Tianhan stood in silence before Elder Linhai, the deal between them already sealed.He had surrendered the spirit-opening tree… and in return, the elder had handed him a pill capable of breaking through the final barrier of Bone-Refinement.
Yet the elder had not finished.
With a light smile he said,"Since you survived three years on this mountain, and since your will is firm… I wish to offer you something more.Tianhan—will you join our sect?"
It was an offer heavy enough to change the destiny of anyone. Most would have bowed instantly.
But Tianhan did not hesitate.
"No."
The air froze.Elder Linhai actually blinked in genuine surprise.
"No? Boy, you are rejecting an invitation many would destroy their lives for."
Tianhan's crimson eyes did not waver.
"I walk a path of my own… a path that does not belong to any sect."
…A path meant for his future clan.
The elder sighed, sitting down upon a nearby stone.
"Very well. Before we part ways, ask whatever you wish. You seem painfully ignorant of the world's laws… and that ignorance will kill you sooner or later."
Tianhan thought for a moment before speaking:
"Why can't everyone cultivate? And why do some stop early while others continue?"
Elder Linhai chuckled.
"A fine question. And the answer… is what determines the fate of every cultivator."
He raised four fingers.
1 — Spiritual Roots
"They are the most important. They decide how much energy of heaven and earth you can absorb."
Grey — weakestYellow — acceptableGreen — goodBlue — very strongRed — excellentHeavenly Root — legendary, nearly mythical.
"The stronger the root… the farther your path."
2 — Spiritual Bodies
"Your body is the vessel that holds your power."
Grey → frailYellow → averageGreen → goodBlue → powerfulRed → excellent
Elemental bodies—fire, water, lightning, forest, moon, sun—grant innate combat powers and are extremely rare.
3 — Spiritual Bones
"Your bones determine defense, speed, and how much pressure your arts can withstand."
GreyYellowGreenBlueRed
Special bones—Flame Bones, Mist Bones, Shadow Bones—contain hidden powers unique to them.
4 — Mental Spiritual Energy
He tapped his forehead.
"This talent is what the greatest cultivators use in higher professions."
AlchemyForging and refining spiritual weaponsRune creationFormation masteryMental arts
"It measures your focus… and your ability to control advanced arts."
5 — Spirit
"Your spirit determines the shape of your future strength."
Red is excellent.Legendary types: fire, water, lightning, forest, sun, moon…
6 — Spirit Eyes
"Rare. Born with them, or earned after a great tribulation.They may grant vision of energy, reading of hearts, or combat control."
After the long explanation, Elder Linhai drew out a silver device from his robe—slender, metallic, shaped almost like a blade crafted to hold fate itself.
He extended it toward Tianhan.
"This is a contribution-recording device… but it does something far more important."
He lifted it before them.
"It measures your six talents."
Tianhan's eyes widened slightly.
"All you need is…"
He pointed to a glowing crimson circle.
"…a drop of blood here.Speak your name—Tianhan.The device will record your roots, body, bones, spirit, mental energy…and even the strength of your bloodline, if it is rare."
He leaned closer, voice lowering to a weight Tianhan had never heard from him before.
"With this device, you can enter human domains…fight monster waves…and earn contribution points for every beast slain, every mission completed."
Elder Linhai stepped back, his expression solemn.
"The path of cultivation is a road of blood and tribulation.To break into Spirit-Gathering… you will face a trial.You might fail.You might die."
His eyes sharpened.
"But I see something in you. I would not be surprised if your name shook the continent one day."
Then he raised a hand.
"We shall meet again… if you survive."
In the blink of an eye—his figure vanished like mist dissolving into the sky.
Tianhan stood alone.In his hand… a small device.In his chest… the will of a mountain.
"So… this is the truth of the world."
He tightened his grip around the device.
"No matter what my talents are… I will build my clan."
This moment marked the first step…
toward a journey far greater than a simple breakthrough.