A whole day had come and gone, yet none had ticked by for Adam. His every waking moment of the past twenty-four hours was devoted to one task and one task alone-to drink in every last ounce of the power the Empress's elixirs promised. His private quarters had turned crucible as he strove from breakthrough to breakthrough, his development at a dizzying pace-he dared not have dreamed-when he first came.
Now, the core of his room occupied, cross-legged sat Adam with a soft golden glow emanating from his body as the last remnants of Qi from the last elixir settled into his core. His chest rose and fell in a rhythmic manner, with breathing controlled while he completed the integration of such a great amount of power that he had ingested.
The elixirs were gone, their potent energy now his. The muscles of Adam were denser now, his senses sharper, and the flow of Qi within his body was like a roaring river, while just a small trickle had started. He was nowhere near the top cultivators he had come across so far, but he could feel the surge of potential within him. He was stronger-far, far stronger than when he first set foot in this world.
---
System Notification:
Breakthrough Achieved: Mortal Layer 6
Breakthrough Achieved: Mortal Layer 7
Breakthrough Achieved: Mortal Layer 8
Experience Points Gained: 3,000
Total Experience: 8,800 XP
---
Adam opened his eyes. A small grin played on his lips as he checked his progress. Mortal Layer 8 in just over a day's time. The elixirs, added to the 20x increase in cultivation talent, had worked wonders in his growth. He could feel it in every fiber of his body-the raw power simmering just beneath the surface. But despite his rapid advancement, Adam knew he was still light-years from reaching the heights he needed to. This was only the beginning.
The soft pulsations of the system reminded him there was more to learn, more to achieve. Knowledge was needed about this world, who held the key to power, its resources, and dangers. He had been confined to this palace and chambers surrounding it, without reaching the large empire beyond. That would have to change.
Adam stood, his legs strong, fluidity in every movement. Pulling a dark robe provided by palace servants over his shoulders, he felt the fine material caress his skin with every step. He passed by a mirror and caught his reflection—a man remade. His body was harder, surely the set of his shoulders more confident, his eyes an edge to them now, a glint of determination that had not been there before.
He was ready to explore.
---
He came out into the palace corridors to find Adam greeted by the soft hum of palace life. The guards stood at attention along the walls, their faces impassive as they gave him slight nods acknowledging his presence. Servants bustled efficiently about their work without so much as a second glance in his direction toward the new consort. It was evident that the palace was one well-oiled machine, where every piece moved in unison to maintain the domain of the Empress with ease.
First, the place to go for Adam was the large library he had been whispering about-a depository of knowledge to which ancient texts, scrolls, and tomes were in store. If he were to learn more about this world and how to survive in it, that was where he would begin.
The walk through the palace was longer than he could have ever imagined. The size of the structure was unimaginable, with hallways that seemed to lead on to eternity, lined with towering statues and paintings depicting rulers of old, battles, and significant events in the empire's history. He noted the recurrent theme of power-every image, every statue depicted figures of immense strength, usually crowned by a phoenix, a symbol of the Empress' dominion.
That was a reminder of the world he had come to live in-a world where only the strong had any say in their fate.
Finally, he arrived at the entrance to the main library. A set of large wooden doors, intricately engraved with patterns of madly twisting flames and soaring phoenixes, stood in front of him. Two guards, fully clad in royal armor, flanked either side of the entrance. The guards barely afforded Adam a cursory glance, neither of them hindering him as he approached. His position as consort to the Empress opened many doors closed to others.
Adam pushed the doors open and stepped inside; his breath caught in his throat.
The library was enormous. Shelves, from floor to ceiling, were lined with scrolls and volumes of ancient books exuding a feel of timeliness in their wisdom. Aged parchment and ink perfumed the air, and a low hum of knowledge reverberated off the walls. Scholars and scribes moved quietly, some poring over texts and others copying ancient writings onto fresh parchment.
Adam leaned deeper into the library; his eyes scanned across the shelves. So much here, more than could be comprehended in one visit. He knew he would have to return again and again if he was to grasp the totality of knowledge this place held.
He approached one of them, an elderly man hunched over a desk, writing in a large book. The man looked up as Adam neared him, eyes sharp beneath his advanced years.
"May I help you, young man?" a low, gravelly voice asked.
"I'm looking for information," Adam answered. "On cultivation, on the empire, on the major powers in murim. I need to understand more."
The scholar regarded him for a moment before nodding. "Then you will want to begin with the fundamentals." He rose and beckoned for Adam to follow him to a set of shelves toward the back of the library. "These texts cover the basics of cultivation: Qi, realms, techniques, and resources. You will also find information on the political landscape of the Sky Phoenix Continent and the various sects and factions that operate here.
Adam nodded his thanks as the scholar left him to his own devices in front of the shelves. His fingers stroked over the spines of the ancient tomes, selecting a few that seemed rather promising. One was about the cultivation realms-in-depth analysis of each stage from Mortal Layers up to the Immortal Realm. Another described sects and factions upon the continent and their various insights as to how power influenced this world.
He sat down at one of the tables present and began to read from the first tome.
---
System Notification:
New Quest Available: Gather Knowledge of the Empire
Objective: Study the political and cultivation landscape of the Sky Phoenix Continent.
Reward: 1,000 Experience Points, Unlock New Cultivation Techniques
---
oodoo cultists-merchants were often targeted by other human organizations.
Hours moved, and Adam plunged into the texts, reading as much as he could. Most interesting to him was the details about the many cultivation realms: the gap between the Mortal Layers and the higher realms such as the Foundation Establishment and Core Formation. A long path lay ahead, but he knew with the system's help that he would be able to ascend much faster than most.
But the political situation wasn't quite so straightforward. Surrounding the Sky Phoenix Empire on every side were other sects, all with their own plans. The Iron Serpent Sect had been such a consistent burr in the Empress's side over the years, seeking by every means possible to undermine her regime. Yet other factions, like the Ten Thousand Blades Sect, were on the rise in power, and rampant rogue cultivators caused unrest in the south.
As Adam read, a plan began to form in his mind. Power wasn't just about cultivation; influence, knowledge, and alliances were just as crucial. If he could gather information, gain allies within the palace and beyond, and strengthen himself, he could rise far faster than he had originally anticipated.
With the last book closed, Adam stood, his body vibrating with energy from the day's work. By now, he knew a lot; yet, he still had much to cover. His next step should be to see the city surrounding the palace-to see with his own eyes the world he was now a part of and understand its people who lived under the Empress's rule.
As he stepped out of the library, the sun was dipping below the horizon and casting long shadows across the palace grounds. Adam paused for just a moment, taking in the sight.
This was a big world, and it was full of danger. But it was also full of opportunity.
He would seize it all.
---
System Notification:
Quest Progress: Gather Knowledge of the Empire – 50% Complete
Quest Progress: Reach Foundation Establishment- 90% Complete
---