Next Day
Sogen completed every task the old man assigned without complaint. By the time night fell and the workshop grew quiet, only the faint scent of metal and oil lingered in the air.
Lying on his bed, Sogen called out softly.
"System. Open inventory."
A translucent panel unfolded before his eyes. Resting within it was a jade vial that radiated a faint, oppressive pressure.
Grade 1 Earth Shattering Pill.
A pill capable of increasing one's cultivation by an entire stage within the Earth Realm. Its effects were absolute—but the pain it inflicted was said to be unbearable. More importantly, it could only be used once in a lifetime.
Sogen's gaze lingered for a moment before shifting to another item.
Today's daily reward.
Grade 1 Body Meridian Potion.
A potion designed to refine the physique, cleanse the meridians, temper the bones, and strengthen the flesh from within.
Without hesitation, Sogen uncorked the potion and drank it in one gulp. He immediately sat cross-legged and entered cultivation.
The change was instant.
A violent surge of energy swept through his body like a raging torrent. Before he could fully stabilize it, pain erupted.
His bones groaned as though they were being crushed and reforged. His meridians expanded under immense pressure, tearing and repairing themselves in rapid succession. The pain was so intense that sweat soaked through his clothes within moments.
Thirty minutes passed.
The agony slowly dulled, like a blade being withdrawn inch by inch. Two hours later, the pain vanished completely.
Sogen opened his eyes.
He could feel it clearly now—his body was different. Stronger. Denser. His meridians flowed smoothly, unobstructed and resilient.
A quiet smile formed on his face.
He reached into the inventory once more and retrieved the Grade 1 Earth Shattering Pill.
After a brief pause, he swallowed it.
The pain returned—far more violent than before.
It felt as though his entire body was being shattered and rebuilt. His Qi surged wildly, crashing against invisible barriers before finally breaking through.
Two long hours later, Sogen's eyes snapped open.
Joy flashed across his face.
"Earth Realm… Mid 2nd Stage."
Yet beneath that joy lay confusion.
Back in his clan, he had consumed pills of similar grade—yet none of them had produced even the slightest effect. The elders had been baffled, unable to offer an explanation.
Sogen spoke inwardly.
"System. Why do your pills work on me, but the ones from my clan didn't?"
The system responded without delay.
[Prior to synchronization, the host was afflicted by a curse.]
Sogen's heart trembled.
"A curse?"
[Curse identified: The Curse of Beshmuth.]
[An ancient blood-sacrifice curse capable of sealing cultivation.]
[When the host does not consciously monitor internal Qi, all accumulated energy is forcibly dispersed.]
Sogen clenched his fists.
"So that's why…"
[The curse was removed upon system integration.]
"Who placed it on me?" Sogen demanded.
A brief pause followed.
[Host's cultivation level is insufficient to comprehend the origin and structure of this curse.]
No matter how many questions he asked, the system remained silent on the matter. After a long while, Sogen exhaled slowly and lay back down.
For now, there was nothing he could do.
Days passed in quiet repetition.
During the day, Sogen worked in the workshop, assisting Mr. Rudriger. At night, he cultivated without rest. His strength grew steadily, his control over Qi becoming sharper with each passing day.
1 month later—
Sogen sat beneath the open sky, sunlight bathing his face. He continued cultivating for another hour before finally opening his eyes.
For a fleeting instant, a sharp glimmer passed through them.
"Earth Realm, Fourth Stage."
His lips curved upward.
Though the third and fourth stages were adjacent, the difference between them was vast. His Qi reserves had nearly doubled.
Then realization struck.
"I'm late."
He hurried to the workshop.
Upon arrival, Sogen bowed deeply.
"I apologize for being late, sir."
Mr. Rudriger studied him silently before giving a slight nod.
Sogen returned to the counter and resumed engraving intricate runic patterns onto a sword. His movements were precise, controlled, almost instinctive.
After watching for a time, the old man spoke.
"Boy. You have excellent talent."
"Yes, sir," Sogen replied. "I have some experience with smithing and metalwork."
Mr. Rudriger shook his head.
"That's not what I meant."
Sogen froze.
"I'm talking about your cultivation."
Shock rippled through him.
Ordinary people could not perceive a cultivator's strength—unless they themselves cultivated. Yet from Mr. Rudriger, Sogen had never sensed even a trace of Qi.
Before he could speak, the old man turned.
"Follow me."
He led Sogen to the back of the workshop, lifted a concealed wooden plank, and revealed a hidden passage.
Beyond it lay a compact training ground. Weapons of every type lined the walls, their presence heavy and oppressive.
Mr. Rudriger selected a sword and tossed another to Sogen.
"Fight me."
Sogen caught it, heart pounding.
"Do not use your cultivation," the old man added calmly.
"Real combat is not decided by cultivation alone."
Understanding dawned.
Sogen attacked.
His strikes were sharp and aggressive, fueled by everything he had learned. Yet no matter how he attacked, he could not touch the old man.
Mr. Rudriger did not even raise his sword.
He simply stepped aside.
Again and again.
Finally, he spoke.
"Your stance is acceptable. Your understanding of weapons is solid. But your attacks lack intent. You swing, but you do not strike."
In a single motion, Sogen's sword was knocked from his hand.
He stood there, stunned.
After a moment, Sogen asked softly,
"Sir… will you accept me as your disciple?"
The training ground.
The effortless movements.
The distortion of space itself.
Only someone at the Heaven Realm could do such a thing.
Mr. Rudriger shook his head.
"I am not qualified to be your master."
His voice was calm, but something heavy lay beneath it.
"I am no great cultivator. I possess no cultivation at all. I simply see myself in you… and remember the past."
He turned away slightly.
"I will teach you everything I know. I will ask for nothing in return. But if you choose to learn from me—"
His gaze hardened.
"—you must not disappoint me."
Sogen felt the weight of those words.
He bowed deeply.
"I am willing to learn, sir."
The old man did not reply.
But for the first time, the sword resting at his side seemed to hum softly.