Groaning, Fang woke up with a pounding headache. Clutching his head, he cleared his thoughts. Reflecting on the events that had just passed, he cursed angrily at the system. Such a way of supposedly helping him was simply too savage and cruel. Angrily muttering to himself, he searched within his mind.
Finding an odd source of energy, he began to prod it. It quivered and then fell silent. Frowning, Fang used a spear of mental energy to poke it. There was an explosion of power as a shadowy figure formed in response to the provocation.
"SO! You have finally come to me!" it thundered in a displeased voice.
Scared, Fang retreated backward.
"Yeah...," he began.
The system seemed to be smiling cruelly from behind its shadowy facade.
"Very good. Now let me explain the new abilities you have gained," it began in a stern voice.
His eyes shining, Fang began to listen earnestly. After all, this had to be good news!
"First of all, I have edited your inner composition so that you can cultivate through normal activities. The very act of your existence is a form of cultivation. However, there are limits to this. You can choose three main types of cultivation to specialize in, although you will still gain power from cultivating in different ways," it spoke.
Puzzled, Fang stared at the system's avatar. Sighing, it rubbed its forehead with a shadowy limb.
"I shall explain in greater detail. You will have the chance to choose three main cultivation styles. This can be from any type of system. For example, you can choose to cultivate through cooking, cultivate through breathing, cultivate through fighting, cultivate through meditating, etc. However, you can still gain experience by cultivating through other methods such as making potions. Cultivating through these secondary means will only give you experience, however. And once you have accumulated enough experience, you may buy another cultivation style. You can also upgrade your styles," it spoke.
Fang frowned, trying to process the information. After thinking carefully, he nodded.
"If that's the case, may I see the choices for cultivating?" he spoke.
The system nodded.
"Very well," it rumbled.
With a wave of its ethereal arm, a series of glowing cards floated up in Fang's mind.
He stared in awe at the myriad of options. Reaching forth he began to explore the options.
[Golden Knife Cultivation]
[Cultivate through cooking new dishes and serving them to customers]
[Thief of the Night Cultivation]
[Cultivate through stealing resources and treasures from others]
[Essence of Cultivation]
[Cultivate through the act of breathing]
[Galactic Existence Cultivation]
[Cultivate in harmony with the universe]
[Golden Pill Cultivation]
[Cultivate by making new medicines and pills]
Awestruck, he scrolled through the cultivation methods. Steeling his heart to wanton purchases, he began to observe them with a rational mind. Finally, he decided.
"System," he called.
The shadow reappeared from the darkness of his mind.
"Yes?"
"I have decided. I choose the True Universal Essence Cultivation, Nihilist's Acceptance Cultivation, and Herbologist's Cultivation!" he spoke.
The skies rumbled within his turbulent mind and the three glowing cards presented themselves before him. With a whiz, they rushed into his soul, inscribing themselves into his deepest mental reserves. Grimacing slightly, Fang bore with the pain. Suddenly, energy began to gather around him as he started to cultivate.
Gazing around his corporeal body in shock, he began to smile.
"Perfect! I can feel the twin cultivation take effect!" he cried.
True Universal Essence Cultivation was simple. As long as the user was in harmony with nature, that is to say as long as he existed, the person would be cultivating. It was a very strong ability, but it wasn't too overpowered: after all, he would only be gaining a little stronger every time. It wouldn't change him into a powerhouse overnight.
Nihilist's Acceptance Cultivation simply allowed him to cultivate as long as he remained unconcerned about the affairs of the world. Simply put, it was a cultivation method that suited his carefree personality.
The last method, Herbologist's Cultivation would allow him to cultivate his body and his mind while farming. It would also allow his plants to gain special properties and provide him with experience and energy every time he used the plants he grew.
These three cultivation methods were perfect for a man like Fang and smiling cheerfully, he accepted his cultivating fate. If he was going to be forced to cultivate, he might as well as enjoy himself while doing it. Immersed in his own joy, he failed to notice the system's uncharacteristically black expression.
'Does this boy have...NO AMBITION!?!?' the system cried within its own mind.