How to Cultivate a Game

For now, the only one able to receive a class would be Nee Chen since he was already in the Martial Tempering realm. The other two would start from level zero since they have no cultivation yet, but that didn't mean that they were not eligible to benefit from the system.

Everything was going too fast! They must be thinking something like this, and they might think of me as impatient. I have no ill intentions so I found no fault in being reckless as after all, time was gold!

Xiang Ya and Lu Gao only needed to accrue 'Exp Points' by doing quests or slaying monsters.

With Nee Chen's class advancement in thought, I had long contemplated the classes that would be the foundation of my player community.  I decided on four classes. It was the four mainstream classics that had pervaded RPG culture.

Ping! -48 quintessence.

Ping! Created the classes: Warrior, Rogue, Mage, and Cleric

[Warrior— a class that specialized in combative martial skills. Arts: Equip | Boost]

[Rogue— a class that specialized in tricky martial skills. Arts: Fade | Snatch]

[Mage— a class that specialized in combative martial spells. Arts: Force | Bind]

[Cleric— a class that specialized in restoration martial spells. Arts: Barrier | Heal]

I definitely didn't think of these classes on the fly. I deliberated long enough about what the classes that my players could be based on. Finally, I have decided on Warrior, Rogue, Mage, and Cleric.

These were the sacred 4 classes of RPG. The Paladin was an exclusive class I made for Bi Yuan since she was a weak little bunny, but these four classes? They would be the foundation of my player empire. Moreover, the thoughts, philosophy, and discipline intrinsic to these classes were fully compatible with the human race, and possibly 75% compatible with any other race out there. 

In terms of stability, these four classes were something not derived from intelligent teachings but were naturally deduced from the Dao. Anyone who was practicing one of the four classes would never experience qi deviation! That was how compatible it was with human beings!

Unlike martial cultivation which was like a vehicle for a Cultivator in order to advance, the four classes I had created were the road itself. It was the way!

I knew that giving Bi Yuan a unique class may seem favoritism, but in the far future, I was thinking of distributing more of these 'unique' classes through a fair competition of skills, luck, and comprehension. Still, I could confidently say, that these four origin classes would not be in any way inferior.

I liked the sound of that... Origin Class...

I wonder… what would Nee Chen choose?

Anyhow, first and foremost, I had to explain to them what was happening.

"From now on, you three were members of the System Providence Sect! I believed that you by coming here, meant that you have already made the choice…"

I have already seen their resolute eyes. I was not a hypocrite who would suggest to them that revenge was wrong and that living a peaceful life in the countryside would be the right thing to do. But I also knew revenge could be self-destructive. I must guide them on the right path.

Suddenly, Nee Chen dropped on his four limbs with an outburst. "Please acknowledge me as your disciple!" Gathering his thoughts, Nee Chen kowtowed three times to me as dictated by the rituals for discipleship.

Xiang Ya and Lu Gao copied Nee Chen though clumsily.

I boisterously laugh. Ha ha ha ha!

I was already cringing when I thought of creating my own Sect, but System Providence Sect, really? Now that I was at the receiving end of a kowtow, something I didn't bargain for, I thought that it was too shameless of me to think so little of it… sheesh…

Old Fu Shi in my memories seemed used to it….

It looked like this was something I had to get used to, someday.

I stopped laughing, taking a more serious facade.

"I apologize. I didn't mean to laugh at your determination." I amicably smiled at Nee Chen whose face remained in the ground. He must not want me to see his face, but through Mind's Eye, I could see his pained expression. "Raise your head. The three of you, please rise." 

I was not really sure about myself, but he was already here. It would be a shame if I rejected his request, and then he decided to leave to find another Sect. I was kind of desperate for talent, and I could see through Mind's Eye that Nee Chen was especially talented.

I should say something.

"I had acknowledged you. But not as disciples…" I said these words with seriousness; I didn't even know what to teach them! I didn't have qi, and it was not like my quintessence could fix my Dantian, I have already tried!

Above and beyond, the Sect I envisioned would be rather different. There would be no disciples, elders, or guardians. There would only be me, the Game Master, and his players! It was a tyrannical rule. If it was the old world I knew where freedom, independence, and the idea of democracy were prevalent, then this would be impossible.

But this world was different.

I should adapt to it!

This way, I wouldn't stray too far from my original goal… my dream of creating the best game yet… While at it, I wouldn't compromise my principles of valuing equality. Undoubtedly, the lack of 'particular positions' like disciples and elders wouldn't create a harmful kind of hierarchy! This kind of 'hierarchy' was old-fashioned and something I wished to avoid. 

"Instead of disciples, become my champions instead!"

I have the means to make them strong, and that I would. Why stop being disciples when they could become masters that the world would fear?

Discipleship? Just become my player, and you have a shortcut to becoming a legendary hero that this world would revere!

I continued to speak, guiding my champions-to-be.

"The illusory thing in front of you was called the system. Did you see this little bunny? Come here, Yuan'er" I called the little bunny, carrying her over my arms.

"Bi Yuan used to be an ordinary bunny, something way below the food chain. After giving her the system, she started to grow and gain intelligence. Now, she possessed the strength of a 2nd stage cultivator."

I paused, building suspense so that my word would sink into their minds.

"More than that, she now also possessed the potential of a Sacred Beast."

The three of them listened attentively. Though they didn't have any idea what was a sacred beast, they were aware that it was something that they should be awed of.

A cultivator beast was either called demonic or sacred depending on the arts they developed. Their nature of 'demonic' or 'sacred' that had taken shape was parallel to the righteousness and wickedness that divided cultivators apart. Nee Chen, Xiang Ya, and Lu Gao at least knew what a demonic beast was given the troubles and dangers it had brought for merchants and villagers alike.

So 'sacred beast' didn't sound too unfamiliar to them.

Nee Chen unconsciously touched his sheathed sword.

Xiang Ya intently gazed at the little bunny.

Lu Gao gritted his teeth, strength welling in his heart.

The three of them shared one thought— It was possible.

To become stronger!

To wield greater power!

"Now, hear the Laws of the Sect!" I made my voice loud and clear as I levitated in the air with my Telekinesis. It was necessary I set up the proper mood so as to inspire awe in my players…

"Firstly, I should be addressed as the Game Master! Meanwhile, address yourselves with your Game IDs or moniker as we perceive it. This was so that our sect members could differentiate their personal lives and responsibilities to the cultivation world!

"Secondly, treat freedom with the utmost respect and propriety. Through the system, quests with equivalent rewards would be given. You could choose to accept or reject at your own discretion. Moreover, joining the Sect would not require you to sever your ties with your personal connections.

"Thirdly, responsibility. You have to take responsibility for the actions you took. No matter how many times you live, I wouldn't tolerate you stepping into the freedom of others. You had to live responsibly with the way you handled your power so that it wouldn't consume you."

I said it all in one breath. I couldn't believe that I didn't even stutter one bit or cringe in shame as I made that Sect rules on the fly.

Well, it was a Sect, so it needed Laws.

It wasn't thoughtless rambling though, as all of the things I said were sincere.

I could say that the laws I spouted were a rough draft that I could improve in time.

"That's all. You were free to do whatever you wanted to do." With these words, I turned around, carefully hiding my face if I was making any. I just wanted it to be done with it already.

"Remember, the system would guide you, but in the end, it would be you who was choosing your own path. It would always be you who had to walk this path you had chosen. Never be led astray by the system for the system was not you. It was you who were the system."

I said something mind-boggling, but it was mysterious enough... so it was a passing score at least.

Nee Chen, Xiang Ya, and Lu Gao stared rather awkwardly at my fading silhouette. That was what I thought.

The truth however was— 'Awesome... Unbelievable... Incredible...' This was what the trio were actually thinking.

Before I was truly gone, I heard Lu Gao whispering. "Just what was he? An ancient immortal?"

I answered him. No. I responded to them. "Gamer," I stroke my beard, and leave them with rather sentimental words. "I was a Gamer, and the Game I was playing was called Life." I turned to face them one last time. "After all, Life was a Game..."

And then I teleported out of their sight.

End of Arc I--- Playing Immortality