*Cultivation in this world is rather standard. To cultivate, you need a spirit root. Spirit roots are divided into five, with one spirit root being the best and five the worst. If you have a spirit root, you can then start to gather Qi and channel it through energy pathways in your body—known as meridians—into your dantian and refine it. This is the first realm, known as Qi Refining. Afterwards comes Foundation Establishment, where you merge your Qi with your body and stabilize your dantian. Beyond that lie the Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Divinity Transformation, Void Refinement, and finally, Dao Integration. All these realms are further divided into nine minor realms, classified as 1-3 (early), 4-6 (mid), 7-8 (late), and 9 (peak). After reaching peak, you face tribulation and can progress to the next major realm. Additionally, you can have spirit root attributes as well as special physiques.
In my case, I have a four-spirit root and am about to step into the second level of Qi Refining—ordinary, in other words. In this world, you are considered non-existent if you are not a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Once you reach Foundation Establishment, you can start a Foundation Establishment family. The Bai Clan has three: Bai Haotian, the patriarch (mid-stage); Bai Qinghe, his brother (also mid-stage but weaker than Bai Haotian); and finally, the Grand Elder (early-stage, though his lifespan is coming to an end soon).
The Bai Clan lacks an ancestor overseeing it, which has contributed to its decline. However, there is a future prospect: Bai Xueyi, the patriarch's daughter. She has a three-spirit root with the ice attribute. She will most likely reach Foundation Establishment but could even aim for Golden Core. Currently, she is at the 3rd level of Qi Refining (early-stage), and she is two years younger than me—making the difference evident.
Centuries ago, the Bai Clan had a Golden Core ancestor. During that time, Azure Mist was able to become a major city, but after his demise, both the clan and the city declined.
To cultivate faster, you need spirit stones. To be a Foundation Establishment family, you'd need a level-two spirit vein, which produces spirit stones. Spirit veins are also divided into five levels (one being the worst, five the best) and further classified as low, mid, or high. The Bai Clan has a level-two mid-stage spirit vein, while the other three families only have low-stage ones.
In the Bai Clan, ordinary members like me only receive two spirit stones a month, while someone like Bai Xueyi can get as many as they want. Spirit stones are also used as currency.*
———
It had already become night. Bai Zhen, having found out what he needed, decided to leave for his quarters. He walked out through the grand hall toward an unimpressive part of the mansion—where all the ordinary members' quarters were situated. The quarters were small and cramped. Bai Zhen kept walking past one after another until he reached his own.
Upon entering, he was reminded of his apartment on Earth—though there, it had been his choice to live like that. Here, he had no other option. Bai Zhen climbed onto his bed and sat cross-legged.
*"Here goes nothing. Let's try it out."*
Bai Zhen cultivated for the first time. He had some idea of Qi gathering through the original Bai Zhen's memories, but he was excited to try it himself. He sat quietly, trying to sense Qi. After a few breaths, he started to feel something entering his body—something refreshing. He quickly recalled the manual and began channeling this energy through his body.
The refreshing feeling suddenly turned into pain as he tried to open his meridians through circulation. It was evident now why cultivation was considered hard.
But Bai Zhen was no ordinary individual. Even on Earth, he had no equal. No task was difficult for him. He lived in a cramped apartment, yet all his bank accounts overflowed. He never dealt with interest when it came to money—just to make things slightly challenging. Despite his young age, he was unmatched. And now, he could cultivate.
*"Hahahahah! This is… this is fun!!! TIANXU, GET READY—I'M COMING! EVEN THE HEAVENS THEMSELVES CAN'T STOP ME! I SHALL CARVE OUT A PATH NOBODY HAS SEEN BEFORE!!!!!"*
Bai Zhen proclaimed, overjoyed—but quickly regained his composure. Suddenly, he remembered the two spirit stones the original Bai Zhen had received for the month. He searched his robes and pulled them out from his pocket. There was about one-and-a-half spirit stones left.
He held the half stone in his hands and began absorbing it. Bai Zhen was surprised at the density of the Qi flowing in, but the stone quickly depleted. Regardless, the progress was tenfold. He then absorbed the full stone as well.
This made it evident to Bai Zhen that he would need *a lot* of spirit stones if he were to cultivate efficiently with his four-spirit root. He did not sleep that night—instead, he cultivated until morning.
*"Hmm… Despite consuming the spirit stones and cultivating the entire night, the progress was minimal. And I won't get any more stones for the next twenty days."*
———
Bai Zhen finished his work as quickly as possible and then ventured outside into the city. He hoped to familiarize himself with the area and find a way to acquire more spirit stones. After walking around, he finally reached the market.
*"So this is the Mist Market."*
The original Bai Zhen rarely left the mansion and had never been to the market. The sight was truly breathtaking—shrouded in mist from the Eastern Spiritual Sea, the market was extremely crowded. Due to Azure Mist City's proximity to the Verdant Veil, the Mist Market was the largest non-major-city market in the entire Yunhai Province. Even though the city had degraded from a major to a minor one, the market had only grown.
Bai Zhen slowly walked through, crossing stalls and shops, his gaze taking in the grandeur while searching for opportunities. He had no luck—everything required spirit stones—but he did learn one thing: he could sell items at the market to earn them.
Having explored the city all day, he returned to the mansion. As he walked through the grand hall, he heard noise coming from the training hall. Curious, he decided to take a look.
The hall was crowded, filled with loud cheering. He took a seat like the others, his gaze immediately locking onto the figure standing in the center of the platform—a girl younger than himself, her white hair flowing, a sword in hand, her opponent unconscious.
*"Who is she, and what's happening?"* Bai Zhen asked the boy beside him.
*"You don't know? That's Bai Xueyi, the patriarch's daughter! This is a competition to determine who will fight in the Azure Ocean Sect's recruitment trial. The winner becomes a disciple."*
Bai Zhen quickly recalled what he had read earlier.
*"Right—the Azure Ocean Sect holds a competition every five years in minor cities to recruit only one disciple. One will be held here in two months."*
As Bai Zhen pondered, Bai Xueyi's next opponent stepped up. The fight began—and in a single strike, it ended. Bai Xueyi moved with unmatched grace, her eyes deep as the ocean.
To say Bai Zhen was surprised would be an understatement. He had just witnessed true power. This girl was two years younger than him, yet she could kill effortlessly. He was impressed—but more importantly, calculating. With talents like her around, and with his own mediocre spirit root, he would need a miracle to rise to the top as he had on Earth.
Patience alone wouldn't reward him—he needed a plan.
Bai Xueyi had been selected. She would compete in two months. Bai Zhen, however, had already left for his quarters. He sat on his bed, deep in thought, trying to figure out how to acquire more spirit stones.
Then, it clicked.
*"Clan tasks. Yes—I could do those."*
Clan tasks were missions issued by the clan, rewarding merit points upon completion, which could later be traded for spirit stones. The original Bai Zhen had never done them, too scared to leave the city. The tasks usually involved gathering herbs, hunting beasts for their skins, organs, or—for higher-level beasts—their cores.
Bai Zhen cultivated the entire night again. The next day, after completing his duties, he searched his quarters for his sword and headed for the hall where tasks were posted…