With my breakthrough to the second level of Qi Gathering, life became… comfortable. My health
was better, my energy was higher, and I no longer felt like a strong breeze would knock me over.
But more importantly, my [Auto-Cultivate] function was now working with a larger, more
efficient engine.
The progress bar for the Whispering Cloud Primer crept along steadily. [25% to Next Insight...
40%...] It was like watching a very slow, very rewarding download.
I decided to spend my days a little more productively. Well, as productively as one can be while
still being fundamentally idle. I started spending my mornings in the sect's archives. Not the
inner section with the real techniques, of course, but the outer disciple library—a dusty room
filled with basic manuals, boring histories, and philosophical texts that put even the most
dedicated scholars to sleep.
To everyone else, I was just Lin Yun, the talentless loser, hiding from his responsibilities and
probably napping behind a stack of books.
But I had a secret weapon.
I pulled a basic footwork manual, "The Placid Deer Steps," from a shelf. It was a foundational
movement technique every outer disciple was supposed to learn, but the original Lin Yun had
never been able to get the hang of it. The steps required a subtle flow of Qi to the legs that he
could never manage.
I sat down in a corner, opened the manual, and skimmed through the pages. The diagrams and
esoteric descriptions were as confusing as ever.
Then, I focused.
[ Skill: 'Observe' activated. ]
The world shifted. The text and diagrams on the page seemed to glow, and lines of system text
superimposed themselves over the manual.
[ Technique: 'The Placid Deer Steps' (Incomplete, Mortal Grade, Low-Tier) ]
Description: A basic movement technique focusing on evasion and balance. Requires minimal Qi
channeling to the leg meridians.
Flaws: Inefficient Qi pathway on page 7, diagram 3. Corrected pathway suggested.
Mastery Path: [Auto-Learn: 10 System Points]
My jaw nearly hit the floor. Not only could [Observe] identify the technique, it could point out
the flaws in the manual itself! This wasn't just a library; it was a goldmine of buggy software
waiting for my personal patch notes.
I didn't have the points to auto-learn it, but with the corrected pathway highlighted in my mind, I
thought I could give it a try. I found a secluded corner behind the archives and began to mimic
the steps, carefully guiding my Qi through the corrected meridians.
It was clumsy. I tripped over my own feet more than once. But after an hour, I wasn't just
stumbling; I was moving with a grace the old Lin Yun could never have imagined. I wasn't fast,
but my footing was sure, and my movements were fluid. I could feel the minimal Qi expenditure,
a gentle hum in my legs.
[ New Skill Acquired: Placid Deer Steps (Novice) ]
A triumphant laugh bubbled up in my chest. I quickly stifled it. No need to draw attention.
As I was leaving the archives, lost in thought about which manual to "observe" next, a soft voice
stopped me.
"Brother Lin?"
I turned. It was Xiao Lian, a quiet girl who worked in the kitchens. She was holding a small, clothwrapped package. She had a gentle spirit and, according to my [Observe] skill, was at the
third level of Qi Gathering—respectable for an outer disciple who didn't come from a powerful
family.
"Sister Lian," I said, giving her a warm smile. "What can I do for you?"
She shifted her weight, looking a little nervous. "I... I noticed you've been looking better lately.
Less pale. I thought... well, the food in the mess hall isn't always the most nourishing for
someone trying to build their foundation." She thrust the package into my hands. "It's just some
spirit grain buns and a bit of stewed mystical beast meat. It's not much, but it should help."
I was taken aback. In my previous life, kindness was a transaction. This was... genuine. The
original Lin Yun's memories held a deep-seated loneliness, and this small act felt like a sunbeam
breaking through clouds.
"Thank you," I said, and I meant it. "This is... truly kind of you."
Her cheeks flushed slightly. "It's nothing. We outer disciples have to look out for each other,
right?" She gave me a shy smile before hurrying away.
I looked down at the packed lunch. It was a simple thing, but it felt heavier than any contract I'd
ever signed. It was a connection.
Sitting on my favorite sunny rock, I unwrapped the meal. The buns were fluffy, and the meat was
tender, infused with a tiny amount of energy that my body eagerly absorbed. It was a paltry
amount compared to my auto-cultivation, but the intent behind it was worth more.
As I ate, I pulled up my status. The [Observe] skill was my key to power, but the System Shop
was the vault. I needed those 50 points from the next quest.
I glanced towards the training grounds where Zhang and Li were loudly practicing a sword form,
their movements aggressive and wasteful. They saw cultivation as a bludgeon.
I took another bite of the spirit grain bun. They relied on force and talent. I had a system that
found the most efficient path and a growing arsenal of perfectly learned, flaw-corrected basic
skills.
They were working hard. I was working smart.
And now, I had a reason to succeed that went beyond mere survival or revenge. Someone had
shown me kindness. In this brutal world of cultivation, that was a treasure rarer than any
immortal pill.
I finished my lunch, feeling warmer and more determined than ever. The path to the top wasn't
just about being idle; it was about building a foundation, one perfect step, one corrected flaw,
and one kind gesture at a time.
[ Whispering Cloud Primer: 68% to Next Insight. ]
The download was more than halfway done. The evaluation was going to be very, very
interesting.