Murmuring those words, emotions running high, Lingyun walked up to the first platform, where a large quantity of low-grade blue spirit stones was stacked.
Placing his hand on it, an energy surged through his arms, as if granting him authority. He felt total control over the platform before him.
'This is so strange, yet so wonderful at the same time.'
Lingyun found it special. The next moment, for testing purposes, he wanted to take one stone. It didn't take long before it dropped into his hand, moving through the void.
The oddity made him blink a few times, but it didn't shock him much. Living with a card inside his brain had toughened his mind.
"Hehehe! Time to boost my cultivation!"
He exited the mental space and returned to his humble dwelling, drawing out thousands of spirit stones from his mind, forming a true mountain.
"So much money! So much wealth! With this, my cultivation will soar like crazy!"
He said, then reformed the array and began cultivating. Soon, a second cyclone began forming in his body, and the process continued.
But on the fourth one, when he tried to compress the cyclone, he failed. In the very next instant, pain spread through his entire body, tearing apart every inch.
It felt as if his body were made of paper, easily ripped apart.
'Shit! I knew it—when things come too easy, even saints get suspicious! Damn limitation!'
Lingyun cursed!
His current body was far too weak, like a bucket being filled beyond capacity. He had reached his limit.
Due to his mortal-grade talent.
A talent is measured by one's meridians, bones, and physical constitution.
He was at the lowest level in all aspects. A miserable wretch.
'What's the point of being rich if I can't even handle spiritual energy? This is crap! Just when I thought I was starting my immortal journey, I'm back to square one.'
Lingyun was disheartened. The light in his eyes faded, and his face turned expressionless. Lifelessly, he walked to the single bed and lay down.
***
When he woke up again, he stepped out of the small hut and looked at the sky, now dark and full of stars. In the corner, a beautiful moon shone.
"I slept until late…"
He muttered bitterly, stretching one hand upward, then raising it fully into the glowing darkness. Then, he closed it, as if trying to grasp everything above.
'What am I thinking? That's impossible... I'm useless.'
He shook his head, but the thought lingered.
It genuinely irritated him.
"Shit! What are you thinking, Wei Lingyun? What can someone talentless like you even do? You're worth nothing!"
He cursed himself, but the feeling still didn't go away. Something inside told him that it was still possible to realize that dream.
He was rich! Many said power was everything. That was true… but so was money, because everything could be bought.
Yes, he was despairing for no reason. He still had a chance.
'I can still become powerful.'
The hope in his heart reignited. And when he saw a shooting star cross the sky, that flame shone even brighter.
"I won't give up! Even if the difficulty is ten times greater than for a normal person, I'll keep going! In this life, I'll reach the top! Even if I die trying, I'll fulfill that goal!"
With newfound determination, he returned to his hut, preparing to search for a way to break his limit the next day.
***
The next morning, Lingyun left early and headed to the main area of the Outer Court.
Upon arriving, he noticed a huge three-story building. Entering it, he walked to the first floor, where several disciples were choosing missions pinned to the walls. They ranged from 0 to 12 stars, representing the full range of the Human Realm of cultivation.
According to Lingyun's knowledge, this realm consisted of twelve cyclones. With each advancement, the spiritual Qi within the body increased, strengthening one's physique and improving blood circulation. At the first stage of the realm, extracting Qi was practically impossible.
After these brief thoughts, he went to a zero-star mission and began reading. After some time, under the scornful gazes of the other disciples, he chose a simple mission: gathering herbs.
After registering the task, he left the building and headed toward the exit of the Outer Court. It was located at the edge of a vast forest—an area rich with vegetation stretching for a mile—a small territory compared to the sect's true domain.
The real Sect was located in the High Lands—the dream of all cultivators, due to the high Qi density. The place where Lingyun lived was a vast island the size of a continent, divided between High, Middle, and Low Lands. He was currently in the Low Lands.
But like everyone else, he dreamed of one day reaching that sacred land of cultivation.
'But first, solve the current crisis. One step at a time!'
Whispering this in his mind, he soon arrived at the main gate. He pulled out his identity—a small black token engraved with blue runes—and placed it on a dark surface.
In the next instant, he was transported outside, shifting through space. It was a unique sensation, one Lingyun had already grown used to.
"Gathering herbs? That can wait. My real goal now is to study!"
That was the reason he had left the sect. With a relaxed expression, he marched slowly until he was completely out of the sect's territory.
Now outside, he activated his three cyclones and channeled spiritual energy into his legs. Then, he began to run. His speed was impressive—his feet barely touched the ground, and when they did, cracks formed under the pressure of his stride. At the same time, a breeze blew across his face, lifting his black hair.
'Now this is what I call adrenaline, damn it!'
Lingyun was ecstatic and didn't stop for a second. He tore through the vast forest like a mirage; to mortal eyes, he was but a blur.
About an hour later, he spotted a large wall ahead. He stopped immediately, skidding on the ground and leaving a mark over a meter long. He was drenched in sweat—the thrill had made him sweat excessively.
'I overdid it.'
He realized that, but simply smiled and walked toward the gate with slow steps, brushing dust off his sleeves.
In front, a group of guards watched the entrance. Upon seeing them, Lingyun didn't hesitate. He showed his token, and the guards immediately showed respect, letting him through.
Once inside, he went straight to a clothing store. He bought an all-black outfit and a mask. Then, he headed to a secluded alley, where he changed into the new clothes, tied his hair into a ponytail, placed a red mask over his face, and held a fan in front of him.
"Time to study!"