Rootless Path Speedrun Record any

Ever since he'd transmigrated and awakened the Creation Incentive System, Wu Ming had been exploring its mechanics and limits.

What counted as a guide, and what didn't? How did the Creation Incentives get issued? To figure out the rules, Wu Ming had tried writing hundreds of guides in his mind over the three days since transmigrating.

Guides to sleeping more comfortably in bed; taking in the scenery while soaring through the clouds; properly enjoying Fruit Cake and herbal tea; finding the girl Yu Xiang in Xianyun Abode... If there were a long-eared mage in this world who loved collecting all sorts of useless guides, the two of them would surely have a wonderful time chatting.

However, in the end, the system had recognized very few of them and issued incentives for even fewer.

From what he could tell, guides about events that determined the major course of one's life—like the difference between life and death, akin to main quests—could earn the system's recognition and the most generous rewards. When Wu Ming had first transmigrated, for example, he'd gone alone into the mountain roads and fought his way out, surviving by the skin of his teeth until he reached the foot of Yan Mountain. That guide had been worth its weight in gold.

After that, he'd passed Zhu Ying's Three Trials of Spirit Signs and seized a thread of Immortal Fate with the Gujian Sect despite being no more than an ordinary mortal. That, too, had been no small feat.

Guides directly related to important cultivation also earned recognition, such as the one on comprehending the Human Emperor Scroll and obtaining the sixth Human Dao Seal. But perhaps because such guides weren't very useful as instructions, their Creation Incentives were smaller. Afterward, Wu Ming had received only two hundred Spirit Crystals.

Since events that determined the major course of one's life weren't common, they were like launch-day bonuses for breaking new ground—or rare resources on the level of a major anniversary update with a first-purchase reset. Cultivating the Immortal Path, on the other hand, would be the focus from here on. Learning new techniques and earning new achievements wouldn't be rare, and could probably be compared to weekly Abyss runs. The rewards should add up to quite a lot over time.

After that came the incentive he'd earned today by walking the mountain road.

A mere twenty Spirit Crystals might not seem like much at first glance, especially compared to the hundreds or even thousands he'd earned before. It was practically a joke... But when the system notification sounded, Wu Ming had felt immensely encouraged, and all his fatigue had vanished.

The Spirit Crystals might be few, but their significance was entirely different!

To be honest, his account of trekking across Yan Mountain hadn't contained much useful information. Just completing the journey had taken all his strength; he hadn't had any energy left to keep his mind working at full capacity. So he'd merely jotted down the difficult spots he'd encountered along the way and the sights that had left the deepest impression, without adding much in the way of valuable analysis.

By the standards of the system's two previous types of guides, this sort of everyday account, padded out with fluff, should have been dismissed as noise... Yet the system had judged it a "Cross-country Log" and issued a highly symbolic incentive.

From this, Wu Ming could easily deduce that as long as something had to do with cultivation, even a fluffy account of everyday life could earn activity incentives—and the rewards would add up to quite a lot!

One trek across the mountains had earned Wu Ming twenty Spirit Crystals. Over a year, that would come to more than seven thousand crystals, enough for four ten-pulls.

Besides, if one mountain crossing earned twenty Spirit Crystals, what about two? Or even three?

Cultivating immortality was a long road. Whether or not there were daily incentives would make a world of difference.

Even without thinking about the Star Vortex Card Pool, the mere fact that there were "daily incentives" was extraordinary in itself.

The value of incentives far surpassed willpower and endurance. In truth, Wu Ming wasn't fond of his senior sister's doctrine of hard cultivation. Once something was defined as suffering, it was already impossible to throw oneself into it wholeheartedly.

And incentives were the supreme elixir that could turn bitterness into sweetness.

So before the day was over, he had to do everything he could to walk the mountain road once more and claim the double daily incentive!

But just as Wu Ming was brimming with encouragement and pressing forward with all his might, he suddenly saw mist rise over the mountain road. Everything in the fog twisted, and then gravity began to tilt. He had no control over his body as he pitched forward, as if plunging into a bottomless abyss!

The next moment, Wu Ming's eyes flew open. The mountain road and mist had vanished without a trace. Before him was only an elegant wooden window. The moonlight outside was pure and bright, its glow frosting the whole room.

At some point, he'd returned to Xianyun Abode. Now he was lying in his bedroom, his whole body numb.

After a moment of silence, Wu Ming understood. He sighed soundlessly.

It seemed he hadn't managed to complete the double daily incentive after all. Even with the mettle of a professional gamer, he couldn't overdraw his stamina without limit. On the way back, he'd finally run completely out of fuel... and then respawned at the checkpoint.

"You're awake?"

The voice of his respawn healer, Zhu Ying, sounded from a corner of the bedroom. Wu Ming tried to sit up, but a gentle breeze pressed him back down.

"Get some rest. You've overdrawn yourself today. If you force it any further, you'll damage your vitality."

Wu Ming sighed inwardly. Missing one daily run has already left me battered and bruised!

But then his nose twitched, and a sweet, cloying fragrance drifted over from the corner of the bedroom.

"I lit some Calming Incense for you. Just sleep obediently tonight. You'll have to get up early again tomorrow, so I hope you can keep enjoying it."

After that, Wu Ming only felt his eyelids growing heavier and his thoughts freezing over. Before he knew it, night seeped into his mind, and all things fell silent.

He didn't know how long had passed when something stirred in Wu Ming's heart, and he jolted awake in alarm.

He opened his eyes. Outside the window, dawn was nearly breaking, so Wu Ming immediately struggled to get up. All the muscles in his body howled in unison, as if a thousand needles were writhing beneath his skin... But he gritted his teeth and slowly lowered himself out of bed, then shuffled to the bookshelf.

A pot of orchids was slowly opening its stamens. They were Chen Hour Flowers, which bloomed twelve times a day to tell the time. A little toy born in a xianxia world, meant to replace an alarm clock.

Judging by the number of flowers already open, it should be the second quarter of the Yin hour—four in the morning. Wu Ming couldn't help feeling a little relieved. Even in another world, after all his twists and turns, his body clock had maintained its professionalism.

Every day at four in the morning, when everything refreshed, he would wake up right on time.

And the moment he awoke, he'd be full of energy. Even his body felt a little lighter.

A new day had begun, and a new set of dailies... was ready to be farmed.

Yesterday, he'd been too exhausted to complete the double daily. Today, though his physical condition was clearly worse, a night of rest had left his mind clearer than ever... Just right for reading and grinding through exercises.

As a professional gamer who'd mastered every kind of advanced elemental theory and crossed swords with countless 985 game designers, Wu Ming had never overlooked the importance of theoretical study.

Cultivating the Immortal Path naturally needed theoretical guidance even more. When Zhu Ying had shown Wu Ming around Xianyun Abode yesterday, she'd made a point of introducing the bookcases in the study.

At the thought, Wu Ming felt eager to get started. He was ready to let his senior sister see what a small-town test-taking ace from another world could do.

In this upbeat frame of mind, Wu Ming crossed the main hall and pushed open the study door, intending to pick out a few books for himself... Then he felt a chill at his throat. A long, jade-green bamboo leaf was held there by two slender fingers, as tender as new scallions. Its sharp edge gleamed like ice.

"Who goes there, breaking in in the dead of night... Wu Ming!?"

Zhu Ying's voice sounded from behind him, startled and flustered.

Wu Ming was startled too and turned his head. "Senior sister?"

"Wait, don't turn around..."

But she'd spoken a moment too late. From the corner of his eye, Wu Ming had already caught a glimpse of a disheveled figure in nightclothes. He hurriedly turned back.

After a moment, the voice behind him sounded stern and a little embarrassed. "You... didn't see anything, did you?"

Wu Ming answered frankly, "I didn't see anything."

"...?" Zhu Ying sensed something was off, but wasn't willing to dwell on it. She cleared her throat. "You can turn around now."

Wu Ming did as she said. In the brief time it had taken, his senior sister had already changed into a simple white shirt and trousers. She stood ramrod straight, her expression solemn, though a faint blush still colored her face.

"What are you doing here?" Zhu Ying demanded.

Wu Ming answered, "I came to borrow a few books for morning study... I didn't realize I'd disturb your sleep, senior sister."

Zhu Ying snorted. "You open the door at four in the morning and still have the nerve to say you didn't realize?"

Wu Ming was surprised. "It's already four in the morning? Before bed, you said we'd be getting up early, so I was worried I'd overslept."

"...Are you the child of some breakfast stall owner? You don't need to get up this early from now on."

Wu Ming smiled. "You're too kind, senior sister. I was born with a weak constitution, so I need to make up for it with hard work. If I can't even manage to get up early, how can I bring glory to the sect and repay you for saving my life? Ah, I understand. Is it you who needs more rest, senior sister? Then from now on, I'll study in my room first and won't disturb you sleeping in..."

"I'm not sleeping in!" Zhu Ying immediately bristled, gritting her teeth. "No need to make a fuss. If you can get up at four in the morning, then of course I can too!"

Wu Ming couldn't help asking, "You're at Foundation Establishment, senior sister. Do you still need to sleep every day like an ordinary person?"

Zhu Ying was silent for a moment, then sighed. "The ley lines around Yan Mountain are depleted, and there isn't enough spiritual energy to sustain our group in nonstop cultivation day and night. So when our cultivation is drained in daily practice, it's better to get a proper night's sleep and recover."

Wu Ming understood. "I see. Players who can't afford stamina have to farm several times fewer resources in their dailies than whales. Their only option is to take care of themselves."

"...You're talking nonsense again." Zhu Ying shook her head. "Anyway, since you're up, let's begin today's cultivation. But there's no rush to read."

As she spoke, Zhu Ying reached out and took Wu Ming by the arm. She activated the Godly Travel Technique, and in an instant they became a gust of wind, speeding west... By the time Wu Ming came to his senses, they'd arrived before an unfamiliar path winding through a valley.

His spirits immediately lifted, and he looked around with keen interest. "What is this place?"

"Rootless Path, at the foot of Yan Mountain. It's also the classroom for your first lesson after joining the sect."

After a pause, Zhu Ying explained seriously, "I had you walk the mountain road for half a day yesterday not just to temper your will and physique, but also to observe your physical condition from every angle so I could teach you according to your needs... You have good talent, but your foundation is far too lacking. If you want to climb the Immortal Path, you have to start by making up for the most basic things. Fortunately, the Gujian Sect has a technique for shoring up one's foundation, called Root Stance."

As she spoke, Zhu Ying leaned forward slightly, lifted one leg, and stepped down lightly.

Thump!

A soundless shockwave rippled outward. Wu Ming felt the qi and blood in his whole body shudder, and his heartbeat faltered.

From her posture, Zhu Ying had merely taken an ordinary step forward. She didn't seem to have exerted the slightest effort. Yet the instant her short boot touched the ground, Wu Ming felt as if he were looking at a hundred-year-old tree, its thick roots driven deep into the earth, no wind or rain ever able to shake it.

"Taking root?"

Zhu Ying smiled faintly. "Good powers of observation. Root Stance, just as the name suggests, is a way of stepping that takes root in the earth. Your Spirit Root aptitude is almost nonexistent, and your physique was neglected after birth. On the long Immortal Path, you're practically a duckweed with no roots. So your first lesson in cultivation is to put down roots on that path."

"Root Stance doesn't just temper your physique and strengthen your qi and blood. When mastered deeply enough, it can even make the body attune to the spirit and let you seize immortal opportunities with a mortal body. The man who created this technique was a mere mortal martial artist whose Spirit Root aptitude was much like yours—almost nonexistent. But with this technique, he carved out a rugged road to immortality with his own two hands, and eventually even became a True Person... Though people often question this legend, Root Stance's ability to stimulate and develop the Spirit Root has been verified by many. For you, it's practically tailor-made."

"Your master should have told you: nowadays in the Nine Provinces, there are two commonly used ways to improve one's Spirit Root aptitude. Root Stance is a third method, though not a popular one. It's a clumsy technique. It has only one basic movement, but there's no room for fancy tricks or shortcuts. Only by keeping your feet firmly on the ground and tempering it a thousand times can you make the slightest progress. And only after countless strands have piled up can you be transformed from the inside out. Just as a towering ancient tree must grow through the slow tempering of its tender branches."

"The practice of Root Stance is just as plain and simple. There are no mantras or diagrams, and you don't need to imitate the way I just stepped. Root Stance differs from person to person; everyone has their own way of taking root. The only thing we all share is this Rootless Path."

As she spoke, Zhu Ying clasped her hands behind her back and walked onto the winding path. Though her steps were supposed to take root in the earth, she moved lightly and nimbly, each time touching a rock with just the tip of her foot before floating several meters forward. Only after ten steps did Zhu Ying pause. Standing nearly a hundred meters from Wu Ming, she spoke softly, her voice reaching his ear.

"Your turn."

Wu Ming nodded. In the faint light before dawn, he picked out the spot Zhu Ying had stepped on and leaned forward, taking a step.

Then it felt as if he'd stepped onto a slick film of oil. His foot found no purchase, and he immediately lost his balance and fell with a thud.

Though he'd tried to curl up and tuck his elbows in as he fell to lessen the impact, and his thin, light body meant it didn't hurt too much, the fatigue and soreness pent up in him surged out the moment he hit the ground. For a while, he couldn't even stand.

Just then, Zhu Ying's voice drifted down from above him.

"Get up. Again."

Wu Ming drew a deep breath and broke into a smile. "Okay!"

The next moment, he put a hand on the ground and pushed himself up, trembling as he backed away from the path. Then he smiled, shook out his limbs, and straightened into the same upright stance as before, forcing down his exhaustion once more. He fixed his gaze on the road ahead and fell into deep thought.

This mountain path looked utterly ordinary, yet it was so slick that he couldn't get a foothold anywhere. It had already piqued his interest.

And once his curiosity was stirred, he could outdo anyone in sheer drive.

Seeing this, however, Zhu Ying's lips curled with a trace of scorn.

Wu Ming's reaction was no surprise. In fact, most people who stepped onto the Rootless Path reacted the same way.

They would study its patterns, search for a solution, try again and again, draw lesson after lesson... Each failure and fall would become nourishment for the next attempt.

Only after falling a million times would they finally realize, with bruised and swollen faces, that all their clever schemes had been nothing but futile effort.

Root Stance wasn't a technique made for clever people, and the Rootless Path allowed no shortcuts. On the contrary, the more clever one thought oneself, the further one strayed from the heart of Root Stance, and the less chance one had of taking root on this path.

That was why Zhu Ying had said it was a clumsy technique that clever people couldn't bring themselves to like.

Before long, Wu Ming finished his deep thought and let out a long breath.

Zhu Ying perked up too, curiously watching his movements.

Though it was bound to be futile, what kind of solution would this quick-witted boy come up with?

Then she saw Wu Ming slowly lower himself, lie flat on the ground, reach forward with both hands, and grip the rocks firmly. Resolute, he began to... crawl!

Wu Ming moved both hands in turn, and in the blink of an eye he'd squirmed more than ten meters along the Rootless Path!

Zhu Ying's vision went black. She nearly choked with rage!