After training for half a day, Zhu Tian finally stopped to rest. He stood on the rocky ground, his breathing steady—not gasping like an ordinary person, yet fatigue was still present. The midday sun shone directly overhead, its golden light enveloping the entire mountain peak. Normally, such scorching heat would cause sweat to pour down and skin to feel as though it were burning. Yet strangely, Zhu Tian did not feel any heat at all.
"So this is the wonder of being a cultivator," he said with satisfaction, a broad smile spreading across his face as if he had just discovered a great secret. The air, which should have been scorching, instead felt cool—like a mountain breeze in the early morning.
The wind swept gently across the peak, lifting Zhu Tian's long, loose hair. The cool breeze seeped into his pores, making his post-training body feel even more relaxed. For a moment, he closed his eyes and enjoyed the tranquility—a feeling he had rarely experienced since living in the noisy, high-pressure modern world.
Once he felt satisfied, he let out a relaxed breath and prepared to return to his residence. He turned around, and his gaze inadvertently fell toward the gate. There, Qin Yuan's clone could be seen carrying food. Its steps were light and steady, with a faint aura subtly emanating from its body.
The clone noticed Zhu Tian and immediately lowered its head in a brief bow—a simple gesture, yet one that conveyed respect and discipline. It waited near the entrance of the ancestral hall, as if ensuring that Zhu Tian entered first.
Zhu Tian gave a small nod in response. Before entering his residence, he went to the pool to wash away his sweat. The splash of cold water touched his skin, bringing a refreshing sensation that made his body feel revitalized. After that, he walked into the ancestral hall with an unhurried pace, while Qin Yuan's clone followed behind, carrying the dishes.
Once inside, he sat down calmly. The clone began serving the food without saying a word. Its movements were orderly and precise—not too fast, not too slow. After making sure everything was in place, the clone stood upright, observing Zhu Tian's expression.
Zhu Tian nodded in satisfaction and began eating slowly. As he chewed, his gaze fell upon the spiritual energy constantly flowing around him. Those thin lights looked like shimmering grains of dust carried by the wind—dancing, swirling, and merging with nature itself.
Seeing that there were no issues with the meal, Qin Yuan's clone gave a respectful salute and left Zhu Tian alone, returning to the gate to stand guard.
Zhu Tian did not mind this at all. He had already grown accustomed to the clone's presence—always following etiquette and rules, much like an experienced personal attendant.
While enjoying his meal, Zhu Tian continued to observe the spiritual energy drifting through the air. "Sometimes I try to meditate and let spiritual energy enter my body naturally," he said softly. "But it doesn't happen."
He let out a quiet sigh and continued eating.
For ordinary humans, spiritual energy could indeed enter the body without techniques or methods—but extremely slowly, to the point of being imperceptible. Occasionally, it might enter under certain conditions, perhaps when the body was completely relaxed. Because it entered so gradually, it did not cause pain. On the contrary, it was beneficial: strengthening organs, extending lifespan, and enhancing vitality.
"…how fortunate," Zhu Tian murmured, his eyes gazing blankly toward the ceiling of the hall.
In this world, the lifespan of modern humans was truly short. Eighty years was an achievement. A hundred years was a miracle. But here, ordinary humans could live for over a hundred years—not because of cultivation techniques, but because of the blessing of spiritual energy naturally seeping into their bodies.
He fell silent for a moment, thinking about how ordinary people here lived simple yet long lives. They married, had children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Their lives might not be spectacular, but they could witness three generations grow and flourish. And for ordinary humans, that was a simple yet profound happiness.
For some reason, Zhu Tian felt slightly emotional about this. Just a little—like a breeze brushing the surface of a pond. He did not dwell on it for long.
"In this life… I want to be immortal," he said in a low but resolute voice. "And not bound by the laws of heaven."
His words echoed within the stone hall, reverberating like an oath. A will born not from empty ambition, but from the determination of a human.
After finishing his meal, he returned to training. The day turned to evening, the sun slowly descended, and eventually sank behind the mountains. Yet his training did not stop that day.
He followed the same routine the next day. And the day after that. And the day after that again.
Until six months passed.
Six long months.
Six months of unceasing training.
Six months of building the foundation of both body and mind.
Night on the mountain peak was bathed in moonlight. The silvery glow fell upon the ground, casting long shadows from every rock and tree. The cold air pierced the skin, yet it did not shake Zhu Tian's resolve.
Under the moonlight, he made his decision: tonight, he would step onto the path of cultivation.
He sat cross-legged in the center of the ancestral hall, his back straight, hands resting on his knees. His breathing was steady. His eyes were closed. He carefully recalled the information Qin Yuan had explained about entering the initial stage of cultivation.
"Draw Qi into the body," he whispered softly, repeating each word. "But forcibly."
He knew the process would be painful.
"It will feel like being crushed from the inside," he continued, recalling Qin Yuan's warning.
Drawing spiritual energy in through every pore of the body. Forcing it through the skin, muscles, and bones, letting it seep into the mortal body. Allowing the spiritual energy to flow, then gathering it within the dantian—the energy center located below the navel.
Before truly attempting it, he closed his eyes more deeply. He reviewed the entire process again, step by step. There could be no mistakes.
After a moment…
Zhu Tian took a deep breath.
And began—
—to try and step onto the path of cultivation.