C1 Universal Labyrinth, Immortal Cultivation Interface Activated
Ke Dong, lost in unconsciousness, was roused by an icy voice.
"The national maze is now open. Navigate its twists and turns to earn various rewards, but be wary of the dangers that lurk within."
"Players are advised to commence their exploration promptly to avoid falling behind."
"A gentle reminder: With the maze's opening, fate will determine life or death. I wish you all the best of luck."
What maze?
Where am I?
With confusion clouding his thoughts, Ke Dong rose to his feet and took in his surroundings—a sealed room with four walls, each featuring a door that seemed to lead to additional rooms. His initial instinct was to open a door.
Yet, as his hand reached for the doorknob, he paused, the chilling warning echoing in his mind.
The maze promised rewards but also concealed perils.
If that voice spoke the truth, opening the door could lead to fortune or folly—there was no way to be sure.
With caution, Ke Dong withdrew his hand, unwilling to gamble recklessly.
He scanned the stark room—no food, no water, not even a pebble. If he didn't act fast, he'd perish from thirst.
Resolved, he knew he must decide swiftly. His energy was still high, better to face danger now than succumb to a slow demise.
Once more, Ke Dong's hand found the doorknob, his resolve to open it faltering yet again.
Four doors—how to choose?
A wrong choice could mean no second chances.
His hand retreated, and doubt crept in once more.
Hesitation was a natural response to the unknown.
But after a brief ten seconds, Ke Dong gripped the doorknob a third time. A decision was inevitable—why not be bold and take the leap?
Life and death were in the hands of fate.
With a deep breath, Ke Dong turned the knob and thrust the door open, revealing another room.
As he stepped through, a transparent screen materialized before him, displaying several lines of text.
Data Cultivation Interface:
Name: Ke Dong
Status: Healthy
Realm: Mortal
Experience: 0/100 (Next Realm: Qi Refining Stage, First Layer)
Cultivation Technique: None
Secret Scrolls: None
Miscellaneous Knowledge: None
Backpack: Newbie Gift Pack
Ke Dong vigorously rubbed his eyes, fixating on those top few words again and again: Data Cultivation Interface!
It was truly about cultivating!
Could this be the reward for entering the room?
What an incredible surprise!
Having read his fair share of web novels, Ke Dong was somewhat familiar with such scenarios. Without hesitation, he inwardly commanded: Open the Newbie Gift Pack.
The screen before him swiftly changed to display a backpack interface. A package opened, revealing two items inside: a marrow cleansing pill and a cultivation technique called the Immortal Ascension Formula.
Ke Dong's excitement surged anew. These items couldn't have come at a better time.
The marrow cleansing pill needed no introduction. It was known to cleanse the marrow and bones, enhance one's physique, and could even alter one's innate talent for cultivation—a fact well-known to any reader of cultivation novels.
The Cultivation Technique: Immortal Ascension Formula was clearly a method of cultivation, perfectly suited for a newcomer like Ke Dong.
Without a moment's hesitation, he consumed the marrow cleansing pill. A wave of coolness washed over him, filling his body with strength and sharpening his senses. His vision, in particular, improved dramatically. Now, he could discern the intricate patterns on the wall several meters away with crystal clarity, as if through a magnifying glass.
After the effects of the marrow cleansing pill had worn off, Ke Dong accessed the Immortal Ascension Formula. A rush of unfamiliar memories flooded his mind, the details of the technique etching themselves into his memory—indelible for a lifetime.
Of course, simply memorizing the Immortal Ascension Formula didn't mean Ke Dong could immediately begin cultivating. He still needed to figure out how to get started.
Re-examining the Data Cultivation Interface yielded no further insights, so Ke Dong set it aside for the moment and stepped further into the room to explore. In the center, he discovered a table with a single white pill resting atop it, emitting a delicate fragrance that was inexplicably soothing.
Could it be that the data cultivation interface wasn't the actual reward for entering this room, but rather this pill was?
As Ke Dong picked up the pill, a prompt appeared before him: Would you like to add the Spirit Gathering Pill to your backpack?
Yes!
In the next moment, the white pill was in his backpack, and Ke Dong could see its description.
Spirit Gathering Pill: Grade One, grants a small amount of experience.
The note was succinct and impactful, sending Ke Dong's pulse racing.
Experience points!
Without a second thought, he took the Spirit Gathering Pill and swallowed it. A chill spread through his body, and upon checking the interface again, the experience bar read: 200/100 (click to level up).
Level up!
Ke Dong felt an immediate transformation; his body was stronger than before, and a refreshing coolness circulated within him, reinforcing his strength with each pass.
Is this the allure of cultivation?
Checking the interface once more, he saw his status had shifted from mortal to the Qi Refining Stage First Layer, confirming his entry into the ranks of cultivators.
After steadying his excitement, Ke Dong remembered he was still in the labyrinth. His attention shifted to the three remaining doors. What greater fortunes might lie beyond them?
Now at the Qi Refining Stage First Layer, Ke Dong was brimming with confidence. Though unsure of his new-found strength, he felt ready to take on a fierce tiger.
Without hesitation, he approached the door ahead, opened it, and discovered another room with a table at its center, upon which lay a dark iron block and a slim, thread-bound book.
Drawing on his experience, Ke Dong bypassed examining the items, simply stowing them in his backpack and reading their descriptions.
Cold Iron: An iron ore imbued with a frigid essence, suitable for crafting magical weapons.
Truth of Weapon Refining: Upon use, one gains insight into the art of weapon forging and receives a random blueprint for crafting a magical weapon.
Ke Dong couldn't help but smile at the serendipity of the two items. Without further ado, he used the Truth of Weapon Refining. Glancing back at the interface, the miscellaneous knowledge section now displayed:
Apprentice Weapon Refiner, Experience: 0/100.
Additionally, there was a new blueprint in his backpack: the Coldsteel Sword. Upon using it, one would master the art of crafting a Coldsteel Sword.
With a simple click, a flood of knowledge rushed into Ke Dong's mind, imprinting the method to forge the Coldsteel Sword.
To create a Coldsteel Sword, one piece of Coldsteel is required. Proceed with the forging?
Yes!
Ke Dong didn't have to lift a finger; a mere tap was enough for the data cultivation interface to take care of everything, and a Coldsteel Sword materialized in his backpack.
He drew the Coldsteel Sword, its touch icy, yet surprisingly light. The hilt measured 25 centimeters, the blade 80 centimeters, its edge gleaming with a chilling light that hinted at danger.
Ke Dong's eyes settled on the stone table in the room, solid and sturdy. But when he brought the sword down upon it, the table split as if it were mere foam, leaving Ke Dong in awe of the sword's might.
Was the Coldsteel Sword really this formidable?
Having gained so much from just two rooms, what wonders would the third room hold?
Without a moment's hesitation, Ke Dong randomly selected one of the three remaining doors and flung it open, only to be met with a thunderous roar.
A tiger, nearly three meters in length, fixed Ke Dong with a stare, its eyes ablaze with lethal intent, clearly seeing him as its next meal.
After three doors, danger had finally presented itself to Ke Dong.
But truth be told, Ke Dong was far from panicked. Now a cultivator, should he fear a mere tiger?
Clutching the Coldsteel Sword firmly, Ke Dong crouched low, ready to prove the true worth of his newfound power.
