5 Preparation for the Cultivator's Trial and Observation

When Feng entered the age of 9, he had an absolute celebration for his birthday after Lin who just turned 10!

Lin and his mother, Lian, came bringing with them a brand new pair of pants. Feng kneeled in gratitude. After Feng gifted Lin some shorts, he received long pants so he was grateful.

Boqin wanted to smack his son for kneeling just because of a brand new pair of pants. A thank you would've been enough but seeing that Lin and Lian were laughing, Boqin stopped in his tracks.

The fun didn't stop there. For the first time in a while, Fei cleaned every nook and cranny of their house!

It was breath of fresh air. it was not that Fei is lazy but because she didn't feel the need to and also because she was also a bit lazy.

Boqin is hardworking but ultimately, useless. Fei is smart and beautiful but lazy and has no ambitions.

Their son was a unification of their traits. Feng was not only lazy but he is also useless.

Anyway, back to the absolute celebration of his birthday party, as a birthday present, Boqin and Fei gave Feng a new pair of sandals!

"Look at this Lin, I no longer have to directly step onto the soil."

"Y-yeah... good for you."

"Is this the life of being rich?" Feng excitedly exclaimed which sounded sarcastic to his parents. Only by prostrating did he avoid the sandals from being taken away.

But the last but not the least was large bread with sugar as toppings!

Feng ate almost half of it while giving Lin the quarter. The parents of the two have to share the last quarter.

Feng had the memory of Raysam from Earth, however, he was still Feng. No, it was the combination of the two as one. Feng knew that he is no longer on Earth, the luxury of having a nice bed, eating three times a day, and gaming 24/7 was long gone. He could only cherish what was in front of him and he did.

For the whole day, Rumia was silent. Unknown to Feng, she was in great pity. Comparing the time when she had her two hundred and fifth birthday, this birthday party is an insult.

What's shocking about it was that Feng's happiness was genuine, looking at his thoughts.

So when the night came, Feng was shocked to hear Rumia.

[Happy birthday, Feng. I can't give you anything now so I owe which I will pay once I return to my real body. Goodnight.]

Feng was stunned and didn't respond for a few moments. After the pause, he replied in his mind-

'It's just been a few weeks and you already fell in love with me? Rumia, set the bar a little higher please so that I will thoroughly enjoy you once I got you.'

[... Y-you... Creep! I hate you! I can't believe I greeted you and said that I owe you something! I retract my gift! Sexual offender, you will die old, lonely, and virgin.]

'If I die a virgin, so will you, Rumia.' Feng inwardly replied as if it was matter-of-a-fact.

[Ah...! I can't really deal with you! Once I go to the Stellar Altar, I will tell Mom and Dad about you and how you've been harassing me!]

Feng smirked and mutely chortled. Rumia does not hold back on threatening him since she knew that he has no choice but to go to the Stellar Altar someday or he will be punished by the great cosmos.

'Sure, I will be waiting for that. Also, thanks for the greeting, Rumia.'

[..... hmph! Goodnight, don't talk to me any longer!]

'But you hear every thought in my mind, though? I can't just stop thinking.'

[...]

'Rumia?'

[...]

'Okay, sheesh, goodnight.'

After the past few weeks, these two, even if they don't want to, were always interacting. Rumia finally learned about this Earth and she felt a little amazed. Unfortunately, Feng's knowledge was limited in Earth's technological advancements. How could he? He skipped so many classes that he had to repeat a grade.

When Rumia heard this, her obnoxious laughter resounded in his mind for almost an hour.

As for Feng's progress on the Cosmic Overlord Manual, he had understood a percent of it but there was still this obstacle that restrained him from using it. If he couldn't use it, he has to find a cultivation technique to somehow alleviate his situation and make some progress on his oath to Rumia.

But he was oblivious to the fact that Rumia was shocked that he was actually making progress on the manual after a few weeks.

Although a percent seemed small, that is still a step forward to being a Cosmic Overlord!

Rumia began speculating that there's something more than just mere coincidences. Raysam from Earth died and his consciousness and memories went to Feng. Rumia just so happens to fall near Feng. And finally, Feng just so happened to play hide and see with Lin.

What are the odds? Just the first statement seemed so random.

But no matter how much she thinks about it, she has no idea what kind of force is behind this. Who knows, maybe it is just a coincidence? Transmigration is rare but is not impossible, after all.

Anyway, since Feng is now nine years old, he is now eligible to be put through the Cultivator's Trial and Observation.

This is where the child's journey of cultivation will actually start. Even though Gentle Breeze Valley is small and negligible, it is still under the territory of the Xin Dynasty. So the nearest city, Hawk Might City has the obligation to see the Gentle Breeze Valley's annual Trial and Observation to see if there's any young talent they can take in.

Lin was actually picked, however, he declined for unknown reasons. His mother didn't force him which angered his father. This has made their relationship sour for over a year now.

The Trial and Observation will actually be held a month later Feng's birthday.

Feng was determined to unlock the possible benefits the Cosmic Overlord Manual could give him at its early stage, get a high rating at the Trial and Observation, and get into one of the academies of Hawk Might City.

At that time, he will be able to bring his family out of poverty, get a better life, and get closer to fulfilling the oath.

So many birds with one stone - if only - he will be able to find this stone.

If he failed to use the early stage of the manual before the Trial and Observation, all of these plans will just turn into pipedreams.

How can Feng be sure that the manual can give him this? Well, if the Cosmic Overlord Manual does not, what can?

So with that thought, Feng didn't slack off on studying the manual. At some point, Rumia asked.

[Hey, Feng, how are you so clear-minded in all of this? Anyone who knows the book's real value inside your head will not be able to keep composure for days or even months. Or is it because you don't actually believe its power or what I said?]

When Rumia learned that Feng just turned nine years old with the addition of sixteen years of memories and experiences from Earth, he should have at most twenty-five years of life.

Twenty-five years, that's far from enough for one to get maturity that could handle the value of the manual.

Feng's answer for that, though, startled Rumia.

"Rumia, do you take jokes seriously?"

Before Rumia could say that the manual is not a joke, Feng continued.

"The answer is no. That's why I don't take anything that happens in my life seriously."

It took Rumia a moment to understand what Feng meant.

[So edgy... you're cringe.] she replied.

However, he could tell that Feng sincerely believes this. But, were his emotions back then fake? A lie?

The more Rumia knows about Feng, the more questions that would pop out. She felt like that she, the Cosmic Princess is not that mysterious as this person who has yet to enter the First Stage of Body Refinement.

Two weeks later, while Rumia was just narrating her life out of boredom, Feng jumped from sitting cross-legged.

He raised his fists with a contrasting serious face.

"I have succeeded. Rumia, ready your ring finger for I have finally unlocked the manual's first use."

Feng flicked his nose in confidence. If others saw this, they will just laugh at Feng's snobby appearance but Rumia knew that Feng's attitude has some backing.

He actually cracked the manual!

"Tomorrow, once Lin is here, I will make a contract with him. Then I will improve his cultivation which, in turn, improves as well."

At that moment, Feng looked at the descending sun as tears fell on from his eyes.

"This is better than passive income. I will not do anything but my cultivation increases. My God, what have I done to deserve this? In turn, I will take care of Rumia as a good husband in the future."

[Don't drag me into that. Also, remove those crocodile tears.]

And so, in the next morning, instead of playing, Feng asked Lin.

"Lin, do you want to be a strong cultivator?"

The smile on his face was both victorious, ambitious, and confident.

"No"

But Lin's shake of head destroyed all of Feng's plan.

"Can I... ask why?"

"If I become a strong cultivator, I will leave Feng behind!"

"Lin..."

Feng didn't know if this was heartwarming or an insult.

[Hahahaha!]

Rumia's laughed echoed again. Even though she knew that Feng's plan concerned her goal, she didn't care as this was payback at all of Feng's harassment.

Of course, Feng wouldn't accept it. If Lin's reason for refusal was different, he will not pursue it any longer. However, the reason is due to Feng and he can change that!

"Don't worry, Lin. The stronger you are, so will I!"

Seeing the confidence in Feng's voice, Lin couldn't help but ask.

"How?"

"First things first. If that is possible, do you wish to become a strong cultivator?"

"Sure!" Lin enthusiastically replied.

[Wow... what did you do to deserve a good friend?]

"Well then, Lin," ignoring Rumia's passive-aggressive remark, Feng waved his hand and the manual appeared before him, "I will give you a contract. Sign it and you will receive endless opportunities to attaining your greatest desire and ambition!"

The Cosmic Overlord Manual shone and captured not only Lin but even Feng and Rumia's attention and admiration.

"Woah... okay!" but soon, Lin tilted his head, "but what's a conrak?"

"..."

[... he's only ten, Feng, why use big and heavy words?]

'Then I'll give him a contract that will last for eight years. Since he's a good friend, I will not bind him for all his life. Once he turned eighteen, he will have his own choice and freedom.' Feng thought.

After a bride explanation, Lin's excited gaze became determined.

"Okay! I will sign it!"

"Very good. Sign your name and pledge your connection to me, Feng Raysam Solace. If you do, you are no longer Lin as the contract stands, during this period, you will be named Lin Solace."

Lin's head bobbed up and down. He placed his name and read the pledge out loud.

"From now on till the contract stands, I am connected to Fey Raysam Solas...? Sola... Sol-"

"Solace" Feng whispered.

"Solace for endless oppor... tunities through life and death, under pain and pleasure, and in the face of punishment and reward. Under the tri-tri... trinity in.fi.ni.ty! Under the trinity infinity of the co-co.. cosmos, I am now Lin Sol-solace!"

Lin proudly finished his pledge. Even though he had a lot of mistakes and corrections, the pledge was acknowledged. Feng secretly applauded that Lin even has the ability to read even though their place clearly lacks education. From then on, Lin is called Lin Solace.

The ceremonious contracting of the manual ended and with new pages being unlocked in Feng's mind. Rumia was able to see it too and was amazed.

[Lin Solace is now added as a contracted cultivator. One slot was used out of one.]

[For every progress Lin Solace made in all aspects of cultivation, ten percent will be given to the owner, Feng Reysam Solace.]

Rumia was shocked.

[All aspects of cultivation? Does it mean it counts pill refinement, mastery of cultivation skills, and the rest!? Too powerful! But considering that it is towards being a Cosmic Overlord, I guess it's to be expected?]

At that point, a glint flashed onto Feng's eyes.

"Lin, this is your status board. Look at it."

[Name: Lin Solace

Physique: Leaf Turning Physique

Cultivation Level: Body Refinement Realm - First Stage]

Feng knew that there's a lot more such as Bloodline, Cultivation Skills, and External Effects, but because Lin has none of them, they were not shown.

If Lin wanted to, he could see his age, height, weight, and more. Even as a nine-year-old child, Lin knew that this was too amazing.

Feng and Lin explored the status board first. But they soon got over it since there were some details they already know and the exciting parts were few.

Finally, they went to the mission bar where there are missions Lin can do to gain rewards. Some rewards include some simple pills and herbs. But those simple pills and herbs were priceless to them!

There were even rewards that directly increases Lin's cultivation!

"We have two weeks to complete these missions, Lin. Are you ready!?"

"Yes!" Lin excitedly responded.

"Then, let's get the easiest mission!"

[Mission: Do a thousand push-ups.

Progress: 0000/1000 push-ups.

Time till Expiration: None

Reward: Second Stage of Body Refinement.]

Lin: "..."