[Name: Li Cheng]
[Race: Human]
[Age: 16 (32 in original Earth)]
[Cultivation Level: Qi Condensation Peak-Stage]
[Bloodline: Li bloodline]
[Talent: C+ Grade]
[Physique: None]
[Techniques and Arts:
Li Sect's Stage 2 Full Foundational Cultivation Techniques and Arts (Learning)
Li Sect's Elementary Multi-Purpose Field of Arts (Complete)]
[Additional Notable Information: You have a special soul that shouldn't belong here. You are a fated user of the Legendary System. Other information is unavailable.]
"C+ Grade Talent… as expected I was just a little better than average."
If there was anything interesting about his Status Window, it would definitely be the fact that it said that Li Cheng was fated.
"It's a little disappointing to be hit with the truth that I didn't seem to have any hidden talents. For a long time, I really hoped I had something, but like the results conducted by the elders, I did not have a hidden ability, aptitude or talent. No, it does say other information unavailable, maybe just maybe…"
As shown from his Status Window, Li Cheng really was just an ordinary cultivator befitting his level. Although Li Cheng was disappointed, he was unaware of how fortunate this was. For him, who had an extraordinary system besides his lack of talent, this was essentially close to optimal conditions: Li Cheng was in a blank state, ready to be dyed with infinite possibilities.
'I am in dire need of increasing my personal strength. I have so many options, and yet I feel like I can't touch anything!'
Li Cheng possessed numerous assets, but his situation was constrained. While cultivation level played a significant role, another substantial impediment was the prevalence of suspicion. Using his bloodlines for empowerment would arouse suspicion, and even though he currently lacked any, the concept of Physiques loomed as an alternative avenue.
Physiques were special bodies from innate birth that often gave their possessor special abilities or unique traits. They were rare in nature and some may not even appear once in ten thousand years. It was a common aspect that was found in many cultivation fantasy webnovels. Physiques in this world were believed to be fairly uninheritable: a low chance of descendants acquiring the same physique, but a slightly higher likelihood based on genetic factors.
Perhaps the reason why Li Cheng did not have a Physique category from his Starter Package may be because it really couldn't be given even through a cheat.
'My only options right now are a few of those esoteric martial arts techniques… But do I have the talent to do so?' Traces of deep worry flashed in Li Cheng's eyes.
What Li Cheng wanted to do most was to somehow increase his talent. Even if one's effort was commendable, it could only go so far. When he had first come to this world, he was an exemplary model cultivator. From early morning to late night, Li Cheng, who understood the importance of training in the cultivation world would be the first child to arise in the morning and the last one to hit the sack.
As a result, he was favoured by the elders and was considered the brightest star for a short time due to his sudden change. But that all changed when Li Cheng gradually realised that he was barely able to keep up with his closest competitors. And with each passing day, he felt the despairing reality hit him.
Li Cheng had no talent.
And the gap between him and the other stars only continued to widen. And if it weren't for the System, he would still be a full realm below his own brother, who was almost as hardworking as him after being inspired by him and a certain 'incident'.
Li Cheng persisted, but that was only until he entered the Li Sect. Afterwards, Li Cheng accepted his fate, only did the minimum required, and instead relied on begging, tributing, and praying to the countless higher beings for a golden finger, cheat, to be bestowed upon.
One could say he was pathetic, but Li Cheng would say he had acknowledged his place as a mere ant. It is true he could still live a commendable cultivator life, but Li Cheng who knew the romanticism of the cultivation world from the countless heroic tales he had read would never be satisfied.
Fortunately, his 'efforts' were realised in spite of inducing one's scorn for his actions.
The System did not tell him how he could increase his talent in spite of his desperate beseeching.
Li Cheng let out a sigh. Then, he slapped himself in the face.
He turned his gaze to the "Cultivation Wisdom" category.
[True Essence Blossom Manuscript Vol 1. x10]
[ A highly revered and recommended cultivation text that delves into the intricacies of nurturing and blossoming the True Essence within a cultivator by Sage Essence Master Chen Wei. Its teachings centre around the extraction and condensing to form one's True Essence into a harmonious balance of spiritual energy and physical well-being. One may even unlock insights into mastering an element untapped before… This volume only contains the following elements: Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Wood, Metal. ]
When he first delved into this category, it became immediately apparent that this manuscript was the foundation he sought to fundamentally change himself. The allure stemmed from its unequivocal declaration as a prerequisite for any cultivator desiring to be a true expert.
Although the term "True Essence" had never crossed Li Cheng's ears before, his familiarity with cultivation novels offered plausible conjectures. It might entail a method to refine one's Qi, imbuing it with profound depth, or perhaps the ability to forge a sacred flame capable of obliterating adversaries. Alternatively, he considered the prospect of it delving into the realms of the soul, unveiling secrets concealed within the very essence of one's being.
Li Cheng carefully retrieved one of the manuscripts from the System's interface, a sense of anticipation coursing through him. The [True Essence Blossom Manuscript Vol 1. x10] manifested in his hands, the thick tome radiating an air of profound knowledge.
From his hands, he felt the anticipation grow. The leather-bound tome was heavy. One could already feel as though it bore the weight of countless insights within, promising to unveil the secrets of nurturing and blossoming the True Essence.
With slightly shaky hands, he opened the first page of the book.
…
...
...…..
...…..
"Fuck!!"
Li Cheng cursed.
He couldn't understand anything that was written on it. It wasn't because it was written in a different language, but rather it was like the whole manuscript's writing was obscured. Everytime he tried to understand the words it was as if everything was undecipherable.
He tried reading really slowly, but upon trying to connect things he felt as though he became a toddler.
"Damn gatekeeping!"
Li Cheng understood that it was because his cultivation level was too low. He wasn't allowed to read it.
Li Cheng glared at the tome in his hands and snorted. "Too bad Chen Wei. It would be a shame if I were to…"
He thrusted his hand into the void of space and then—
retrieved a pair of earrings.
"..."
Li Cheng tilted his head up. Then, he looked at where he retrieved his earrings from.
It was in the "Treasure" category.
[Luminous Soulstone Earrings x3]
[Description: Earrings embedded with soulstones that amplify mental clarity and strengthen spiritual connections. They assist in deciphering ancient scripts and comprehending profound cultivation texts.]
"..."
This was the category which held treasures such as the [Buddha's Golden Prayer Bell] and the [Three Realms Illusion].
'Now that I think about it… it's not like every treasure from this category would stir up a phenomenon…'
Before, Li Cheng had retrieved both the perfume and the dragon robe, yet their presence went unnoticed by the external world. Even the unveiling of the phoenix bloodlines and the Azure Dragon Egg within this experimental realm failed to elicit any noteworthy reaction.
Li Cheng coughed feeling embarrassed and pretended to forget his actions. He split the pairing cradled in the palm of his hand. The soulstones embedded within shimmered with an ethereal glow. As he lifted them to eye level, the ambient light seemed to dance within the translucent stones.
With a purposeful breath, Li Cheng gently secured the earrings, feeling the cool touch of the soulstones against his skin. The weight of the stones, though subtle, conveyed a sense of purpose, as if attuning themselves to the rhythms of his consciousness. As they adorned his ears, the luminous glow seemed to harmonise with his aura.
Li Cheng, now adorned with the [Luminous Soulstone Earrings], felt an unmistakable shift in his perception. The world seemed much crisper, thoughts clearer, and the resonance with spiritual connections heightened. It was as if the soulstones had opened a conduit to ancient wisdom, ready to assist him in deciphering the mysteries of profound cultivation texts and unlocking the secrets hidden within ancient scripts.
"Wow…"
Li Cheng was awed. If he had to describe it, it was as if he had opened a third eye. The change in vision was otherworldly and had transcended mortal constraints.
"Hehehehe."
Confident, Li Cheng put his gaze back onto the page of the book.
…
...
...…..
...…..
"Fuck!!"
Li Cheng cursed again!
"I refuse to be trash!"
He thrusted his hand out the void of space again and took out all 3 of the earrings he had and equipped them for war.
System [...]
The result was a jangling comical spectacle as the shimmering soulstones formed a radiant constellation around his ears. If wisdom had a symphony, Li Cheng was now its eccentric conductor, orchestrating a cosmic ensemble of luminosity.
The weight of the earrings, once subtle, now carried a gravitas reminiscent of an otherworldly accessory overload. His ears, usually reserved for a more conservative adornment, bore the brunt of this quirky endeavour, the jangling symphony adding an unexpected rhythm to his every movement.
"Hehehehehehehee."
Li Cheng's vision became manifold crisper, and he felt the inexplicable spiritual connections significantly increase.
This time, he will definitely uncover the secrets of this tome!
"Ughh.."
Suddenly, he felt his mind go dizzy. He could finally decipher the words on the page, but there was a mental burden. He felt awful to the point that he may end up puking if this continued.
"I REFUSE TO BE TRASH!"
Li Cheng roared!
With bloodshot eyes, he began to read as much as he could. With each word he read, and with each comprehension, he felt his mind continue to quake, threatening to collapse. As seconds ticked away, a throbbing pain radiated from his head, and before long, blood began to seep down from his nose.
Until finally—
"Blurghh!"
Spitting out blood, Li Cheng felt the abrupt meeting of his back with the floor, the sudden impact causing him to faint. In his hands lay the open manuscript. After all the intense struggle, Li Cheng had only managed to complete the very first page of the book. Yet, gazing at the countenance of the fallen warrior, one could discern a smile etched upon his grimacing face.
Sage Essence Master Chen Wei's Manuscript had won the battle.
But ultimately, the sage had lost the war… probably?
The System who watched all this in silence finally decided to comment.
[When you wake up, you will understand you were just a fool.]