The next morning
The morning sun filtered through the curtains of Lukas's chamber, casting a warm glow across the room. He woke slowly, the previous night's events replaying in his mind. The golden fruit had done its job, leaving him feeling revitalized. His body was stronger, more resilient, but he knew it wasn't enough. Not yet.
After freshening up and changing into a clean tunic, Lukas was ready for the day ahead. Zane appeared shortly after, already dressed for their journey to the armory.
"Morning," Zane greeted him with a nod. "You look better."
"Thanks to that fruit," Lukas replied, stretching. "How do you feel?"
"Stronger," Zane admitted, flexing his hand. "I can feel the difference."
Lukas smiled, but his thoughts were already on the task at hand. As if sensing his focus, the system chimed in.
[System Alert: Cultivation Overview Unlocked]
The system's voice echoed in Lukas's mind, and before his eyes, a translucent panel appeared, explaining the cultivation process in greater detail.
"Cultivation is the process of absorbing the world's energy, called Ether, into the body to strengthen one's mind, body, and spirit. The system you now possess will guide you through this process. There are six main stages of cultivation, each divided into 9 levels that must be mastered before advancing to the next stage."
The names of the stages appeared in Lukas's mind, each one representing a new level of power and mastery over Ether:
Ether Awakening – The initial stage where one awakens their connection to Ether and begins absorbing it into the body. Lukas was currently below this stage, unable to begin cultivation yet.
Essence Formation – The second stage, where Ether begins to refine and shape the body, improving physical and mental abilities.
Core Ascendancy – In this stage, cultivators form an Ether core within their bodies, allowing them to channel greater amounts of energy for more powerful techniques.
Spirit Fusion – The Ether and spirit merge, greatly enhancing the cultivator's control over energy, giving them the ability to affect the world around them.
Ether Mastery – At this stage, cultivators have perfected their control of Ether, manipulating vast amounts of it to influence both their physical form and the world around them. Cultivators at this level are revered for their strength and control, capable of altering battlefields and manipulating nature.
Void Transcendence – The final stage of cultivation, where Ether becomes an extension of the cultivator's will. Those who reach Void Transcendence transcend mortality, gaining near-immortality and unparalleled power. Their control over Ether is so profound they can bend reality itself, and only a select few throughout history have reached this level.
Each stage contained 9 levels, each one more difficult to overcome than the last, with cultivators having to push their minds and bodies to the limit in order to progress. The challenge of breaking through the stages increased exponentially after each level, with bottlenecks—moments when progress stagnates—becoming more frequent and harder to overcome.
Ether Awakening was the first stage Lukas needed to reach, and it was the foundation of all further cultivation. Without awakening the connection to Ether, his progress would be severely hindered.
"This is just the beginning," Lukas muttered, absorbing the system's explanations.
Zane, who had been listening closely, nodded. "So you can't cultivate yet?"
Lukas shook his head. "Not until I pass the first trial. But once I unlock the path, things should become clearer."
Zane frowned. "I've got a little bit of cultivation, but nothing like what's needed to move up in the ranks. Most of the people here don't get far beyond the Essence Formation stage unless they're trained by a sect or military force."
Lukas made a mental note of this. The nobles, military, and powerful organizations likely had the resources to train their people, giving them a significant advantage over commoners or those without support. This would be important for his future plans, especially if he intended to rebuild the Veridan family's military strength.
The system chimed in again, revealing more information.
"Advice: The kingdom's archives contain vast knowledge of cultivation and world history. Consider visiting the library for further study. It will provide you with the foundation needed to advance in this world."
Lukas raised an eyebrow. The library? That was not a place the old Lukas would have ever visited. In fact, it was likely a place most of the nobles avoided unless they were particularly interested in scholarly pursuits.
"Looks like we'll need to make a stop at the library before heading out," Lukas said, a slight grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Zane glanced at him with mild confusion. "The library? You?"
Lukas chuckled. "Yeah, I know. Not the kind of place you'd expect me to go, but if I'm going to survive in this world, I need to know more. Knowledge is just as important as power."
Zane shrugged but nodded in agreement. "Fair enough."
Lukas paused for a moment as another system notification appeared.
[New Feature Unlocked: Status Vision]
The user can now view the status of individuals in their proximity. For now, this feature is limited to your allies or those loyal to you. Status Vision will grow stronger as you complete trials.
Lukas blinked. "Status Vision?"
Zane gave him a puzzled look. "What is it now?"
"Something the system just unlocked. Apparently, I can now see the status of people I'm connected to—starting with you."
Zane tilted his head. "You can see... my stats?"
Lukas nodded, concentrating on Zane. A soft glow appeared around his retainer, and a translucent screen hovered in his field of vision, displaying Zane's basic stats.
Name: Zane
Cultivation Level: Ether Awakening (Level 2)
Strength: Moderate
Endurance: Low
Weapon Affinity: Dual Short Swords
Loyalty: High
Lukas frowned slightly, taking in the information. "Looks like you've got some cultivation—Ether Awakening, Level 2."
Zane raised an eyebrow. "Ether Awakening, huh? That's about as far as I got. Just enough to keep me alive in street brawls."
"Well, we're going to push past that," Lukas said. "We both need to get stronger. And it looks like your affinity for dual short swords is pretty high."
Zane smiled, his eyes lighting up. "I've always preferred smaller, faster blades. They just feel… right."
"Then we know what weapons to get you," Lukas replied. "Let's head to the armory."
The Veridan armory was vast, a testament to the family's military history. The walls were lined with an array of weapons—spears, swords, shields, and more. Each one meticulously crafted, passed down through generations of the Veridan lineage. Lukas and Zane stepped inside, the cold steel gleaming in the flickering torchlight.
Zane's eyes wandered over the weapons, and he finally stopped in front of a pair of short swords. He picked one up, testing its weight in his hand. A grin spread across his face as he swung the blade in a tight arc. "Feels perfect."
Lukas watched with approval. The system had been right—these blades were a natural fit for Zane. "Good. You'll need them."
Turning his attention to his own weapon, Lukas walked further down the armory until his eyes landed on a saber. Its hilt was simple, the blade sharp with a slight curve near the tip. Something about the weapon called to him. He picked it up, feeling the weight in his hand. The balance was ideal—solid, but nimble enough for swift strikes.
He gave it a few experimental swings, the blade slicing cleanly through the air. A smile spread across his face. "I think this is the one."
Zane glanced over, grinning. "Suits you."
Lukas sheathed the saber and nodded. "We're ready now. Two days before we head to the battlefield. I want us both prepared."
---
Lukas and Zane left the armory, each equipped with their new weapons, their spirits emboldened by the new sense of purpose. The journey ahead would not be easy, but they had taken the first critical step—preparation. As they made their way through the estate, Lukas couldn't shake the excitement bubbling within him. The system, the cultivation stages, and the golden fruit had all pointed toward a future where he could rise beyond the weaknesses of his current body.
But there was still much to learn. The system had made it clear: knowledge was just as important as power.
"We need to head to the library," Lukas said, his voice filled with determination.
Zane raised an eyebrow, chuckling lightly. "You're really serious about that? The old Lukas barely read a single scroll, and now you're headed straight for the archives?"
Lukas grinned. "I told you, Zane, I'm not the same Lukas anymore. If we're going to survive in this world, we need to understand it."
The two of them made their way through the winding corridors of the Veridan estate until they reached a section of the mansion that was rarely visited—*the library*. A massive door loomed before them, its surface covered in intricate carvings of ancient battles, Valeria's great kings, and, most importantly, the legendary cultivators of the past.
Lukas pushed open the door, revealing a vast hall filled with shelves of ancient tomes, scrolls, and maps. The air smelled of dust and old parchment, but the room had an air of mystique about it. This was a place of knowledge, where the secrets of the kingdom, and perhaps the world, were stored.
Zane gave an appreciative whistle. "Didn't think the library would be this big."
Lukas scanned the room. "We're looking for anything related to cultivation and the history of Valeria. There must be something here that can give us an edge."
They split up, each heading to a different section of the library. Lukas moved toward a section dedicated to cultivation techniques, while Zane explored the general history of Valeria. After several minutes of browsing through dusty scrolls and crumbling books, Lukas finally came across something that piqued his interest—a thick, leather-bound tome titled *The Ascendant Path: A Guide to Ether Mastery*.
Lukas sat down at a nearby table, carefully opening the ancient tome. The pages were filled with diagrams of cultivation stages and explanations of the world's Ether flow. As he read, the system provided him with contextual information, highlighting key passages and simplifying complex concepts.
"Ether flows through the meridians of all living beings," the book explained. "It is a force that connects body, mind, and spirit. Through cultivation, one can unlock the latent power within, but the journey is fraught with dangers. Missteps can lead to injury, loss of progress, or even death. Therefore, one must approach cultivation with a balance of patience and ambition."
Lukas absorbed the words, noting how they aligned with the information the system had provided earlier. The stages of cultivation, the dangers of advancing too quickly, and the importance of building a solid foundation. He was particularly drawn to a section detailing the Essence Formation stage.
"Essence Formation is the second stage of cultivation, where the cultivator refines their connection to Ether. By focusing on the internal flow of energy, one strengthens the body and sharpens the mind. However, a solid foundation in the Ether Awakening stage is crucial. Without it, progress will be slow, and the risk of stagnation is high."
Lukas nodded to himself. He wasn't even at the first stage yet, but knowing what lay ahead would help him stay focused. He continued reading, learning about the intricacies of Ether manipulation and the various techniques used to channel it.
Meanwhile, Zane appeared with a stack of scrolls in his hands. "Found something interesting," he said, setting the scrolls down on the table. "These talk about the political structure of Valeria and how cultivation plays a role. Seems like the higher your cultivation level, the more influence you have in court."
Lukas glanced at the scrolls. "Makes sense. Power in this world is tied directly to your strength as a cultivator. The higher your level, the more control you have over the kingdom's resources."
Zane nodded. "Exactly. It looks like most of the noble families have their own sects or schools that train their people. The Veridan family used to have one too, but it's been abandoned for years. No one's used it since your father passed."
Lukas felt a pang of sadness. His memories of his father were distant, blurred by both his past life and the old Lukas's limited recollection. "We'll have to revive it," he said quietly. "If I'm going to restore the Veridan family, I'll need to train people. Strong people."
Zane smiled faintly. "Well, looks like you're already thinking like a leader."
Lukas closed the tome in front of him, standing up. "It's not enough to think like a leader. We have to act like one. The battlefield is our first test."
Zane raised an eyebrow. "Yes, it is and we will pass the test"
As they walked back through the estate, Lukas's mind whirred with thoughts of the coming challenges. The Echelon Ascendant system had given him the tools to grow stronger, but the path ahead would not be easy. He had to prove himself—not just to the Veridan family, but to the kingdom of Valeria itself.