Wujin Ji had plenty of free time outside of his mentorship with Liuyan Xue.
As such, he decided to familiarize himself with the inner sect.
Strolling down from his cave dwelling he felt a breeze from a gust of wind, his cave was situated pretty high up to meet his demand of being secluded.
He moved his way down the grassy mountain and passed by many such dwellings.
Wujin Ji hasn't been able to truly enjoy or take in the sights due to the constant interruptions or training.
Being able to take in the majestic atmosphere that was this mountain had him feel a tranquil peace in his heart.
"I'm really in this world.."
For the first time, he had been able to take in his situation and calmly accepted it in his heart.
Before, he was doing everything he could to survive, but this quiet peace was nice and he took it in while he could.
After a brief walk down winding stone paths, he made it towards a large center of the mountain that was filled with merchants.
The trading plaza was a massive circular courtyard paved with smooth granite, surrounded by tiered buildings that rose like steps up the mountainside.
Colorful banners fluttered in the breeze, each bearing the sigils of different merchant guilds and allied sects.
He had read in his basic information that they outsourced merchants to trade within both the outer and inner sect.
This was a deal that the sect had with other sects within their alliance, allowing them to maintain their own trading networks while sharing resources.
This didn't stop disciples from setting up stalls however, but it was much more cost effective to sell to these merchants instead.
The fee for the space was quite high! A single day's rent could cost more than most inner sect disciples earned in a month.
Wujin Ji didn't feel any type of desire to check out any of these stalls. He was flat broke!
He had windfall after windfall thrown at his pocket but he declined it each time.
He didn't understand too much himself but he felt an extreme aversion towards spirit stones that transcended the foundation problem..
"Sir! Sir! Would you like to buy a talisman?" A merchant shouted towards Wujin Ji and he didn't even spare him a glance and simply walked away.
"Through modern advertising, I know that speaking to these people will be never ending until I buy something.." Wujin Ji felt happy that he had experience dealing with this.
The merchant was furious.
"Clearly this fellow is a new inner sect disciple, and he dares to ignore me?!"
The merchant vowed to himself to use his connections to teach this arrogant kid a lesson!
Wujin Ji began to further explore the inner sect, following cobblestone pathways that branched off in different directions like the veins of a leaf.
He found many buildings that were of interest, each constructed from different materials that seemed to reflect their purpose.
There was a building solely for missions, its walls made of dark obsidian with silver inscriptions that glowed faintly, where you would receive the rewards as well as the missions themselves.
There were buildings for entertainment with colorful facades and the sound of music drifting through open windows, spirit food restaurants that filled the air with exotic aromas, there was even an art gallery with delicate sculptures displayed in crystal cases!
Wujin Ji was actually surprised with how many buildings there were that seemed to have nothing to do with cultivation!
"Well.. this is for the best. In the novels they never had such a variety of entertainment outlets, this should help with the development of heart demons.."
Wujin Ji left the entertainment district, passing through an archway decorated with intricate carvings of mythical beasts, and browsed the professions.
Indeed, there were a ton of choices here too!
There were buildings for formations with geometric patterns etched into their walls that seemed to shift when viewed from different angles, theoretic scriptures housed in a massive library with towering shelves that reached toward vaulted ceilings, and a small area for people to learn pill refining where the air was thick with the scent of medicinal herbs and the sound of gentle flames.
And the craziest part, everywhere he went was filled with inner sect disciples!
Only now did Wujin Ji understand just how big the sect was..
This was just one peak and one section and there were this many people!
As Wujin Ji was walking towards the next area, he was stopped.
Somebody grabbed his shoulder.
"Junior, don't you think it's a bit rude to ignore others?"
"What do you mean? I was just about to go check out the scripture pavilion and the artifact center.." Wujin Ji was confused, he didn't think he even had enough time to offend anyone!
"Huh? You wronged my brother here, didn't you?" the sect member said as he brought forth the merchant from a short while ago who was glaring at Wujin Ji.
"Oh come on, just because I didn't buy your items? Do you truly have this much time on your hands?" Wujin Ji was shocked. Was it this easy to wrong someone in this world?
"Have some respect, you're courting death!" The sect member shouted back, angrily.
"No way, you said the thing!" Wujin Ji began to laugh madly.
The sect member was dumbfounded and looked at the merchant and then back at Wujin Ji.
"Is his brain okay?" The sect member said and the merchant just shrugged.
"Enough laughing! I Ye Xiao challenge you at the life and death arena! You have five days!" The man now known as Ye Xia shouted and stomped off with the merchant.
"I guess I have to fight at this arena now? This is so classic.." Wujin Ji felt nostalgic, this was such a classic setup!
"Though unlike those disciples who need time to quickly improve, I could have ended him here and now. Oh well.." Wujin Ji sighed as he entered a large tower.
This was the scripture pavilion!
The tower rose majestically into the sky, its white marble walls carved with ancient symbols that seemed to pulse with inner light.
Wujin Ji stepped forward and was met with a core disciple who was stationed at the front of the entrance, his robes pristine and his bearing dignified.
"Coming to rent?" The core disciple asked.
"Ah yes, this is my first time here." Wujin Ji explained.
"Oh I see. You will get the choice of picking one free technique from the lower level then." The core disciple said as he allowed Wujin Ji to enter.
In front of Wujin Ji were rows upon rows of bookshelves stocked with different techniques.
There was signs at each row with a simple labeling of what each shelf was for.
"Qi Blasts.. Body techniques.. affinity improvement.. languages.." Wujin Ji read and then thought to himself.
What he was truly lacking was an actual battle technique that he could use!
While his swordplay seemed to grow at a fast pace, it was hard to utilize against opponents stronger than him.
He thought back to the novels he read where each protagonist could use their sword power to cross realms!
How unrealistic.. they didn't have a powerful body or the agility to match the strength!
They would just die!
As Wujin Ji was walking he noticed one of the shelves had qi manipulation.
"This shows promise.."
If he had a powerful qi manipulation technique, not only would he be able to use the sword from a distance, but he could attempt sword flight!
After a while of looking through these techniques, he had to choose between two.
"Mystic Qi Arts, or Qi Manipulation Foundation.." Wujin Ji mused to himself.
"I would typically choose this foundation technique.. I feel like going against the grain today!" Wujin Ji put the Foundation technique back and kept the Mystic Qi Arts.
He opened the technique and read the opening words.
"To manipulate Qi is to manipulate life. This technique will teach you not only how to manipulate Qi with perfect precision, but how to look stylish while doing it!" Wujin Ji immediately put the book back.
"Never mind.. foundation technique it is.." Wujin Ji sighed.
This is why he never tried new things!
Wujin Ji grabbed the Qi Manipulation Foundation technique and flipped through its weathered pages.
The leather binding was cracked with age, and the paper had yellowed at the edges from countless disciples studying its contents.
"Now this is more like it.." he muttered as he read the introduction.
The technique was straightforward and practical. It focused on basic qi control, circulation patterns, and fundamental manipulation principles.
No fancy descriptions about looking stylish or transcending mortal limitations.
Just solid, reliable techniques that would actually help him in combat.
The diagrams were simple but clear, showing qi pathways through the meridians with precise annotations.
"Perfect." Wujin Ji nodded to himself and approached the core disciple at the entrance.
"I'll take this one." He said, holding up the Qi Manipulation Foundation manual.
The core disciple glanced at the technique and nodded approvingly.
"Good choice. Many disciples go for the flashier techniques and end up regretting it later. This one will serve you well."
Wujin Ji felt a small sense of validation at the disciple's words.
Maybe he wasn't being overly cautious after all.
"Thank you, senior." Wujin Ji bowed slightly and made his way out of the scripture pavilion.
As he stepped back into the bustling inner sect, he couldn't help but think about the upcoming arena match.
Five days to prepare for a life and death battle.
In most cultivation novels, this would be the perfect setup for a dramatic power-up montage.
The protagonist would discover some ancient technique, breakthrough multiple realms, and then utterly dominate their opponent.
But Wujin Ji wasn't most protagonists.
He was just a guy trying to survive in a world that seemed determined to kill him.
But, his foundation was truly deep.
"Good thing I have a technique now!" he thought as he made his way toward the artifact center.
The building was massive, easily three times the size of the scripture pavilion, its obsidian walls gleaming in the afternoon light.
Inside, rows of weapons, armor, and various cultivation tools were displayed on ornate pedestals carved from spirit jade.
Each item had a small plaque describing its properties and price, written in elegant calligraphy that seemed to shimmer slightly.
Wujin Ji's eyes immediately went to the prices.
"Ten thousand spirit stones for a basic sword?!" He nearly choked.
Even the simplest cultivation tools were astronomically expensive.
No wonder most disciples had to rely on sect-provided equipment.
As he wandered through the displays, he noticed something interesting.
There was a section dedicated to "damaged" or "imperfect" items, tucked away in a dimly lit corner.
These were significantly cheaper, often only a few hundred spirit stones, their pedestals made of simple stone rather than spirit jade.
"Now this is more my speed.." Wujin Ji muttered as he examined a chipped sword.
The blade had several nicks along its edge and the hilt was slightly loose, but it still held a faint spiritual aura.
The steel was cold to the touch, and he could feel the residual qi that had once flowed through it.
And more importantly, it was affordable.
Well, it would be if he had any spirit stones.
"Maybe I should reconsider my stance on money.." he thought ruefully.
But the aversion was still there, deep in his bones.
Something about spirit stones just felt wrong to him.
He couldn't explain it, but he trusted his instincts.
They had kept him alive this far.
As he was about to leave the artifact center, he overheard a conversation between two disciples near a display of defensive talismans.
"Did you hear about the new guy who challenged Ye Xiao?" One of them asked, his voice carrying the distinctive accent of someone from the northern territories.
"Yeah, some junior who ignored his merchant friend. Pretty stupid if you ask me." The other replied, adjusting his sect robes.
"Ye Xiao is in the late Foundation stage. That junior doesn't stand a chance."
Wujin Ji's ears perked up at this information.
Late Foundation stage?
That was actually quite strong for an inner sect disciple.
Most inner sect members were in the early to mid Foundation stage.
Ye Xiao being in the late stage meant he was close to breaking through to Core Formation.
"Interesting.." Wujin Ji thought as he left the artifact center.
The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the mountain peak and painting the clouds in shades of gold and crimson.
He had learned quite a bit about the inner sect today.
The scale of the organization, the various facilities available, and most importantly, the level of his upcoming opponent.
Five days to prepare for a late Foundation stage cultivator.
It wasn't impossible, but it would definitely be challenging.
As he made his way back up the mountain toward his cave dwelling, the path winding through ancient pine trees that whispered in the evening breeze, Wujin Ji couldn't help but feel a strange sense of anticipation.
This was exactly the kind of situation that would drive most people to panic.
But for some reason, he felt almost excited.
Maybe it was the novelty of the situation.
Or maybe it was because he finally had a clear goal to work toward.
Either way, he was looking forward to the next five days.
He had a technique to learn, an opponent to prepare for, and a life and death battle to survive.
"Let's see what I can accomplish.." he muttered as he reached his cave dwelling, the entrance carved into the mountainside like a natural alcove.
---
The next morning, Wujin Ji found himself standing outside Liuyan Xue's cultivation chamber, the morning mist still clinging to the mountain paths.
He knocked gently on the wooden door, and moments later it opened to reveal Liuyan Xue, her dark hair slightly tousled from meditation.
"Senior Wujin!" she said, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "I've been practicing the foundation principles you taught me yesterday!"
"Good," Wujin Ji said with a nod. "Show me what you've learned."
Liuyan Xue led him to a small clearing behind her chamber where she had set up several practice targets made of spirit wood.
She took a deep breath and began circulating qi through her meridians, focusing on the foundation techniques Wujin Ji had taught her.
The qi flowed smoothly, following the precise pathways that maximized efficiency and stability.
Each blast was perfectly controlled, hitting exactly where she intended with minimal waste of energy.
"Excellent," Wujin Ji said approvingly. "Your foundation is becoming more solid. But I want to show you something more fundamental."
He stepped forward and placed his hand on one of the targets.
"Watch closely.." he said, and began circulating his own qi.
But instead of a powerful blast, the qi formed a steady, controlled flow that seemed to resonate with the natural structure of the spirit wood.
The target didn't just break—it split cleanly along its natural grain, showing perfect understanding of the material's structure.
Liuyan Xue's eyes widened in amazement.
"How... how did you do that?" she asked.
"Foundation!" Wujin Ji explained. "Every technique, every material, every action has a foundation. If you understand the foundation, you can achieve effects that seem impossible."
He gestured to another target. "Try it yourself. Focus not just on the qi flow, but on understanding the material itself. Feel its natural structure."
Liuyan Xue nodded and approached the target, placing her hand on it.
She closed her eyes and focused, trying to sense the natural structure of the spirit wood.
It took several attempts, but eventually she felt it. A subtle pattern that seemed to pulse through the material.
She matched her qi to that pattern and released it.
The target split along its grain, showing she was beginning to understand.
"Good!" Wujin Ji said. "You're beginning to understand. This is the difference between brute force and true mastery."
For the next hour, they practiced various foundation techniques, each one building on the fundamental principles Wujin Ji had taught her.
By the end of the session, Liuyan Xue was exhausted but exhilarated.
"Senior Wujin.." she said as they prepared to part ways, "I feel like I'm learning something completely different from what other disciples study."
"You are." Wujin Ji replied. "Most cultivators focus on power. We focus on foundation. Power without foundation is like a house built on sand, it looks impressive but will collapse under pressure. I've told you this before."
Liuyan Xue nodded thoughtfully.
"Thank you for today's lesson." she said, bowing deeply.
"You're welcome." Wujin Ji replied. "Remember what we discussed. Foundation is the foundation of everything."
As Liuyan Xue returned to her chamber, Wujin Ji made his way back to his cave dwelling.
The sun was high in the sky now, casting sharp shadows across the mountain paths.
He had five days to prepare for his battle with Ye Xiao, and he intended to use every moment wisely.
Back in his cave, Wujin Ji settled onto his meditation mat and pulled out several ancient texts on body cultivation.
The Qi Manipulation Foundation technique was good, but he needed something more.
Something that would give him an edge against a late Foundation stage cultivator.
He opened the first text, its pages brittle with age, and began reading about advanced body tempering techniques.
The text described methods for strengthening not just the muscles and bones, but the very essence of the body itself.
It spoke of techniques that could enhance the body's natural regeneration, improve its resistance to damage, and even increase its capacity to store and channel qi.
Wujin Ji's eyes gleamed as he read.
This was exactly what he needed.
The techniques described were complex and dangerous, requiring precise timing and careful execution.
But if he could master them, he would have a significant advantage in his upcoming battle.
He spent the rest of the day studying the texts, taking notes and practicing the basic principles.
By evening, he had a solid understanding of the techniques and was ready to begin implementing them.
As the sun set behind the mountains, Wujin Ji sat in meditation, circulating qi through his body according to the new techniques he had learned.
He could feel his body responding, growing stronger and more resilient with each cycle.
The foundation he had built over the past months was paying off—his body was already so strong that it could handle the advanced techniques without risk of damage.
"Five days.." he murmured to himself. "Five days to master these techniques and prepare for battle."
He opened his eyes and looked out at the darkening sky.
Initially he thought he wouldn't have to follow the cliche path of becoming strong enough with the allotted time, but it seems he would have to.
Wujin Ji sighed as he gazed further at the sky.
The stars were beginning to appear, twinkling like distant beacons in the vast expanse of space.
Wujin Ji felt a sense of determination settle over him.
He would definitely not lose this battle.
Not when he had learned so much, and continued to discover more.
This world of cultivation was vast and mysterious, and he was only beginning to scratch the surface of its secrets.
With Liuyan Xue as his student and these new techniques at his disposal, he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
The night was quiet, the mountain peaceful.
"I should visit Chang tomorrow, he probably has some techniques I can borrow." Wujin Ji ended the night with a smile as he decided he would rest for the remainder of the night.