Cultivation Stage(Part-2)

Munch!

Apollo took a bite of brown bread, his mouth soon full, making him appear like a chipmunk.

After finishing his food, he looked around and decided to ask an old lady sitting in front of her house. He just wanted to get a basic understanding of the city and perhaps about this world. The answer he got from the first vendor wasn't enough.

"Hello, old lady!" Apollo greeted enthusiastically.

At first, the old lady smiled while observing the people around. But when a boy covered in dirt appeared in front of her and even dared to call her an 'Old lady,' her smile disappeared, replaced with a frown.

She looked coldly at the boy.

"Go away!"

"Eh? I'm just here to ask—"

"I said, go away!" The old lady took a cane and threatened to hit Apollo with it.

Run!

Apollo ran, his little feet moving at full speed.

After a while, he breathed heavily. "I guess not everyone is friendly."

Shaking his head, he continued to look for someone to ask questions. Some of them answered him, while others just shooed him away. In the end, when it was almost noon, Apollo returned to his beggar spot and sat down.

He also noticed that the restaurant beside him was already full of people. I thought this place wouldn't have many people, but I was wrong.

It's a good thing.

Then he recalled all the answers he got from the people kind enough to entertain him.

So this city is called Klown City. And the area where he's at is on the northwest side of the city where most common families stay. That's why he could see walls standing strong in the distance. Although Apollo doesn't know the reason for this, he has a clue.

He also noticed some of the student cultivators walking around the street. According to the people he talked to, this city has a school for young men to become cultivators.

When mentioning these cultivators, they seemed repulsed just by the mention of them.

And remembering that cultivator who was beating up a vendor even though it was his own wrongdoing, Apollo could probably understand why.

Power can make someone arrogant.

"In the end, I still don't know much about cultivation," Apollo sighed. Then he took out the book Big Chub gave him. "Cultivation stages? Let's see."

On the cover page were simple words: "Cultivation Basics." The author was whoever the F that is. This is most likely a common book, so Apollo didn't bother with who wrote this. He turned to page one.

"Cultivation Stages:

Foundation Building.

Qi Condensation.

Core Creation.

Soul Manifestation.

Realm Fabrication.

King Terra.

Absolute One."

Wow! That many? Apollo continued to read.

Seven cultivation stages, and the further you go, the stronger you are. The author also stated that if one tried to advance to the next stage and failed, one could be crippled for life or even die.

So it's dangerous. Apollo turned to the second page. It's about the basic details of the Foundation Building.

"Foundation Building:

Train one's body to its peak to reach full potential. Once achieved, the Cultivator can punch a hole in a rock…"

Then he turned to the next page.

"Qi Condensation:

Absorb Qi in the air to circulate the whole body. This will revitalize the organs and the mind. Once achieved, the Cultivator doesn't have to worry about stamina…"

"Core Creation…"

"Soul Manifestation…"

"Realm Fabrication…"

"King Terra…"

He continued to read the book until he was on the last stage.

"Absolute one:

No one knows if it's even real or not. No records have been written about it, only the name of this last cultivation stage."

"The more mysterious it is, the more I want to be there," Apollo muttered with a smile. Determination flashed in his eyes as he closed the book.

Unfortunately, the book only tells the basics of each stage. It didn't even tell me how to advance to the next stage. But who am I to judge? I still haven't even begun my cultivation journey, Apollo thought.

Status Screen.

"Name: Apollo Leone.

Race: Human.

Alm Points: 1.8 Alm Points.

Spirit Cultivation: None.

Physique Cultivation: None.

Attributes: None."

Wait a minute… mine says about Spirit Cultivation and Physique Cultivation but the book didn't mention this one. Apollo became confused. Well, it could be that they are the same? He will only know once he becomes a cultivator.

I still don't know what these Attributes are.

He made the interface vanish before taking a deep breath. Now that he knew the basic state of the city and cultivation, the Simple Breathing Technique came to mind.

Come to think of it, it is very similar to the method of Qi Condensation cultivators.

"System,"

"Yes, Host?"

"Will this Simple Breathing Technique allow me to reach the Foundation Building stage?" Apollo asked.

"Yes."

"How–" Apollo didn't finish his words as he remembered the description for this technique.

What most common Qi condensation cultivators do is revitalize their whole body, but the Simple Breathing Technique can enhance the body and the mind. They both use Qi to do their technique, but the way they use it is very different.

I see, then he noticed that his Alm points are at 1.8. It's low. If I really want to become strong, I need to have enough to buy good techniques in the store. Thinking about this, he walked a few steps forward and sat back down. He became more noticeable because of this.

His previous spot made it hard for the people to see him.

He then postured his hands face up, a basic gesture to ask for money.

The breathing technique didn't require him to do it in a position, so he chose this. While cultivating, he could also ask for alms. It's basically hitting two birds with one stone.

Taking in a deep breath, he closed his eyes and exhaled. His body relaxed, and all his pores opened up.

He then followed the method in the Simple Breathing Technique.

The sound of footsteps and people talking faded into the background. Even his own breathing disappeared. There's only one thing that he could hear, it's his thoughts.

Absorb the Qi.

But where is it?

Suddenly, specks of light appeared around him. They flickered like fireflies and they also moved. Unknown and mysterious.

He could see it even with his eyes closed. Apollo felt overwhelmed and at the same time, blessed.

Let it inside…

The Qi around started moving towards him. They entered his body through his pores.

Like a bolt of lightning, Apollo felt satisfaction.

Then he guided the Qi in a specific pattern according to the technique.

This feeling…