VIP System: The Top-Up Paragon

When Aphis's body was engulfed in light, he found himself a fraction of a moment later in a place surrounded in green. Towering trees were everywhere, and no buildings were in sight. There was a cold refreshing breeze pressing against his body that had now adorned the superior cultivator robe that was a ravenous black color and had an emerald trim…

His pudgy face and unremarkable complexion brought down the quality of his attire.

Aphis's gaze fell upon the horizon and the trees continued to chase after it every direction he looked. There were no signs of life beyond the flora. Aphis knew from reading Xianxia novels that there would soon be a moment where he would have to save someone…

But, such a moment never arrived.

Aphis decided that it would be best to start walking towards the north when the system opened up a prompt asking if he would like to start cultivation. Aphis said yes of course. His pores that were cleared of blockages by the system s.u.c.k.e.d in what he described as a heavy mist which permeated every inch of his forested surroundings. Very likely the entirety of the Xianxian-world. The mist seemed to flow in what Aphis believed in his meridians in a way that Aphis could only described as a mystical method and converging in the middle, slowly turning into possibly his dantian.

The suction sourced from his body to his surroundings was light, however such a rate of absorption quickly intensified as the energy gushed into his body. Aphis's belly grumbled during such circ.u.mstances. Instead of wasting food, Aphis would consume pills. To make his journey on foot more productive, he started to consume the Talent Boosting pills. Aphis popped one in his mouth like a mint, followed by another and so on.

As he absentmindedly did that, Aphis asked the System a few questions that would be basic knowledge, such as the name of the world, where he was currently located, the prevailing powers in the area…

Aphis had descended onto the Xianxian World that its inhabitants called Giant's Garden in the Steelstone Continent. Specifically he was located somewhere in the Fiend-forest that was said to be occupied by numerous types of demonic beasts.

When the System alerted Aphis of the beast's occupancy of the forest Aphis became a bit more serious, and kept his eyes stuck to his surroundings. Not even 10 minutes after descending the system alerted him he had reached the first realm, Qi Sensing. At the same time, he felt the qi burst out from every corner and crevice of his body. Additionally, Aphis felt he had a better feel for the energy called Qi when he had reached the first realm. It felt far more tangible and present than before where he had to consciously spend a bit of effort to sense the qi.

Aphis stopped moving for a brief period to refine his skill at manipulating qi to at least an extremely b.a.r.e bones level. Fortunately, no Demonic Beasts were around during this time that he practiced.

Playing with the qi, Aphis became engrossed in its applications and reached the second realm: Qi Shaping in no time flat since at the same time his talent was fairing far better than before. It was much easier to command the qi when he reached the second realm as a cultivator. Upon reaching this realm Aphis could reshape the qi, making spheres, cubes, cones… he then moved onto more complex things like numbers. He met his match when he tried making something resembling an animal… let's say it didn't… it was an eldritch abomination that went against nature instead.

Aphis did not let the many failures get to him. He tried again when he reached the next stage of cultivation, that was when the qi bore the slightest of resemblances to an animal. He was unsatisfied with a faint resemblance. He wanted… no, he demanded better. Downing a handful of talent pills at once, he tried again.

When his failures never quite lived up to his hopes, he became fl.u.s.tered. Aphis imagined that everyone else would have done similar qi exercises… Refusing to accept such subpar qi-forms he kept up with his practice.

By the time his first hour there had ended, he had a rather decent animal from qi. But, it did not match the level of quality that Aphis had in his mind. No demon beasts were coming, and by the time they came he would be ready. He was already cultivating… it was better to improve himself whenever possible in whatever possible ways he could before something did in fact happen.

A couple of minutes later, something did happen, a demonic beast had reared its head from the sea of trees. The expression of the demonic beast seemed to turn into a maniacal grin when it saw that Aphis was preoccupied with practice. It was cautious, ensuring it moved towards its target slowly. Steadily it made its way towards Aphis, thinking the beast could deliver a decisive attack on Aphis…

The beast was so sure that the average-looking fatty would be an easy juicy meal who was not even at the Body Tempering Realm.

When Aphis paused his training to examine the notifications from the system, he saw the beast demonic beast at the corner of his eye: a small white horned rabbit that was crouching down low, its bead-like crimson eyes flickered with confidence. Rather than be afraid, Aphis opened his inventory and pulled out two items. The first was a small violet potion that reeked of something foul, and the second was a cleaver, the "lifetaker."

Gulping down the potion in a hurry, and extending the cleaver to his side, Aphis muttered: "This is my first time. Please treat me well."

The demonic beast pulled back, likely misunderstanding the words of the robed man.

Glancing at a newly spawned system notification, Aphis walked towards the rabbit-like demonic beast with crimson eyes with an expression of amus.e.m.e.nt.

[ Ding! The Host has entered battle against a Crimson-eyed Horned Rabbit! May the fattest one win! ]

Aphis chuckled at the system's comment. His first battle on Giant's Garden as a cultivator had begun!