Little Yu Xin sat in meditation, following the first step of the Karmic Wind God Scripture: sensing the ambient spiritual energy. It wasn't easy—especially for his first attempt—but he gradually found his focus. Soon, he perceived white-colored currents flowing all around him, like an invisible wind weaving through the world. He knew instantly: this was wind-element spiritual energy.
Excited, he moved to the second step: drawing that energy into his body.
With full concentration, he guided a single wisp of spiritual energy to obey his will and drift toward him.
The third and final step was to circulate that wisp through the specific meridians and energy pathways described in the scripture, refining it so it could be stored and used. This stage was normally the most difficult—memorizing complex meridian routes was tedious, and losing control of spiritual energy inside the body could cause serious harm.
Thankfully, Little Yu Xin already had the entire technique imprinted in his mind. What should have been the hardest part became the easiest.
The spiritual energy flowed smoothly along the designated pathways before finally settling in his dantian.
The moment that wisp of energy took root, a cool sensation spread through his body. He felt his physical strength increase subtly, his meridians nourished, and a strange warmth gather at his forehead.
Then came an overwhelming feeling of comfort—as though his very soul was being cleansed and elevated. His thoughts grew quicker, clearer, more unbound. He couldn't help but let out a soft groan of satisfaction. It felt like the world's most rejuvenating massage.
He silently recited:
Stats.
```
Name: Yu Xin
Age: 5 years
Cultivation Technique: Karmic Wind God Scripture
Cultivation Level: Qi Refining Level 1 (01%)
Art: None
Spells: None
```
Qi Refining Level 1 is already so amazing… What will higher realms feel like?
Finally, he understood why some would commit atrocities or abandon loved ones just to advance their cultivation.
But doing that is putting the cart before the horse. Trading life's true fulfillment for temporary power…
We should cultivate to make life better for our families—to protect them.
Little Yu Xin didn't dwell on these thoughts long. He noticed it was already noon—time for lunch.
He hurried downstairs just as his mother came in through the back door, covered in sweat. Even though Flame City was part of the Qin Dynasty's Southern State Realm, geographically it lay within the Southern Region, where the fire element dominated. It was hot year-round, and even January brought stifling heat. Mornings and nights were milder, but working outdoors during the day was taxing.
Liu Hua noticed him and her tired expression melted into a sweet smile.
"Go wash your hands, son. Mom will make you something good to eat."
She started toward her room to wash up, then stopped mid-step, her expression stunned.
"Xin'er… did you start cultivating?"
Little Yu Xin beamed with pride, puffing out his chest.
"Yes! I've reached Qi Refining Level 1. Aren't I amazing, Mom?"
Liu Hua moved in a blur of green light, taking his wrist to check his pulse. After a moment, she sighed in relief—but her eyes widened with disbelief.
"Xin'er, how did you cultivate so fast?"
She still remembered her own first attempt: it had taken her nearly a week just to memorize the meridian pathways well enough to avoid qi deviation. But Little Yu Xin had gone from mortal to cultivator in a single morning.
Little Yu Xin sensed something was off but put on an innocent face.
"I just read the booklet and did what it said. I absorbed the spiritual energy and… became a cultivator."
Yu Jin emerged from his studio, having overheard. A proud smile touched his lips.
"He's my son. What did you expect?"
Liu Hua shot him a dark look.
"So he's not my son? And how many days did you take to start cultivating? If I recall, it was longer than me."
Yu Jin coughed awkwardly and waved a hand.
"Let's not dwell on the past. I didn't get Xin'er anything for his birthday yesterday."
He turned to Little Yu Xin, his expression softening.
"But today marks your first step on the immortal path."
From his sleeve, he produced a plain-looking black pouch. At first glance, it seemed ordinary, but Little Yu Xin's eyes lit up instantly.
"Wow! Is that a storage pouch? Thank you so much, Dad!"
He was practically bouncing with excitement, but Yu Jin frowned playfully.
"Is that all you think of your father? Every cultivator has a storage pouch—what's so special about that? Look inside."
Little Yu Xin knew storage pouches weren't rare, but he was still thrilled. He took the pouch but couldn't open it.
Liu Hua chuckled softly.
"Use your spiritual energy."
A little embarrassed—he'd already forgotten he was a cultivator—Little Yu Xin channeled a wisp of spiritual energy into the pouch. A connection snapped into place; he had refined it. Probing inward, he found two jade talismans inside, both gleaming with a faint gold hue. Though metal-element energy usually appeared silver, certain cultivation techniques could alter its manifestation—just as his Karmic Wind God Scripture could render wind energy invisible and elusive. Yu Jin cultivated the True Gold Technique, which gave his spiritual energy a golden quality.
"Thank you, Father! For the talismans!"
Yu Jin smiled, satisfied.
"These are both first-rank, high-grade talismans. Either could threaten a peak Qi Refining cultivator or a peak Acquired Realm martial artist. One is a Golden Body Talisman for defense, the other a Golden Blade Talisman for attack. Don't mix them up and accidentally harm a friend."
Yu Jin shared a few more warnings before they sat for lunch. Afterward, both parents returned to work. Life as loose cultivators was demanding—raising a child while saving spirit stones for Foundation Establishment left little room for rest. They worked tirelessly, only relaxing briefly after dinner each night. Little Yu Xin felt this deeply and vowed that once his cultivation advanced, he would ensure his parents could live in comfort.
Wait… Did I forget something? Cultivation…
That's right!
He suddenly remembered: he hadn't signed in today.
System, sign in.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, on signing in.]
[Your reward: One bottle of Qi-Gathering Pills (9 pills).]
[Item has been added to System Space.]
The System Space—a feature explained to him last night—was an infinite storage realm within the system, though it could only hold system-granted items.
Little Yu Xin was thrilled. Qi-Gathering Pills were common aids for Qi Refining cultivators, but a full bottle like this would cost around a hundred spirit stones. His parents rarely used them, both to save resources for Foundation Establishment and because most pills contained impurities. Fully refining one pill could take a week, and regular use could lead to resistance. Such pills were a luxury only the wealthy could afford regularly.
Let's try one.
Since they were free, even a mild effect would please him.
But the result was far more potent than he'd expected. The moment the pill dissolved in his stomach, vast waves of spiritual energy surged through his meridians. It took considerable effort to calm and refine the flow. Once he had, he felt his cultivation rise noticeably. Unsure of the exact gain, he checked his status.
```
Name: Yu Xin
Age: 5 years
Cultivation Technique: Karmic Wind God Scripture
Cultivation Level: Qi Refining Level 1 (15%)
Art: None
Spells: None
```
Fifteen percent from one pill? And no pill impurities!
He was stunned. Such speed was unheard of. If a low-grade spiritual root cultivator suddenly advanced at breakneck speed, even a fool would suspect something was amiss.
He decided to keep this secret close and focus on the present. It was nearly time for dinner.
But as he joined his parents at the table, several unexpected guests arrived at their door.