Cultivation starts with picking up attributes
Chapter 75: Ch-75: No Dramatic Monologues

Chapter 75: Ch-75: No Dramatic Monologues

"Hey, ice princess, why always in the pool?"

Lan Yueru turned slightly, lips curving as her gaze slid toward him.

"Because the lake is quiet, unlike some people."

Tian Shen grinned and strolled closer, his steps slow, his aura pulled in tight.

"I thought ice princesses liked silence. Am I ruining your training?"

She turned fully, her posture tall, chin lifted.

"You’re not that disruptive. Just... mildly irritating."

"Only mildly?"

He mock-gasped.

"I’m losing my touch."

Lan Yueru’s smirk softened.

"You’ve changed."

Tian Shen stepped onto the stone beside hers. The glassy lake stretched before them, mirroring sky and clouds, red willow leaves fluttering over the water like soft crimson snow.

"Change is good," he said after a moment.

She studied his profile—the new sword spirit humming faintly on his back, the calm in his eyes that hadn’t been there before. Less boy, more edge.

"I heard about the Heart Chamber," she said, voice barely above the breeze.

"Of course you did," Tian Shen chuckled. "The sect talks flew faster than wind through grass."

"You could’ve died."

"But I didn’t."

He turned to her, their eyes meeting across inches.

Her gaze flicked down to his bandaged wrist.

"I see. So stubbornness is still intact."

"Fully functional."

She looked away, the corner of her lip twitching.

"You’re lucky I find that amusing."

"Lucky, huh?"

He leaned slightly closer.

"Does that mean you think about me when I’m not around?"

She arched a brow, then turned on her heel and walked back onto land.

"Come if you’re done flirting with my reflection," she called without looking back.

Tian Shen laughed and followed.

...

The sun filtered through crimson willow leaves as they walked side by side along the Whispering Glass Lake’s perimeter.

Ducks paddled past in single file, ignorant of the strange energy building between the two disciples.

"You ever think this peace won’t last?"

Tian Shen asked quietly.

Lan Yueru’s voice was equally soft.

"I don’t think it ever does."

There was no bitterness—just acceptance.

After a pause, she continued.

"There’s something coming. The battlefield expedition... it won’t be a simple treasure hunt."

"I figured. Sect Leader Yan’s eyes were too calm when he mentioned it."

"Some of the central region’s top factions are already sniffing around," Lan Yueru added. "Even the Nine tails Fox Valley and Celestial Sword Sect are getting involved."

Tian Shen’s brow lifted.

"That a problem?"

"For you?"

She said, lips quirking.

"Only if you plan on charming them too."

He raised a hand solemnly.

"I only charm who wants to be charmed."

She snorted.

"Your humility astounds me."

Then, her tone shifted.

"Tian Shen. Be careful. They’re not like us. Nine tails Fox Valley disciples don’t just fight with spirit arts. They seduce. Bewitch. Corrupt."

Tian Shen’s smile didn’t waver.

"Sounds familiar. I seem to recall a certain icy lotus who lured me into sparring by offering tea."

"That was your fault. You called me delicate."

"And I regretted it the moment I flew into a wall."

She allowed herself a small laugh.

It was quiet for a while after that.

...

Later that day, back at his new chamber, Tian Shen lay reclining beneath a gently spinning spirit fan.

The Soul Blade rested on a dais nearby, pulsing faintly with spiritual resonance.

His thoughts drifted.

Lan Yueru wasn’t wrong.

The central battlefield expedition... it smelled of more than just opportunity.

It reeked of blood, ambition, and buried grudges.

He stood, walked to the open window, and stared into the distant horizon where jade peaks met pale sky.

He whispered to the wind.

"I need to get stronger. Faster."

His fingers clenched.

The world wasn’t going to wait.

...

Three Days Later – Inner Sect Assembly Grounds

The circular plaza buzzed with excitement. Robed disciples gathered beneath the great stone dragon pillar, talking in hushed tones and stolen glances.

Elder Duan stood at the front, alongside several others—sect elders, formation masters, and three core disciples draped in embroidered silver.

Tian Shen arrived just as Elder Su appeared with a crackle of flame, her crimson robe trailing smoke.

Behind her, a golden scroll floated upright in the air, slowly unrolling.

"Silence!"

Elder Su’s voice rang like a blade.

All chatter ceased instantly.

She nodded once, and the scroll unfurled, revealing a list of names in glowing ink.

"These are the chosen ones for the upcoming Central Battlefield Expedition," she announced. "Each of you will represent Feilun Sect—and carry its will into danger. Try not to die."

Gasps and murmurs stirred as names were read aloud.

"Li Chang. Core Formation 3rd stage."

"Xu Lingyin. Core Formation 2nd stage."

"Qin Mo. Core Formation 1st stage."

"Tian Shen. Foundation Establishment 4th stage."

[A/N: He leveled up from the attributes dropped in competition, sorry forgot to mention that. ;)]

Another ripple of whispers ran through the crowd.

He stepped forward calmly, despite the eyes.

He could feel Lan Yueru watching. Feng Yin, too—she stood near the medical disciples, arms folded, face unreadable.

More names followed.

Then, near the end—

"Lan Yueru. Core Formation 3rd stage."

This time, the murmurs were louder.

Lan Yueru, who didn’t participate in the competition was allowed to be in the expedition.

Tian Shen was a little surprised but didn’t bother further. He was also a bit sad that Feng Yin’s name wasn’t in it.

This expedition was going to shake mountains.

Elder Su waved her hand and the scroll vanished.

"You’ll depart in five days. Prepare well. And remember—the central battlefield is not a playground. It’s where genius dies."

She turned and left, robes sweeping like fire trailing her heels.

...

That Night – By the Moonlit Pavilion

Tian Shen leaned against a railing, gazing up at the stars. He could sense someone approaching even before she arrived.

Lan Yueru stood beside him a moment later.

"No dramatic monologue?"

She asked.

"I save those for actual battles."

She hummed in amusement.

"So. You, me, and a bunch of would-be heroes going to dig up trouble."

"Sounds fun."

"Sounds fatal."

"Same thing, really."

They stood together in silence.

Then she asked, "You scared?"

"Not of the ruins."

"What then?"

He turned toward her, without saying anything, just smiled gently.

Lan Yueru’s breath hitched, just slightly.

Then she stepped closer, her shoulder brushing his.

"You’re stronger than you think, Tian Shen. Not just in swordplay."

He smiled gently.

"You keep saying that. I might believe you eventually."

"You better."

A pause.

Then she tilted her head.

"...Hey."

"Mm?"

"If we make it back alive..."

"Yes?"

"Dinner."

Tian Shen blinked.

"Dinner?"

She nodded once.

"You, me. Delicious food. Not bun-throwing or bandage scolding."

He smiled wider.

"Are you asking me out, Lan Yueru?"

"Don’t get ahead of yourself. I’m giving you motivation to survive."

He chuckled.

"Then I guess I’ve got no choice but to come back in one piece."

She turned to go, but not before whispering,

"Goodnight, Tian Shen."

As her silhouette vanished into the mist, Tian Shen whispered to the stars,

"Goodnight, Yueru."

...

Feilun Sect – Day One After the Selection

The inner sect was unusually quiet the next morning.

Not the peaceful kind of quiet, but the heavy, breath-holding kind—like the sky had taken a deep inhale and forgotten how to exhale.

Tian Shen sat atop a stone outcrop overlooking the training arena. His Soul Blade lay across his lap, its edge humming softly under the morning breeze.

He wasn’t meditating. Not exactly.

Instead, he was collecting.

Attribute bubbles—residual echoes of training, spirit arts, emotions—all scattered across the sect like crumbs left by ambitious cultivators.

The arena below was busy. Disciples trained with a fierceness that bordered on desperation.

After all, the expedition announcement had lit a fire beneath everyone, not just those selected.

Tian Shen let his spiritual sense roam. A silver flicker appeared beside a dueling platform.

『Host gains Spiritual Qi points ×350 』

Another bubble floated near the stands.

『Host gains Luck points ×150.』

He gathered them wordlessly, like a farmer harvesting grain, his eyes steady and unreadable.

__________

『Host』: Tian Shen

『Cultivation』: 4th Stage of Foundation Establishment Realm

『Auxiliary Profession』: Formation Master (1-star) → (3-star), Alchemist (3-star), Talisman Master (4-star)

『Physique』: 13340

『Spirit』: 11980

『Qi』: 11050

『Luck』: 4160

『Charm』: 4005

『Martial Arts Experience』: 0

『Auxiliary Profession Experience』: Alchemist–0, Formation Master–0, Weapon Refiner–900, Talisman Master–0

『Cultivation Arts』: Sun Revolution Cultivation Technique (4-Star) – Master

『Martial Art』: Poison aura Finger Technique → Venomuos Beam Technique (3-Star) – Master, Storm Chasing Technique → Storm Riding Technique (3-Star) – Master, Body Tempering Technique (2-Star) – Major Accomplishment

『Divine Power』: Beastial Sword Intent, Ordinary Yang Physique

『Storage』: Soul Sword, Beast spirit Sword...

『Spiritual Beast Companion』: Little Mei (Blood Fox)

『Undistributed Attributes』: Thunder Element ×50, Fire Element ×300, Poison Element...

__________

This was his current strength, which he was quite satisfied with.

After a while, Footsteps approached.

He didn’t need to look back to know who it was.

"Didn’t take you for a morning person," Lan Yueru’s voice said, sharp yet faintly amused.

"Didn’t take you for the type who’d sneak up on people," he replied, eyes still closed.

"I didn’t sneak. You’re just too absorbed."

She stepped up beside him, arms crossed, a white cloak hanging over her light armor.

"What were you doing?"

"Sighting," he said simply.