The Yue Kingdom, Prosper County, Duke Fu's Mansion.
The Front Hall.
Everyone held their breath and their gaze was fixed on the center of the hall.
"Red Flame Divine Palm!"
With just a low shout, a young man of outstanding appearance in the hall, his palm glowing red, conjured a ball of fire out of thin air.
A large copper bell stood on the ground, and he gently pushed upwards with his flaming hand.
Hum!
The copper bell, as if made of tofu, was effortlessly pierced by the flames, opening a large hole.
The impact continued undiminished, a fiery light appeared inside the copper bell, the body of the bell began to redden, half of it even melting in an instant, spilling molten copper all over the ground.
"It's an Innate Martial Technique! He's a Martial Arts Master!"
Everyone cried out in wonder, especially the warriors in the hall, who held a deep reverence for the young man.
Seeing people's surprise, Yu Xian slightly lifted his chin, feigning arrogance, while secretly grumbling in his heart.
"The spiritual energy of the Mortal World is indeed extremely thin. The mere casting of a Fireball Technique consumes almost half of my mana. Pathetic that I, an accomplished Cultivator, can still feel a hint of pride for impressing a bunch of mortals."
Three years ago, Yu Xian crossed-over, replaced the original body, and picked up the Level 3 Qi Cultivation realm.
At first, Yu Xian was excited.
This was Cultivation. This meant becoming a sword immortal, which meant traveling across the oceans in the morning and evening, beheading those he needed with a flying sword from a thousand miles away…
As he continued his cultivation, Yu Xian gradually realized that something was wrong.
The first major realm of Cultivation is the Qi Cultivation Realm, which has nine levels.
Over thirty years old, and still stuck at Level 3 of Qi Cultivation, he had no bright prospects in sight.
Although Cultivators in the Qi realm receive nourishment from spiritual energy, their lifespan only extends about ten or twenty years longer than ordinary people, living to be one hundred years old at most.
Should something go awry in the midst of cultivation, and one might only live to be seventy or eighty years old, and if one gets an internal injury during a battle, it is not impossible to only reach sixty. If one encounters a demonic cultivator or a tribulation cultivator, they might die instantly.
The more Yu Xian pondered, the more panicked he became.
Since the path of Cultivation leads only to death, it's better to decisively lay low and enjoy life!
Yu Xian decided to retire and live out his life in comfort in the nearby mortal world.
The Mortal World refers to areas where the spiritual energy is extremely sparse, and resources for cultivation are extremely scarce. Not only does a Cultivator's cultivation level not progress here, but if one stays for too long, his or her cultivation level might even regress.
Over time, no Cultivator is willing to stay here, so it becomes a realm inhabited only by ordinary people.
Yu Xian spent all his meager savings, traversed the Sea of Death which separates the Mortal World and the Cultivation World, and arrived in the Yue Kingdom.
As he traveled, he happened to pass through Duke Fu's territory, where he heard that Duke Fu was recruiting for tributors to his court.
Duke Fu is the full-blood younger brother of the King of Yue, who was granted its tributary, Prosper County. Some time ago, for reasons unknown, he offended a Martial Arts Master, who intruded into the Royal Mansion late at night to assassinate him. Two of Duke Fu's three strongest warriors were killed, and Duke Fu himself was almost killed too.
Eventually, the personnel of the Royal Mansion desperately defended Duke Fu and repelled the enemy, but Duke Fu also suffered serious injuries.
With his power now vacuous, Duke Fu is not only requesting the court for powerful reinforcements but also recruiting tributors from civilian folks with attractive rewards.
Upon hearing this, Yu Xian immediately saw potential in his retirement plan—find a good place to settle down and retire comfortably.
Thus, he claimed to be the second generation disciple from the Hermit Sect Fire God Gate, removed the recruitment notice and entered Duke Fu's Mansion, resulting in the current scene.
Yu Xian turned his gaze to the Princess Consort on the main seat of the hall and bowed, saying,
"My skills are but trifling, I am a little embarrassed to demonstrate them."
He does not reveal his identity as a Cultivator, but poses as a mortal Innate Martial Artist instead.
Spiritual energy is an extraordinary seed. Although the spiritual energy of the Mortal World is sparse, that doesn't mean it's non-existent.
As a result, there are some mortals with great determination who dig into their potential, refine their True Qi to become Acquired Martial Artists, and then harness the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to temper their bodies, advancing to Innate Masters—similar to the path a Cultivator takes to refine their body.
The Princess Consort of Duke Fu is a stunning woman dressed in a pale pink palace dress. Her figure is curvaceous, and at this moment, she is examining Yu Xian, who is quite the eye-catcher.
Everyone cares about appearances.
As Cultivators cultivate, they are nourished by spiritual energy day and night and naturally become more attractive. As long as one is not born deformed, there are hardly any Cultivators who are ugly, and most of them can be considered at least handsome.
"Master Yu is too modest. With just that palm, you are more than qualified to be Duke Fu's Mansion's Heavenly-rank Tributor. The question is, what does Master Yu desire?"
Martial arts practitioners who reach the level of Innate Master possess the rudiments of power and tend to disdain ordinary wealth and honor, with conventional riches and benefits no longer easily tempting them.
"I have spent half my life suffering and cultivating. I could no longer bear the solitude of the mountains and therefore ventured into the outside world to seek the pleasures of wealth and prosperity. Today, I am fortunate to meet the Royal Mansion's recruitment, which I believe to be fate."
Yu Xian stared at Princess Consort Fu's beautiful face, his gaze was frank and his demeanor was composed.
"I enjoy luxurious food and clothing, fine carriages and beauties, and extravagant pleasures. Above all, I am fond of beautiful women. Can the Princess Consort accommodate my wishes?"
Perhaps Yu Xian's words were too direct, the Princess Consort's cheeks turned slightly red, and she hid her embarrassment with a delicate, concealed giggle.
"Master Yu is truly candid and straightforward. But the thing that the Royal Mansion lacks the least is wealth and opulence. As long as Master Yu is willing to serve the Royal Mansion, you should have everything you wish for."
"Yulan."
"Here."
"From now on, you belong to Master Yu. From now on, you must serve Master Yu well and should not be negligent."
"Yes, Madam."
A petite, youthful beauty stood up from the Princess Consort's side. Although she was not as stunningly beautiful as the Princess Consort, she had a freshness and youthful aura of a girl next door.
When she saw Yu Xian looking at Yulan, Princess Consort Fu introduced her saying, "Yulan has been with me for five years now. Not even Duke Fu has touched a finger of hers."
"She is the most obedient girl by my side. Master Yu, you can ask her to do anything you need in the future."
Yu Xian accepted the girl without further ado, thanked Princess Consort Fu and said,
"Madam is very open-minded. I will not fail Madam's trust and will do my utmost for the Royal Mansion in the future!"
The Princess Consort's smile bloomed like a blossoming flower with Yu Xian's promise, causing him to be momentarily dazed. Doubts began to creep inside his heart.
I actually have devious intentions?
Unmindful of Yu Xian's nefarious plans, Princess Consort Fu felt relieved, knowing that a Martial Arts Master joining Duke Fu's Mansion added some confidence to their power.
"Yulan, take Master Yu to Building A-2 in the Tribute Court to rest. Also, there will be a banquet in the Royal Mansion tonight to welcome Master Yu to the Mansion, and I request Master Yu not to decline."
Upon hearing about a free banquet, Yu Xian naturally agreed.
"Please rest assured, Madam, I will be there promptly."
...
That night.
The banquet in the Royal Mansion was in full swing, filled with laughter and merriment from both hosts and guests.
The Princess Consort showed up briefly, then excused herself on the pretext of taking care of Prince Wang.
As the protagonist of the banquet, Yu Xian was the center of attention. He took this chance to acquaint himself with many Royal Mansion Tributors. However, all of them held a rank lower than him, that of Earth-rank Tributor.
The Royal Mansion has tributors of two ranks - Heaven and Earth.
The requirement for a Heavenly-rank Tributor is simple; they must be an Innate Martial Arts Master. As long as they can fight, they qualify.
The standards for an Earth-rank Tributor are a bit higher. They can either be a Peak Acquired Realm martial artist or someone with unique craft skills, such as using hidden weapons, poison techniques, medical skills, tomb robbing, insect breeding, or beast taming.
The Royal Mansion kept these tributors around, never knowing when their skills might come in handy.
Yu Xian's eyes were opened wide. Silently, he marveled at the variety of skills in the mortal world.
After the banquet.
Tribute Court, Building A-2.
"I can't drink anymore, really," he said, swaying disorientedly towards his bedroom, his body heavy with the scent of alcohol and leaning on Yulan's petite figure.
Yulan, struggling to support Yu Xian, sighed and said, "My lord, you were too agreeable earlier. Who keeps drinking every time someone toasts them?"
She had seen his good manners at the evening banquet. Even when drunk, he never hurt or insulted anyone, but loved to hug people and babble, which was somewhat endearing.
Just like he said during the day, he particularly fancied beauties.
Throughout the night, her hands were almost rubbed raw.
But this wasn't a drawback, necessarily.
Now that she had been bestowed by the Princess Consort to Tributor Yu, she was his, and the more he favored her, the better she would be treated in the future.
"Master, rest well, and call me if you need anything," she said.
Just as she was about to leave after tucking Yu Xian into bed, a large hand grabbed her.
"Don't, don't go."
...
After the deed was done.
Yu Xian felt extremely refreshed, as if his whole being had been liberated.
Poor him, despite living two lives, this was his first time and he felt a bit awkward.
He had given up the thin hope of Immortality, risked his life to cross the Sea of Death to the Mortal World, and his new life was starting today.
Suddenly, his spiritual sense moved, detecting a new flow of mana circulating in his body.
What was that?
Yu Xian was confused.
Was this the way his cheat, which he had been calling for a long time since the beginning of his transmigration, activated?
Damn, that's too outrageous!
Yu Xian let out a deep breath, suppressing his excitement.
Before his eyes, a green panel emerged.
[Name: Yu Xian]
[Cultivation: Level 3 of Qi Cultivation（28/30）]
[Cultivation partner: Yulan（1/1）]
At that moment, the way Yu Xian looked at Yulan was as if he were looking at a priceless treasure.
She was now his cultivation partner. Without the words of a matchmaker, without the command of parents, but at that moment, it was deeper than any assurance could ever be.
...
The next morning.
Fully awake after an exciting night, Yu Xian lay in bed, staring blankly at the mosquito net above him.
The shiny green panel in front of him confirmed that this was not a dream.
[Name: Yu Xian]
[Cultivation: Level 4 of Qi Cultivation（1/50）]
[Cultivation partner: Yulan（1/1）]
Mid-stage Qi Cultivation. He could look inside himself with his spiritual sense.
Yu Xian's spiritual sense probed his Dantian. There he saw abundant mana. Compared with yesterday, it was not only more pure but quantity had also increased by about 30%.
Yesterday he could cast the Fireball Technique thrice at most. Now, he could perform it at least five times, and with more potency.
Moreover, he now felt more nimble, his body lighter, and he made small gains in speed and power. He was probably on par with an Acquired Martial Artist.
However, a Qi Cultivation practitioner's strength does not depend on their physical strength.
At this moment, he was a bona fide mid-stage Qi Cultivation practitioner.
Of course, he was self-aware. Among others at the mid-stage Qi Cultivation level, he was amongst the weaker ones.
In terms of techniques, he was practicing the Innate Qi Cultivating Technique, a common choice in the Cultivation World without any attribute bonuses. The only benefit was its balanced nature, making it easier to change techniques in the future. Theoretically, he could practice it all the way up to the Foundation Establishment Realm.
For spiritual techniques, other than the Small Cloud Rain Technique for farming, Small Golden Needle Technique for insect removal, Small Wither Technique for weeding, the only offensive technique he knew was the Fireball Technique.
As for spirit talismans and magic artifacts, they were beyond the reach of a poor person like him.
Still, Yu Xian was content. As long as he could cultivate his technique, that was fine.
If he wanted superior techniques, he would have to return to the Cultivation World to take risks, and there was no guarantee of success.
Although he unwittingly awakened the cheat, it only made Yu Xian even more determined to live in the Mortal World.
In the Cultivation World, prodigies and monsters roamed freely, powerful patriarchs dominated, and he, a small shrimp, could not even withstand the shockwaves of their battles.
Staying in this small pond of the Mortal World might limit him, but it was safe.
Yu Xian pecked the girl in his arms gently, and as sleepiness crept upon him, he drifted off to sleep, his dreams filled with hope.
From this moment forward, his life, which had been as lifeless as ash, suddenly sparked into life…