Rui's Mystical Cultivation Saga

After a month of cultivation, Lin Rui's life had gradually settled into a steady rhythm. During this time, it was as if the Lin family had utterly forgotten about him, treating him like a non-existent figure within the clan. To Lin Rui, this was an unexpected relief—after all, keeping a low profile was his top priority after crossing into this new world. Though the toxins in his body hadn't been fully purged, progress had been faster than expected, thanks to the help of the Chickpedia. Cultivating had become easier, and while his progress remained slow, it was a notable improvement from the initial struggles caused by blocked spiritual energy.

Lin Rui had also learned how to use the family's Resource Exchange Hall. Every few days, he would trade his father's contribution points for ingredients and the detoxifying herbs recommended by Chickpedia. However, he needed to be better versed in their medicinal effects. Under the system's guidance, incorporating these herbs into his meals gradually expelled more lingering poison. As his condition improved, his cultivation became smoother.

One evening, Lin Rui was busy in the kitchen, as he had been accustomed to since arriving in this world of cultivation. His passion lay in color and creativity in his previous life as an artist, but now his life revolved around pots and pans. While the food he made wasn't as refined as the cuisine of the modern world, it was enough to keep him fed, and occasionally, it even surprised him with its pleasant taste.

"Not bad... Maybe I have some talent in cooking after all," Lin Rui chuckled, glancing at the simmering soup pot.

Just as he was about to eat, the creak of the courtyard gate echoed through the quiet evening. Familiar footsteps approached, and Lin Yuntian, his father, walked in. Despite his weathered face and the fatigue of his travels, Lin Yuntian stood tall, his presence vibrant and full of life.

"Rui'er, I'm back!" Lin Yuntian called out with a hearty laugh that filled the courtyard.

"Dad! You're finally back!" Lin Rui's heart warmed as he quickly stepped forward to greet him. Over the past month, he had carefully studied the original Lin Rui's relationship with his father, mimicking the young man's mannerisms and behavior. After all, Lin Yuntian was the only person in this world who genuinely cared about "Lin Rui." Even though Lin Rui's soul didn't belong to the original owner, he had decided to treat this man as his true father.

"Haha! I'm a little late, but I have good news!" Lin Yuntian chirped, giving Lin Rui a firm pat on the shoulder, his eyes brimming with affection and pride.

A wave of warmth surged through Lin Rui. Although his father held little influence within the Lin family and was often sidelined, he never wavered in his care and efforts for his son. Lin Rui understood his father worked tirelessly to support him, shouldering burdens without complaint.

"What's the good news?" Lin Rui asked, unable to suppress his curiosity.

With a grin, Lin Yuntian pulled a scroll from the storage pouch on his belt and handed it to Lin Rui. "This is the Greenwood Qi Art, a basic wood-element cultivation technique from our family's library. It's a low-tier Mortal-grade manual, but it's suitable for your current stage. The family head never assigned you a technique due to your five spiritual roots, so I exchanged my contribution points for this after completing my latest mission."

Lin Rui took the scroll, feeling the faint spiritual energy flowing through it. His heart stirred—though this was merely a basic technique within the family, it was precious for someone like him, a five-root cultivator regarded as useless.

"Dad…" Lin Rui was deeply moved, unsure how to express his gratitude. In a rare moment of vulnerability, he embraced Lin Yuntian. Laughter echoed in the courtyard as father and son shared the simple joy of reunion.

"There's no need to thank me. You're my son—it's only right that I do what I can for you!" Lin Yuntian said proudly, patting Lin Rui's back warmly.

After releasing the hug, Lin Rui studied the scroll with care. Seeing his son's serious expression, Lin Yuntian's eyes softened with satisfaction. He continued, "You've been learning cultivation bit by bit from me, but this is a structured method. The Greenwood Qi Art focuses on vitality and recovery. In the early stages, its techniques are geared toward self-healing and defense. For example, the 'Wood Spirit Seed' skill will boost your regeneration. Later, you'll unlock spells like 'Green Vine Bind' and 'Spiritwood Barrier'—useful for immobilizing enemies and shielding yourself in battle."

Lin Rui listened attentively, his determination quietly building. He silently vowed not to disappoint his father's expectations.

"This manual has ten levels, perfectly suited for your current level. Take your time—there's no rush," Lin Yuntian added gently. "It doesn't matter how far you progress. As long as you cultivate steadily, I'll always be proud of you."

Lin Rui nodded, gripping the scroll tightly. A sense of purpose and responsibility welled up within him.

"Oh, and there's this as well." Lin Yuntian smiled as he pulled a set of green robes from his storage pouch. "This is the family's official uniform, but I had an artifact craftsman modify it. Although it's still low-tier, Mortal-grade, it's better than the standard uniform—it offers some basic protection."

Lin Rui accepted the robes, noticing the intricate "Greenwood Talisman" embroidered on the chest. The design seamlessly blended bamboo leaves and spiritwood patterns, exuding a subtle energy. Pointing to the talisman, Lin Yuntian explained, "This symbol represents the Lin family, but my friend added a protective mechanism. If you're ever in mortal danger, the talisman will briefly activate a shield to buy you time to escape."

"Dad… these robes…" Lin Rui's voice was grateful as his fingers traced the fine embroidery, feeling the hidden protective power within.

"You're still in the early stages of cultivation, but with these robes, you'll have a bit more security," Lin Yuntian said, his tone heavy with concern.

As father and son chatted, Lin Rui's gaze drifted between the cultivation manual and the protective robes. A fierce resolve took root within him—he knew he had to grow stronger, not just for himself but for the father who had always been there for him.

Just as their conversation was about to wrap up, Lin Yuntian suddenly asked, "Rui'er, how have you been this past month? Everything going well?"

Lin Rui hesitated for a moment, then decided to tell his father about the lingering toxins in his body. While he left out some details, he believed his father deserved to know the truth.

"Dad, I discovered that someone might have poisoned me," Lin Rui said calmly, though a trace of tension flickered beneath his words.

"What?" Lin Yuntian's expression darkened instantly, anger flashing in his eyes. "Who dares harm you?"

"I'm not sure yet," Lin Rui admitted. "The poison is no longer life-threatening but still affects my cultivation. I've been slowly detoxifying myself with herbs, but it's a gradual process."

Lin Yuntian's brow furrowed as he placed a hand on Lin Rui's wrist, channeling spiritual energy to check his condition. After a moment, he withdrew his hand, his face clouded with concern. "There's residual poison. Rui'er, we can't take this lightly—we need to find out who's behind it."

Lin Rui kept his explanation vague, stating that he had noticed issues during cultivation and suspected foul play, though he had no solid evidence yet.

"Dad, I don't want to alert the family just yet. If we act rashly, we might tip off whoever's responsible. I want to investigate quietly," Lin Rui said, his gaze steady.

After a moment of silence, Lin Yuntian sighed heavily. "You're right. If that's your decision, I won't stop you. But I'll ensure they pay once we find out who did this."

Warmth filled Lin Rui's heart. "Thank you, Dad."

"From now on, I won't take on any more missions. I need to stay home and help you recover," Lin Yuntian declared, his voice filled with concern and determination.

In the days that followed, father and son lived side by side. Lin Yuntian treated Lin Rui with acupuncture needles daily, accelerating the detox process. Meanwhile, Lin Rui slowly adjusted to life in this new world of cultivation, his heart brimming with anticipation and resolve for the challenges ahead.