"It's quite odd, don't you think Psi? The life of cultivating on closed doors is so peaceful."
[...]
"I mean, shouldn't my story start moving by now? Aside from that immortal who abducted me a while back, there are no developments whatsoever."
It's been a few days since then, and Ling Yan had spent most of his time in the Cultivation Pagoda—occasionally leaving to buy scented incense, which Ling Yan took a fancy to recently.
"I've reached the third layer of Qi Refining in the meantime, shouldn't I be fighting right now and show off my talent—only to be recruited by a well-known sect?"
[The host seems to be uninformed]
"...?"
[The host is applicable to sacrifice his cultivation]
"But... isn't it too soon...?"
Ling Yan had been diligently cultivating the past few days, occasionally chatting and having meals with the shopkeeper—and with the occasional acquaintance that he brings along. Life was peaceful for Ling Yan, and he easily got along with the people he have met over the course of his time in the Cultivation Pagoda.
[The host will need at least 9 days before breaking to the next realm, as it is estimated to be three to five times longer to break through to the next realm compared to the previous—the host remembers this, correct?]
"Yeah..."
Ling Yan was informed about various things by the shopkeeper—without making it obvious that he was an outsider and that he knew nothing. He was planning to spend the rest of his time in Xīngyuè City until he broke through Foundation-Establishment Realm.
[Therefore, the host is recommended to sacrifice his cultivation to condense more Psionic Stars to improve your cultivation. However, this is only a suggestion]
"Well... how many stars can I condense with my cultivation right now?" Ling Yan asked inquisitively.
[Calculating...
Qi Refining Realm (2nd Layer) = 5 Psionic Stars
Qi Refining Realm (3rd Layer) = 15 Psionic Stars
Total = 20 Psionic Stars
Shall the host sacrifice his cultivation realm?]
"20 stars...!? That was why it cost so much to directly change my cultivation." Ling Yan said excitedly.
With 20 Psionic stars, he could increase his cultivation speed by 200%, essentially reaching his cultivation of Qi Refining Realm (3rd Layer) within one day. Ling Yan was about to immediately do so, until...
"Won't they find it odd that I've regressed in cultivation...?"
[As a safety measure of the Psionic Arts, in each sacrifice of the host's cultivation realm, the host will be randomly transported to a random place at this cultivation star of Yōu Jìng Realm]
"...eh?" Ling Yan was befuddled.
[Therefore, the host is recommended to bid their farewells]
"Can't we make do without being transported...?" Ling Yan said worriedly, this was not something he had expected.
[The host's proficiency in Psionic Arts must reach a greater mastery]
"..."
Ling Yan was speechless—this meant that every time he goes to a new place, he'd have to bid farewell to the people he met along the way. He was reluctant to part ways with the shopkeeper and his acquaintances so soon, these people were his friends—despite only meeting a while back, Ling Yan never felt estranged.
"I see, I'll give it some thought for now..."
As if reading the mood, the system has gone silent, leaving the now perplexed Ling Yan to himself. Despite his calm and calculating bearing, Ling Yan had always valued the people he met.
<<----------->>
*Sigh*
"Mayo—I mean, shopkeeper, why haven't I seen senior brother Ling Yan today?" One of the shopkeeper's staff asked.
"Well, he's finally off to achieve greatness..."
The shopkeeper had said in a melancholic tone as he looked towards the newly opened door, a grin could be seen amidst his resigned face.
"Achieve greatness...? Is that so..."
"Isn't it about time you should also go out and explore the world, Xiao Li Bai?"
"That cannot be! I have vowed to serve your lordship ever since you saved me that day!" The little young man said resolutely.
This person was one of the staff of the pagoda, and the shopkeeper acts as his adoptive guardian. His aptitude was good, and the shopkeeper had treated him quite well.
"Haha, well—still as stubborn as ever. Now, call on the others and begin cleaning the place."
"Yes!"
"It's a pity that you're not able to stay a bit longer, even so, I pray for your long and arduous journey towards the peak of martial dao—otherworlder."
The Cultivation Pagoda was lively as ever, as the shopkeeper greets new and old customers alike—even if things are meant to part, they will continue on living another day, striving for their own dao.
"...come to think of it, recently, wasn't there news of otherworlders summoned in the royal capital and of the surrounding dynasties? I might have been wrong in judging him as one. Whatever, it does not matter—brother Ling Yan will shake the world, after all." Ju Hei, the whimsical mayor, playfully laughed.
<<----------->>
[This location is acceptable]
"Hey, Psi. Where will I end up after this?"
[The host is still unable to access that information]
[The host's proficiency in Psionic Arts must reach a greater mastery]
In a random abandoned alleyway in Xīngyuè City, where no man nor woman could be found, lies Ling Yan. He still had reservations in sacrificing his cultivation realm—nonetheless, he had prepared himself mentally.
"Mastery...? Come to think of it, you have also mentioned this previously."
[Psionic Arts are divided into different realms of mastery:
✥ Mortal Mastery
✥ Ascendant Mastery
✥ Great Divine Mastery
✥ Perfection
Each is separated into five stages: Initial, Elementary, Intermediate, Near-Perfection, Peak
The host is currently in the Initial Mortal Mastery and can only access limited functions.]
"This... This is still limited...?" Ling Yan was in awe, 'overpowered' wasn't enough to describe the Psionic Arts.
The system further explained that one can increase mastery by spending Psionic Stars—this meant that he had to use them wisely. Additionally, as Ling Yan increases his mastery over Psionic Arts—the cost of altering and changing reality was reduced, and he will unlock more features of the art.
"That may be so, still—it doesn't change the fact that I'll have to re-cultivate all over again and be transported to a new random unfamiliar place." Ling Yan could only heavily sigh.
[The host will have to deal with it]
"You...!"
Before he could finish his retort, Ling Yan was enveloped in bright purple light—as his vision begins to blur, and his ears deafens. Oddly enough, it was comfortable for Ling Yan, as he lost his will to argue with the system.
[Congratulations to the host for his First Rebirth]