Not gonna wait
Lu Tzang sat cross-legged under the sprawling shade of an ancient tree, his thoughts racing as he gazed once more at the glowing system screen before him.
The faint hum of energy from the screen seemed to beckon him, whispering of endless possibilities and dangers alike.
The gentle rustling of leaves overhead provided a soothing counterpoint to the turmoil within his heart.
"Alright," he murmured, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling in his chest. "First things first, I need to allocate these points."
The screen shimmered, displaying his attributes again:
Strength (STR): 55/60
Speed (SPD): 57/60
Agility (AGI): 59/60
Endurance (END): 50/60
Spirit (SPR): 55/60
Mortal Essence Points Available: 40
Lu Tzang furrowed his brow, the weight of the decision pressing down on him.
In the novel, the cultivation path was clear—train the body to its peak before attempting a breakthrough.
The protagonist had relied on sheer force of will and the guidance of powerful mentors. But he was no Asura, no chosen hero destined to defy the heavens.
He was just... Lu Tzang.
But he wouldn't let that stop him.
"I'm not going to wait for some main character to take me under his wing," he muttered, his tone laced with determination. "If I'm going to survive in this world, I'll do it on my terms."
He took a deep breath and focused on the screen.
Ding!
A soft chime echoed in his mind as he allocated the points.
Slowly, the numbers ticked up.
Strength rose to 60, Speed followed, then Agility, Endurance, and Spirit.
Each increment sent a ripple through his body, a sensation unlike anything he had ever experienced before.
When the last point was allocated, Lu Tzang felt it.
It began as a faint warmth in his core, spreading outward like a rising tide.
The warmth turned into heat, then into a blazing inferno that surged through his veins.
His muscles tensed, his skin prickling as if charged with electricity.
"Ugh—what is this?!" Lu Tzang groaned, clutching his chest.
The sensation intensified. It was as though the world itself was embracing him.
A rush of wind swirled around him, carrying with it the earthy scent of the forest and the distant chirping of birds.
The ground beneath him seemed to pulse in rhythm with his heartbeat, and the air felt alive, buzzing with energy.
He felt connected—no, woven—into the very fabric of the world around him.
The flames within his body danced, purging weakness and refining his mortal form.
His senses sharpened to an almost unbearable degree.
He could hear the distant hum of insects, the faint creak of the tree branches overhead, and even the steady thrum of his own heartbeat.
His vision blurred, colors bleeding together before sharpening into crystalline clarity.
The world seemed more vibrant, more real than ever before.
The wind whispered secrets he couldn't quite grasp, but he felt their meaning deep within his soul.
This wasn't just an upgrade. It was a transformation.
His body, his mind, his very existence was being reforged in the crucible of cultivation.
Minutes passed, though they felt like hours.
Finally, the overwhelming sensation began to subside, leaving him breathless but invigorated.
His chest rose and fell as he sucked in lungfuls of air, his body trembling from the aftershocks of the experience.
When he opened his eyes, the world around him seemed... different. Sharper. More alive.
"So this is what it feels like," he whispered, his voice filled with awe. "To cultivate."
It was so different compared to the last times would just use the chi to shield himself against cold and hot wind.
Too different.
Lu Tzang stood, stretching his newly strengthened limbs.
He clenched his fists, marveling at the raw power coursing through his veins. But as satisfying as the experience was, a glance at the screen reminded him of the harsh reality he still faced.
Ding!
Note: To elevate to Phase Six, Initial Stage, the host must take a chance to breakthrough. Mortal Essence Points required: 30.
Mortal Essence Points Remaining: 16.
"Dammit," Lu Tzang muttered, running a hand through his hair. "I'm still short."
He paced in a small circle, his mind racing.
The system seemed clear—Mortal Essence Points were the key to progressing. But how could he earn more?
He glanced down at the spiritual stones tucked into his sash.
Two remained.
He had already spent five on Xiao Chan, helping her cultivate and, in turn, receiving his own strange benefits.
The system clearly rewarded him for "spending on maidens," as it so delicately put it.
"Does this mean I'm stuck waiting for Xiao Chan to come back?" he mused aloud.
But then a thought struck him. What if it doesn't have to be Xiao Chan?
His mind raced with possibilities.
If the system rewarded him for cultivating others, then perhaps he could expand his efforts.
Xiao Chan had been a willing participant, eager to benefit from his spiritual stones.
Surely there were others in this world who would jump at the chance for the same opportunity.
He glanced at the two remaining stones, weighing his options.
He got somehow four choices:
1. Wait for Xiao Chan to return and continue cultivating her.
2. Seek out another maiden and test if the system works on others.
3. Conserve the spiritual stones for emergencies.
4. Abandon the system's strange requirements and forge your own path.
Lu Tzang stared at the glowing options, his jaw tightening.
The idea of waiting for Xiao Chan was tempting—she was reliable, and their partnership had already proven fruitful. But what if she didn't return soon?
He couldn't afford to waste time.
Option three was sensible, but he didn't like the idea of stagnating. And as for option four... that was a last resort.
The system was his greatest advantage in this world.
Ignoring it would be foolish.
That left option two.
Lu Tzang crossed his arms, his gaze narrowing. "It's risky," he muttered. "But it's the fastest way to find out how this system really works."
The decision was made, he took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright. I'll try it."
He glanced at the forest path where Xiao Chan had disappeared earlier, a faint pang of guilt tugging at his chest.
"It's not like I'm replacing her," he reassured himself. "I'm just... exploring my options."
With that, Lu Tzang set off, his mind focused on the task ahead.
If he was going to survive and thrive in this world, he needed to make bold moves.
And this?
This was just the beginning.
After a few minutes had passed, Lu Tzang walked leisurely along the forest path, his eyes closed, enjoying the newfound lightness of his body.
With each small jump forward, he marveled at the sensation.
It was as if gravity had loosened its grip on him. His limbs felt powerful yet agile, his steps effortless.
"This must be the result of allocating all my points," he murmured, a small smile forming on his lips. "Feels like I'm floating."
He continued his playful stride—until a sudden, foreboding stillness in the air forced him to stop.
Opening his eyes, he was greeted by the sight of three figures standing in his path.
The first was a towering behemoth of a man, his body rippling with muscle that seemed barely contained by his dark, sleeveless tunic.
Scars criss crossed his arms, and a wicked grin revealed a row of jagged teeth. His bald head gleamed under the sunlight, and his cold, predatory eyes locked onto Lu Tzang like a hawk sighting its prey.
To his right stood a wiry man with a gaunt face, his cheeks sunken like hollows carved into a cliffside.
His long, bony fingers toyed with a dagger that gleamed ominously in the light, and his thin lips twisted into a sneer.
The third was even thinner, his frame so frail it seemed he might snap in a strong breeze. Yet his sharp eyes gleamed with cunning, and his sickly pallor only added to his unsettling appearance.
He clutched a staff adorned with dark runes, leaning on it slightly as if mocking weakness while exuding a quiet menace.
Their matching robes bore the emblem of a coiling serpent—symbols of the Shen Family, a name that sent shivers through most cultivators' spines.
"What are they doing here?" Lu Tzang wondered.