Atticus clutched his student badge, a strange sensation tingling in his hand. It wasn't quite discomfort, but a faint hum that resonated with his own aura. Experimentally, he closed his eyes, focusing on the sensation. A wave of information flooded his mind – a map of the academy grounds, meticulously detailed with buildings labeled and pathways highlighted. He instinctively navigated the map, searching for a specific location: his residence.A single point pulsed faintly on the mental map, marking a building labeled "Student Dormitories East Wing." A spark of curiosity ignited within him. Roommates? The concept was novel, having lived a solitary life for so long. He tucked this information away, eager to explore his new living quarters.Following the mental map, Atticus found himself standing before a three-story building bustling with activity. Students streamed in and out, some laden with luggage, others engaged in animated conversations. He located his room number on a directory n
After Atticus and Xu Hua reached a Compromise, no argument was issued for the next few days.Atticus on the other hand was actually eager to start attending the classes in which he had signed up for.The past few days had only consisted of him going to get some clothings and other extra necessities with a part of the low grade spirit stones he had been given by the sect as a start up resource.His uniform had finally arrived, a white robe with blue designs all over it. This signified that he belonged to the arcane studies faculty just as he had chosen.These past few days have really been an eye opener to how far things have come in the cultivation world.Being in the bloodhound sect for such a short period didn't allow Atticus to really realize how different the world had become.Take the spirit transmission disc for example. From what he knew about it in his past life, one could inject spirit qi into it and communicate with someone else who had the twin disc of the same spirit trans
The crisp morning air nipped at Atticus' cheeks as he hurried towards the Arcane Studies building as he felt a bit of excitement bubble in his chest, a stark contrast to the dry demeanor he had assumed while in the Bloodhound Sect. Today marked his first official class, and the prospect of learning from a seasoned mage filled him with anticipation.Reaching the imposing structure, Atticus marveled at its intricate carvings and soaring towers. It exuded power and knowledge, a beacon for aspiring arcanists. Inside, the air crackled with a nervous energy shared by his fellow first-year students. Murmurs and fidgeting filled the hallways as they navigated their way towards their respective classrooms.He found himself in front of a massive oak door emblazoned with a swirling symbol of arcane energy. Taking a deep breath, Atticus pushed it open, stepping into a vast lecture hall. Rows of wooden benches, worn from years of eager students, faced a raised platform dominated by a large oak des
Atticus went back to his dorm after what he deemed a fruitful lecture.He wanted to test out the refining technique Professor Ragnar had given them, he found his explanation on the purity of spirit qi fascinating.Right there in his apartment Atticus sat on the floor and folded his legs, his stance was similar to all those monks.Slowly he rotated his cultivation base as he activated the refining technique.The qi present in him started to move around his meridian veins and kept on rotating in circles.His body did not absorb any qi from the atmosphere as this technique involved the refining of qi present in the dantian.The more he refined it the purer it would get in theory and also the faster he would be able to refine more qi.The refinement technique didn't make one automatically absorb pure qi so each refined qi is a finite resource as once its use in the casting of a spell its gone and more will need to be refined.The speed of the refinement and how one could push its purity d
As he reached for his discarded shirt with the thoughts of going out to get some food, the door creaked open, revealing Xu Hua. Her usual stoic expression was etched with a hint of surprise, a rare sight. Following closely behind was a whirlwind of activity in the form of a girl with vibrant pink hair fashioned into two high buns. "Woah, you have a roommate? And it's a guy!" the girl exclaimed, her voice a bubbly chirp. "Xu Hua never mentioned that!" Xu Hua simply swept past them both, heading straight for her desk, her silence a clear message to let the topic die. Atticus recognized the tactic – a well-honed defense mechanism against her potential pestering and fostering awkwardness. Sure enough, the girl, seemingly oblivious to the silent plea, bounced towards Atticus, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Hi there! I'm Lu Xiaoyan, Xu Hua's best friend! You must be the new roommate, right?" she chirped, extending a hand in greeting.Atticus took her hand, a wry smile playing on
Atticus wandered out of the student dorms and made his way to the nearby town. He knew a restaurant there that served amazing food, and his stomach was rumbling in protest.The air buzzed with the delicious aroma of sizzling meat and spices as Atticus weaved through the bustling streets. He spotted a small eatery, decorated with paper lanterns and wooden benches, that looked perfect for a hearty meal. Stepping inside, he was greeted by a warm, friendly atmosphere. Laughter mingled with the clatter of dishes and the rhythmic sizzle of food being cooked in the open kitchen. He spotted a few students from his Arcane faculty class enjoying a meal in a corner. One of them, a young man named Wei Chen with a mop of black hair, waved him over."Hey! Didn't expect to see you here," Wei Chen called out, barely audible over the lively chatter. Atticus himself wasn't expecting to see someone he recognized here but either way returned the greeting with a nod and a smile, scanning the room for
The walk back to the academy with Wei Chen was shrouded in a tense silence. The gruesome scene at the restaurant replayed in Atticus' mind, the chilling image of the decaying bodies a constant reminder of the brutal encounter. Wei Chen, usually brimming with nervous chatter, remained uncharacteristically subdued, his face etched with a mixture of fear and confusion. As they approached their separate dorms, a flicker of concern crossed Wei Chen's usually jovial expression. "Atticus," he began, his voice barely above a whisper, "that... that figure...I have a feeling it is related to a spectral demon.."Atticus, his own thoughts a tangled mess, simply offered a grim nod.Even though he did really know anything about spectral demons, he did know a bit about demons based on the demonic energy he himself possessed.The evidence spoke for itself – the inhuman agility, the dark energy, the chilling aura – it all pointed towards something far more sinister than a mere cultivator. Especially
Atticus sighed as he closed the ancient tome, the last vestiges of his contribution points reducing its two figures to just one. He'd burned through them faster than anticipated, his relentless pursuit of knowledge proving to be an expensive endeavor. Yet, a satisfied smile played on his lips after all this was one of his shortcomings since he came to this world and now he was eliminating that blatant weakness. He had also reached the pinnacle of the Perfected Stage in Foundation Establishment, his body and spirit primed for the next crucial step – breaking through to the Spirit Gathering Realm.Unlike the previous realms, where sheer absorption of qi sufficed for a breakthrough, the Spirit Gathering Realm demanded a deeper connection. As the name implied, cultivators sought to assimilate the essence of spirits, forming a symbiotic bond that enhanced their own power. This process required patience, empathy, and a genuine understanding of the spirit in question. Through carefully con