Chapter 1

C1 – Bless You

“Xiufen, here are the cultivation resources for next month,” Lu Lixing said, extending the frayed cloth bag toward the girl with the orchid-like aura. He was slightly out of breath, his face showing signs of fatigue.

Sha Xiufen glanced down at the tattered bag in Lu Lixing’s hand, her gaze lingering on the dark stains marring its surface. A complex emotion flickered in her striking black and white eyes, and she hesitated to take the bag.

Noticing Sha Xiufen’s reluctance, Lu Lixing’s lips tightened. “I just got off a part-time job and rushed over. I didn’t have a chance to…”

“Lu Lixing, what’s your Brain Domain development at? And how many of the teacher’s low-grade yellow-level Runes have you mastered?” Sha Xiufen cut him off abruptly. She wasn’t in the mood for explanations; they seemed pointless and unnecessary.

Lu Lixing met her gaze, momentarily taken aback. It was the first time Sha Xiufen had shown interest in his cultivation progress since high school began. Despite the oddness of the moment, he answered her honestly. “We’ve known each other since childhood. Aren’t you aware of my capabilities by now? My Brain Domain is only at 25% development, and I’ve barely managed to master one Clear Water Rune from the yellow-level low-grade Runes our teacher taught us.”

Though Lu Lixing spoke with a semblance of openness, his heart was heavy with discontent. Since high school, he had thrown himself into learning about Brain Domain development and meditation Runes. Every waking moment outside of class and part-time work was dedicated to his studies, with sleep limited to a mere three hours a night. Despite his relentless effort, his achievements were modest at best.

Two and a half years into high school, the average student’s Brain Domain had reached about 40%, but Lu Lixing was stuck at 25%. With the college entrance exams looming in six months, his prospects were grim. If his Brain Domain development didn’t improve, he risked missing out on university admission, relegating him to a vocational school and dashing any hopes of becoming a cultivator.

Sha Xiufen, a fellow child from the slums, revealed an extraordinary aptitude for cultivation upon entering high school. Her Brain Domain development had soared to 65%, and she had mastered nine low-grade yellow level Runes and four medium-grade yellow level Runes. A prodigy in the elite class, she was revered as the goddess of Skyhaven’s Forest Lake Academy.

Lu Lixing’s admission to Forest Lake Academy was a direct result of Sha Xiufen’s influence, and he had always harbored deep gratitude for her. When he learned of her exceptional talent, he invested all his hard-earned money into cultivation resources to support her training, as a way to repay her past kindness.

Sha Xiufen’s brow furrowed slightly as she listened to Lu Lixing’s candid response. She seldom monitored his cultivation progress and was taken aback by his poor performance.

“To get into a prestigious university, you must develop your Brain Domain to at least fifty percent during high school,” she advised. “Additionally, you should master at least five low-grade yellow level Runes and two medium-grade yellow level Runes. Given your current standing, it seems almost certain that university—and the path to becoming a cultivator—is out of reach for you.”

In the boundless cosmos, where cultivators from three thousand great worlds hold Runes in the highest esteem, mastery over these Runes is essential to qualify as a true cultivator. The rate of Brain Domain development is crucial to the pace at which one can control Runes. The more advanced the Brain Domain, the quicker the mastery of Runes and the more precise the control over their power. Thus, the level of Brain Domain development is often the deciding factor in one’s potential to become a cultivator. With Lu Lixing’s current level, his future as a cultivator—and his eligibility for university study—was in jeopardy.

Lu Lixing was well aware that his chances of attending university and pursuing cultivation were slim, given his academic record. Yet, he refused to abandon hope as long as the college entrance exam loomed ahead. He believed in the principle that hard work would be rewarded by the Heavenly Dao, and until the final verdict was in, he clung to the possibility of turning his fate around.

Lu Lixing’s resolve was unshakable; no one could weaken his faith and determination.

When Lu Lixing remained quiet, Sha Xiufen worried that her words had wounded his pride. She sighed gently, “Keep these cultivation resources for yourself. You don’t need to provide any for me from now on.”

Surprised, Lu Lixing glanced at Sha Xiufen and responded, “Your goal is to get into one of the top six universities. You need these resources more than I do.”

Admission to the elite six was reserved for geniuses, and while Sha Xiufen’s grades were impressive, her chances of securing a spot were uncertain. The cultivation resources were crucial for her.

“Lu Lixing, accept the truth. We can’t be together.”

Sha Xiufen’s brow furrowed as she spoke firmly, “In six months, the college entrance exams will be over. I’ll make it into the top six and become a rare cultivator. You, on the other hand, will only get into a vocational college, becoming just another face in the crowd. We’re not meant to share a world. No matter how kind you are to me, my feelings won’t change. Let go.”

Lu Lixing was taken aback, not expecting Sha Xiufen to misinterpret his intentions. He began to clarify with a smile, “Xiufen, you’ve got it all wrong, I…”

But as Lu Lixing attempted to explain, Sha Xiufen’s expression turned stern. “We shouldn’t see each other anymore. I don’t want Zhang Tu to get the wrong idea. I’ll be honest with you; I’ve agreed to be his girlfriend after high school. He’s going to supply me with an abundance of cultivation resources. Plus, this summer, I’ll have the chance to learn the low-grade profound level runes that the Zhang family has passed down. I’ll be exposed to a higher realm far sooner than my peers. Do you grasp what I’m saying?”

Runes were categorized into four levels: Heaven, Earth, Black, and Yellow. The yellow level was merely basic, while the profound level marked the true commencement of cultivation. Only those who mastered profound level runes were considered genuine cultivators. Sha Xiufen’s words were a stark reminder to Lu Lixing of the harsh reality: a future together was out of the question.

Witnessing the resolute expression on Sha Xiufen’s face, Lu Lixing couldn’t help but smile. He had diligently provided cultivation resources for Sha Xiufen, motivated solely by a desire to repay a debt of gratitude. Not once had he harbored any inappropriate thoughts about her. Although he had intended to make things clear before, he now realized that there was no longer any need for explanations.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“If that’s how it is, I wish you all the best,” Lu Lixing said, offering a warm smile along with his well-wishes. Clutching his tattered cloth bag, he turned and walked away.

As Sha Xiufen watched Lu Lixing’s retreating figure, her heart was surprisingly devoid of relief. Instead, a subtle sense of regret crept in, as though she had let something precious slip through her fingers..