Fengye squinted at the barren-looking field, scratching his head. "This looks like the kind of place ghosts come to retire…"
But as he stepped forward, a faint shimmer spread across the dirt like magic. The land glowed momentarily, revealing golden rice stalks standing proud and healthy, swaying gently in the wind like they were doing synchronized martial arts.
Fengye: "Wait, this land grows rice? Loki, are you serious?"
Loki (hovering in system spirit form, sipping a coconut): "Not just rice. Legendary Baka-Grade Rice. Cultivated once every 800 years by monks who only spoke in riddles and farted enlightenment."
Feng plucked a grain, sniffed it, shrugged, and popped it in his mouth.
BOOM.
A wave of spiritual energy exploded from him like someone had hit "turbo mode" on a microwave. His body trembled as if he'd just done five backflips while drinking lava. His cultivation jumped—Late Qi Initiation Realm → Stage 9 MAX!
Fengye: "Holy rice bucket… that was better than my first kiss dream!"
Loki: "You skipped three minor breakthroughs with one bite! At this rate, if you eat a whole bowl, you'll ascend and grow a beard!"
Fengye: "Wait, you mean I could've just eaten rice this whole time instead of getting beaten up by guards?!"
Loki: "Where's the fun in that, kid?"
Fengye fell to his knees, clutched the rice stalks dramatically, and whispered, "My darling carbs… from this day forward, I shall protect you."
After his spiritual fireworks display, Fengye stood with his shirt half-torn (from absolutely nothing), hair slightly puffed, and a glow like he'd just swallowed a miniature sun.
Fengye: "So this is what it feels like to be powerful… I feel like I could finally ask a girl out and only get slapped once."
He greedily grabbed another handful of golden rice.
Loki (suddenly screaming): "STOP RIGHT THERE, RICE JUNKIE!"
Feng paused, mid-bite.
Loki: "You can't level up again! The Legendary Baka-Grade Rice has a 10-day cooldown. If you eat more now, it just tastes like depression and shame."
Fengye: "…You mean I almost overdosed on rice?"
Loki (nodding gravely): "Many have tried. None have succeeded. One guy turned into a chicken nugget. True story."
Fengye: "But why? Why would you create something so beautiful and then deny me?"
Loki: "Because if I let you speed-run life, where's the comedy? Where's the struggle? Where's the budget, Feng?! Even I'm running this system on Wi-Fi from heaven's cafeteria!"
Fengye dropped the rice dramatically.
Fengye: "Fine. I'll wait. But mark my words, golden carbs—I shall return."
Fengye sat cross-legged in front of the golden rice, clutching an empty bowl like a heartbroken chef. His stomach was full, but his soul craved more… of the power.
Fengye: "Ten days cooldown? That's practically a decade in dog years…"
Loki (appearing midair with dramatic jazz hands): "Fengye, my emotionally unstable disciple, the rice field is not the only path to becoming Supreme!"
Fengye (eye twitching): "Then why does it taste like heaven's thigh?"
Loki: "Because I'm dramatic. But listen, baka-boy—Mount Baka is full of secrets. Hidden quests, lost artifacts, mysterious beasts with questionable fashion sense. The more you explore, the more power you'll gain."
Fengye: "So… it's like a loot box, but the mountain is the box and I'm the broke gamer?"
Loki: "Exactly! You'll earn system currency—Teal Money—from quests and missions. Use it in the System Shop to buy upgrades for your hut, cultivation techniques, outfits, maybe even a jacuzzi that gives you spiritual massages!"
Fengye: "How do I get more of this Teal Money?"
Loki: "Quests, challenges, flirting with danger… and sometimes just plain flirting. This is Mount Baka. You never know."
Fengye: "So the more stupid-cool stuff I do, the richer and stronger I become?"
Loki: "Bingo. And your house? That level 1 hut? You can level it up to a dojo, a palace, maybe even a floating castle. If you hustle."
Fengye (eyes gleaming): "From dropout to mountaintop landlord… I like this."
Loki: "Now you're thinking like a true protagonist! Adventure awaits, o' rising fool!"
Authors remarks
Cultivator relam chart
1. Qi Initiation Realm
Beginners start here by sensing and drawing Qi into their body.
Stage 1 to 9
2. Foundation Establishment Realm
Qi stabilizes and begins forming the spiritual core of the cultivator.
Early, Mid, Late
3. Core Formation Realm
The core is formed inside the dantian, providing long-term energy storage.
Early, Mid, Late
4. Nascent Soul Realm
The cultivator's soul separates and can operate outside the body temporarily.
Early, Mid, Late
5. Soul Ascension Realm
The cultivator prepares to ascend beyond mortal limits.
Early, Mid, Late
6. Heaven Step Realm
One step from becoming a divine being. Rare and feared.
Early, Mid, Late
7. Celestial King Realm
Only those chosen by fate or gods reach this stage.
Early, Mid, Late