Ever since I arrived at the orphanage, I did not take much time going outside. I hid myself in the skies during the last weekly investigation. Meaning, I did not interact with the people outside.
Countless gazes landed upon me as I strolled the streets. I did not pay much attention to them until some students gathered their courage to ask for my number.
Their looks are above average. They would have been famous in my previous life. On this Earth, however, they are only at the upper 30% percentile.
"Sorry. I already have a girlfriend." I spoke in proficient Japanese.
I am not interested in becoming a full urban cultivator. I can't even sort out my feelings with the two.
"T-that's fine!"
My jaw dropped.
In the end, I had to use a mental suggestion spell to make her give up.
Girls these days…
I found peace inside a coffee shop. I came across ten different instances of girls and women alike asking for my number. Although it is not mentally exhausting, it is a new experience.
Cultivators have a perk when it comes to looking majestic as hell.
While sipping my cold coffee blended with a lot of milk, I entered the [Xiutian Art]'s mysterious space.
It's been some time since I last visited.
Unlike before, there are six clouds present, both in silver and in gold. The psycho stalker, fellow Daoist Jingwei and Mei are added to the original three—Kiana, Selee, Bronya.
Six high grade Spirit Roots cultivators.
I am dumbfounded by these chances. All of them fitted the technique's criteria. I tried it with the others, but to no avail.
I am baffled by it.
But…
I might have an idea as to how it chooses "qualified partners". I dare not think of it again unless it is confirmed.
My attention shifted back to the clouds. Their sizes varied, though they are all extremely big.
I haven't sent out my progress during the past year. These are the experience potions of my Purple Mansion Realm cultivation: late stage body, Middle stage Qi, and Late stage mind.
Kiana, Seele, and Bronya will receive its full benefits. The three latecomers, on the other hand, would only receive the last week's progress.
In contrast, the sizes of the golden clouds are smaller. These represented the girls' progress—my experience potions. Kiana's portion is the highest, followed by Seele and Bronya.
Altogether, they will be able to push my qi realm to the pinnacle of the middle stage. This saved up a few years' worth of honest work—no pills and cheats.
It is also the result of piling up all three cultivation routes together.
As for the girls, the conversion rate is higher. The chasm between Foundation Establishment and Purple Mansion Realm is huge enough.
An entire day of a Purple Mansion Realm's cultivation can be converted to a week or so of Qi Refining Realm.
[Xiutian Art]'s [Small Accomplishment] does not sync the "Gift of Tao" fully. A part of it is lost. Once it is in [Great Accomplishment], everything will be fully transmitted. A lot of new effects will be opened up, too.
The [Cloud Seeking Step]'s [Great Accomplishment] gave me the ability to traverse long distances at once. I can cross high-dimensions with enough conditions.
I look forward to the other techniques' [Great Accomplishment] masteries, and as such, focus on studying them for the time being.
After some deliberation, I distributed the silver clouds belonging to Fu Hua, Sin Mal, and Mei. It wasn't much, but it was enough to advance their practice for a while.
Soon, I left the mysterious space.
Slurp.
I sipped nothing but thin air. I looked at the tall plastic cup and saw it was empty. I placed it down and stood up, leaving the cup and the receipt with a number behind.
Looking at this city full of life, I decided to stick around for a while.
No major events happened. I declined more number requests, helped some of the elderly, bought a few snacks, fed some stray cats…
The dark skies heralded changes.
Drizzle-!
Rain started to fall. Everyone hurried to take shelter. Some people took out their umbrellas to shield themselves from the rain.
I stood still… just like how the world stood still in my eyes.
My sight turned pale gray. Everyone lost their colors. All that is left are pure white strings. It does not flow in a straight line.
Some strings intersected with others;
Some strings dictated the end of others;
Some strings brought misfortune to their friends…
A sentence rang clearly in my mind.
The Tao is profound and invisible; existing everywhere and anywhere.
The world is governed by countless Taos.
Causality is one of them. It is the so-called "fate" every immortal cultivator seeks to control within their palms. Everyone has a causal line filled with cause and effects.
It exists everywhere, yet not all are qualified to see it.
Buzz-!
I ignored the ringing sound on my ears. My [Encompassing Eyes] began to change.
Single lines split apart into two lines, then three, four, five…
Only now did I realize how superficial my understanding of "causality" was. I choose to perceive it as single lines in an attempt to simplify; everything has countless lines. In turn, I lose sight of its true essence.
The white strings filled my entire sight. No matter where I looked, only white strings remained.
I felt my insignificance compared to this simple yet vast world.
Does my own existence matter in the face of such vastness?
Yes.
I answered with zero hesitation.
The [World] is worthy of respect. It is exactly so that it is a worthy goal to chase after.
Respect those who must be respected, but they mustn't lose respect for themselves. Only with both could an immortal cultivator succeed in grasping their own fate.
Shatter-!
The world of pure light shattered.
My sight reverted to normal. A cool sensation entered my mind. The sword within me buzzed.
Several thoughts flashed in my mind.
{Xinhai Sutra: Small Accomplishment > Great Accomplishment}
{Mental Cultivation: Late Stage > Peak Stage}
{Sword Cultivation: Sword Light Refraction (+)}
{Supernatural Seed - Dao of Causality (Breakthrough Criterion Met)}
Understanding Causality leads to a greater understanding of oneself. The prototype of my appraisal skill became fully mature after this realization.
Looking at the bleak skies, I realized one more thing:
I forgot to shield myself from the rain.