Chapter 5: The Path of Cultivation

“It’s so cold.”

Awakening from a daze, the first sensation Lin Heng felt was cold.

It was clearly the height of summer, and he was covered with a thick quilt, yet Lin Heng felt as if he were standing naked in a frozen wasteland, facing the biting wind.

His mind felt numb, utterly incapable of thought.

This was a manifestation of his frail constitution and depleted energy—his life so fragile that even the slightest exposure to wind and sun was unbearable.

Fortunately, this sensation did not last long.

Lin Heng distinctly sensed a large hand pressing down on his head.

Immediately, a warm current flooded his senses, dispelling the chill from his body. Lin Heng shivered and was fully awakened.

Following the direction of the withdrawing hand with his eyes, Lin Heng saw an elderly man with snowy hair and a youthful face, his countenance gentle and smiling, sitting by the bedside.

“Child, you have finally awakened. You truly know how to sleep—seven whole days you have been unconscious.”

“Are you hungry? Come, drink this bowl of porridge.”

“Your spleen and stomach are weak now, so you must avoid meat. Rest well, and in time, I will prepare fish soup for you.”

The old man smiled and lifted a small bowl of fragrant rice porridge, feeding it to Lin Heng with a spoon.

In the days prior, Lin Heng had sustained himself on sweet water and the invigorating essence the old man provided. Now that he had awakened, he needed to eat something.

“Thank you.”

Starving, Lin Heng had no time to overthink. He instinctively expressed his gratitude before drinking the porridge offered.

This porridge was clearly not made from ordinary rice; it gleamed with a jade-green hue—spiritual rice. With each mouthful, Lin Heng tasted an unimaginable sweetness that warmed his entire digestive system, gradually restoring his strength.

As he consumed the porridge, his once dormant mind began to operate again.

Xiao Rang was pleased with Lin Heng’s courteous behavior.

To express gratitude even in extreme hunger showed Lin Heng was no ordinary child; he was already enlightened, possessing a good disposition.

Xiao Rang had planned to broach the topic of apprenticeship later, but this moment was suitable to advance it.

Such a prodigious talent who had opened his mind could not be delayed in cultivation.

Watching Lin Heng’s eyes grow lively as he drank, Xiao Rang smiled and said, “I am Xiao Rang, leader of the righteous sect Yun Sword Palace. Not long ago, you were kidnapped by human traffickers and sold to the depraved sect Lihen Pavilion as a furnace vessel. After ingesting the tiger-wolf medicine, your life hung by a thread.”

“Though I saved you, your essence is depleted, your body weak, and you show signs of premature death.”

“Fortunately, you are gifted beyond measure—a cultivation prodigy one in ten thousand. With diligent practice, you can replenish your essence and extend your life.”

By this point, Lin Heng had finished the porridge.

Xiao Rang put down the bowl and earnestly asked, “Would you be willing to become my disciple and cultivate under my guidance?”

Lin Heng had by now pieced together what had transpired.

Clearly, unable to summon the life simulator interface, he was still within the simulated life.

Before starting the simulation, he had reset his attribute points, trading his fortune and physique for maximum family background, charm, and comprehension, but also accepted the negative trait of premature death.

Thus, it was no coincidence that after being kidnapped and forced to take the tiger-wolf medicine, thereby sacrificing lifespan to gain charm and cultivation aptitude, he was saved by the leader of a righteous sect who took a particular interest in him and intended to take him as a disciple.

Without hesitation, Lin Heng replied, “Disciple Lin Heng pays respects to Master.”

Only by becoming this elder’s disciple could he match the top-tier family background attribute.

As he spoke, Lin Heng prepared to rise and perform the grand bow to accept apprenticeship.

Even disregarding the master’s intention to take him in, the fact that the man had saved his life alone warranted such respect.

Xiao Rang stopped Lin Heng’s movement, urging him to lie back down with a smile. “No need for formalities yet, Heng’er. Your body is weak now; rest well. When you recover, I will invite fellow martial brothers from the Jianghu to witness your apprenticeship ceremony.”

During this time, Yun Sword Palace had thoroughly investigated Lin Heng’s origins.

They confirmed he was a child of clean background, with no attachments or burdens.

Taking in a prodigy born with all meridians open and early enlightenment as a disciple was naturally a matter worthy of grand celebration.

Such an event would not only bring honor to Xiao Rang himself but also elevate the prestige of Yun Sword Palace.

“Master, what is cultivation?”

Though still weak, Lin Heng’s attempt to rise caused him to break into a sweat.

He no longer insisted on performing the apprenticeship ceremony immediately; it could be deferred.

He lay back and, looking at Xiao Rang, curiously asked about the cultivation system of this world.

Though he had lived five years, the first three were spent babbling and unable to care for himself.

The last two years were wandering with an old beggar, constantly struggling merely to find a meal. Naturally, he knew nothing of the world’s cultivation system.

Being able to speak and read others’ expressions was the sole achievement of his five years of hardship.

“Cultivation,” Xiao Rang began, “is the refinement of one's moral character, allowing the body and mind to grow and become more perfect.”

“To achieve this growth, the sages of old, after countless years of study, developed a martial cultivation system: external refinement of muscles, bones, and skin, and internal cultivation of vital energy.”

“The path of cultivation is divided into four great realms: Postnatal, Prenatal, Grandmaster, and Supreme Grandmaster.”

“The Postnatal realm focuses on the meridians, condensing the postnatal essence of the five grains, transforming it into internal energy, and circulating it through the body’s meridians.”

“The Prenatal realm cultivates the acupoints, allowing one’s spirit to merge with heaven and earth, borrowing their power to refine internal energy.”

“The Grandmaster realm emphasizes the physique. With all meridians and acupoints opened and connected, the body’s potential is fully unleashed, enabling the accumulation of immense internal power beyond ordinary comprehension.”

“The Supreme Grandmaster realm centers on the state of mind, mastering the ultimate essence, energy, and spirit to influence the natural world and wield transcendent, saintly power.”

“Ordinary people must spend many years in the Postnatal realm to open all their meridians. Heng’er, you were born with all meridians open; once your body recovers, you can directly cultivate your acupoints by drawing on heaven and earth’s power. This natural advantage will allow you to progress far faster than others and hold the promise of reaching even higher realms.”

Xiao Rang’s words unfolded the mysteries of cultivation and highlighted Lin Heng’s unique gifts along the path.