Chapter 5: ** World Building ( I swear Author these titles are getting worse - Ye Chen) **
As Meiying pondered how to express her gratitude towards Ye Chen, she considered his mortal status and decided to impart a basic Qi manipulation technique along with a handful of spirit stones—a token of her appreciation.
Approaching him, she extended the offering, explaining its use and significance.
Ye Chen, visibly touched by Meiying's gesture, was overwhelmed when he received the technique and spirit stones.
The weight of her kindness and the significance of the gifts struck him deeply.
"Thank you," he murmured, a mix of gratitude and astonishment evident in his voice as he regarded the items in his hands.
Despite the lack of a promised or anticipated system, the background montage of cultivation seemed ready to begin.
Ye Chen felt a surge of determination, recognizing this as the first step on his journey, even without the anticipated assistance from an audience-given system.
However, as a final act of defiance towards the unseen forces that controlled his fate, Ye Chen turned towards the metaphorical void where the audience resided and, with a cheeky grin, boldly flipped them off—a silent act of rebellion against their whims and expectations.
With newfound determination fuelled by Meiying's generosity, Ye Chen prepared to embark on his cultivation journey, independent of any system or external influence.
The montage of his cultivation progress was set to unfold, driven by his own perseverance and the unexpected kindness of a fellow traveller in this enigmatic world.
Meiying, with a thoughtful expression, handed Ye Chen a token—a symbol combining her family name, the powerful Ye lineage of Dragon Pond City.
It was a gesture laden with significance, a token of goodwill and a connection to her influential family.
Accepting the token, Ye Chen regarded it with a mix of respect and gratitude.
He understood the weight behind the gesture, realizing the potential significance it held within this world of cultivation.
As Meiying prepared to depart, Ye Chen bid her farewell, a touch of melancholy tinging his voice.
"Goodbye, Meiying," he called out, watching as she vanished into the distance.
However, before she completely faded from view, he made a promise, raising his voice to ensure she heard him.
"I'll visit Dragon Pond City, Meiying. I promise."
With that solemn vow hanging in the air, Ye Chen stood there, the token clutched in his hand, a symbol of the unexpected bond forged between them.
He knew that his promise to visit held deeper significance than mere words—it was a pledge born of respect and gratitude for Meiying's kindness and a determination to honour their fleeting yet impactful encounter.
As Ye Chen stood there, a wave of discomfort washed over him as if the unseen audience's gaze bore down upon him.
The perceived scrutiny and the mocking undertones from the author's narrative began to seep into his consciousness, igniting a deep blush on his cheeks.
Feeling the weight of the audience's expectations and the author's subtle jabs at his demeanour, Ye Chen's embarrassment grew.
The pressure to conform to the stereotype of a charismatic, confident protagonist weighed heavily on him, intensifying his frustration.
"Is this what they want?" he muttered under his breath, his gaze shifting from the invisible audience to the intangible authorial presence.
The expectation of becoming a 'ladies' man' in the cultivation world, an unwritten mandate for protagonists, clashed with his own authenticity, leaving him feeling inadequate and uncomfortable.
His frustration mounted as he realized he wasn't fulfilling the typical archetype of a protagonist—a feeling that left a bitter taste in his mouth.
"I'm not that kind of person," he grumbled, his voice tinged with disappointment and irritation.
"I'm not here to be some lady's killer or play into those tired tropes."
The discrepancy between the expected role and his genuine self left him feeling sickened by the prospect of being labelled as one of those clichéd characters from manga and anime.
The embarrassment of not conforming to these stereotypes gnawed at him, and he grappled with a sense of being judged for not fitting the mould.
With a mixture of frustration and defiance, Ye Chen stood his ground, refusing to succumb to the pressure to conform to unrealistic standards.
He resolved to carve his own path, even if it meant defying the conventional expectations of a protagonist within the cultivation narrative.
As Ye Chen began his exposition, the scene shifted inexplicably. Suddenly, he stood in front of a blackboard, donned in a scholarly attire—a seasoned teacher amid an impromptu lesson.
"Alright, class," Ye Chen started, a playful glint in his eye as he began to lecture.
"Let's dive into the power dynamics of the Heavenly Abyss Realm, shall we?" He gestured at the blackboard, where an intricate diagram took shape, illustrating the complex hierarchical structure.
"At the pinnacle, we've got the Celestial Sovereign Domain," Ye Chen continued, gesturing at the highest tier depicted on the board.
"Levels 7 to 9, where the bigwigs pull the strings—think of them as the celestial bosses of this realm."
He turned towards the board, sketching lines to represent the various layers.
"Now, under this Celestial Sovereign Domain umbrella, you've got your Empires, multiple of 'em, each rocking that 7 to 9 power range," he explained, drawing circles to represent these entities.
"Take, for example, the Empire of Eternal Flames—top dog among the top dogs."
With chalk in hand, he elaborated further.
"Within these Empires, we've got the Kingdoms, nestled between 5 to 7 on the power scale. They're like little kingdoms within a kingdom, each boasting their own fancy Majestic Sects and territories," Ye Chen detailed, adding additional circles within the larger ones.
"And down the ladder from there," Ye Chen continued, moving to a lower section of the blackboard, "you've got the Counties, sitting comfortably between 3 to 5. These guys have their own setups—different Sects, different regions, you name it."
As he continued drawing, Ye Chen couldn't help but inject a touch of humour into his lecture.
"And last but not least, we've got the Cities or Cults at levels 1 to 3," he pointed out, sketching smaller shapes within the Counties.
"They might not have the heavyweight power, but they're the backbone, the little guys doing their part to keep this whole show running."
He turned back to face the audience, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
"So, dear students, that's the intricate dance of power within this realm—just a snippet of the drama that unfolds daily among these factions."
Ye Chen tapped the chalk against the board, adding a playful flourish to his explanation.
Ye Chen, assuming the role of an animated lecturer, continued his lesson to the unseen audience, now adding layers of complexity to the power structures of the Celestial Sovereign Domain.
"Alright, folks, time to get into the nitty-gritty," Ye Chen began, gesturing at the imaginary diagram on the blackboard.
"Most sects within the Celestial Sovereign Domain follow a similar power hierarchy—Valiant Sects from 7 to 9, Majestic Sects at 5 to 7, Sects sitting between 3 to 5, and Cults ranging from 1 to 3. That's the standard starting line-up."
He tapped the board, adding annotations and branching lines to depict the interconnections. "But hold on, here's where it gets interesting. Some of these major powers, they're not just sticking to one spot. Nope, they're branching out, setting up shop in various power positions across different Kingdoms and Empires."
Leaning in, Ye Chen's tone took on a more conspiratorial air.
"Now, let me tell you about the Sword Sovereign Valiant Sect," he continued, a hint of reverence in his voice.
"These guys? They're a big deal. At least one of their sects is present at every power level throughout the Celestial Sovereign Domain. Talk about making a statement, right?"
He scribbled on the board, mapping out intricate lines and circles to represent this complex interweaving of power.
"But wait, there's more," Ye Chen added, his demeanour becoming more animated.
"Some sects—they're not under the direct thumb of the Empires or Kingdoms. Nope, they've got their own thing going on. Others, well, they're under the jurisdiction of these major powers. It's all a web of separate entities and intertwined dependencies, folks."
He stepped back, gesturing broadly at the blackboard.
"And that, my dear audience, is the tangled mess of power and politics within the Celestial Sovereign Domain—a web so intricate and convoluted, it's a wonder anyone can keep track of it all."
Ye Chen chuckled wryly, emphasizing the sheer complexity of the power dynamics within this realm.
"Alright, time for a little gossip session," Ye Chen began, adopting a conspiratorial tone as he delved into the intricacies of Li Meiying's family dynamics for the unseen audience.
"Here's the scoop on Li Meiying's family," he started, leaning in as if divulging a juicy secret.
"They're a pretty big deal, you know. They're one of the influential families in the capital of a level 6 Kingdom, nestled right within the Kingdom of Crimson Skies."
He gestured dramatically, painting a mental picture for his listeners.
"Now, within this Kingdom, there are these four major families vying for power and influence," Ye Chen explained, fingers tracing invisible names in the air.
"You've got the Lis—Li Meiying's family, of course—then there's the Xus, the Zhous, and the Longs. It's like a drama series unfolding right in the heart of Crimson Skies."
He continued, adding context to the entangled web of family rivalries and alliances.
"These families? They're like the high society elites, mingling in all sorts of power plays and social shenanigans. And Li Meiying's family? They're right in the thick of it all, pulling strings and making moves in this kingdom's political theatre."
With a knowing look, Ye Chen leaned closer to the metaphorical audience, heightening the intrigue.
"So, that's the sizzling gossip on Li Meiying's family, folks. The power plays, the alliances, the drama—it's all part of the grand tapestry of Crimson Skies' aristocratic society."
He punctuated the revelation with a playful wink, hinting at the layered complexities of the realm's social and political landscape.
Ye Chen, now back in the cave and free from his impromptu teaching persona, turned his attention back to the unseen audience, a hint of frustration colouring his voice.
"Alright, let's talk about this whole cultivation background building," Ye Chen began, his tone more exasperated than before.
"Seriously, who's meant to keep track of all this endless maze of places and families that might not even matter in the grand scheme of things?"
He paced around, his agitation palpable.
"We've got these convoluted power structures, families with names you'll probably never interact with, and kingdoms you might never set foot in," Ye Chen continued, his annoyance growing evident.
"And what's the point of it all, huh? Half of these places are just there for show, building up this supposedly vast world that we might never get to explore."
Turning his gaze towards the invisible authorial presence, Ye Chen didn't hold back.
"You, author," he called out, his frustration aimed at the unseen creator.
"Why go overboard with all this world-building if we're not even going to scratch the surface? It's like building a hundred-story tower and never letting the characters go past the lobby!"
He sighed, shaking his head in disbelief.
"It's needlessly excessive, making it seem like there's more depth than there actually is. All these places, these families—pointless fluff in a story that's probably never going to touch most of it."
Ye Chen's words carried a sense of resignation, a critique aimed at the perceived superfluousness of the elaborate world-building.
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