After calming down and praying for the Sage's well-being in the world of the dead, Ji-Yoon didn't waste his 'lucky' time, he started to form his mystical root.
The mystery of it was in using the powerful healing force of internal energy to grow the missing root at the center of the Dantian.
Actually, just like the Dantian, the mystical root was an invisible organ, but for some reason, most people were born missing it. It may be because of problems during gestation or the mother's health situation, there're many possibilities.
Fortunately, the Heavenly Dao seems to pity all humans and gave everyone the possibility of cultivation, this may be the reason for the existence of Mortal Martial Arts. Those without mystical roots could train and get one by their effort.
'It's so easy? It's already forming, and very fast?' Ji-Yoon was very surprised by this speed, 'Could it be because my internal energy is stronger than the others? Or it is because of my freaking luck? It's probably because of both.'
In a few minutes, a small vortex formed at the center of his Dantian, it was slowly growing and getting faster and faster.
Just like what happened with the woman clad in black armor, a vortex also formed around him. But because it already happened, no one bothered to look at him, they continued to mind their own business.
A refreshing sensation flowed through his body and mind, and even his internal energy seemed to react. His mind suddenly could understand his body much better than before. He could sense all things that even his internal energy couldn't sense before.
'Are those the Mystical Meridians? There are so many... They are all over my body, but I couldn't sense them before, how mysterious.'
After his mystical root fully formed, the vortex around him dissipated as well. But the vortex within his Dantian was still slowly revolving.
'Root? It looks like the water when I flush a toilet.'
[Ding! Dong! Host, please pay attention to your image as a transmigrator, I can read your thoughts!]
'I know, why don't you just stop then? Aren't you a bit too naggy for a system? Shouldn't you be emotionless? Shouldn't you respect your host's privacy?'
[Ding! Dong!]
'Is this your way of being 'speechless'?'
[Ding! Dong!] x2
'Alright, alright. I will stop, so stop spamming this irritating sound!'
After successfully forming his mystical root, Ji-Yoon received a sound transmission from the disciple, saying that he should wait until the time was up. It seemed that the disciple could see everything that was happening even without being there
'This should be the cultivators' exclusive 'Ethereal Mind', basically the same thing as the 'Spiritual Thoughts' I read about in my original world.'
Although he could sense others' martial arts prowess, it was much worse than this.
'I hope he didn't see me using the system's storage.'
After adjusting his breathing and mood, he wondered if he already count as a cultivator. He became able to sense the mystical energy around and within him, seemingly omnipresent and inexhaustible. Even so, his rate of absorption was way too slow, improving a little when he was focused. But he noticed that after absorbing the mystical energy, nothing happened, as if the root was malfunctioning.
'Alas, I don't even know how to enter the Qi Refining Realm. I think I should just wait until I receive a manual from the sect.
'But if a certain system told me the way...'
[Ding! Dong! My available database is limited, you should try your luck on the check-in and lottery.]
'I knew it... But it might be a good idea to wait. Becoming a Qi Refining Realm cultivator so fast might attract unwanted attention.
'And if I think more about it, my luck is still augmented, meaning I'm not as prone to commit mistakes.'
Time flies, and he didn't want to waste a single second of his 'lucky' time. But at the same time, he didn't have anything to do except waiting.
'No, wait. Can't I desire something good to happen to me? Perhaps my luck will react to it...'
Instantly, Ji-Yoon's mind was filled with thoughts about how he desired random fortuitous encounters. How he wanted a powerful and rich master to accept him as a disciple and stuff him with precious resources.
Eventually, even his mood was affected and his heart was full of wishful desires. He swallowed his saliva from time to time. His adam's apple was constantly moving.
Unfortunately, nothing happened and the time passed quickly. Many people formed their mystical roots and rejoiced, while some expressions were full of tension.
When the time was up, Ji-Yoon wore a devasted expression. His heart was in tatters and his mind desolate. He wanted to spit the pill out, but it had already been digested a long time before.
[Host, pay attention to your image. You are a dignified transmigrator!]
Almost choking on his saliva, Ji-Yoon quickly pulled himself together. His expression was again indifferent to worldly affairs and human desires.
Even so, he was puzzled, 'Why did nothing happen during this time? The pill's effect is already off and I didn't gain anything!' His face almost turned green again.
[Host, are you sure nothing happened?]
'...Stop it. Don't try to comfort me. This is not enough for me. I wanted to ascend to the sky in a single leap, not missing sounds in your speech.'
[Ding! Dong! I understand.]
Ji-Yoon had suddenly thought the system wasn't that awesome anymore.
Since it had already come to that, he could only accept his fate and thank the heavens for being alive anyway. In any case, his gains were already extraordinary. He was sure his mind became many times brighter. His IQ seemed to have soared to the sky.
Comforting himself with this kind of thought, he also observed the other martial artists. More or less 90% of them passed the test and formed their mystical root, Ji-Yoon deduced it based on the expressions on their faces.
After a while, the disciple appeared in the hall again, this time with a less indifferent expression.
"Those who managed to do it can continue on their places, those who couldn't do it should leave this place and never return. An Elder is waiting outside to slowly guide your way out," he said with a weird grin.
Resigned to their fates, the minority got up with thoughtful faces and walked out of the pavilion.
"Congratulations for passing the assessment and becoming a Trial Disciple of the Stellar Origin Sect, one of the Five Great Sacred Lands!" the disciple congratulated them and proceeded to explain their duties and how they would live from now on.
After hearing that they only have one year to reach the Foundation Establishment Realm and become an outer disciple, everyone's faces became serious. If they failed, they will have to become common servants or abandon their cultivation base and be expelled from the sect.
"I know you all are nervous, I was once in your place. But be assured, as long you guys give your best and use the resources the sect gives to you to the utmost, you will surely manage to do it!" the disciple encouraged, "All you have to do during this year is to abide by the rules strictly and do your duties beside cultivating.
"Remember that the sect doesn't welcome troublemakers. If you think you can bully the weak because you are stronger than them, you should go to one of the Unorthodox Sects.
"Also don't disobey your superiors such as deacons and elders, you will be immediately punished if you do. If you think they are wrong, go to the 'Law Pavilion', they will protect you from injustice. Unless you directly offend one of the Council Elders or the Sect Master, the 'Law Department' of the sect will always protect you from any bully.
"All of you will have independent caves to live in. Rejoice, this is something only Sacred Lands can afford to give to Trial Disciples. Make sure to give your best for the sect."
After hearing the disciple's instructions and urgings, everyone began to look at him in a new light. He seemed to be a decent Senior Brother.
After talking a bit more, the disciple sighed and waved his hand at everyone. Instantly, several tokens appeared out of thin air and flew towards them.
"This is the proof of your identity, be always with it."
Ji-Yoon received his token and examined it. It was made of pure copper and his full name was already engraved along. Deacon Li probably gave everyone's information to the disciple.
"Yun to govern himself, Ji-Yoon to not lack good fortune..." Ji-Yoon muttered in a low voice, deep in thought.
"I will guide you to the 'Cave Pavilion', the deacon there shall assign which caves you will be living in. Let's go!"
The rest is history. Everyone got their caves to live in and also pale green robes, exclusive to trial disciples. There were some other formalities, especially for Ji-Yoon, but they were resolved on the same day.
The rules book was very thick, which made everyone's face turn a little black, except Ji-Yoon.
Their cave was simple, with just what one needs to live.
Finally having a foothold in this world, Ji-Yoon was quite happy. He finally could start his journey to the peak of this world. After all, he already lived a common life once and died. If he didn't try something different with so powerful cheats, he would be living in vain.
Also, every new disciple received a Qi Refining Cultivation Technique from Deacon You, which was actually incomplete. The manual has ten levels, and the disciples need to report a breakthrough to the next layer of their Realm to get the next level of the manual. It's a way for the sect to have complete knowledge about the new disciples' talent and progress.
On the next day...
[Ding! Dong! It's time for the daily check-in!]
'Can't you do it for me? What if I got Qi deviation because of you?'
[Ding! Dong! It's a set rule. Even I can't do anything about it! Qi deviation only happens when one lacks enough luck and destiny, and you don't.]
'I don't believe in you, you changed your so-called 'set' annoying sounds a while ago by yourself.'
[Ding! Dong! It was the effect of the pill, host.]
'Sigh... Alright, alright. Check-in!'
[Ding! Dong! Congratulations on receiving the book: The True Value of Mortal Martial Arts. It's just a mortal-grade item, but might be useful to you, host.]
'I'm starting to think you are the one choosing the items I get from checking in.'
[Ding! Dong! I'm a kind of tool made from good fortune, so it's not wrong to assume that the items are gotten randomly but influenced by luck.]
'What a glib way to say I'm right.'
[Ding! Dong! Do you want to memorize the book with the system's help?]
'No, I actually like to read books. There's no need to hurry.'
After starting to read, Ji-Yoon noticed that the author probably reached the same level as him. He was a 'Self' Artist. The contents of the book are very profound and even pried on the Mortal Dao, something only peak mortals could do.
The more he read, the more he was mesmerized by it. He even thought that the author was probably more experienced than him and had greater knowledge of the Mortal Dao. He probably also started to cultivate and included some of his insights about the deep relationship between mortality and cultivation towards immortality.
'The author was an unbelievable genius... How can it be graded as a mortal item? It should be Myth-Grade or higher!'
Ji-Yoon's eyes slowly grew red because even his body forgot to blink. His internal energy reacted and eased the stress.
His mind, which already seemed to be at the peak of mortality slowly sublimated again. His mystical root also reacted and began to stop rotating, leaving only his internal energy as an active force within his Dantian.
When Ji-Yoon finally read the whole book, he noticed that it was already the morning of the next day.
'It's time to work.'
His new robes fluttered in the wind when he was out of the cave. His face wore a serene smile. He felt that even if he isn't the strongest martial artist, he was probably the one with the biggest understanding of the Mortal Dao among them.
"The Mortal Dao isn't limited by Realms, it encompasses all living beings," he muttered while looking at the bright clouds, "there's no end to it."
[Ding! Dong! Congratulations on raising your comprehension of the Mortal Dao. Your way to the Dao Enlightenment Realm won't be as difficult as others']
"Alright, alright. I'm not even a Qi Refining small fry yet, don't try to inflate my ego," Ji-Yoon laughed.
The Trial Disciples' duties are pretty simples, clean what is unclean, obey simple orders, and protect the propriety of the sect from vandals. There are basically no dangerous duties, but the daily duties are still very tiring.
Some of the trial disciples that aren't martial artists and are accepted just because of their innate mystical roots are generally younger and had an easier time, and they are given more time to reach the Foundation Establishment Realm, three years. The martial artists that dared to report their indignation to the deacons and elders ended up with more work to do.
"If you can still care about others, you can also care more about the sect. Go and clean the eastern walls."
"What? Do you think the sect is unjust? Go and clean all the stairs of the mountain with your friends."
Fortunately, Ji-Yoon was once a soldier and is familiar with how the officials treat recruits. "Use them until they can only think about being used."
"Don't give time and comfort for them to think about themselves. Make sure they can only think about your orders."
And so time passed, Ji-Yoon purposely held back his cultivation and waited until someone else entered the First Layer of the Qi Refining Realm first.
A week later, the "Black-Armored Beauty", or so the people refer to her, broke through. Attracting the attention of many elders because of her speed.
Ji-Yoon silently decided to wait for another person again. This woman was too fast. He was sure he could breakthrough in just one day after her and then still attract a lot of attention.
"A talented soldier is always on serious duties. I prefer to clean for others than die for them," Ji-Yoon muttered while getting water from a well. His whole body was soaked in sweat and had some dirt on the skin. He ignored the others' glares and carried two buckets full of water to the peak of the mountain.
"Alas, I'm really young and full of strength..." he muttered with an old sigh.