Morning light filtered through the tall windows of the Archive Hall.
Thin beams of sunlight cut through the quiet room, illuminating drifting dust and the long rows of ancient books. Outside, the distant clang of a morning bell echoed across the Azure Cloud Sect, signaling the start of another day.
Lin Mo had already been awake for some time.
He stood near one of the tall shelves, holding an old volume bound in faded brown leather. The book was thick, its pages slightly yellowed with age.
Its title read:
"Records of the Cultivation World."
Lin Mo had found it while cleaning one of the deeper sections of the Archive Hall earlier that morning.
If he wanted to walk the path of cultivation properly, he needed to understand the world he had stepped into.
The mysterious black book had shown him a method.
But knowledge would help him survive.
Lin Mo carried the book to the wooden table and sat down.
He opened it carefully.
The pages were filled with neat handwriting and diagrams drawn by someone who had clearly spent many years studying cultivation.
Lin Mo began reading.
The Nature of Spiritual Energy
"All cultivation begins with spiritual energy."
"Spiritual energy is the breath of heaven and earth."
"Mountains, rivers, forests, and even the wind contain fragments of this invisible force."
Lin Mo read slowly.
The book explained that spiritual energy existed everywhere in the world of Tianyuan.
But its density varied.
Some places—such as sacred mountains or ancient ruins—contained extremely rich spiritual energy. Cultivators living in such places progressed much faster.
Other areas contained almost none at all.
Those places were usually inhabited by ordinary mortals.
The author continued:
"Cultivators absorb spiritual energy through breathing techniques and guide it through the body's meridians."
"Over time, this energy strengthens the body and refines the soul."
Lin Mo glanced briefly toward the hidden drawer beneath the desk.
The black book had guided him toward a much subtler method.
But the basic principle remained the same.
Spiritual energy.
Everything began with it.
The Early Realms of Cultivation
Lin Mo turned the page.
A clear diagram appeared, dividing cultivation into several stages.
The first stage was called:
Body Tempering.
The book explained:
"At the beginning of cultivation, spiritual energy is too unstable to control directly."
"Therefore, practitioners first strengthen their bodies."
"Muscles, bones, and organs must adapt before the meridians can safely carry spiritual energy."
Most outer disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect were still in this stage.
Through physical training and simple breathing exercises, they gradually improved their bodies.
The next stage was:
Qi Gathering.
"Once the body becomes strong enough, a cultivator may begin drawing spiritual energy directly into the meridians."
"This process is slow and requires patience."
"Spiritual energy is gathered and refined until it can circulate freely within the body."
Lin Mo leaned back slightly in his chair.
According to the book, reaching Qi Gathering could take months or even years for ordinary disciples.
Talented individuals might achieve it in a few weeks.
Lin Mo returned his attention to the text.
The third stage was:
Foundation Establishment.
The author had written a long explanation for this realm.
"Foundation Establishment determines the future path of a cultivator."
"At this stage, spiritual energy condenses within the body and forms a stable core."
"Those with weak foundations may struggle to advance further."
"Those with strong foundations may rise to extraordinary heights."
Lin Mo tapped his finger lightly on the page.
So this stage was extremely important.
Many powerful cultivators probably spent years perfecting their foundations.
Beyond the Foundation
The book continued describing higher realms.
Core Formation.
"Spiritual energy condenses into a true core."
"Cultivators at this level can wield techniques capable of shattering stone and controlling powerful forces."
Lin Mo paused briefly.
This was likely the realm of many inner sect elders.
The next stage was:
Nascent Soul.
The explanation became more mysterious.
"The cultivator's spirit forms a second self."
"Life span increases greatly."
"Power over spiritual energy becomes profound."
Beyond that, the book only mentioned a few names.
Spirit Transformation.
Dao Integration.
Immortal Ascension.
But the explanations became vague.
Perhaps even the author had never seen cultivators at those heights.
Lin Mo closed the book halfway and looked out the window.
Morning training had already begun outside.
Disciples could be seen moving across the distant terraces, practicing martial forms beneath the rising sun.
Most of them were still struggling through Body Tempering.
Only a few had reached Qi Gathering.
Lin Mo slowly exhaled.
By the sect's standards…
His weak spiritual roots meant his cultivation speed would likely be very slow.
Which was why he had been placed in the library instead of the training grounds.
But now things were different.
He glanced again toward the hidden drawer.
The black book's strange method did not seem to rely on brute force or talent.
It emphasized observation.
Understanding.
Recognition of hidden pathways.
Perhaps that method could compensate for his weak spiritual roots.
Lin Mo reopened the cultivation book and continued reading.
The Importance of Techniques
"Cultivation techniques determine how spiritual energy flows through the body."
"Different techniques produce different results."
"Some strengthen the body."
"Some sharpen the mind."
"Some allow control over fire, water, wind, or lightning."
However, the book also warned about something important.
"A flawed technique may damage the meridians."
"An incompatible technique may slow cultivation or cause serious injury."
This was why disciples competed fiercely for better manuals.
Powerful techniques were extremely valuable.
Lin Mo closed the book slowly.
The Archive Hall was still quiet.
Outside, the sounds of training echoed faintly across the mountains.
Here in the silent library, however, knowledge rested undisturbed.
Lin Mo stood and walked slowly between the shelves.
Now that he understood the basic structure of cultivation, many of the other books here might become far more useful.
Herbal texts.
Travel records.
Ancient histories.
All of them could contain fragments of knowledge that others had ignored.
And unlike most disciples…
Lin Mo had time.
Time to read.
Time to observe.
Time to understand.
As he walked past one of the shelves, he paused briefly.
For a moment, he felt that faint warmth within his chest again.
Small.
Gentle.
But unmistakable.
The First Path had not disappeared.
It was still there.
Waiting.
Lin Mo looked down at his hands quietly.
A new thought slowly formed in his mind.
If most cultivators rushed forward chasing power…
Then perhaps his greatest advantage would be something much simpler.
Patience.
In the quietest corner of the Azure Cloud Sect…
Lin Mo had begun learning how the world truly worked.
And his path had only just begun.