This book might seem forced in its plot armor halfway through, but don't stop reading. Stay until the end of the chapter—you'll understand.

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In the Sword Mountain Range, a young man was running aimlessly, his breaths heavy with desperation. Behind him, an enormous white tiger pursued relentlessly.

"What kind of curse is this? How on earth do I run into a beast that has already cultivated spiritual energy on my first hunt?" the boy muttered through gritted teeth, his strength waning with every step.

The white tiger didn't seem in any rush. It maintained a steady pace, almost playful, as if relishing the boy's terror, confident the chase would end in its favor.

"Damn it!" A surge of anger flickered in the boy's heart. He wanted to stand and fight, to take down the beast and maybe even have a barbecue with its meat. But he wasn't stupid. A mere human against a spiritual beast? That was a death wish.

As he fled, the terrain suddenly changed. Ahead, a steep cliff loomed, surrounded by thick trees, and in its center lay a massive chasm—like it had been carved by a sword from the heavens.

Without a second thought, the boy sprinted toward the edge and leapt. Better to die from a fall than in the jaws of that cursed tiger! Those were his final thoughts before exhaustion claimed him, and he blacked out mid-air.

The tiger, mere feet away, roared in frustration as its prey vanished over the edge. It hesitated, its pride wounded, and let out one last roar before retreating into the forest.

Ryuh's fall was softened by a mysterious cluster of giant banana leaves, which cushioned his descent. He floated down gently, as though carried by an invisible hand, landing with a soft thud.

All around him, curious monkeys observed, keeping their distance. One, braver than the rest, approached and began pinching his cheeks.

Ryuh's eyes fluttered open to find a monkey staring right at him. He bolted upright, startling the animal, which scampered back into the trees.

"What's happening? Why was a monkey pinching me? And… I'm alive?" He glanced up at the sky, disbelief etched on his face.

"Hahaha! I'm alive!" he shouted, laughter spilling from his lips as relief washed over him. He jumped, spun, and waved his arms in wild celebration.

After several minutes, his euphoria subsided, and he took in his surroundings. Towering banana trees, some over sixty feet tall, formed a dense jungle around him. Brown-furred monkeys swung from the leaves, with occasional sightings of darker ones.

Hungry, Ryuh approached a banana tree and plucked a colossal fruit nearly two feet long—enough to feed three people. Peeling it, he devoured half before tossing the rest to a nearby monkey, which accepted it without hesitation and edged closer.

"I'll call you... Own. Or maybe Brown? Own," Ryuh said with a grin, knowing he was terrible at naming things.

His own name was simple: Ryuh. A sixteen-year-old boy from the Red Leaf Village, nestled near the Sword Mountain Range. This day was supposed to mark his first hunt, a rite of passage. Who would've thought it would start with him encountering a spiritual tiger?

Slapping his cheeks lightly, he exhaled. "Let's forget about that miserable incident. I'm alive, and that's what matters. Next time, though, I'll be more cautious." He patted Brown's head with a small smile.

"Brown, let's explore this place!" Ryuh announced, his eyes glinting with curiosity. Few dared to venture into the mysterious depths of the Sword Cliff.

"If only I had a bag to carry all the treasures I'll find here!" he muttered, already dreaming of rare fruits and valuables to sell back in the village.

Brown seemed to sense his frustration. The monkey darted off to a nearby banana tree and returned minutes later, clutching a sack made of rough fabric, which it handed to Ryuh.

Gratitude surged through Ryuh. He wanted to hug the lucky monkey for solving his problem so effortlessly. "Brown, you're amazing!" he said, scratching the monkey's head affectionately.

With ten bananas stashed in the sack, Ryuh set off with Brown, uncertain of their destination.

Half an hour passed, and the landscape remained unchanged—endless banana trees stretching into the horizon. Frustrated, Ryuh muttered, "This should be called the Banana Cliff, not the Sword Cliff. Who named this place, anyway?"

Determined to keep going, he finally reached an opening in the jungle. Ahead lay a vast barren expanse, about thirty feet wide. Beyond it, ordinary trees, though still massive, lined the horizon. Intrigued, Ryuh and Brown crossed the clearing.

On the other side, Ryuh spotted a circular crater hidden among the trees, about fifteen feet across. Curiosity piqued, he approached the crater and discovered two items at its center: a red-bound book and a dark blue pearl etched with dragon symbols.

"Brown, find us a cave nearby. I need to examine these things," Ryuh said, handing the task to his companion. Brown dashed off, returning shortly with an excited expression.

Following the monkey, Ryuh found a concealed cave among the trees. Inside, he set down his sack, dusted off the book, and inspected the pearl. The book's title read, Dual Cultivation Technique. His heart raced.

"Cultivation? Could this book teach me how to cultivate?" Ryuh murmured, excitement surging through him. He had never dreamed big, but the thought of mastering cultivation sparked something deep within—a yearning for immortality, for the power to soar through the skies and cleave mountains with a single strike.

Eagerly, he opened the book to the first page.

"Dual cultivation, in the realm of cultivation, has two meanings: the art of pleasure, where two partners cultivate together, and the combined cultivation of spiritual and physical qi."

Ryuh's face turned crimson. "Pleasure?!" he spluttered, embarrassed. But as he read on and realized the book focused on spiritual and physical cultivation, relief flooded him. Still, a tiny voice in his mind whispered, The first option sounded... interesting.

Determined, he flipped the page.

"This method teaches the second type, to the dismay of its heirs."

Puff!

"Who's the shameless cultivator who wrote this?" Ryuh muttered, exasperated, as he turned to the third page.

"If you've made it this far, know that you're unlucky. Accepting this book is to accept a curse. The heavens will not tolerate its user and will conspire to hinder your path. I'm sorry, heir, but the life ahead of you will be fraught with challenges. You probably found this book thinking you were chosen by fortune. What a shame—there is no fortune here.

Relax, though: one thing is certain. Even with the Dao of Heaven opposing you, you'll be invincible among your peers. All you need to do is endure the pain.

If you lack courage, stop now. You'll die on the first day. Leave the book and the pearl together, and walk away."