The Other Side of A Cultivation Story

"Father, why dont we start building a clan?" the 7-year old Qai nonchallantly asks his father several hours later after awakening his lightning element.

In this cultivation world, an elemental affinity is automatically awakened upon reaching the age of 7.

There are at least 4 common or basic elemantal affinity known to cultivators, namely, Fire, Earth, Wind and Water.

Any other elements are considered rare. Not because they are uncommon but because they have either dual or special characteristic. But the most uncommon element are called divine elements--Light and Darkness.

If a person fails to awaken his elemental affinity, he will be part of the individuals who have no cultivation or part of what is deemed to be the Mortal Realm.

Qai's Lightning element is considered rare since it has twofold attribute--that of agility similar to wind and a stun effect it produces whenever infused to an attack skill.

"Why can't you be a patriarch and big brother as grand elder?" the lean bodied Qai said.

His father, Shu Wei, though taken aback due to the embarrasing words of his youngest son, simply laughed it off.

His father knew how naive his son was for having such thoughts since building a great clan would need lots of resources--not to mention that starting a clan invites disaster. That is because, in a world where the strong prey on the weak, other clans would not simply sit idly down and watch any other families rising to become a cultivating clan.

But be that as it may, any head of a family will always have that wishful thinking to become a great patriarch. Who wouldn't want to be in power such as a patriarch of a clan?

"Let's start a clan," Qai reiterated, "I'll help you build one, Father."

***************

His father, who at 50 years of age, is currently only at the peak of heaven stage in the expert realm. His cultivation had, for some reason, stopped few decades ago after having served as a guard of the inner manor of a mid level clan in Jiang City.

Shu Wei's level is definitely not that of a clan head material. But with Earth element affinity, his father was able to learn 'Sword Slash' as his first skill and 'Elemental Wall' as his second, both of common class. His third was a rare class called 'Earthquake Kick.'

A skill can be learned only upon entering a stage in cultivation using a skill scroll.

Basically, a cultivator can learn a skill every time he breaks through a stage in a realm. Thus, an expert realm cultivator can have a maximum of 3 skills. However, skills grades are dependent upon the realm, meaning, an 'expert' can only learn an 'expert-grade' skill.

Having failed to breakthrough after several attempts during his tenure as a guard, Shu Wei decided to retire and settle as a family man. And for his long years services, he was rewarded quite handsomely by the generous patriarch of the clan.

Shu Wei made use of his money to buy a piece of land near the borders of the human domain in the east.

He bought a significantly elevated piece of land of about 50-meter high which almost looked like a small plateau overlooking the vast forested area called Darkwood Forest to its east and with a small hilly entrance facing west.

The land was bought for a cheap amount since it is only a few kilometers away from the forest where mortal and demonic beasts live. Nobody would dare to pitch his house near such dangerous place.

But because the land is of such height forming into small plateau that his father tought it would be like a natural fortress against beasts.

And since he decided to become a hunter to earn for a living for his family, such location would be very strategic.

With such an elevated piece of land, he can have a great view towards the Darkwood Forest and can easily make a defensive attack whenever a beast gets close to his home.

To the north of the land is small village called Gale Village but further north is a mountainous region, where one of the large sects--Purple Mist Sect--of the continent is said to be located.

Far away to the south is another forested area but is believed to be the entrance to a desolated wasteland. It was an unnamed forest although by the looks of it, it appears to be the extension of Darkwood Forest.

When Shu Wei migrated to the place with his family, they built few buildings and houses over the edge of the plateau.

The wide stretch of the vast forest is basically the view of place. And its best viewtime is definitely during sunrise when the sun envelopes the forest with a blanket of sunrays in the morning.

The main manor serves as the family home--and near the manor stood a large Darkwood tree. The family used this tree as a natural tower to gain a vantage point for scouting the surrounding area.

Another house is built just adjacent the manor where Qai's big brother and sister-in-law resides and two other small houses for the other children.

As for the last building, it was built near the entrance, south of the entrance to be exact, of the plateau. It is used as an inn for adventurers who wished to enter the Darkwood forest.

This inn, though not visited reguarly, serves as secondary source of income for the family.

A small well was built at the center of the main houses where occasional adventurers can freely replenish their gourds.

***************

"So, have you ever thought of your first skill?" answered Shu Wei, obviously evading his son's query. "I can help you buy one in the merchant's store in the village. And if a rare scroll finds its way there, I'm gonna buy it for you."