I was hoping that she wouldn't recognize me.

Meeting and talking to strangers are fine. Since they don't know who I am, and what kind of past I have, I could pretend that I'm not bothered by anything and act like a normal person. But thats only for strangers. To be honest, I don't wanna meet anyone who knows and remembers me. Thats why I chose to live here in the Capital.

Who would have thought I'd meet her. My old schoolmate, Agnes.

"... Gabriel.." she muttered.

Been a while since someone except my family said my name. So, when I heard that, I could feel my body shook a little. But I suppressed it. I tried my best to act normal. I forced a smile and greeted her.

".. Yo."

She was silent for a second, then started giggling and nodded.

"So, you wanted to rent a room?" she smiled.

"..Ah." I nodded. "You're.. the landlady here?"

"Its my cousin." she said. "But she's kinda busy, so, here I am."

"Oh, I see."

Then, our conversation halted, and the atmosphere became awkward. To be honest, I want to say something to end this silence. But I'm worried that if I said something stupid, I would make it more awkward. Embarrassing myself like that is not something I could take. So, I decided to just stay quiet.

Maybe, noticing the weird atmosphere, the old guard cleared his throat and looked at Agnes.

"Why don't you show him around?" the old guard said. "He's been standing here for a while now."

Agnes smiled and looked at me.

"Lets go?" then she started walking.

While walking, I looked at her, and I couldn't help but be amazed. She's a lot more different from when we were High school. In a good way, of course.

Agnes Salamanca, was what I would consider as a normal student. Back then, if there was a popularity poll, she wouldn't even be even included in that. She was not famous or well known, but she was never a loner. If life was a movie, then she would be one of the nameless extra that one would never pay attention to.

It couldn't be help though.

She was not beautiful, cute, or sexy in any way. Some people would even say she was quite ugly. She was also short, making her visibility even more lower. And although, she was not skinny or fat, her body proportion would be that of a normal kid. She was flat in both front and behind. She didn't have any attractive-bones at all, making boys to rarely look at her.

But even so, she was amazing. From what I remember, she was one of the few kids I know that has friends from all the classes. From first class to the last class, she could be anywhere she wanted and there would always some kids that would welcome her with open arms. I mean, even those so called famous kids and beautiful goddesses in our campus never ignored her. She could talk to anyone with ease.

And now, looking at her and comparing it to what I remember when we were in High school, its like comparing an ugly duckling to a beautiful swan. If she was seen by those who insulted her back then, I could already imagine those people with loose jaw slapping themselves repeatedly to prove that they're awake.

"You keep looking at me." she said. "Is there something wrong?"

"Ah, no. Its just, you look different." I answered. "In a good way, of course."

"Really?" she smiled with amusement. "I look the same though?"

I laughed lightly and didn't answer.

In a way, she does look the same. Her face is still average, not a beautiful one, but also cant be considered as ugly. Except that, everything is different. I'm considered as a tall person, so when I saw her only a couple inches shorter than my height, It was already amazing. But not just that, all the curves that she was lacking before, she acquired it all. In a most beautiful and erotic way possible. She is now hot. To the point that anyone who looked at her would sweat a lot.

Models should be embarrassed of themselves for not being half as sexy as her.

"Well, you also look different." she stopped walking and smiled at me. "I don't remember you acting timid and silent before. What happened?"

Smiling bitterly, I shook my head and didn't answer.

Noticing that I didn't wanna talk about that, she just smiled and continued walking. When I thought that she wouldn't talk again, after just a couple steps, she again asked a question.

"So, you have a job?"

I paused a little. But then I continued and acted like everything was normal. Seeing her looking at me innocently, I awkwardly looked away and answered, "..no. I don't."

Inferiority complex. This thing suddenly appeared when I was in College. And the longer I live, the stronger it became. Remembering my mom always comparing me to everyone, and seeing every people I know achieving something amazing, I could feel myself getting smaller and smaller. My pride and view of my self getting lower and lower. After all, I'm a failure who didn't even graduated college. A person who became shut-in and could never find a job.

Having a job is status that everyone of my age uses to know the standing of a person. The more amazing your job is, the higher the people would look at you. So, those people who don't even have a job are losers that everyone laughed at. As expected I heard her giggling a little bit.

"Looks like we're the same."

When I heard that, I immediately looked at her. She's smiling. But not the mocking one. She's genuinely smiling and looking at me without any trace of belittling me.

"I also don't have a job. Got fired a month ago." she smirked a little. "So I've been leeching off my cousin and living the life."

Seeing her like that I couldn't help but smile a little. Noticing that, she smiled and continued leading the way. It took us only a minute to reach fifth floor. Standing in front of a door with a number 507, I instantly know that this is going to be my new place.

Reaching out her hand, she gave me a key and reminders of everything I should know about the apartment. Then like always, she smiled and left, leaving a sweet smell behind. When she was gone, I entered the room and inspected everything inside.

The place looks clean. Its also quite big, enough for at least a couple living here together. Theres a living room, bathroom, a kitchen, and a bedroom. For a single man like me, this place is huge enough. The thing that confused me is there's a bed in the bedroom. I mean, the whole place was empty, why theres a bed there? And when I inspected it, it looks like its clean and comfortable.

After putting away my bags, I took some clothes and decided to take a bath. Then I would rest for a day. While resting my body, I instantly activated my sage state. Calming my mind and removing all the dark thoughts inside me. Trying my best to be optimistic and look at everything positively.

After a couple cycle of breathing, my mind became calm and the problem that was bugging me was solved. An old classmate, inferiority complex, not a having a job--- these shit aren't important. What the hell am I thinking, using these as a way to compare and label myself like a normal person--- fcking stupid. I'm not a normal person anymore.

If I wanted to, I could fcking kill anyone I want. I could also become more powerful by training harder. In theory once I unlocked all my meridians in first realm and advance the second stage, the Foundation Building Stage, I would have enough power to fuck this country alone. So why am I being affected by just seeing an old classmate? Why am I lowering myself like a normal person? Loser or not, I'm quite amazing right now. I even killed dozens of people and destroyed two different gangs. Normal people wouldn't be able to that. So why am I comparing myself to them. I just need to enjoy life and live the way I wanted.

Suddenly my view of things started to change again. I feel like something are changing and improving inside me. Like a broken pieces starting to connect and heal each other. My mind started to become more clearer. I guess its time sleep then. And so, for the first time in a while, I sleep with a calm and relax mind, making me feel like I'm actually living a good life now.

When I woke up, even though I wanted to take it easy and relax more, I could not. Because the hunger that I'm feeling right now is killing me! Looking outside, I saw it was already dark. Wow, amazed by how long I slept. This is first time I slept this long since I became a cultivator.

Planning to go outside and buy some foods, I stretched my body and looked for a shirt to cover my upper body. After that, I went and open the door, then stopped. Agnes is standing in front of my door. When she saw me, she looked shocked for a second, then smiled. She is holding a bowl of mami.

[Special note:

Mami is a Filipino noodle soup made with wheat floor noodles, broth and meat (chicken, pork, or beef). Its a food usually eaten in rainy days or days with cold weather. Eating Mami while its hot is the best. Easy to prepare and taste good.]

"I thought you'd be hungry so I prepared this." she said, then looked at me confused. "Going out?"

"Yeah." I nodded. "I was actually planning eating outside."

Right now I can talk to her more easily without being awkward and shy. This is better, I thought. Remembering the way I acted earlier made me feel like a stupid moron.

"Oh.." then she looked at the bowl of mami and smiled bitterly. "I see.... If you walk five-to-ten minutes away from here, near the bus station, you'd see some stalls and street foods. I recommend there, they taste good."

After saying that, she started walking away. But before she could even step the third time, I already stopped her.

"Wait."

She turned back and looked at me smiling.

"I thought you'd give me that mami?"

"Did I?" smiling, she added. "Besides, you said you'll eat outside."

"Because I didn't know there's someone that would give me free food." I said quite shamelessly. "Also its best to save money."

Hearing that she giggled then said slowly.

"I never said its free."

"Well.. I guess its fine." I was silent for a couple seconds, then said. "I'm lazy anyway. I don't think I have the strength to walk for ten minutes just to eat."

Smiling, she didn't answer me and just gave me the mami.

"After finishing this, you'd be so full that you wont look for anything to eat anyway." she said then she left. When she was gone, I looked at the bowl and muttered.

"A bowl of mami cant make me full, you know."

Since I became a cultivator, my appetite became more amazing. I could eat foods for ten-to-twelve people, and that's still me being "normal". When I'm hungry, I could even eat servings for fifteen people. Eating that much was needed for my growing and stronger body. Specially since I needed strength to cultivate. The more food I ate, the better and faster cultivation.

So, in my opinion, a bowl of mami wont make me full. It would, at most, be able to satisfy my hunger. But all of those thoughts disappeared after I finished the bowl.

Full and satisfied. It has been a while since I felt this. Being a cultivator made me feel like a monster that always needed to eat. Being full is very easy to do. I just need to eat a lot, 'till I cant eat anymore. Being satisfied is different.

The mami I ate gave me a feeling like, some kind of energy invaded every veins, muscles, bones, meridians--- it energized my whole body like a drug! It not only satisfied my taste buds and my stomach, but also my whole being. To be honest, I didn't expect a mami could be this good.

I feel like an old and dry tree in a dessert that experienced rain for the first time.

"That was good." I whispered.

Eating something this good made me want to cultivate more. And so I did. For the whole night, all I did was cultivate.

-----

There are fifteen meridians.

Each meridians represent a Cultivation Stage/Realm. That's why, the more a person unlock a meridian, the higher the the Cultivation they could reach.

1st meridian, is Qi Refinement Stage/Realm.

2nd meridian, is Foundation Establishment Stage/Realm.

3rd meridian, is The First Transition Stage/Realm (Changing Qi, to True Qi)

4rd meridian, is Core Formation Stage/Realm

5th meridian, is Nascent Soul Stage/Realm

6th meridian, is the Immortal Transition Stage/Realm. (Changing True Qi, to Immortal Qi. Becoming one with the Laws of Nature. The second Transition)

7th meridian, is Celestial Immortal

8th meridian, is Immortal Lord

9th meridian, is Immortal King (The Third Transition. Changing Immortal Qi, to Godly Qi. Creating One's Unique Law of Nature)

10th meridian, is Demi-God (Earth)

11th meridian, is Demi-God (Sky)

12th meridian, is Demi-God (Heaven) (The Fourth Transition. Transcending the Laws of Nature)

13th meridian, is a God

14th meridian, is a God King

15th meridian, is Supreme God.

I don't really know that much, but the woman before gave us some basic knowledge that all of us (cultivators) should remember. This was also to give us a better understanding how big the sky is. So that we could know that there would always be heavens above heavens, sky above the sky. To not be a frog at the bottom of the well.

Of course telling us this information would give those who heard it have a complicated feelings. Some would even question their existence. But, the woman said that those who could not recover from this are not needed. Only those who still stand and climb the stairs to the highest peak are worthy of their teachings and resources.

"Lets start this then."

Sitting on top of the bed, I slowly absorbed the Qi in my surroundings and willed it to follow the Thousand Hardening Body Refinement circulations. Using this, the Qi that I absorbed would be repeatedly compressed and purified, making my cultivation a lot faster. It took me hours to make my body feel full. And when it did, I stood up and walked to living room.

Making sure that everything was in place, I closed my eyes, and again popped the balloon like thing in my head.

A wild and ferocious energy started invading every part of my body. And when I felt like Im gonna explode, I started following the movements of my cultivation's martial arts.

My mind was focus only in the movements, every punch, every kick, twists, and wave of my body--- I could feel it slowly being strengthen and purified. Like a sword that was repeatedly hammered down to compress its strength, purify its body, and make it more sharp so it could cut down anyone who hinders its path.

Slowly, the surging power started to dissipate. At the same time I finished completing the whole set of Thousand Hardening Body Refinement twice and lost my strength. The good thing is, unlike before when I just started cultivating, I could now move my body even if I finish doing that. So with a little bit of effort, I sat down properly and continued cultivating.

Again, I absorbed Qi, purified and compressed it to its absolute limit. Then slowly circulate it all over my body to lessen my fatigue. When I felt like I'm well rested already, I again started doing martial arts. But this time, theres no surging energy coming from balloon.

This set of practice was repeatedly done by me over and over again.

To be honest, if I couldn't feel the process and improvements of my body, I would have stopped doing this because its too boring. Sitting for hours just to follow the movements of martial arts, then sit again so I could use martial arts after a couple of hours of resting. Its boring, really.

When the the darkness of the night slowly fades, an unexpected happened.

I don't know why, but my cultivation this day is amazing.

Absorbing Qi is still the same, the speed of circulation, and the set of martial arts was done like before. But for some unknown reason, this time my body reacted differently. My body strengthened faster. My meridian became more wider, more flexible, and more tougher, making it hold more Qi. Not just that, I could feel the very foundation of my cultivation is being reinforced like mad.

And as expected, before the sunrise, I reached my body's absolute limit. So after a little bit of rest, I decided to break that limit and advance my cultivation further.

Using the most compressed and purified Qi that I stored in my body, I slammed the second meridian with full force! Surprisingly the meridian was unlocked easily. Like a door that was waiting to be opened when the guest arrived. Well, even though its like that, the process still hurt me. The good thing is it was only instant.

After almost two hours of repeated cycle of Qi, I managed to barely solidify and strengthen the newly opened meridian.

When I opened my eyes, I saw my body releasing black sweats and disgusting smell. So I immediately went to bathroom and took a bath. Feeling refreshed, I walked to the door of the bathroom and decided that I would buy the most delicious breakfast for today. While I was thinking of something to eat, I noticed that there was something written in the mirror. Since the mirror was positioned near the door, I should have notice that there was something written there when I entered the bathroom. But I swear there was nothing there earlier. So I walked close and read the word.

"Congratulations."

Before I could even tilt my head and be confuse, I noticed that everything is already black. Then, I heard that familiar voice.

"Coming here the fourth time means, you unlocked your second meridian within twenty days after you received the cultivation method. For that, you'll receive 100 points. Additional points will be given after calculating your ranking."

Ah, its happening again.

"Your Rank has been calculated.

Congratulations. Your current Rank is 1247.

Because you're part of 1,001 to 2,000 Rankings, you will be given an additional 600 points.You can now access the Market and see the World Rankings."

Waiting for the disembodied voice to continue, I stayed quiet for a couple more minutes. But no matter how long I wait, the whole place stayed silent. Looking around, thinking that everything is fine now, I decided to walk and inspect the place.

Like before, everything in my sight is darkness. But for some reason, I can see my body and know everything in surroundings. Also, unlike before, there's no light that could be seen from the distance, so I don't really know what I'm suppose to do. That's until I noticed a huge looking book on top of a podium.

The stone marble looking podium is standing erect alone in this dark place. Seeing that I don't really have anything to do here, and I don't really know what I'm supposed to do, I decided to walk towards the podium.

"What a huge book." I muttered looking amused.

Standing in front of the podium, I cant help be amazed by how big the book is. Its almost at the same size of my whole upper body. The book's cover is made with some kind ancient looking beast hide. In front of it, there are letters or words that I cant read, but for some reasons, I can understand. Th word says, "Path". A very simple and vague shit.

Getting curious, I touched it, and was about to flip it open. But before I could do that, It started shining brightly like fcking diamond. Somehow, in my mind, I can even hear Rihanna getting beaten up while singing. Damn, my weird brain malfunctioning again.

Anyway, the light slowly diminished and new informations entered my mind. When I opened my eyes, I'm not in the dark place anymore. But in front of a mirror right beside the door. I'm back in my apartment.

"Well fck that.." I sighed.

Shaking my head, I went back to my bedroom and laid my tired body on top of my soft bed.

Smelling it a little, I couldn't help but be amazed at how smell good it is. Making me imagine that this was a bed of a young woman with a sexy and sweet smelling body. Giggling a little bit for my stupid imagination, I smelled it again. Then without me noticing it, I fell asleep.

After I woke up, I searched my mind if there was anything wrong or different in it. And, it didn't take me long to notice it. Inside my head, there are ancient looking words thats divided into three levels.

From the lowest, theres the Thousand Hardening Body Refinement thats covered by a transparent looking balloon film. Obviously, this is the Cultivation Method that I'm using right now.

In the middle, words that was not there before was seen, it says, Market/Store. And on the top of those two that I mentioned, the words, World Rankings, is glowing slightly.

I didn't bother with the Rankings. What caught my attention more is this Market/Store. Wielding my thoughts, I opened the market to see whats inside.

There are two sections, one is for cultivation methods and techniques. Its like a summarized version of anything that was part of the four pyramids I saw before. It has the techniques for devil, demon, immortals, and for the mind and soul.

Different cultivation methods, techniques, has different levels.

Mortal, Immortal, and Divine. Each of them also have three levels. Earth, Sky, Heavenly.

From the looks of things, Thousand Hardening Body Refinement is a Heavenly Class Mortal Cultivation. The highest and strongest cultivation technique for those cultivators who wanted to pursue a perfect body and foundation.

I got curious so I tried opening the Immortal and Divine category, but maybe my cultivation is still low, so It didn't open. Thats why I cant buy anything from there. Well, its not like I have points for that.

Base from the informations in my mind, I only have 1000 points right now. This is actually enough if I just wanted a Sky or Earth Class Mortal Cultivation. But seeing those techniques, I couldn't help but shake my head a little. My own cultivation right now is enough. I mean, its one of the best after all.

Also, even if I do have enough points, I still wouldn't buy anything. Base from my ranking, I'm considered as slow and most likely, an untalented person when it comes to cultivating. So instead of buying those, I should focus in one method for now. It will also become better foundation for my future.

Second is for pills, elixirs, and medicines. Although the list is also varied and numerous, it still cant be compared to the number of cultivation methods from previous section.

"Is there something that could hasten my cultivation? While also building a proper foundation?"

Looking all the things there, there are four available pills and potion that manage to get my interest. Foundation pill, Qi Recovery Pill, Marrow-Cleansing Pill, and Rejuvenation Potion.

Foundation Pill will help the cultivator build their foundation more quicker than those who don't use it. Qi Recovery is for the recovery of the Qi (Mr. Obvious) to continue cultivating without stop. Marrow-Cleansing Pill is for removing all the impurities inside the body. Unlocking more potential and making their body more suitable for cultivating. Rejuvenation Potion is for removing the tiredness of the body and mind for cultivating so long. For women, it could also make their skin soft and more alive, making them look more younger and beautiful.

All of them are good, the problem is their prices. Each of them worth 100 points. If I buy them, there would be only 600 points left. From what I know, base on everything that I've experienced so far, to get points, the best thing to do is open more meridians! Become stronger, and improve faster than the others. But even with that, I still think that spending less is a lot more better.

First I need to identify, which of these are needed, and those aren't so needed.

After thinking for a while, I chose two. Foundation Pill, and Marrow-Cleansing Pill.

I don't really need Qi Recovery Pill for now. For me, I can recover my Qi in just one or two hours of sitting. And that's me compressing and purifying it over and over until it reached its limits. This Pill is only useful for those cultivators who expends their Qi for other activities like fighting, other than cultivation and improving their Realms.

I'm different though. If I use Qi and fought someone using my martial arts, their body would explode and be like mash potatoes. So I don't really have any use for my Qi except using it to cultivate.

For Rejuvenation Potion/Pill, I don't really need it. If I'm tired then I just need to sleep for one-to-four hours and everything will be fine. Besides, because I'm using one-to-two hours sitting while absorbing and compressing Qi, my body isn't tired as those who repeatedly use martial arts. About the beautification effects, I don't really care. With my long messy hair, awkward looking beard that covers my face, I look shit. No one would really care about the skin of someone like that.

So, without further ado, I willed my mind and bought the two pills I chose.

When I opened my eyes, I saw two small transparent bottles on top of the bed beside me. Picking it up, I shook it a little and noticed that there aren't just one pill for bottle. To be honest, I was expecting it to be one Foundation Pill for 100 points. But looks like I'm wrong. Of course I'm glad about that.

The bottle of Foundation Pills, has ten pills inside. For Marrow-Cleansing Pill, theres five of it.

Looking at these beautiful things, I couldn't help but grin. I'm really excited to try these and start to cultivate. But before that, I need to eat. Looking at my cute monstrous tummy that keeps growling, I know I should feed it a lot. So I decided to to go and look for food!