In Zhuge Lian's world, there were an abundance of cultivation novels. One of his favourites maintained that, in order to become a martial artist, one must have talent, background, resources and time.
Zhuge Lian had abundant time and talent, but no resources or background. Every step he took would be one taken in the absolute darkness. Each breakthrough would be dangerous, and each experience would be new.
◢Am I ready to embark on this journey?◢
Zhuge Lian realised that this journey would be fraught with dangers, and likely deadly, given the amazing power that cultivators had in novels. Sometimes, he wondered whether he would be content having a normal life. Often, when he failed in his ambitions, he would grow despondent and uncaring, depressively giving up on his goals. But now, the choice was his. Normal or abnormal? He made his decision.
◢I can't grow old here. I can't be sixty years old and realise that I've been nothing but a cog in a machine, nothing but a worker bee outputting work just to pay rent another day. I can't be normal. I won't be normal.◢
Zhuge Lian was a steadfast person. Once he had set a goal, he set out immediately trying to figure out how to achieve it, and never gave up.
How could he become successful?
In this age, strength did not directly correlate to economic gain or societal gain.
Join the army? Chance of death, too dangerous for now.
Become a professional sports player? Too much training.
Zhuge Lian was a genius, and truly wanted to advance down the route of a scholar of scientist. But instead, he was forced to consider this route of brute f*cking strength by the System..
However, he had to gain strength first before he could use it. He went into the Cultivation tab.
*Ding*
Host, Cultivation is a method of utilising your body's muscles to their peak, and then cultivating inner force in the dantian. The stages of Redirecting Body, Tempering Body and Mastering Body train your muscles to be able to use their full force and more when you are fighting. The stages of Refining Qi, Directing Qi and Controlling Qi train your inner force to be useable when fighting. Once you reach Refining Qi, a whole new world will be opened up. Work hard, Host!
Host Cultivation: None
100 EXP to Redirecting Stage 1
Cultivation Method: Godly Bodhisvatta Art (5EXP/Cycle)
Directions:
1. Turn one's body 180 degrees, then train your arms.
....
86. Rest your body by laying down for 15 seconds.
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Zhuge Lian had finally found the method to raising strength. When he was studying, he had read in book somewhere that all the muscles in the human body working together at full capacity could output a force of 17 tons. He sat down to follow the instructions from the cycle, then realised that he had classes that day. He dialed the administrative number to announce that he was dropping out of senior year.
"Principal Tian, I regret to inform you that I am dropping out of senior year."
"Zhuge.. why? Just because you didn't get into your three favourite schools doesn't mean your life is over. But if you drop out of high school, your job opportunities really will be over."
"Principal Tian... I know you care about me and wish the best for me. I have found an opportunity to make more than I ever would at Harvard. I thank you for taking care of me these last four years."
"Zhu-zhu... I trust you. Whatever you do, stay safe and stay well, as that is truly the most important. Remember, one can always make more money, but one can never have an extra life."
Zhuge Lian sat down on a yoga mat to go over the instructions for the Godly Bodhisvatta Art. Once he was done memorising, the system sent a notification.
*Ding*
Skill gained:
Godly Buddha Understanding I
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◢Ah, so learning cultivation methods can also be counted as skills. Perhaps with more growth I will be able to gain more cultivation benefits from one cycle.◢
Zhuge Lian cultivated one cycle of the Godly Bodhisvatta Art, and saw a system notification.
*Ding*
+5 EXP
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Zhuge Lian's face lit up in excitement. Ever since he was a child, he had loved seeing numbers and stats go up to mark his progress, and he would be motivated whenever he saw a statistic go up, which was one of the reasons that he loved gaming with a passion. He then quickly cultivated 19 more cycles of the art, and by the end of the day, he had attained yet another system notification.
*Ding*
+5 EXP
Cultivation Level: Redirecting Body Early Stage
Hitting Force: 1.5KN -> 3.5KN
Internal Force/Qi: 0 -> 0
Congratulations Host! You have officially entered the world of Cultivators.
Shop function unlocked: Cultivation and battle skills can be purchased through the shop.
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Zhuge Liang had attained strength relative to the punching strength of a middling amateur boxer. He could try to improve his base physique, but for now, he would go to the local MMA gym to train his strength and measure his fighting ability. He bought a free welcome gift from the shop, and recieved the Grand Footman Grappling Technique, a hand-to-hand boxing technique.
He was ready to fight. He at last had ambition to defeat, kill and destroy all in his path.
He finally realised he had potential.
Of talent, resources, background and time, he now had all four!