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“I’m sorry, you can’t enter the hall. The exam has already started. The rules state that late students can only enter after 30 minutes – that’s the exam protocol,” the supervisor said. He paced nervously outside the exam hall, frustrated with himself and the supervisor. He couldn’t hide his anxiety.” What will happen? Will I have enough time?” he thought. He clenched his fists.” I shouldn’t have played that damn game until dawn. I overslept. This is all because of Skelly, that idiot! If he hadn’t introduced me to that game, this wouldn’t have happened.” Finally, after 30 minutes, he was allowed in. But when he looked at the exam paper, he was dumbfounded. The entire page was filled with strange shapes and unreadable symbols. “What the hell is this?” he muttered. It felt oddly familiar, but he had no idea how to answer. The multiple-choice options – A, B, C, and D – didn’t seem to match anything. And then he woke up. It took him a moment to remember where he was. “Ugh what a stupid dream. That’s what I get for sleeping late” Thankfully, he had assigned the nanobots to monitor the herb field that night. From their report, everything should be in order. Checking it manually like before would have taken too long. His biological clock wasn’t always reliable, especially when he was mentally exhausted. He headed to the kitchen. While waiting for the water to boil, he went to the creek to wash up. When he returned, he made hot tea and took some bread from his space pouch – that was his breakfast.

After that simple breakfast, Eshmund began his morning training in the herb garden. He jogged around the field, letting his body warm up before transitioning into his martial arts movement routine. Once he felt sufficiently stretched, he moved on to practicing the Phantom Steps – the footwork technique Mushan had taught him. It was only his second day training, and the technique still felt rough. His balance wavered, and his movements weren’t as seamless as he wanted, but he pushed forward. He managed to complete eleven laps while maintaining the energy circulation before reaching his limit. Once he could complete nine more laps while keeping the energy flowing, he would finally meet Mushan’s requirement. As if on cue, Mushan arrived, arms crossed as he observed Eshmund’s progress. After watching for a while, he stepped forward and offered pointers, correcting Eshmund’s posture and adjusting his movements. Once the training session settled, Mushan spoke up. “How’s life in the sect? Do you have any problems?” “It’s been good,” Eshmund replied, catching his breath. “I even completed a task and earned some contribution points.” Mushan nodded approvingly. “That’s good to hear.” “I also made some friends in the magic formation and rune class. I plan to attend again today – I have the class schedule with me. I actually like it. I think I might be able to test something in the herb garden using what I’ve learned.” “Great,” Mushan said with a small smile. “I shouldn’t have to worry about you, then.” His expression shifted slightly. “I might be going into seclusion soon. I can feel my breakthrough is very close, but I can’t quite push past the bottleneck.” Eshmund frowned. “I wish I could help with that.” Mushan shook his head. “Cultivation cannot be forced – rushing it could harm the body or, worse, invite the Heart Devil.” Eshmund had read about the Heart Devil before. It was a hidden danger in cultivation, a trial of the mind rather than the body. Doubts, fears, and unresolved emotions could take form, leading cultivators astray or even crippling their progress entirely. It was a problem unique to cultivators, and thankfully, not something he would ever have to deal with. Brushing the thought aside, Eshmund took the chance to reconfirm something with Mushan. “By the way teacher, about my plan to build a workshop on the empty spot as we discussed before… ” Mushan nodded. “Elder Qiyang already agreed to it, so you’re good to go.” Eshmund smiled. “Good. Also, I wanted to experiment with the Silver Spotted Kasan Tuber. I have a few ideas about how to cultivate them.” Mushan stroked his chin. “You should use the Herb Garden contribution token for that. Experimenting on crops falls under the garden’s tasks, so you can use the points in there and gain personal contribution points from the task, even if it failed, as long as you record the research properly.” Eshmund made a mental note of that. More contribution points were always welcome. “Oh, one more thing. Since you’re already training, I might as well teach you this.” He demonstrated a series of powerful yet fluid movements. “This is the Four Kings’ Fist Technique. It’s a culmination of fist techniques from four great masters, each from one of the four great schools. Even cultivators practice it.” Eshmund’s eyes lit up with interest. A technique valuable enough for cultivators to use? That meant it wasn’t just a basic martial art. Mushan smirked. “I’ll teach you the basics. The rest, you’ll have to figure it out yourself.” Eshmund grinned. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” And so, his morning training continued. Soon, Eshmund had grasped enough of the basics to practice the fist techniques on his own. Mushan watched his progress with satisfaction, nodding approvingly. “Good,” Mushan said. “But remember – don’t treat footwork and fist techniques as two separate movements. In reality, they are closely connected. Without a firm foothold, your punches will lack power. And if you put too much force into your fists without proper balance, your footing will slip. The key is harmony between the two.” Eshmund listened intently, absorbing the advice. “Also,” Mushan continued, “although it’s called a fist technique, it can be used defensively as well. A strong, well-timed strike can block an opponent’s attack just as effectively as a traditional guard.” He paused, as if considering his next words. “I’ll leave you with this for now. Keep practicing, and if you ever need guidance, don’t hesitate to ask your seniors – Hidan, for example – or even the elders like Elder Qiyang. They won’t ignore you.” Eshmund gave a respectful bow. “Thank you, Teacher Mushan.” Mushan nodded, a faint smile on his face. With that, he turned and left, heading into closed-door cultivation – how long he would be gone, no one could say.
Exhausted from training, Eshmund sat down, gazing at the empty space where he planned to build his base. After a moment of thought, he stood up and marked a 10-meter square perimeter using the fishing line from his magnet fishing setup. He chose a spot at the edge of the herb garden, positioning the base near a slightly elevated terrain on one side. The hilly side was barren, with nothing but scattered rocks and uneven terrain. It was likely a dumping ground for pebbles, stones, and debris when the sect first established the herb garden. If he had cement, he could have used those materials to build something useful. “I have to stop by the Construction Department later to begin the build,” Eshmund thought. He walked around the empty spot, visualizing the layout. A small pond here, an outdoor workbench there – little additions that would make the space more functional and pleasant. Occasionally, he scribbled new notes on his building plan, refining the details as he went. After some time, he left and headed to the creek to wash up before making his way to the Construction Department. His original plan had been ambitious, but after discussing costs with them, he had to revise it. The department have calculated for him and – the total cost did not cost exceed 10,000 contribution points**. With the 2,500 points he had from the jewelry task, he still needed more points. On the way, he stopped by the Contribution Hall. The clerk behind the counter was the same serious-looking man with a square face. His expression was as rigid as before. “Task reward or exchange?” the clerk asked. Eshmund handed over his personnel token and ten silver notes, each worth 100 silver. “I want to exchange these for points,” he said. The clerk’s eyes flickered with surprise at the amount, but he quickly regained his composure. “Are you sure? Once converted, exchanging back to silver will have a different rate, and a service charge will apply.” “Yes. I need a lot of points, and I don’t plan on leaving the sect anytime soon,” Eshmund replied. The clerk examined the bills carefully before processing the request. “You will receive 10,000 points for the silver notes. A 5-point service charge will be deducted.” “Eh? The service charge is still just 5 points?” Eshmund raised an eyebrow. “When exchanging below 50,000 points, the fee is a flat, 5 points. However, for 50,000 points and above, the fee is1% of the total transaction. Also, each person is limited to 10 exchanges per day to prevent exploitation,” the clerk explained. Eshmund nodded, committing the information to memory. This meant large-scale exchanges had diminishing returns, but for now, this was enough to move forward with his construction plans. “Hello again,” Eshmund greeted as he stepped into the Construction Department. The clerk at the counter looked up and immediately recognized him. “Ah, Muhsan’s disciple – the herb garden caretaker. We’ve been expecting you.” Eshmund blinked in surprise. “Expecting me?” The clerk chuckled. “Your teacher stopped by earlier. He told us a little about your situation.” Eshmund hadn’t expected that. He knew Muhsan was looking out for him, but to personally mention him to the Construction Department? That was something else. “You should know,” the clerk continued, leaning in slightly, “your teacher is one of the pillars of this sect. A powerhouse. His cultivation is nearing the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, and he’s about to enter closed-door cultivation to break through. Everyone is hoping he succeeds.” Eshmund nodded. He was aware of how strong Muhsan was, but hearing it from others made it even clearer just how respected he was. “The sect is doing everything it could to eliminate any possible distractions for him . That’s why we’re making sure everything in the herb garden runs smoothly while he’s away,” the clerk said, tapping the desk lightly. “That includes helping you with your workshop. If he personally took the time to mention you, that means you’re important.” Eshmund acknowledged the gesture but felt an underlying sense of discomfort. He appreciated the support, but he disliked owing people. The more he owed, the more he felt his freedom slipping away. It wasn’t that he distrusted the sect, but relying on favors always came with invisible strings, even if unintentional. “I see,” he finally said. “I appreciate the help, but I’ll be covering all costs with my own contribution points.” The clerk raised an eyebrow, but after a moment, he nodded. “Understood. Tell us your requirements, and we’ll get started.” Eshmund exhaled slightly, feeling lighter. He wasn’t against accepting help when necessary, but his base would be built on his own merit. That way, he could truly call it his own. Eshmund took out the updated building plan and handed it to the clerk. “This is the revised version. The previous estimate was under 10,000 contribution points. That still holds, right?” The clerk glanced over the plan and nodded. “Yes, your budget is enough for this build. No changes on our end.” “Good,” Eshmund said. “How long will the construction take?” “For something this simple? Less than a day.” Eshmund raised an eyebrow. “That fast?” The clerk chuckled. “You’re underestimating how we build things here in the sect. The process is different from what you’re used to. We rely heavily on Magical Elemental Energy. Cement sets in a fraction of the usual time, and transporting materials is effortless with space pouches. What would normally take weeks outside the sect can be done in mere hours.” Eshmund nodded thoughtfully. That made sense. While he was still getting used to how things worked in the sect, this level of efficiency was something he could appreciate. “Alright then,” he said. “Let’s get started.”

Eshmund and a team of engineers from the Construction Department made their way to the herb garden, where he pointed out the designated spot for his workshop. The engineers examined the terrain, taking notes and discussing the best approach for the build. After ensuring they had everything they needed, Eshmund left them to their work. He had other plans for the day – his formation and rune class awaited. As he walked away, he glanced back once, watching the engineers begin their preparations. Though he was leaving the construction in their hands, the thought of having his own workshop soon filled him with anticipation.
As Eshmund made his way toward the class, a familiar voice called out to him from a distance. “Hey, Eshmund! Are you heading to class? We still have some time. Have you had lunch yet?” Halita greeted him enthusiastically, waving him over. Eshmund paused, realizing that after all the physical activity earlier, he was indeed a little hungry. “Not yet,” he admitted. “Then come with us! The sect diner isn’t far,” she said, already tugging on his sleeve. With no reason to refuse, he followed Halita and Taegan to the diner. Once inside, Eshmund insisted on paying this time. Despite their initial protests, Halita and Taegan eventually gave in. It wasn’t a large amount anyway – just 63 contribution points. As they sat down with their trays of food, conversation naturally flowed. “So, what other classes are you taking, Eshmund?” Taegan asked between bites. “I don’t think I’ve seen you in the martial arts class. Isn’t that a compulsory one?” “I learn martial arts directly from my teacher, Muhsan,” Eshmund explained. “He said I already have the required basics, so I don’t need to attend the beginner class.” “Lucky you,” Halita huffed. “That class is boring and exhausting.” “That’s because you’re not talented in martial arts,” Taegan teased. Halita shot him a glare before jabbing a finger into his side. “Excuse me? I’m a delicate young lady. Unlike you, I don’t enjoy rolling around in the dirt.” Taegan laughed but then shrugged. “Honestly, I used to feel the same way, but after a few classes, I can tell the training is making me stronger. I don’t even pant anymore when I climb the dormitory stairs. I’m actually starting to like it.” “Yeah, that’s true,” Halita admitted. “I can feel the changes too, but it’s still a bit hard for a cute and delicate girl like me.” Taegan rolled his eyes. “Right. Cute and delicate.” Halita ignored him and turned to Eshmund. “Hey, is your family from a martial arts background or something?” Eshmund shook his head. “Not really. I learned the basics from my grandfather. He’s a healer. He always said physical training would keep my body healthy, so he made me practice ever since I could walk.” “A healer?” Halita tilted her head. “That’s unexpected, but I guess it makes sense. If you started that early, your foundation must be solid compared to us.” Taegan, looking thoughtful, suddenly snapped his fingers. “Wait a minute. Your teacher – Muhsan, right? Isn’t he one of the big names in the sect? I think our martial arts instructor mentioned his name before.” “I don’t know how big his name is,” Eshmund admitted. “But he does seem pretty influential. He’s going into closed cultivation soon to break through to the Middle Foundation Establishment stage.” Both Halita and Taegan froze mid-bite, staring at him in shock. “Foundation Establishment?!” they exclaimed in unison. Taegan whistled. “Damn, you’re lucky. Being his disciple means your future is basically set. No one will mess with you now.” “That’s only one realm below our sect leader,” Halita added. “The number of Foundation Establishment cultivators in our sect doesn’t even reach double digits.” Eshmund rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. “Is that so? I never really thought about it” Thinking back, it did seem like he had lucked out. He had known that Muhsan was strong, but he hadn’t realized how rare a Foundation Establishment cultivator was within the sect. The conversation shifted to discussing the most powerful cultivators in the land, their techniques, and rumors of legendary figures. By the time they finished their meal, they had thoroughly enjoyed their chat. With full stomachs and renewed energy, they made their way toward the Formation class together.
The formation class began with the instructor introducing a set of runes for the students to memorize. These were fundamental elemental runes representing the five basic elements – Earth, Fire, Water, Wind, and Metal.

Once the students had committed the symbols to memory, they moved on to the practical training. The instructor handed out rune-etched blocks and explained the exercise. It was simple in concept, almost like a toddler’s game – arranging the blocks in the correct pattern. However, each block contained a rune, and their task was to arrange them in a formation that would activate three crystals placed at the center. Each crystal would light up when the formation reached the correct structure. “This is a basic Elemental Energy Gathering Formation,” the instructor explained. “It allows us to channel ambient energy into a focused area, a crucial first step in mastering formation magic.” Eshmund and his friends focused on the task, carefully adjusting their arrangements. With some trial and error, they managed to activate the crystals, one by one. Some students, however, struggled – misplacing even a single block caused the formation to fail. For the second activity, they practiced writing talismans. The goal was the same as before, but instead of arranging blocks, they had to inscribe the runes onto talisman paper. Writing low-level talismans required precision and the right materials. The instructor provided yellow talisman paper made from magical plants, brushes crafted from magical beast hair, and ink refined from magical beast blood. “Low-level talismans like these are simple,” the instructor said, “but they still require proper technique. Sloppy strokes will render them useless – or worse, unstable.” Eshmund and his group completed their talismans correctly, but some less-coordinated students weren’t as fortunate. A few papers blew up in their faces, leaving them covered in soot. Laughter filled the room, though the instructor reminded them that precision would be essential as they advanced. Before dismissing the class, the instructor handed out notes on rune etching for swords and magical tools. He also recommended books for further study, emphasizing that students would need to purchase materials for future practice using their own contribution points. As the class ended, Halita and Taegan approached Eshmund. “Hey, can we visit the herb garden sometime?” Halita asked. “Of course,” Eshmund replied. “But I need to sort out my workshop first. Things are still a bit messy.” “Oh? You’re building a workshop?” Taegan asked with interest. “Yeah, I asked the Construction Department to make one for me at the herb garden,” Eshmund explained. “It’ll be a basic setup for now since I don’t have enough contribution points to fully furnish it.” “Ahh, so you need points,” Halita nodded in understanding. That led them to a discussion about earning points. Halita and Taegan casually mentioned that they would simply exchange silver whenever they needed points. Since they were friends and genuinely interested in the workshop, they offered to help furnish it. Eshmund, however, shook his head. “I have to work for mine. Just buying them feels… wrong for me.” Taegan raised an eyebrow. “Why make things harder for yourself?” “It’s not just about the points,” Eshmund explained. “If I rely on shortcuts too much, I won’t grow. Struggling and figuring things out on my own is important for my development.” His words reached the ears of a nearby student.

The boy stood out from the rest, dressed in luxurious robes embroidered with golden patterns. Jade bracelets gleamed on his wrists, and a pendant with a faint magical glow hung from his neck. Even his belt buckle looked like it was carved from a rare spiritual stone. The way he carried himself screamed arrogance, as if the entire room existed solely for his amusement. Around him stood a group of lackeys – students who had likely joined the sect as his attendants rather than on their own merit. They wore simpler, but still fine clothing, and stayed close to him, ready to laugh at his every word. The rich boy scoffed loudly. “Tch. Spoken like a true pauper,” he sneered. “Pathetic. You lot aren’t even cultivators. What’s the point of trying so hard? You should just accept your place and stop embarrassing yourselves.” His followers burst into laughter, their mocking voices filling the air. Eshmund and his friends exchanged glances but chose not to engage. There was no point in arguing with someone who looked down on them simply because of status and cultivation. “Let’s go,” Eshmund said, ignoring the provocation. As they walked away, he glanced back briefly. The rich kid was still glaring at them, his expression filled with disdain. He had clearly taken offense to Eshmund’s remark about relying on effort instead of wealth. Eshmund sighed inwardly. I hope this doesn’t turn into a bigger problem.