"Ok, now before we start, let me first teach you a bit about cultivation", said Grey as I listened to him with rapt attention. This would finally be my first steps into the new world. "So, cultivation is a process that we use to improve our body, soul and understanding of the universe, to help us overcome the current capabilities of our body and grow more powerful and live longer." Seeing that I was engrossed in his teaching, Grey continued, "There are multiple stages in cultivation, starting with Qi refining, Foundation Building, Core Condensation and Nascent Soul.. I have heard that there are even more stages post Nascent soul but we do not have much understanding about them right now."
"Currently, Our Clan, the Decker clan is one of the top 4 clans in the central continent as we have multiple Golden Core cultivators among us, including me, the clan head in the Greater stage of Core Condensation. I see that you are looking quite impatient and want to start learning as soon as possible", rebuked Grey, as he could see that I started getting a bit distracted with all the different information being told to me. I really just wanted to start learning cultivation and not worry about anything else in the world right now. "Sorry dad, I am going to listen carefully now, promise", I told my father, though we both knew that was not true as I was someone easily distracted.
"I guess you prefer practice over preaching, just like your old man", laughed Grey. I felt a bit embarrassed, but nodded nonetheless. Grey passed a book to me, it looked quite used, with a picture of a meditating monk with the heading 'The beginners guide to Qi Refining, by The True Cultivator's Sect', "This is a common book given by the True Cultivator's Sect of our central continent, which is refined and made easier over the past 1000s of years so that anyone can start refining Qi. The first step into cultivation is similar for everyone, though there are many Qi refining methods, we follow the one provided by the True Cultivator's Sect so that it is easier to enroll into the sect once you grow up."
After providing the book, Grey told me to sit in a comfortable position - I chose the meditating position as I felt that would help me relax, but not sleep by mistake, then he guided me with the unique breathing exercise that was required to start refining Qi along with giving some tips that he had learned while cultivating. "Ok Troy, I have taught you the basics, now you need to read and continue to practice to increase your understanding and become a cultivator. The first goal of Qi Refining is to gather and absorb the Qi in the environment, once you succeed you will reach the minor realm. Now go ahead and practice in your room as you need to concentrate to do this on your own."
I said goodbye to my father and went to my room, ready to step into the world of immortals, one my family was a big part of. Ready for the new experience, I sat down comfortably on my bed and started the weird breathing exercise with my eyes closed. In just 10 mins I started to see something instead of the darkness. Is that my mom's face floating in the air?.. I suddenly woke up with a start, looking at the sun outside and with the hunger I felt, it looks like I fell asleep a few hours ago, not a good start I suppose. After having a quick bite I went back to the room to try and cultivate. This time so that I don't fall asleep, I decided to keep my eyes open and do the exercise.
On Day 1, I was not able to even feel the Qi in the air, pathetic. I continued the practice for 3 days before I was able to feel something, like a small warm light entering and exiting my body. I was very happy to see the dots and started to try and absorb these small balls hungrily. After continuing the exercise for 2 more hours, I finally got tired and fell into a deep sleep. In my sleep I saw my old body, like a translucent soul - stuck in a kind of void, greedily sucking up the Qi I had just gathered. After waking up, I went to my father to tell.. Read Brag to him about my achievement. On the way, I saw 2 people standing outside my father's study, one looked around 50 years old, and was my uncle Gary Decker, while the other was my cousin Blake, who was 3 years older to me and looked a bit arrogant. Both had green eyes like the other members of the Decker clan.
I greeted Gary, ignored my cousin, who was ignoring me too and went to my fathers study. "Hi Dad, I reached the minor realm of Qi gathering!" I told him arrogantly showing my biceps. He just laughed and said, "I dont think so Troy, its not that easy to reach this stage in just 3 days, come show me if you are a genius or a liar." I obliged him and sat down, and started cultivating while he stood behind me with his palms on my back. Once I was again able to see the Qi light and attract and absorb them, he suddenly got tensed a bit. Once I cultivated for 10 mins, I stopped and looked at Grey - and saw him look at me proudly. "Very good Troy, looks like you are a genius afterall. It took me 10 days to even feel the Qi and much longer to absorb it. Looks like you will be able to join the sect earlier than planned."