As Hengsheng commanded, the system activated the cultivation method automatically. In the next moment, the surrounding Spiritual Qi began to churn violently, drawn toward him like an invisible force commanding its presence. The Spiritual Qi spiraled into a vortex, rushing into his body with tremendous force. Once inside, the system began refining it, and with the very first strand of refined Spiritual Qi stored in his Spirit Core, a breakthrough was triggered.
Pain surged through every fiber of his being as his body underwent a monumental transformation. Muscles and bones were rearranged and strengthened, and his internal organs were fortified. Externally, a white mist began to emanate from his body, the heat generated by the intense purification process evaporating sweat. Small amounts of black impurities seeped through his skin, releasing a stench so foul it could make the bravest mortal faint. The process was grueling, lasting an entire hour before it finally subsided.
Hengsheng had braced himself for the pain, but even he was left drained. However, the system didn’t stop. The Spiritual Qi continued to pour into him, steadily refined and stored within his Spirit Core. His ultimate goal was to gather enough energy to initialize The Strongest Cultivator System, his most ambitious creation yet.
This masterpiece of a system wasn’t just a tool—it was a revolutionary foundation. It combined twelve conceptual features: absorption, storage, self-sustainable, order, precise control, processing, separation, distribution, assistance, upgrades, inspection, and concealment. Once activated, it would permanently bond with him, serving as the ultimate support for his cultivation journey.
Hengsheng estimated it would take three days to gather the necessary energy. He wasn’t worried; as a Qi Gathering cultivator, he no longer needed food, and his lifespan had extended to 300 years. The dream of immortality was now one step closer, filling him with excitement.
Hengsheng furrowed his brow. Wasn’t the system initialized yet? Let's wait a little later.
His patience was wearing thin. Did I miscalculate? He wanted to stop, but the thought of abandoning the process halfway made him clench his fists. “If I stop now, everything will have been for nothing,” he muttered. Convinced that his system was simply more sophisticated than expected, he chose to persevere.
By this point, Hengsheng was filled with regret. Why did I cram so many functions into the system? he thought bitterly. He realized he could have started with a simpler version and upgraded it gradually. If it weren’t for the mind space providing him with a sanctuary for his thoughts, boredom might have driven him insane.
This experience taught him a valuable lesson: he wasn’t ready for long cultivation sessions like his father, which could last a decade or more. His mind and willpower weren’t strong enough yet. Resolving to focus on the present, he vowed not to overreach in the future.
Hengsheng cursed himself as useless for being stuck in this situation. Be with the present. Be with the present… he chanted, calming his mind. Using the prolonged absorption process as a way to practice his willpower, he reminded himself that mental fortitude and perseverance were key in cultivation.
He noted that the Spiritual Qi in his chamber had thickened considerably, likely due to his mother requesting a Qi Gathering array to be placed around his chamber. While it improved the absorption rate, even after six months, the process wasn’t complete. At least now he could feel some progress.
The ordeal continued. Hengsheng remained seated on his mat, channeling Spiritual Qi into his Spirit Core. Six months earlier, the chamber’s Spiritual Qi had grown five times denser thanks to the array, but even that hadn’t been enough to complete the process.
Despite his frustration, Hengsheng had grown calmer. He could feel the faint progress now, a small beacon of hope. He thought and resolved to endure for however long it took. The Strongest Cultivator System would be worth it.
Hengsheng opened his eyes, took a deep breath, and stood up. He looked around his chamber—it was exactly as he had left it, though it seemed someone had been taking care of it in his absence. His gaze shifted to himself; his body was clean, and it was clear his royal servant had been attending to him while he cultivated.
While moving Hengsheng can feel that he has better control over his body and He decides to test his newfound strength by taking a fighting stance, lowering his body down, and punching forward, aiming his fist at the empty air. 'Boom,' the air being stuck by force from his fist strike. Hengsheng was satisfied, he seemed to be two times stronger than before when he was at the peak of the body awakening realm.
His attention then turned to the reason he had been stuck for three long years.
[The Strongest Cultivator System is Activated]
Spirit Core: System Neutral Spirit Core {Mortal}
Cultivation Realm: Early Stage Qi Gathering
Qi Cultivation Method: Vast Meridian Refinement Art
Special Traits: Mind Space, Super Spirit Body, Vast Meridian {0/512}
Auxiliary Systems Capacity {78/100%}:
Ultimate Fighting System {34%}
[System Points]: {0/1000 Points}
Hengsheng felt a wave of satisfaction as he reviewed the results of his hard work. However, something unexpected caught his attention—his Spirit Core had changed. The Capacitor Metal Spirit Core was gone, replaced by a System Neutral Spirit Core. He hadn’t anticipated this transformation, and it made him wonder if it was the reason why the process had taken so long.
Curious, Hengsheng closed his eyes and extended his spirit body to observe the new Spirit Core. The golden orb he once knew had vanished, replaced by a glowing blue orb identical to the system core he had created in his mind space.
"This is either an unbelievable coincidence… or someone powerful is meddling behind the scenes," Hengsheng murmured, a chill running down his spine at the thought.
Still, he couldn’t resist testing his theory. With a hint of nervous excitement, he whispered, “Blue, are you there?”
The robotic voice responded immediately, leaving Hengsheng stunned, his mouth agape in disbelief. It’s linked?!
His Spirit Core was now directly connected to the System Core in his mind space—a connection he had not intended. The core he had designed simply to adjust and optimize the system for the real world had somehow manifested itself as part of his very being.
"This absurd…." Hengsheng muttered, his lips curling into a grin. The possibilities to abuse this newfound connection seemed endless.
While Hengsheng pondered the possibilities of this newfound connection, the sound of his chamber door opening pulled him from his thoughts. He turned his head toward the door to see Lan Ju entering, her expression a mixture of surprise and doubt.
"Young Master, you’ve finished your session?" she asked cautiously.
Hengsheng smirked, leaning back slightly with a self-assured air.
"That’s right! How are things around here while I’ve been cultivating?"
Lan Ju paused, seemingly lost in thought for a moment, before replying quickly.
"Oh! Young Master, you should report to Elder Mingzhi as soon as possible. The Metal Flow Plains Gathering is about to start in three months, and our Lan Clan will begin traveling soon. If you delay, you might miss it!"
"Ah, that’s right—I completely forgot about that," Hengsheng said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "What about my father? Has he finished his session yet?"
Lan Ju shook her head. "No…"
"Never mind," Hengsheng interrupted, waving her off. "You can leave now. Tomorrow, make sure to escort me to Elder Mingzhi."
"Yes, Young Master," Lan Ju replied, bowing respectfully before leaving the chamber.