Yi Fan asked softly, "Senior, can I know your present cultivation?"
Yang Kai replied with his usual calmness, "It is in Body Tempering, seventh stage."
Yi Fan's eyes drifted down and he noticed Yang Kai's hands. The wounds there were still fresh, the kind that one could not get from ordinary training. They looked like scars born from a battle not long ago. Yi Fan's heart stirred and a thought rose in him like a quiet whisper: Cultivation is in Body Tempering seventh stage, and wounds on his hands… If I am not wrong, then Yang Kai must have received them during a fight with a Storm Manor disciple.
His mind pulled the thread of memory further. "Yes… that time when a young lady named Hu Mea'er stirred a Storm Manor disciple to attack Su Mu and his group.
That means the cave of inheritance will soon open. This is the very first chapter of the game, the very beginning for which we had to be ready in the past."
While Yi Fan's thoughts moved like waves inside his heart, Yang Kai suddenly asked, "Are you not cultivating? You are still in Body Tempering first stage."
Yi Fan's chest tightened. "What should I say? The original Yi Fan did not cultivate, always wandering behind women. If I say the truth, my impression in Yang Kai's eyes will fall. Should I change the topic? No… that will look rude. Then I can make a fake story… but what if I am exposed later....Then I must prepare a reason."
After much of thought, Yi Fan spoke with a steady tone, "I cannot cultivate because of my weak body constitution. That is why I came to join Skyward Pavilion in the middle of the year."
Yang Kai listened and his expression softened. He felt sorrow for him, because in Yi Fan's words he saw a shadow of himself.
Yang Kai finally said, "I cannot change your constitution, but I will help you in training as a senior. Now go and rest. You must rise at dawn before the sun climbs over the peaks."
*******
The next day came with the cool touch of morning wind. Yang Kai was sweeping the sect area as always. But this time he was not alone. At his side was Yi Fan, also holding a broom. As a trial disciple, just like Yang Kai, he too was sweeping the stone paths of the sect.
Yi Fan's thoughts moved while his hands brushed away the dust."It has been two days. That means I only have to wait for five more days to start my cultivation. I am curious—what type of cultivation system will I obtain? Will it be like the game system, or perhaps I will find a unique system unlike any other cultivation novel I have read?"
The dust swirled softly under his broom as he thought.
A little later, a disciple arrived, calling out that Su Mu wished to meet with Yang Kai.
Yi Fan asked carefully, "Can I come with you?"
The disciple looked at Yang Kai and asked, "Who is he?"
Yang Kai replied calmly, "He is a new trial disciple who joined our sect yesterday. He is also my roommate."
(((*Should I say hutmate?)))
The disciple nodded with understanding. "I see."
Thus Yi Fan followed Yang Kai, and together they went toward the place where Su Mu was waiting. They arrived at a field of tall grass, the blades reaching at least twice the height of a person, swaying like waves in the wind.
Su Mu was delighted to see Yang Kai. With joy, he handed over a wine jar and invited him to a toast. Yang Kai accepted, and soon the three of them sat in conversation. Between the cups of wine, talk of Hu Mea'er naturally arose.
Yang Kai asked with a half-smile, "Su Mu, I think you like Hu Mea'er, right?"
At these words, Su Mu's face turned shy, a gentle smile blooming like spring, and he admitted the truth of his feelings. Then, with embarrassment still in his eyes, he asked Yang Kai for advice on how to win a girl's heart. Yang Kai, pretending to hold the wisdom of countless experiences, gave his words freely. But at the end, Su Mu warned him seriously, reminding him that Hu Mea'er might notice Yang Kai first, because of the strength he had shown.
Yi Fan stood quietly in the corner, listening to every word with sharp attention. Oh… I predicted correctly. This is the moment when Yang Kai encounters Hu Mea'er.
Later, Su Mu suddenly said, "My sister wishes to meet with you. I want you to come with me."
They walked along the market road until they reached the gate of a house. Su Mu stepped forward and called out.
A cold voice answered from within, telling them to enter.
The moment Yi Fan stepped inside with Yang Kai, he felt it—a chilling Qi filled the air like frost. His eyes rested upon a beautiful lady, cold as winter ice. She was none other than Su Yan, Yang Kai's first wife not now in future.
Yi Fan's heart trembled with aware."Su Yan… she is even more beautiful than her character in the game. Such a cold and stone-hearted woman… yet who would imagine that she would one day fall in love with Yang Kai, after he saved her from the direct attack of a fifth-stage beast? Ah… this is the fate of Martial Peak. The most beautiful women are destined to fall into the main character's love."
While Yi Fan was lost in his inner sighs, Su Yan's sharp gaze fixed upon Yang Kai.
"Were you the one who defeated Chang Shao Feng?" she asked with her cold tone.
Yang Kai replied simply, "Yes." He did not waste words.
Su Mu's sister looked at him for a long moment. Then she said, "I can see potential in you. Keep your distance from Su Mu. If you stay close to him, your success will be hindered by his weakness."
Her words cut like cold blades. Then she dismissed them with, "You may leave now."
They all stepped out of the room. Yang Kai took his leave from Su Mu and began to walk back, Yi Fan following behind him. Suddenly, a young girl appeared at their side.
"It is really you," she said suddenly.
Yang Kai asked her, "Do you need me for something?"
Hu Mea'er looked at him and replied, "I only wanted to say that."
Yi Fan looked at her and thought, "Hu Mea'er. Just as in the novel, she will now try to talk with Yang Kai, then later help him buy his needed items, and so on… I feel a bit bored now. I have confirmed the time. Should I go to another place instead? But where should I go now?"
Then another thought struck him. "I can go and meet Old Meng. In the game, players who built good relations with him obtained benefits. Moreover, Yang Kai gained the most benefits from him.
With this in mind, Yi Fan took his leave from Yang Kai and went back toward the sect.
---
Treasure Hall
Yi Fan entered the hall and bowed, greeting the old man who sat on a chair with eyes closed. This was Old Meng.
Hearing the respectful greeting, the old man slowly opened his eyes. He looked at Yi Fan carefully and asked, "Who are you? I have not seen you before in this sect."
Yi Fan quickly took out his token and replied, "I am a new trial disciple. I entered the sect just yesterday."
"I see. Then why have you come here?" Old Meng asked.
Yi Fan said with humility, "I wish to find a book that holds information about herbs. May I obtain such a text?"
Old Meng reached for a worn book and threw it in Yi Fan's direction. Yi Fan caught it swiftly and bowed with respect before leaving.
Outside, he held the book in his hands and thought, Before my system merges with me fully, I can at least study these herbs.
Then he turned his steps toward his hut, the old book pressed firmly in his grasp.
---