Li Daozi woke up from his sleep with a small headache. His eyes shot open with a bit of drowsiness hidden but got up hesitantly recognising the man in front of him. The man’s height was relatively long with his long nose symbolising his pride. It was Gu Han. Li Daozi’s sworn enemy. Although Li Daozi recognizes him as his sworn enemy, his guts weren’t big enough to pick a fight with an Outer Disciple.

Even though Li Daozi worked for the Mount Yaluo Sect, he was only a coolie of Outer Disciples. He was only a sixteen year old village kid who was kicked out of the house to earn a living for himself. He came to the Flood Warm City a year ago and started working as a coolie. There he met Gu Han and accidently broke an expensive vase of his. Gu Han naturally wouldn’t let him go without compensation but the poor Li Daozi could not even provide one-tenth of the actual compensation. Due to which, Gu Han took Li Daozi as a personal servant of his for a period of two years and worked him to death.

Unsurprisingly, Li Daozi cursed and bore a deep vengeance against this person. Of course, he didn’t dare to display his hatred. Rumors say that Outer Disciples practice a weird thing called “cultivation”. Although interested, Li Daozi was much more inclined to making money. He always wanted to be one of those classic young masters who flaunt their wealth in the streets swinging their fans as if to show their elegance.

“What the hell are you doing? Get up and bring some Sun Dew Grasses!”

Li Daozi was dumbstruck. What sort of dogshit luck is this? He wondered. Sun Dew Grasses are not rare materials but it takes a few silvers to buy a dozen. But the problem wasn’t this. Li Daozi could begrudgingly take out some silver from his savings and buy it. However, the location of the shop where they sell it is rather problematic. It is situated at the foot of Easter Mountain Range where there was an abundance of Magical Beasts.

“Young Master Gu, I heard that magical beasts run rampant quite often there. Why don’t you send some cultivators to take care of the task?”

“Shut up! You are my master or I am your master? Answer me! Do as I say if you don’t want to get beaten to death.”

“Yes yes! This servant will do as you say!”

***

It’s not a lie to say that the Eastern Mountain Range is a land of magical beasts. Countless disciples of the sect had fallen prey to this. It was needless to say that Li Daozi was growing restless as every second passed by. Fortunately, nothing eventful happened during his journey to the shop. The shop’s conditions were not the best but there were a lot of things on display with an old man sitting peacefully.

“Senior, can you give me a dozen of Sun Dew Grasses? I request Senior to make it quick.”

“Ah! Sure thing.” Saying so, the old shopkeeper went to search for the grasses. Meanwhile, Li Daozi found a thin book in front of him and let his curiosity get the better of him and started rummaging through the pages. Even though he was uneducated, he still possessed the minimum capabilities to read and write. His eyes lit up as he suddenly found the thin book extremely interesting.

It was the cultivation manual of Qi Condensation - the first step martial artists take towards cultivation.

Being young and green, it was his first time he truly felt something called resonance deep within his heart.

“Excuse me, are you selling this book?” Li Daozi asked with great anticipation.

The old shopkeeper returned a kind smile. “If you want, you can take it. I have plenty of them anyways.” This old shopkeeper had a kind heart. He had guessed that the kid in front of him is probably of low status and is struggling with his life. The old shopkeeper hoped that the kid’s struggles would lessen if he became a cultivator.

“I won’t forget the kindness Senior has shown me today.” Li Daozi was truly grateful from the bottom of his heart.

In response, the old shopkeeper laughed lightly and passed a dozen of Sun Dew Grass to Li Daozi without any words.

***

It was evening. The sun’s bright gaze eventually dimmed and the businesses in the sect stopped. This was the ideal time for cultivation. There were many philosophical reasons but the ultimate reason is almost everyone would be busy with their day-to-day work in other times.

Li Daozi sat on the boulder of a huge rock as his eyes were glued to a brutal conflict between two female Outer Sect disciples. Both of them seemed furious at each other and were hurling curses. Eventually, it came to a point that a fight broke out. Unfortunately, there were no third parties who could separate them. After all, nobody cared about the lives of two mere Outer Sect disciples.

Li Daozi shook his head in deep contemplation. “Is a mere conflict worth two precious lives?” A while later, Li Daozi laughed at his own thoughts. “Did my head strike a rock or something? The law of the jungle is the only law in this brutal cultivation world. I'm becoming more muddle-headed day by day.” Sighing, he returned to his hut.

Taking a bath, he sat down on his bed, took out the cultivation manual he received today and started reading it. It took about half-an-hour to finish reading it. Keeping the book at his side, he took a meditative pose and channeled his qi the way it was shown in the manual.

After two hours, he finished his first full cycle and was already sweating buckets but he didn’t stop. His determination flared up and continued gritting his teeth. But alas! If determination and will power alone could solve everything, why are there so few experts who come from a humble background? There is a crucial factor - talent! Which the poor Li Daozi couldn’t even dream of having.

Completing the third cycle, Li Daozi finally fainted. Today, he finally understood why people call cultivators ‘people who defy the heavens’. The statement is in no way exaggerated. Even cultivating to the first layer of Qi Condensation is terribly difficult for a commoner. These were his last thoughts before he fainted.

***

By the time Li Daozi regained consciousness, it was already afternoon. The first thing he noticed after opening his eyes were a pair of sharp eyes gazing at him as if he would be eaten. It was his self-proclaimed sworn enemy, Gu Han. Behind him were several servants who were waiting for his orders.

“So you finally woke up! It seems that you have decided to turn a new leaf by starting cultivation.” Gu Han said with an amused expression.

“Young Master Gu is saying too much. I only wish to prolong my life and look after my parents by strengthening myself.” Li Daozi humbly said.

Gu Han snorted in response. “Enough chattering. Prepare yourself as a coolie to follow me to a banquet tomorrow. You better not make a fool of yourself there or else, not even I can save you!”

Li Daozi was dumbstruck at the sudden order. “Banquet?”

“As far as I’m concerned, you were unconscious for two straight days so it’s not surprising for you to not know but from what I’ve heard, it seems that the Sect Master has already picked his successor. He has invited people from all parts of the continent to celebrate. Of course, I’m also invited and you will go there as my personal servant!”

Li Daozi’s mind hurt thinking about this. He wanted to refuse the ‘invitation’ but has a bad premonition that Gu Han would beat him up if he refused. Without any choice, he agreed. “I will do as you bid. Young Master Gu, I have a matter that requires consultation.”

“What is it?”

“How many full circles do I need to complete to reach the first layer of Qi Condensation?”

“512.”

Li Daozi’s newfound determination and motivation instantly plummeted. Gu Han noticed his dejected look and spoke up. “You can take some fatigue pills and train continuously. I can give you some but in the long run, only you can help yourself!”

“I sincerely thank Young Master Gu for your kindness. With that being said, are there any ways I can ‘help myself’?”

Gu Han pondered for a moment. “There are two methods. First, you can find a way to earn some coins. Second, you can register yourself in the Alchemy Hall, study alchemy for a year and become an Apprentice Alchemist. It’s guaranteed that the Sect will give you some fatigue pills every month if you request for it.”

“Can I have access to the Alchemy Hall? I’m not even an Outer Sect disciple.” Li Daozi raised his doubts. He obviously favoured the second method more since he doesn’t have a sure-fire way to earn coins. Of course, his interests were also slightly tilted towards alchemy.

“You can.” Gu Han said nonchalantly.

“In that case, I’ll be taking my leave.” Without wasting any more time, he went in the direction of the Alchemy Hall.

Gu Han looked at the departing figure of his and sighed. “Your starting point is too late. No matter what you do, the third layer of Qi Condensation is the most you can accomplish.” He was neither underestimating nor looking down on him. It was a natural train of thought.

There are countless other people like Li Daozi. Those who have will power and determination but fall behind in talent. To make up for this, fate gives every one of them a chance to shine. Some shine, many don’t.

But for Li Daozi, his fateful encounter had already passed, missing the opportunity to shine.