When I woke up, the first thing I felt was hunger.
Not the normal kind.
This hunger was sharp. Deep. Like something inside me was hollow and scraping at my ribs.
I opened my eyes.
Blue sky. Ancient roofs. Stone pathways carved with glowing runes.
And people.
A lot of people.
Young men and women in flowing robes gathered across a massive courtyard. Some meditated. Some argued. Others stared at floating spirit beasts like it was the most normal thing in the world.
"…Okay," I muttered. "This isn't Earth."
A cold voice spoke beside my ear.
[SYSTEM INITIALIZING]
I flinched.
A translucent blue panel unfolded in the air.
Welcome, Host.
You have entered the Cultivation World.
Current Location: Azure Cloud Academy (Outer Disciple Grounds)
"…Academy?"
Correct.
This environment is ideal for early-stage growth.
You are currently harmless.
"…Hey."
The panel refreshed.
Name: Lin Yuan
Realm: Mortal
Level: 1
Strength: 1
Agility: 1
Vitality: 1
Spirit: 1
Free Stat Points: 0
I stared.
"…I'm weaker than a child."
Yes.
Congratulations on your accurate self-assessment.
Rude.
Before I could complain, a wave of dizziness hit me. My stomach twisted violently. My vision dimmed.
The hunger surged again—stronger this time.
Warning:
Host energy reserves critically low.
Recommended action: Consume nourishment.
"Food. Right. Makes sense."
I looked around.
At the edge of the courtyard, iron cages held small spirit animals—rabbit-like creatures glowing faintly with qi. Outer disciples were expected to care for them.
One of them twitched.
The scent hit me like a hammer.
My mouth flooded with saliva.
"…Why does that smell so good?"
My feet moved before my brain caught up.
I crouched beside the cage, fingers trembling. The animal stared at me, unblinking.
The hunger screamed.
Just a little, something whispered.
I opened the cage.
The moment my hands closed around the creature, my thoughts vanished.
I bit down.
Warmth flooded my mouth.
Power—pure, intoxicating power—poured down my throat.
I froze.
The animal went limp.
A sharp chime echoed.
[RESOURCE ACQUIRED]
The world blurred.
Vital essence absorbed.
Blood-quality: Low.
Conversion efficiency: 1%.
"…Blood?"
Another notification followed immediately.
Stat Point Gained: +1
I staggered back, heart pounding.
"What did I just do?!"
The system paused.
Then, cheerfully:
Host has discovered an alternate progression method.
This is highly inefficient.
"…INEFFICIENT?!"
Yes.
However, it is educational.
The screen flashed.
Detected confusion.
Initiating Tutorial.
The world froze again.
A projection appeared—calm, precise, horrifyingly detailed.
Tutorial 001: Safe and Ethical Energy Acquisition (Beginner Edition)
Note: "Ethical" is flexible.
"…I didn't mean to—"
Intent is irrelevant.
Results are excellent.
The projection demonstrated controlled feeding—not biting, but drawing essence through contact, minimizing waste.
I felt my body learning.
Tutorial Complete.
Efficiency increased by 300%.
The hunger eased.
Barely.
I looked down at my status.
Level: 1
Strength: 2
Agility: 1
Vitality: 1
Spirit: 1
One point.
From blood.
I swallowed hard.
"…System."
Yes, Host?
"What happens if I do that again?"
There was a brief delay.
Then:
You will grow.
That was all it said.
Across the courtyard, a bell rang.
Disciples gathered.
Cultivation lessons were about to begin.
I blended into the crowd, heart racing.
No one noticed the dead animal.
No one noticed my trembling hands.
But deep inside, the hunger stirred again.
And the system watched.
Patiently.
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