SWNOVELXO Chapter 5 - The First Acquisition of Creation Energy
Chapter 5: The First Acquisition of Creation Energy
The Bai Estate.
Bai Chen pushed open the door and stepped outside.
“Young Master!”
Standing just outside, Li Fu greeted him respectfully. Having watched Bai Chen grow up, Li Fu regarded him as family—his most cherished person, despite his role as a servant. Childless in his old age, Li Fu’s devotion to Bai Chen was unwavering, yet his demeanour remained humble and dutiful.
[Li Fu (李福, Lǐ Fú): “Fu” means fortune or blessings, reflecting his loyal and caring nature.].
Every command from Bai Chen, no matter the cost, was carried out without hesitation.
“Uncle Fu,” Bai Chen said with a smile, “gather everyone in the estate.”
“Yes, Young Master!” Without a moment’s thought, Li Fu bowed and left to fulfil the order.
As Li Fu disappeared into the distance, Bai Chen’s lips curled upward. “Let’s give this a try,” he murmured to himself.
After his conversation with the system, Bai Chen had formed a grand vision. Achieving it, however, required an almost inconceivable amount of Creation Energy. This realisation sparked an insatiable hunger within him, driving him to use every opportunity to accumulate it. The servants of the Bai Estate would be his first step.
“What’s this about?”
“Why would the Young Master summon us?”
“Who knows what’s in his mind? Maybe someone angered him.”
In the estate’s courtyard, over 30 figures had gathered. These were the Bai family’s servants, each visibly curious and apprehensive.
Thanks to the business acumen of Bai Chen’s parents, the estate was prosperous, leaving behind a legacy that allowed Bai Chen to live comfortably even now.
“Quiet!” Li Fu’s stern voice cut through the murmurs, instantly silencing the crowd. As the estate’s steward, Li Fu commanded considerable respect among the servants.
“Is everyone here?” Bai Chen’s figure emerged before the gathered crowd.
“Young Master, everyone from the estate is present,” Li Fu replied with a bow, though he had no idea what Bai Chen intended. For him, carrying out Bai Chen’s commands was all that mattered.
“Good,” Bai Chen began, his voice calm yet resolute.
“During my travels across the martial world, I’ve witnessed countless battles and bloodshed. Every life lost was due to one simple fact: their lack of strength.
“As members of the Bai Estate, you must not be powerless. Starting today, every one of you will dedicate time to practising martial arts. Those with exceptional talent will even receive resources from me for your cultivation.
“Uncle Fu, I leave the organization of this matter to you.”
Bai Chen handed a stack of martial manuals to Li Fu before turning and walking away.
“What?”
“Is he serious?”
“The Young Master is teaching us martial arts?”
“Praise the Young Master! I, Liu Lao’er, will follow him loyally for life!”
[Liu Lao’er (刘老二, Liú Lǎo’èr): A common name format, with “Lao’er” meaning “Second Brother Liu,” often used informally.].
Stunned silence gave way to excited chatter as the servants processed Bai Chen’s decree. For common folk in the Five Great Dynasties, practising martial arts was a near-impossible dream, as even acquiring a basic manual was prohibitively difficult.
For years, the Bai Estate’s servants had fantasized about learning martial arts, only to be denied the chance. Now, Bai Chen’s decision offered them a glimmer of hope.
“The Great Demon-Subduing Art, Sorrowful Wind Palm, Grass on the Wind…”
“These are excellent techniques!”
[The Great Demon-Subduing Art (大伏魔功, Dà Fú Mó Gōng), Sorrowful Wind Palm (悲风掌, Bēi Fēng Zhǎng), Grass on the Wind (草上飞, Cǎo Shàng Fēi): Fictional martial arts techniques, likely reflecting their poetic and descriptive names.].
Li Fu leafed through the manuals, his expression one of shock and admiration. Unlike the other servants, Li Fu was already a martial artist, albeit at the peak of the Xiantian (先天) stage. Though not exceptionally powerful, his experience allowed him to recognize the manuals’ quality.
For Li Fu, Bai Chen’s generosity toward the servants was beyond measure.
Host has altered Li Fu’s destiny: +5 Creation Energy.
Host has altered Liu Lao’er’s destiny: +1 Creation Energy.
Host has altered Wang Guifen’s destiny: +1 Creation Energy.
Returning to his room, Bai Chen heard a series of notifications in his mind. Yet, instead of joy, his brow furrowed deeply.
“System!” Bai Chen’s voice carried a tinge of frustration. “Why is the Creation Energy so minimal?”
He had anticipated that providing martial arts training to his servants wouldn’t yield vast amounts of energy, but such paltry gains were disappointing. Aside from Li Fu, the contributions from the others were barely worth mentioning.
Host, the system explained, by distributing martial arts manuals, you’ve given the Bai Estate’s servants the opportunity to cultivate. However, this is only the beginning.
Since they have yet to achieve meaningful progress in martial arts, the Creation Energy generated is limited. Once they develop significant strength, the Host will receive far greater rewards.
Still, the Bai Estate’s servants are ordinary people. Unless they become top-tier martial artists, their potential contributions will remain modest.