Page 2: Figuring Out My Way
Long Bai stood up to start his night. Since hunger has not become an issue after absorbing the essence of the red shard, he realized the importance of cultivation resources. Unlike on Earth, nutrition comes from the food that a person eats. As Bai walks with a slow pace in the alleyway, he scans the area which might be able to accommodate him for the night. Appearing tattered no place would allow such a person in their home especially because of the smell accumulated from days without a bath. Along the way, Bai recognized other children who are in a similar situation but felt the animosity in their eyes gleaming him a message to find another place to stay.
'This world is really cruel', Bai thought as he averted his gaze from the unwelcoming eyes. During his days on Earth, he never experienced such feelings even when he first entered his job. Back then, the competition was about achievements but it seems that here, such trifle things about paper works don't have bearings. All he can see is the helplessness of those who are powerless like him. However, even among the powerless, there are still those who are on top.
'Survival of the strongest huh. I need a place to rest so I can figure out my course of action. If I want to survive, I need to familiarize myself with this place. Oh, I think this place can do.'
Long Bai found a small dilapidated house at the outermost part of the slums. It looks gloomy and the area is almost close to the forest. There were remnant of attacks probably from forest beasts which were able to bypass the border wall. Bai scanned the place and decided to enter.
'Hmm, this place will do. There's a partial roof that can shield me in case the weather will be unfavorable. There's no bed but I can use the hay from the fallen roof to make one. Well, just for the night, I need to endure. I'll fix it when the time comes.'
Long Bai made some small changes in the area then finally proceed to lay down. He was satisfied that there were things around that he can use to make his back warm through the night. With his back on a soft surface, he tilted his head enough to see the dark and solemn night sky. His gaze was on the broken roof but his mind was elsewhere.
According to the original owner's memory, acquiring shards is possible even for a child. From the past, children from slums gang together fo hunt animals but can't be possible if it was a beast. Low-grade shards can develop in low-grade beasts but not all the time. Mostly, low-grade beast or animals as they were called can only develop a low-grade shard when they reach a certain age or when they are exposed to an area rich in essence for some time. Besides, children that have not yet started cultivating can hunt animals because these low-grade beasts are not aggressive. If it is compared to Earth, these animals are akin to animals in the wild that can be tamed and can be used for consumption. Although it can be consumed as food, they are only eaten by the poor due to its low nutritional level compared to a middle-grade beast. An earth rank of the low-grade beast, which is the lowest rank, has so much difference in value compared that to an animal or also called a low-grade beast. Thus animals are categorized as gradeless.
After Long Bai absorbed the red shard's essence, his strength was on par to a regular adolescent on Earth. In this case, his punch may exert 10-15 kg of weight. Bai can't measure it however he has the feeling that if he'll absorb another nine of those shards, he may be able to lift a 100 kg rock with a little ease. The main concern is the system assist. From the old memories, measuring one's talent and capabilities is only possible during awakening and it is held during a sect's disciple recruitment. Having an interface definitely is an irregularity in this world and might have been possible due to a soul coming from another world.
Right now, Long Bai has listed his priorities in order to survive. First is to strengthen himself by collecting shards from animals until the system assist will be accessible. The other goal is to enter a sect's awakening ceremony which is happening six months from now in order to have an essence core. This was the main goal of the original owner that is why he has kept the shard to himself. He was planning to use the shard as a payment. The absorbing of the shard's essence was an accident since it can only be possible when an essence core is developed. Bai speculated that it was due to the system assist that he can absorb essence even without an essence core.
'Wait, if I don't have an essence core, where does the absorbed essence go?' Long Bai being startled by his thought. He has still a lot to learn about the laws of this world. Like how he was able to adjust in a competitive society, he first tried to understand how things work. Once he learned how the society worked in a certain place, he was able to make the best out of it for himself.
'Hmm? I need more information about how cultivation works. Maybe there's someone from the older children who can give me some answers. I'll try asking tomorrow. There's no use mulling over it. I better rest.'
Long Bai closed his eyes as he retired for the day. Before he entirely became lost in the dream world, his thoughts were filled with concerns about how things are working back to where he came from. Although he doesn't have high regard for it, it still came to him since he had some people whom he can at least call friends.