The dim light inside Asher's modest dwelling flickered, casting shadows over the sparsely furnished room. He sat cross-legged, his face calm but his heart weighed down by the burden of his circumstances.
It had only been a few months since Asher awoke in this strange world—a realm dominated by immortal cultivators, where the strong reigned supreme and the weak were crushed without mercy. Reincarnated as a low-level Qi refiner with no notable talents, Asher was acutely aware of his vulnerability.
However, the heavens had not abandoned him entirely.
Within his soul lay a divine artifact, the Primordial Spirit Altar, a construct of immense power and unfathomable origins. It was said to be capable of forging spirits of unparalleled might, constructs that could reshape the course of destiny.
In the weeks following his awakening, Asher had come to understand the artifact's potential:
The Spring and Autumn Spirit, a construct that could halt the march of time and grant the user a semblance of immortality. The Golden Cicada Spirit, a spirit capable of resurrecting the dead, mending flesh and bone with divine precision. The Dragon Elephant Spirit, an embodiment of strength, bestowing the indestructible power of ancient beasts upon its bearer.
Yet these lofty creations were beyond Asher's reach. The resources and spiritual energy required to forge such powerful constructs were far beyond what he could currently gather. For now, he could only focus on survival.
The immediate danger came in the form of Liu Dong, a seventh-level Qi refiner with a reputation for ruthlessness. A former associate of Asher's predecessor in this body, Liu Dong had recently returned, claiming to have an old debt to settle. Asher could sense the malice emanating from the man, like a blade poised at his throat.
Miyun City had laws forbidding violence, but such rules were often ignored by those with power. Asher knew he couldn't rely on the city's governance for protection.
Instead, he turned to the Primordial Spirit Altar.
"Asher, it's time to act," he muttered to himself, his fingers brushing the surface of the glowing altar.
Unlike the grand spirits that lingered in his imagination, the altar revealed a different path forward. It had whispered to him of a humble yet cunning creation: the Infatuation Spirit.
The Infatuation Spirit was simple in design but profound in its implications. Once forged, it could produce Sub-Spirits—lesser constructs that could infiltrate the hearts of others, bending their will and emotions toward the user. Over time, the affected individual would develop unwavering loyalty, even love, for the creator.
Infatuation Spirit Type: Emotional Influence Construct Effect: Produces Sub-Spirits that implant subtle infatuation in the target, growing into deep devotion over time. Description: "Through love and loyalty, even the impossible can be achieved. The heart is the most malleable force in the universe."
While it lacked the grandeur of immortality or invincibility, the Infatuation Spirit offered a solution to Asher's immediate dilemma: survival. With this construct, he could potentially form alliances or secure the protection of a stronger cultivator, turning the tables on Liu Dong.
The materials needed to forge the spirit were straightforward:
Forget-Me-Not Grass Yin-Yang Blossoms One hundred low-grade spirit stones
Asher had scraped together his last remaining funds to acquire the materials, leaving himself dangerously low on resources. This was a gamble he could not afford to lose.
He began the ritual.
The Primordial Spirit Altar glowed faintly as Asher placed the ingredients onto its surface. His hands moved in practiced motions, guided by the altar's knowledge.
A swirling vortex of energy formed, pulling the materials into its core. The spiritual essence of the grass and blossoms melded together, burning away impurities as the altar worked its divine magic.
Moments later, a small, shimmering spirit emerged from the vortex. It was black and white, a tiny orb that pulsed with faint energy before darting toward Asher.
He winced as the spirit entered his chest, embedding itself within his heart. A flood of knowledge poured into his mind, detailing the Infatuation Spirit's abilities and limitations.
"It's done," Asher murmured, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "The Infatuation Spirit… my first creation."
He could already feel the spirit's subtle influence strengthening his connection to the altar. This success marked a pivotal step in his cultivation journey.
But the road ahead was far from easy. The Infatuation Spirit could produce only one Sub-Spirit at a time, and Asher needed to choose his target carefully.
He thought of the powerful figures in Miyun City—cultivators at the peak of the Qi refining stage, respected but often isolated. Women like Mrs. Hu of Baihua Tower, Mrs. Zhao of Treasure Pavilion, Mrs. Chen of Elixir Pavilion, and Mrs. Qian of Baifu Pavilion came to mind.
They were experienced and formidable, but their solitary lifestyles hinted at unfulfilled desires. If Asher could gain their favor, he would secure allies capable of shielding him from Liu Dong's wrath.
"This isn't about manipulation," Asher told himself, though he wasn't sure if he believed it. "It's about survival. And survival comes first."
He could sense the weight of his choices, the moral line he was crossing. But in a world where strength ruled and weakness was punished, he had little room for sentimentality.
Asher's journey had only just begun. The Infatuation Spirit was merely the first step on a path fraught with peril and uncertainty. But with the Primordial Spirit Altar at his side, he dared to hope for a brighter future.
And so, Asher's resolve hardened. Liu Dong's shadow loomed over him, but it was no longer as daunting as before.
"Desperate times call for desperate measures," he whispered, determination gleaming in his eyes.
The altar pulsed faintly, as if echoing his resolve.
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