Ethan had already stepped onto a path that very few people in the cultivation world could even imagine walking, let alone surviving. Unlike ordinary cultivators who focused on a single cultivation path for their entire lives, he possessed three different types of cultivation energies within his body.
They were Heavenly Spiritual Energy, Soul Energy, and Nature Energy.
Each of these energies followed completely different laws, principles, and methods of cultivation. None of them were compatible in the traditional sense, and each demanded independent training, independent understanding, and independent growth. There was no shortcut, no easy fusion, and no shared cultivation base between them.
This, without a doubt, was the only real disadvantage he currently carried.
If Ethan were an ordinary cultivator without the System, this disadvantage alone would have been enough to doom him. Trying to cultivate even two different energies was already considered madness in the cultivation world. Three was unheard of. Anyone who attempted such a thing would either cripple themselves, go insane, or be erased by Heaven long before achieving anything meaningful.
But Ethan was not ordinary.
If he could obtain the right cultivation-enhancing resources, the right techniques, and the right opportunities, then this so-called disadvantage could be turned into a terrifying advantage. With three cultivation paths running parallel, he would possess multiple layers of defense, multiple trump cards, and multiple methods of survival.
That alone could dramatically increase his chances of staying alive in a world where strength decided everything.
And right now, the evidence of that advantage was already appearing.
Without even learning a single Soul-related cultivation technique, Ethan had still managed to raise his Soul cultivation base. Although it was only at the 1st Level of the Elementary Stage, the speed at which it happened left him shocked. He knew very well that this growth was not natural. It was the lingering effect of the Spirit Pool.
And more importantly—
He could clearly feel that the effects of the Spirit Pool were far from over.
In fact, this was only the beginning.
The energy he absorbed earlier had not fully stabilized within his body yet. It was still slowly integrating itself into his Soul, reinforcing its foundation, strengthening its resilience, and expanding its potential.
This realization made Ethan's heart beat faster.
If merely touching the surface of Soul cultivation could produce such results, then what would happen if he trained it properly? What if he raised his Soul Energy to its peak?
And then there was Nature Energy.
Although he had already been blessed by Mother Nature herself and obtained access to Nature Energy, his progress in that path was practically nonexistent. The reason was simple—he had no cultivation technique for it.
Mother Nature had given him the energy, but she had not given him a manual, a method, or even a basic guideline. Ethan could feel the Nature Energy circulating within him, but he had no idea how to refine it, control it, or strengthen it.
It was like holding an unmatched treasure without knowing how to use it.
Still, instead of feeling frustrated, Ethan felt excited.
His future potential was terrifying.
If he could one day properly cultivate all three energies—Heavenly, Soul, and Nature—then his future would be far brighter than he had ever imagined.
Just as he was lost in these thoughts, basking in the possibilities of what he could become, a familiar cold voice echoed in his mind.
A System notification suddenly appeared before his eyes.
[User is requested to purchase and learn the .
is a technique that will help the User control all types of cultivation energy without any issues.]
Ethan froze.
"Spirit Splitting Technique?"
The name alone sounded ominous.
His brows furrowed as confusion crept onto his face. He had never heard of such a technique before, neither in this world nor in the countless novels he had read back on Earth.
He immediately questioned the System.
"System," Ethan asked cautiously, "why exactly are you recommending this technique to me?"
The System did not delay its response.
[Cultivation itself is an act of defiance against Heaven's Will.]
[Cultivating will naturally lead to dissatisfaction from Heaven.]
[There are a total of five major types of cultivation energies.]
[The User is already blessed with three different cultivation energies, making the User an even more taboo existence in Heaven's eyes.]
[The future path will be filled with horror.]
Ethan's heart sank slightly as he read the words.
So even Heaven itself viewed cultivation as a crime.
The System continued, merciless as ever.
[There are a total of six known cultivation energies.]
[They are: Heavenly Spiritual Energy, Soul Energy, Nature Energy, Devil Energy, Evil Energy, and Beast Energy.]
[The User has already obtained three of them.]
Ethan inhaled sharply.
Six cultivation energies.
And he already possessed half of them.
If word of this ever spread, he wouldn't even need enemies—Heaven itself would ensure his destruction.
The System did not stop there.
[Cultivation is taboo in Heaven's eyes.]
[Any cultivator will attract Heaven's attention over time.]
[However, cultivating more than one type of energy multiplies the amount of Heavenly wrath the User will face.]
So that was the truth.
The more paths he walked, the heavier Heaven's punishment would become.
And then came the most important part.
[At that time, the User must possess a powerful Soul to maintain balance and control between the cultivation energies.]
[Failure to do so may result in loss of cultivation, madness, or death.]
[The cannot eliminate this danger entirely.]
[However, it will provide the User with a chance to survive Heaven's wrath.]
Ethan clenched his fists.
Survive.
Not overcome.
Not defeat.
Just survive.
The System's next message was even more shocking.
[ allows the User to split their Soul into multiple parts within the same body.]
[Since the User possesses the
Ethan's breathing quickened.
Splitting the Soul?
Any other cultivator would have lost their mind just hearing such a concept. The Soul was sacred. It was the core of one's existence. Damaging it even slightly could lead to irreversible consequences.
Yet the System calmly stated that, because of the Heaven's Equality Body, Ethan would suffer no drawbacks.
And then—
The final line appeared.
[Cost: 1,000,000 System Currency.]
Silence.
Absolute silence filled Ethan's mind.
One million.
One. Million.
System. Currency.
His eyes widened as if they were about to pop out of their sockets.
"What…?"
For a moment, he genuinely felt dizzy.
"One million?!" Ethan nearly shouted in disbelief.
What kind of price was this?!
He already carried a debt of 90,000 Skill Points, and now the System was asking him to casually take on a one-million System Currency loan?
Was this a cultivation system or a predatory loan agency?
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" Ethan cursed internally. "Are you trying to enslave me through debt?!"
His mind raced as frustration and anger surged through him.
"If this keeps going, I'll be cultivating debt instead of cultivation!"
Naturally, the System showed no reaction.
It neither defended itself nor explained its pricing.
It simply waited.
Ethan cursed for a full five minutes in his heart, venting every ounce of frustration he had. But no matter how much he complained, nothing changed.
The System remained emotionless.
Indifferent.
Unshakable.
Eventually, Ethan sighed heavily.
He had no choice.
If the System said this technique was necessary for his survival, then refusing it would only mean certain death in the future.
With a heavy heart, he made his decision.
"I'll buy it," Ethan muttered bitterly.
The moment he confirmed the purchase, another notification appeared.
[User has purchased the from the System Marketplace using 1,000,000 System Currency on credit.]
Pain stabbed his heart when he saw the newly added debt.
One million.
Just like that.
He felt as though he had signed away his future.
But before he could even finish consoling himself, another notification appeared.
And this one hit him even harder.
[To learn the , the User requires 500,000 Skill Points.]
Ethan's vision went dark.
Five hundred.
Thousand.
Skill Points.
[User does not have sufficient Skill Points.]
[User may borrow Skill Points from the System.]
[Does the User wish to proceed?]
For a moment, Ethan genuinely considered lying down and letting Heaven strike him with lightning.
"Just kill me already!" he cursed out loud. "You're a schemer! A pure schemer!"
First System Currency.
Now Skill Points.
Layer upon layer of debt.
It was clear to him now.
This System was not just guiding him.
It was investing in him.
And investments always demanded returns.
Yet, despite all his anger, Ethan knew the truth.
He wanted power.
And power was never free.
If he wanted to walk all six cultivation paths one day—Heaven, Soul, Nature, Beast, Evil, and Devil—then he would have to pay the price.
High risk.
High reward.
After a long moment of silence, Ethan steadied his breathing.
"I accept," he said calmly.
And with that single word, he stepped even deeper into a future filled with debt, danger, and limitless potential.