"Thank you, Emily. That was an excellent meal," Gideon praised his new maidservant.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it, Master," Emily beamed with a wide smile at the praise. Coming from a mortal family with no ability to cultivate, she was well-versed in her station and had been trained from a young age in household chores. In the world of xianxia, both masters and servants were subject to the harsh scrutiny of the heavens, where no one was spared.
"You may retire now. I'll expect another round of your excellent cooking at the first break of light," Gideon instructed, his tone gentle yet firm as he acknowledged Emily's dedication.
"It will be ready when you wake up, Master. I'll do my best not to disappoint you," Emily replied with a respectful bow before gracefully departing the room. Her footsteps echoed softly in the hallway, a reminder of the diligence that marked her service despite the challenges she faced as a mortal in a realm dominated by cultivators.
As Emily disappeared from sight, Gideon let out a quiet sigh of relief, feeling the weight of the day's exertions settle upon him. His muscles protested with every movement, a stark reminder of the risk that he took in the entrance exam. Still, he was happy with the result.
"Here we go," Gideon murmured to himself, summoning the resolve to continue. With measured steps, he made his way to his own room, guided by the dim glow of lanterns that lined the courtyards corridors. Each flickering light seemed to whisper secrets of the ancient mysteries that permeated the sect, stories of power and destiny intertwined with the threads of everyday life.
Entering his chamber, Gideon allowed himself a moment of reprieve. He sank onto a cushioned chair, the coolness of the fabric a welcome contrast to the lingering warmth of the day. He recalled the beautiful lady who had likely aided in his healing and vowed to repay the kindness he had been shown in the future.
A smile of intrigue touched his youthful face as he realized he didn't even know her name, yet her mysterious kindness lingered in his thoughts. Swiftly, he shook his head to clear his mind of unnecessary distractions. Instead, he reached for a book—the sect manual—and began to meticulously explore its contents from cover to cover.
The manual unfolded the intricate tapestry of the sect: its storied history dating back thousands of years, the stringent rules governing disciples' conduct, and a detailed map outlining the hierarchical progression from outer sect to inner sanctum and beyond. Each page illuminated the daunting path ahead, promising both challenges and opportunities for growth.
Central to his aspirations lay the annual contest held within the outer sect—a crucible where disciples clashed to prove their prowess. Only the victor could ascend to the coveted status of inner disciple, earning prestige and deeper access to the sect's profound mysteries. What struck Gideon most was the absence of a rigid time constraint; outer disciples could dwell in their current role indefinitely, choosing their moment to advance or depart at will.
"I need to work harder," Gideon affirmed to himself, his voice resolute as he absorbed the weight of his ambitions. Turning to another tome nearby, he delved into its pages, which whispered of cultivation secrets—timeless wisdom that would form the bedrock of his journey into the arcane arts of cultivation.
The title of the book was "Golden Lotus Meditation Technique." It instructed disciples on how to gather and refine qi into their bodies, beginning with the singular focus of envisioning a golden lotus in their minds. This foundational cultivation manual had been honed and perfected over the sect's millennia-long history.
"It should be like this, then," Gideon murmured to himself as he settled into a lotus position, closing his eyes to summon the image of a golden lotus blooming in his mind. He cleared his thoughts, concentrating solely on the radiant bloom and the spiritual essence it represented. According to the teachings, this focused meditation would eventually enable him to perceive the myriad spiritual energies of the world.
He maintained the posture throughout the night, yet when dawn broke, Gideon felt a pang of disappointment. Despite his unwavering concentration on the golden lotus, he sensed no connection to the spiritual essence around him. Only the vivid image of the golden lotus persisted in his mind, its brilliance undiminished.
Frustration gnawed at him, mingled with a stubborn determination to master what had eluded him thus far. Rising from his meditation, Gideon resolved to delve deeper into the techniques and principles outlined in the manual. He knew that true mastery required more than mere visualization—it demanded a profound alignment of body, mind, and spirit.
He went out to eat in silence, not even saying any word to Emily. His mind consumed with thoughts of cultivation and the elusive qi he sought to harness. With renewed resolve, Gideon returned to his practice, determined that perseverance and understanding would eventually unlock the secrets hidden within the golden lotus and beyond.
For an entire week, Gideon persisted in his efforts, yet there were no tangible gains. Frustration gnawed at him as he struggled to sense any qi in the world around him. Realizing the need for a different approach, he ventured outside his usual routines in search of solutions.
Through diligent inquiry and seeking guidance from seasoned disciples, Gideon discovered a myriad of specialized methods, each promising to aid his cultivation journey. However, the most effective techniques required financial investment. Fortunately, with 10,000 contribution points accrued within the sect, Gideon was willing to invest in his progress without hesitation.
He decided to allocate 100 contribution points to acquire a hundred qi candles—an investment aimed at enhancing his cultivation experience. That night, as the candles arranged around him, Gideon resumed his meditation with renewed anticipation.
This time, as he immersed himself in the practice, he noticed a significant shift in his perception. The qi candles seemed to amplify the spiritual energies around him, enhancing his ability to connect with the subtle currents of qi. For the first time, he felt a tangible presence—an echo of the vast reservoir of energy that permeated the world.
But then, amidst the swirling chaos of wood, metal, fire, water, earth, light, and dark essences, Gideon sought out the element most harmonious with his own body's constitution. Each essence pulsed with its own energy, promising potential but also peril if mishandled. He knew all too well the consequences of a misaligned cultivation attempt—an explosive reaction that would most likely result in his premature death.
As he focused his mind and prepared to summon the essence he felt instinctively drawn to, a sudden stillness fell over the scene. The elements, which had danced in a chaotic whirl moments ago, vanished from sight as if swallowed by the void.
"What?" Gideon's brow furrowed in confusion as he opened his eyes. The once vibrant display of elemental energies had abruptly ceased, leaving him perplexed and disoriented. It was then that he noticed the faint glow of the qi candle, now extinguished and spent after its hour of aiding his cultivation efforts.
Letting out a frustrated sigh, Gideon realized the passage of time had slipped away unnoticed during his focused meditation. He had hoped for progress, a breakthrough that would propel him forward in his cultivation journey, yet the reality of the situation weighed heavily upon him. One candle down, and still so far from mastering even the basics.
"Again," he muttered determinedly, his voice carrying a hint of resolve mixed with lingering disappointment. Retrieving another candle, he carefully ignited its wick and resumed his cultivation practice. With each breath and each flicker of the candle's flame, Gideon willed himself to attune to the subtle currents of qi, seeking the elusive connection that would propel him beyond his current limitations.
Yet, as the hours passed and the candles dwindled, Gideon couldn't shake the sinking feeling that his progress was going to be painstakingly slow. Little did he know, that would turn out to be a massive understatement.