1 Chapter 1 - I would like not to be an ingrate

As the first light of the new day began to gently illuminate the land, a diligent farmer emerged onto his sprawling farm. The sun had yet to rise, casting a soft, hazy glow on the horizon. Undeterred by the darkness, this hardworking man embraced the early hours with unwavering commitment.

Clothed in the humble attire of a farmer, his garments told a tale of labor and resilience. A wide-brimmed straw hat sat atop his head, shielding his face from the dawning light. His weathered hands, calloused and worn, spoke of countless seasons spent tilling the earth and nurturing life.

With each step, the farmer's determination was evident. His middle-aged body moved with purpose and grace, guided by the wisdom gained from years of toil. Beads of sweat began to form on his brow, glistening like precious gems in the dim morning light. The cool morning air carried the faint scent of moist soil, mingling with the farmer's exertion.

His hands, roughened by the plow, gripped the handles firmly as he worked the land with meticulous precision. Each furrow created was a testament to his experience and understanding of the soil's needs. The rhythm of his movements echoed the heartbeat of the land, a harmonious dance between man and nature.

As the sun gradually ascended, casting vibrant hues across the horizon, the farmer continued his task undeterred. His unwavering dedication was fueled by the promise of a bountiful harvest.

In this quiet and serene moment, the farmer embodied the spirit of resilience, perseverance, and an unyielding work ethic. He stood as a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who tend to the earth, finding solace and purpose in the rhythm of the seasons.

He felt a swell of pride as he labored in the fields, knowing that his efforts were providing sustenance for his beloved family. As the sun began its ascent, another figure, a younger man with a striking resemblance to him, approached briskly and joined him at his side.

The young man, appearing to have recently reached adulthood at around 18 years of age, spoke eagerly, "Father, why didn't you call me? I could have finished this task in mere minutes. You should rest while I take over. We can share a hearty breakfast together."

The man chuckled warmly and responded, "Xi Long, my boy, focus on your cultivation. I am immensely proud that my son stands as the strongest in our village. There's no need for you to concern yourself with this old man's work."

Xi Long pleaded with sincerity, "Father, please allow me to assist you. I would like not to be an ingrate."

A flicker of annoyance crossed the middle-aged man's face as he replied sternly, "I've already said my piece. If you persist, even if you're grown, I'll have no choice but to give you a good spanking. You ingrate."

Xi Long sighed, fully aware of his own powerlessness in the face of his hardworking parents' determination. He, too, yearned to be a diligent worker, but circumstances barred him from doing so. He silently contemplated, "How can I tell you that I only cultivate when I eat, sleep, and shit."

Xi Long walked back to his house while looking at the beautiful farm his mother and father created. While walking, he saw a great mountain range far in the distance. It was hard to tell its size and distance from where he was standing.

This world is known to be vast, so vast that there is no record of a person circumnavigating the globe in all of its history. The landmasses that encompass this immense planet are as large as planets themselves.

Opening the door, Xi Long gazes upon his home. To him, his house is the epitome of perfection. The interior exudes coziness, comfort, and familiarity. The main living area is an inviting space, centered around a crackling fireplace that provides warmth during chilly mornings. The living room boasts simple yet comfortable furniture where his parents would rest and relax after a long day's work.

Sunlight filters through the windows, casting gentle rays that dance upon the wooden floors, creating a serene ambiance as Xi Long gazes at the kitchen.

This is his mother's domain, where she maximizes her culinary skills. Using the well-worn wooden countertops and fire pit as her canvas, shelves filled with jars of preserved fruits and vegetables line the walls, showcasing the fruits of their labor and the abundance of the harvest season.

Walking further, Xi Long greets his mother.

"Hello, mother. Father won't let me help him."

She chuckles and responds, "Of course not. I am sure he also called you an ingrate."

His mother is a woman radiating warmth and compassion. Currently occupied in the cozy kitchen, she embraces the gentle morning sun that casts a glow through the window. With her sleeves rolled up and a determined look in her eyes, she embarks on the delightful task of preparing a hearty breakfast for her hardworking family.

Her hands move with grace and precision as she skillfully wields the cooking utensils. The aroma of freshly brewed tea fills the air, blending with the enticing scents of sizzling eggs and freshly baked bread. It's a symphony of fragrances that makes one's mouth water in anticipation.

As she moves about the kitchen, her movements resemble a dance of efficiency and expertise. With a loving touch, she slices vibrant vegetables and fruits, arranging them in an artful display on the table. Her attention to detail is evident in the meticulousness of each slice and the vibrant colors that adorn the platter.

Her apron, adorned with floral patterns, bears the marks of countless meals prepared with love. Flour dusts her fingertips, a testament to the freshly kneaded dough rising in the fire pit. By her very presence, she infuses the atmosphere with a sense of tranquility and comfort.

Xi Long asks, "Would you like any help, mother?"

With a gentle smile, she replies, "No, son. You should go cultivate in your room. Mother will call you when the food is ready."

Xi Long is about to insist, but his mother's gentle smile was too compelling to disappoint. Reluctantly, he walks to his room.

The bedrooms in his home, though modest in size, offer a haven for rest and rejuvenation. Each room is adorned with handmade quilts and worn but well-loved furniture, a testament to the family's resourcefulness and appreciation for simple comforts. Soft light spills through the curtained windows, creating a soothing atmosphere that lulls occupants into peaceful slumber.

He gently closes the door, mindful not to disturb his tirelessly working mother, and notices a map of the continent on which his perfect home is situated.

The continent Xi Long was born and raised in is known as the Jianhu Continent. This world-sized continent is a vast and diverse realm in its own right, renowned for its rich martial arts traditions, breathtaking landscapes, and intricate power struggles. The name "Jianhu" symbolizes the profound influence of swordsmanship in this realm, highlighting the significance of martial prowess and the interconnectedness of the land and its people.

The Jianhu Continent is a land of ancient sects, legendary warriors, and mystical treasures. It encompasses towering mountains, dense forests, flowing rivers, and serene lakes. The continent is dotted with bustling cities, hidden monasteries, and secluded training grounds, each harboring its own secrets and unique martial arts styles. Throughout the Jianhu Continent, martial arts schools, sects, and clans thrive, each with its distinct philosophies, techniques, and rivalries.

The map clearly displays the various powerful countries. The lands of the Jianhu Continent are marked by a delicate balance between order and chaos. Powerful factions vie for control, seeking to dominate and shape the fate of the realm. The country in which Xi Long and his family reside is called Qingmei. According to what he learned in school, there are six countries in total surrounding Qingmei.

They were named the Xilong Kingdom, Hangzhou Empire, Donghai Federation, Nanshan Republic, Fengyun Confederation, and the Wulang Tribes. However, what Xi Long learned most in school was that the strong are revered while the weak are taken advantage of. This is why the noblest path is to pursue strength. All the teachers would talk about how amazing certain cultivators were and would test the students on those cultivators' accomplishments. While most of the information seemed useless to Xi Long, it made his dreams clear - there was no other path for him than strength.

In this world, the pursuit of strength is referred to as the road of cultivation. Cultivators are individuals who harness the energies of the universe to refine their bodies, minds, and souls. This process involves various methods, techniques, and stages that practitioners go through to unlock their hidden potential and ascend to higher levels of power. There are two main methods of cultivation: qi cultivation and body cultivation.

Xi Long's favorite historical figure and cultivator is Li Jing, a brilliant politician and his favorite qi cultivator. Li Jing was known for creating many laws for his country and personally preventing the assassination of the king by numerous rebels. The only flaw attributed to him was his tendency to spend extravagantly on roses that were not flowers. Interestingly, Li Jing had no less than 1000 wives. Xi Long admired him as a hard worker.

Qi cultivation is focused on enhancing one's mind and soul through the determined accumulation of qi. The higher the level of qi one possesses, the stronger one becomes. However, there are several stages that one must break through to become stronger. Each level eventually reaches a point where progress seems to come to a halt, like water coming to a stop in front of a dam. To surpass their limits and break through this metaphorical wall, cultivators must accumulate enough spiritual qi, akin to gathering enough "water." After breaking through, their reserves compared to the prior level are much greater. However, some individuals cannot wait and attempt to break through without sufficient preparation. Once they fail, breaking through the "wall" becomes even more challenging. This often happens with individuals who are poorly talented.

Xi Long, lost in thoughts about cultivation, couldn't help but reflect on what happened eight years ago...

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When every child reaches the age of ten, they are presented to the government of Qingmei for talent testing. Xi Long's parents were hopeful during the presentation, as they wished for their son to have an easy and secure life. This was only possible if he became a cultivator, either in qi or body cultivation. By becoming a reserved member in the army, he would not only be provided for by the government but also be strong enough to avoid harm from others, as a dead man tells no tales.

His parents didn't possess any talent in cultivation, but surprisingly, Xi Long did. The magistrate was mildly impressed that the child of two farmers possessed dual talents, but his talent was so low that it hardly mattered. Talent in qi cultivation is divided into five different spiritual roots, determining how quickly one can accumulate spiritual qi. A talent level of 5 is considered the worst, while 1 is the best. In body cultivation, also known as body refinement, talent is classified into five different body types. However, the grades are inversely ranked, with 1 being the worst and 5 being the best, symbolizing how they view each other. After all, children often believe they are better than their friends.

Xi Long had the lowest talent in both aspects. He possessed the Common Root, designated as the spiritual root number 5, and the Novice Body, designated as the body type number 1. The magistrate didn't care much about him despite having two talents because cultivating requires a significant amount of time and effort. Unless one has high talent in both areas, it would be foolish to pursue both paths. And indeed, Xi Long proudly considered himself an idiot.

Individuals with a Common Root have limited innate cultivation potential, making it challenging for them to progress. They heavily rely on external resources, intense training, and exceptional dedication to make significant strides in their cultivation. Their cultivation is considered the worst, and all other spiritual roots use the Common Root as an example of their own superiority. There is a saying in Jianhu that goes, "If you're not shit, you're at least a Common Root." Regarding his body, it wasn't much better. At the Novice Body level, individuals possess a baseline level of physical potential, showing glimpses of talent and aptitude in various physical activities. They have a foundation to build upon but have yet to tap into their true potential. Body cultivators are also known to be much more brutal than qi cultivators. They refer to the Novice Body level as "shit and nothing more."

Despite his poor talent, it didn't dampen the spirits of his joyous parents. At least their child had something they didn't, giving them hope that he could live a long and happy life. Observing his parents' jubilation, Xi Long made a decision. He would do whatever it takes to grow strong so that he could protect his parents and provide them with a life of luxury.

After returning home from the city, it was already nighttime. Farmers are known to wake up before the sun, so Xi Long's parents hurried to bed. Once they fell asleep and his father's loud snores filled the room, Xi Long got up. Today, he was still wide awake, and he would use this time to train.

Qi cultivation required both a method and a matured mind and soul. The maturation of the mind and soul typically occurs at the age of 18. However, there is no age requirement for body cultivators. As long as one doesn't harm themselves during training, there is no need to hold back on body training. While there are numerous body cultivation methods, the simplest form involves running, jumping, and lifting weights. This is something any farmer could tell you.

As Xi Long made his way outside the house, he noticed a glowing object to the east of his farmstead. The young child, too naive to resist the allure of something shining, started running towards it.

The moment he started running he fell and started rolling. While rolling down the hill towards the shining light, he fell into a hidden hole. The boy landed in a dark cave that he had never seen before.

Xi Long grabbed his sore butt and said, "Ouch, I wish I had more cushion on my butt like that fat, ugly, magistrate."

Who said children would not hold grudges?

As Xi Long got up, he saw the interior of the cave he was in. The moonlight was being transmitted into the cave, and at the far end of the cave, the shiny object was acting like a mirror. Xi Long was filled with a sense of curiosity.

Xi Long questioned himself again, unable to control himself, "What is that?"

The cave's mysterious allure drew the child closer. Soft moonbeams gently cascaded through the cave's opening, casting faint silhouettes against the rocky walls.

As the child took steps forward, the cool, damp air inside the cave embraced him, refreshing his senses. The darkness, rather than instilling fear, seemed to hold an enchanting secret waiting to be discovered. The child's eyes adjusted. With every step, the object was getting clearer and clearer. A gentle breeze whispered through the cave, carrying the faint scent of earth.

The child could almost hear the echoes of countless stories lingering within this cave. For some reason, he felt that in the darkness, images of ancient civilizations, mythical creatures, and forgotten legends could be seen, where three powerful figures would lay siege to the world and everything in it. Nothing in the cave could be seen except the shining object, but the remnants of the past that Xi Long felt were too real to ignore. And now, finally, he was in front of the object, or rather, objects.

In front of him were three skulls that were shining like stars in the night sky. He was too entranced by their beauty to realize how terrifying the situation actually was. Xi Long was indeed a child. The moment he saw something shiny, he touched it. He first touched the skull closest to him. They were identical in shape, only slightly different in size. The first one he touched was the smallest.

Shing

The entirety of the cave was illuminated as if a star descended. Little Xi had to cover his eyes. But if he had his eyes open, he would have noticed that the space between his eyebrows, where his soul resides, was growing shinier as the light from the skull entered it. Soon everything returned to normal, and darkness permeated the cave again. Besides the two remaining skulls, nothing else was visible.

Xi asked no one, "Where is my skull?" Slightly upset, he thought, "Well, I will take the other one. Maybe I dropped it."

The second one was slightly bigger than the first yet smaller than the third. But when Xi touched it, the same scene played again.

Shing

This time as well, the space between his eyebrows, where his soul resides, was growing shinier as the light from the skull entered it. But this time, he did not let go of the skull when the light shone. He felt the skull getting smaller and smaller.

When the light was gone, so was the skull. Xi was so upset that someone stole his skull that he kicked the last skull, but unfortunately, the same scene happened again when his foot came in contact with the skull.

Shing

The light entered him and was gone, just like the skull. Now that nothing was there to play with, he became bored and followed the moonlight that was coming in from the front of the cave, originally illuminating the skulls.

Xi, while rubbing his sore butt and in an even more sore mood, went to bed, but he

did not wake up for three days after.