Chapter One: The Cultivator Who Has Given Up

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Chapter 1: The Languid Cultivator

Yue Kingdom, Changning County, Prince Fu's Mansion.

Front hall, grand chamber.

A hush had fallen over the crowd, every eye fixed on the center of the hall.

"Flame Palm!"

With a low shout, a handsome young man in blue robes extended his palm, which glowed a brilliant red. A ball of fire appeared out of thin air.

A bronze bell stood on the floor. The youth gave a gentle upward push with his palm.

Buzz!

The bell, as if made of tofu, was pierced effortlessly by the flames, leaving a gaping hole. The fire raged on, and soon, light flickered from within the bell as its surface turned red-hot. In mere moments, nearly half of it had melted, molten copper pooling on the floor.

"Innate martial technique! He’s a martial grandmaster!"

Gasps of astonishment broke out, especially among the martial artists present, who regarded the youth with deep respect and awe.

Seeing their amazement, Yu Xian lifted his chin with an air of mastery, though inwardly he was grumbling.

"The spiritual energy in the mortal realm truly is pitifully thin. Just one fireball spell and I’ve already spent nearly half my mana. How pathetic that I, a proper cultivator, can feel a touch of pride for intimidating a bunch of mortals."

Three years ago, Yu Xian transmigrated here, taking the place of the original owner, and incidentally inheriting the cultivation of the third level of Qi Refining.

At first, Yu Xian was thrilled.

This was cultivation! It meant sword immortals, soaring over seas at dawn and dusk, flying swords claiming foes a thousand miles away…

But as time passed, he began to sense something was off.

The first major realm of cultivation is Qi Refining, with nine levels in total. He was well past thirty, yet stuck at the third level, with the future looking increasingly bleak.

Though Qi Refining cultivators enjoy increased longevity by a couple of decades at most—living to a hundred if extraordinarily lucky—one mistake in practice could mean death at seventy or eighty. Suffer a covert injury during a duel? Sixty would be a stretch. Encounter a demonic cultivator or a marauder? One’s life could end in an instant.

The more Yu Xian pondered, the more anxious he became.

Since the path of cultivation seemed a dead end, he resolved to simply lay low and coast.

He chose to retire in the nearby mundane world.

The “mortal realm” referred to regions with extremely sparse spiritual energy and scarce cultivation resources. Cultivators who linger here not only make no progress, but over time, may even regress in their cultivation. Thus, few were willing to stay, and these lands became the exclusive domain of ordinary people.

Yu Xian spent his meager savings to cross the Sea of Death, which separated the mortal realm from the world of cultivators, and arrived in the Yue Kingdom.

As he wandered, he passed through the fief of Prince Fu, and by chance heard that the prince’s manor was recruiting retainers.

Prince Fu, the emperor’s own brother, was lord of Changning County. Some time ago, he had offended a martial grandmaster, who infiltrated the manor by night and attempted to assassinate him. Two of the manor’s three top experts were killed, and the prince himself nearly perished.

Only through desperate resistance did the defenders repel the attacker, but Prince Fu was left gravely wounded.

With the manor’s strength depleted, the prince sought help from the court and began recruiting powerful retainers from among the people with generous rewards.

This gave Yu Xian inspiration for his retirement plan—find a comfortable place to settle down, attaching himself to a good institution.

Thus, he claimed to be the second-generation heir to the reclusive sect “Temple of the Fire God,” tore down the recruitment notice, and joined the prince’s household—leading to the present scene.

Yu Xian turned his gaze to the lady seated upon the dais and offered a respectful bow.

“Just a meager display of skill. I hope Your Ladyship will forgive my presumption.”

He did not reveal his identity as a cultivator, instead passing himself off as an innate martial artist.

Spiritual energy is the seed of the extraordinary; while it is thin in the mortal realm, it is not nonexistent. With enough determination, ordinary people can refine their vitality into true qi and become postnatal martial artists, then draw upon the world’s spiritual energy to strengthen their bodies and advance to grandmaster, following a path similar to the physical cultivation of immortals.

At the head of the hall, Lady Fu, graceful and luxuriant in a pale pink palace gown, studied the striking figure of Yu Xian.

People value appearances. For cultivators, who are nourished day and night by spiritual energy, beauty comes naturally. Unless born deformed, none are ugly; all possess an air of elegance.

“Grandmaster Yu is too modest. With that single palm, you have more than proven yourself worthy as a celestial retainer of the prince’s household. May I ask, what is it that Grandmaster Yu desires?”

Martial artists who attain the rank of grandmaster command respect even from princes and nobles. Ordinary riches and honors can no longer sway them easily.

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Yu Xian replied, “I have devoted half a lifetime to arduous cultivation, but could not bear the solitude of the mountains. Thus, I came into the world to seek fortune. Today, by chance, I find the prince’s manor seeking talented men—surely fate at work.”

He gazed candidly at the lady’s beautiful face, his expression calm and open.

“I enjoy fine clothes and exquisite food, splendid carriages and beautiful women, and a life of luxury. Above all, I favor beauty. Might Your Ladyship grant my wish?”

Perhaps his words were too blunt. A faint blush tinged the lady’s cheeks, and she masked her embarrassment with a gentle laugh.

“Retainer Yu, you are truly forthright. But if there’s one thing the prince’s household does not lack, it is wealth and luxury. Since you are willing to serve, whatever you desire shall be yours.”

“Yulan.”

“Here, my lady.”

“From this moment, you belong to Retainer Yu. Serve him well, and do not slacken in your duties.”

“Yes, my lady.”

A delicate young girl, not yet twenty, petite and fair-skinned, stepped forward. Though not as stunning as the lady herself, she exuded the fresh charm of a girl next door.

Catching Yu Xian’s appraising gaze, Lady Fu introduced, “Yulan joined the household five years ago and has served at my side ever since. Even the prince himself has never so much as touched her. She is the most obedient of my maids. Whatever you need, Retainer Yu, you may command her.”

Yu Xian made no pretense of refusal, accepting the girl on the spot and offering thanks to the lady.

“Your Ladyship is most generous. I shall not fail your trust, and will serve the prince’s household with utmost devotion.”

Pleased with his promise, Lady Fu’s face blossomed with a radiant smile that left Yu Xian momentarily dazed, a strange thought stirring in his heart.

Am I turning into a lecher?

But Lady Fu knew nothing of his wayward thoughts—she was simply glad to have gained another grandmaster, and felt the household’s strength had grown.

“Yulan, take Retainer Yu to the second suite of the celestial retainers’ quarters. By the way, a banquet will be held tonight to welcome you. I hope you won’t decline.”

Yu Xian, hearing there would be feasting at the public’s expense, naturally had no objection.

“Rest assured, my lady, I shall attend on time.”

…

That night.

At the prince’s banquet, host and guests alike were in high spirits.

Lady Fu made a brief appearance, citing the need to care for the prince as an excuse to withdraw.

As the guest of honor, Yu Xian drew everyone’s attention and took the opportunity to acquaint himself with many of the household’s retainers, most of whom held the lower, terrestrial rank.

The prince’s household maintained both celestial and terrestrial retainers.

To qualify as a celestial retainer was simple—one needed only to be a martial grandmaster, capable of fighting.

Terrestrial retainers, however, included peak postnatal martial artists and those with special skills: experts in hidden weapons, poisons, medicine, grave-robbing, gu cultivation, beast-taming, and the like.

The household kept them all—one never knew when such talents might come in handy.

Yu Xian was truly enlightened, marveling at the myriad crafts and skills among mortals.

After the banquet.

Celestial Retainers’ Quarters, Suite Two.

“I really can’t drink any more…”

Yu Xian, reeking of alcohol, leaned heavily on Yulan’s petite frame, mumbling as he staggered toward his bedroom.

Yulan struggled to help him onto the bed, sighing, “Master, you’re far too agreeable. Who keeps drinking just because others offer a toast?”

She had attended to him throughout the feast and found him gentle with everyone. Even drunk, he never cursed or hit anyone—he simply liked to hug people and ramble, which was actually a bit endearing.

And just as he’d said earlier in the hall, he had a fondness for beautiful women.

She’d nearly had her hand worn raw from his caresses all night.

Still, that was hardly a flaw.

Now that she had been given to Retainer Yu, she belonged to him. The more he favored her, the better her future would be.

“Master, please rest well. If you need anything, just call.”

As Yulan tucked him in and prepared to leave, a large hand caught her.

“Don’t go. Stay.”

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…

Afterward.

Yu Xian felt utterly refreshed, as if every part of his being had been released.

Pitiful, really—though he had lived two lives, this was his very first time, and he couldn’t help feeling a bit embarrassed.

He had abandoned his faint hope for immortality, braved the deadly Sea of Death, and come to the mortal world. His new life began today.

Suddenly, his spiritual sense stirred—a surge of newly formed mana was circulating within him.

What was this?

Yu Xian was stunned.

So the golden finger he’d yearned for since transmigrating would awaken like this? How utterly absurd!

He took a deep breath, striving to calm his excitement.

Before his eyes, a green panel appeared.

[Name: Yu Xian]

[Level: Qi Refining, Third Layer (28/30)]

[Dao Companion: Yulan (1/1)]

At this moment, Yu Xian looked at Yulan as though she were a peerless treasure.

She was now his Dao companion. Though there had been no matchmaker or parental consent, this bond felt deeper than any formal pledge.

…

The next morning.

Excited all night and unable to sleep, Yu Xian stared wide-eyed at the mosquito net above his bed.

The bright green panel hovering before him confirmed that this was no dream.

[Name: Yu Xian]

[Level: Qi Refining, Fourth Layer (1/50)]

[Dao Companion: Yulan (1/1)]

At the mid-stage of Qi Refining, spiritual sense becomes refined enough to perceive one’s own body.

Yu Xian probed his dantian with his spiritual sense and found his mana full and abundant. Compared to yesterday, not only was the quality more refined, but its quantity had increased by over a third.

As for the Fireball Spell, whereas yesterday he could cast it at most three times, now five were easily possible, each with greater power.

His limbs felt lighter, his body more agile—strength and speed both improved, roughly equivalent to a postnatal martial artist.

But the true power of a cultivator never lies in physical prowess.

He was now, undeniably, a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator.

Of course, he knew his place—among those at the mid-stage, he was still among the weaker ones.

In terms of technique, he practiced the most common “Innate Qi Refining Method” from the world of cultivators: no special attributes, but stable and adaptable, making it easy to switch to other techniques in the future. In theory, it could carry one to the Foundation Establishment stage.

As for spells, aside from minor ones for watering crops, pest control, and weeding, the only offensive spell he knew was the Fireball Spell.

As for magical artifacts or talismans—those were luxuries beyond the reach of a pauper.

Still, Yu Xian was content. Any method that worked was enough for him.

If he wanted more advanced techniques, he’d have to risk returning to the world of cultivators—and even then, success was not guaranteed.

Though he had unwittingly awakened a golden finger, Yu Xian was now even more determined to live out his days in the mortal realm.

In the world of cultivators, prodigies and monstrous talents reigned supreme, with ancient ancestors and mighty figures dominating the ages. A small fry like him wouldn’t even survive the fallout of their battles.

Better to stay in this small pond, where it might be limited but, above all, safe.

Yu Xian gently kissed the one nestled in his arms. Sleepiness washed over him at last, and with dreams in his heart, he drifted into deep slumber.

From that moment onward, a spark of life kindled in his once-ashen existence…

(End of Chapter One)