Chapter 4 - 『Shopkeeper』

"Say..."

[The host wants to ask about other ways to earn Psionic Stars, I presume]

"I haven't even spoken yet." Ling Yan sighed.

Ling Yan, who was currently inside his room in the Cultivation Pagoda, was asking the system about the most crucial part of his Psionic Arts—as he didn't quite get what the immortal meant by sacrificing his cultivation realm.

[The host will need to sacrifice his cultivation realm in order to earn a significant amount of Psionic Stars—this means all of your stored Qi will be transformed into Psionic Stars. Otherwise, you will get one Psionic star for each layer you breakthrough. This increases as you breakthrough to a major realm—however, it is still wise to sacrifice the host's cultivation as it earns significantly more.]

"You mean... I have to start all over again...?"

[The host is correct]

"Then... wouldn't I be in danger if I encounter someone after sacrificing my cultivation realm?" Ling Yan was slightly worried.

After all, if he were to sacrifice his cultivation realm, it would take a single finger for even a weak cultivator to kill him.

[The host has two options in regards to this: one can use the Psionic Stars to improve cultivation speed, massively shortening the time it requires for a breakthrough; the other is to increase the purity of the Qi absorbed and stored in the host—thus allowing the host to fight cultivators of a higher realm while being in a lower realm]

[Does the host plan to use his Psionic Stars this way?]

"I see—despite its drawbacks, it has its advantages. Although before I use them... what if..." Ling Yan thought of something he wanted to try out.

[Set the Host's Cultivation Realm directly to: Qi Refining (2nd Layer), Requires 15 Psionic Stars]

"This... This is simply plain robbery! It seems that I have no choice—I will just use all my Psionic Stars on Cultivation Speed." Ling Yan grimaced, it seems he can only cultivate diligently.

[Confirmed, the host has used 5 Psionic Stars, the host can now absorb Qi 50% more efficient]

"It's 10% each star... huh...?"

Ling Yan decided to keep his last remaining Psionic Star in case of an emergency. He couldn't predict what would happen in this world, after all.

<<----------->>

"This feels... soothing."

After several minutes of figuring out how to absorb Qi from Psi, he had finally begun. A faint and subtle glow enveloped him. He began to feel relieved and was washed away from all pain and burdens—the hair on his skin standing on all ends.

"I can see how these people can last for months—only doing secluded cultivation."

Ling Yan finally understood how those people in cultivation novels could last for so long doing nothing but cultivating—it seems that cultivating gives you a sense of a slightly euphoric feeling, which is why they didn't grow tired of it.

"There's also the pills from Meng He..." A childish glitter can be found in Ling Yan's eyes.

And so, Ling Yan spent most of his morning cultivating—supplementing it with the two bottles of pills that he had 'received', he had managed to make great progress in just one day.

<<----------->>

"...? Are you here for lunch brother?" The friendly shopkeeper asked.

"Yeah."

While cultivators of a higher realm don't need to eat or sleep, Qi Refining cultivators like Ling Yan still need to have proper diet and sleep. Only by reaching the 5th layer of Qi Refining can one stop eating—and only need a few hours of sleep a week.

"Well, why don't this brother join this humble shopkeeper for lunch? It's on me."

"...that's too generous of you shopkeeper." Ling Yan said, slightly suspicious of him.

"Oh please, it's no problem, call me brother Ju Hei, may I ask for brother's name?"

"Ling Yan."

Without asking for Ling Yan's reply, the shopkeeper gestured to follow him. Apparently, this cultivation pagoda also serves as a restaurant for cultivators—their dishes were far from ordinary however, as they have a wide variety of benefits for cultivators.

Although Ling Yan had a good impression of the shopkeeper, he still couldn't grasp why he was so generous towards him—given the benefit of the doubt, he decided to take his offer.

"You may have a seat brother Ling Yan."

"Brother Ju Hei... this is..."

In front of Ling Yan was what seemed to be a feast prepared beforehand—it was all too suspicious, but he could not sense any malice from the shopkeeper. It was highly likely that he was just trying to befriend him, or so Ling Yan concluded.

"These are finely crafted dishes of my establishment—they have similar effects to medicinal pills and are highly beneficial to Qi Refining cultivators like you, brother Ling Yan." The shopkeeper gestured to Ling Yan to help himself.

"But—"

"Now, brother Ling Yan might be wondering about my intentions, correct?"

As if reading his mind, the shopkeeper, voiced out Ling Yan's concern.

"There is no need for brother to be cautious, I only wish to befriend brother Ling Yan—as brother possesses a great destiny."

"Great destiny...?" Ling Yan found the shopkeeper's words to be mystifying as if voiced by an all-knowing elder.

"I may not be talented in cultivation, but I can sense people's destinies—and I see that brother Ling Yan carries great fortune. Someday, I hope brother won't forget Xīngyuè City and lend your aid."

The way he spoke was very calm, as if it was the voice of a leader—or so Ling Yan thought. He surmised that maybe...

"You're... you're not just an ordinary shopkeeper, aren't you, brother Ju Hei?"

"Yes, you have great insight, as expected. I hope brother can keep this between us."

"I am this city's mayor—and this is one of my favorite pastimes, to watch cultivators all around the globe. I do apologize for shocking brother Ling Yan."

Ling Yan was totally in awe, this person, who was probably several dozen times stronger than him in both authority and power—was speaking with everyone as if their equals, regardless of his title as the city's mayor. Ling Yan could not help but admire and respect his eccentric-yet-modest nature.

"Now, help yourself, brother." He gestured Ling Yan.

"Thank you, I certainly will not forget this kindness, brother Ju Hei."

Saying that, they began to eat—chatting about trivial and complex matters. The shopkeeper mentioned his reason for being a shopkeeper and about cultivators that he met along the way—both the good ones and the bad.

"Brother Ju Hei, this food... it's not just delicious, but I can feel it nurturing my Qi as I eat." Ling Yan said, marveling at the culinary expertise.

Each bite Ling Yan took, his body was filled with energy, and just as he was finishing his meal...

[Congratulations to the host for reaching Qi Refining Realm(2nd Layer)]

[The host condensed his first-ever Psionic Star]

"Haha, it seems I was not mistaken, brother Ling Yan. You've just broken through, I presume?"

"...! That's right, it's all thanks to brother Ju Hei—if there's ever a chance in the future, I won't let you down." Ling Yan stood up and bowed, this person was deserving of his respect.

The shopkeeper mentioned that even for talented cultivators, it takes them a full day with the assistance of medicinal pills to jump from the first layer to the second layer of Qi Refining. But for Ling Yan, it only took less than half a day. The shopkeeper couldn't help but laugh—and needless to say, they both had a great time eating their fill.