Breakthrough

"Yes," Caleb Li answered, the decision made before his mind could fully catch up.

 With his talent deemed worthless, what choice did he have? Besides, ten days of lifespan seemed a small price to pay, easily recoverable, he assumed, with another favor from the old man.

[Ding!]

[10 days lifespan deducted.]

[Lifespan: 20 days]

Before he could register the change, a torrent of knowledge flooded his mind. The once-confusing Cloud Breath Meditation became crystal clear, intricate details unfurling in a mesmerizing cascade. 

As the comprehension subsided, Caleb opened his eyes, their depths shimmering with newfound understanding. 

A deep exhale and a radiant smile followed.

[Ding!]

[You have reached the Small Success of Cloud Breath Meditation.]

His eyes widened, jaw dropping in disbelief. He'd skipped the initial stage, catapulting straight to Small Success! 

A thrill coursed through him. With the system, comprehension, it seemed, was his oyster, as long as he had enough lifespan coins to spend. 

Despair evaporated, replaced by a singular objective: extend his lifespan. And he knew just the way.

A grin stretched across his face as a thought struck him. If ten days meant one level, what would more buy him? He focused on the same manual, the breathing technique, hoping to elicit a response. Nothing. 

Despite repeated attempts, the system remained silent. Dejected, he sighed, shaking his head. Yet, he persevered, reaching for the second book on archery.

He skimmed the initial pages, and behold, the familiar notification chimed.

[Ding!]

[Martial skill detected: Whispering Wind Arrow]

[Comprehend Whispering Wind Arrow with 10 days lifespan?]

[Yes | No]

A wider grin lit up his face as he eagerly accepted the offer. Instantly, the previous scene replayed in his mind, plunging him back into a state of enlightenment.

[Ding!]

[You have reached the Small Success of Whispering Wind Arrow.]

[Current Lifespan: 10 days]

Caleb Li barely registered his dwindling lifespan, lost in the ecstasy of comprehension. He reveled in it for a few seconds before regaining control.

'Though I understand the techniques,' he thought, his expression sobering, 'without cultivation, they're useless.' Now, armed with the Cloud Breath Technique, it was time to get serious.

Caleb Li knew he lagged far behind in this world. To catch up, to surpass, he needed tenfold the effort. And so, he began to cultivate earnestly.

The following morning, a rumbling in his stomach roused him from meditation. He opened his eyes slowly, exhaling a pungent breath. "Starving!" he groaned, clutching his stomach.

Rising, he noticed a change. His body felt lighter, sharper. His senses danced, vibrant, as if awakened. His eyes, now keen and clear, drank in the details of the room. Stretching, he marveled at his newfound flexibility. 

Just then, the system chimed.

[Ding!]

[Congratulations! You have begun your cultivation journey.]

[Cultivation: Rank-1 Mortal Realm]

Caleb Li froze, then burst into laughter, the absurdity of it all tickling him. In a single day, with the most useless Spirit Root, he'd reached Rank-1? If his own talent was trash, what did that say about everyone else?

His laughter subsided, replaced by thoughtful consideration. The reason, he concluded, was the system. 

As he learned the techniques, it seemed, the system also identified and neutralized the weaknesses of his Spirit Root, paving the way for his advancement.

Appreciation tinged his face. Without the system, months, maybe years, would have passed before he reached this point.

His stomach growled again. "Food," he declared, rushing out of the room.

In the lobby, he approached the old man with a beaming smile. "Please, another favor. Don't worry, I'll repay you."

The old man stared, dumbfounded. 'A breakthrough in one day?' he thought, bewildered. He'd helped the boy, yes, but with the most basic, disregarded cultivation manual. It shouldn't have yielded such explosive results.

Yet, here he was, the kid standing tall, a living testament to the impossible. Still, the old man hid his astonishment well. 

"Must be hungry, eh? Take this." He retrieved a meal from the counter and handed it over. "And kid," he added, "you stink. Shower's beside your room."

With that, he sent him off. 

Watching the boy's receding figure, a subtle smile played on the old man's lips, his mind abuzz with various plans.