3 The Clan's Library
PotF Chapter 3: The Clan's Library
As the years passed, two swift years flew by, and the once helpless child, Yang Ao, transformed into a curious and adventurous two-year-old. Who now roamed freely within the vast grounds of the illustrious Yang Clan manor.
Among the manor's treasures was the ancient Martial Arts Library, a sanctum of the Clan that only the direct members can enter. The library keeper, an elder with a stern demeanor, would often find young Yang Ao sneaking around its bookshelves.
"Master Yang Ao, you cannot enter here without the Clan head's permission. Please seek his approval before venturing inside," the library keeper sternly advised. Despite his outward demeanor, the old man took secret pleasure in witnessing the heir's interest in the library's sacred tomes. He knew the library's true worth to the Clan and hoped that this young scion would cherish its knowledge.
While Yang Ao acted nonchalant on the outside, he was well aware of the importance of the library and the power it held. After all, he has seen the troop of a powerful cultivator guarding a Clan's library far too much. Also, he tried to ensure that this old man was pleased with him.
His daily visits to the library had multiple motivations. Firstly, he sought to earn the respect of the library keeper, recognizing the value of forging meaningful connections. Secondly, he yearned to unravel the secrets of this new world that he had transmigrated into. Knowledge was the foundation of any powerful ruler, and Yang Ao was determined to ascend to greatness.
Lastly, Yang Ao found little interest in mingling with the young kids of the Clan, who often boasted about their Clan status with a sense of arrogance and entitlement. Their childish behavior and constant bragging about their Clans might grated on his nerves. While he understood that they were just children, he couldn't help feeling disconnected from their shallow conversations and trivial games.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Yang Ao made steady progress in his studies and understanding of the world's cultivation system. He uncovered the names and titles of the various cultivation realms:
1. Body Reinforcement: The foundational stage that strengthens the physical body. Cultivators in this stage honed their bodies through intense training, making them resilient and powerful.
2. Qi Gathering: A stage where cultivators gather energy from the world around them to enhance their strength and abilities. Qi was the life force of the universe, and those who could harness it were capable of extraordinary feats.
3. Foundation Establishment: Building the core foundation is a crucial step for a cultivator's future development. In this realm, cultivators form their Foundation, a crucial energy center in their bodies. This will take their storage and manipulation of Qi to the next level.
4. Core Formation: Creating a core within the body to gather essence and strength, but also becoming a point of vulnerability. Cultivators who reached this stage possessed incredible power and could utilize their Core to perform astounding techniques.
5. Nascent Soul: A legendary realm where cultivators could control their souls and even possess weaker individuals. Those who achieved Nascent Soul cultivation were considered to have surpassed mortal limitations.
After looking at those Realms for a second time, Yang Ao thought, "Wait, wait, why do these Realms sound so familiar?"
The experience of hundreds of novels and the understanding of a Grand Taoist who never touched any book about Taoism, not knowing what Tao Te Ching even is. He thought those Realms were identical to the Realms of most cultivation stories. Even though the realms after Nascent Soul weren't mentioned, he had a feeling he knew what their power and name would be like.
The strongest cultivator of the Yang Clan is only in the foundation establishment realm, showing that the road to the peak wouldn't be easy. Still, Yang Ao had confidence in his strength and knew that his only way to survive with the system watching his every move was to get to the peak.
However, Yang Ao's thoughts were interrupted by a pressing thought. "Where is the system? It hasn't communicated with me since the last quest. Why has it been silent?" Yang Ao wondered, a touch of unease creeping into his mind.
Deciding to contact the system, Yang Ao summoned it and demanded to see his stats. The system's familiar response appeared:
[Welcome, host Yang Ao of the Nyx system. I will assist you on your journey to the top of this world, so make sure to follow my instructions, or else there will be penalties.]
The exact same as the old instructions from two years ago were written under notes. After reading that, Yang Ao quickly glanced over the instructions, eager to avoid any warnings, and then checked his stats:t the warning again.
[Host Stats are as follows:]
[Strength: 0.4]
[Intelligence: 0.8]
[Agility: 0.4]
[Cultivation: Non existent]
Yearning to embark on his cultivation journey, Yang Ao asked the system how he could start cultivating or if it had any type of cultivation technique hidden for him. The system's explanation was straightforward.
[I have refrained from assigning you any cultivation quests or any other quests during the past two years because, in this world, mortal individuals must reach a certain age before they can embark on their journey of cultivation. That age is five years old, and as of now, you still have three more years until you are ready to take those crucial first steps.]
After pausing for a while, the Nyx system sent another message: [While you can't cultivate as of now, I have a piece of happy news for you.]
[Host, your hard work has not gone unnoticed. Unlike your previous self, you have shown dedication and diligence, refusing to succumb to idleness. I have been waiting for the right moment to bestow upon you a reward. However, I must caution you that this reward is not something your current mortal body can handle. Receiving it now could prematurely inflict extreme trauma on your body. At best, you would become a cripple unable to cultivate for the rest of your sad life, and at worst, you would go on a journey to the underworld.]
Curiosity burning within him, Yang Ao turned to Nyx and inquired, "Since I will eventually receive this reward, why not reveal to me what it entails? I wish to understand the nature of this gift that awaits me."
[Patience, host. What is destined for you will come to you, even if it is between two mountains, and what is not destined for you will not come to you, even if it is between your lips. What was fated to you will come to you despite your weakness. And what is not yours, you will not obtain with your strength.]
