Wei, after their insightful exchange, offered Lin Feng a room within his well-appointed home as a mark of respect. The room, though simple, was subtly luxurious by village standards. Tastefully minimalist, it featured elegantly carved wooden furniture that exuded a warm, inviting aura, and a broad window that framed the tranquil village streets now shrouded in the soft glow of twilight. The bed, a traditional Kang-style, was designed for comfort and warmth, providing a serene place to rest and reflect.
Lin Feng, left alone in this serene setting, unfurled the maps given to him by Wei. The world they depicted was vast, with the continent of Yuxian at its heart—a realm celebrated for its spiritual wildlife and the rich Qi that saturated its lands. Yuxian was a tapestry of diverse climates, from the frost-kissed peaks in the north to the verdant, Qi-rich plains in the south, making it a nexus for cultivators seeking mastery and enlightenment.
Within Yuxian, the Ganlu Basin—known for its temperate climes and fertile soil—teemed with life and activity. Governed by a coalition of powerful sects, the Basin was a microcosm of the greater cultivation world, with each sect holding sway over different cultural and economic aspects.
Lin Feng's attention then shifted westward on the map to the city of Baiyun, governed by the prestigious Cloudtop Pavilion. Several days' journey on foot, Baiyun stood as a vibrant hub of commerce and spirituality, its markets a bustling mosaic of traders and its festivals a spectacle of color and music, at least according to Wei's notes.
Resolving to rest and plan his next moves in the relative safety of Wei's home, Lin Feng felt reassured by the elder's hospitality. However, the peace was short-lived as he sat down on the meditation mat, his mind turning toward the daunting task of cultivation.
Lin Feng's attempts to gather Qi and enter a deep meditative state began with determination but quickly spiraled into frustration. Each effort to recreate the familiar sensations of Qi flow ended in either stark emptiness or a jarring pain that echoed through his skull. The failure was a harsh reminder of the skills he had irrevocably gifted away—the Advanced Qi Gathering and Deep Meditation skills that once formed the cornerstone of his cultivation practice.
With each failed attempt, his frustration mounted, a growing sense of despair clouding his thoughts. Lin Feng gritted his teeth, pushing himself harder, determined to breach the invisible barrier that now seemed to separate him from his Qi. The failures stacked up, relentless and mocking, and with each one, his spirits sank deeper into despondency.
Exhausted and disheartened, Lin Feng finally resorted to the Basic Qi Gathering pills he had received from the Azure Dragon Sect. Swallowing one of the pills brought a slight warmth that spread slowly through his body. To his relief, a whisper of Qi began to materialize, faint and elusive, gathering around him before seeping into his skin, weaving through his blood, and revitalizing his organs. It traced a deliberate path through his meridians and finally settled in his dantian, offering a modest but tangible sense of progress.
This small success, while a relief, was a stark reminder of how dependent he had become on external aids. Lin Feng leaned back, a sigh escaping him as he contemplated the implications of his new reality.
At that moment, the Overseer floated closer, its form shimmering slightly in the dim light of the room. "Lin Feng," it began, its voice carrying a note of pragmatism, "the path ahead is clear, though strewn with difficulties. You will require substantial resources to progress, resources that may not be readily available through conventional means."
Lin Feng nodded, his gaze thoughtful. "I understand. The Gift Shop then—perhaps it's time to explore more of its offerings."
"Yes," the Overseer agreed. "The Gift Shop can provide the resources you need to continue cultivating. It might be the most efficient way to ensure your advancement without the traditional skills you've lost."
As the moon cast its silver glow over the village of Xi Song Lin, Lin Feng sat cross-legged in the quiet room provided by Wei. His eyes were fixed on the ethereal display before him—the Status Board. He observed a modest increase in his Qi by just one point after using the Basic Qi Gathering pill, but more notably, his level had reverted to 2, now requiring 400 experience points for the next level, a stark increase from the 300 points needed previously. It seemed that gifting a level did not reset the progression scale; it merely pushed him back to the starting point of the previous level but increased the difficulty of advancing forward.
He sighed, a mixture of resignation and enlightenment shaping his features into a wry smile. "So, the Gifting System maintains the challenge, even if you step back to regroup," he mused aloud, appreciating the system's balanced complexity.
Checking his Gift Points, Lin Feng noted he had 124 points—12 more than he expected. This unexpected increment suggested that the skills he had gifted to the young woman from the Azure Dragon Sect were being put to good use. It was a reassuring thought, providing a steady stream of Gift Points and affirming the efficacy of his strategic decisions.
With a renewed curiosity, Lin Feng decided to delve deeper into the Gift Shop, hoping to uncover resources that could aid his cultivation journey. The shop interface greeted him with a splash of extravagant colors and decorations reminiscent of a lavish merchant's gala, complete with swirling patterns and gleaming lights that invited wonder and exploration.
Pressing the "ENTER" button, Lin Feng was ushered into a neatly organized interface offering several categories: "Skills", "Items", "Augments", "Points", and "Miscellaneous".
Skills
Physical Skills: Techniques to enhance physical strength and endurance, crucial for close combat.
Qi Skills: Methods for refining and manipulating Qi, essential for any cultivator.
Elemental Skills: Specialized skills offering control over natural elements, each requiring a deep understanding of the respective element.
Mental Skills: Enhancements for mental resilience and psychic abilities, useful for mental battles and strategy.
Manuals: Detailed guides and scriptures that provide step-by-step instructions on cultivating.
Items
A treasure trove ranging from essential cultivation resources like spirit stones to rare artifacts capable of altering the very fabric of reality, each with a detailed provenance and capability description.
Augments
Personalized enhancements designed specifically for users of the Gifting System, offering everything from system interface upgrades to new functionalities, all tailored to enhance the user's unique system capabilities.
Points
Here, Lin Feng could convert Gift Points into "Free Stat Points" or "Free Skill Points," albeit at a daunting exchange rate of 1000 Gift Points per point, reflecting the precious nature of direct enhancements. He could also perceive other types of points he could exchange Gift Points for but those seemed inaccessible to him, at least for now, he mused.
Miscellaneous
The most eclectic category, offering a myriad of options from mundane objects to mythical constructs. The "Design what you wish to buy" feature was particularly intriguing, allowing users to conceptualize and potentially create new items or skills.
Lin Feng tested this feature with several designs:
Instant Kill: A skill for immediate neutralization of threats, which the system flagged as ethically unfair and beyond his current level's authorization.
Chrono Step: A skill allowing the user to step briefly back in time. The shop flagged this as a high-level ability with restrictions related to temporal manipulation.
Celestial Forge: A conceptual tool for crafting items from raw cosmic energies, which was available for design but priced astronomically, indicating its profound potential.
Each attempt to create these fantastical abilities brought up limitations—either through his level, ethical boundaries set by the system, or the sheer cost involved, which were often in the realms of billions of Gift Points.
After exploring various extravagant possibilities, Lin Feng refocused on more immediate needs, navigating back to the "Items" category.
As Lin Feng navigated through the "Items" section of the Gift Shop, his attention was captured by the extensive assortment of cultivation pills. Each type of pill offered distinct benefits and associated risks, tailored to different stages and styles of cultivation. Lin Feng carefully considered five different options that seemed suited to his level.
1. Basic, Intermediate, Advanced Qi Gathering Pills (50 per batch)
Effect: These pills incrementally enhance the user's ability to gather and store Qi, suitable for steady cultivation progression.
Advantages: Low risk of adverse effects, providing a safe method for consistent Qi accumulation.
Disadvantages: The effects are relatively mild, particularly at the lower tiers, which might not meet the needs of more advanced or urgent cultivation requirements.
Price: Basic (15 Gift Points), Intermediate (50 Gift Points), Advanced (150 Gift Points).
2. Basic, Intermediate, Advanced Blood Breaking Pills (20 per batch)
Effect: These pills are designed to force a rapid increase in Qi gathering by breaking through bodily limitations.
Advantages: Can result in quick cultivation leaps, useful in critical situations where rapid power gain is necessary.
Disadvantages: High risk of severe physical backlash, including potential long-term damage to the cultivator's meridians.
Price: Basic (40 Gift Points), Intermediate (120 Gift Points), Advanced (360 Gift Points).
3. Basic, Intermediate, Advanced Elemental Pills (20 per batch)
Effect: Tailored to enhance the gathering of elemental-specific Qi, aligning closely with a cultivator's chosen elemental path.
Advantages: Excellent for cultivators specializing in elemental techniques, enhancing both the quantity and quality of elemental Qi.
Disadvantages: Not suitable for cultivators who have not yet specialized in elemental cultivation, as premature specialization may limit future versatility.
Price: Basic (30 Gift Points), Intermediate (90 Gift Points), Advanced (270 Gift Points).
4. Spirit Fortification Pills
Effect: These pills strengthen the user's spiritual consciousness, enhancing mental resilience and capacity for manipulating Qi.
Advantages: Boosts mental control over Qi, which is critical for advanced techniques and spells.
Disadvantages: Limited direct impact on Qi accumulation rates; more of a supportive supplement.
Price: 200 Gift Points each.
5. Meridian Expansion Pills
Effect: Specifically designed to widen and strengthen the meridians, allowing for greater and smoother Qi flow.
Advantages: Facilitates higher capacities of Qi storage and reduces the risk of injuries during intense cultivation sessions.
Disadvantages: The process can be painful and requires downtime for recovery, during which the cultivator must refrain from active Qi cultivation.
Price: 300 Gift Points each.
Lin Feng chose the Intermediate Qi Gathering Pills after thoughtful consideration. These pills struck a perfect balance between effectiveness and safety, offering a significant boost to his Qi cultivation without the severe side effects of more aggressive options like the Blood Breaking Pills. Additionally, the price allowed him to make a substantial purchase, ensuring he had enough resources to support his cultivation for the foreseeable future.
While other options held appeal, each had limitations that influenced Lin Feng's decision—While the Meridian Expansion Pills would significantly improve my cultivation capacity, the pain and downtime are luxuries I can't afford right now, especially with the uncertainties that lie ahead. Spirit Fortification Pills would be ideal for stabilizing my Inner Sea, but the cost is prohibitive. I need to maximize the immediate effectiveness of every point I spend, ensuring that I can continue to cultivate and defend myself if needed.
After finalizing his purchase, Lin Feng felt a mix of relief and anticipation. He had 24 Gift Points remaining—a small reserve for emergencies or minor purchases. As he confirmed the transaction, a sense of pragmatism settled over him.
Lin Feng wasted no time in testing the efficacy of his new resource. Sitting cross-legged on the meditation mat in his room, he carefully ingested one of the pills. Almost immediately, he could sense a stark difference from the Basic Qi Gathering Pills he had used earlier.
The Intermediate pill dissolved swiftly, releasing a rush of energy that surged through his meridian pathways with a palpable intensity. This energy was denser and more potent than what he had experienced with the basic variant, prompting a rapid accumulation of Qi. Lin Feng could feel the Qi swirling within him, funneling into his dantian, significantly more robust and vibrant than before. Within moments, his Qi reserves increased by a substantial ten points, a satisfying boost that confirmed the pill's worth.
Pleased with the results and eager to continue, Lin Feng reached for another pill, intent on maximizing his gains. However, the Overseer quickly intervened, its voice carrying a note of caution. "You should refrain from consuming too many pills in a short period. The body can only handle so much before the inherent toxins in the pills begin to accumulate, potentially turning a fruitful cultivation session into a detrimental one."
Lin Feng paused, considering the Overseer's warning. "What should I do then?" he asked, his eyes reflecting a mix of frustration and curiosity.
The Overseer's form shimmered with a playful aura as it responded gleefully, "There are multiple ways to facilitate Qi integration and toxin expulsion, but the simplest and perhaps most effective method is exercise. Vigorous physical activity can help sweat out the toxins and stabilize the newly gathered Qi."
Later on, as the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, the villagers of Xi Song Lin were startled awake by the sounds of heavy breathing and rapid footsteps.
One particular villager, awakened by the noise, grabbed a makeshift weapon and flung his door open, ready to confront whatever threat lay outside. What he saw, however, left him flabbergasted. Lin Feng was sprinting past his home, his movements vigorous and unrelenting. He was not just running; he was leaping like a monkey, occasionally stopping to perform sets of squats, push-ups, and burpees.
The villager watched in awe as Lin Feng completed lap after lap around the village, each round interspersed with high-intensity exercises. Lin Feng's face was a mask of determination, his body slick with sweat as he pushed himself to the limits. Each breath he took seemed to burn the morning air, each drop of sweat that fell from him carrying away the toxins of his recent cultivation boost.
As the sun rose higher, more villagers stepped out to witness the spectacle, their initial concerns turning into a mix of curiosity and amusement. Lin Feng's display of endurance and strength was unlike anything they had seen.
Exhausted but cleansed, Lin Feng finally ceased his vigorous regimen as the village came fully to life. He walked back to Wei's house, feeling lighter and more balanced. The intense workout had not only helped him integrate the Qi from the pill but also cleared his system of any residual toxins, leaving him refreshed and ready to continue his journey.