บท 9: Cultivation

Before Ace could realise her presence, Charlotte had already fled from the scene. If she was caught, wouldn't that make her a pervert as well and give their master the perfect chance and actual reason to ship them together.

But still, he was quite handsome and his muscles, they were so defined...wait no, I can't be thinking this way. I'm the princess of the Snow family and since young, everyone had high hopes for me but...I really want to take another look now

Draping the robe over his body and putting it back on without realising Charlotte's brief arrival, Ace headed downstairs to take another quick shower, only to see his master waiting for him on the second floor.

"Ace, meet me downstairs after taking a quick shower." Ultric told Ace before vanishing before his eyes, only leaving behind a trace of mist in the air.

Maybe he's trying to show that he truly has the capability to teach me, Ace interpreted to himself as he entered a room, took a quick shower and went downstairs to see his master who was sitting on a bench.

Unlike his first impression of this place when he first entered, the dim lighting and light toned wooden furnishing created a relaxing ambience where once could relax their minds while looking around.

Weapon racks were installed on the first floor while the display cases for the elixirs and their bottles were being shifted to the second floor.

The renovation was expensive, but it would be this unique ambience in a pavilion which influences the mindset of the cultivator to encourage them to spend a bigger portion of the money with them without realising it.

"Pretty cunning of you Boss Lou." Ace chuckled as he sat down on the bench opposite to his master.

"Of course, I'm a businessman after all." Against Ace's indirect praise, Boss Lou didn't hold back in the slightest in using it to boast.

"As for the four benches and two tables kept, it's so that those great figures can sit down while waiting for their lackeys to gather money."

Nodding his head, Ace turned towards his master.

"Master, why did you call for me?"

"I have a good piece of news for you." Ultric said with a smile so genuine that Ace wondered what it was.

Has he known about my potential improving because of those elixirs or is it because of something else?

"What is it?"

"You have officially stepped into the foundation realm after the trial against death yesterday. For that, I'll be imparting you a cultivation technique which I've yet to cultivate." Ultric said so calmly that it made Ace doubt his words for a moment, foundation realm already?

"Master, I…"

"Don't bother to explain or create a reason for this bizarre occurrence, in the cultivation world, anything can happen and the traditional rules of cultivation are meant to be broken. Got it?"

"Yes master."

"The cultivation technique that I'll be imparting you is the Absolute Frost cultivation technique cultivation technique which is of the heaven grade. Of course, don't expect it to bring you far enough until you comprehend the deeper parts of it. In total, there are seven parts to this cultivation technique which I found from one of the ancient ruins."

Ultric explained as he placed his hand on Ace's forehand and imparted the cultivation technique to him. When Ultric was doing so, Ace noticed the brief moment of pain that flashed in his eyes. It probably had to do with someone close to him.

Being a smart person, Ace understood that doing so would result in Ultric completely forgetting about this cultivation technique besides its name. Remaining silent, he swore deep within his heart that he won't let his master down.

"Congratulations to the host for receiving the Absolute Frost cultivation technique."

Absolute Frost cultivation technique: Unknown grade (0/1000)

"Master, if there's nothing else, I would be returning to the third floor to cultivate first."

"Let me know if you need any guidance."

"Yes master." Ace replied with a bow before heading towards the third floor with anxious footsteps, he had to figure out the truth behind this cultivation technique.

Mhm? Charlotte isn't around? Ace realised when he returned to the third floor, heaving a sigh of relief as he could have finally had some peace.

"System, what's with the points behind the Absolute Frost cultivation technique?"

"The points behind it means that it's possible for this skill to be upgraded through cultivation points that can be used to improve the cultivation technique or awaken an acupoint."

To awaken one of the hundred and eight low grade acupoints, it would cost 10 cultivation points.

To awaken one of the hundred and eight middle grade acupoints, it would cost 50 cultivation points.

To awaken one of the hundred and eight hide grade acupoints, it would cost 100 cultivation points.

To awaken any of the hidden acupoints, it would cost at least 1000 cultivation points.

Current cultivation speed: 10 cultivation points per hour of cultivation

"System, how do I increase the amount of cultivation points per hour?"

"The only way to improve it would be improving the current cultivation technique."

Leaving the system interference, Ace was about to go cultivate when he saw Charlotte peeking at him from the corner of the room which his master had built so that they can have two seperate rooms for now.

"Charlotte, is anything the matter?" Ace asked as he stood up and headed to his usual cultivation area.

"Um, no...I just wanted to ask if you want to cultivate together."

"Oh? What do you mean by cultivate together? Dual cultivation?"

"Yes." Charlotte replied having reacted to the first part, her face blushing a beet red after hearing what Ace had said next.

"I meant no!"

"Hahahaha! All right, come with me."

Laughing, Ace brought Charlotte over to his cultivation area which had absolutely nothing besides the ice cold flooring.

"Charlotte, if you need anything, just let me know after I'm done cultivating."

"But aren't you in the Body Tempering realm? Shouldn't you have the time to divide some attention for me?" Charlotte pouted her cheeks and crossed her arms as her face turned towards the stairs.

"Oh about that, I'm already in the Foundation realm."

"Ah great, the two of you are here."

"Yes master." Charlotte replied with a slight bow while Ace remained silent as he made eye contact with Ultric.

"I'm sure you guys have heard of the 360 acupoints and the hidden acupoint in a person's body, but have you heard of the foundation tower?" Ultric asked as he took out what looks like a pagoda with seven layers.

"My father once told me that I should never neglect the Foundation realm because of the Foundation tower that can be built if I progress quickly enough." Charlotte replied confidently as she wrinkled her brows.

"That's right, there are nine layers to the Foundation tower and in order for one to fully develop it, it can only happen in the remaining time after opening up the hidden meridian that's the key to locating the tower."

"As for the nine layers of the tower, each layer unlocked means a brighter future and if I have to categorise it, those who fail to even awaken the Foundation tower are bound to be restricted to the Martial Apprentice realm."

From there on, Ultric went to elaborate in detail on the difference between each layer of the Foundation tower.

Anyone who fails to awaken even the fourth layer is considered below average, in the greater realms based on their master, even the fifth layer is considered average. The sixth layer makes on above average while the seventh layer makes on an elite that's worth attention. Only those who awaken eight layers are true geniuses that near the apex of the world while nine layers mark the pinnacle experts.

"From now on, I'll be personally guiding your cultivation. Ace, I believe that you would rather have personal cultivation space while I need Charlotte to follow me. This place isn't suitable for your cultivation as compared to him."

Charlotte hesitated for a moment, but still stood up and replied, "Yes master."

Being someone who has lived up to the age of forty and already achieved a high realm of cultivation, the slight moment of hesitation made it clear to him that Charlotte had already started to develop feelings for Ace.

Is this really the best for them…

First layer of foundation tower: 2000 cultivation points