Lin Feng, now officially an outer disciple of the Azure Dragon Sect, walked towards the reception area as instructed. His mind was still reeling from the intense emotional trials he had just endured, but the excitement of a new beginning also bubbled within him.
As he entered the reception area, a young cultivator greeted him. The young man, who appeared friendly and approachable, wore the distinctive robe of an outer disciple, similar to the one Lin Feng now held in his hands.
"Welcome to the Azure Dragon Sect, Outer Disciple Lin Feng," the receptionist began, his voice warm. "Let me explain some essentials about our sect's structure and your new life here."
He laid out a clear picture of the hierarchical structure within the sect:
Outer Disciples: The entry-level position for all new members, where they learn the fundamentals of cultivation and can earn the right to ascend to higher ranks through dedication and contribution.
Inner Disciples: Those who have shown exceptional prowess and commitment are promoted to this rank. Inner disciples gain access to advanced teachings and more significant missions.
Core Disciples: The elite group within the sect, consisting of cultivators who have not only mastered many profound techniques but have also demonstrated unwavering loyalty and exceptional abilities.
"The ranks are not just titles—they dictate what resources and teachings are available to you," the young cultivator explained.
Next, he introduced Lin Feng to the identification token system. "This token," he said while pointing at the small, round talisman Lin Feng held, "serves multiple purposes. You need to bind it with your blood and Qi. Once bound, it acts as your room key and a storage device for contribution points, which you'll earn by completing missions or performing tasks that the elders deem worthy."
He demonstrated how to bind the token—Lin Feng pricked his finger, and a drop of blood fell on the talisman, which then glowed briefly as he channeled a small amount of his Qi into it.
"Perfect, now it's synced to you personally. You can also check your contribution points and sect status through it," the receptionist added with a smile.
After the initial orientation, Lin Feng was directed to his quarters. He walked down a long corridor lined with doors, each leading to a small but functional room assigned to an outer disciple.
His room, like the others, was modest—a single mat for sleeping, a small kitchen area, basic toiletries, and other necessities for daily life. It was not luxurious, but it was a private space where he could meditate, practice his cultivation techniques, and rest after the day's trials.
Feeling the weight of all he had experienced during the trials and the barrage of new information, Lin Feng decided to call it a night. He settled onto the mat, closing his eyes as sleep rapidly took over, his exhaustion clearly presenting itself.
While Lin Feng slept, his room remained silent except for the occasional flicker of light from the identification token that lay beside him. Suddenly, the air above the token emitted a soft but persistent glow, indicating an ongoing process that Lin Feng was oblivious to. A series of notifications began to populate the surroundings, visible only to those awake:
System Calibration Complete.
Activating The Gifting System.
Rebooting...
Evolving towards higher grade functionality...
Welcome to The Gifting System, Lin Feng. Prepare for enhanced integration.
The room remained silent, the only sound being Lin Feng's steady breathing, unaware of the significant developments occurring as he slept.
The tranquility of the night was abruptly broken by a sharp, commanding voice. "Wake up, Lin Feng!" The sound echoed strangely, as if it were both inside and outside his head.
Startled, Lin Feng's eyes snapped open, and he sat up abruptly. Floating in front of him was a small ball of light, shimmering and pulsating gently. It seemed almost insubstantial, like a wisp of smoke made from light, yet its presence was undeniably forceful.
"Why have you been such an idiot until now? Never thinking about your actions, or even trying to comprehend what is happening around you? Do you even understand what The Gifting System is, or have you just accepted everything at face value?" The ball of light berated him, its tone dripping with frustration and impatience.
Lin Feng, still groggy and confused, could barely process what was happening. "I... I don't understand," he managed to stutter out.
Without warning, the ball of light surged forward, entering Lin Feng's mind. He felt a sudden rush of coldness as if diving into a deep, icy lake. His consciousness flickered, and he passed out.
As Lin Feng lay unconscious, a profound transformation was taking place within him, orchestrated by the shimmering ball of light that had so abruptly interrupted his sleep. With a swift and decisive motion, the ball of light entered Lin Feng's mind, delving into the deepest, most intrinsic part of his being—his Inner Sea.
The Inner Sea, a fundamental concept in cultivation, represents the core of a cultivator's spiritual essence and mental strength. It is a metaphysical space where one's Qi, consciousness, and true nature reside. A healthy Inner Sea is integral for the advancement in cultivation, as it affects not only the cultivator's power but also their ability to perceive, react, and connect with the universe's energies.
Upon entering Lin Feng's Inner Sea, the ball of light paused, its form quivering as if gasping at the sight before it. The landscape that unfolded was both awe-inspiring and alarming—a vast expanse that should have been teeming with vibrant Qi and a clear reflection of Lin Feng's identity, yet it was marred by fragmentation.
"Pieces of his essence... leaking out into the void," the ball of light murmured, its voice filled with a mix of marvel and dread. "Such potential wasted, such danger unacknowledged."
"This Inner Sea, fractured as it is, presents a unique tapestry of raw and untamed power, yet it is teetering on the brink of self-destruction," the ball of light continued, translating its observations into words. "Without intervention, Lin Feng could lose himself completely, his essence dissolving into the nothingness that encroaches upon his consciousness."
The light hovered over areas where the sea's fabric was torn, glowing brighter as it assessed the damage. "The leaks must be sealed, or the void will continue to consume his potential, eroding his ability to function as a cultivator and, more critically, as a sentient being."
With a determined pulse, the ball of light began to weave strands of luminous energy across the rifts, initiating a delicate process of repair and stabilization. "I must act swiftly to stabilize this Inner Sea, to restore the balance and integrity of his essence. Lin Feng's journey is one of immense promise, and it would be a grave disservice to the cultivation world should he falter through neglect."
As the light worked, it laid down a plan. "Upon awakening, Lin Feng must adhere strictly to the directives I provide. The updated Gifting System will guide him, offering not only tasks and missions but also essential life lessons designed to strengthen and expand his Inner Sea."
Moments later, Lin Feng awoke, gasping for air as if surfacing from a deep dive. The ball of light, now stabilized and calm, floated before him, ready to impart the crucial knowledge Lin Feng needed.
"Lin Feng, your Inner Sea has been compromised, more severely than you could possibly comprehend," the ball of light explained. "From this moment on, you will follow my guidance implicitly. The Gifting System has been upgraded to assist in your recovery and growth. It will provide structured challenges and rewards, each tailored to fortify your Inner Sea and enhance your cultivation."
"I am the Chosen Overseer of the Gifting System, bestowed with consciousness and purpose to guide its possessor towards greatness. It is my duty to ensure you reach your fullest potential," the ball of light declared, imbuing each word with a sense of weight and destiny.
Lin Feng listened, his expression one of acceptance, as if the extraordinary revelations about his own existence and the fantastical role of the Overseer were everyday occurrences. This reaction, devoid of surprise or skepticism, elicited a sigh from the luminous entity.
"You accept these truths so readily, yet comprehension does not fully take root," the Overseer remarked with a hint of frustration. "Let us proceed with a detailed explanation of what the Gifting System can now do for you, and what it has already been doing, perhaps then, you'll grasp the full extent of this reality."
As the ball of light, now identified as the Chosen Overseer of the Gifting System, hovered before Lin Feng, it prepared to deliver an in-depth explanation of the old and newly enhanced functionalities embedded within the system.
The Overseer began with a detailed exposition of the existing features of the Gifting System that Lin Feng had been using, perhaps without full awareness of their origins and implications:
Skill Enhancement and Evolution: "The system has been utilizing Reality Essence to subtly modify your subconscious, imparting new knowledge and skills directly into your mind. This process accelerates your learning and skill acquisition far beyond normal human capabilities."
Free Stat Points and Skill Points: "Historically, the system allowed you to enhance your physical, mental, and psychological attributes through something known as 'Free Stat Points.' These points could be allocated at your discretion to improve specific attributes yet could also be obtained through what is colloquially called 'Levels'. Similarly, 'Free Skill Points' enabled you to gain proficiency or advance levels in your chosen skills. These functionalities are based on a Universal Rule that is not native to your cultivation world but has been adapted to fit your journey as a cultivator."
The Overseer's explanation highlighted how these features were designed to integrate with the universal laws of cultivation, though they originated from a different set of cosmic rules.
The Overseer then transitioned to the new functionalities that had been integrated into the Gifting System, designed to offer more direct guidance and advanced capabilities:
Overseer Guidance: "As your Chosen Overseer, I am now an active guide, not just a passive feature. My role is to provide real-time advice, strategic planning, and intervention when necessary."
Quest Creation: "The system can now generate quests tailored to your current needs and goals. These quests are designed to help you acquire new skills, gain attribute points, and progress in your cultivation more efficiently."
Evolution Tree for the System: "An evolution tree has been introduced, allowing the system to unlock new functionalities based on your progress and achievements. This adaptive feature ensures that the system evolves in sync with your journey, becoming more sophisticated as you grow."
Integration of Attributes with Cultivation Stages: "The system has refined the way attributes are correlated with your cultivation stage. The previous point-based system has been replaced by stage-based progressions that align more closely with the cultivation levels in your world. This change aims to provide clearer insights and a more intuitive understanding of your own strengths and weaknesses as they relate to your cultivation path."
As Lin Feng acknowledged the comprehensive briefing with a simple nod, indicating his acceptance of the Overseer's guidance and the system's capabilities, the Chosen Overseer sensed a need to delve deeper into the essence of why the system was truly named "The Gifting System."
"The Gifting System is not named for its ability to enhance and evolve your skills and attributes alone," the Overseer began, its light pulsating with a gravitas that demanded Lin Feng's full attention. "Its core functionality, and the true reason behind its name, lies in its unique capability to gift your skills, attributes, and possessions—whether material or immaterial—to others. This act is irreversible, Lin Feng. Once you gift an attribute or skill, you lose it forever."
The Overseer continued, unveiling a new dimension to the system: "In exchange for what you gift, you receive Gift Points. These points can be used to acquire exclusive abilities offered only within the Gift Shop—a marketplace accessed through your status screen. The abilities and items here are not available by any other means within your current realm of existence."
"The Gift Shop is designed to provide tools and skills that can significantly alter your cultivation path, offering items that could be pivotal at critical moments. However, the cost is steep, as it involves sacrificing a part of your current capabilities or achievements."
As this discussion unfolded, Lin Feng's attention was drawn to a visual manifestation that appeared in the air before him—a detailed status screen, emerging seamlessly as if conjured from the very essence of the system itself.
Status
Name: Lin Feng
Race: Human
Class: Novice Cultivator
Level: 2
Cultivation Stage: Qi Condensation Stage 3
Skills:
Advanced Qi Gathering - Level 7
Enhanced Perception - Level 1
Rapid Fire Fist - Level 1
Deep Meditation - Level 94
Refined Qi Circulation - Level 2
Basic Elemental Integration - Level 1
Wind Blade - Level 1
Unique Skill:
Heart of True Belief - Level 1
Attributes:
Health: 230/230
Qi: 0/170
Stamina: 170/170
Strength: Qi Condensation Stage 3
Agility: Qi Condensation Stage 3
Vitality: Qi Condensation Stage 4
Endurance: Qi Condensation Stage 3
Wisdom: Qi Condensation Stage 2
Intelligence: Qi Condensation Stage 1
Dexterity: Qi Condensation Stage 3
Charisma: Qi Condensation Stage 1
Luck: Qi Condensation Stage 1
Spiritual Awareness: Lower than Qi Condensation
Mystical Affinity: Qi Condensation Stage 8
Legacies:
Legacy of the Crystal Oracle - Level 1
Communions:
Wind - Medium Communion
Sound - Medium Communion
Lightning - Medium Communion
Free Skill Points: 4
Free Stat Points: 0
Functionalities:
- Gift Shop
- Evolution Tree
As the detailed status screen faded into the dim light of Lin Feng's room, a wave of exhaustion swept over him. The mental journey through his Inner Sea and the revelations about the complexities of The Gifting System had drained him far more than he had realized. His body felt heavy, and his eyes struggled to stay open. Despite his best efforts to remain alert and absorb the Overseer's guidance, Lin Feng's strength waned, and he fell backward onto his mat, succumbing once again to sleep.
Hovering silently above, the Chosen Overseer observed Lin Feng's struggle to remain conscious. The luminous entity let out a soft, almost imperceptible sigh—a manifestation of its concern and contemplation. "Even a brief exploration into his Inner Sea has taxed him to such an extent," the Overseer lamented softly. "The fragility of his current state is more severe than anticipated. It underscores the urgency of strengthening his foundational resilience."
There, in the stillness of the night, the Overseer watched over Lin Feng, a silent sentinel awaiting the dawn of a new day and the new challenges it would bring.