Training... [3]

"Haha, you should've given me that from the start!" Long Tian laughed as he saw his ASP jump to 27k all at once, from the big zero he saw at the start.

"Now open up the store; let me see what good things you've got for me."

[Ding! System Store Activating...]

Items Available for Purchase:

– Major Realm Upgrader (only 1 left): 5,000 ASP

Description: Upgrade one major cultivation realm.

– Minor Realm Upgrader: 1,000 ASP

Description: Upgrade one minor cultivation realm.

– Nine Sun Sword Art (Immortal Grade): 10,000 ASP

A legendary sword art that harnesses the power of the sun, enhancing attack power and speed.

– Heavenly Lotus Technique (Earth Grade): 3,000 ASP

A technique that significantly enhances internal energy refinement.

– Soul Binding Method (Immortal Grade): 12,000 ASP

A unique technique for binding and controlling powerful spirits and beasts.

[Note: Items above Primordial Grade are currently unavailable.]

...

"Hmm... These are all good stuff... However, I only need the Soul Binding Method and the Major Realm Upgrader. I don't really need the others, and that sword technique… ugh… I'm a spear user, so no need for that." He muttered thoughtfully as he clicked on the purchase option and bought them.

[Ding, congratulations on making a great purchase.] The system congratulated him as he used almost all his ASP immediately.

"Hm... Since I already wasted the 5 Minor Realm Upgraders... It wouldn't hurt to have some once again, right?" Long Tian muttered with a smile as he purchased 6x Minor Realm Upgraders.

"It's kinda sad there's only one Major Realm Upgrader... Otherwise, I would've bought 10 of them and reached the Immortal Realm in one swoop," he muttered with a regretful look.

"Alright, time for training." He muttered as he mentally prepared himself for the next 13 painful days to come.

Then he sat cross-legged on his favorite rock, taking out the Major Realm Upgrader he'd bought from the system. With a deep breath, he tore it apart.

"Ughhhh..."

[13 days later…]

"Hah… hah… Hahahaha!" Long Tian laughed as he clenched his fist, feeling the immense power coursing through his veins after finally enduring the past 13 grueling days, reaching the sixth stage of the Soul Formation Realm.

"Let's test it out, then!" he muttered with a smile, channeling his Qi into his clenched hand.

"Just 10%," he murmured, a grin spreading across his face. "Let's see what it can do." With that thought, he drove his fist into the ground.

The earth exploded beneath him as a massive shockwave tore through the forest. A deafening crack split the air as the ground caved in, forming a jagged crater nearly fifteen meters across. Trees groaned and splintered, crashing down around him. Birds shot from the treetops, filling the air with panicked screeches, while distant beasts howled and bolted, all wondering which lunatic had decided to use this as a fighting ground.

Long Tian lowered his fist, his smirk deepening as he looked around. Leaves drifted down like ash, and the animals' terrified cries faded into silence. The once-lively forest lay quiet and shattered.

"Haha, if the people of the cultivation world found out that an 18-year-old boy reached the Soul Formation Realm… which takes even the most talented thousands of years… I wonder what their expressions would be?" He chuckled, imagining it.

"I can already see them cussing, coughing up blood, and passing out… because that's the only thing they do, myhahaha!" He laughed, amused by the thought of those dramatic types being dramatic.

"Alright then… Time to head back. It's time for the sect recruitment event... and to put my cute little Xue Fei under that binding technique… Haha!" He laughed as he teleported right in front of his house.

"Ohhh, Long Tian, you're ba—!!!!" Long Yang, who was outside waiting for his son to return, paused as his eyes widened in shock.

"Y-y-you've reached the sixth stage of the Soul Formation Realm in h-h-half a month!??" Long Yang stammered, his tone incredulous, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.

"H-holy heavens!!!" The first elder, standing behind the patriarch, muttered, equally stunned. It was unheard of for someone of Long Tian's age to reach the Soul Formation Realm, let alone the sixth stage within half a month, having advanced from the first stage of Nascent Soul.

"H-h-haha!!"

"Hahaha! I believe the Long family will be in great hands if Long Tian takes the reins!!" the first elder said, laughing heartily while stroking his beard like many esteemed experts in the cultivation world.

"Haha." Long Tian shrugged it off with a laugh.

'Haha, I quite like their shocked looks and those bulging eyes… I wonder why the low-key protagonists in cultivation novels always hide their realms? Don't they want to show off their efforts? Even if it brings trouble… Just join one of the strongest sects and have a powerful family, no?' Long Tian thought with a smile, savoring the looks of awe and reverence from the elders, as if he were a god in human form.

"Yip! Yip!!" Amid the shocked faces, a cry of joy rang out as a small, white, fluffy fox with bright red eyes, half Long Tian's size, bounded toward him, leaping into his embrace.

"Haha, Xue Fei, did you miss me?" Long Tian asked, catching her and holding her close.

"Yip! Yip!!" Xue Fei replied enthusiastically, nuzzling her head against

his chest, while Long Tian affectionately patted the fluffy fur on her head.

"Oh, I almost forgot, Long Tian!" Patriarch Yang said, suddenly remembering something. "What did you feed her? She's grown so much in just half a month."

"She went from a first-stage Golden Core fox to a whopping first-stage Nascent Soul?" Patriarch Yang continued, his voice filled with astonishment as he looked at the little fox like she was a mythical creature.

"Oh, really?" Long Tian replied, his eyebrows raising as he finally sensed her strength and noticed that her tail had grown from two to three.

'Damn, it seems I didn't make a bad choice choosing her as a pet,' he thought, a smirk appearing on his face as he felt a tinge of pride for his companion.

"Yip! Yip!!" Xue Fei yipped happily, clearly enjoying the attention as she curled herself closer to him.

"Alright, Xue Fei, let's get going." Long Tian said as he gently set her down, his eyes shifting toward the distant horizon. "It's time to attend that sect recruitment event… And maybe cause a bit of a stir." He chuckled, his smirk widening.

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Where's my gifts, golden tickets? 😭 🎁