Cultivation starts with picking up attributes-Chapter 64: Ch-: New Encounter

The Southern Watchpoint had returned to its tranquil rhythm, the hustle and bustle of disciples resuming training and maintenance duties filling the air.

Yet for Tian Shen, who had spent days surviving vicious spirit beasts and exploring treacherous terrain, that peace only sharpened the desire to move again.

He stood at the entrance of their modest lodging as the sun peeked over the horizon.

The morning haze curled lazily above the forest, and dew clung to the leaves like the lingering weight of dreams.

"I’m heading out," Tian Shen said, stretching his limbs as he looked toward the sect’s training grounds.

Feng Yin, seated under the overhang with a cup of tea in hand, raised a brow.

"Another dangerous venture already? You just got back."

Tian Shen smirked.

"Nothing dangerous this time. I just want to explore the sect’s grounds a little. Alone."

She nodded sheepishly.

He grinned.

"Old habits die hard."

With Little Mei still snoozing on a pillow like an overfed kitten, Tian Shen quietly slipped away, traversing the winding paths that led to the heart of the Southern Watchpoint’s training facilities.

His first destination was the Martial Arts Arena.

Located within a circular stone coliseum, the arena echoed with the roars of exertion and the ringing clangs of weapons.

Dozens of outer disciples sparred, traded techniques, and pushed their bodies to their limits. Tian Shen sat down at the edge of the high stone steps and closed his eyes.

He focused.

Within seconds, several notifications from the system floated into view.

『Host gains Physique points ×200.』

『Host gains Spirit points ×150.』

『Host gains Qi points ×300.』

...

"Nice..." Tian Shen muttered under his breath.

His eyes snapped open as a bubble near the center of the arena glimmered more vibrantly than the rest.

A higher-level disciple had just landed a powerful counterattack, and as he returned to his seat, a shimmering bubble drifted his way.

『Host gains a 4-star weapon, thunder spear.』

Tian Shen’s brow arched. That was rare.

He casually strolled around the edge of the arena, staying inconspicuous. His presence barely registered among the focused disciples.

Each time someone unleashed a technique or collapsed in exhaustion, another bubble would manifest—and Tian Shen would quietly scoop it up.

『Host gains Physique points ×500.』

『Host gains Luck points ×100.』

"Feels like a buffet," he whispered to himself, his pace picking up.

After gathering nearly two dozen attribute bubbles, he took his leave, stuffing a steamed bun from a nearby food stall into his mouth as he moved toward his next destination—the Qi Technique Pavilion.

The Pavilion was a multi-tiered wooden structure nestled beneath a grove of spirit pine trees.

Elders occasionally lectured here, but today it was quiet, visited mostly by disciples flipping through scrolls and practicing mental circulation techniques.

Tian Shen entered with a nod to the pavilion keeper, who barely acknowledged him.

Rows upon rows of meditation mats filled the main hall. A faint scent of sandalwood and talisman ink clung to the air.

He sat down among a few scattered disciples and closed his eyes again.

Almost immediately, tiny motes of mysteries floated to the surface.

『Host gains Spirit points ×200.』

『Host gains Spirit points ×250.』

『Host gains Qi points ×200.』

『Host gains Martial arts Exp ×20,000.』

His breathing slowed. This place didn’t offer the brute-force benefits of the martial arena—but it was perfect for refining his inner world.

As the whispers of circulating Qi reached his ears, he tuned into the rhythm of the disciples around him, feeling the subtle ripples of their comprehension.

Some of the stronger disciples released brief insights into Qi techniques.

『Host gains Fire Element ×50.』

『Host gains Thunder Element ×30.』

"Huh... this one’s useful."

Tian Shen gently inhaled, allowing the sensation of thunder coursing through his meridians to settle in his muscles.

After nearly an hour, he stood and gave a small bow to the training hall.

By then, he had gathered nearly fifty attribute boosts. More importantly, he felt his Qi become slightly more harmonious.

"Next stop," he murmured, "is the Alchemist Garden."

Set at the edge of the outer sect, the Alchemist Garden was a carefully cultivated area for growing herbs, brewing potions, and training alchemy disciples.

The scent of medicinal plants was heavy in the air, intermingling with the faint tang of spirit herb pollen.

As Tian Shen walked along the winding paths of moss-covered stones and shallow pools, he watched as novice alchemists tended to their plots.

One dropped a jade vial by accident, and it released a gentle blue fog.

『Host gains Poison Element ×100.』

Another disciple accidentally ignited a leaf with too much fire Qi.

『Host’s expertise in fire control increases a bit.』

Nearby, two disciples argued over a refining technique.

Tian Shen chuckled quietly at that last one.

"Apparently that’s an attribute now."

He meandered for some time, soaking in ambient insights and developing a growing respect for the sheer effort involved in alchemy cultivation.

The bubbles here were more niche, but they would undoubtedly come in handy down the road.

Satisfied, he took one final turn around the greenhouse section and plucked the last glowing bubble.

『Host gains Alchemy recipe of the Qi Synergy pill (4-star).』

With that, he bowed and departed, his pockets metaphorically—and spiritually—full.

The afternoon sun hung low as he made his way to the Weapon Forging Hall, his final destination.

Compared to the serene garden, this place was a thunderous forge of ringing hammers, roaring flames, and bellowing instructions. Sparks lit the dim interiors as cultivators pounded away at metal.

Tian Shen stayed just inside the perimeter, observing.

『Host gains Weapon refining Exp ×1000.』

『Host...』

...

He exhaled as the searing heat washed over him. The forging hall was relentless, yet even from a distance, he could sense the tenacity and passion of the disciples.

"Maybe I’ll try forging a blade myself one day," he thought.

One particularly burly disciple struck a hammer with such force it rattled the nearby tools.

Tian Shen grinned. Even when he wasn’t directly in combat, every environment held opportunity.

After nearly two hours of careful, quiet loitering, Tian Shen departed, mentally organizing his gains.

As the sun dipped behind the horizon, he returned to the Southern Watchpoint.

Feng Yin was seated on the same porch, Little Mei curled up in her lap.

"You’re back," she said, setting her tea down. "And you smell like fire, dirt, and scroll ink. Productive day?"

Tian Shen sat beside her with a contented sigh.

"Very. You can say my strength grew more today than it did during the trial."

Little Mei gave a sleepy "Kyuuu~," as if to ask where her share was.

Tian Shen flicked her nose.

"I’ll get you your fruits next time."

Feng Yin grinned.

"So? What did you gain?"

He leaned back as he replied calmly.

"Secret."

Feng Yin blinked.

"Secret, huh?"

She elbowed him.

Mei let out another "Kyuuu~!"

As the stars began to blanket the sky, Tian Shen felt the day’s fatigue settle in—but so did satisfaction.

Power didn’t always come from grand battles or heavenly treasures.

Sometimes, it came from walking familiar roads, observing, learning, and absorbing the essence of the world one step at a time.

Tomorrow, the road might change again.

But tonight, he rested, knowing he had quietly grown stronger.

...

Morning.

The next morning, Tian Shen awoke early again, but this time not with urgency—rather, a sort of quiet purpose had settled into his bones.

He stepped outside and breathed in the crisp morning air. The Southern Watchpoint still slumbered under a curtain of soft mist. The dew sparkled on blades of grass, and the occasional chirp of spirit birds echoed across the hills.

Feng Yin was already awake, meditating beside the porch. She cracked one eye open as Tian Shen passed her by.

"Don’t tell me you’re going on another solo adventure?"

She asked with a small smirk.

Tian Shen shrugged, then pointed to the rising sun.

"You know what they say. The early cultivator gets the opportunity."

"Its the early birds gets the worm."

She snorted softly and returned to her meditation.

But this time, Tian Shen’s footsteps didn’t lead him to a training ground or a pavilion. Instead, he headed toward the edge of the sect—a lesser-known area called the Whispering Brook.

It was a scenic, overlooked part of the Watchpoint. A narrow stream flowed gently through a small copse of flowering trees, its waters as clear as polished crystal. Few disciples trained here. It was said to be too "peaceful" to offer any real benefit.

Tian Shen disagreed.

He knelt by the water’s edge, letting his fingertips touch the surface. The gentle stream carried more than just water—it carried attributes, And serenity.

『Host gains Charm points ×100.』

『Host gains Spirit points ×200.』

...

A faint smile touched his lips. The system continued to reward him in ways no one else could see.

To an outsider, it might look like he was simply enjoying the scenery. But beneath the surface, his foundation was growing more refined by the minute.

Then, unexpectedly, a larger bubble floated downstream toward him. It shimmered faintly, laced with rainbowy threads.

『Host gains memory fragment ×1.』

『Warning: Please do not use until Nascent Soul Realm.』

His eyes widened.

This one was precious. Memory wasn’t just a passive trait—it governed countless experiences an.

d perceptions. But system’s warning can’t be taken lightly.

He inhaled deeply and sat cross-legged beside the stream.

Time passed quietly.

As the first rays of full sunlight broke over the canopy, illuminating the dew-kissed petals above, Tian Shen’s senses opened further.

The sound of water became clearer. The whisper of leaves in the wind turned melodic. Even the occasional birdcall carried rhythm and intent.

And then he heard it—a faint murmur, like a whisper inside the stream.

A secret?

A memory?

He tilted his head, curious.

But before he could probe deeper, a branch snapped behind him.

Tian Shen’s body shifted instinctively. He rose without a sound, turning toward the noise.

From behind a tree, a young woman in inner disciple robes stepped out, equally surprised to see someone here.

"Oh," she said, blinking. "Didn’t think anyone else came here."

Tian Shen relaxed slightly.

"Not many do."

She looked at him thoughtfully.

"Then maybe we’re both strange."

He chuckled.

"Or just ahead of the curve."

She smiled.

"Mind if I sit with you?"

He gestured to the stream.

"Plenty of bubbles to go around."

And just like that, a new encounter began.