Invite Players to a Cultivation World

"What are you suggesting?" Lily asks me.

"What is this forest called, and who does it belong to?" I reply with my own questions.

"The tainted forest, and it belongs to my Petal Sect. Though that's more a responsibility to keep people from recklessly entering."

I consider for a moment.

The discussion has gone quite well so far. Though I made the mistake of not suppressing my cultivation earlier, Lily has done all she can to not shy away from me, instead acting as a very attentive listener.

I think she should be willing to agree, if not out of respect, then from an unfounded fear that I might get violent if she refuses.

"I am in need of a new place to stay, so how about I buy this forest from you. I'll be getting rid of the impurities, though that will take some time, and it's not as if you were using it for anything." I say.

"That's..." The gears are clearly turning in her head, perhaps worrying about my intention, then realising she can't stop me. "I would have to speak to my sect leader first, but I see no reason to refuse. What can we expect as... well..."

"If your referring to payment, then I can give you this." I take out a book from by storage ring. "This is a beginner cultivation method from my world. It's very slow, offers little combat benefits, and is generally not very useful beyond Qi-Refining. It is however very good at protecting your soul from impurities. I would suggest studying its nuances and figuring out what you can incorporate into your own technique. That's what it was originally created for after all, and you certainly need some help in that regard." I toss the book over.

"Thank you for your gracious offering." Lily bows her head after catching the book.

"It's payment, and until I receive word from your sect leader, I'll assume the deal has been accepted." I shrug. "I actually have a few things I want to do that will be much easier so long as I have a good reputation with you locals. The type of thing I previously couldn't do because there was always a risk of someone stronger stealing my work or forcing me to use it for nefarious purposes."

"What are you intending?" She asks. "If it brings harm to the world the I must ask you to reconsider."

I raise my brow at her. "You're very brave to say that to me. I like that. Things would be much less interesting if everyone here acted as a bootlicker. Unfortunately I can't explain what I'm planning, it's just too complicated and you probably wouldn't believe me anyway. Nothing you need to be worried about though. If all goes well, you'll be thanking me."

"I hope you keep your word." Lily nods in acceptance. "And perhaps I shouldn't say this, but giving us this book as payment seems a bit excessive, considering we both know you could take anything by force."

"There's a great explanation for that. I have a contract with a certain magical race that I will not name, and they offer me great benefits so long as I follow certain guidelines of being a good person. That means no stealing things I didn't earn. Don't get any ideas though. They don't stop me from doing things, I can still be violent or cruel, especially if I have a good reason."

"Then that also means they reward you for acts of kindness?" Lily guesses. "And that's why you're being so generous?"

"Absolutely correct, though there are several nuances." I admit. "I would also like to see you reach your potential. This world has so much more potential compared to my old one that it would be a shame not to help."

"Surely you are just flattering us." Lily says. "How could we possibly have greater potential compared to a world where Nascent Soul is considered an ordinary person's limit?"

"That's because there are three main aspects of a world that determine the strength of it's inhabitants." I count on my fingers. "First is the Qi density. This is determined by many things, some of which even I don't know. Your world seems to be excelling in this area though.

Second, how little impurities there are. Best way to keep it down is to not be invaded by blights, or at least kill them quickly if that isn't an option. You've done amazing in this regard. This forest is apparently the worst it gets, and my old world would consider it a holy ground considering how sparse impurities are.

Lastly is the only area you lack in, efficient cultivation techniques. This is something that comes with time, continuous improvements, and better understanding on how a technique should be made. This world is just too young though, and hasn't had any previous opportunity to learn from more developed worlds."

"So by studying this technique, we will be able to one day reach the same level as you." Lily stares at the book in her hands, eyes filled with wonder.

"Not exactly." I reply. "That technique is only good for keeping too much impurities from entering your soul. I also gave it to you as a test to see if you're able to improve your own techniques based on those of my world. Once you've done so to the extent that you can confidently move around this forest, come meet me and I'll give you another technique to study."

"Are you not willing to come with us to our sects?" Lily asks.

"Not at the moment. I want to focus on my own goals for now, and you should probably be heading back now. Some of my plans might make me lose focus on clearing the impurities around you, and neither of us want to see that happen."

"But how will we return?" Lily asks. "I don't mean to be presumptuous, but without you escorting us we will have to deal with the impurities of the tainted forest by ourselves, and we were only willing to come here because we believed there was a blight monster."

She makes an excellent point. I'm honestly a bit disappointed in myself for being so inconsiderate.

"How about you use this." I take out a flying chariot from my storage ring.

Chariot isn't the word I'd use to describe it, as it certainly doesn't look like the ones from earth, instead it'd be a small aircraft. But for some reason everyone calls this type of transportation a flying chariot.

"The controls are very simple, and it has a formation that keeps impurities out." I tell them. "They're not perfect of course, but you shouldn't have any difficulties on your return journey."