Chapter 40: Entering the Cultivation World
The world they entered was peaceful, deceptively so. Unlike the bustling cities of Earth or the desolation of the Dead Sea, this place felt alive, filled with nature and something deeper an energy that pulsed through the air. The group stood on a hill overlooking a valley with temples and villages scattered across the land, each one radiating an aura of power.
Azaymos was the first to notice it. "There's something in the air here," he said, his eyes narrowing. "It's not magic. It's something else... something older."
Nox sniffed the air, her vampiric senses sharp. "It feels like energy, but I can't absorb it like blood or shadow. It's... different."
Rex cracked his neck, feeling a surge of power flowing into his limbs. "Feels like I could tear a mountain apart with this energy. What is it?"
Before anyone could answer, Ahmose's dry voice echoed in Azaymos's mind, laced with dark humor. "Ah, you've stumbled into a world where power comes from quiet meditation and patience, not brute strength. Good luck getting your friends to sit still long enough to learn how it works."
Azaymos raised an eyebrow. "Cultivation?" he thought. "What's that?"
"In this world, people gather spiritual energy, or Qi, from the environment and refine it within their bodies to grow stronger," Ahmose explained. "Think of it as slowly building up power over time. The weak stay weak, and only those who can harness Qi properly ascend to become something more. But it requires discipline. I don't imagine Rex or Nox will have much patience for that."
As Ahmose spoke, Darius the Phantom, who had been quiet since their arrival, finally spoke up. "This place feels... slower," he mused, his hands twitching slightly as if trying to pick pockets that weren't there. "I don't like it. Too peaceful. Too quiet."
Azaymos turned to Darius. "You'll get used to it. We need to figure out how this world works."
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As they descended the hill into a nearby village, the group quickly realized they weren't alone. The village bustled with life—people moving between temples, markets, and training grounds. But what stood out most was the way some individuals carried themselves: their bodies seemed to radiate a soft glow, their presence commanding attention.
The group was approached by a local elder, his robes adorned with intricate patterns that hinted at his status. He greeted them with a bow. "Travelers, I see you are not from our world. You have the aura of those who come from beyond."
Azaymos nodded, cautious. "We are... seeking something."
The elder smiled. "You have entered a world of cultivation. Strength here is earned through patience, meditation, and understanding the flow of Qi. It is the very life force that binds all things. Some gather it through quiet reflection, others through combat and trials."
Rex groaned, already bored by the explanation. "Patience? Not my thing. What's the shortcut?"
The elder chuckled. "There are no shortcuts in cultivation. It takes time and discipline, though there are treasures and techniques that can aid in your journey. Some may enhance your natural abilities. Others may unlock new powers altogether."
Azaymos's interest piqued. "What kind of treasures?"
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The elder led them to a nearby temple, its walls lined with ancient scrolls and strange glowing artifacts. "This world is rich with treasures," he explained. "Some of them can boost one's cultivation quickly, while others are used to enhance spiritual companions like the ones you possess." He pointed toward the spirits hovering near Nox, Rex, and Azaymos, recognizing their presence instantly.
"For example, you," the elder said, looking directly at Azaymos. "Your spirit, Gale, can be strengthened through an artifact known as the Windstone Feather. It is said to amplify wind-based abilities, making your spirit more attuned to the currents of air and sky."
Azaymos's eyes narrowed. "And where do I find it?"
The elder smiled cryptically. "In the mountains to the east, hidden within a temple protected by trials only the worthy can face."
Rex rolled his eyes. "Of course there's a trial."
Nox, intrigued by the idea of strengthening her spirit, asked, "What about my spirit, Whisper?"
"There are ancient Shadow Crystals found deep underground," the elder said. "If you meditate near them, your spirit will bond with the dark energy, enhancing its ability to control shadows and even the night itself."
Ahmose, amused by the idea of strengthening through meditation, whispered to Azaymos, "Oh, I'm sure Nox will love sitting in a dark cave for hours. Perfect for her personality."
Nox shot Azaymos a glance. "I heard that."
The elder continued, unfazed. "As for the werewolf, your spirit, Blitz, thrives on energy. In the Temple of Lightning, there is a Thunderstone that can infuse Blitz with greater control over lightning, making you faster and deadlier."
Rex grinned. "Now that's more my style."
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The elder led them to another section of the temple, where shelves were lined with glowing vials and strange ingredients. "This world also relies heavily on alchemy—the art of creating pills and elixirs that enhance one's cultivation or heal spiritual damage."
He gestured to a table filled with various herbs and powders. "With the right combination, you could create pills that accelerate your spirit's growth or strengthen your body. But beware—alchemy is a precise art, and the wrong mixture could lead to disaster."
Darius, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke up. "And if we were to... acquire some of these treasures and pills? What then?"
The elder's eyes twinkled. "You would grow stronger. But strength in this world comes with a price. The sects do not give up their treasures easily. If you are not careful, you may find yourself in the middle of a war."
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POV Shift: The People's Reaction
In the nearby town, whispers spread quickly about the strange newcomers. Some said they were gods from another world, while others believed them to be demons sent to disrupt the delicate balance of cultivation.
A young cultivator, barely in the Qi Condensation stage, watched from a distance as Rex and Nox moved through the village. His mentor, an older cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage, shook his head.
"Do not concern yourself with them," the mentor said quietly. "They do not follow the path of cultivation. They are outsiders. They will not last long here."
The younger cultivator nodded but couldn't shake the feeling that these strangers were more dangerous than they appeared. "What if they are stronger than they look?"
The mentor glanced at Rex, who seemed to be growing more impatient by the minute. "Strength without discipline is nothing. They will learn that soon enough."
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End of Chapter 40