Robert would have broken into the formation room.
Robert broke the silence first.
"Ahem! You boy have been cultivating for almost two months. You have neglected swordsmanship practice all this time. Go eat something and come to the training ground."
With that, Robert vanished like the wind, leaving the puzzled women behind to explain everything.
Ray blinked, still trying to process what he saw.
"What is going on? Why is Father in a hurry and needed to stop my cultivation? I thought he would encourage me to increase my cultivation."
Diana sighed, her shoulders relaxing now that the tension had cleared.
"It seems after that incident with Duke Leonardo Montclair, he decided to teach you a new movement technique before you go to the academy. It seems that day Robert got traumatized because he hadn't been able to protect you. So he wants to teach you a life-saving movement technique that could work even against at least a silver-stage opponent. Although it will be taxing to use such a technique, it can save your life."
Ray nodded, absorbing her words.
"Okay. I will go there and meet Father to increase my training. But in a few days, I need to go to the library and say my farewell to the king and the third concubine of his."
Diana gave him a gentle chop on the head.
"After that, for the last two months, you better spend time with me. I will be lonely after you go to the academy."
Selene joined in with a sulky voice.
"True, I would miss being called 'third mother' and being bugged for teaching little Ray how to create talismans."
Ray chuckled.
"I will find a way to teleport here sometimes. I will ask the old man Rick to create a teleportation formation for me so that I can come back whenever I want."
Diana shook her head.
"Old man Rick has not created such a thing yet, and the formation he created takes a lot of crystal stones. So that is not possible."
Ray suddenly smacked his head, realizing he missed an obvious option.
"What if I use the teleportation talisman that the library caretaker gave me? What if I go there and then come here to check, then go back to the academy right away after my work is done here? All I need to do is set my location to the academy and remove the set here. So I can teleport to the library of the king's castle, then teleport back to the location I set at the academy afterward."
Diana's and Selene's eyes widened—rounder than full moons—as they considered the idea. After a brief discussion, the two women agreed that it could work. They continued planning the next two months together, and after confirming that Ray would visit home after going to the academy, they finally let him go.
Ray headed toward the training ground where his father was waiting. His steps grew lighter with each stride, excitement fluttering in his chest.
He couldn't wait to test how strong his new sword had become.