Several days had gone by since the Day of Awakening, the term coined by people around the world for the extraordinary event.
Since then, I've made so progress in my skills and noted so startling differences in my interface compared to other people's.
I talked with the other villagers, and none of them had a clue on how to further progress their skills to the next stage. They didn't even know what the next stage of their skills would be called! It seed mine was more helpful than I initially thought it was. But that was just the beginning.
Wondering what other things I could do with my heavenly interface, I asked it many questions. And in turn, I was greeted with more boxes of information.
Quest: Body Refinent
- Run the periter of Gentle Wind Village without stopping to rest. (1/5)
- Commit to the horse stance for ten minutes without stopping to rest. (0/5)
- Squat 250 tis without stopping to rest. (1/5)
Quest: Mind Refinent
- Perform Visualization Training for one hour. (2/5)
- ditate for one hour without losing focus. (2/5)
- Solve a mathematical equation without any external aid. (5/5)
To my delight, I received quests after inquiring about ways to enhance my mind and body, which were still at the mortal realm. The interface provided with various tasks and challenges, pushing to strengthen my ntal and physical fortitude.
I had begun almost imdiately. I almost blacked out attempting to run the entirety of the village's periter, but I had done the challenge. But it humbled to know that such a simple task left in such a dire state. I was a physically active, able-bodied young man! To think Kai Liu would be felled by re running. The interface showed just how much it would truly take to beco a cultivator. I had been shallow and neglected to understand the actual work it took to get there.
After squatting for hundreds of tis, I didn't even have the capacity to do the second task. My legs shook madly, and I was forced to give up and try again the next day. But even now, I could hardly hold that stance! I'd have to work towards it and complete the other two in the anti.
Over the past few days, I'd been trying to do the horse stance for ten minutes, but even with all my strength I couldn't make it. My legs were so unaccustod to intense stimuli. This was sothing that would require constant effort.
Sa for the Mind Refinent Quest! They were odd, telling to do a thing called Visualization Training. It had given a short prompt, explaining that it was a matter of imagining objects, scenes, and scenarios in vivid detail. Not a challenge for the Dreaming Gardener! That was my specialty, and I could even do it while I was running the shop. Mathematical equations were easy for a genius like , I did them on a daily basis for the shop's finances!
So with these quests, I continued my daily life. The shop never had many custors, but my garden always needed maintenance!
The villagers noticed running around, but they knew that sothing as magnificent as the Heavenly Interface would probably inspire . They just chalked it up to 'Kai being Kai'.
So of the younger children followed along, trying to see what else the Heavenly Interface had to offer. But most of the villagers had gone back to their usual lives. The Heavenly Interface didn't play much of a part in their day-to-day, and unlike mine, the interface only showed and tracked their progress.
However, a handful of people, driven by ambition and determination, were emboldened by the Heavenly Interface's presencepeople like .
"Kai! Sorry to interrupt your ditatin', but here's the staff you ordered."
I opened my eyes. It was Wang Jun. His smile was wide and boisterous. He wore a white bandana, covered in soot and dirt from toiling away in the forges with Master Qiang. Wang Jun was always a boisterous man with an upbeat personality.
I got up from my position on the dirt floor, stretching my back after being in the sa position for quite so ti. ditating was one of the tasks given to , and I decided to do it in the garden where I felt most at peace. Being in nature would surely help gather energy or sothing like that. Opening the fence gate to allow Wang Jun in, he handed the clothed item and I nearly tipped over due to the unexpected weight.
Unwrapping the cloth, it revealed a simple iron staff of good quality. The weapon was about my height, and heavy enough that holding it by its end was impossible for my current physical strength. But that's where my training cos in! It wouldn't do to train like it was a hobby, but I should invest in the necessary equipnt to further my skills! One day, I'll be able to wield this like it is lighter than air.
Swords were no good, they were too sharp and I'd likely cut myself trying to handle them for training. But a staff? it was perfect for my needs, and would be versatile enough to serve multiple purposes!
"Thank you, mighty blacksmith! You've perford a critical mission, and now I'll be able to train as a proper cultivator should. Co! Let give you so tea and so more for Master Qiang."
"I'd appreciate that!"
I led him into the shop, where Tianyi rested peacefully on a perch I had mounted up by the windowsill. It glimred beautifully, as always. Wang Jun whistled, admiring the Spirit Beast while I prepared so tea.
"So you're really taking that cultivator stuff seriously, eh? That Heavenly Interface must've lit a fire under your ass!"
"Indeed, indeed! Would you say the sa for yourself, Wang Jun?" I responded, handing him a warm cup. He muttered out a word of thanks and drank with . I pushed out a chair and sat back, enjoying the peaceful afternoon. It had been a while since I caught up with him, especially since he was betrothed to Lan-Yin and went under Master Qiang as an apprentice. We were far from the closest, but it was good to see him well and healthy.
"I'd say so. Y'know, Master Qiang has been going non-stop since it ca out." He leaned in closer with a small grin. "And I received a quest from it."
My eyes widened as I sipped my tea. The quest system was sothing that everyone had, it seed. "And what did it entail? I've got so of my own as well."
"It tells to craft twenty different kinds of tools and armor. The staff was actually one of them, so I hope you enjoy it."
"I can tell even from a glance it is of good quality! Let know when you complete your quest; I want to know what you get from it!"
Our conversation continued into more miscellaneous subjects. It had given much to think about.
"We got an uptick of orders from as far as Crescent Bay City! The rchants have been going on about the Silent Moon Sect starting problems." He said, rolling his shoulder back and wincing. It looks like he had been hard at work prior to coming here.
I perked up at that information. Crescent Bay City was the district capital of the Tranquil Breeze Coast. I had wanted to save up and visit the city myself, but life had gotten in the way of things. Hearing problems about the Silent Moon Sect made frown. They were a prestigious sect, but not comparable to the Whispering Winds Sect. What were they thinking?
"What did they say about the Silent Moon Sect?"
"Just the usual, recruiting talented individuals to beco cultivators. There's been more of them coming out of the woodwork with the Interface n' all that. Whispering Winds Sect and the Silent Moon's disciples have been getting into a lot of fights apparently."
That was a concern. The Heavenly Interface had done a lot of good, but with it being given to everyone, problems were bound to arise. Those with ambition, whether it was for good or evil, would find success being guided by the Heavenly Interface. I sighed, thinking about the power struggles that would co as a result of the powerful magic. I felt partially responsible, but what could I do? As far as I knew, there was no way to take it back.
Shaking my head at such thoughts, I turned the conversation to lighter topics. Thinking about those conflicts from far away would do us no benefit after all.
Giving him a few herbs that helped eliminate fatigue, I sent him off while I resud my training. With the staff in my hand, I tried to practice so swings and strikes. They were clumsy, and my balance was off. Contrary to other tis, the Heavenly Interface didn't seem keen on helping out here. But I would prevail! Perhaps the Village Head would have so books for to learn more about wielding a staff. And I glanced at the biggest quest yet, which I had no clue about how to start.
Quest: Cultivation Technique (Wood)
- Find five different areas that have sufficient wood qi in the surroundings, and ditate in them for one hour.
- Areas with sufficient wood qi will be marked with a glowing, yellow orb only visible to you.
Where would I find one? Maybe it was easy for soone outside of the Tranquil Breeze Coast, but it was impossible for ! There was a reason why Tianyi was the only Spirit Beast I'd ever encountered. It's also why finding the Moonlit Grace Lily was so difficult. The innate qi in the environnt was far too low to accommodate any cultivators. Even those in the heart of the province found it difficult to cultivate without the use of artifacts.
After several more minutes of swinging the staff around clumsily, I sighed and put it down. My body was covered in sweat. My progress was lacking, and I had far more questions than answers.
I needed to find a way to unlock my Qi reserves! I hadn't been able to since Tianyi gave so, and she hadn't repeated it since. It would be the key to getting on track with all the other quests I had, especially my Gardening skill. There were so many things I needed to learn, and even the Heavenly Interface wouldn't be able to give all the answers.
I tidied myself, rinsing my body with water before embarking on a journey to the village square. I would need to consult the Village Head.
"Village Head! I require your expertise!"
I waited patiently at his door until it slid open to reveal a tall, slim man with a stooped posture. His silvery hair was tied in a neat bun, and his beard was well-grood. The Village Head seed curious at my entrance.
"If it isn't little Kai. What can I do for you today?"
"I would like your help in regards to my quest to being a cultivator!"
He whacked on the head lightly, and I cursed. His face was impassive as usual. Village Head had barely aged since I was a young child.
"Still on about that, aren't you?" He sighed, retracting his hand and allowing in.
"The Heavenly Interface was a sign from above, Village Head! I've been training properly now under its guidance!"
"Hard-headed brat!" He ruffled my hair, leaving it an undignified ss. "And don't call that!"
Village Head, or rather, Elder Ming, was always against my dream of being a cultivator. He was once part of a sect, although he never ntioned which it was, before leaving the path of cultivation and settling down here in the Gentle Wind Village. He had been here for decades, so he couldn't have been too far into his journey before he stopped.
He always told , even from a young age, that it wasn't a path one should seek so easily. Elder Ming warned of the danger, the rigors of training, and the pressure set upon you by being a disciple. He even warned about the way those of lower status were treated within sects; it was one of the major reasons why I didn't run to one and beg to be let into the Whispering Winds Sect or the Silent Moon Sect. When I begged him to train in the ways of cultivation, he flat-out refused, saying he couldn't give a child sothing so dangerous, citing a problem called QI Deviation as being too risky.
I know his resistance ca from a place of concern, but I knew what I wanted. Being a gardener was okay, but I wanted to live a life of freedom and travel. Being a cultivator would grant that luxury, and I was more than determined to get it. He probably thought I wasn't taking it seriously or didn't understand the consequences, but I did! I acted as an overconfident fool at tis, but I knew where I stood and just how much work it'd take to get to where I wanted to be.
"Please, Elder Ming." I bowed my head. "I wish to learn. I want to understand just what it takes to be a cultivator."
"Raise your head, Kai."
I complied, and he hit with another chop to the head. I could tell he was a retired cultivator, those strikes packed a serious punch despite his fra!
"Don't think that being a cultivator is so easy! You don't get that way overnight, even with that Interface's help. You need consistency and practice, built upon years and years, along with the right guidance!"
"That's why I'm here, Elder Ming! Co on, you've refused to teach since I was a kid! What do I have to do to prove to you that I'm serious about this?"
He scratched his chin, looking at with an appraising eye. I stood there with a determined expression on my face. Elder Ming closed his eyes and sighed, seemingly giving up on trying to convince . It wasn't the first ti I tried to convince him to teach or give guidance, but I suppose this was the only ti where I bothered him so much about it.
"Well, I know I can't stop you. If anything, you'd get yourself killed doing sothing reckless, so I'll give you a test."
The old man who spent his life walking around the village had a certain pressure around him that made nervous, but I smiled in the face of it all.
I looked at him with a determined expression on my face. Whatever challenge he gave, I, Kai Liu, would be up for the task! Whatever it may be!
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