Azure Cloud Sect, Chores Courtyard
Zhou Ping sat cross-legged. Faint, sparse streams of spiritual energy gathered continuously from all directions, slowly pouring into his body. His lower abdomen rose and fell steadily, as if something was struggling to condense within.
His aura slowly climbed, and a faint, almost imperceptible Pressure vaguely emerged.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEiT4aqow1
Just as his aura was about to reach its peak, a sudden change occurred. A clattering sound echoed from his lower abdomen, and it instantly flushed blood red. Like a deflating balloon, the gathered energy spilled out of his body, scattering until nothing remained.
The airflow from the dissipating energy rattled the tables and chairs in the room, making the doors and windows clatter.
Blood trickled from the corner of Zhou Ping's mouth. His internal aura was chaotic, and his face turned as pale as paper.
"Failed again."
He let out a soft sigh, casually wiped the blood from his mouth, and hurriedly took out a Foundation Nourishing Pill from his robes. He swallowed it and closed his eyes to meditate.
After a long time, the restless and violent energy within his body finally settled. Although some blood stasis remained in his lower abdomen, it was no longer a major issue.
Opening the spiritual aperture was of utmost importance; he could not afford the slightest carelessness. If he failed to stabilize his aura in time, it would leave hidden injuries that would plague his future cultivation.
Watching the sky begin to pale in the east, he let out a long breath. Then, he pushed himself up with difficulty and walked toward a certain area of the Sect.
Originally, he was just an ordinary corporate drone on Earth. He had died suddenly from working overtime late into the night, only to find himself transmigrated into a cultivation world. In this realm, there were not only unfettered immortals roaming the heavens, but also undying, mighty figures who enjoyed eternal life. Demon Beasts and fiends ran rampant, and mortal lives were treated like worthless weeds and ants...
Zhou Ping had not undergone Body Seizing; instead, he had reincarnated into this world as an infant, starting from scratch. He had loving parents and a burly, honest older brother-a remarkably warm family. Furthermore, because his System was incredibly useless, Zhou Ping had no desire to pursue the Dao. He had planned to wait until he was older to find a way to make money and improve his family's living conditions. A happy family life didn't sound bad at all.
But when he was eight years old, a demonic creature that had gained sentience slipped into their village. It devoured eleven people across three households, thoroughly terrifying Zhou Ping.
Only then did he truly understand that it was never a matter of what he wanted. This world was fraught with deadly peril, and a mortal's life was worth even less than the grass on the ground.
Thus, for the sake of his own life and to protect his new family, he constantly searched for a way onto the path of cultivation.
But cultivation required talent. Through the System, he knew he had zero talent and was entirely unable to cultivate.
It wasn't until his tenth year that he discovered the System could actually raise his talent!
[Ding Fire]: 10
[Spiritual Talent]: Low Grade
[Cultivation]: Spirit Awakening Realm
The crude System Panel appeared in Zhou Ping's mind, making his heart sink even further.
This System had been with him since his reincarnation. However, before he turned ten, he couldn't figure out its mysteries or its functions. He only knew that his Ding Fire increased by one point every year. As for what effect it had or if he could earn more through other methods, he had absolutely no clue.
It was only when his Ding Fire accumulated to ten points in his tenth year, and an icon appeared indicating his talent could be upgraded, that Zhou Ping realized this System could actually improve his aptitude.
Those ten points of Ding Fire raised his talent to Low Grade, allowing him to barely meet the minimum threshold for cultivation, and he was accepted into the Azure Cloud Sect as a chores disciple.
But a full decade had passed, and Zhou Ping was still stuck at the Spirit Awakening Realm, completely unable to break through.
Today marked the twentieth year of his reincarnation, and it was also his fourth attempt to open a spiritual aperture and break through to the Qi Condensation Realm. Yet, in the end, he had failed again.
Seeing that his Ding Fire had once again accumulated to ten points, but the talent upgrade icon had not appeared like before, Zhou Ping's mood turned utterly bleak.
"Ten years wasted in vain. Alas."
Walking along the path, Zhou Ping couldn't help but sigh.
Perhaps if he hoarded even more Ding Fire, he could upgrade his talent a second time, but it only grew by one point a year. Even though cultivators in the Spirit Awakening Realm lived slightly longer than mortals, it was only by a few extra decades. How many more years could he afford to waste?
This was his final attempt. Since he had failed, and his Ding Fire could no longer raise his talent, Zhou Ping had no desire to waste any more time on this mountain.
Given a second chance at life, as long as there was no immediate threat of death and no Demon Beasts running rampant, he actually preferred to stay in that small mountain village, resting at his parents' knees and looking after them.
If he continued to stubbornly cling to his delusions, he would inevitably waste even more years on this mountain-twenty more years, perhaps longer.
He might eventually succeed in opening a spiritual aperture and obtaining the Dao one day, but "the tree wishes to be still, yet the wind will not cease; the child wishes to serve, but the parents are no longer there." He refused to let his own stubbornness lead to a lifetime of regret.
A massive reason he had stepped onto the path of cultivation was to protect his family in this life. If he couldn't even see his parents one last time, if he couldn't even fulfill his filial duties, then it was better not to cultivate at all.
He still remembered when he left home at age ten. Though his parents were strong and healthy, there were already a few strands of white at their temples. So many years had passed; who knew how they were doing now?
"Perhaps I truly have no destiny with the immortal path," Zhou Ping thought to himself. "The cultivation of the Spirit Awakening Realm is barely enough for me to protect my parents and family. Why force it?"
After all the bitterness and struggles of the past decade, he calmly accepted his fate.
Even though he had transmigrated to a different world and possessed a useless System, he was still just an ordinary person. He wasn't some fabled Child of Destiny. He couldn't ask for too much.
In this life, to have a complete family, living parents, and to have witnessed the brilliance of cultivation firsthand-that was already quite good.
Just then, a burly man approached from the opposite direction. When he saw Zhou Ping, he sensed the fluctuating aura and faint smell of blood around him. His expression turned complicated, even respectful, as he cupped his hands in greeting.
"Senior Brother Zhou."
"Junior Brother Zhang."
Zhou Ping returned the greeting, but the movement pulled at the injury in his lower abdomen, making him frown in discomfort.
This Junior Brother Zhang, named Zhang Xuan, was also a chores disciple. He had joined the Sect a few years after Zhou Ping, but thanks to some past duties, they were fairly well-acquainted.
"Senior Brother Zhou, there's no need for formalities. Please be careful with your body and don't aggravate your injuries."
Zhang Xuan hurriedly stepped forward to support Zhou Ping, but Zhou Ping raised a hand to stop him.
"It's no major issue. I won't die from it," Zhou Ping chuckled.
This made Zhang Xuan laugh as well. Then, he asked in confusion, "Where is Senior Brother headed?"
He too had tried to open a spiritual aperture in the past. How could he not recognize the aura lingering around Zhou Ping? It made it plainly obvious that Zhou Ping had failed yet again.
Normally, if someone failed, they would rest carefully for several days before moving around, deeply afraid of damaging their foundation.
Yet Zhou Ping had barely stabilized his injuries. The faint scent of blood hadn't even dispersed, but here he was, walking around and rushing toward somewhere. Zhang Xuan was naturally puzzled.
"The main peak."
"The main peak?"
Zhang Xuan was startled. Chores disciples like them almost never went to the main peak. Not only was their status too lowly, but they could receive all their duties right at the chores courtyard. There was no need to go to the main peak just to suffer the cold stares of the Novice disciples.
"Going to the main peak to..."
Zhang Xuan was about to ask, but suddenly paused as a thought hit him.
"To the Affairs Office, to leave the Sect," Zhou Ping said with a calm smile, as if recounting a trivial matter.
"Junior Brother, it's getting late. I won't hold you up any longer. I'll take my leave first."
With that, Zhou Ping walked toward the main peak, leaving Zhang Xuan standing frozen in place.
Zhang Xuan watched Zhou Ping's retreating figure, his expression growing increasingly dim.
If one were to ask who among the chores disciples commanded the most respect, it was definitely not some formal disciple or Elder steward, but Zhou Ping.
Ten years since joining the Sect. He had trained diligently and tirelessly through rain and shine. He had failed multiple breakthroughs yet remained resilient. His hard work and unwavering will had long been famous among the chores disciples. Many of them had only managed to persist until now because of Zhou Ping's influence.
If any other chores disciple had lamented their lack of fate and left the Sect to return to the mortal world, Zhang Xuan wouldn't have been surprised. After all, the immortal path was agonizingly difficult.
But this was Zhou Ping! Senior Brother Zhou, who had persevered for ten whole years! The man who had made four attempts without giving up-today, even he was abandoning the Dao to return to the mortal world!
Staring at Zhou Ping's back, he opened his mouth several times, wanting to say something to make him stay. Yet, he remained speechless, his heart filled with a complex tangle of emotions.
How could he not understand? Zhou Ping had undoubtedly failed his breakthrough again. He was completely disheartened, which was why he had made such a resolute choice to leave the Sect. How could he possibly stop him?
Perhaps one day, he too would leave in such a disheartened manner.
"Senior Brother Zhou, take care on your journey."
Zhou Ping waved his hand from afar in response, then vanished into the mountain forest.
As the disciple at the Affairs Office crossed Zhou Ping's name off the chores register and reclaimed his jade token, it officially signified that Zhou Ping was no longer a disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect.
However, right before leaving the Sect, Zhou Ping used all of his remaining contribution points to exchange for a decent Qi Guidance Art and a few techniques, taking them as mementos.
If anyone among his or his brother's descendants ever showed talent in the future, perhaps these items could be used to establish a true cultivation clan.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVIWgXDNYh
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