Enlightenment System

Cloud Sea Sect, Hundred Herb Valley.

Within a courtyard in the valley.

Chen Xuan sat at a table with an old man.

"Junior Brother Chen Xuan, from now on, this Hundred Herb Valley is in your hands."

The old man looked at Chen Xuan as he spoke, his tone filled with joy.

"Why is Senior Brother in such a rush?"

"Junior Brother, you don't understand. You are still young, but my lifespan is running thin. Rather than staying here in Hundred Herb Valley waiting for death, I might as well return home to enjoy my final days."

The old man said with a smile.

Having said that, the old man took out several books and handed them to Chen Xuan.

"Junior Brother, I am truly sorry to leave you behind like this to retire. These are some of my cultivation insights from over the years; please, accept them."

"This... thank you, Senior Brother."

Chen Xuan did not refuse and took the books.

He truly needed them.

He had only passed the sect examination three days ago and was assigned to this Hundred Herb Valley.

Originally, this Hundred Herb Valley was guarded solely by Senior Brother Li. He had long wanted to retire, but the valley could not be left unattended, and the sect had never granted his request.

Then, he arrived.

This Senior Brother Li had packed his bags overnight and waited for three days. As soon as the sect's approval came through, he came to bid Chen Xuan farewell.

Being assigned to this remote area was already miserable enough.

Now, he was about to be left all alone here; if he encountered any problems in his cultivation later, there would be no one to ask.

Chen Xuan felt somewhat helpless.

But since his talent was mediocre, he had been assigned to Hundred Herb Valley.

"Junior Brother, Senior Brother is leaving. No need to see me off."

Senior Brother Li stood up and said.

As he prepared to leave, he suddenly remembered something, looked at Chen Xuan, and added, "Junior Brother, are you aware of the Floating Cloud Trial?"

Chen Xuan looked blank: "Senior Brother, what is this Floating Cloud Trial?"

Senior Brother Li explained: "It is a trial prepared for new disciples. It takes place in three months. Before it begins, the sect will send someone to notify you.

The purpose of the trial is to test whether new disciples have been cultivating diligently since joining, and it also serves as an opportunity prepared for you new disciples.

At that time, you will enter the Floating Cloud Secret Realm. A batch of tokens will be placed in the secret realm in advance. What you must do is compete for these tokens, and your final ranking will be based on the number of tokens obtained.

If you achieve good results, the sect will bestow generous rewards. If your results are average, you can still exchange the tokens you obtained for contribution points.

If you fail to obtain even a single token... then you will truly have nothing.

In short... Junior Brother, prepare well. When the time comes, find a few tokens and then find a place to hide until the trial ends. That way, you can at least exchange them for some contribution points.

Remember, do not be too greedy. I was too greedy back then; I kept searching for tokens and ended up running into other disciples before the trial was over.

I was defeated, completely powerless to resist, and all the tokens I had collected were snatched away. It was all for nothing."

The old man sighed with emotion as he spoke of the past.

Chen Xuan cupped his hands and thanked him: "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother."

"Alright, Junior Brother, that was the last thing. I am off."

The old man also returned a bow.

He then strode outside, taking out his flying magic tool as he walked. Once he stepped out of the house, he immediately mounted the tool and vanished into the distance of Hundred Herb Valley like a streak of light.

It was clear that this Senior Brother Li was truly in a hurry to retire.

Inside the house, Chen Xuan watched him leave.

Looking around, it seemed he would be the only one in Hundred Herb Valley for a long time to come.

Senior Brother Li said he had guarded Hundred Herb Valley alone for decades.

If it's just me, then so be it. At least it will be quiet. Time to cultivate!

The Floating Cloud Trial is a good opportunity to obtain cultivation resources; he must seize it.

He wouldn't be too greedy when the time came; he would just find a few tokens and then withdraw.

Chen Xuan thought to himself as he stood up and returned to his room, preparing to continue his cultivation.

He had been in the sect for three days. His talent was indeed mediocre, and he had yet to successfully guide Qi into his body, but he was close—it would happen within a day or two.

Back in his room.

Chen Xuan began to practice the Flowing Cloud Technique.

This technique is the introductory cultivation method specifically taught to disciples of the Cloud Sea Sect.

Although it is merely an introductory technique, it can be cultivated all the way to the Dao Foundation Realm.

The Dao Foundation Realm is the third stage on the path of cultivation in this world.

At this stage, spiritual power solidifies, one's strength becomes unfathomable, and one's lifespan can reach five hundred years.

Chen Xuan sat cross-legged on his bed as the spiritual energy around him gathered, circling for a long while before finally surging into his body.

With the successful induction of Qi into his body, a "ding" sound echoed in Chen Xuan's mind.

[Enlightenment System bound successfully!]

Hm?

A system!?

Chen Xuan's eyes lit up.

[This system can enlighten the cultivation techniques or Dao arts practiced by the host, granting them sentience.]

[Generating panel...]

[Host: Chen Xuan]

[Realm: Qi Gathering, First Layer]

[Spirit Awakening Point: 5]

[Technique: Flowing Cloud Technique (Not Enlightened)]

[Dao Art: None]

The system's panel was very concise.

Its functions were also simple and easy to understand, though he did not know what specific wonders a technique or Dao art might possess once it gained sentience.

However... it was a system, after all, so it should be quite useful, right?

There was also one more thing.

The Spirit Awakening Points should be used to grant sentience to techniques or Dao arts, right?

But how does one obtain more Spirit Awakening Points?

A question arose in Chen Xuan's mind.

[At the current stage, Spirit Awakening Points can only be obtained through breakthroughs in cultivation; one Spirit Awakening Point is granted for every major realm breakthrough.]

"Uh... only one point per major realm?

That's stingy... oh well, better than nothing. At least I have five points to start with.

Besides, the system said this is only for the current stage; perhaps other ways to obtain them will be added later."

Chen Xuan thought to himself.

Without further delay, Chen Xuan decided to test the system.

After fumbling around for a moment, he found the method to use the Spirit Awakening Points and applied one to the Flowing Cloud Technique.

[Your technique "Flowing Cloud Technique" is very dissatisfied with your cultivation.]

[Why is there only a wisp of spiritual power? Does a single wisp even count as a cultivator?]

[A stray dog on the side of the road would be stronger than you if it could cultivate.]

Chen Xuan: "..."

Chen Xuan was stunned. Wait, buddy... did I grant you sentience just so you could mock me?

What do you mean a stray dog would be stronger than me?

I've only been cultivating for three days and just finished inducing Qi into my body, that's why I'm this weak, okay!

I granted you enlightenment, not permission to insult me!

[My fate is determined by me, not the heavens!]

[Since you are useless, I shall become the master myself!]

[Your technique "Flowing Cloud Technique" has begun to cultivate.]

Chen Xuan was just about to argue with the Flowing Cloud Technique when he saw it begin to cultivate on its own.

He could truly feel the spiritual power within his body growing continuously.

Well, what else was there to say?

Big brother is awesome, you were right to scold me, I am indeed useless!

Chen Xuan could barely hide the smile on his face.

Next, Chen Xuan began to test one thing.

He wanted to see if the technique's autonomous cultivation would interfere with him doing other things.

Chen Xuan took out one of the two Dao techniques issued upon entry: Flowing Cloud Myriad Forms.

This was a top-tier Dao technique.

Dao techniques are divided into five grades: low, medium, high, top-tier, and supreme.

The Cloud Sea Sect possessed an incredibly profound foundation and was one of the premier sects in the Azure Cloud Realm.

It is said that the Cloud Sea Sect's heritage originates from the Upper Realm.

Human Dao Realm consists of fifteen stages.

Lower Five Realms: Qi Gathering, Spirit Sea, Dao Foundation, Purple Mansion, Nascent Soul (highest in Small Thousand Worlds)

Middle Five Realms: Dharma Image, Grotto Heaven, Profound Mastery, Life and Death, Nirvana (highest in Middle Thousand Worlds)

Upper Five Realms: Sub-Sage, Sage, Great Sage, Quasi-Emperor, Great Emperor (highest in Great Thousand Worlds)