Mastering a technique was a serious commitment. It required years of effort, vast amounts of resources, and painstaking refinement—unless, of course, the cultivator was fortunate enough to find a technique that shared a similar foundation with what they had already learned. And that didn't even include the work needed to increase one's cultivation realm. Alex's lips curled into a smirk.
This world's cultivation system fascinated him. At the Foundation Stage, cultivators forcibly strengthened their bodies through a combination of rare natural treasures and intense training. This was to ensure their bodies could withstand the sheer power of Qi— Because if they weren't prepared? They would explode.
Only after this brutal conditioning did they begin to cultivate their inner Qi, circulating it through their bodies like a second bloodstream. Step by step, it sank into their flesh, restructuring their physical form from the inside out. And those so-called geniuses? They were simply the ones who could skip steps, cutting down the time and resources needed for the process.
'No wonder marriage was treated so seriously in the cultivation world.' It wasn't about love—it was about selective breeding. Powerful bloodlines, enhanced spiritual roots, superior physiques. Generations of carefully arranged marriages optimized the next generation's potential.
Marriage for love? That was a luxury most couldn't afford. What was the point when a single weak link in the bloodline could cripple future generations?
In a world where one truly strong person could crush ten thousand—Feelings came second. Of course, some still followed their emotions. Humans, no matter the world, were still human. But most of those who acted on love? They met tragic ends.
Alex's gaze darkened slightly as he absorbed more information. The so-called tribulation that cultivators faced when ascending to immortality—It wasn't some divine test. It was a self-inflicted transformation.
To become an immortal, they had to break down and reconstruct their own bodies using pure elemental Qi. If they failed? They died. If they succeeded? They transcended mortality. What came after that was still a mystery. Some claimed the next step was soul cultivation, but the exact method remained unknown. Even Mingyue only possessed a basic technique that allowed cultivators to strengthen their souls using Qi.
Alex tapped his fingers against his desk. "…Just what is Qi?" he muttered. "Is it similar to mana?" If Qi was a completely different energy system, it would complicate things. It meant he would need to experiment—And compare it to mana directly. First, he needed to get his hands on a Qi stone. But before that— "Vesa, what's the maximum size of an item you can send right now?"
[With my current power, the domain is still small, Right now, I can transfer something as small as a handgun and a phone. However, If you place multiple items inside a storage ring, I should be able to send many at once.]
Alex smirked. "That works." He had everything he needed to send Mingyue a proper introduction to modern firepower.
If he could fully utilize the storage ring, it would massively accelerate their growth. The sheer quantity of items they could send would skyrocket.
Alex could simply buy tons of high-quality gear, armor, and weapons—then send it all to Mingyue's world at once. The mental image of hundreds of commoners unloading machine guns and bazookas at arrogant cultivators made him laugh out loud.* "No matter the world—whether it's mine or the cultivation world—whaling is always the answer! Hahaha!"
With that thought in mind, he spent the next hour selecting the best novels for Mingyue. He made sure to pick fun, lighthearted ones—filled with ridiculous plots and over-the-top comedy. He also loaded the phone with various games and packed a few solar power banks to keep the phone charged. As for weapons… He would need his sister's help for that. It wasn't like he could just waltz into a store and buy a gun—at least, not legally.
***
The moon hung high in the sky as a sleek, silver sports car pulled into an underground parking lot. Alex stepped out, heading straight to the private elevator. He pressed the button for the highest floor—his sister Emily's residence.
Ding! The elevator doors slid open, revealing a luxurious penthouse. A beautiful woman sat comfortably on the couch, her golden hair falling over her shoulders. She turned her piercing blue eyes toward him, a warm smile tugging at her lips. "You finally showed up," she said, casually pointing to the couch.
Unlike Alex—who resembled their mother—Emily had inherited their father's looks. Golden hair. Striking blue eyes. An air of quiet confidence. Alex sighed and slumped down onto the couch. "Oh yeah, before I forget—I need a weapon."
Emily raised an eyebrow. "A weapon?"
"Yeah. One that can be powered by mana—and another that shoots normal bullets. A handgun model for both, with plenty of ammo." Emily didn't look too surprised. Now that Alex was stepping out of the shadows, some self-defense tools were a given. "Sure, I'll get them." Then, she smirked. "But can you even use them?"
Alex shot her a deadpan look. Emily just laughed. "You should also get a bodyguard, brother," she added. "Even though your name isn't officially on record, people will figure out our relationship soon enough."
She wasn't wrong. Once they publicly announced the guild, they'd be front-page news. He needed to set up proper security. "I'll start looking," Alex muttered.
Emily leaned back. "You should recruit the old Suzaku guild members who survived—especially Zold."
"Zold?"
Emily arched a brow. "Oh yeah, you're not familiar with the guild's inner circle." She crossed her arms. "Zold is the son of Silva—Dad's right-hand man."
Alex's expression shifted. Silva had been one of the strongest members of Suzaku. His SS-rank ability had made him an absolute monster in combat. "He's still looking for a way to enter the forbidden zone," Emily continued. Then, she smirked. "But knowing Mom, she probably already told you to recruit them, right?"
Alex sighed. "Yeah."
Emily chuckled. "Figures. I'll send you a list of their profiles later." Then, she leaned forward, her eyes turning serious. "Alright. Now tell me about this new power system of yours."
Alex tapped his fingers against the armrest. "…Before that, Emily—has any other power system ever emerged before?"