"Haaa, haaa." Kevin panted heavily as he slumped into the armored vehicle heading back to his home city. After successfully luring the monsters towards the group of cultivators, Kevin didn't look back, not even once. He was laser-focused on escaping the danger he had unknowingly brought upon them. The ride back home cost him more than before, but that was the least of his worries.
His mind raced with the possible consequences if he had stayed behind. "Those cultivators looked furious! I'm not sticking around to find out what they'd do to me," Kevin thought, trying to shake off the anxiety that gnawed at him.
The jostling of the vehicle reminded him of his injury. "Ouch," he winced, glancing down at his arm. The wound, now dried with clotted blood, needed tending, but there was no time for that now.
He looked at his wound and it was already healed with just bit of cut left, he looked away from it and focused on his status.
[Status
Name :- Kevin Morison
Post: Store Owner
Store Level: Street Shop
Realm: None
STG : 17
AGL : 14
DIX : 16
STM : 14
CHM : 12
INT : 11
Attribute points : 0
Cultivation technique : Essence Harmonization Lv 1 (0.096%)(Divine)
Skills : Soldier blade Lv 2 (92%)]
He chuckled to himself as he examined the changes in his status. Kevin was no longer just an ordinary human; he had transcended the limits of human potential. Breaking through the genetic barrier of 10, he now boasted exceptional attributes, making him akin to a superhuman.
His smirk widened as he took pride in the progress he had made during his time in the misty mountains. With this he closed the status tab and opened cultivation association's web page and started to read about what await him next on his cultivation.
The cultivation association generously provided its members with free knowledge on advancing to higher cultivation stages. Kevin, however, hadn't bothered to read it earlier, confident that the cultivation technique he possessed would automatically guide him through each stage as he progressed. Yet, with some free time during his ride home, curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to peruse the information.
Kevin's journey into the realm of cultivation had just begun. He learned about the different stages he needed to overcome to reach higher levels of power. The first stage, Meridian Opening, required him to awaken his eight extraordinary meridians. Next came Meridian Linking, where he had to open twelve primary meridians and connect them, forming a pathway for the flow of qi in his body.
His attention turned to the cultivation technique he possessed – Essence Harmonization. It was a divine technique that held immense potential for growth. Kevin knew that with dedication and hard work, he could harness its power to achieve great heights.
As he continued reading, his excitement grew. The next stage, Acupuncture Point Opening, involved using the collected qi to open 357 acupuncture points in the body, further enhancing the flow of qi. While some cultivators could advance this stage with just 30 open points, Kevin knew that unlocking all 357 would significantly boost his strength.
"Looks like I have a lot of work cut out for me," he said to himself, feeling determined to master each stage and unleash his full potential. "One step at a time, but I'll get there."
With his newfound knowledge and enhanced abilities, Kevin was ready to take on the challenges that lay ahead. He was no longer just a store owner; he had become a cultivator with the potential to reach extraordinary heights.
As he closed the status window, he felt a rush of excitement and anticipation. The world of cultivation was vast and filled with mysteries, but he was eager to explore every corner of it. Kevin knew that the path ahead wouldn't be easy, but with perseverance, he was confident that he could become a true powerhouse in the realm of cultivators.
As Kevin was about to delve further into the cultivation knowledge, a prompt appeared, frustratingly informing him that he needed a higher position or at least 40 open acupuncture points to access more information. Letting out a sigh of disappointment, he closed the web browser and turned his attention to the scenery outside the bus window.
The sun was still visible, creating a stunning sunset as its orange light cascaded over the misty mountains, contrasting beautifully with the encroaching darkness of the night. Kevin couldn't help but marvel at the breathtaking view.
Lost in his thoughts, he contemplated the upcoming task of selling the items he had collected during his adventures. A mix of excitement and anxiety filled him as he wondered if he would be successful. The memory of losing his freedom in his previous world lingered in his mind, adding a tinge of sadness to his thoughts.
Nevertheless, Kevin's enthusiasm remained undeterred. He was determined to make the most of his current situation and seize every opportunity that came his way.
*******
In a quaint little marketplace, far from where Kevin was contemplating his own plans, another poor cultivator named Mr. Jameson was trying to strike a deal with the plump store owner, Mr. Simthern.
"Mr. Simthern, please consider my offer. I need the Irista petals desperately, and I promise to sell all the potions I make to your shop if you give them to me at 1000 units each," pleaded Mr. Jameson, his voice tinged with hope.
However, the plump shopkeeper shook his head, his expression sympathetic yet firm. "I understand your situation, Mr. Jameson, but it's simply not feasible for me to sell them at that price. You see, my business can't afford to take such a loss, especially for such a significant quantity."
The desperation in Mr. Jameson's eyes was evident as he tried to reason, "But I don't have enough money to buy them at a higher price. I've already taken a loan to afford this much."
Mr. Simthern sighed, genuinely empathetic but unable to bend the rules. "I'm sorry, Mr. Jameson. As much as I want to help, I need to consider my shop's well-being too. Perhaps you can try other shops in the market; they might have different prices and be more accommodating to your needs."
Mr. Jameson looked crestfallen, realizing that his efforts were in vain. He knew the competition in the marketplace was tough, and it was challenging for someone like him, with limited means, to secure the resources he needed for his cultivation journey.
The night had already settled in, and James couldn't help but feel disheartened. Only one week had passed since he took the loan, and he was already burdened with the pressure of paying the first installment. The worst part was that he hadn't even earned a single unit to put towards it. As he walked through the marketplace, he couldn't escape the overwhelming feeling of disappointment.
Every shop in the area had shut down for the night, except for one lone store where a teenager boy was diligently cleaning up. James's eyes caught the glimmer of hope amidst the darkness, and with a heavy heart, he decided to approach the shop.