WebNovels

Chapter 3 - Chapter 3: The Spirit Web and the Celestial Law Division

The marketplace encounter with this world's Wang Ruohan—a face lifted straight out of his L.A. nightmares—hung over Lin Rui like a dark cloud. It left him feeling queasy, as if he'd swallowed a live fly. 

Still, that jolt of discomfort gave him something he sorely needed: urgency. 

If he wanted to survive in this place, he couldn't afford to coast. It was time to buckle down, master the [Azurewood Heart Chant], get strong, and officially register as a cultivator—no more excuses.

Back in his shabby courtyard, Lin Rui didn't waste a second. He rolled up his sleeves and got to work, sorting through the herbs he'd bought from Shopkeeper Wang. The memories he'd inherited were patchy, but good enough for basics—some herbs he crushed into a paste, others he tossed whole into a battered clay pot, then added water and set the whole mess to simmer over the coals.

Soon, the small hut filled with a strange aroma: fresh grass, bitter medicine, and a faint earthy sweetness. When the decoction was ready, he blew away the foam and downed the whole thing in one gulp. The hot, slightly bitter liquid burned its way down, pooling in his stomach, before radiating a slow, gentle warmth through his limbs. The fatigue that clung to his bones finally started to ease. For the first time in days, he slept deep and dreamless.

At dawn, Lin Rui was already up and moving. He stepped into the damp chill of the courtyard, took a long breath, and dropped into a fighting stance—one he'd pieced together from scraps of memory. It was a basic set, meant for Lin family collateral disciples, big open movements, nothing fancy. But as he moved, muscle memory from his previous life bled through—every punch and kick was sharper, the energy more compact, each strike echoing with the crisp precision of a short-force blow.

Sweat rolled down his face, soaking through his threadbare shirt. His body burned, muscles screaming in protest, but he gritted his teeth and kept going, squeezing every drop of strength from his battered frame. Meanwhile, he focused a sliver of his mind on the [Azurewood Heart Chant], repeating the core mantra, trying to sense even a wisp of that legendary Verdant Qi.

"Azurewood heart, let life's qi come forth…" he whispered, dropping his consciousness deep into his Dantian.

This time, something clicked. 

Maybe it was the medicinal boost from last night, maybe the sheer exhaustion stripped away his doubts—whatever it was, he finally caught it: a faint thread of cool energy, impossibly subtle, yet unmistakable. Like the first green bud of spring poking up through frozen soil, a shimmer of Verdant Qi flowed into his core.

His heart skipped a beat. Lin Rui forced himself to stay calm, carefully guiding that precious thread according to the esoteric patterns from the scroll, coaxing it to merge with his own depleted blood-qi. It was like wrestling a wild animal; the Verdant Qi almost slipped away, again and again. But he held on, mental focus razor-sharp, refusing to let go.

How long he fought for control, he didn't know. At last, the Verdant Qi and his blood-qi fused, just barely, a spider-silk strand of newborn spirit energy. 

Weak, fragile, nowhere near "Pill Fire." 

But it was there. Real.

He slowly exhaled and opened his eyes.

Instantly, he noticed it—the air around him felt cleaner, fresher, as if the very world was rewarding him. Wisps of spirit energy seemed to drift his way, drawn by some invisible current. Was the ambient qi in his little courtyard actually denser than before?

Huh.

Lin Rui paused, thinking back to snippets from Lin Baobao and Xu Yu about the "Spirit Web." 

Was this it? Some kind of positive feedback? Like, congratulations, your cultivation has pinged the world server. Here's your bonus.

He couldn't help but grin. 

It was almost like a video game back in his old life: a little pop-up appearing over his head—

+1 EXP.

The rush of satisfaction was real. The exhaustion, the pressure of the last few days, all washed away in a wave of pure, quiet joy.

It's working. 

Lin Rui clenched his fists, a wild, boyish smile tugging at his lips. 

I'm really on the path now. As long as I keep at it, bit by bit, there's no way I won't hit the first stage. Mystic Art Enlightenment, here I come.

The Lin family's Spirit Web Monitoring Hub worked like an invisible net, constantly sensing every disturbance in the clan's territory. Even the fledgling wisp of Verdant Qi stirring in Lin Rui's courtyard hadn't slipped past its notice.

This time, though, it wasn't a guard or steward at his door—but Lin Tiancheng, his Second Uncle.

The courtyard gate creaked open. The two Lin family guards on duty spotted the visitor and bowed at once. 

"Second Master."

Lin Rui, who'd been resting on a rough stone stool, stood up quickly. 

"Second Uncle."

Today, Lin Tiancheng wore a peach-colored robe embroidered with a few dark green plum blossoms. His long hair was tied back with a simple cloth ribbon, and a neat beard lined his strong jaw, lending him the air of a slightly wild, but strikingly handsome, middle-aged man.

Fragments of memory about this uncle flashed through Lin Rui's mind. After his father's disappearance, Second Uncle had actually looked out for him, stopping by about once a month with spirit meat or medicinal herbs—enough to keep the original Lin Rui from starving. Some in the clan called him "the Guardian of Principle," though Lin Rui could never tell if it was a compliment or a jab. Not exactly close, but not a bad impression either.

Lin Tiancheng waved for the guards to relax, then sized Lin Rui up, an elusive smile on his lips. "Rui'er, was that little commotion in the courtyard your doing just now?"

Lin Rui's heart jumped, but he feigned ignorance. 

"Commotion? I'm afraid your nephew is clueless, Second Uncle. What are you referring to?"

Lin Tiancheng didn't press. He ambled over to the stone table, sat down, and idly tapped his fingers on the rough surface. 

"The family's Spirit Web node picked up a pulse of spirit energy here an hour ago. Not as dramatic as that ancestral manifestation last time, but definitely a real, positive spike—actual feedback from a cultivation attempt."

He paused, eyes suddenly sharp. 

"The Patriarch heard about it and was a little surprised. Sent me to check in. So tell me, when did you secretly start learning to cultivate?"

Old fox, Lin Rui thought, but he managed a sheepish, bashful smile. 

"Second Uncle, you really see through everything. Honestly, I was just as baffled! Ever since… well, ever since the ancestral blessing, I've felt lighter and clearer in the head. A few days back, I found the [Azurewood Heart Chant] my father left behind and thought I'd fool around with it. Figured it couldn't hurt to get a little stronger. Who knew that this morning, just messing around, I'd actually feel a bit of coolness in my Dantian?"

He gestured a little awkwardly, doing his best impression of a hapless kid who'd stumbled into good fortune. 

"It must be the ancestors taking pity on me, right? With this luck, I barely managed to get my foot in the door!"

Lin Tiancheng listened, unreadable, occasionally stroking his beard, looking for all the world like he was content to let Lin Rui keep spinning his story.

When Lin Rui finished, Second Uncle finally spoke, slow and measured. 

"Ancestral blessing, karmic luck—that's not entirely wrong."

"Now that you've scraped your way to the starting line, you can't keep muddling through by yourself. Go astray with your qi, and you'll regret it. How about this: since you have this opportunity, I'll make things easier for you."

He smiled, suddenly mysterious. 

"I've already sent word to the Celestial Law Division. Go to their branch in the market tomorrow morning and give my name—they'll let you register as a cultivator, no tedious vetting. All the paperwork's handled."

Lin Rui's eyes went wide.

Holy hell, I get to cut the line? There's actually a back door for registration at the Celestial Law Division? And Second Uncle willing to pull the strings for me? This is a straight-up cheat code!

Lin Tiancheng saw Lin Rui's dumbstruck reaction and his smile deepened, as if he'd been waiting for just that expression. 

"Don't get too happy. The road of cultivation is like knocking over the first domino." He traced an imaginary line on the stone table. "Yesterday, you managed to congeal a thread of Verdant Qi in your Dantian and triggered a bit of positive Spirit Web feedback. That was the first push."

He paused, gaze thoughtful. "Even a tiny feedback, like dropping a pebble into a calm lake, creates ripples—subtle, but they change the flow of 'cause and effect.' That ripple got the Patriarch's attention, which brought me here, and now I'm giving you this chance. That's your second push."

"Understand? Each step leads to the next. No first push, no second. How far you go depends on your ability to grab every tiny 'cause' and leverage it into a bigger 'effect.'"

Lin Rui listened, stunned. The initial rush of getting a "cheat code" faded, replaced by something quieter and sharper—a realization. He'd always believed effort led to results, but only now did he see how, in this world, fate and opportunity could be tangled together, all through the workings of the Spirit Web and karma.

"Second Uncle… I understand." He bowed deeply, for once completely sincere.

Lin Tiancheng nodded, satisfied. He offered a few last words of advice, then left.

The next morning, Lin Rui changed into a cleaner set of coarse linen clothes. Nerves and anticipation churned in his stomach as he made his way to the Celestial Law Division's Zhuyun Town branch, right in the heart of the marketplace.

The building was more imposing than he'd expected.

A high wall of stacked bluestone surrounded the compound, with two stone statues of some unknown, fierce beasts squatting on either side of the gate, lending the place an air of undeniable authority. The main doors stood open, cultivators with all manner of weapons hustling in and out—some in a hurry, others grumbling quietly, their faces tense or weary.

Lin Rui lingered across the street for a moment, drawing a deep breath and forcing down a knot of anxiety. Only then did he steel himself and walk through the gates.

Inside, chaos hit him full force—a tide of voices, the sharp tang of sweat, the woody trace of ink, and the undercurrent of all sorts of spirit materials. The place was packed, even more so than he'd imagined.

Dozens of cultivators crowded the vast main hall. Some clustered around tall counters, arguing or pleading with the officials behind them. Others sprawled on long benches against the walls, sighing in boredom or frustration. At one end, a group of richly dressed young cultivators were arguing haughtily with a middle-aged clerk in the Division's uniform.

Despite the crowd, the décor was pure Zhuyun Town—bluestone floors polished to a shine, sturdy pillars of spirit-wood supporting a lofty ceiling, and banners on the walls bearing excerpts from the [Laws of the Daoist Path for Cultivators], their calligraphy bold and vigorous.

Ever practical, Lin Rui quickly scanned the room, spotting a relatively quiet counter in the corner with a neat little sign: New Cultivator Registration. Apparently, there weren't many first-timers today. Behind the counter, a bored-looking clerk in a gray robe was suppressing a yawn.

Lin Rui took a steadying breath, squeezed through the crowd, and presented himself at the counter. 

"Excuse me, sir. My name is Lin Rui. I'm here on Second Master Lin Tiancheng's orders to register as a cultivator."

The clerk barely bothered to conceal his boredom, flicking his gaze over Lin Rui with a look that said, Oh, so you're that kid.

He pulled out a palm-sized jade slip, its surface faintly azure, and a slender runic pen whose tip glimmered with a faint, spiritual light.

"Name, Lin Rui. Family, collateral branch of the Lin clan in Zhuyun Town. Age?"

"Eighteen."

"Primary cultivation method?"

"Uh… a fragment of the [Azurewood Heart Chant]," Lin Rui replied.

The clerk paused, pen hovering, then shot Lin Rui a look—half amusement, half pity, as if to say, People still practice that old thing? But he didn't comment, simply made a few quick notes on the jade slip. Runes flickered briefly on its surface before fading away.

"Any special skills or master?"

"My father, Lin Yuntian, dabbled in alchemy. I, uh, picked up a little just by watching," Lin Rui hedged.

The clerk grunted, recorded a few more lines, and then took a palm-sized, vibrant green jade token from a box under the counter. The front bore the characters "Celestial Law"; the back was blank.

"Give me your hand. I'll need a drop of your blood to bind this token."

Lin Rui complied. The clerk pricked his finger with a silver needle, and a bead of blood welled up. It dropped onto the back of the jade token, spreading rapidly like a living thread, weaving itself into fine crimson lines before fading away, leaving only a faint red mark. The token flashed with green light as a subtle pulse of spirit energy emanated outward.

The clerk nodded, handing the token over. 

"That's it. This is the 'Azure Bamboo Jade Token,' made exclusively for Zhuyun Town. It's your official proof of status as a registered cultivator. Whether you're accepting assignments from the Division or traveling anywhere in Qingluo Prefecture, this will verify your identity. It'll also track your cultivation progress and any merit points you earn."

He paused, then added with a wry smile, "Of course, you haven't even reached the first stage of Mystic Art Enlightenment, so for now, your cultivation level won't show up. Second Master Lin's lit the fire for you, but whether you can cook anything decent is on you. Work hard on achieving Qi-sensing and forming your first strand of true spirit energy—only then will you truly have set foot on the path of cultivation."

Lin Rui accepted the jade token. It was cool in his hand, smelling faintly of bamboo. A surge of excitement swept through him—a real, tangible sense of stepping onto a new path.

The clerk fished out three thin booklets from beneath the counter and slid them over. 

"Here, take these: Celestial Law Division Code of Conduct, Spirit Web Quest Ranks and Rewards Overview, and Abridged Guide to Mutual Aid Treaties for Qingluo Prefecture Cultivators. Read them when you get home. Don't break any taboos or miss an opportunity and come whining that no one warned you."

Lin Rui quickly tucked the booklets into his robe, thanked the clerk, and turned to leave. The main hall of the Celestial Law Division was even more crowded than before, so it was no surprise when someone plowed right into him.

With a quick shift of his weight, Lin Rui narrowly avoided a full-on collision. He looked up and froze.

The person opposite him hadn't expected to bump into anyone either. Her willow brows drew together. When she registered his face, her almond-shaped eyes went wide with disbelief.

"Lin Rui?!"

Lin Yueyao was in the fitted uniform of an inner-hall disciple today, her long hair tied high, making her look even more striking and formidable. She held a beast-hide scroll bound with silk thread—obviously here on official family business.

Her gaze landed on the Azure Bamboo Jade Token hanging at Lin Rui's waist. The fresh shine and subtle pulse of spirit energy in the token seemed to stab at her eyes.

"What are you doing here?! That cultivator's token—when did you achieve Qi-sensing?!" Her voice shot up an octave, sharp and incredulous, even sharper than she realized herself. She gave Lin Rui a searching look, as if she expected to catch him cheating.

Seeing her stunned expression, Lin Rui chuckled inwardly, but his face stayed perfectly calm. "Just a bit of luck, that's all. Thanks for your concern, cousin."

Lin Yueyao was momentarily thrown off by his bland, even tone. The barrage of questions she'd lined up seemed to stick in her throat. She stared at him, finally realizing something was different. The old Lin Rui never even dared to meet her eyes, let alone face her with this level gaze.

She huffed quietly, her tone softening, but her words still dripped with superiority. "Well, if you've managed to stumble through the door by luck, then you'd better train hard. Don't waste the ancestors 'blessing—and don't embarrass the Lin family again."

She didn't wait for an answer, striding off toward the "Clan Affairs" counter to hand in her scroll.

Lin Rui watched her go, a fleeting suspicion crossing his mind: Could she have been the one who poisoned the original owner? He shook his head. Not her style. Yueyao was proud to a fault, but always acted openly—she'd never use some drawn-out poison on a "waste" she didn't see as a threat. She'd have far more direct, cleaner methods. If anything, this had the stink of some less scrupulous family member.

He dismissed the thought and quickly left the Celestial Law Division.

With nothing else on his schedule, Lin Rui decided to wander through town, getting to know this new world a little better. He hadn't gone far along the bluestone road when sudden chaos erupted at the next street corner.

"Move! Get out of the way!" someone yelled, panic in their voice.

A moment later, a Crimson Flame Colt—a horse-like spirit beast, red from mane to hoof, sparks flying beneath its feet—barreled down the street, totally out of control. A man in brocade was clutching the reins, face pale with fear. The colt's eyes were bloodshot, clearly spooked, now stampeding straight through the crowd.

"My stall!" an old man selling talismans yelped, hopping in alarm as the beast charged toward his wares.

"Quick, guard the shops!" Several shopkeepers leaped into action. Two produced palm-sized, turtle-shell talismans from their robes; a pulse of spirit energy turned them into pale yellow, translucent shields just in time. The Crimson Flame Colt crashed into one with a dull boom. The shield trembled, but held.

Lin Rui's eyes narrowed. The beast was barreling right toward him.

Acting on pure instinct, he twisted aside, body moving almost before he thought, and slid several feet away, barely dodging the crazed spirit beast.

Whew. Good thing I haven't lost my reflexes, he thought, heart pounding.

The street was chaos, but a few Celestial Law Division patrol cultivators rushed in, one tossing a rope-shaped artifact that flashed with spirit light and coiled tightly around the Crimson Flame Colt. The man in brocade, finally back in control, kept apologizing to everyone.

Lin Rui shook his head, uninterested in the drama, and started to walk away.

"Well, well, look who it is! If it isn't my cousin Ruohan's… ah, former fiancé?"

A teasing, slightly mocking male voice called out behind him.

Lin Rui's temple twitched. That voice, that cocky drawl—it could only be one person. He turned to see a man in an outrageously bright purple cultivator's robe, his belt festooned with jingling trinkets, hop off a white Snow-Mane Horse on the far side of the street.

Wang Ting. A black sheep among the Wang family's collateral branches, and Wang Ruohan's cousin.

Wang Ting strode over in a few steps, "peach blossom" eyes gleaming with amusement, a smirk fixed on his lips. "Thought I recognized that back. What a rare sight, Young Master Lin actually venturing out of his little courtyard. The sun must have risen in the west today."

Lin Rui just rolled his eyes. "What do you want?"

Wang Ting didn't take offense. If anything, his grin widened. "Interesting, interesting! Only a few days, and you're a changed man?" He leaned in, sniffed, and clicked his tongue. "Hmm, that official Celestial Law Division scent… and a brand-new Azure Bamboo Jade Token, fresh off the kiln. So the Lin family elders finally pulled some strings for you?"

Lin Rui ignored the familiar banter.

Wang Ting circled him with obvious interest. Lin Rui finally waved a hand, exasperated. 

"Alright, enough with the staring."

Wang Ting stroked his chin, eyes dancing with mischief. 

"Looks like you haven't eaten yet, huh? Come on, big bro's in a generous mood. I'll treat you at Drunken Immortal Tavern—new batch of Jade Spiral Spring Spirit Tea, and their signature Roasted Snow Rabbit Leg. You can tell me all about your miraculous luck. What happened, did some ancestor really come down from the grave and possess you?"

"Says the guy who's been possessed," Lin Rui shot back.

Wang Ting burst out laughing, clapped Lin Rui on the shoulder, and, not waiting for a response, started dragging him off toward the Drunken Immortal Tavern. 

"Hahaha, just kidding! Come on, let's go! I promise you, once you've tried that rabbit leg, you'll be hooked for life."

More Chapters