5 Days Later
In the dark forest, Li Wei stood in front of a door hidden by a fog that created a slight illusion within the dark forest.
It was called the dark forest because the fog was so thick that sunlight couldn't penetrate, making it a perpetually gloomy place inhabited by black creatures lurking in the fog.
'Opportunity brought me to this place.'
'How convenient it is to have the tracking skill. If I didn't possess it, I would have had to follow the disciple until I found the opportunity and then kill him to steal it from him,' Li Wei thought, as a flash of killing intent emanated from him.
After a moment of contemplation, Li Wei walked up to the door and tried to open it.
When he put his hands on the door, he had to exert all his strength to move it bit by bit.
'This shit is so heavy,' he thought as beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.
Two minutes later
Li Wei managed to push open the door, revealing a hallway leading to a dojo-like room filled with various training equipment and enough provisions to last a long time.
As he entered the dojo, the doors he had just opened slammed shut behind him, raising a small cloud of dust.
"Damn it, I'm trapped. But considering this is an opportunity, there must be a way out."
After scanning the room for a while, he noticed a stone plaque inscribed with details about a cultivation method.
[Physical Training Method: Diamond Body]
"It's an Earth rank physical training method that focuses on defense, it will serve me well as an auxiliary training method," Li Wei said excitedly.
The training manuals were categorized into ranks: Mortal, Spiritual, Profound, Earth, and Heaven, each with three sub-levels: Low, Medium, and High.
'This is an incredible method, far superior to my current low-grade Spiritual rank method. With this, my strength can increase much faster than before,' Li Wei thought excitedly.
'The only drawback is that it focuses on physical cultivation, not spiritual cultivation, meaning I'll have to start from scratch.'
Physical cultivation was not inferior to spiritual cultivation; both had their pros and cons. In terms of raw power, physical cultivation was superior, but its progression was much slower and required much greater effort.
In this part of the continent, it had fallen in popularity, although it was still a primary training method elsewhere.
...
Three Years Later
The forest echoed with loud explosions, scaring away the nearby animals.
After the final explosion, a huge cloud of dust and debris rose into the air.
"I finally escaped from that damned place," said a young man in tattered clothes, revealing a muscular physique beneath.
"After three full years of suffering and pain, I finally reached the Foundation Establishment realm as a physical cultivator."
It had taken Li Wei three years to reach Foundation Establishment as a physical cultivator, compared to the six years it took him as a spiritual cultivator, due to the difference in rank between the two cultivation methods.
"Having practiced both the spiritual and physical cultivation methods, I can now consider myself a dual cultivator."
As a dual cultivator, Li Wei's power placed him among the strongest at his level, although the downside was the significant time investment required.
"My next goal is to find an opportunity that improves my talent in physical or spiritual cultivation, either of the two will do," he thought as he wandered aimlessly, unable to remember the way back
After walking for a while, fighting off the beasts that attacked him, he finally came across a river and followed it until he reached a small village.
As he entered, he noticed the disgusted looks of the villagers, offended by his ragged appearance and foul smell.
"Stop!"
A guard at the village gate stopped Li Wei with a stern tone. Before the guard could say another word, Li Wei tossed him his sect badge, which confirmed his identity as an inner disciple.
"Forgive my insolence, young master," the guard stammered, trembling as he bowed in apology.
"Alright. Prepare me a bath and a change of clothes," Li Wei replied indifferently.
"Yes, young master! I will prepare the best bath and clothes the village can offer."
The guard quickly gave instructions to his subordinates and before long, everything was ready.
'Being an inner disciple is very convenient,' Li Wei thought.
'Young master, please follow me,' said a beautiful maid who came over to guide him.
'Alright,' Li Wei replied, following her.
As they walked, he couldn't help but notice the opportunity linked to it.
[Future Opportunity: 20 days later, while cleaning the library, you will be attracted to a particular book. Upon touching it, the book emitted a radiant light and transferred the knowledge of a heaven-rank cultivation manual directly into your mind.]
'What the heck? Is she the heroine of some novel?'
'What's your name?' Li Wei asked the maid.
'My name is Xiao Lan, young master,' she replied calmly, being careful not to offend him.
'It's a lovely name,' Li Wei said, trying to strike up a rapport.
"Thank you, young master," Xiao Lan replied in a firm and emotionless tone.
...
Five Hours Later
The Village Library
Li Wei struggled to decipher a book in his hands. No matter what he tried, it wouldn't open.
'It seems there is a requirement to unlock it. I assume Xiao Lan was able to access it because she has greater talent than me.'
'To confirm this, I will bring her to the sect and test her aptitude. If it turns out that she has immense talent, it means my theory is correct: the book requires a very talented successor to unlock it.'
'But even if that's the case, I won't let this amazing opportunity fall into someone else's hands. I will wait until my talent improves and unlock it myself.'
"call Xiao Lan," Li Wei instructed the nearest guard.
"Yes, young master," the guard replied, afraid of displeasing him and facing severe punishment.
Three Minutes Later
"Did you call me, young master?" Xiao Lan asked.
"Yes. Pack your things. You will come with me to the sect."
"Eh?... As you command, young master," Xiao Lan replied, surprised by the sudden decision.