Cultivation

Gu Erin's mind was in turmoil from pain, this was a type of pain, most if not all of the humans of Earth would be unaccustomed to. However, Gu Erin's mind was hardened to this type of pain, however, this did not dull the pain in any way, it only made Gu Erin far more capable of moving forward under this searing pain.

If one had to describe the feeling Gu Erin was experiencing. Imagine having all of your muscles slowly twisted within your body, and you would be close to the constant pain he was feeling. Of course, Gu Erin found it hard to concentrate, that did not stop Gu Erin from circulating his qi anyways.

The first step was to drench yourself in qi, as mortals you had a natural defense against ambient qi, which in turn was a mortal's greatest hurdle to enter the first realm of cultivation. Of course, this wasn't true for all races, but Gu Erin knew little of the other races. As most never came to the Flood Dragon Kingdom, thankfully.

Once your entire body is filled with qi, then you start the grueling process of pulling it all out. Unlike the controlled process of bringing the qi in. Pushing the qi out had to be done fast, and was more often than not the most painful part of this. However, this thought would be wrong, as it was not the worst part.

A foul smell that resembled that of a corpse on its tenth week of decomposition filled Gu Erin's nostrils, making him gag. Gu Erin's trance of bringing in more qi was nearly broken before he reinforced his will and kept breathing.

After doing this process three times with his blood, Gu Erin felt his body, it was light like he could do anything, Gu Erin knew this was a type of side affect when one just breaks through the first realm, a feeling similar to doping. Gu Erin however, would not fall into the trap and think of himself as all powerful.

Many had to learn the mistake of overestimating themselves, he would not be as foolish as them and challenge the guard. Honestly, now that Gu Erin thought about it, he should spend some time and see if that happens again. It would be a good show. In a world without Earth's entertainment, the next best thing was to see people making a fool of themselves.

Gu Erin stood up, and immediately regrated it, with a thought Gu Erin summoned his star like jade token in his mind. "Lee Tao, get me a new robe." With a mental throw a light burst out of Gu Erin's forehead, quickly zooming out of sight before Gu Erin tried to find a body of water.

No signs of living creatures were around him, even flies avoided him, Gu Erin tried to hold in all the gags that almost turned into dry heaves. With some luck Gu Erin found a small pond. Although it was relatively dirty itself, it was still a step up from what his current situation was.

Gu Erin didn't go immediately in however, instead he found a large stone and threw it in easily. The stone was the size of a small child, and as such it caused major waves in the small pond. Thankfully nothing reacted or sprang out to locate the disturbance. The last thing Gu Erin wanted was a Rank 1 beast to take a bite out of him while he bathed.

Gu Erin languidly floated about the pond as all the algae slowly died, until a few flourished. Nature was like that in a way, some cultivators from his past time line were convinced there was a great use for the impurities cultivators exuded during breakthroughs. However, most if not all uses were dead ends. Certainly, some plants liked them, but most plants that did were worthless, or poisonous in nature.

Gu Erin finally left the pond, the sky starting to grow dark, his robes were stained to the point where Gu Erin thought for a split second about going naked back to the agreed spot, but he had an image to uphold. Moving through the woods was far better this time, as most of the wildlife had returned, but Gu Erin felt like most were still instinctively avoiding him.

Taking this time to examine the changes to his body Gu Erin noticed that he didn't look all too different. He wouldn't get any significant changes till he refined his bones and muscles. First he had to refine his organs though, then his body could handle the number of impurities being forced out of it. No doubt Gu Erin's next stop at the bathroom would be one to kill a kilometer's worth of plants. One of the ways to get rid of the impurities was through the skin, and the other was through your digestive tract.

Even now Gu Erin could feel the oncoming storm, and was silently praying for mercy, no doubt a fart of his right now would make a crowd faint. Nope, can't hold it anymore… Gu Erin proceeded to run back to the pond.

Needless to say, whatever was living in that pond was now very much dead, fish floated upon its surface, and the algae bloom made the entire pond a grayish brown, as the algae itself looked sickly.

Gu Erin left once again, this time completely emptied, and relieved, Gu Erin made his way back to the camp, in a much better mood. One of the trips Gu Erin and Lee Tao had made was to a soap and incense shop. In the world of cultivation these were luxury items, but it would be necessary unless he wanted his entire group to hate cultivation just from the smell.

That's how bad the smell was, it was a great aversion, and more often than not would either lead or warn away the beasts around them. Hopefully it would be the latter in this case, rather than the former.

When Gu Erin got back to the camp, Gu Erin was pleasantly surprised, it seemed like although the craftsmen he ordered it from was a bit on the rougher side when it came to bargaining, he sure made up for it when it came to delivery. Within the clearing were two large tubs, that could fit at least five people if they squeezed in.

This would make it far easier for people to refine their blood, and step into the first realm. Lee Tao was already there with a few others. They mostly looked like unsuccessful stragglers. Gu Erin saw that most of them looked slightly defeated, he would have to ask if they had given up from lack of success, or because the work was too hard. He would not have slackers, and he could forgive those who tried, but if those who found opportunities, and failed to grasp them he would berate them for their foolishness.

They had picked a small stream to camp by, but it was not for the use of bathing, that could be save for downstream. Lee Tao and Gu Erin spent most of their time just looking for the source of the stream to secure it. Soon the competition for resources would not exclude bodies of water. This would die out as people got stronger and spread out, but in the beginning, water sources caused massacres.

Gu Erin did not wait for anyone, nor did he plan to idly sit around either, with some hesitation he sat down and prepared to refine his organs. It would be his first time doing so, and he wasn't familiar with the process. But, still out of some form of consideration Gu Erin went downwind, and closer to downstream. He would have to move the large tubs there soon anyway.

Otherwise, the camp in general would stink like no tomorrow, and everyone would suffer for it. Gu Erin then spent what he assumed was around two hours just familiarizing himself with his organs, and the pathways that ran through or around them.

That was until he was shaken by someone, with a glare Gu Erin opened his eyes and saw his father with a grim look on his face, that only turned gloomier when he saw his son's glare at him.

However, before Gu Yuze could address this a slap landed on his face. Gu Yuze was sent flying causing a few gasps of shock from those who gathered around him. Gu Erin looked around and saw his mother, sister, Chan Ai, Master Lee, Lee Tao, Nu Bin, Kei Jiahao, Kei Sung, James, and Lucy.

"Never disturb someone who is cultivating, even if it means waiting another year. If you disturb them they may die. If I see or hear of anyone ever doing so I will kill them myself." Gu Erin said his voice cold, he then looked at his father. "no matter who you are."

Although this was a lie, Gu Erin had to get across the importance of this topic, cultivation deviation was as good as a death sentence, or even worse cause you to become a cripple. Some might ask how that is worse, but one has to understand. The best way to tell if someone was a great cultivator was to judge them by the caliber of their enemies. If a great cultivator became a cripple. His life would be worse than death as his enemies played him to death.

Gu Erin stood up, "thankfully I was simply examining my pathways, but if you see someone in the lotus position assume they are cultivating." Gu Erin looked to those around him. "Now I assume everyone is here and we can start?"

Many of those gathered tilted their heads, before Kei Jiahao asked the question that was on everyone's mind. "Start what?"

Gu Erin smiled, "To cultivate of course." However, Gu Erin wasn't looking at Kei Jiahao, he was instead looking at Chan Ai. The amount of qi required to progress in one's refining raised exponentially with each stage. Include the fact that Gu Erin planned to refine everything, and Gu Erin needed a tremendous amount of qi.

The fastest way to get such a vast amount of qi right now, was through dual cultivation. Looking at Chan Ai now, he swore he saw her… shudder?