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Beyond Talent: A Cultivator’s Tale

🇵🇹HappyKitten295
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Synopsis
Nestled at the foot of the Sleeping Giant Mountain lies the Soul Saint Kingdom's smallest village, a place where legends stir the hearts of the young. Fourteen-year-old Xue San, ever since a fateful encounter at the tender age of eight, has nurtured a singular dream: to become a cultivator and rise above the humble confines of his birthplace. But beyond the protective embrace of his village, the cultivation world reveals itself as a harsh and unforgiving realm. Talent is the currency of worth, and in the eyes of others, Xue San is a useless, talentless boy. The brutal truth crushes many, but not him. "If I cannot fly, I will run," he whispers to himself. "If I cannot run, I will walk. If I cannot walk, I will crawl. But no matter what, I will keep moving forward." Amidst scorn and adversity, Xue San's resolve hardens. The path ahead is treacherous, but his spirit remains unbroken. In a world determined to cast him aside, he vows to carve his own destiny, one step at a time. Ps: I will also be posting in royalroad is this enough proof? xD
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Chapter 1 - Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 1: Eggs and Meeting

The Soul Saint Kingdom, The sleeping giant region.

The Sleeping Giant region got its name from its famous mountains that looks like a giant of a man sleeping, from very far away, it is the home of many beasts and human settlements along its vast range.

The mountain stretched majestically, draped in a rich tapestry of lush, untamed greenery that cascaded down its slopes like nature's own wild garden. Wisps of smoke curled skyward from hidden pockets, hinting at small, unseen villages nestled in the landscape. The air was thick with the scent of earth and trees, while the sky above shifted in hues of soft blue and gold. It was a landscape both serene and alive, a quiet harmony of nature's power and beauty.

In the outskirts of the mountain, a little boy and girl were climbing a giant tree, their final objective apparently being one of its branches at the very top of the tree.

"Big brother, wait for me!" yelled the little girl who was struggling to climb the tree.

The little girl had smooth, jet-black hair, tied into two neat braids that fall over her shoulders, with a few loose strands framing her round face. Her skin is tanned from working under the sun, and her large, almond-shaped eyes are bright, full of curiosity and innocence. Her cheeks are slightly chubby, with a hint of natural rosiness. A small nose and soft, pale lips give her a gentle and endearing look, though there is a quiet strength in her gaze.

She was wearing simple, worn clothes of a peasant child, a loose, faded tunic in of a brown color, and wide trousers tied at the waist with a rough rope. The fabric is coarse, and a bit patched from years of wear. Her sleeves are rolled up just past her wrists, showing tiny hands that are a bit dirt-stained, a sign of her helping out with daily chores. On her feet, she wears simple straw sandals, though the soles are thin, and they are clearly well-worn from running across the rugged village. Despite her modest appearance, there's an air of resilience about her.

The boy, who appears to be older, has a lean but sturdy frame, slightly taller than his younger sister. His hair is black and straight, cut unevenly just above his ears, likely by his mother, with a few strands always falling into his sharp, dark eyes. His skin is sun-kissed from long days spent outdoors, and his face carries a few faint smudges of dirt. His features are starting to show the promise of the handsome young man he will become— a straight nose, defined jawline, and thin lips that are often set in a determined line. His expression is serious for his age, but there's a spark of mischief and adventure in his eyes.

He was wearing a simple, short-sleeved tunic that's a bit too large for him, cinched at the waist with a strip of rough cloth, and loose trousers that are worn at the knees. His clothing is the same rough, homespun fabric as his sister's, in shades of brown, but his pants are slightly more tattered from rough play and climbing trees. On his feet, he wears simple, hand-stitched cloth shoes that have clearly seen better days. His hands are calloused from helping with farm work.

"Little Xue Si, I told you we need to move faster so we'll have time to run home," the boy urged as he climbed higher into the giant tree. His gaze was fixed on his target: the nest of the legendary King of the Skies—a bird revered and feared throughout the region of the Sleeping Giant Mountain. The nest was cradled in a crevice on an impossibly steep cliff face, inaccessible except for a solitary branch of this gnarled tree that stretched precariously close.

"Big Brother Xue San, I don't think we should do this," Xue Si whispered, her voice trembling. "I heard Father talking with the men from the village. They said the last person who tried to steal an egg from the King of the Skies met a tragic end, and not only him—the entire village suffered because of it." She shuddered, recalling her father's grave words.

"Don't worry, Little Xue Si," Xue San replied confidently. "I've been watching this nest for the past eight months. I know this bird better than anyone in our village. Right now, it's out hunting and won't be back for at least half an hour."

"And if we can get the egg, and sell it—just imagine! We'd become the richest family in the village," he continued, his eyes shining with ambition.

"But... Father said even the people from the city fear the King of the Skies. Maybe we should just go back," she said hesitantly.

"Think about it, Little Xue Si. If we sell the King of The Skies egg, we could buy all the sweets you could ever want," Xue San coaxed slyly.

That seemed to sway her. The little girl paused, then nodded silently, her resolve strengthening.

They continued their climb in silence, the only sounds the rustling of leaves and the distant calls of forest creatures. Xue San reached the top first, perching on the highest branch as he waited for Xue Si to catch up.

"Now Xue Si you climb on this branch right here and get the egg and I will carry it down" said Xue San

"But Big Brother, why can't you do it?" Xue Si asked, her voice tinged with a touch of fear.

"I've told you already—I can't. The branch bends under my weight even without the egg. If I try to carry it, it'll probably break. But you're much lighter than me, little Xue Si," Xue San replied.

She hesitated for a moment, but remembering her brother's words, Xue Si gritted her teeth and stepped forward. Inch by careful inch, she edged toward the nest, where two emerald-green eggs rested—each about twenty times larger than a chicken egg. They looked as if they were intricately carved from jade, their surfaces shimmering with a captivating luster that only heightened their breathtaking beauty.

"Big Brother Xue San, there are two eggs here!" she exclaimed excitedly.

"Take only one, and let's go," Xue San urged.

Xue Si nodded, carefully picked up one of the eggs wrapped in cloth, and slowly made her way back with caution. But then suddenly there was a loud screeching sound coming from above.

Xue San face instantly paled, "Oh no, why is it here already" he screamed in his heart.

Xue Si face instantly palled as if all the blood was drained from her body, as for Xue San, he felt like his heart had fallen to the pit of his stomach. They both looked up and there in the sky above them was flying in circles a giant of a bird.

It resembled an eagle, except it measured fourteen feet in length, with four wings that spanned thirty-two feet. As if that weren't enough to make any men tremble in fear, its beak and talons appeared to be made of dark green jade, capable of tearing through flesh as easily as a sword cuts through paper.

After emitting a deafening screech, the king of the sky plummeted toward the children. Xue Si was so overwhelmed with terror that even before the bird began its dive, her strength abandoned her, and she fell.

When Xue San saw what was happening, he didn't hesitate. His body reacted instinctively, leaping after Xue Si without a second thought. Grabbing her hand, he pulled her close, enveloping her in a protective embrace. Positioning himself between her and the unforgiving ground, he braced for impact, hoping to shield his little sister from harm with his own body. In that moment, his only thought was to save her, driven by a fierce love that transcended fear.

They were accelerating, the ground rushing up to meet them, but for Xue San, time stretched impossibly slow. He gazed upward at the looming beast, its massive form hurtling closer. In his heart, he recognized the truth: his own greed and foolishness had led them into this perilous situation. All he could do was hope that his little sister would emerge from this alive.

At that moment, a low humming sound pierced the air, followed by a sharp "shing." Time seemed to freeze, and he felt as though he were encased in a bubble of stillness. Turning his gaze back, he watched in disbelief as the colossal bird halted, its head tilting to one side before collapsing to the ground.

The blood started gushing out of the giant bird's neck splattering all over Xue Si's back and Xue San's face.

"Eh? Master, why did you kill it? Finding the green jade eagle after it fleed was an extraordinary stroke of luck for us!"

Suddenly, Xue San heard voices drifting down from above. Startled, he looked up and, to his astonishment, saw two figures hovering in the air where the bird had been just moments before.

"Hmm, Huo Xing, that scoundrel only escaped us because of this cursed mountain that suppresses spiritual senses. Otherwise, how could he have fled from me?" replied an older voice.

Xue San was start startled by the two people standing in the air.

One was an old man, he had an air of wisdom and strength, his presence commanding respect even in his age. His hair, once likely thick and dark, is now a pure, shimmering white, falling loosely to his shoulders, giving him a sage-like aura. His small, neatly trimmed goatee is also white, accentuating the sharp angles of his triangular-shaped face. His high cheekbones and narrow chin, along with his thin, pointed nose, gave his features an almost hawk-like sharpness, while his eyes—still bright and filled with the knowledge of countless years—glow with a faint light of power. His skin is pale and wrinkled with age, though his posture remains tall and steady, a sign of his cultivated vitality.

He was wearing a light yellow robe, its fabric light yet luxurious, flowing gracefully with each movement. Embroidered on his wide sleeves are intricate patterns of furnaces. The embroidery was done in darker shades of gold and orange, the furnaces flickering as if alive. Four golden stars are emblazoned on the chest of his robe, these stars shine with a subdued brilliance, not ostentatious but clearly marking his status.

Around his waist is a belt of deep brown leather, with small pouches. His gaze is both piercing and gentle, as if he can see through to the soul of anyone he meets, yet he offers a sense of calm wisdom to those he chooses to guide.

As for the other one, it was a girl who appeared to be a 16 or 17-year-old girl. Her long, flowing hair is an intense shade of red, cascading down her back in silky waves that gleam like fire under the light. Her hair is meticulously maintained, tied up with intricate golden hairpins and jade ornaments, though a few strands always seem to fall loose around her face, adding a touch of softness to her otherwise commanding presence. Her eyes are a deep, mesmerizing crimson. They gleam with sharp intelligence and focus, giving her a mysterious, otherworldly aura.

Her face is delicately sculpted, with high cheekbones, a sharp but graceful chin, and full lips that rarely smile, keeping a composed and slightly aloof expression. Her skin is fair and smooth, a contrast to her vivid hair and eyes, and there's an ethereal quality to her beauty. Despite her youth, there's a maturity in her gaze, hinting that she has a noble status.

She was wearing a flowing robe of fine silk, a deep crimson that matched her hair, adorned with golden embroidery that depicts swirling clouds and ancient symbols of power. The robe is elegant yet practical, allowing freedom of movement. Over her robe, she wears a sleeveless overcoat in black, embroidered with delicate silver and red threads that shimmer subtly with every movement. A finely crafted sword, sheathed in a lacquered scabbard, hangs at her waist, the hilt wrapped in red silk. Around her neck rests a jade pendant, engraved with an insignia, of a bird in flames.

----

"

"But even so, Master, why kill it?" the girl pressed, her eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and pity.

"Hmph, what do you know, little Mei?" the old man retorted. "Do you understand why this green jade eagle is so rare?"

She shook her head. "No."

"There are various reasons," he began. "First, though it's only a two-star beast, it can reach speeds rivaling a three-star beast. Being a flying creature, it naturally possesses an exceptional talent for speed. Second, their beaks and talons are highly valuable key ingredients for certain rank 3 and even some rank 4 pills. And third, and perhaps most importantly, if it senses its freedom is in jeopardy, it will ignite a peculiar power, causing its two eggs to perish before they can ever hatch, of course, it has to be within a certain range of the eggs. After that, its own death is guaranteed. That's why hunting it near its nest is damn near impossible."

The young woman was perplexed by the old man's explanation. Then a thought struck her. "But Master, why didn't it use its ability this time?"

The old man grinned slyly. "It's probably because of those little fellows down there."

-------

With a mere flick of his sleeve, the old man and the young woman vanished from the air and materialized before Xue San and his sister, who were suspended as if by invisible hands. Xue San's eyes widened in disbelief at the sight of the two figures who, moments ago, had been distant silhouettes against the sky and now stood mere steps away. Little Xue Si had already fainted, overwhelmed by the torrent of emotions she had endured.

"So, little fellow, will you hand me that egg?" the old man asked, a wide grin stretching across his wrinkled face.

A spark of greed ignited in Xue San's eyes. In an instant, a whirlwind of thoughts raced through his mind. "These are legendary immortals—true immortals who can fly," he marveled. "If I play this right, I could gain something far greater than mere money from selling this egg. I must be careful with what I say."