Ash sipped his tea slowly. Very slowly.
Because across the wooden table sat a young cultivator girl staring at him like he was a legendary dragon in human form.
She introduced herself as Fei Yun—fifteen, disciple hopeful, recently escaped from a cousin's wedding arrangement, and completely convinced that Ash was Elder Wudi's hidden genius martial uncle.
Ash had tried to correct her.
Twice.
Both times, she insisted that denying it only confirmed the truth.
"…The true masters always pretend to be ordinary," she said, nodding to herself.
Ash glanced down at his dirt-stained shirt.
Totally the robes of a hidden realm expert.
He rubbed his temples. "I grow vegetables."
"You grow strength through hardship," she corrected.
"I talk to chickens."
"True cultivation lies in humility!"
The chicken outside let out a massive squawk.
Ash sighed.
He was too tired to argue.
---
Student vs. Weeds
"Alright," Ash said, pointing toward the furrowed field, "If you really want to stay, start by weeding the southern row."
Fei Yun blinked. "Weeding?"
"Yes."
"I'm here for martial enlightenment!"
"And you'll get that."
She stared. "From... weeding."
Ash nodded, very seriously. "Let the earth teach you."
> [System Alert: Brilliant Cover Story Detected]
[New Skill Progression Triggered: "Masterful Misunderstanding (0%)"]
– Passive skill.
– You now unintentionally sound wise when being completely practical.
– Cultivation-seeking individuals may misinterpret all your actions as profound.
– Bonus: +5% chance others perceive chickens as your spirit beasts.
Ash nearly choked on his tea.
---
Perception Experiment #1
While Fei Yun muttered about "learning the Dao of the hoe," Ash stepped into the shade of his shed, pulling out the half-broken mirror he kept behind his firewood.
He wanted to make real progress today.
Observation. Awareness.
He needed a skill to understand others better. Not to spy, but to compare—to see how far he was behind or ahead. Something like Inspection.
But how?
He stared at his own reflection.
Focused.
Eyes into eyes.
"See yourself clearly," he whispered. "Then, see others."
He narrowed his vision.
He widened it.
He watched breath, posture, minute twitches. Patterns.
Then, he heard it.
Fei Yun behind him tripped into the field with a yelp.
Reflexively, Ash twisted—
And in that snap second, everything slowed.
Her fall, the arc of dirt, the wobble in her elbow.
Time resumed.
She landed safely—barely.
Ash exhaled.
> [Skill Created: "Tactile Awareness (Seed Grade)"]
– Heightened sensitivity to movement, balance, and microreactions within close range.
– Limited to visual and bodily perception only.
– Prerequisite to inspection-type skills.
– Evolves with constant observation and situational awareness.
Ash blinked. He felt… sharper.
The world wasn't louder. Just clearer.
And the chicken now looked 3% more smug than usual.
---
Fei Yun's Enlightenment
Ash found Fei Yun with three weeds in her hand and mud on her face.
"I have felt it," she said solemnly, holding up a worm. "The earth pulses with life. The weeds cling like regrets. The roots struggle like ambition—gripping tightly to things they don't need."
"…You fell into a ditch, didn't you?"
She nodded, proudly. "Three times."
Ash didn't laugh.
Barely.
> [Tactile Awareness +2%]
[Masterful Misunderstanding +1%]
---
Evening Insight
Ash cooked stew.
Fei Yun meditated beside the fire, occasionally glancing at him like he was about to recite the secrets of immortality between chopping carrots.
He opened his panel.
---
Skill Orchard – User: Ash
Skill Seeds Planted:
Stubborn Hoe Strike (1%)
Enduring Labor (5%)
Fiery Tempered Gut (2%)
Unshakable Stance (4%)
Tendons of Earth (3%)
Tactile Awareness (1%)
Masterful Misunderstanding (1%)
Insight Panel: 17% unlocked
– A deeper understanding of others begins with silent perception.
---
Fei Yun finally asked, "Master... what cultivation stage are you at?"
Ash stirred his soup. "Mildly sore."
She blinked. "...That's... beyond my understanding."
He nodded solemnly. "It usually is."
> [Masterful Misunderstanding +1%]
[Fiery Tempered Gut +1% (due to overly spiced soup)]
[Fei Yun's Respect: Unreasonably High]
Ash chewed slowly.
He'd set out to grow turnips and maybe a stronger back.
Now he had a student, a mildly sentient chicken, and people calling him "master."
Was this cultivation?
He didn't know.
But it was kind of hilarious.
And oddly satisfying.
---
End of Chapter 5