In this world, there is a reason why the rich grew richer, the strong grew stronger, and the weak grew weaker. It all boils down to the amount of resources a cultivator has!
Just look at the Genetic Awakener Realm cultivators. If they don't have enough resources, they will need to constantly exhaust themselves and have their bodies passively absorb mana particles in the atmosphere. This process takes a long time.
However, those with resources, such as a certain Young Master from a minor Clan, can use Mana Essence Potion to increase the amount of mana they possess.
In the Genetic Awakener Realm, the goal is simple. First is to increase one's mana capacity and second is to become more sensitive to mana and also to hone one's ability to control it.
With enough resources, advancement is certainly rapid. However, without resources, the progress would be painfully slow.
"This is the difference between the rich and the poor. My Cultivation Art alone even without me doing anything is able to help me become a mid-level Genetic Awakener cultivator. That is at the very least the 4th level, easily breaking through several small realms without a sweat"
"With the Mana Essence Potion, I can even lessen the conversion time. I reckon that with my accumulation, once the serpent magic beast is fully refined into a Spirit Serpent, I might reach the high level of the Genetic Awakener Realm"
With how unfair the world is, Kyrell can't help but sigh. His advantage compared to normal and backgroundless cultivators was the difference between the heavens and the earth.
However, he also knew that the advantage that the truly strong clans had compared to him was the same as the difference between him and the commoners.
"Cultivation... Power... I must have it!"
With strong resolution, Kyrell rested for some time and when he felt that he recovered enough, he grabbed one of the Mana Essence Potions in the suitcase and consumed it
Mana recovery potions only replenished the mana that the cultivator used but Mana Essence Potion increased the cultivator's mana capacity, making the letter way more precious and expensive.
A warm current traveled from Kyrell's throat down to his stomach which felt quite relaxing.
"Hmm... I think even just one potion is enough to help me break through to the second level of the Genetic Awakener Realm" Kyrell muttered as he sensed his mana capacity increasing.
The potion settled on his stomach and its medicinal effects started to spread from every inch of his body, helping him increase his mana capacity.
"Zero, mobilize the nanobots. Don't waste even a single drop of the potion" Kyrell ordered and the nanobots hiding inside his body were immediately mobilized.
With his weak physique, he is not able to absorb the full potency of the potion in one sitting. Otherwise, the sudden spike in mana would cause him harm. It would take more than a week for the potion to be fully absorbed. It can't be helped, his physique was just too ordinary.
If it was the otherworldly geniuses, they could definitely fully absorb the potion in one sitting.
"Sigh... sometimes, the difference between humans is no different than the difference between a man and a dog" Kyrell lamented but he was not discouraged.
He definitely would find a way to increase his talent and become a powerful cultivator!
—-
"Young Master Kyrell, your cousin, Young Master Isobi is here to 'visit' you" the faithful maid; Melissa reported to her master, and Kyrell who was reading some notes turned his head at her.
Physical training is important but reading cultivation notes are also important and cannot be neglected. Theory and practice should achieve a balance to achieve swift progress.
"A visit? Haha, more like he was sent here to probe" Kyrell said with a chuckle.
He was not ignorant. In fact, he was quite smart. His life was peaceful on the surface before he became a cultivator where no one knows what to expect from him yet but things are bound to change.
Non-cultivators cannot consume any resources for cultivation. But a cultivator can and having one more cultivator in the family means one less resource for others.
It is now time to probe. As the Patriarch's son, is Kyrell worthy to receive the resources he got from his father or not?
"Should I quietly dispose of him, Young Master?" Melissa asked. With her innocent face, you wouldn't expect that she is capable of saying such a thing.
"I wish things were that easy. But even with father saying I could live as I want and there is no need to bother myself with these 'hindrances', I would still prefer it if no one will look down and constantly annoy me" Kyrell shook his head and he had Melissa guide his cousin to the guest room of his courtyard
——
"Cousin! It has been a long time since I last saw you. I missed you a lot" Isobi said while portraying an enthusiastic smile.
"Thank you, cousin. Please have some tea while you are here" Kyrell offered like a qualified host and his cousin didn't stand in ceremony as he accepted the tea offered by Melissa.
Isobi Evander is one of the members of the branch family of Evander Clan. Amongst the side branches, his 'faction' can be considered as a middle-level force. Not too weak nor powerful.
"He's someone that became a cultivator just a few weeks before I did. For this probing test, he is indeed the perfect candidate" Kyrell mused.
He might not have a photographic memory but with Zero, storing information was easy.
"Thank you cousin and by the way, before I forget, congratulations on finally being a cultivator! The Patriarch must have been really proud!"
"Well, with my father's personality, even if I can just reach the peak of the Genetic Awakener Realm in my life, he would still be proud" Kyrell chuckled bitterly as if he was down with how bad his cultivation talent turned out to be.
Without suspense, Isobi acted exactly the way that Kyrell expected him to be. Despite being excited about the information that he 'found', he tried to mask it. Unfortunately, his acting was just too bad.
Kyrell didn't even need Zero to read the subtle facial movements of Isobi to come to the conclusion that he was happy to know that his cousin was untalented.
"Cousin, don't be too down. We are here, we can ensure that the Clan will continue to be strong"
'So, you mean that you already excluded me from the list of people that can make the Clan great?' Kyrell thought but he didn't show it in his face. He still appeared dejected on the outside.
"I guess so. We are family, we rely on each other" he replied with a sigh and Isobi appeared even more joyful despite trying his best to hide it.
"Cousin, don't be so down! How about this, let us train together. I just started cultivating a few weeks before you but I have some talent. I will definitely do my best to help you" Isobi offered as if he genuinely wanted to help Kyrell but the latter knew better.
'In the end, he still acted as I expected. Better to get this over with as soon as possible. I have better use of my time'
This was nothing but a troublesome matter for Kyrell but he still showed an expression as if he was moved by his cousin's kindness.
"Really? You would do that for me?" Kyrell asked like a child who was afraid of hearing "No" as a reply and Isobi vigorously nodded his head.
"Of course! This is not a big deal to me, I will definitely 'teach' you a lot of things!" Isobi replied in affirmation and Kyrell nodded his head like a puppy.
"Thank you, cousin!"
Perhaps because they are of the same age but this Isobi was really too 'unprofessional'. He was not able to perfectly conceal his emotions as it was almost see-through from his facial expressions.
His words are also not eloquent and those that have some level of intellect can sense that he has ulterior motives.
'Well, he is just a chess piece, after all. What can I expect?'
After some time, the two arrive at Kyrell's personal training ground which causes Isobi to grit his teeth in envy.
Not everyone in the clan has their own training place. Most had to share space with other clan members which was not very conducive for cultivation.
This was especially so for the branch families that received far fewer resources than those that were in the main line.
"Does being the Patriarch's son mean that he can enjoy these things when he clearly is not cut out for cultivation? I must pull him down from the pedestal!"
"Once I was able to humiliate this bastard, the Elders will surely be happy and reward me! I hope they can also give me my own training space."
"I know that I am not worse compared to the cultivators of the main branch, I just have fewer resources compared to them!"