《It's Hard Being A Background Character》Chapter 5: Five Years Of Insignificance (Part 5)
Advertisement
Back in his dorm, which was merely 10 square meters in area, Zhang Wei was sitting on his tiny bed in a lotus position.
His eyes were tightly shut, and beads of sweat were dripping down his face, meanwhilst his facial expression reflected that he was struggling.
Yes, this was him attempting to break through!
From the information that he had gathered, and the memories of the previous Zhang Wei, he knew that to break through to the next stage he had to gather a certain amount of spiritual energy using breathing techniques, spirit herbs, or spiritual pills.
Once he had gathered that amount of spirit energy in his dantian, he then had to condense it into as small a sphere as he could muster.
Once it became small enough, he would then experience a feeling of satisfaction and comfort which indicated that he had successfully broken through to the next stage.
At this point in time, Zhang Wei had already condensed his ball of spiritual energy for five hours and felt that he was finally about to achieve a breakthrough!
It had to be known that the reason Zhang Wei was finding it proportionately more difficult to achieve a breakthrough than Lin Fan, who could break through five times in a few hours, was due to a host of different reasons.
Firstly, Lin Fan was a protagonist. And as a protagonist, he wasn't someone who could be measured with common sense.
Secondly, Lin Fan had already cultivated up to that level before, and even further, therefore he had already experienced reaching such a stage and it was naturally easier for him to get there as compared to a first timer like Zhang Wei.
Thirdly, Zhang Wei's talent was incredibly average.
No seriously, if there was a statistic for cultivation talent, Zhang Wei would be slap bang in the middle.
His ability to circulate spiritual energy through his meridians to the dantian and his spiritual energy manipulation was every bit inferior to a monster like Lin Fan therefore, naturally, his breakthrough speed and difficulty would be affected.
Lastly, Zhang Wei was currently in a very strange position.
Usually, when someone reaches the point of breaking through to the 4th stage of the foundation building realm, they'd have proper experience with breaking through since they've gone through stages 1-3.
However, Zhang Wei was an anomaly.
He hadn't personally cultivated his way to this stage but, rather, got transmigrated over into someone else's body that had reached this stage!
He didn't have the practical experience of breaking through!
Sure, he had the memories of the other 'him' breaking through but they were akin to scenes from a movie. None of those memories helped a lot with important factors such as, keeping his cool or actually controlling and condensing the spiritual energy.
So as you could tell, it wasn't an easy time for Zhang Wei to break through.
Fortunately though, even with obstacles, the process of overcoming minor realms wasn't particularly difficult- All it involved was to continuously repeat the same form of manipulation repeatedly until success.
Rarely, were there any cases of people failing to break through a minor realm under the conditions that said person was fully focused. And even if Zhang Wei did fail, he'd at most only have to recultivate some spiritual energy, heal some minor injuries and try again.
As expected, soon enough, Zhang Wei's eyes opened and he let out a large sigh of relief.
4th stage of foundation establishment realm!
He had finally succeeded!
As he got up from his bed and stretched, he noticed that he felt lighter.
Advertisement
When compared to before, he felt like a few kilograms had been removed!
Zhang Wei's face lit up, and he couldn't help but marvel over how cool this moment was.
To think that... I'd be able to experience a cultivation breakthrough in my life!
Simply unbelievable.
Although there have been some hardships with living in this foreign world, such as a lack of a proper bathroom, there have also been numerous great moments I've had here.
I've been able to see bizarre things I could've never even imagined before like people flying on swords, or beasts larger than entire buildings!
I've also got a weird System that wants me to become an 'ultimate background character', and encountered a real protagonist!
Isn't this a lot better than before, when I just aimlessly rotated between a schedule of studying and working, just so I could continue living in a boring world?
And I'm sure things will get even more fun, and I'll see a lot more, once I get stronger!
Feeling exhilarated from the breakthrough, Zhang Wei couldn't sit still.
But sadly, the sky had already turned dark and the moon was hanging up above- Meaning that most people would be asleep.
It was to be expected though as by the time he finished his task it was late afternoon, and he had spent five whole hours to breakthrough.
After a while of contemplating what to do, a good idea popped up in his head.
Isn't it Friday today?
Heh, that means that those four guys are meeting up for their talking nights!
Usually, I wouldn't go to the meet-up as I'd be focused on cultivating or testing the System- Plus, who the hell wants to talk with a bunch of bored guys- but... Today calls for a celebration!
As he had determined his next actions, he opened up his window and hopped out!
There were four dormitory buildings in the servant compound, each had three floors- Zhang Wei's dorm on the ground floor and in the east dorm building.
His destination was at the north dormitory building on the ground floor, it was the location of Tan Lin's dorm- Tan Lin was also Zhang Wei's first friend.
It took Zhang Wei around fifteen minutes to arrive at Tan Lin's dorm, and he instantly knew which window to go to as light could still be seen seeping through the wooden window that had a sign saying 'Tan Lin's Divine Divinations' hanging on it.
As Zhang Wei got to the window, he knocked on the window sill three times and said,
"I anticipatedly await the day that Chef Pei comes back and cooks for us all day!"
A click could be heard after Zhang Wei said his phrase, and without hesitation, he pushed open the window and jumped in.
As soon as he got in, the ordinary room with only a candle providing light was revealed to him.
Inside, were three people.
All of them were wide-eyed looking at Zhang Wei as if he were an exotic animal- They were clearly surprised by his appearance.
As soon as he saw their expression, Zhang Wei frowned a little and said with a worried tone,
"What's with the shock?
Are you guys missing your fathers so much that you've mistaken me for him?
Sorry to tell you, but I don't accept having children as braindead as you lot."
Hearing him talk, all of them began oohing in amazement as if hearing him speak was a revolutionary thing, and completely ignored his joke as if it was passing air.
Just then, one of the three present, who had brown hair and eyes, turned to the person closest to the window and pointed at him saying,
Advertisement
"Tan Lin you sly f*cker!
Is this Jin Feng in disguise or something, because I'd much rather believe that is the truth rather than your scammy divination being accurate for once!"
After the brown-haired boy said that, the boy next to him, who had reddish hair and green eyes, joined in with the accusations and said,
"Yeah! That freak would rather meaninglessly breathe rapidly by himself every night than show up to our meetings!
I always knew there was something fishy about that ugly b*stard Jin Feng suddenly having a sneaky link in the maid compound, it seems like this is another trick of yours!"
Hearing all this, the boy who had blonde hair and blue eyes and let Zhang Wei into the room, frowned and said confidently as if he were challenging them,
"Hmph, Zi Hua, Tang Fen, you both have clearly underestimated this master of fate's power and are resorting to heinous slander!
I, Tan Lin, know well that you both don't want to buy me the quintuple beef feast tomorrow.
But you have no choice!
He is here, in flesh!
You can even personally inspect whether or not this guy truly is the freak we all know and despise!"
Zi Hua, the one with brown hair and eyes, stood straight up and approached the confused Zhang Wei.
Once he reached him he patted his shoulders and ruffled his hair for a moment.
After getting shoved away by Zhang Wei, he looked over to Tang Fen, the boy with reddish hair and green eyes, with a grim expression.
"Tang Fen, I think that we may be done for."
Zhang Wei was just about to cut in and bring some form of normality back until Tang Fen dropped to the ground on his knees and said in disbelief,
"I-Impossible!
H-How could I p-possibly be willing to buy a degenerate like Tan Lin something as pricy and scrumptious as a quintuple beef feast?!
This has to be a horrid nightmare, otherwise, the heavens must be unjust!"
Silence suddenly filled the room.
That was when the confused and annoyed Zhang Wei looked over at the only person who didn't seem heartbroken and spoke again saying,
"Tan Lin, why are you scaring these dumbasses like this?
I told you that I was going for a breakthrough after work, and you know that every time I have a breakthrough I end up coming here."
As if they heard enlightening words from a sage, the two lifeless and depressed boys seemed to have rejuvenated as they sat back in the wooden seats they were sitting on and let out a relieved sigh.
Tang Fen even began muttering about how the heavens are just!
Tan Lin let out a disappointed sigh then grumbled,
"Tch, damn you, Zhang Wei!
I was about to get myself two hearty meals if you hadn't meddled in this!"
He laid back down on his bed and continued,
"Anyways, it's nice to see you again and congrats on the advancement. Grab one of the seats laying in the corner and sit down, we were just talking about how that old man Wei Changping must have a bountiful inheritance waiting for the fortuned one!
I mean come on, he looks like he's been stuck here since the beginning of time itself!"
Zhang Wei laughed and went to grab a chair, then once got it he sat down comfortably and asked,
"What, the old guy who always talks about the old days of the sect and stinks of fish all the time?"
All of them said at the same time,
"Yup."
Zi Hua added into the conversation saying,
"I've heard rumours from some of the seniors that say that old Wei's so in love with fish that he married a green-scaled spiritual tuna!"
Tang Fen also said,
"Do you guys think the tuna's in the inheritance, I wouldn't mind some fish for dinner, to be fair!"
Zhang Wei and the rest all started to chat about random topics.
Some were about funny stories.
"Hey Tan Lin, remember that time when one of the newbies begged you to change their fate for a few meal tickets!"
"Ah yeah!
That guy was completely nuts!
He was going on and on about how he wanted me to help him become a true god-king that ruled the nine heavens, how he'd like a pet baby dragon god along the way, as well as a sword forged by the greatest blacksmith!
Hahaha! The funniest thing was that when I offered the bargain price of two chilli chicken feasts, a triple beef feast with quality rice, and a big bowl of rice, he instantly roared that I was asking for an outrageous amount and walked away with a beet-red face!"
Some were about depressing news.
"I actually can't believe that ultra-high value men like us have been one-upped by the ugliest man to grace this planet since time immemorial!
What does that b*stard Jin Feng have that we don't?"
"Brother Zi is too right, every time we, or almost anyone in the servant compound, tries to talk to a maid we are treated like scum!
Is it even our fault that we don't have wives yet?"
"I reckon we swallow our pride a bit and ask how that guy has done it!
Because although I don't fear death, I do fear growing old and musty without having a wife to look after me!"
And others were about serious events.
"Hey guys, the next servant tournament is in a few days!
I heard some people are betting high stakes this time, what are you guys gonna do?"
"I think I'll back off this time, I've made some good pocket change with divination scamming and I don't feel like going bust betting on the wrong guy!"
"Same as Tan Lin, I'll just sit back and watch."
Hearing the topic of the servant tournament come round, Zhang Wei was silent and immersed in his thoughts mean whilst everyone was chatting.
If I'm going by novel standards, isn't this going to be the time when Lin Fan enters the outer sect?
And If I'm going to be assisting the protagonist as a good background character, shouldn't I also go for an outer sect position?
But I've only just broken through to the 4th stage of foundation establishment!
But...It's not like there haven't been any 4th stage top tens.
In the servant courtyard, some of the old dogs were all powerhouses at the 6th or 7th stage of foundation establishment and had trump cards. His meagre 4th stage would normally get crushed before he got the chance to reach the top ten.
But this didn't mean that there weren't any precedents of lucky individuals who got lucky matchups and reached the top ten.
Luck, huh?
Hmmm, I was planning on saving the luck boosters for later once I encounter a dangerous situation or auction house, but it seems like the System has given them to me for this reason.
But then again, even though it does hurt using those luck boosters, who says there aren't going to be even greater gains by stalk-following Lin Fan around?
Plus, hehehe, if I just bet everything I own on the protagonist wouldn't I make a pretty penny off it?
"Hey, Zhang Wei, what are you doing for this year's servant competition?
Everyone in the room looked at him, as he was the only one left to answer.
Zhang Wei smirked as he pointed to himself and said casually,
"Me?
What will I be doing?"
He took a momentary pause before saying arrogantly,
"I'll be entering the outer sect, so you best be preparing to cheer me on with all you've got!"
They all went wide-eyed again and shouted,
"WHAT?!"
...
Advertisement
- In Serial429 Chapters
Rise Of The Cosmic_Emperor
There are three realms in the multi verse; The Cosmic, the Mortal and the Nether realm.
8 3063 - In Serial24 Chapters
Reborn as a Legend
Credits to Mary Evans for the Cover! Alfrich Deus was an overworking salaryman who had no purpose in life. The life he had was an empty, pointless cycle of work, sleep and eating. A man who drudged through a dull life, regretting the friends and family he never made. Alfrich's life suddenly ends when he was killed ‘accidentally’ by a clumsy God, who on realising what she had done, felt ‘remorse’ and granted him a second life. Or so he thought. Alfrich didn’t know that he was killed on purpose in desperation, he didn’t know he was forced conscript to fight off the hordes of Nightmares. Reborn into another world, Ezekill sets out into the world to live properly this time. Without knowing his true fate until the truth was shoved on his face. Armed with modern knowledge fighting against all odds the world threw at him. This story takes you on an adventure filled with tales of wonder, including enchanted swords, merciless monsters and hard magic. Updates every 10 days.
8 80 - In Serial6 Chapters
Tales From Mirthland: Rorik's Quest
Rorik Stormcoast, a wizard of some regard, has embarked upon a new quest. He's dared to climb a perilous mountain and seek out a legendary dragon to learn his secrets. But as Rorik makes for the summit, he is joined by a strange companion, and soon finds his quest more challenging and dangerous than he ever anticapated.
8 281 - In Serial8 Chapters
Rob and Jason Tour the Grand Tapestry [DROPPED]
DROPPED A month and a half after landing in a world where magic exists and humans are oddities, the strain of all the changes has led to breaking up the gaming group turned Travelers. Follow Jason and Rob as this pair of former-Army buddies tours Rhofhir's Grand Tapestry. There are sassy gorgons to spar with, Armored Shadow Wolves to train, politicians to dodge, and an entire world to explore! Stand Alone Side Story from Travelers About the cover: I used public domain elements from https://www.glitchthegame.com/ and converted out of SWF format by some nice folks over at https://opengameart.org/. If you want to try your hand at making something niftier, I'd love to see your creations!
8 160 - In Serial44 Chapters
The Book of Hickory
Now why did Hickory go and punch that Angel? Sure it spooked him, popping up right there at lunch, and yet, it wasn't fear that balled his hand into a fist - Cause wouldn't you? Wouldn't anyone - with a sick Ma at home, Da long dead, buried, all them prayers piling up on bruised knees, unanswered? Hickory was angry, all right. He was fierce, now - cause that Angel didn't show up to give no help, that Angel came by asking for it - with all that power just plain to see, the power to fix the world and all that ails it! And now look what poor Hickory has to do - to save the world? Now how is he supposed to do that when its taking near everything he's got - just to keep them chickens safe, Ma fed, and himself out of trouble - All he wanted was maybe just a dance with May, maybe a bit more, to hold her close? That she's sweet, now, a voice like an angel, but now she's over there lookin at him like he's more than a man. And that's not to say Hickory is bad, not all the time, not ever on purpose - just there are things a man has to - That drinking and fighting ain't wrong just as long as the chores are done proper first, that those parts of life that make it worth living ain't no sin, that loving a lady is proper and Hickory just has so much love to give! And May is special, right, sweet and soft, now she's sophisticated. That she wears her passion like a pearl necklace? That certainly Hickory would notice, naturally - that she's already spoken for, perhaps taken? That ever since Hickory came back, that all she can think about is swallowing - those strange feelings, because it wouldn't do, would it? For a Lady? But certainly she can worship him and still be seen with Weston Covanger? Because Weston needs May, that what happens in the Study is only half the battle, the Men's Business, and he's far too proud to settle for half of anything. That if he wants to move up the ranks of his family, to be more than a Covanger, to become the Covanger? He's going to need a woman in the Kitchen as well - he's going to need May. And if that seems a bit old fashioned? A bit too much like the Wild West? Well the West is starting to get wild again now that everyone starts to Drink. A different take on LitRPG where answers aren't given - they must be earned, discovered and fought for, one at a time. An orator style, a long read, filled with magic buildings, crafting, alchemy, but most of all - This is a story about the human spirit. About understanding what defines a person, their morals, their beliefs, and also faith when everything they understand becomes challenged - changed. So do they. People can change. They will. Just not always for the better, not always - sometimes. Sometimes that's enough. Sometimes that's even everything.
8 122 - In Serial47 Chapters
Idol War (VKOOK)
[COMPLETED] Jeon Jungkook is chosen from his school to participate in a provincial idol competiton. What that means is that the best looking boys from each school are chosen and put to the test of singing, dancing and acting. In the end they'll choose the best and make an idol out of them. And Jungkook's biggest rival is Kim Taehyung, the best looking guy there.
8 120

