Chapter 28 - My Cultivation Manual Was Written for Poor People
The Black Lotus manual became Eli’s favorite book immediately.
Not because it was wise.
Because it was practical.
One section explained how to cultivate using laundromat dryers.
Another described extracting trace fire qi from restaurant grills.
A third recommended city buses for vibration conditioning.
Maya read over his shoulder.
“This is insane.”
“This is accessible.”
The technique transformed low-quality ambient energy into “Trash Qi,” then refined it slowly.
Less powerful than pills.
Much cheaper.
Eli spent one week cultivating everywhere.
Delivery bike.
Bus stop.
Campus boiler room.
Coin laundry.
He even gained two points of qi from standing beside a broken copy machine.
[QI GATHERING III]
His body improved.
So did his grades.
Memory Palace made studying faster.
Focused Breathing kept him calm.
Professor Bell hired him as a paid tutor.
Twelve dollars an hour.
Eli almost framed the first paycheck.
Then his mom called.
Their landlord was raising rent.
She had been covering groceries with a credit card.
Eli’s good mood vanished.
He needed money.
Real money.
SpiritMart posted an announcement that evening.
RIVERSIDE CULTIVATION OPEN — CASH PRIZES.
First place: $25,000.
Second: $8,000.
Third: $3,000.
Maya read the rules.
“Qi Gathering VII and below.”
Eli was III.
Jace laughed.
“You’ll die.”
The system chimed.
[MAIN QUEST]
Enter the Riverside Open.
Minimum objective: Top 8.
Bonus objective: Win.
[REWARD: MONEY IS ITS OWN REWARD.]
Eli stared at the screen.
May you like
“Lazy.”
