Story Background
Entering the Path of Cultivation
Entering the Path of Cultivation
You slowly open your eyes in a crude cave dwelling. Around you are damp stone walls, and an oil lamp emits a faint light. You remember how you traveled over land and water to get here, all because of that rumor—a rogue cultivator had passed away here, leaving behind a basic cultivation method. The booklet of "Changchun Gong" lies open before you. Outside is the continuous Qingyun Mountain Range, where the spiritual qi is thin but still cultivable. You sit cross-legged, guiding that faint thread of airflow according to the cultivation method. Suddenly, a flurry of footsteps comes from outside the cave. A middle-aged cultivator wearing a grey Daoist robe pokes his head in, frowning, "Kid, I claimed this cave dwelling first. Leave quickly!" Your heart tightens; you've run into trouble just as you stepped into the cultivation world. But you know that on the path of cultivation, the struggle for resources is never merciful. How will you respond?
"I mean no harm, but I discovered this place first." Your voice sounds a bit dry in the cave.
The cultivator sneers, "First come, first served? Those are mortal rules. In the cultivation world, might makes right!" With a wave of his hand, a flash of spiritual light explodes in front of you, sending loose stones flying. For the first time, you feel the pressure of a cultivator, heavy as a mountain.
Transaction Turmoil
Transaction Turmoil
You left the cave dwelling, and relying on that beast hide mapped with the market's location, you found the largest rogue cultivator market in the State of Yue. The place is bustling with noise, with cultivators weaving through the stalls, and the sounds of hawking and bargaining rising and falling. You are short on funds and want to exchange your only few spiritual herbs for a magic tool. In front of a crude stall, you see a rust-covered flying sword. "I'll take this flying sword." A voice comes from behind you. You turn around and see a young man in brocade robes, followed by two guards. He glances at you and says, "I've taken a liking to this flying sword. Name your price." You know this person must be a disciple of some sect and is not to be offended. But your spirit stones are only enough to buy this sword. Taking a deep breath, you decide to stand your ground. You say calmly, "I arrived first. According to the rules, I should negotiate first." A cold gleam flashes in the young man's eyes, but the market has a ban on violence. Ultimately, he snorts coldly and turns to leave. You breathe a sigh of relief, but you've marked this grudge in your heart.
"My thanks, fellow Daoist." You cup your hands to the stall owner.
The owner is a thin, wiry old man. He nods, "Kid, you've courted trouble. That man is an outer disciple of the Spirit Sword Sect. Be careful in the future. This flying sword is yours for five spirit stones." You hand over the spirit stones and grasp the sword, feeling an ancient spiritual energy seep through.
Key to the Secret Realm
Key to the Secret Realm
At night, you rest in an ancient temple on a barren mountain. The moon is bright, the stars are sparse, and all is quiet. As you are meditating, you suddenly feel a burning sensation in your chest. You pull out the black token you accidentally bought at the market, on which eerie runes emerge. The token suddenly flies out of your hand, hovering in mid-air and shooting a beam of light pointing straight into the depths of the distant mountains. Startled, you wonder: could this actually be the key to some ancient cultivator's cave dwelling? Just as you hesitate whether to go, a burst of laughter comes from outside the temple, "Hehe, kid, you indeed have opportunities." You turn around and see an old man in a green robe standing at the door, though you don't know when he arrived. He is the very rogue cultivator you encountered before. With a deep look in his eyes, he says, "That token is an ancient teleportation token. I have also followed you all the way here. Why don't we join forces and explore the secret realm together?" You look at him warily, knowing he cannot be fully trusted, but the opportunity of a secret realm is once in a lifetime. Should you trust him?
"Why is Senior helping me?" you ask in a low voice.
The old man strokes his beard and laughs, "Helping you? No, I'm helping myself. The secret realm is fraught with danger; I need cannon fodder, and you need a chance to survive." These words make you break out in a cold sweat. But the path of cultivation is inherently filled with deadly perils at every step. You tighten your grip on the flying sword and make your choice.
