C1 The Wind Is Blowing

In the vast expanse of the Rosefinch Continent, nestled within the borders of the Shu Kingdom, lay Phoenix Mountain. The wind swept over Ning Xiaofan, leaving his body tingling with numbness as he clutched a century-old ginseng in his grasp.

"Where am I?"

"Could this be the underworld? It doesn't seem right. Am I dead? Or am I not?"

He had been playing basketball on the university campus when, out of nowhere, a lab explosion rocked the school, sending half of it sky-high. He, a sports college student, was supposedly killed by the blast from the chemical lab.

What a travesty! How infuriating, how utterly tragic!

Could it be that he somehow survived the explosion? Amidst the chaos, he felt like a rocket, the sensation of weightlessness casting a series of ghostly images over his soul.

Was it possible he hadn't died but instead his soul had traveled through time and space?

Pain coursed through him, his head throbbing as if it were about to burst, like someone had packed his skull with firecrackers. Then, a memory flashed before him.

Ning Xiaofan, the Worker Disciple of Sky Burning Valley, was in the Outer Sect's Spirit Herb Garden. An Outer Sect Elder had found him as a child, and since he lacked a Spiritual Root, he was an unlikely candidate for their fire-based cultivation practices. By all accounts, they shouldn't have kept him.

The Spirit Herb Garden struggled due to the fiery spiritual energy, making it hard for the herbs to thrive and rendering the garden the least significant place in the Valley.

If not for the elder who had found him, Sky Burning Valley would have turned him away. Instead, he was left in the garden to serve as a Worker Disciple.

The garden required minimal upkeep, with chores that took just two days each month to complete. With his free time, Ning Xiaofan ventured into the Hundred Thousand Mountains to gather Spirit Herbs, offsetting the cost of the Spirit Stones needed for his cultivation.

Lacking a Spiritual Root, his progress in cultivation was painstakingly slow. Despite his efforts, only a trace amount of Spiritual Energy remained within him. At this rate, he knew he'd never reach the Energy Refining Stage in his lifetime.

The label of "worthless" had already spread like wildfire throughout Sky Burning Valley, to the point where the Spirit Herb Garden had been mockingly dubbed a haven for rejects.

Just yesterday, Ning Xiaofan was near Phoenix Mountain when he spotted a red sparrow. Its feathers were a kaleidoscope of colors, shimmering with a tri-color spiritual glow as it took flight. Entranced by its beauty, he lingered a moment longer and that's when he caught sight of a red ginseng seed perched precariously on the cliffside.

The seed radiated a brilliant spiritual light. At first glance, he mistook it for a five-leaf ginseng, but upon closer inspection, he realized that insects had devoured one leaf, revealing it to be a rare six-leaf specimen.

Six-leaf ginsengs were exceedingly rare, with a century-old one being considered a ginseng king. Such a treasure could fetch at least a hundred Spirit Stones on the market. For a Worker Disciple like himself, those stones could secure a comfortable life.

It took Ning Xiaofan half a day to scale the cliff and reach the ginseng, and another half to carefully clear the surrounding earth. But as he was about to reap the fruits of his labor, an ominous wind hissed behind him.

Sensing imminent danger, Ning Xiaofan clutched the ginseng and plunged off the cliff. The cliff face was riddled with vines and an ancient tree that broke his fall, sparing his body from being shattered.

Why was his head throbbing so fiercely? As blood dripped onto the large coin around his neck, waves of dizziness washed over him once more.

Damn it, he thought. I've barely arrived in this world, and now I'm on the brink of death again? Talk about bad luck.

The ancient coin flashed with a spectrum of seven colors, which surged into Ning Xiaofan's body all at once.

"Ding dong! Congratulations, you have acquired the Immortal Cultivation System. Would you like to activate the system?"

A system? What on earth?

"Apologies, I am the Immortal Cultivation System, not a ghost," the voice responded, its tone oddly mechanical. Was it synthesized? It lacked any hint of emotion.

Immortal Cultivation System? What capabilities does this system have?

"The Immortal Cultivation System is designed to assist you on your journey to Immortal Cultivation, to aid in your ascension to the Immortal Realm, and to transform you into a true Immortal."

An immortal stroke of luck? Have I truly stumbled upon a treasure?

Ning Xiaofan's heart raced as he listened to the Immortal Cultivation System's introduction. "Activate the system!" he commanded.

"Ding dong! Congratulations, Master! The Immortal Cultivation System is now active, and your Cultivation Point balance is zero."

"Ding! Congratulations, Master! For the initial activation of the system, you've been awarded 10 Cultivation Points."

"Ding! Congratulations, Master! For the first-time activation, you've received the Energy Refining Divine Technique."

"Ding! Congratulations, Master! The Immortal Cultivation System has issued your first mission: Complete a Spirit Herb collection."

Cultivation Points?

"Cultivation Points can be used to elevate your cultivation level. One Cultivation Point can be exchanged for a 10% increase in experience. They are incredibly valuable and can also be used in a lottery to win Spiritual Talismans, ancient texts, Magic Artifacts, and other cultivation materials.

Cultivation Points can be earned through Merit, Charm, Skill, Cultivation, and Reputation Points. Every 10 points in any category can be converted into one Cultivation Point."

"Big brother, check it out, that kid's over there."

"A hundred-year-old ginseng, haha, we're about to strike it rich!"

From a distance, Ning Xiaofan heard the two men's conversation and looked up to see two figures dashing towards him.

One was an Outer Sect Disciple, and the other a Worker Disciple; they were brothers by blood.

The Wang brothers were just passing by Phoenix Mountain when they spotted Ning Xiaofan harvesting ginseng on a sheer cliff and plotted to rob and kill him for it.

As a mere Worker Disciple of Sky Burning Valley, his death would go unnoticed. If not for the passing of Elder Wu, who had once saved him, he wouldn't be in such dire straits, practically invisible within the sect. His heart lurched upon recognizing the Wang brothers – they were the assassins behind this plot!

For now, he'd have to set aside the "Energy Refining Divine Technique" – survival was the priority.

Ning Xiaofan was fraught with urgency. The Immortal Cultivation System hadn't granted him any special abilities. It seemed his only hope lay in the luck of the draw. Perhaps he'd win an elixir or divine medicine, and instantly ascend to the status of a terrestrial deity.

"System, initiate the lottery draw."

"Master, shall we activate the lottery system?"

"Yes, activate it—quickly, now!"

Ning Xiaofan envisioned a massive wheel within his mind, adorned with various items like Spiritual Talismans, ancient tomes, medicine pills, Magic Artifacts, and unique refining materials, although their names remained elusive.

"Drawing the lottery will cost one Cultivation Point. Do you wish to proceed?"

"Confirm."

A single Cultivation Point represented a full ten percent of his level—such extravagance.

"Lottery system engaging. Three, two, one, begin."

The colossal wheel started to turn, its motion accompanied by a beam of light dancing over the items.

With a "ding," the spinning ceased.

"Congratulations, Master. With a guaranteed win on your first activation, you've earned a bonus reward: the Profound Pill."

Knowledge of the Profound Pill flooded Ning Xiaofan's mind. This Grade Three discarded pill, crafted by immortals, could significantly enhance one's Spiritual Root and was classified as a Miraculous Spirit Pill.

Holding the golden Miraculous Spirit Pill, its rich aroma wafting through the air, Ning Xiaofan swiftly popped it into his mouth.

"Body modification underway. Please wait."

As the pill dissolved on his tongue, he felt an immediate surge of movement within his body as spiritual energy whirled into action.

"System, proceed with another lottery draw."

Regardless of his body's condition, Ning Xiaofan knew that having more life-saving methods at his disposal was paramount.

"Yes, Master. Another draw?"

"From now on, just activate it without asking."

"As you wish, Master."

He spent another Cultivation Point. With the impending arrival of those two individuals, his life hung in the balance, and no amount of Cultivation Points would matter if he didn't survive.

The light flickered. "Ding! Apologies, Master. You have not drawn any items."

"Ding! Apologies, Master. You have not drawn any items."

"Ding! Congratulations, Master, you've obtained the Powerful Pill."

"Ding! Apologies, Master. You have not drawn any items."

"Ding! Congratulations, Master, you've secured the Fire Spiritual Talisman."

Feeling the transformation within, Ning Xiaofan sensed the impurities in his body being purged little by little.

He was tempted to gamble away all his cultivation points when the two figures in the distance approached, swords in hand. Without hesitation, Ning Xiaofan popped the ginseng into his mouth and gulped it down in no time.

The surge of spiritual energy was immediate as the century-old ginseng settled in his stomach—a testament to the potency of such a rare item. He hoped it wouldn't cause his body to burst from the overwhelming power.

"Ning Xiaofan, you..."

The Wang brothers could hardly believe their eyes as the prized ginseng disappeared into Ning Xiaofan's mouth, their gazes burning with rage. They were itching to rip him to shreds.

"Big brother, let's kill him and use his blood for our elixirs."

"Agreed. It's time to strike."

Wang Yun and Wang Xiao brandished their daggers, launching a coordinated assault from both front and rear.

"Ding dong! Congratulations, Master, your body has been successfully remodeled. You've reached Level 5 of the Energy Refining Stage."

Incredible! The combination of the Profound Pill and the century-old ginseng had propelled his cultivation to Level 5. Even though he hadn't mastered any specific techniques, the brothers' movements seemed to slow before his eyes.

The spiritual energy continued to churn inside him, indicating that Level 5 was merely a waypoint, not the destination. His cultivation level was still climbing. Wang Xiao was at Level 3, and Wang Yun at Level 7. Reaching Level 6 would grant him the status of an Outer Sect disciple, a respectable rank to hold.

With no prior cultivation experience and only his athletic training to rely on, Ning Xiaofan squatted low, narrowly evading Wang Yun's strike. He then swung his makeshift machete at Wang Xiao.

The brief clash took its toll; his body was struggling to cope. The spiritual pill and the ancient ginseng weren't miracle workers; they couldn't revolutionize his physique instantly.

A swift victory was essential. Any delay would be more than his body could bear.

Biting down hard, Ning Xiaofan tossed a Powerful Pill into his mouth. In his left hand, the glow of the Fire Spiritual Talisman began to emerge, ready for action.

As Wang Xiao's dagger thrust toward him, Ning Xiaofan subtly shifted his body, narrowly evading the attack. His right hand, wielding the machete, clashed perfectly with the incoming dagger, sending it clattering away.

"Ah! Impossible! He can't possibly be that strong?"

In the moment of Wang Xiao's stunned silence, Ning Xiaofan's machete ruthlessly sliced into his adversary's abdomen.

"Ah!"

Blood surged forth, and intestines spilled out uncontrollably. Wang Xiao writhed briefly on the ground before succumbing to death.

"Little brother! Ah, I swear I'll kill you!"

Wang Yun, at the seventh level of the Energy Refining Stage and skilled in a light body technique, launched a furious assault on Ning Xiaofan. Ning Xiaofan found himself retreating, the machete in his hand serving only to deflect blows, lacking the force to counterattack. Twice he came perilously close to death.

He had no choice but to resort to the Fire Spiritual Talisman. He swung his machete with all his might, but Wang Yun, with his agile footwork, evaded each strike. If not for his wariness of Ning Xiaofan's formidable strength, he would not have been so cautious.

Unable to land a hit with his machete, Ning Xiaofan was at an impasse. Having already killed one man, if Wang Yun escaped, Ning Xiaofan would no longer be safe in Sky Burning Valley and would be forced to flee.

To survive and leave the Shu Kingdom undetected, he couldn't let this incident be revealed. The Shu Kingdom was under the influence of Sky Burning Valley, and at his current fifth level of Energy Refining, escape was not an option. His only choice was to eliminate Wang Yun.

With a grim determination, Ning Xiaofan steeled himself for the only option left. As Wang Xiao charged head-on, Ning Xiaofan stood his ground, not dodging, and swung his machete backward.

"You're seeking your own death!"

Wang Yun closed the distance with blinding speed, arriving before Ning Xiaofan in a mere breath.

"No! Impossible! How could you possess such a celestial... technique?"

A voice of defiance echoed from within a burst of flames, but in a mere moment, the fire died down, leaving nothing but a heap of ashes.

Ning Xiaofan gazed down at Wang Xiao sprawled on the ground, seeing him as nothing less than a massive, plump sheep ripe for the taking. The brothers had undoubtedly committed their fair share of misdeeds, amassing a small fortune that set them apart from the other Worker Disciples. Sensing the potential wealth at his fingertips, Ning Xiaofan hastened toward him.

"You really had it coming," he lamented, "My century-old ginseng, gone!"