C7 Cultivation Room

The Cultivation Room is the cornerstone of any sect, tapping directly into the earth's veins to allow martial artists to draw in Spiritual Energy and elevate their realm.

Yu Kun, however, was not like other martial artists. While they absorbed Spiritual Energy into their bodies, Yu Kun channeled it into the Leviathan-roc System. Lacking a Qi Sea, he was unable to cultivate in the traditional sense. His only means of advancement was to consume items imbued with Spiritual Energy.

Approaching the Cultivation Room, Yu Kun paused, taking in the imposing structure before him. For a moment, he was lost in thought. The room was an assemblage of countless box-like chambers, resembling a prison more than a place of spiritual growth. Despite not being particular about his surroundings during cultivation, the stark simplicity of the room caught him off guard.

Stepping forward, Yu Kun sensed a stir within the Leviathan-roc System. "The records were accurate! The Cultivation Room does connect to the earth's veins and is rich with Spiritual Energy. It seems even practicing at the periphery will yield benefits."

Glancing around, he noticed many Outer Sect disciples huddled nearby, harnessing the Spiritual Energy emanating from the room for their cultivation.

But Yu Kun was set apart from these disciples.

With a sweep of his sleeve, he strode confidently toward the Cultivation Room.

His actions didn't go unnoticed. A murmur rippled through the group of Outer Sect disciples.

"Isn't he from the Outer Sect? How can he dare to enter the Cultivation Room? It's punishable for one of us to do so!"

"I've heard he's made a breakthrough and is now a bona fide Elite Disciple, entitled to cultivate within the room."

Envy flickered across the face of another disciple. "We've reaped such rewards from just the residual Spiritual Energy here. Imagine the gains if we could step inside like him!"

"It's said there are four tiers to the Cultivation Room. Elite Disciples are limited to the Grade D rooms. Only those from the Inner Sect have access to Grades B and C."

"And what of the Grade A room?"

"Rumor has it that only Direct Disciples are granted entry to the esteemed Grade A Cultivation Room."

Listening to the envious chatter of the Outer Sect disciples, Yu Kun couldn't help but feel a touch of pride. To them, he had ascended to a pedestal far above.

"I shouldn't get carried away," he reminded himself. "What's the point of comparing myself to these Outer Sect disciples? With the Leviathan-roc System, I'm on track to become a Direct Disciple with ease! I need to stay humble."

With that thought, Yu Kun entered the Cultivation Room.

The room was shrouded in darkness, save for a few dim lights flickering in the corridor. As Yu Kun's eyes adjusted, he noted the countless rooms lining the long hallway, most of them locked tight.

Disciples came and went, sparing Yu Kun only fleeting glances before hurrying on their way. None paid him any real attention.

His minor fame had sprung from a scuffle with Chen Rui, and though now an Elite Disciple, he remained an unknown to the majority. Naturally, they wouldn't give him a second thought.

Dismissing these reflections, Yu Kun pressed on toward the corridor's end.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a disciple exiting a Cultivation Room, leaving it vacant. A surge of excitement propelled Yu Kun forward, eager to claim the space for himself.

But suddenly, a sense of danger washed over him, halting his steps. He scrutinized the disciple before him.

The dim light cast long shadows, but Yu Kun's enhanced vision from reaching the Qi Refining Stage allowed him to notice a striking resemblance between this person and Chen Rui.

Initially, he speculated this might be Chen Rui's father, but the age didn't match up. More likely, this was Chen Rui's cousin.

Narrowing his eyes, Yu Kun inquired, "Do you need something? If not, I'm off to cultivate."

"You're free to cultivate, of course, but..." The disciple paused, then asked deliberately, "Are you Yu Kun?"

"Yes, I am." Yu Kun straightened up and brushed off his sleeves, replying with conviction, "I am Yu Kun!"

The disciple's eyes sparkled with recognition upon Yu Kun's admission. "So it is you! What a coincidence. I thought I'd have to seek you out myself."

The disciple clenched his fist and looked down at Yu Kun with a dismissive air. "I'm Chen Feng. Chen Rui is my younger brother."

Yu Kun's realization was instantaneous.

"So Chen Rui couldn't beat me and went crying to his brother! What rotten luck to run into him here—he's an Inner Sect disciple!"

Yu Kun's face flickered between hope and despair as he pondered his next move.

He had bested Chen Feng, but whether he could take on Chen Rui was another matter entirely.

After all, he was merely an Elite Disciple with no experience in confronting someone from the Inner Sect.

Chen Rui seemed to pick up on Yu Kun's discomfort and let out a mocking laugh. "As an Inner Sect disciple, I'm above bullying the weak. Just hand over the Space Ring, return my brother's Spirit Stone, and kneel to apologize, and I'll let you off the hook. Otherwise..."

Chen Rui left the threat hanging, but his menacing tone said it all.

Yu Kun snapped back to reality.

"The Space Ring's been devoured by the Leviathan-roc System; it's part of the Leviathan-roc Space I use for storage now! I couldn't produce that ring even if I wanted to! And why should I? I've done nothing wrong—it was Chen Rui who provoked me to defend myself. If Chen Feng thinks he can push me around, he's got another thing coming!"

Yu Kun's resolve hardened as he clenched his fists tighter.

"With my Grade Four Great Vajra Palm, I'm not necessarily doomed to defeat!"

Without a trace of doubt, Yu Kun retorted, "I'm afraid I can't comply with your demands. Chen Rui got what was coming to him, and you can forget about getting that Space Ring."

At Yu Kun's refusal, Chen Feng's anger surged.

"How dare a lowly Elite Disciple like you defy me? You must have a death wish! Don't think the sect's rules will protect you—I'm an Inner Sect disciple. I could kill you right now, and with my family's influence, I'd walk away unpunished!"

Yu Kun cracked a smile and tightened his grip, replying confidently, "You seem sure of yourself. Well, let's not waste any more words. Bring it on. I'm eager to see what makes an Inner Sect disciple so formidable!"