I want to tread the heavens

The morning in the dilapidated house was awakened by the cool sunlight filtering through the leaks in the roof and the faint sounds of the marketplace in the distance. The shallow breathing exercises that had lasted until midnight had ended. The wound on his left arm, thanks to the effects of the *Zhou Tian Xing Chen Body Refining Technique* and the remaining medicinal effects, had scabbed over, and movement was only slightly restricted. The burning pain in his meridians had also subsided considerably.

He got up, walked to the old well in the courtyard, drew a bucket of ice-cold well water, and poured it over his head. A shiver ran down his spine; the lingering fatigue and the information overload from studying the jade slip last night were largely dispelled by the cold water. Fa Cai also came over, lowering his head to drink water from another broken earthenware basin, his silver-gray fur flicking water droplets in the morning light.

He stretched his limbs briefly, sensing the subtle changes in his body under the denser laws of heaven and earth in the Azure Profound Continent. Each exertion seemed to require an extra bit of willpower to "resist," but his muscles, bones, and flesh seemed to be slowly being tempered and adapted in this struggle. The meteoric power within his body, though suppressed in this environment, possessed a greater degree of refinement and "texture" compared to the old land and the void.

Back inside, he sat down at the rickety table and picked up the cyan jade slip Su Mo had given him again, placing it against his forehead. This time, he didn't just look at the procedures of the "Ascension Ceremony," but also carefully read and digested the general information about the cultivation world of the Azure Profound Continent that was included in the jade slip.

The information in the jade slip, combined with the discussions he overheard yesterday in teahouses, markets, and on the road, gradually made a clearer and more three-dimensional picture of the mainstream power system of the Qingxuan Continent in his mind.

Realm is the fundamental yardstick for measuring a cultivator's power level. It roughly matches the rumors from the old land and the fragmented information he learned from the jade pendant, but it is more systematic and rigorous.

Qi Refining Stage: The beginning of cultivation, involving drawing Qi into the body, opening the dantian, and refining spiritual power. It is divided into nine levels: the first three are the initial stage, the middle three the intermediate stage, and the last three the late stage. Upon reaching the ninth level, one can attempt Foundation Establishment. At this stage, cultivators have thin spiritual power, but their physical bodies are initially strengthened. They can use basic spells and talismans, and control low-level magical artifacts. This is the stage with the largest number of cultivators and also the dividing line between mortals and cultivators. In Falling Star City, Qi Refining stage cultivators are ubiquitous, forming the main body of lower-level guards, apprentices, small merchants, and even laborers.

Foundation Establishment Stage: The dantian transforms into a sea, spiritual energy liquefies, divine consciousness begins to emerge, and lifespan doubles. It is divided into four minor realms: Initial, Intermediate, Advanced, and Perfect. At this stage, the quality and quantity of a cultivator's spiritual energy far surpasses that of Qi Refining, allowing for prolonged flight using magical artifacts, cultivation of more refined techniques, and initial exploration of the "Hundred Arts" such as alchemy, artifact crafting, and formations. Foundation Establishment cultivators can serve as the backbone of small to medium-sized forces. In a large city like Falling Star City, they are considered formidable figures, capable of serving as family stewards, heads of merchant guild guards, or leaders of small mercenary groups. A Foundation Establishment cultivator like Zhao Si, at the mid-stage, holds a high position in the Zhao family. As for myself, at the early Foundation Establishment stage, my cultivation in this city is neither high nor low; I belong to the "powerful, but not yet impressive" category.

Golden Core Stage: The liquid sea condenses into a core, spiritual power solidifies, divine sense can be projected outwards, lifespan increases further, and one begins to grasp the basics of the laws. It is also divided into initial, intermediate, advanced, and perfect stages. Once the Golden Core is formed, one can be called a "True Person," a position of high status. In Falling Star City, Golden Core cultivators are the core strength of various major forces, such as the retainers of the City Lord's Mansion, the chief elders of the three major sects' branch academies, and the experts who guard large merchant guilds like the Myriad Treasures Pavilion. A stomp of their foot can shake the entire city. The fact that Deacon Su Mo is unfathomable to him strongly suggests that he is at the Golden Core stage, or even higher.

Nascent Soul Stage: The Golden Core transforms into an Infant, breaking through the core to form an Infant. Divine consciousness can take form, and the individual begins to possess the characteristic of immortality, with a long lifespan. A Nascent Soul True Person is already a powerful figure, usually residing in the core of a major sect, or traveling the world seeking higher realms. In Falling Star City, such a person is rarely seen; perhaps only the city lord himself, or the true high-ranking members of the three major sects' headquarters on the Azure Profound Continent, possess this level of attainment.

Nascent Soul Stage: The nascent soul and divine soul begin to merge, comprehending the laws of heaven and earth, possessing unfathomable supernatural powers, capable of moving mountains and overturning seas. Those are legendary figures, the pinnacle of existence on the Azure Profound Star Road, controlling the fate of the continent and even the entire star field. Now, we can only look up to them, unattainable.

Besides realm, the jade slip also briefly mentioned several factors that affect a cultivator's actual combat power, giving a deeper understanding of one's own "poverty" and "specialness".

Cultivation Techniques: The foundation of cultivation. They determine the attributes, quality, efficiency, and accompanying supernatural abilities of spiritual energy, as well as the ease and potential for breakthroughs. Cultivation techniques are divided into four ranks: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow, each further divided into upper, middle, and lower grades. Introductory techniques from the three major sects, such as the *Heavenly Sword Technique*, are estimated to start at the middle grade of the Profound rank. Although the *Zhou Tian Xing Chen Dao Dao Jing* is incomplete, its intent and foundation far surpass the Heaven rank; it's just that his current cultivation level is too low to unleash its true power. This is his greatest reliance, and also a secret he must never reveal.

Techniques: Skills for utilizing spiritual energy. These encompass all aspects of attack, defense, support, escape techniques, and illusions. Their power, consumption, and activation speed vary drastically. Currently, he only knows the most basic external projection of spiritual energy, and a crudely simulated "Star Thunder Finger" technique, which he gleaned from the *Zhou Tian Xing Chen Da Dao Jing* and his combat instincts, along with some body-refining combat techniques. He lacks systematic offensive and defensive techniques suitable for his meteorite attribute. This is his obvious weakness.

Magical artifacts/treasures: the "claws" and "armor" of cultivators. From the lowest-level talismanic artifacts (one-time use or with limited power), to magical artifacts (commonly used for Qi refining and Foundation Establishment), spiritual artifacts (used in the late Foundation Establishment and Golden Core stages), magical treasures (above Golden Core stage), and even legendary spiritual treasures and heaven-reaching spiritual treasures... their power increases progressively. A good magical artifact can often greatly enhance a cultivator's combat power. There is only one broken sword, made of special material but almost entirely devoid of spirituality, which can only be used as a sharp cleaver. As for the Wealth, although it possesses sufficient spirituality, it is not a "tool" after all.

Pills: Key resources for enhancing cultivation, healing injuries, recovery, breaking through bottlenecks, and even temporarily boosting combat power. From the lowest-tier "Human" grade pills (such as Rejuvenating Powder and Heart-Clearing Pill), to the "Earth" grade (suitable for Foundation Establishment and Golden Core stages), then to the "Heaven" grade (Nascent Soul and above), and even the legendary "Immortal Pills," their value and efficacy vary drastically. Pills are the hardest currency among hard currencies. Even the most common "Human" grade pills are almost exhausted.

Talismans, formations, puppets, spirit beasts... and so on are all important components of combat power, and they all require a huge amount of resources to acquire and cultivate.

He put down the jade slip and remained silent for a long time.

His early Foundation Establishment cultivation might not be the worst among his peers in Falling Star City, but it was certainly not outstanding. Those from large families or small sects, with their abundant resources, could easily reach the mid or late Foundation Establishment stages before the age of twenty. But he, aside from an incredibly powerful cultivation technique and a well-honed physique, had almost nothing.

He had no family-inherited techniques, no suitable magical artifacts, no life-saving pills, no talisman arrays, and not even a decent set of clothes with any protection. The reason he was able to fight and maneuver against the siege led by Zhao Si with his early Foundation Establishment cultivation, and even cause Zhao Si to suffer a slight loss, was because of his combat awareness far exceeding that of his peers, his fighting instincts honed in life-and-death situations, the powerful physical recovery and strength brought by the "Zhou Tian Xing Chen Refining Body Technique", and the extremely high-quality star lightning power originating from his bloodline and cultivation technique.

This is an unreplicable advantage, but also a huge hidden danger. Once his weaknesses are figured out (lack of ranged attack methods, weak defense, and reliance on physical regeneration for sustained combat), or if he encounters an opponent with higher cultivation, better equipment, and equally rich combat experience, his situation will be extremely dangerous. The practical combat demonstrations of the "Ascension Tournament" are not street brawls. They are formal contests watched by countless eyes. Opponents may come from all sides, employing a variety of methods. He cannot rely on "Swimming Fish Step" and "Star Thunder Finger" to win every time. He needs a more systematic and sustainable combat force.

"I need to find a way to make up for my weaknesses..." Ling Xiao muttered to himself. His gaze fell on the heavy black stone wrapped in cloth on the table. He thought of the "guest elder evaluation" Su Mo had mentioned and the possible mission rewards. His immediate priority was to obtain spirit crystals, the more the better. With spirit crystals, he could buy basic pills to replenish his strength, purchase one or two practical low-level magic tools or talismans, and even go to a place like the "Treasure Pavilion" to see if there were any suitable, unassuming low-level spell jade slips.

Then came the task of repairing the Meteorite. It wasn't just a means of transportation; it was his last resort and a crucial component of his combat strength (if it could be repaired and equipped with weapons). But the resources required were, at present, astronomical. He also needed to improve his cultivation. If he could advance further to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage before the "Ascension Conference," his chances of success would be much greater. But this required a stable cultivation environment and resources, which also depended on spirit crystals. Each link in the chain ultimately pointed to the same word—money. He stood up, walked to the window, pushed open the creaking, broken wooden window, and looked out at the narrow sky divided by high walls. The hustle and bustle of Falling Star City seemed blurred and distant, as if separated by an invisible membrane. In this world where power reigned supreme and resources were paramount, he was like a beggar who had stumbled into a land of giants, carrying a potentially priceless treasure (inheritance), yet penniless and starving. But even a beggar has his way of life, and his ambitions. He clenched his fist, feeling the cool touch of the jade slip in his palm and the power flowing slowly through his body, imbued with the aura of stars and thunder.

"Get rich," he turned to the gray wolf lying quietly by the bed, also looking at him, "We need to start 'making money.'" Fa Cai raised his head, a sharp glint in his eyes, a low growl of agreement escaping his throat. The goal was clear, the road ahead difficult. But at least, he knew where he stood, and which direction to take, to throw his punch. The first step was to go to "Jixian Square" in three days and obtain the ticket to the "Ascension Tournament" arena. Before that, he had to use these three days to dig out his first pot of "gold" in the shadows of this giant city.