'The other change I see in my Profile is that the progress next to my cultivation technique is now "(1/100)". Let me absorb some more mana and see if it changes based on amount of mana or amount of time I'm using the technique.'
James then used the Cloud's Ascent technique again until he felt the familiar sensation of mana being absorbed. This time however, there was no system notification.
'Maybe it only showed it on first use?'
James then opened his Profile again and saw that his Cultivation now showed "Mortal (2/100)" but his cultivation technique remained unchanged.
'Seems I was right, my Cultivation will improve based on amount of mana but the techniques's progress is either based on how long I use it or how familiar I get using it.
James decided that he'd learned enough about the system for now and felt he should focus on just absorbing mana for the time being.
'Every point of mana seems to take longer to absorb than the last. At first it took 10 minutes but the second time it took 15 minutes. Probably because i need to absorb mana that is further and further from my body?'
James put those thoughts aside and continued to cultivate.
Minutes passed…
2 hours later…
'Huh? I'm feeling really tired…'
James slowly fell into a deep slumber. He'd forgotten that he was still just born and it was a miracle he could stay wake as long as he could.
Faldor opened his eyes and gazed as James.
'This little one has finally fallen asleep. Wait!'
Faldor focused more intently and then detected faint mana traces on James' body.
'Impossible! How could a baby have mana traces? This should only start to happen in children around the age of 10…could one of the demons have possessed the child's body?'
Thinking of this, a talisman with the worlds Evil Warding displayed on the front, appeared in his hand. Without another thought, the talisman burned and then a wave of yellow mana washed over James' sleeping body.
One minute…
Five minutes…
'Hmm if he'd been possed by one of those Core Formation realm demons, this level 3 Evil Warding talisman should have purged the soul but nothing seems to have happened. Is it possible this child has been blessed by Heaven? I've never heard of anyone being able to absorb mana at such an age. Even the great sage Amaldara who ascended to the immortal realm had only started at the age of 6. Any younger and the child won't have a mind developed enough to understand the complex concepts of a cultivation technique…'
Faldon could only attribute this annomaly to the Heavens helping this child to grow stronger and thus concluded that the child has been blessed by the Heavens.
'Being able to cultivate from birth…i can only imagine how talented he will be once he is grown. I'll need to guide him well to ensure he maintains caution in his actions in the future to avoid unecessary trouble.'
With these thoughts in mind, Faldon settled back into his meditation and continued to cultivate.
The following days proceeded in the same way. James would wake up and cultivate for 3 hours and then fall asleep for 2 hours. Faldon fed him using Dew Milk. A foundational ingredient used for alchemy. This spiritual medicine being used to feed an infant was definitely extravagant but thinking that his second disciple was blessed by the Heavens themselves, Faldon happily used his resources to give him nothing but the best.
Being fed Dew Milk multiple times a day on top of his cultivation practice made his mana absorption rate jumped through the roof.
3 months later…
*Ding*
Congratulations Host for reaching Mana Gathering realm level 10.
Advancement function has been unlocked.
'A new system function! Finally i can see something other than my profile. Before i look into this new function i should check where i'm currently at.'
'Open Profile'
*Ding*
Name: James
Race: Human
Soul: Undeveloped
Cultivation: Mana Gathering level 10 (1000/1000)
Bloodline: Human
Stats
Physical: 0.01
Mental: 12
Spiritual: 0
Luck: 10
Techniques:
Cloud's Acent (Mana Gathering section) - (100/100)
Spells: None
Innate ability: System
'Perfect, i've maxed out both my mana absorption and my experience with the Cloud's Ascent cultivation technique. Now let's see what this new function is all about.'
'Open Advancement'
*Ding*
James closed his eyes involuntarily and then found himself floating in a dark space very similar to when he first reincarnated. Glowing light blue clouds began to appear in his surroundings. The clouds converged under him, forming a soft blanketed surface.
'This must be a manifestation of my current cultivation.'
Golden words then appeared in front of James' eyes.
Welcome host, please select one of the following advancement paths:
1. Synthesize Foundation Establishment chapter of the Cloud's Acent technique.
2. Use technique experience to improve Mana Gathering chapter of the Cloud's Ascent technique.
'Wait, so level 10 isn't the limit for the Mana Gathering realm? From what i've gathered so far from other's conversations, the cultivation realms are the following:
1. Mana Gathering
2. Foundation Establishment
3. Core Formation
4. Nascent Soul
There are other realms above Nascent soul but none of the cultivators i've heard talking over this time have discussed higher realms. But I do know that each major realm is divided into 10 levels:
Level 1-3 = Early stage
Level 4-6 = Mid stage
Level 7-9 = Late stage
Level 10 = Peak stage
If i'm able to improve this Mana Gathering chapter then that would definitely be best long term. Especially with what I know about Foundation Establishment. Recently Faldon has been mumblish to himself, going over what it takes to enter the Foundation Establishment realm. I'm not sure if he knows I can unstand him or if he's just trying to guide my cultivation subconsciously.
According to Faldon, cultivation is like building a tower. Mana Gathering is like gathering the materials to be used. Foundation Establishment is about using the mana absorbed to build strong pillars to hold up all your future cultivation.
So thinking this way, fonding a way to accumulate more mana before setting the foundation would make my future cultivation much stronger and more stable.'
James selected the second advancement path.