ATG : NCF Chapter 5 : First Steps (Patreon)

I'd settled into the meditation posture detailed in my newly acquired knowledge.

The technique was simple in theory—absorb yin energy from the moon by visualizing it flowing into my body, nourishing my soul power.

For two hours, I maintained perfect focus, following each step with meticulous precision.

When I finally opened my eyes, a small notification appeared:

[Soul Power(F): 0.05/100]

I stared at it in disbelief. Two hours of intense concentration, and my progress was a mere fraction of a percentage point. At this rate, it would take 4,000 hours—over 166 days of non-stop meditation—just to advance my Soul Power from F to E rank.

Tsk... my system isn't a miracle worker, unlike those Supreme Protagonists who became Immortal Emperors in a few years.

Without my profound veins fully matured, cultivation was going to be agonizingly slow.

No shortcuts.

No accelerated growth.

Just a long grind.

I sighed and went to bed, falling into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Morning came with a soft knock at my door. I rose, shaking off the lingering disappointment from last night's revelation.

"Young Master?" Bai Ning Ning's voice came through the door. "Your father has agreed to meet with you after breakfast."

"Thank you, Miss Bai," I replied, quickly organizing my thoughts. I needed to approach this meeting with clear objectives. "I'll be ready shortly."

After washing up and dressing in my finest clothes—a subtle display of respect that wouldn't go unnoticed—I made my way to the dining hall. The morning meal passed in relative silence, with only the occasional pleasantry exchanged.

My mother watched me with barely concealed curiosity.

Once breakfast concluded, I proceeded to my father's study. Standing before the imposing wooden door, I took a deep breath and knocked.

"Enter," came his commanding voice.

I stepped inside to find him reviewing ledgers at his desk.

Lin Wei was not an imposing man physically—average height, with scholarly features and graying temples—but his presence commanded respect.

He looked up, setting aside his brush.

"Zhou'er. You wished to speak with me?"

I bowed formally. "Yes, Father. I've decided to accept your offer."

His expression remained neutral, but I caught the slight narrowing of his eyes—assessment, calculation. "And what changed your mind so quickly?"

"My visit to the city yesterday was enlightening," I replied honestly. "I realized the scope of resources required for proper cultivation. Your generous stipend will provide what I need."

He nodded slowly. "Very well. My conditions stand as stated. Protection for our family should you reach Emperor Profound Realm, and responsibility for my other children within the sect."

"I accept these terms, Father."

"Good." He reached for a drawer, retrieving a small pouch that clinked with the unmistakable sound of coins. "Your second month's stipend. Consider the first one a gift for your wise decision."

I accepted it with both hands, bowing again. "Thank you, Father. There is... one more matter I wish to discuss."

"Oh?" He leaned back slightly.

"I wish to deepen my knowledge of medicine."

This caught his interest. His eyebrows rose a fraction. "Medicine? You've already studied the basics with your tutors."

"Yes, but I believe a more comprehensive understanding would serve me well in the future. Whether as a cultivator or not, such knowledge has value."

Father studied me for a long moment, clearly intrigued by this unexpected direction.

"An unusual interest for one so young, but not without merit. Understanding medicine could give you an edge in recognizing potential threats to your health."

"That was my thinking as well, Father."

"I'll arrange for a tutor with more specialized knowledge," he finally said. "Master Feng from the White Crane Dispensary should suffice. He's served our household for years."

"Thank you, Father."

"Is there anything else?"

"No, Father. That will be all."

He nodded dismissively, already returning to his ledgers. "Make good use of your stipend, Zhou'er."

I bowed once more and withdrew from his study.

One thousand purple profound coins—I would need to allocate them carefully.

Bai Ning Ning was waiting outside. "Shall we return to the city today, Young Master?"

"Yes," I replied. "I'd like to visit the Black Moon Merchant Guild."

The Black Moon Merchant Guild was widely known for their medical supplies and alchemical materials. 

The journey to their branch in the capital took less than half an hour.

The building itself was impressive—three stories of polished dark wood with the guild's emblem—a black crescent moon—hanging prominently over the entrance.

Inside, the main hall displayed their general wares, while specialized sections branched off to the sides. I headed directly for the medical section, Bai Ning Ning following silently behind.

Rows of herbs, some dried, some preserved in jars of special solutions, lined the shelves. My newly acquired knowledge allowed me to identify each instantly—Blood Grass, Nine-Leaf Honeysuckle, Frost Lichen, White Spirit Root. Common ingredients, all of them.

A heavyset man with a merchant's smile approached us. "How may this humble servant assist the young master today?"

"I'm looking to expand my knowledge of medicinal ingredients," I replied. "What would you recommend for a... dedicated student?"

His smile widened as he looked me over—taking in my expensive clothes, my guard, and most importantly, my age. There was amusement in his eyes, the kind adults often have when seeing a child attempt to engage in grown-up activities.

"Perhaps the young master would be interested in our introductory herb sets? Perfect for beginners." He gestured toward a modest display of the most basic ingredients. "Only thirty purple profound coins for the complete set."

A fair price, if slightly marked up. I nodded and moved deeper into the section.

"And these?" I pointed to a shelf containing more exotic ingredients.

"Ah, those are premium-grade Scarlet Flame Flowers," he explained, his tone friendly but still containing that hint of amusement at my interest. "Quite effective for fever reduction. Seventy-five purple profound coins per stack."

Expensive by commoner standards, but reasonable for medicinal ingredients of that quality. I continued browsing while the merchant patiently explained each herb I showed interest in, quoting prices that ranged from ten to a hundred purple profound coins per stack, depending on rarity and efficacy.

But I wasn't there to shop—I was there to assess. And what I found was deeply disappointing.

There wasn't a single pill in sight.

Not one.

The "advanced" medicines were merely herbal compounds with slightly enhanced efficacy—tinctures, poultices, and elixirs that might reduce a fever faster or numb pain more effectively than their basic counterparts.

By Earth standards, these would be considered miracle medicines.

By cultivation world standards? Pathetic.

The knowledge in my mind included formulas for pills that could regrow limbs, purge deadly poisons, or add years to one's life. The disparity between what I knew and what was available was staggering.

"Will the young master be making a purchase today?" the merchant finally asked, his smile never wavering despite having spent considerable time with a browsing child who clearly wasn't buying anything.

"Not today," I replied. "I'm still considering my options. Thank you for your time."

He bowed and moved to attend to another customer, casting one last amused glance my way.

As we left the guild, I pondered what I'd learned. The state of alchemy in the Blue Wind Empire was even more primitive than I'd expected.

This wasn't merely an undeveloped field—it was practically non-existent at higher levels.

And according to the novel, the Realm of Gods was probably only slightly better in terms of Alchemy.

Which created an opportunity. But I would need to be careful about how I approached it.

"Miss Bai," I said as we walked through the market district, "I have another task for you."

"Yes, Young Master?"

"I need information on available properties in the city. Shops for rent, land for sale—particularly spaces that could accommodate a business."

She looked surprised. "A business, Young Master? What kind of business would you be interested in?"

"I'm considering several options," I replied vaguely. "But, for now, I just need information on what's available. Prices, locations, restrictions."

She nodded, though her expression remained curious. "I'll make inquiries immediately. Shall I escort you home first?"

"Yes. I have matters to attend to."

As we walked back toward the compound, I mentally calculated my next steps.

Establishing a business could provide a steady income stream beyond my father's stipend, giving me more resources for my true goals.

But any venture would need to appear logical for a five-year-old "genius" to conceive, rather than the ideas of a reincarnated adult.

Bai Ning Ning departed to make her inquiries as soon as we reached the compound.

I returned to my chambers, already planning my next moves. The road ahead would be long and fraught with challenges, but for the first time since arriving in this world, I had a clear path forward.

Slow progress with soul power was disappointing, but not unexpected.

I would simply need to be patient.

In the meantime, establishing alternative income streams would provide the resources I'd need when my profound veins finally mature.

I pulled out a blank scroll and began drafting business possibilities, weighing their potential returns against the investment required.

This world had no idea what was coming.