Cultivation is Creation-Chapter 164: A Goodbye Gift

It was finally time to tell Han Renyi the truth. But how do you describe an entire world to someone who's only ever known a fraction of one? I could feel his genuine curiosity, his desire to understand, so I tried my best while avoiding sharing my own secrets.

"Imagine this realm," I began, "but bigger. Much bigger. Instead of a few major sects, there are thousands. Instead of one cultivation system, there are hundreds. Every sect, every school, every individual cultivator is trying to understand and master the fundamental laws of reality in their own way."

"And they all use... what did you call it? Qi?"

"Yes. Real qi, not rouqi. Though the difference isn't just in power – it's in purpose. In this realm, rouqi is used primarily for enhancement, for making yourself stronger or faster or more durable. But qi is about creation."

"Creation?" His brow furrowed. "Like... making things?"

"More than that. Every cultivator in my world has to develop their own world – a space within their soul where they can shape reality according to their understanding of the Dao. The stronger you become, the larger and more complex your inner world grows.”

"That's... that's incredible," he breathed. "And you... you have an inner world?"

"I do. Though it's still in its early stages compared to the one we're in now."

“Compared to the one we’re in now…” his eyes widened, and his rouqi actually flickered with shock. “You mean my world is...”

“Yes, your world is the inner world of the Celestial Sovereign,” I said slowly. “He was so powerful that his inner world became a realm in its own right, capable of supporting life and developing its own cultivation system."

I could feel his mind expanding with each new piece of information, like watching someone who'd lived their whole life in a valley suddenly discovering there were mountains beyond the clouds.

"And Astralis..."

"Is an inner world spirit – a consciousness born from the inner world itself to help maintain and protect it."

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"So, my entire world is just... someone's cultivation technique?"

"Not exactly. Think of it more like... a garden that grew into its own ecosystem. The Celestial Sovereign created the foundation, but everything that grew from it – including you and your cultivation – is genuine. Different from the main world, yes, but no less real."

He was quiet for a long moment, processing this. I could feel his thoughts spinning like leaves in a whirlwind, trying to grasp the sheer scale of what I was telling him.

"It's so much bigger than I imagined," he said finally. "All this time, I thought reaching Tier 2 would be the height of achievement, that maybe, if I was very lucky, I might one day touch Tier 3. But now..."

"Now you know there's more," I finished for him. "Much more."

He nodded slowly. "Is that why you're giving me a gift?"

I blinked, momentarily thrown by the non sequitur. "How did you—"

"I can feel it," he said, tapping his head. "There's something... waiting? Like knowledge hovering just at the edge of my thoughts."

I'd been planning to introduce this more gradually, but since he'd noticed...

"Yes," I admitted. "I have something for you, but first I should remind you of the Rouqin Gathering Circle we left in the storage facility the night we met, maybe convert that storage facility into a training ground for your family.”

“Thank you, Master.”

“As for my gift, it is a cultivation technique I think that will suit you."

"Better than the Three-Leaf Clover Sect's methods?"

"Very different from them," I corrected. "Neither better nor worse, just... more aligned with your path."

I could feel his curiosity peaked. "What is it?"

Rather than explain, I simply... released the technique I'd been holding in reserve. Knowledge flowed from my consciousness into his like water finding its level, carrying with it understanding that went beyond mere words.

The Nine-Life Immortal Tree Technique.

I felt his consciousness expand to absorb the information, his understanding growing with each passing moment. The basic principles unfolded in his mind like a flower opening to the sun – the cycle of growth and renewal, the way wood energy naturally sought rebirth, the delicate balance between physical form and spiritual essence.

"This is..." He paused, struggling to find words. "Where did you get this from?

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"I didn’t take this from anywhere," I said, feeling a slight twinge of guilt at taking credit for Azure's work. "I developed it myself."

His shock hit me like a physical wave. "You... you created a cultivation technique? Just like that?"

Well, not exactly 'just like that.' Azure had done all the heavy lifting, combining our understanding of wood-based cultivation from both worlds with the life realm comprehension we'd gained from Astralis's crystal. But explaining that would mean explaining about Azure, and that was a complexity we didn't have time for and one I didn’t want to reveal.

"It's not as impressive as it sounds," I said instead. "The technique is still in its early stages. Don't expect to be coming back from the dead anytime soon."

"Coming back from the... wait, what?"

"The technique is based on the principle of renewal," I explained quickly. "At higher levels, it should allow you to regenerate from life-threatening injuries. But actually returning from death? That would require developing the method far beyond its current form."

"But it's possible?"

"Theoretically. Though you'd probably need to reach the main world and improve the technique before attempting anything that ambitious."

He nodded thoughtfully. "Until Tier 7, you said?"

"At least. The technique should serve you well up to that point, but beyond that..." I shrugged mentally. "You'll need to find your own path."

"Thank you," he said suddenly, his voice thick with emotion that made me a little worried that he was about to cry. "For everything. If you hadn't..." He trailed off, but I could feel the rest of the thought: If you hadn't helped me, my family would be dead or worse by now.

“It’s okay, I fulfilled the promise I made to you.”

"Promise?" He actually laughed out loud at that. "You gave me techniques, improved my body, helped me get my revenge against a sect elder, got me into the Three-Leaf Clover Sect, introduced me to a legendary divine messenger, and completely changed my understanding of reality. I'd say that's a bit more than fulfilling a promise."

I had to concede that point. "Well, when you put it that way..."

"I won't forget what you've taught me. And someday..." He straightened his shoulders, determination radiating from every part of his being. "Someday, I'll find my way to the main world. I'll become strong enough to repay you for everything you’ve done for me.”

I was about to respond when I felt it – a pull so strong it made my previous discomfort feel like a gentle breeze. The Genesis Seed was done waiting.

"I have to go," I said quietly, trying to keep the strain out of my voice. "Your body is yours again – use it well."

"Will I... will I know when you're gone?"

"You'll feel the difference," I assured him. "Your soul is healed now – you don't need me anymore."

"Master, it’s not about needing you..." His voice caught. "I’ll miss you."

“I’ll…miss you too.”

I wasn’t just saying that for the sake of it. Despite only spending a few days in this world, it felt like I’d known Han Renyi for years, but I guess that is what happens when you share a body. In some ways, he was my first disciple.

The separation was gentle this time, my consciousness lifting away from his like a leaf carried on a breeze. For a moment, I saw through both our perspectives – his physical eyes watching as my spiritual form rose from his body, my spiritual sense feeling the last threads of our connection dissolve.

Then I was being pulled upward, faster and faster, through layers of reality that felt like pages in some cosmic book. The last thing I saw was Han Renyi's face, wearing an expression of wonder as he watched me disappear.

As my consciousness stretched across the divide between worlds, I found myself thinking about the nature of teaching and learning, of giving and receiving. I'd come to this world because of a last-minute change in plans, picked Han Renyi’s body out of necessity, and ended up changing lives almost by coincidence.

Who knows? Maybe someday Han Renyi really would break free of the Starhaven Realm. I'd have to remember to keep an eye out for him in the cultivation world.

Well, that is if the Genesis Seed doesn’t finish annexing his realm into my own inner world before then. On that note, I wonder just how much time has passed in the Cultivation World…