The Cultivation System

Chapter 1: World End

I’ve always felt different. Everyone's world was based on repeating the same things: to work, eat, sleep, and repeat. Yet, I always found that world boring. Hence, I had no goals, no ambition, no life… until today.

The news reporter described the end of the world in huge detail while I sat there completely at peace knowing that life is meaningless; knowing that an asteroid the size of our moon will hit the earth in only a few minutes; knowing that I’m more worried about the fact I never finished my latest book.

“I hate cliff-hangers,” I muttered to myself.

“Now is the time to say goodbye to your loved ones and hold your heads high. We all face this together. This is Sarah, signing off, for the last time.”

The TV switched to a 60-second count down.

I laughed, “even at the end of the world there's a deadline. Bloody typical!” I look down at my phone to see if anyone has called or messaged but unsurprisingly there are no messages. My parents are gone and I have no friends so to speak of. As I hit the lock screen, I notice the calm on my eyes reflecting off the darkened screen. A loud notice from the TV interrupts my thoughts:

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

I instinctively tense up expecting the worst.

…

A few seconds pass and I have yet to feel anything. As I open my eyes there is an explosion – no, that’s not quite the correct description. Imagine a nuke but thousands going off at the same time. That’s the sound I hear. I feel my eardrums burst in seconds - the pain is enough for me to scream and drop to my knees. I grab my eyes to try and stop the pain and as I look back at my hands they’re covered in blood. Then everything goes black.

“Finally, I can complete my experiment. 8 billion souls for me to harvest! This should let me ascend to greater heights than ever before,” a loud booming voice echoes as my mind shifts back into gear. I try to open my eyes but notice I don’t have any. Wait, then how am I hearing? How am I thinking? This too weird...

“Oh, what do we have here? 7 of you are still aware - what rare talent!” He booms and starts laughing. The noise is deafening. Wait, I’m hearing him in my soul, not through my ears – that’s so weird!

“Oh we have a smart one, don't we? Well since I can’t consume self-aware souls, I’ll give you 7 a chance to fight against the heavens and your fates. Look for me if you want revenge - I do love a classic story of revenge - or if you want to thank me, I guess that’s fine too, kind of boring, but fine. Since you’re the smart one in the group I’ll let you pick first.” I feel a bolt of lightning shoot through my mind and a popup window appears in my mind’s “eye”.

Welcome to Immortal King Soul Consumer’s Shop

Points to Spend: 1500

Systems

Stats

Items

AI Chips

Elements

Rebirth

“Please select a category” a robotic voice echoes in my head.

This feels like something straight out of my books… am I dreaming? Come on, Adam snap out of it. Let’s check out the systems first.

Systems

500p - Levelling system – Increase your power with EXP gained by crafting, leveling, and getting achievements. Use EXP to increase your base level or skills. This is a fast, yet dangerous, way to increase power (please be aware that later levels will increase at a slower rate).

300p - Murder System – increase your power by killing. The more innocent the victim the greater the power (please be aware that this path will lead to insanity).

200p – Crafting system – automate the crafting process for anything.

400p – Hero System – Save people, help people, kill the demon lord, do I really need to explain this one? *YAWN*

500p – Cultivation system – this system helps you along your journey to godhood. Each realm will unlock features within the system (please note this system comes with a shop).

I’m tempted to choose the leveling system - it reminds me of all the video games I've played- but everyone knows that every RPG takes weeks to level if not months! Murder seems a bit too dark and will attract attention too quickly. Crafting seems helpful but no power gain. Who wants to be a hero? HAHAHA. Cultivation system? I've read a few books about cultivation… and becoming immortal and god-like does sound fun!

Wait, I have 1500 points! Why don’t I mix the crafting system and the cultivation system? Yes, I’ll do that. Okay, that leaves me with 800 points - let’s purchase the system first.

“Crafting system purchased.”

“Cultivation system purchased.”

“Crafting system has been implemented into the cultivation system, Cultivation system updating: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Complete.”

Perfect, now let’s look at the stats.

Stats

Name: Adam Lockworth

Strength – 7

Agility – 12

“Alert: intelligence has met the hidden condition and opened sub-categories.”

Intelligence – 15

Spiritual Sense – 0

Endurance 8

“1 stat point can be bought with 10p,” the computer voice echoes.

Okay, let’s use 200p for some stats. Looks like 10 is the average.

Stats

Name: Adam Lockworth

Strength – 10

“Alert: agility has met the hidden condition and opened sub-categories.”

Agility – 15

Hyperfocus – 5

“Alert: intelligence has met the hidden condition and opened sub-categories.”

Intelligence – 17

Spiritual Sense – 5

Endurance 10

“Purchase Complete.”

“Stats Updated.”

Okay, that leaves me with 600p left. I’ll skip the items and go straight for the elements.

Elements

100 points – Wind basic comprehension

100 points – Earth basic comprehension

100 points – Fire basic comprehension

100 points – Water basic comprehension

200 points – Lightning basic comprehension

300 points – gravity basic comprehension

300 points - Space and Time hint of comprehension

I have to go for lightning as well as space and time - there are just too many benefits! Purchase!

“Lightning basic comprehension purchased.”

“Space and Time hint of comprehension purchased.”

Okay, that’s enough for power. That leaves me with… 100p for my rebirth.

Rebirth

1000 points rebirth in the immortal realms under an immortal king

900 points rebirth in the immortal realms under an immortal knight

800 points rebirth in the immortal realms under a sect/Clan

700 points rebirth in the mortal realms under a high ranking sect

600 points rebirth in mortal realms under a monarch a disciple

500 points rebirth in mortal realms under a normal cultivation family

400 points rebirth in mortal realms under a mortal king

300 points rebirth in mortal realms under a normal family

200 points rebirth in mortal realms as an only child in normal household

100 points rebirth in mortal realms as an orphan

F***! I wasted my points! I’m going to have to start as an orphan alone again. What did I expect?! At least this seems interesting; it’s finally something I’m truly excited about! PURCHASE!

“Purchase complete. Mortal realm orphan selected. Rebirth in 5 seconds,” the computer voice echoed.

“What an interesting young pup you are! I expect a lot from you. Test my system for me and I’ll be back for results.” I heard the booming voice again. At least now I know his name: Immortal King Soul Consumer. What a name.. or title! Just you wait, Immortal King. I’ll be back, not for revenge or thanks, but for fun!

As my I feel my mind slipping away from me, I hear a final laugh from the immortal king.