How to Cultivate a Game

I walked unsteadily down the mountain with hurried steps. I didn't give a damn about my tired body. I would make sure to murder that bastard.

Using quintessence to level up my Mind's Eye, I added the function of 'marking', so that I wouldn't lose my target… and then I spent more of my quintessence to create a superpower.

Ping! -33 quintessence.

Ping! The Mind's Eye has now new functions!

Among the many fantastical superpowers I could think of, I chose telekinesis for its versatility.

Ping! -20 quintessence.

Ping! Acquired Telekinesis.

Also, I remade the lightning rod I used when I was creating the 'system' by spending more quintessence. The rod was filled with lightning essence, thus making it a brilliant material for refinement.

Ping! -20 quintessence.

Ping! The Lightning Rod had evolved into a Light Saber.

The Light Saber was definitely influenced by a certain movie franchise, but who cares... It was plenty destructive the way it was now. The Light Saber was shortened to almost a mere metal stick that could fit my palm. I tested the weapon and summoned a  streak of light from its tip. It was definitely the 'Light Saber' I knew.

With this Light Saber, I would not need any qi to maintain its destructiveness. With the lightning essence stored in this thing, I believed I would be able to use this weapon for a long time. This was Heavenly Tribulation Lightning, so I could hardly expect my enemies to defend from it.

"I will slice, stab, and reduce the bastard to ash! I swear on my name he will die a miserable death. I will make sure he will suffer for what he did!" I withdrew my Light Saber's Heavenly Tribulation Lightning and hid it under my robe.

I wouldn't show any mercy to that bastard!

While it might seem reckless and pointless since I could resurrect the dead, it was necessary I make that bastard regret what he did. In any case, this wasn't just for the little bunny, but also for me.

"I'll kill him for the mental damages I suffered."

For a modern earthling, I sounded barbaric but I couldn't think of any reason why it was wrong that I wanted to kill that bastard. Perhaps, it was the influence of my coming here. Or it was old Fu Shi's memories that had influenced me. I was fairly confident though I separated old Fu Shi's emotional inclinations.

That aside, I felt it was just right to take revenge for Bi Yuan!

Considering the progression of how I wanted to turn this world into a game, the idea of 'respawning' wasn't anything new. Still, it annoyed me that Bi Yuan died like that. I guess… There was a first for everything.

"I was pissed because Bi Yuan died helplessly… Sigh… Fucking shit…"

I spent my remaining quintessence recovering some of my physical strength through age regression.

Ping! -10 quintessence.

Ping! Age Reversal by 100 years.

I felt my body becoming lighter. Now, my body wasn't as frail as it used to be. According to old Fu Shi's memories, I was 813 years old.

With this age reversal, I was now effectively 713 years old. I still felt old, but my strength now was on par with a young adult, so it was not that bad. This might be due to old Fu Shi being formerly an 11th-stage Cultivator. My hair was still grey though…

[Name: Fu Shi

Quintessence: 0

Players: 1/1]

Though my quintessence was reduced to zero, I didn't feel bad at all. I would not know about my current strength exactly. Killing an Essence Gathering expert (5th stage) might be difficult, but I was confident of not dying from anyone below that level. I think I could deal with that demonic cultivator with my current means.

Though I have murderous intentions, I have no plan of being careless. I might seem impulsive from rashly running down my mountain, but I was being decisive.

Moreover, I would not like to find trouble with my reckless rage.

"Anyway… I was once a Perfect Immortal at the pinnacle of cultivation. What could a meager Spirit Mystery realm do to me?"

It was not really me who was the 'Perfect Immortal', but old Fu Shi. Still, that didn't bother me. More than confidence, I have faith in my strength as the Game Designer who would reshape this world. That was hubris. I knew. What could a Game Designer know about fighting and killing? But as a 21st-century Earthling, I should have more confidence!

A meager demonic cultivator at Spirit Mystery realm wouldn't stop me!

I proceeded forward with killing intent!

Using telekinesis to assist my body, I have become far nimbler in my movement, allowing me acrobatic movements in the air. I jumped from one branch of the tree to another, eager to stick my Light Saber to the filthy demonic cultivator.

Flying with telekinesis was possible, but I was not confident I would be able to maintain it throughout the journey. I maintained my pace as I zigzagged across the forest.

While at it, I used my Mind's Eye to check on my target.

In my Mind's Eye, I saw Zha Dong frantically flying in the air. He seemed to have a destination in mind. I would intercept him by tracing his path. "You wouldn't be running so far."

Though my target was flying, and I was only jumping from one tree's branch to another, my resolve didn't waver.

I felt bad that Bi Yuan died. I think I wouldn't be able to get over it if not for my quintessence resurrecting her.

This quintessence was truly unbelievable. But despite how miraculous it was, I believed that even it had its limitations.

I have the gut feeling that these resurrections are only possible for 'players'.

The 'system' was modeled on my 'dream' of creating the best MMORPG game in the world. Nay, in the universe! It was a fancy dream I pursued in fervor.

But my 'coming' here in this fancy cultivation world almost made that almost impossible. If not for my 'system' now, I might have committed suicide long already. I'd rather die, than not make and play games! It was my sincere thoughts at that time when I realized I had to live in this world!

It was only through unconditional acceptance of my situation--- was I able to create this 'system', and recreate my 'dream' of making the best game yet. For that, I was fortunate.

It was only through acceptance of the idea that I wouldn't be able to return to my past life— did I have come this far. The little bunny's recent death made me realize how powerful the system truly was…

I valued life. The fact that I now held the power of resurrection in my very palms felt uncomfortable.

If I had expanded my 'system' with the idea I have, would I lose my sense of value regarding life?

It was scary.

That was why I really wanted that bastard dead!

It was only through blood would I be able to calm my chaotic emotions.

*ROOOOOAR!

A bear's roar filled with qi came at me like a tsunami. It was an ambush! The bear smashed the tree where I was about to land. I already saw it beforehand with my Mind's Eye, so I was able to react just fine using my Telekinesis.

I levitated in the air without any worries using Telekinesis.

"You filthy beast, wanna have a go? I will mince you to small bits until all you have are bones." It was an exaggeration as I wouldn't do any of that. I was busy and tight with time.

It just happened that I trespassed on this big guy's territory, and the bear just couldn't help but be offended.

"Move out of the way, or else..."

*ROOOOOAR!

It looked like my threat didn't work. Or simply, the bear could not understand my words. As expected of wild beasts... unintelligent... unlike my lovable Bi Yuan. "Fine, have it your way!"

I took a piece of metal resembling a flashlight under my robe. With my fingerprints, the Light Saber was activated with a thought.

Streaks of lightning, an agglomeration of energy extended from the piece of metal— it was an azure shaft of light. This was the Light Saber, a sci-fi fantasy weapon!

I rushed at the massive bear in the peak of the Martial Tempering Realm. Its giant paw tried to smash me but missed.

My Mind's Eye's new functions include tracking and heightened perception. There was no way this lump of fur would hit me. I slid under the stupid bear and then extended my weapon to its belly. The sound of flesh being cut by heat was exhilarating.

But I would not have time to admire my work. I needed to go.

"You are lucky to die so easily, you beast! I have no time to mince you until all you have are bones. Consider yourself lucky, you dumb beast!"

I didn't even bother to look back as I dashed forward. I felt bad for the bear though. We didn't have any real grievances between us. Moreover, since it could not talk, did I really have to bother leaving those words?

Ping! Received 1 quintessence.

Huh? It looked like I now have a new avenue of earning quintessence. Though 1 quintessence looked cheap, I don't dare ignore its value. After all, it was still 'income' in the end. I used my newly gained one quintessence to replenish my physical and mental stamina. I wouldn't be losing my control over Telekinesis due to exhaustion anymore in the meantime.

While at it, I fought my way into the forest, earning cheap quintessence from random beasts.

"Slaughtering beasts at the martial Tempering realm earned me 1 quintessence... Not bad, if it accumulated in time, I'd be able to have more quintessence to work with."

I would love to do side quests while on the way and kill more beasts, but I have to be satisfied with killing the ones barring on my path.

After all, I could not have that demonic cultivator escaping from my palms.

The last thing I wanted to happen was for the demonic cultivator to escape.

~~~

Zha Dong as if surfing in the air, rode on his sword in fury. He had a bad premonition. Though he could not see it, he could intuitively feel the aura of a strong presence directing its gaze on him.

"Fuck, I better finish this fast..."

It did not help at all that Zha Dong was seeing the suddenly migrating birds from his rear. Through his Spiritual Senses, Zha Dong saw the frantically migrating beasts on the ground.

This could not be a coincidence.

If the beasts were only herbivores or omnivores like boar and deer, it wouldn't be a source of concern for him.

But the fact was... the migrating beasts consisted of ferocious bears, tigers, and all sorts of predators. Some of them even have cultivation bases ranging from the 1st stage to the 3rd stage.

"Just what kind of monster did I provoke?"