[Welcome, Dungeon Master.]
Akira stumbled as he experienced a brief surge of headaches that quickly faded.
[Welcome, Dungeon Master. Would you like to learn the content or skip it? Skipping provides an additional 100 Qi points to the Dungeon Master,] a voice said.
"Who are you? Where are you?" Akira asked, trying to recover from the pain, massaging his temples.
[I am called a System,] the voice replied.
System? Why does it sound familiar? Ah. Akira's eyes glinted for a moment.
Akira responded in his mind, "I'd like to learn the contents."
[Very well then, does the Dungeon Master want it to be verbal or written? Please be warned this is a one-time offer and there's a time limit. Please choose carefully.]
Reading is essential for me to learn thoroughly, but with the added pressure of a timer, it might be difficult to focus and understand the details of the content.
"Verbal," Akira replied.
[Very well then. Please listen carefully, Dungeon Master.]
The System explained the dungeon's rules and mechanics, and Akira listened attentively. Although he is not so sure, a part of him knew that understanding the system was crucial for his survival in this new world.
The explanation ended in four minutes with only five seconds left.
[Good luck to the Dungeon Master!]
Silence…
The atmosphere fell solemn as the timer reached its limit.
Akira looked up at the horizon, and muttered, "Dungeon Master, huh?"
Akira discovered himself in a new world called Earth, where Spiritual Qi was diminishing and Cultivators were plentiful.
He was tasked with managing a rare Dungeon in this cultivation world, a feat achieved by only a select few. Only possible for a thousandth of a billion of a percent.
Despite the rarity of his situation, Akira remained unfazed. "I had a past and I existed, not here but somewhere." Akira paused briefly before saying, "A world with cultivators and regular people, huh?"
The typical difference between cultivators and ordinary people, aside from the cultivators having spiritual roots, is the color of their hair.
Cultivators typically have gold, white, or silver hair, with rare exceptions of some having black hair.
In contrast, ordinary people usually have black hair.
If an ordinary person is recognized to have spiritual roots, their hair color will eventually change.
The world consists of two continents, Urea and Silica, divided by a vast ocean. Various kingdoms, sects, and clans inhabit these continents, all using gold as their currency. Gold coins are used for transactions by both cultivators and ordinary people.
The Silica Continent is a diverse region where cultivators and non-cultivators coexist, although power abuse is not uncommon. In contrast, the Silica continent is still preferable to the Urea Continent, where non-cultivators are exploited by cultivators.
Both continents are competing for dwindling spiritual resources, preventing cultivators from reaching full immortality.
Only those born with cultivation talent can absorb Spiritual Qi.
From Qi Condensation Realm to Divine Immortal. Each realm consists of three stages namely Early Stage, Mid Stage, and Late Stage, except for Divine Immortal.
To become Divine Immortal, cultivators need to break through each realm.
Qi Condensation Realm
Foundation Realm
Core Formation Realm
Golden Core Realm
Nascent Soul Realm
Quasi Saint Realm
Saint Realm
Quasi Immortal Realm
True Immortal Realm
Divine Immortal Realm
In the Early Stage of each realm, the human's Dantian opens to absorb Spiritual Qi, providing the body with the energy needed to perform miracles and cast cultivation techniques.
Once a person breaks through the Early Stage, the Dantian wound expands, and the speed of absorption of Spiritual Qi increases, entering the Mid Stage, and so on.
Cultivation requires a manual to learn new skills, techniques, and body refinement. Manuals are categorized as Common, Rare, Heavenly, and Divine based on their rank.
It is the same with body refinements but only differs in name.
Common Body Refinement Manual, followed by Earth Body Refinement Manual, Heaven Body Refinement Manual, and Divine Body Refinement Manual.
Every cultivator can learn almost anything as long as the Cultivation Manual corresponds with their Cultivation Talent.
This Cultivation Talent varies based on a person's potential from birth. It is measured through the use of their Spiritual Qi.
However, Akira, who had a permanent System, could display a cultivator's talent through numerical means.
Akira was pleased with his mysterious familiarity with unusual words and their uses.
"The explanation about this world told me that the Common Manual Rank can be learned by a Cultivator who has a Cultivation Talent of X and above."
"Rare Rank Manual is XXX
Heavenly Rank Manual is LXX
While the Divine Rank Manual is C."
A person's talent for cultivation is determined from the day they are born.
Every cultivator has predestined skills that they can only learn throughout their life, but they are not limited in their ascension to the next realm. With abundant resources, proper cultivation, and a Master, a cultivator can become a True Immortal.
Due to the sudden decrease in Spiritual Qi, reaching the Quasi-Saint Realm is nearly impossible.
It's rare for someone to reach the Nascent Soul Realm what more a Quasi Sant Realm and ascend to the Immortal Realm?
Cultivators who reached the Quasi-Immortal Realm lost touch with Earth Cultivators, and vice versa.
Cultivators are differentiated depending on their dwellings.
Qi Condensation Realm cultivators to Nascent Soul Realm cultivators are called Earth Cultivators.
Cultivators who successfully become Quasi Saints are permitted by the laws of this world to enter the realm of the Gods, known as the Heaven Realm. There, they continue to cultivate after enduring the turbulent and devastating power of Heaven's Tribulation in the form of a condensed lightning storm.
Then they will be called Heaven Cultivators.
When the Spiritual Qi decreased and war broke out on Earth, the Gate of Heaven closed. The System did not clarify if the Gate of Heaven can still be opened. As a result, no Nascent Soul Realm cultivators have been able to advance. While Elixir can assist them, it is insufficient.
Consequently, the future of cultivation looks grim, and as they age, their bodies deteriorate and die.
Cultivators were most saddened by the fact that when they died, their Spiritual Qi disappeared along with their bodies, never to return to replenish the Spiritual Qi on Earth. This is one of the mysteries left unsolved.
Cultivators can rely on the power of Elixirs. However, over time, even Elixirs will lose their potency, posing a daunting challenge for cultivators.
Elixirs are fruits infused with dense Spiritual Qi and a small amount of Insight, which can aid cultivators in gaining enlightenment.
They are graded based on the quantity of Spiritual Qi and Insight they possess, with categories such as Earth Grade, Essence Grade, and Profound Grade and so Spirit Stone found deep underground.
The Spirit Stone and Elixir are both of the same grade but have different uses. Elixir can be consumed directly, while cultivators need to extract the Spiritual Qi and Insight contained in the Spirit Stone.
The Spirit Stone is well complemented during meditation, an old and effective yet slow method of cultivation.
These also correspond to numeral means, thanks to Akira's system.
The sudden decrease in Spiritual Qi has led to a scarcity of Elixirs and Spirit Stones due to the lack of dense Spiritual Qi. In the past, this dormant Qi had the ability to transform fruits into Elixirs, while Spirit Stones are typically found and trapped in underground mines.
Akira was intrigued and puzzled by the drop in Spiritual Qi on Earth, but the System's explanation did not provide clarity.
He also pondered the existence of True Immortals above Heaven, cultivators in the Underworld, and the possibility of Divine Immortal cultivators, leaving him with lingering questions.
As for the treasures, any cultivator regardless of their cultivation realm can use any treasures to their means.
Akira leaned on the obelisk and called out to the System.
A translucent screen appeared in front of him, displaying all the details about him and the Dungeon he was meant to protect.
[Name: Akira]
[Title: Dungeon Master]
[Lifespan: ???]
[Qi Points: 100]
[Main: Protect the Dungeon from being conquered]
[Side: Find people with cultivation to try conquering the Dungeon to gain Qi Points as rewards]
Akira's left brow arched upon seeing Quests. "Talks about contradictory."
[Dungeon Level: 1]
[Level Perks:]
His eyes fixed on the Level Perks.
[Level Perks:]
(The Dungeon is protected by an outer invisible barrier that extends to a 1-mile radius. The barrier can withstand full blunt force from individuals below the Core Formation Realm, regardless of their number.)
(The Inner Invisible Barrier in the Dungeon can withstand full blunt force below the Core Formation Realm, regardless of the number of attackers.)
"This is useful in case someone tries to destroy the dungeon's entrance. It also serves as my protection as long as I'm within the radius."
Akira tapped the square button beside the Qi Points and another translucent tab appeared.
[Dungeon Master can earn Qi Points every time a cultivator visits, and there's no limit to the number of cultivators. However, there's a 24-hour cooldown before the Dungeon Master can earn Qi points from the same cultivator again. You can also exchange Qi Points. Would the Dungeon Master like to proceed to the store?]
Akira tapped the word 'yes' and the interface changed.
The Interface was divided into four Panels. Personal, Dungeon, Foods, Store.
Akira was fascinated by the variety of food on the panel and quickly tapped it to explore the different dishes available.
"I can get a carbonated beverage for just 1 Qi Point? Not bad. Let's see if it's worth it but that's for later. What exactly is a carbonated drink, anyway? I've never tried it, but I'm curious."
Akira began to scroll down.
The result of his canvass is not satisfying.
If he wanted to eat meals three times a day by using the System, he needed to pay 10 Qi Points.
Based on this alone, it's expensive, considering he had only 100 points saved on his System.
Akira prepared himself as he transitioned from the Foods Panel to the Personal Panel.
Fortunately, he didn't anticipate the items sold in this section to be cheap, so he was spared from disappointment.
This Panel is selling familiar clothing with mending effects. Alleviating tense muscles and the like and there are some that could give him the ability to perform various miracles.
There are many varieties comprised specifically for men and women.
He permanently filters it according to his likeness.
Every garb and set of clothing has a visual presentation and name below it.
There was this a set of clothes comprising a jacket and trousers with a collared dress shirt, and necktie. It was called Lounge Suit. Being sold for a staggering price, 10,500 Qi Points each.
Callous way of pricing, huh?
Although expensive it can prevent him from being harmed. Some can withstand the full blunt power of the Late Stage Qi Condensation cultivator while some offer a blur for a short duration.
"There's a similar clothing I am currently wearing with much lower prices but the Personal Panel is of no use to me for now."
Akira switched the Panel and was directed to the Store Panel.
He found goods that were sold with their names that seemed familiar to him.
He then proceeded to open the Dungeon Panel.
This Panel is divided into three categories.
Dungeon.
Floor Boss.
Floor Beast.
Akira first visits the Dungeon category.
His brow arched as he read the first sentence on the interface:
[Ascend the Dungeon to the Next Level?] Without much thought, he tapped "Yes," not expecting anything to happen.
Akira tapped the button and the condition needed to ascend the Dungeon displayed.
[500,000 Qi Points are needed to Ascend to Level 2]
500,000 Qi Points? That's unreasonably ridiculous.
This is ridiculous and nonsensical.
Akira could not help but frown at the System in front of him for a second.
He massaged his glabella and moved on to the next category.
As expected, in the Floor Boss Category, he can use the Qi Points to strengthen the registered body constitution of the Floor Boss and their manual techniques by certain numerical points for an appropriate price, and even ascend them to the next realms. However, the price added to Akira's headache.
100,000 Qi Points to ascend the First Floor Boss's [Body Refinement] and [Cultivation Manual] by 1 numerical point and 100,000 Qi points for 2 numerical points for [Cultivation Talent].
At the same time, he can deliberately lower all these cultivations by 1 numerical Point for 20,000 Qi Points each. And 20,000 Qi Points for 2 numerical points for [Cultivation Talent].
He was unsure why there was a strange function that would reduce their body refinement and cultivation talent, or what circumstances would require him to use it.
The Floor Beast can use Qi Points to either increase their numbers or enhance their strength.
After tapping all the buttons he can tap, Akira closes the System and massages his temples.
Akira was not exactly bothered by the rest except the Qi points needed to ascend the dungeon to the next level.
And he felt it disturbing.
Qi Points are crucial in this dungeon, ensuring my safety as long as I have them. It's also a good idea to protect the dungeon itself.
I can manage both tasks, either simultaneously or one at a time. Additionally, I don't have to worry about food for now, as there is a large crop near the dungeon entrance, still within its barrier.
Akira turned towards the dungeon entrance with a nonchalant expression and entered.