In a Cultivation World with a Cheat System (Xianxia inspired quest).

Note: Green text, when used in something the MC is viewing from the system, is visible to MC. Uncolored text is only visible to the voters.

If anyone is interested in acting as a Beta or just as a sounding board, feel free to send me a PM.


A cool breeze blows through a valley located at the base of a tall mountain. In the far distance, a large, bustling city can be seen. But here, just a few hours walk from those city walls, all is peaceful. Within this valley is a small lake that is fed by the waters of a river, one that climbs up around the mountain and off into distant lands. The wind blows swiftly through this valley, ruffling the tall grass and tree leaves, as well as causing small waves to form on the surface of the lake. On the shore of this lake stands a solitary figure. A young man with his hands clasped comfortably behind his back.

Looking to be around fifteen years of age, the teen is tall and slim in stature with soft yet angular facial features. The young teen is swathed in an extravagant robe of black silk with silver patterns in the form clouds. His coal black hair is long and lustrous, reaching down to his waist at the back while the front has been tied back by a number of delicate, golden hair clips. His eyes are a pale green, containing within them a hint of warmth and amusement that matches well with the soft smile on his face. From each of his ears dangles a small bead of polished jade the same color as his eyes. A matching amulet with a silver symbol carved into it hangs from his neck.

Were any of the locals from that distant city around, they would loudly exclaim in recognition at the sight of this young man. Shouts of 'Second Young Master Zhang!' ringing out while they rush forward to kowtow before him. Were any strangers about, they would instead recognize the symbol carved into the amulet hanging from his neck. A pair of words centered within a circle; Zhang Tian. This amulet of jade and silver is the symbol of the Zhang clan of Ye Country, one of the four Great Clans of Grand Ye, and unusable by non-clan members under punishment of death. Thus, by putting the two pieces of information together, one can conclude that this young man is Zhang Tian; the second young master of the Zhang clan.

Or, at least, that would the case to anyone but Zhang Tian himself.

What no other person knows, is that just under two weeks ago the life, and identity, of the young Zhang Tian had been irrevocably changed. Having transmigrated from the planet Earth, the twenty-six-year-old Canadian laborer John Smith had found himself inhabiting the body of Zhang Tian. Or rather, as he'd decided when equilibrium was finally reached between their two psyches, Zhang Tian had woken up one morning with the memories of the earthling John Smith.

As one can imagine, such a thing has a way of changing one's perspective. However, just two short weeks later, the two psyches have already fully merged into one entity. An entity containing the best parts of both individuals.

'Although,' Zhang Tian can't help but think, frowning slightly though his eyes remained fixed on the lake waters. 'It would have been nice if whoever did this also fixed my defect while they were merging our souls together.'

With the addition of John Smith's psyche, came the addition of his memories and such, and John Smith had been an avid reader of fantasy stories. Fanfictions written by the best, and worst, the Internet had to offer. Translated works of Xianxia, Wuxia, and Xuanhuan from those wonderous lands to the east. Not even John himself could say how many such stories he'd read in his short lifetime. With such a wealth of knowledge and experience to call upon, is it any surprise that Zhang Tian is willing to believe in the involvement of a third party in this matter?

No. Clearly, a ROB is to blame for this situation. Not that either part of him is complaining about the merge. Zhang Tian was just upset that the ROB hadn't seen fit to fix the defect that he'd been born with while it was mucking about in his soul. The same defect that had completely crushed the excited mood of his earthborn counterpart when he'd learned of it.

Unlike on Earth, but much like in a great many of the stories John had read, the people of this world are capable of Cultivation. By taking in the essence of the world, commonly known around these parts as 'Heaven and Earth Qi', the people of this world are capable of performing superhuman feats. Things like crossing dozens of meters in an instant, leaping over tall buildings, conjuring and controlling the elements, and even unassisted flight, are commonplace in this world. Even people Zhang Tian personally knows, people from his clan at that, are capable of such feats and many more.

Learning about this had put the John Smith part of him in such a high mood. After all, the displaced man had been wishing for magic and/or superpowers his whole life. Then he'd learned that Zhang Tian was born with a rare defect that prevented him from Cultivating. This single fact had brought his mood crashing down, as well as digging up some long-buried emotions within Zhang Tian. There'd been a sliver of hope when the two psyches had fully merged become one soul, but that hadn't panned out

In order to cultivate in this world, a person must have strong Spirit Roots. These are metaphysical pathways that form a link from the body to the soul. By learning how to draw out Soul Energy through these pathways, one can then interact with Heaven and Earth Qi and use their Soul Energy to draw it into the body. This mixed energy, commonly referred to as 'Mortal Qi', can then be used in a myriad of ways depending on the individual's talent and cultivation method.

'Sort of like Magic Circuits, OD, and Mana from the Fate series.' as John had put it.

The problem with Zhang Tian is that he was born with shriveled Spirit Roots. This rare condition means that his Spirit Roots are too weak and malformed to allow his Soul Energy to pass through them. Even just trying causes him to suffer through excruciating pain. As if countless needles are piercing his organs and muscles. Trying to push past the pain and force the matter isn't even an option, doing so would cause irreparable damage to his soul and shorten his lifespan. There'd been hope that the addition of John's soul, or at least the machinations of the ROB, had fixed this problem but no dice.

So here he is, the same old Zhang Tian with a bit of extra and completely unsure what to do with the changes in his life. Previously, he'd been content to live out a simple life running a number of his clan's businesses while leaving the more dangerous matters to his fellow clan members. This whole transmigration matter has reignited long forgotten dreams of power and greatness. It's almost painful to think of what could have been, knowing from John's many stories that there is likely a vast and fantastical world outside of Grand Ye. Maybe even other worlds and dimensions.

A sigh rings out.

'But what can I do about it? These are the cards I was deal-'

*Splash!*

The sound, and spray, of the water a few meters in front of him erupting upwards cut through his thoughts. Smiling softly once more, Zhang Tian watches as the waterlogged figure of an older man bursts up from the lake to land beside him with a soft thump. Clad only in a pair of black shorts, the man is almost a whole foot taller than Zhang Tian with a thick, muscular frame. His black, short cropped hair is currently soaked flat to his head and there is a fierceness in his brown eyes. The many scars dotting his form tell a tale of one who has faced combat many times to emerge damaged but victorious.

"Cho Mang." Zhang Tian speaks softly, turning to fully face the man. "You've returned."

"Young Master." The man, Cho Mang, replies in greeting.

This newly arrived man is none other than Cho Mang, an orphan child that was taken in and raised to serve the Zhang family. Back when Zhang Tian turned twelve years of age and was granted permission to venture outside of the clan compound on his own, it was Cho Mang that was assigned as his personal guard. Having acted in the role of Zhang Tian's guard and manservant and for the past three years, it is Cho Mang that is without a doubt the closest confidante of Zhang Tian.

"Any luck?" Zhang Tian asks. He is already aware of what the answer will be but the question is asked nonetheless.

Rather than a verbal response, Cho Mang instead holds out his left hand which has been clasped tightly shut this whole while. Slowly opening his fist, Cho Mang reveals the three, gumball-sized orbs held within. These orbs are a murky brown in color and seem to be formed of a soft, jelly-like substance as they wobble and slosh around in Cho Mang's cupped hands.

If any others were to see these three orbs, they would surely exclaim in shock. After all, these are the eggs of the Spiral Horned Toad, a Class 1 Spirit Beast that most would be fearful of facing. The eggs laid by this beast are considered to be quite valuable as they are a critical ingredient to forging the Arterial Reinforcement Pill, a high-grade cultivation resource that is very beneficial to all cultivators in the first realm of cultivation. A single one of these eggs could fetch enough silver to feed a small family for many months.

"Oh good, that's just enough." Zhang Tian says, smiling wide. "Put them with the rest."

In a move that would have many frothing at the mouth in desire, Zhang Tian crouches down to open a bulging sack lying at his feet to reveal what has to be nearly a hundred more of such eggs. In a move that would have had those same people coughing up blood, Cho Mang dismissively tosses the three new eggs into the pile before moving to wipe his hand clean. These are precious crafting materials that many would kill for yet these two are treating them like common trash. One is keeping them in a sack with no form of protection or preservation, the other has just tossed them about while looking like they'd sullied his hand. It's enough to almost drive one mad with rage.

Of course, these two wouldn't care for such things. Not only can the Zhang clan afford to buy ten times this number of eggs without batting an eye but of the two men, one is incapable of cultivating while the other has already cultivated to a realm where the resultant pills would be useless for his continued growth. What reason do they have to care about such materials?

"Well, this should be all that we need." Zhang Tian affirms, eyes darting over the bag of toad eggs before returning to Cho Mang's form. "Any troubles?"

Snorting, Cho Mang holds out his other arm for Zhang Tian to inspect. In this hand, held by its long, webbed feet is the body of a brown-skinned toad. The creature is almost the size of a small child, even while excluding the foot long spiral of bone jutting out from between its bulbous eyes. Said eyes are blank in death and a long, barbed tongue hangs limply from its wide, sharp-toothed maw.

"Nothing I couldn't handle." Cho Mang answers in a boastful tone.

Chuckling, Zhang Tian stands from his crouch and slings the sack of toad eggs over one shoulder.

"Right. Well, get dressed and let's head on back. Two days out in the wild is plenty enough for me."

As Cho Mang moves towards a nearby pile of clothing, Zhang Tian is unable to hold back another sigh as he shakes his head. These past two days at the lake with Cho Mang have certainly been fun but they've done nothing to help lift his spirits or clear his mind. In fact, they may have just made things worse.

These two days in the wild have really served to drive home just what he's missing out on with his inability to cultivate. Watching Cho Mang chop firewood with his bare hands, chase down a deer on foot for their meal, and keep watch the whole night without the need for rest had been envy-inducing enough but it's the egg gathering that really takes the cake. This time, for example, the older man had been underwater for fifteen minutes. Fifteen minutes without needing to come up for air. Fifteen minutes where he'd fought, and defeated, a Class 1 Spirit Beast while suffering from a disadvantage due to the terrain. All without taking so much as a scratch. If Zhang Tian tried to do the same, he'd drown long before the toad could tear him to shreds.

It was all just so unfair. Why did he have to be born this way!?

Seeing Cho Mang dressing so they can leave, Zhang Tian can only sigh once more before turning away.

He makes it five steps before suddenly freezing in place, his expression twisting into one of shock and confusion.


As he dresses, Cho Mang can't help but sneak a glance or two at his young master. His eyes glimmer with a touch of happiness each time they land upon Zhang Tian's form. After their many years together as master and servant, Cho Mang has come to view the second young master of the Zhang family like something akin to a younger brother. One that he is immensely proud of.

When it was discovered that Zhang Tian could never cultivate, many had expected the young boy to wallow in despair. After all, everyone in the Zhang Clan knew just how much the young Zhang Tian was looking forward to practicing the art. Ever since he first watched a flashy mock spar between his older brother and father, the young Zhang Tian was completely enamored with the world of martial arts and cultivation. At that young age, when others were out playing and running about, Zhang Tian was instead in his father's study, reading history books about ancient heroes and their amazing feats. To be like them was his greatest wish.

Then his illness was discovered and his dreams crushed.

Like all the rest in the Zhang household, Cho Mang believed the young master would be broken by the discovery. It was one thing to want to cultivate but have little talent, but to want it yet be completely unable to ever cultivate? Greater men had been broken by less. In fact, Cho Mang knew of at least one fellow warrior that had opted for suicide after his cultivation base was destroyed in a training mishap. It was considered the sensible decision.

The days following the revelation had been quite stressful for everyone in the Zhang household as they took care around the young Zhang Tian. No one wanted to draw the ire of a young, upset noble after all. And Zhang Tian had been quite upset. Every toy and bauble he owned was destroyed. His sheets and clothes were shredded. Not even those storybooks that he once held precious escaped his fury. No one could calm him, not even his beloved older brother.

So it came as quite the surprise when, after just three days, Zhang Tian ended his tantrum. The previously ferocious boy simply appeared at the breakfast table one morning with his eyes dry and a look of determination on his face. To this day, none -not even Cho Mang, know what happened to the young boy but the Zhang Tian that emerged from his bedroom that morning was filled with a new resolve. If he couldn't be a Martial Warrior, then he would serve the Zhang clan in another manner.

From that day onwards, Zhang Tian devoted himself to his other studies. Finances and business management, history and etiquette. Any and all subjects deemed necessary for a young noble to dabble in were tackled, and eventually conquered, by the boy. The best tutors and teachers of the nation were hired at his behest, each imparting their teachings on the young Zhang Tian and leaving with words of praise about his intellect and work ethic. It was clear to all that Zhang Tian was shaping up to be a capable scion of the clan.

This was, of course, a relief to many in the clan. Even ignoring the cruel and spiteful nature that could have been bred from the despair over his affliction, there was still always that small chance of Zhang Tian instead turning into a 'silk pants' young master. With the way his parents and brother consistently doted on him, no one would have been overly surprised if Zhang Tian grew up to be like one of those many useless, spoiled, arrogant young masters.

Thankfully, that didn't happen.

Instead, Zhang Tian became a studious young man with a prosperous future ahead of him. Where other young masters of the same age wasted their fortunes away in bars, gambling dens, and pleasure houses, Zhang Tian spent his allowance on books and instructors. More often than not, he spent his days cooped up in his room or in the public sections of the clan library, pouring over one text or another.

So it was a bit of a surprise when the studious Zhang Tian asked to accompany Cho Mang on one of his resource gathering missions.

Like everyone else in the clan, Cho Mang would often go out on these missions from time to time. The Zhang clan might be rich and powerful, but they aren't so frivolous as to just hand out cultivation resources to every guard and servant. Doing so would impoverish the clan in no time. Instead, Zhang family servants and guards can purchase those items from the clan at a discounted price or complete missions to earn contribution points. These points can then be traded in for copies of cultivation manuals, innate techniques, pills, equipment or even personal guidance from a clan elder. Resource gathering missions like this one reward the most points, as those resources can be used to craft a number of pills and equipment that the clan can sell for profit whereas the rewarded points can only purchase one or two items. So, seeing as his charge would rather spend his days at home rather than wandering about the city, Cho Mang would often go out for a day or two to complete a mission.

When Zhang Tian asked to accompany him on one such mission, Cho Mang was greatly surprised. Surprised, but also glad. Honestly, seven years cooped up at home is not healthy for a young man. Even Lady Zhang was beginning to worry about the way her youngest was always buried in some book or another. A few days outside the clan compound would do him a world of good.

Of course, Cho Mang had been given a bone-chilling reminder -from the patriarch himself at that!, of what would happen to him if even a single hair of Zhang Tian's was harmed.

Which is why Cho Mang, consistently on his guard for danger to the young master, notices right away when Zhang Tian suddenly freezes in place.

Moving In a blur too fast to follow, Cho Mang appears beside Zhang Tian with his head darting about in search of a threat. His entire form is ablaze with power as a corona of barely visible, blue-tinted energy swirls around him. The soft earth beneath his feet craters, as if an invisible might is being exerted on it. A low hiss is heard as steam rises from Cho Mang's muscular form, the water covering him being flash boiled in an instant. The air is thick with tension.

"Young Master?" Cho Mang questions after a few moments of nothing happening. Though his keen senses are unable to detect anything threatening in the immediate area, Cho Mang doesn't drop his guard.

Jolted by the voice of his servant, Zhang Tian seems to shake himself awake.

"Ah, it's nothing. I was just struck by a sudden thought." Zhang Tian replies, his affable smile slipping back into place. "Sorry to worry you, Cho Mang."

Frowning, Cho Mang can only nod his head and return to dressing himself. There doesn't seem to be any danger as far as he can tell, and he trusts Zhang Tian to speak up if there is anything troubling him.

"Come, let's return home. I.. I feel like I have much to think about."

Nodding, Cho Mang falls in line behind his master as they make their way back towards the city. Due to having his young master along with him, Cho Mang is forced to travel at a much slower pace than he usually would. What most people would consider a normal walking pace is naught but a slow crawl in the eyes of a cultivator of his level. The short journey that would normally take him a dozen or so minutes at most, takes hours instead. Still, Cho Mang is in good spirits the whole while and follows at his master's back without complaint.

Unlike the initial journey out to the lake, filled with all manner of questions and amicable conversation, the return trip is made in complete silence. Zhang Tian seems to be deep in thought the whole way back, pondering whatever matter brought him to a stop earlier. Having years of experience with his master's many moods, Cho Mang knows it's best to remain silent and leave him to his thoughts.

Like that, two hours pass in silence before the two finally reach the city gates. Just in time too, as the sun begins to set and night falls over the land.


Named for the vibrant coloring of its various buildings, Crimsonwood City is considered one of the five major cities of Grand Ye. Located in the southernmost reaches of the country, it serves as a major hub of trading and tourism for all those in the region. With the surrounding mountains and the Crimsonwood Forest -a stretch of Spirit Beast infested woodland that encompasses the entire southern border of the country- so close by, the city also serves as a major defensive position for the rest of the country. Tens of thousands of souls pass through this city every day while millions more live within its thick walls.

To the west of the city lies the Zhang compound. A sprawling expanse of homes and shops built atop (and into) a number of short hills, the lands of the Zhang clan are expansive enough to be comparable to a small town. The sturdy gate and reinforced walls surrounding the whole compound give it a feeling akin to a large, defensible fortress.

With his emblem on display, Zhang Tian passes through the city's checkpoint and into the clan compound without issue. Only once they have stepped through the compound gates does he speak again.

"Cho Mang. You go and finish the mission without me. It's already this late so I will return to rest."

"Yes, young master."

Handing the bag of valuable resources over to Cho Mang, Zhang Tian turns and departs for his own home. Looking at the departing back of his young master, Cho Mang can only release a sigh full of worry before vanishing in a blur of movement.


Over a thousand steps are required to scale the series of hills that the Zhang clan compound is built upon. Every hundred or so steps up the stone stairway elegantly carved into the central hill, there are a number of smooth pathways that branch off towards groupings of homes, training grounds, and other assorted structures. These are all the small villages and districts that make up the whole that is the Zhang clan. Ignoring every one of the branches, Zhang Tian continues on towards the top of that long stairway. His pace is neither hurried nor rushed, Zhang Tian simply proceeds up the stairway one graceful step at a time. Zhang Tian would even stop every once in a while to greet and speak with the various guardsmen and servants that are also walking up or down the stairway. Like this, he slowly makes his way up the hill.

With the numerous stops along the way, it takes over half an hour for Zhang Tian to finally reach the top of the stairway. Nonetheless, there is a pleased smile on his face as he crests those final few steps and lays eyes on the structure atop of the hill. Before him stands a majestic building that seems to loom over everything below it. It is a manor house so ostentatious that one would not be wrong to compare it to an imperial palace. This is the house of the Zhang clan patriarch, Zhang Tian's father, and his family.

Rather than enter through the ornately decorated doorway, Zhang Tian simply nods to the two men guarding the entrance before turning and making his way around the building. A few minutes more of walking leads Zhang Tian to a walled courtyard. Within is a vibrant looking garden surrounding a deep pond thriving with fish. This harmonious piece of nature is only disturbed by a stout building constructed a short distance from the pond. This is Zhang Tian's home.

Though he has a room within the main manor, this auxiliary building was gifted to him by his parents some time ago. It is a place of absolute privacy that Zhang Tian is able to use however he chooses. If he were to turn around and go to the other side of the manor, he would find a similar looking courtyard belonging to his older brother

"Young master, you have returned." A gruff sounding voice calls out.

The speaker is a short, portly man in the decorated armor for guards of the Zhang clan. He stands to the left of the only entrance into Zhang Tian's courtyard.

"Welcome back young master." A soft voice chimes in.

This speaker stands on the right-hand side of the entrance. This guard is a woman, one that is tall and thin with a polite smile on her face.

"Hn. Thank you." Zhang Tian affirms, offering the two a nod as he passes them by. These two have been assigned to guard his home this week. The week previous was a different pair of guards and the week following will bring about yet a different pair.

The fourth elder, who handles the protection of the clan grounds, prefers to swap the various guards around rather than letting them get lazy with doing the same task every day. A boring guard job like this one is considered downtime for the guards. A welcome break from the normally intense training and long patrols they would have to do.

Walking through his courtyard, Zhang Tian proceeds to enter his home. As always, the interior of the building is spotlessly clean yet messy as well. The servants assigned to his home have long gotten used to the methods of cleaning the house without disturbing the mess of papers and texts scattered about the place. There is a homely feel to the whole place that causes Zhang Tian to smile as he shuts the door.

With slow and diligent movements, Zhang Tian proceeds to prepare and consume a small meal before changing into his sleepwear and extinguishing the Qi powered light crystals in the room. Only then, nestled under the covers of his bed with no chance of disturbance or distraction, does he pay attention to the block of text still floating at the forefront of his mind.

Compatible User Detected.
System Initialization Complete.

Welcome, User.

You have been accepted as a suitable host for the-

[][System] Naruto System.
A system based on the Naruto world. Through the system, the MC can purchase and use any items, jutsu, bloodlines and etc from the Naruto world.
(The cultivation system of the world becomes one more focused on 'Blood Legacy' abilities and elemental manipulation).

[][System] Bleach System.
The system items are instead of the Bleach universe. This includes the abilities of all spirit factions as well as the personal techniques, weapons or tools of individual characters.
(The cultivation system of the world is more focused on weapon use and 'Spirit Beast Transformations'. I.e: temporary Hollowfication)

[][System] One Piece System.
Same as the rest. The MC can buy anything from the One Piece universe. Multiple devil fruits can be eaten by the MC but he can only have one active at a time.
(The cultivation system of the world is more focused on temporary physical enhancement with spiritual energies and close quarters martial arts.)

[][System] Supreme Cultivation System.
A cultivation system unique to the setting. The MC can buy weapons and armor, pills, techniques and etc that are unique to the setting. This is a freestyle system where the effects of purchasable items are basically anything the voters can imagine. The more powerful the voted purchase, the more expensive it will be -though cheaper alternatives will always be provided if the MC can't afford the voted choice.
(A cultivation world similar to most high fantasy Xianxia stories. The techniques of NPCs are all quite flashy and basically boil down to 'whatever cool idea pops into my head'.)

XxxOxxX

Voting is closed!

Zhang Tian (Age: 15)

Cultivation Realm: Upper-stage Body Refinement (999 / 10,000 xp).

Attributes

Strength: Good.
Speed: Below Average.
Vitality: Great (Armored: any attacks of a lower rank will be negated).

Comprehension: Great.
Insight: Good.
Knowledge: Excellent.

Cultivation Speed: Peerless.
Qi Creation: Above Average.
Qi Capacity: Excellent.
Qi Regen: N/A.

System Points: 260 (Pending: 10,000)

Training XP: 3d10.
Bonus XP: 2d20.
Combat XP: 1d100.

System Store

Shop Suggestions!

Shop!

1d10 training dice.

1d20 training dice.

1d100 training dice.

Mastery Level +1: Increase the Mastery of a technique by one rank.

Partial Body Repair: repairs all physical damage to the body such that the host is in no danger of dying. Takes a number of minutes.
Full Body Repair: fully repairs the body to its optimal state. Takes a number of hours.

Partial Soul Repair: repairs damage to the soul such that the host is in no danger of dying. Takes a number of minutes.
Full Soul Repair: fully repairs the soul to its optimal state. Takes a number of hours.

Partial Body and Soul Repair: repairs damage to the body and soul such that the host is in no danger of dying. Takes far less time than the seperate versions.
Full Body and Soul Repair: fully repairs the body and soul to their optimal state. Takes far less time than the seperate versions.

Quest Mechanics.


Glossary.

Cho Mang: Zhang Tian's bodyguard and friend. Age 26. He is extremely loyal to Zhang Tian and views him like a younger brother.

Crimsonwood City: Zhang Tian's hometown. The main hub of southern Ye. It guards the rest of the country against the beasts in Crimsonwood Forest to the south. The name comes from the color of the wood used to construct various structures.

Cultivation Realms: there are a total of nine cultivation realms, each is divided into three stages of Early, Intermediate and Upper/Peak.

• Body Refinement: the stage where the cultivator uses their Qi to refine their body and clean it of impurities.
• Core Formation: the cultivator creates a core of Heaven and Earth Qi inside the body, allowing Mortal Qi to be created instantaneously within the body.
• Core Ignition: the cultivator infuses the Qi core with Soul Energy, allowing Mortal Qi to flow freely through the body.
• Ascendant Mortal: the cultivator purges their Qi of impurities, releasing themselves from the shackles of mortality. They become capable of flight.

Elders of the Zhang clan: the strongest experts in the clan, they deal with the important matters of the clan and act as the final defense of the clan.

1. Unknown.
2. Unknown.
3. Zhang Nien: an upper-stage Core Ignition realm expert. Zhang Nien is a three-star Alchemist of great renown in the southern region of Grand Ye.
4. Name TBD. The fourth elder is In charge of the Zhang clan's internal security. They are in the intermediate stage of the Core Ignition realm.
5. Unknown.
6. Name TBD. The sixth elder is in charge of the clan archive. They are in the intermediate stage of the Core Ignition realm.
7. Name TBD. The seventh elder is in charge of managing the various businesses of the Zhang clan. They are in the early stage of the Core Ignition realm.
8. Name TBD. The eighth elder is in charge of resource allocation and missions. They are in the early stage of the Core Ignition realm.
9. Zhang Huo: the 'hidden' ninth elder. Zhang Huo is in charge of information gathering, espionage, and black ops. His stealth based cultivation art has crippled his cultivation so that he is unable to advance past the early stage of the Core Ignition realm.

Grand Ye: Zhang Tian's country of origin. It has four great clans, five main cities, and an unknown number of smaller towns and villages. Not much else has been said about it yet.

Guo Yue: Zhang Tian's personal maid and hidden guard. Age 32. She is a skilled cultivator that takes her duty as a maid very seriously. Guo Yue is highly respectful when dealing with Zhang Tian but won't pass up the opportunity to tease her 'little brother'.

Huang Yi: Mother of Zhang Tian. In her late 30s. Huang Yi is a beautiful, young-looking woman with a kind and warm personality. She dotes on her children and enjoys teasing them. She has a love for nature and plants. Upper-stage of the Core Ignition realm.

Professions: referring to jobs that can only be done by cultivators, these professions commonly require control of Qi and one must usually increase their cultivation base to advance in their profession. Professions are ranked with stars; ranging from one-star at the beginner stage, to nine-stars at the grandmaster stage.
Xun Jingyi: Daughter of the City Lord of Crimsonwood City.

Zhang Mei: Daughter of the first elder. Age 17. A candidate for the position of clan head. Upper-stage of the Core Formation realm.

Zhang Min: Son of the seventh elder. Age 18. A candidate for the position of clan head. Upper-stage of the Core Formation realm.

Zhang Hai: Father of Zhang Tian and patriarch of the Zhang Clan. He is a middle-aged man. Zhang Hai is very prideful and loving when it comes to his family and clan, but is ruthless when it comes to dealing with those outside the clan. He is an Upper-stage Core Ignition realm specialist, just a step away from stepping into the Ascendant Mortal realm. He plans to enter seclusion soon to attempt a breakthrough.

Zhang Hua: Older brother of Zhang Tian. Age 20. A talented genius within the Zhang clan, Zhang Hua is aiming to become the next clan head of the Zhang Clan. The peak of the Core Formation realm.

Zhang Tian: the MC. Age 15. Born with an illness that prevents him from cultivating, Zhang Tian gained mystical powers when his soul was combined with that of an older man from earth and a mysterious System later awoke within him. Zhang Tian is intelligent, observant and studious. His primary expression is that of a calm smile and he is generally a level-headed person.