Chapter 5: The First Cultivation Lesson

The courtyard was finally quiet again.

The only sound was the gentle rustling of pine trees swaying in the mountain breeze.

Chimi let out a long breath.

"...Is every day in this world this dramatic?"

The system answered without hesitation.

No.

She smiled.

"Oh?"

Some days are worse.

"..."

"I walked right into that one."

Master Gyeltshen laughed so hard that his beard trembled.

"I've lived for over two hundred years, and I don't think I've met anyone quite like you."

Chimi blinked.

"Two hundred?"

"You don't look a day over... one hundred and ninety."

The old monk burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! Good! Very good!"

The system displayed another notification.

Achievement Unlocked

Elder Teasing – Level 1

Reward: 15 Fortune Points.

"I'm starting to think this system rewards bad habits," Chimi thought.

Correction.

It rewards entertainment.

Just then, the cottage door creaked open.

Pema cautiously peeked outside.

"Big Sister... is it over?"

"It's over."

The little girl ran over and hugged Chimi tightly.

"I was scared."

Chimi smiled gently and patted her head.

"So was I."

Pema looked surprised.

"But you didn't look scared."

"That's because someone had to stay calm."

Pema smiled brightly.

"I want to be like you when I grow up."

For a brief moment, Chimi's heart tightened.

Back on Earth, no one had ever looked at her with such admiration.

She silently made herself a promise.

"No matter what happens... I'll protect this little girl."

The system responded immediately.

Hidden Oath Detected.

New Bond Established:

Family

Bond Rank: Level 1

Master Gyeltshen tapped his wooden staff on the ground.

"Enough excitement."

"It's time to see whether you can cultivate."

Chimi straightened instantly.

"Finally!"

"I've been waiting for this."

The old monk smiled.

"Follow me."

The three of them climbed a narrow path behind the cottage.

After nearly half an hour, they reached a peaceful cliff overlooking the valley.

A small waterfall cascaded into a crystal-clear pool.

Wildflowers bloomed among the rocks.

The air felt... different.

Lighter.

Cooler.

Even breathing seemed easier.

The system spoke.

Spirit Energy Density:

18 times higher than the village.

Chimi looked around in amazement.

"So this is a cultivation spot?"

Master Gyeltshen nodded.

"This place has nurtured generations of cultivators."

He sat cross-legged on a smooth stone.

"You may sit."

Chimi copied his posture.

Pema sat nearby, watching curiously.

"Close your eyes."

She obeyed.

"Now breathe naturally."

She inhaled slowly.

The wind brushed against her skin.

The scent of pine and fresh water filled her senses.

At first...

Nothing happened.

Then...

Tiny lights began appearing in the darkness behind her closed eyelids.

Blue.

Golden.

White.

Green.

Countless glowing specks drifted around her like fireflies.

"They're beautiful..."

Master Gyeltshen nodded.

"You can already see spiritual energy."

"What?"

"So quickly?"

The old monk looked genuinely surprised.

"Most beginners need weeks."

"The gifted need days."

"You needed less than a minute."

The system sounded rather smug.

Host possesses the Perfect Memory skill.

Learning efficiency increased by 300%.

Chimi smiled inwardly.

"That's definitely useful."

"Try reaching toward the lights."

She imagined extending her hand.

Immediately, dozens of glowing particles floated toward her.

One entered her chest.

Warmth spread through her body.

Another followed.

Then another.

Within moments, hundreds of lights flowed into her.

Her aching muscles relaxed.

Her breathing became lighter.

Even the world around her seemed clearer.

She could hear birds hundreds of meters away.

She could smell flowers blooming across the valley.

She opened her eyes in astonishment.

"Everything is sharper."

Master Gyeltshen's smile slowly faded.

"...Impossible."

"What now?" Chimi asked.

"You just absorbed more spiritual energy in five minutes than an ordinary disciple absorbs in an entire month."

"...Oh."

She scratched her cheek.

"Is that... bad?"

"It means two things."

"What?"

"First..."

"You're an extraordinary genius."

"And second..."

He sighed deeply.

"...someone will eventually try to kill you because of it."

Chimi's smile froze.

"...There it is."

"I was wondering when the bad news would arrive."

The system displayed a cheerful message.

Congratulations!

Host has officially entered the cultivation world.

Survival Difficulty Updated:

Nightmare Mode.

"..."

Chimi stared at the floating screen.

"Why is it getting worse?"

Because you're improving.

"That makes absolutely no sense."

Welcome to cultivation.

Master Gyeltshen looked at the distant mountains.

"The stronger you become..."

"...the more dangerous your enemies will be."

Chimi slowly stood.

Instead of fear...

A determined smile appeared on her face.

"Then I'll just have to become stronger than all of them."

The old monk nodded approvingly.

"Good."

"That..."

"...is exactly the answer I hoped to hear."

Far beyond the valley, hidden among the snow-covered peaks, a young man in blue robes stood with his hands behind his back.

Norbu looked toward the distant beam of spiritual energy rising from the valley.

His usually calm expression carried the faintest trace of curiosity.

"So..."

"The little girl has begun cultivating."

For the first time in many years...

He found himself looking forward to meeting someone again.

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