Chapter 18: Cultivation World

Elan reclined on the wooden floor of the hut, feeling the cool surface beneath him as he set the Scarlet Reaper beside him. He let out a long breath. Having grown accustomed to the sword's weight and balance, he found comfort in its presence against the wooden planks.

Once he settled back, Elan let out another deep breath. "Now that's over, can you tell me about the old book, Arion?" Elan said, his voice filled with curiosity.

Arion's voice, always clear and precise, held a note of surprise. "What? You're not going to test the sword movements and techniques outside?"

Elan chuckled softly, shaking his head. "That can wait until tomorrow. For now, I am dying to know the contents of the old book."

Lying there, Elan felt a profound sense of impatience. He was deeply curious about the old book and what it could teach him. The anticipation gnawed at him, making it difficult to think of anything else. He had always been a man driven by knowledge, and the mystery of the book beckoned him like a siren's call.

The old book had been in his possession for only a short time, but it had already sparked countless questions. What secrets did it hold? What ancient wisdom or techniques lay within its pages? Elan's mind raced with possibilities.

Elan's desire to uncover these secrets overshadowed everything else. The thrill of discovery and the possibility of gaining a new understanding were driving forces that he could not ignore. His scientific mind, always hungry for answers, demanded that he delve into the book's contents without delay.

"Arion, I need to know what this book holds. The techniques and movements can wait until tomorrow. Right now, the old book is my priority," Elan said, his voice firm and resolute while holding the old book.

If Elan learned the contents of this old book now, there was no way he would practice the sword moves and techniques tomorrow. He would be too engrossed in the knowledge it held. However, Arion had no choice but to tell Elan the contents of the old book. Elan's determination and thirst for understanding were too strong to ignore.

Arion sighed inwardly. He knew Elan well enough to recognize that once his curiosity was piqued, nothing else would matter until it was satisfied. Arion admired this relentless pursuit of knowledge, even if it sometimes meant sidestepping immediate practical concerns.

"Alright, Elan," Arion began, a teasing tone creeping into his voice. "Let's just say the book contains teachings that go beyond what you've experienced so far. It's not just about learning something new; it's about unlocking potential you didn't even know you had."

Elan's curiosity was now fully engaged. "Unlocking potential? What kind of potential? Just tell me, Arion, and stop teasing me," he said, a hint of a little impatience creeping into his voice.

Sensing Elan's reaction, Arion decided it was time to stop playing around. "Alright, alright," Arion said, his tone shifting to one of earnestness. "I'll stop teasing. The old book you hold is... A Cultivation Technique."

"A Cultivation Technique?" he repeated, the words heavy with significance.

"Yes, but before I tell you the contents of the old book, let me ask you first if you know what cultivation is," Arion asked.

Elan paused before answering. "I have some understanding about cultivation, for instance, in my previous life as a computer scientist, I encountered knowledge cultivation, promoting education, research, and innovation to advance science and technology. I also know about cell culture, where we grow cells in controlled environments for research and medicine. But my gut feeling tells me that this cultivation you're about to talk about is not related to any of those things I know."

"You're right. A cultivation technique in this context is a structured method designed to help individuals harness and refine spiritual energy. This energy, often referred to as 'Qi,' 'Chi,' or 'Spiritual Energy,' is a fundamental force that permeates the universe. By cultivating this energy, one can enhance their physical strength, mental acuity, and even achieve extraordinary abilities," Arion replied.

Elan marveled at the extraordinary nature of what Arion was describing. The idea of cultivation, as Arion explained it, went far beyond any form of training he had known in his previous life. It wasn't just about physical conditioning or intellectual growth; it was about tapping into a fundamental force of the universe and harnessing it to transform oneself. The possibilities seemed limitless and awe-inspiring. The notion of enhancing his physical and mental capabilities and achieving extraordinary abilities.

Elan's curiosity burned brighter than ever, eager to explore the depths of this newfound knowledge.

'This won't be easy, just by cultivating, I'm sure there will be complex tasks involved before I can cultivate properly.' He recalled the intricate processes he had known on Earth, like tissue engineering, which required precise conditions, meticulous techniques, and a deep understanding of biological systems to grow tissues for regenerative medicine. Cultivation, he imagined, would be just as, if not more, complex and demanding.

"However, it's much more complex and profound. Cultivation techniques involve specific exercises, meditations, and sometimes even martial practices. They are designed to align your body's energy pathways, also known as meridians, and to absorb spiritual energy from your surroundings."

Elan's earlier thoughts had been correct; cultivation was indeed a complex and challenging process. He realized that it wouldn't be as simple as just following a set of instructions. The mention of aligning energy pathways and absorbing spiritual energy hinted at a level of intricacy that surpassed anything he had encountered before. Elan was reminded of the complex systems he had studied and worked on as a computer scientist, where every variable had to be precisely managed and every component finely tuned to achieve the desired outcome.

Just as those advanced technologies required careful calibration and a deep understanding of underlying principles, so too would cultivation demand a rigorous approach and unwavering dedication.

"Because of this old book, I have a high chance of knowing what world we are in," Arion continued.

Elan looked puzzled. "What do you mean?" he asked.

"If my assumption is correct, based on this book, we are in a cultivation world," Arion replied.

Elan didn't understand at first, but then it clicked. Arion had been talking about a cultivation technique that could make people incredibly powerful. If they were in a cultivation world, this meant that there were people in this world who were already incredibly powerful. The realization made Elan's mind race with possibilities and questions. He quickly stood up and began pacing back and forth inside the hut.

Arion let Elan pace for a while, understanding that he needed time to process this revelation.

Eventually, Elan calmed down. He sat back down, his curiosity reignited. "Aside from powerful people, what is your understanding of the cultivation world?" he asked.

Arion paused before explaining. "First, I must clarify that I don't have concrete information about the specific world we are in. I don't even know the name of this world or its size. So, take my explanation with a grain of salt."

Elan nodded and did not say anything.

"In a cultivation world, individuals practice cultivation techniques to enhance their strength, extend their lifespans, and achieve extraordinary abilities. The society in such a world is usually governed by the strongest, and various factions, clans, and sects compete for power and influence. It's a place where both opportunities and dangers abound, and the path to greatness is fraught with challenges. The cultivation world is also a place where powerful humans, beasts, demons, and other entities fight for supremacy. It's a world where the strong rule supreme," Arion continued.

Elan was stunned after hearing Arion's understanding of the cultivation world. He realized how dangerous it truly was, with constant conflicts to determine who was the most powerful, especially among the beasts and demons. He hadn't expected there to be other races in this cultivation world, even though Arion's knowledge was based on novels. However, it was better to be prepared than to be caught off guard if he ever encountered these other races.

"If what you say is true, how come I haven't seen any powerful cultivators around here in the 13 years I've been here? And when I read the books in the library at the Meeting Hall, I didn't come across anything about these cultivators," Elan asked.

"Maybe it's because your clan had to flee due to bandit attacks on the main clan, which resulted in many deaths and only a few survivors. It's possible they didn't bring records about the cultivators, or perhaps they forgot to pass down that information to their descendants. This happened a long time ago, so it's likely that the earlier generations no longer remember the existence of cultivators," Arion explained.

"And the reason you haven't seen any cultivators could be because your clan is too isolated and far from civilization, making it uninteresting to cultivators who prefer more accessible areas," Arion added.

Elan pondered Arion's words and eventually found himself agreeing. It made sense that their isolation could be the reason they hadn't encountered any powerful cultivators.

"I hope someday I will meet a cultivator," Elan said.

Elan wondered what it would be like to meet a cultivator. He pictured someone exuding an aura of immense power, capable of incredible feats. The thought excited him, filling him with both curiosity and a slight sense of apprehension.

"I hope not. You never know what kind of cultivator you will meet. What if you meet a cultivator who hates normal human beings? That would be bad. It's better for you to cultivate first and become powerful so that when you meet a cultivator in the future, you won't be at their mercy," Arion responded.

"Is it really that bad in the cultivation world for normal human beings? I mean, it's not like we are a threat to them," Elan said, thinking why cultivators would target ordinary humans. What motivations might these powerful beings have to harm those who couldn't pose a challenge to them?

"Oh, you have no idea, Elan. Look at what happened to your clan. I bet they were attacked by bandits who were all cultivators. But for sure, the ones who attacked weren't powerful; otherwise, no one from your clan would have survived," Arion explained.

"Even though my knowledge regarding the cultivation world is from Chinese novels, there are many things that have turned out to be real, like the storage ring, spiritual water, spiritual energy, spiritual weapon, and this cultivation technique. Hell, even that skeleton behind you likely cultivated before they died, which is why they were in that meditative pose," Arion added.

Elan nodded his head, absorbing what Arion said and recognizing the truth in his words.

"I still can't believe the Chinese people knew about all this," Elan gestured to the three items and the skeleton, "cultivation."

Arion thought to himself, 'Out of everything I've said, what interests him most is how the Chinese know about cultivation.' He couldn't help but find Elan's fascination amusing.

"It's funny, Elan, out of everything we've discussed, it's the Chinese authors' knowledge of cultivation that intrigues you the most," Arion said.

Elan laughed a little. "Just think about it, Arion. How did the first-ever Chinese author think of these things? I bet the first Chinese author of these novels you mentioned was definitely a transmigrator like us, but he transmigrated to Earth where, as you said, there is a lack of spiritual energy. So, he just wrote novels about the cultivation world to relive his past life because he couldn't cultivate anymore," Elan said, smiling.

Arion agreed with Elan's speculation. "You know what? Now that you mentioned it, it's a huge possibility. After all, if we transmigrated to this cultivation world, there's a good chance someone from a cultivation world could have transmigrated to Earth."

They both laughed, finding humor and a strange sense of comfort in their conclusion. The idea that the mysterious and fantastical concepts of cultivation could have roots in real experiences, even if those experiences were transplanted between worlds, seemed to make the unbelievable more believable.

As the laughter subsided, Elan's demeanor shifted to one of seriousness, and he said, "I think it's time for you to tell me about the contents of the old book, Arion." His voice was steady and resolute.