Time: Early Night, Around 10
As the stars began to glimmer in the night sky, Little Life quietly approached Sister Shuye.
"Do you have a place around here where information is stored? Like a library or an archive—something as big as a small town?" he asked with a gentle tone, careful not to intrude.
Shuye raised a brow, slightly surprised. "We do have a place where we store all the records and findings we've gathered during our treasure-hunting expeditions in this area. Why do you ask?"
"I want to learn about many things," Little Life admitted. "But it's already late, and I don't want to trouble Sister."
"Where's the trouble in that?" Shuye chuckled softly. "You saved our lives—it's only natural that we help you in return."
She gestured for him to follow. "Come, I'll take you to the small archives."
They walked in silence toward the far edge of the town, where a high cliff overlooked the valley. Beneath it was a cave, hidden by a powerful formation meant to conceal it from sight. The formation rippled like water as they stepped through, revealing a modest stone building with engraved jade doors—the entrance to the archive.
From the cliff, Little Life paused to gaze at the town below. The houses were lit like a sea of golden fireflies. Warmth flickered from every window, and the streets shimmered in moonlight. It was a simple sight—but to him, it was something extraordinary.
Shuye noticed his expression, and her heart softened. These brothers… they must have grown up without warmth or companionship. They've only ever known isolation… and betrayal.
"You seem surprised by the town," she said gently. "Have you never seen such a peaceful scene before?"
Little Life shook his head, a faint smile on his lips. "We grew up in seclusion. Something like this… it's rare for us to witness."
"Don't be too sad," she said softly. "The world is vast, and you still have much to explore. There are countless beautiful places waiting for you."
She handed him a token—a small jade talisman etched with her clan's symbol.
"This is your archive token. With it, you can enter and read whatever you need. Just be careful—many shelves are sealed and require the token to open. If you try without it, the books will burn to prevent theft."
"Thank you, Sister," Little Life said sincerely.
Shuye smiled. "I'll leave you here for the night. I'm going to sleep, but I'll return for you in the morning."
"Good night, Sister."
"Good night, Little Life."
The interior of the archive resembled a typical library at first glance, but it was far more advanced. Shelves were protected by layers of formations, each humming with energy. Some required specific spiritual pressure to unlock; others shimmered with flame or frost.
Little Life began with a section labeled "Elements."
"Elements are natural forces born from the Heaven and Earth. Cultivators borrow these energies to pursue longevity and strength.
An 'Element Detector' and 'Element Level Detector' are treasures refined to identify a person's natural element and its strength. These tools are common in mid-tier clans but rare among low-level sects.
An element's level can be raised by consuming elemental cores from beasts or cultivators with the same element. However, this method carries risk and often leaves impurities behind."
Turning to the next shelf, he pulled a book on "Cultivation Realm Basics." Each realm was explained in detail:
1. Body Tempering
The starting point. A mortal begins cultivating by strengthening their body.
Level 1: Lift 20 kg with ease.
Each level adds 10 kg until Level 9 (100 kg).
Lifespan: 60–75 years.
2. Qi Collector
The cultivator senses the essence of nature—trees, wind, water—and absorbs it to strengthen the body.
Points 1–5: Enhance stamina, strength, and speed.
Points 6–9: Allows jumping up to eight feet.
Lifespan: 90 years.
3. Element Absorption
The cultivator discovers or chooses their elemental affinity.
Natural Elements: Instinctively drawn.
Artificial Elements: Gained through trials but cannot evolve further.
Six levels. Each level thickens and refines the user's elemental energy.
Lifespan: 150 years.
4. Core Creation
All elemental power is gathered to form a core. The core allows unconscious Qi absorption.
Level 1: Core the size of a pill.
Level 2: Pearl-sized.
Level 3: Apple-sized.
Lifespan: 500 years.
5. Law of Elements
A realm for evolving elements into higher forms.
Water → Ice
Fire → Flame
Earth → Nature
Wind → Breeze
Light → Solar
Dark → Hell Energy
Note: The clones contain all elements, so theirs remain in a unique stable state.
6. Meaning of Law(Skippable)
Understanding one's energy source and recognizing other elements in battle.
7. Split Soul (Nascent Soul)
The core is shattered and used to form a soul—starting as a baby and growing through stages:
Initial → Middle → Late → Peak
Peak-stage cultivators can preserve souls outside their body using pills or treasures.
Lifespan: 1,000 years.
8. Perfect Soul Creation
The soul is perfected and gains autonomy.
Can freely leave and return to the body.
Can possess others' bodies.
Initial → Middle → Late
Heaven's Trial:
First stage: 3 thunder strikes
Second: 9 strikes
Third: 81 strikes
Dodging strikes doubles them later.
Lifespan: 2,000 years.
9. Heaven's Enlightenment (Domain Realm)
Understanding one of Heaven's Ways.
Blessing or destruction may follow.
Lifespan: 10,000 years.
10. Angel or Devil Attachment
Cultivators grow wings based on karma.
Good: Angel Wings
Evil: Devil Wings
Heaven accepts both, but the world may not.
Lifespan: 15,000 years.
11. False God(Sub-realm)
Failure to ascend locks cultivators in a dead-end path.
Can restart by destroying cultivation or seizing another body.
Lifespan: 20,000 years.
12. True God
The peak of cultivation (or perhaps only the halfway point).
Can easily suppress two False Gods.
Can kill thousands of Heaven Enlightenment cultivators with a basic strike.
Lifespan: 50,000 years.
Little Life's eyes widened with each page. So much knowledge hidden from the lower world—so many mysteries buried in silence.
He also found an isolated section on pills and refining, marked with golden thread. Among the common grades, he spotted notes on "Unknown Grade"—artifacts and pills refined using forgotten or forbidden techniques. Their power was immeasurable, and few in the world had even seen them.
By the time morning light crept into the cave's entrance, Little Life was still seated, eyes burning from hours of reading—but his mind was sharper, clearer.
He had found what he was looking for.
And much more than he ever expected.
[To be Continued]