Chapter 3: Auspicious Farming Method - 2
The Brilliant Sword Sect was situated on the Sacred Sword Mountain. The reason why the mountain was called this was fairly simple. Ages ago, immortals discovered a giant sword, made of stone, embedded halfway up the mountain. There, the ancestors of the Sect laid the foundations of the modern Sect.
The Qi in this area was very strong; the Sect was built on top of a great vein after all. Although, rumor had it that the vein was declining, therefore the Sect itself was in decline. It wasn't going to be a quick decline or anything. Things like this happened over the course of a thousand years. In the eyes of a serious immortal, a thousand years wasn't that long. It was enough for the Elders of the Sect to become an Inner Disciple, then become an Elder, guide the new generations, and then finally see the end with their own eyes.
But that was just a rumor.
The real crux of the issue was the fact that strong Qi attracts all sorts of Spirit Beasts. They prowl the forest beyond the Sect Array, and prey on travelers. Outer Disciples were often sent into the Forest to kill them and obtain their Spirit Cores; that is how Yuan Yi got the contributions to learn the Outer Path Sword manual.
But sometimes, it would get so bad that the Sect had to send an Inner Disciple to exterminate the Spirit Beast threats.
On his way up the mountain, Yuan Yi pondered the strange passenger. Although, perhaps calling it a passenger was the wrong word for it. The system didn't really feel like a 'participant', even though it arguably was. It was distant, like an observer. But Yuan Yi understood that they were linked together, and that they would ultimately share the same fate.
Still, Yuan Yi couldn't shake off the feeling that he was being toyed with. The entity that spoke to him was arrogant, or at least, that's what it seemed like to Yuan Yi. He wondered if the entity saw him as little more than a monkey.
There was an advantage to having it. In less than half a day, it has managed to correct Yuan Yi's various issues. He could now cultivate much faster than before. If it took him two years to reach the 6th stage of Qi Condensation; then now it would take him less than half a year.
But that line of thinking was forgetting something important. Now that Yuan Yi recalled, when he practiced the "Heaven and Earth Breathing Method" it was twice as fast as the manual he got from the Scripture Pavilion. The completely mastered cultivation method he had now was six times faster, according to the system.
In other words, it would take him less than two months to reach the 6th stage of Qi Condensation again!
Coincidentally, the growing time of Spirit Grass is around 50 days! Lingzhi mushrooms also took around 60 days, but their potency was decided by their age. On their own, they were useful, but not quite as valuable.
Suddenly, Yuan Yi understood why the system wanted him to become a Spiritual Plant farmer. It was to recover his strength in secrecy!
Or at least, that is what he thought the system's motivation was. Could it be that it was genuinely an ally? Even though it threatened him, perhaps that was the only way to convince him. Yuan Yi realized this, and he sighed.
Maybe he could allow himself to trust this entity.
[Function unlocked: <Status>]
"Status?" Yuan Yi asked.
[Status]
Cultivation: 1st stage of Qi Condensation realm (12%)
Spiritual Roots: Mortal
Yuan Yi was surprised. And a bit disappointed. He always assumed he had great Roots, because he could cultivate so quickly. But in a way, he also understood that he was more hardworking than anyone else. This made him feel bitter. He was nearly killed because others perceived him to have great talent. Perhaps it was more related to Physique, or his Spirit.
He pondered. That information was missing.
[Explanation: To unlock more Status information, increase compatibility with the System.]
Yuan Yi nodded. It was both a blessing and a curse that the System could hear his thoughts and know what he was thinking about. So, to get more information, he had to complete more tasks.
"How many 'quests' do I need to complete to increase compatibility?" he asked out loud.
There was no reply.
"Hello?"
[Soul diagram read... complete.]
[Adjusting interface.]
[Sarcastic congratulation: Congratulations. Due to your lofty achievements, you have unlocked a new operation mode. Compatibility Points; CP in short. By performing certain tasks, you will receive CP. An estimate towards the next level will be provided when you query your CP points. Good job.]
Yuan Yi's face distorted. The entity just called him too stupid to understand, didn't it? He wished he could punch it.
"How many points do I have?" Yuan Yi asked, sighing.
[Current CP: 14/100.]
"And when I reach the next level? What happens?" Yuan Yi asked.
[Explanation: You will receive new functions and more information will become available to you.]
"You keep going on about the functions," Yuan Yi said. "Can you give me an example?"
[Bored explanation: Automatic restoration, automatic cultivation, assisted cultivation, automatic refining, automatic alchemy... Would You Like To Know More?]
Yuan Yi stared at the spot in front of him. If someone saw him in that moment, they would think he saw a ghost.
"No... that is fine," Yuan Yi whispered. He didn't understand a single thing. Maybe he understood one thing: assisted cultivation. But what automatic cultivation mean? The term automatic could have many meanings.
Even though he allowed himself to trust the machine more, he feared the future more than before. All of this seemed like he made a pact with a devil. It is like one of those rumored manuals that could increase the cultivation speed at the cost of one's lifespan.
[Mood fluctuation detected.]
[Insincere offer: Would you like to watch a movie?]
"What?" What the hell was a movie?! "No thanks."
[Insincere encouragement: You are doing great, buddy!]
...
"Thanks."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone