THE BLACK CULTIVATOR

Chris stood still, breathing in the dry, scorching air of Void Mountain.

Two suns burned overhead - one crimson, one golden - turning the red sand into a bleeding wasteland.

In the distance, jagged peaks stabbed the sky like broken teeth while faint, monstrous growls rolled down from the rocks.

"Naija boy don land!" he muttered, dusting red sand off Li Yan's cheap brown outer sect robe. "Chaii, this place no be joke oh. I gats lock in."

["Naija boy has landed!" ... "Damn, this place is no joke. I have to lock in."]

He quickly sorted through the flood of memories. Li Yan was only at the early stage of Qi Condensation - basically an ant.

Li Yan's seniors had framed him for stealing a grade 4 spirit herb. He was chased deep into the forbidden outer zone of Void Mountain and left for dead. Classic sect bullying.

[Supreme Hustle African System]

[Host Body Status: Severely Exhausted. Minor Injuries.]

[Realm: Qi Condensation, Early Stage (Unstable)]

[Qi Reserves: 20%]

[Warning: Multiple Powerful Energies Detected Within 5km radius. (Recommended Action: Run)]

"You say wetin?" Run go where? Chris scoffed.

Naija no dey run like that oh, we no dey run from trouble - we dey manage am.

["What did you say?" ... "Naija people don't run like that. We don't run from trouble - we manage it."]

Chris took a few steps forward and collapsed to one knee as sharp pain shot through his meridians.

The previous owner had pushed past his limits, unfortunately it didn't do him any good.

[Undying Courage Activated]

[5x Recovery Engaged]

Warm energy began flooding his body. The pain dulled and his breathing steadied.

"Omo, this guy body wan wound me." God pass you sha. Chris returned to his feet.

["Damn, this guy's body wants to wound me." God has passed you sha.]

A low growl echoed from behind the rocks.

Two red-eyed Void Wolves stepped out, saliva dripping from their jaws. They were both at the early stage of Qi Condensation.

Alarmed, Chris locked eyes with them. Their black fur radiated dark energy.

Undying Courage kicked in. Chris's blood boiled with pure Naija vexation.

"Now, now, person enter una world... una wan turn am into food?"

["Now, now, someone just entered your world... and you want to turn him into food?"]

Chris clenched his fists, his eyes scanning the Void Wolves. They were the size of full-grown adult lions.

The wolves lunged.

Chris sprinted on instinct. The first wolf came at him from below, its mouth wide open - Chris evaded with ease.

The second appeared by his side with its right claws aimed for his guts. "Bam." Chris sent it flying high. "Boom." It crashed into the ground.

[Rhythmic Combat Intuition Engaged]

'Una no fit do shit!" Chris yelled. He dashed forward at the second wolf, speed too fast for the human eye. He drove his knee into its head with surprising force.

["You people cannot do shit!"]

"Thud." The wolf fell to the earth.

The first wolf returned, unleashing a fury of claw strikes that split the air around him.

Chris dodged a few, but one claw strike drew blood from his left shoulder.

"Your matter don end like this," Chris growled, jaws clenched.

["Your matter has ended like this."]

[Adrenaline + Willpower Surge]

[5x Recovery Maxed Out]

The wolf charged. Chris dropped low, sliding under its snapping jaws. His fist slammed upward into its ribs with a sickening crack.

"Huuuu!"

The wolf beast dropped to the earth.

[First Kill Bonus!]

[+100 System Points]

[You have Absorbed Faint Spiritual Energy From The Void Wolves]

[Qi Condensation Early Stage → Mid Stage (Stable)]

[+10 Points Added To All Stats]

Chris burst out laughing while collapsing to the ground.

Naija no fit carry last! A smile lit up on his face.

[Naija cannot come last!]

[Daily Quest Activated]

[Daily Quest: Find A Home Or Build One]

[+200 System Points]

[+1 Advanced Qi Pill]

You no need tell me twice my guy. Chris replied.

[You don't need to tell me twice my guy.]

Chris rose and moved deeper into the mountains. Every few minutes he heard the distant cries and howls of beasts - some deep and powerful, others high-pitched and vicious.

After what seemed like an hour of careful trekking, he stumbled upon a cave hidden at the south of the mountain by large trees.

"This place looks good enough," Chris muttered, crossing his arms. "The only thing wey fit enter this place na something my size or smaller."

["The only thing that can enter this place is something my size or smaller."]

"Hmmm." He covered his nose with his sleeve as he walked in. "This place dey smell somehow." (Like old socks)

["This place smells somehow."]

Green grass blanketed the entire ground. The walls were smooth and cold.

The light of both suns barely brightened the cave.

At the center lay a stone slab that looked like a bed.

Chris walked around, observing and feeling every surface.

This place looks great. It will be my personal home for now. Chris whispered.

[Congratulations! You Have Successfully Found A Home]

[+200 System Points]

[+1 Advanced Qi Pill]

Vast energy surged directly into Chris's body.

[Qi Reserves: 300%]

"Everywhere good!" Now this place just needs a little make-over. Chris mumbled.

["Everywhere is good!"]

The trees on Void Mountain stood at incredible heights and widths. Some easily overshadowed a five-storey building.

He tiptoed through the trees and long grasses. The sun was scorching. He halted under a tree resembling an oak - its branches long and wide, leaves the size of a couch.

He plucked a fruit. It was bright yellow.

"Ham." Juice squelched between his fingers as he bit into it.

"This fruit sweet die!" Chris smirked. He ate one, two, three, then five.

["This fruit is very sweet!"]

[Yellow Fruit Digested]

[Meridians And Dantian Strengthened]

[Energy Suction Increased]

What the fuck! Na golden fruit be this oh! System, do you have anything wey I fit use store my food? He asked.

[Na this na golden fruit oh! ... anything I can use to store my food?]

[Void Storage Unlocked]

[Note: Storing Capacity Unlimited. Anything Stored In The Void Storage Remains The Same. Time Doesn't Function In The Void.]

Thank you, System. He said, grinning.

Chris started plucking every fruit he could find and sent them into the void.

Evening came fast. Chris brushed sweat from his face with the back of his hand.

A wooden door now sealed the cave entrance.

[Craftsman Unlocked]

[No Pain, No Gain Unlocked: (Moving Forward - Cultivation Speed, Understanding Of Scrolls, Manuals, Techniques & Treasures Will Be Increased x10)]

[+30 System Points]

He shut the door.

"Yessss!" It works! Overjoyed, Chris did a little leg work.

He powered up his insect lamp as the cave was plunged into darkness. Earlier while coming back, he had spotted some insects flying around with bodies glowing in different colors - he captured some.

Night fell not long after.

The cave was filled with smoke and steam.

"Mmmmm!" Chris groaned. "This one sharp wella!"

["This one is very delicious / hits well!"]

He dipped a finger into the bubbling pot and licked it clean, eyes lighting up.

He covered the pot. Steam rose, white and warm.

With his stomach filled and his body restored, Chris rested on the stone bed. A proud smile hovered over his face.

System, reveal my stats to me. He flopped onto the bed, legs crossed.

[Supreme Hustle African System]

[Host: Chris] [Age: 20]

[Realm: Mortal (Qi Condensation - Mid Stage)]

[System Points: 330]

[Strength: 50] [Speed: 50] [Agility: 50] [Intelligence: 50] [Endurance: 50]

[Qi Reserves: 300%]

[Special Talent: Nigerian Heritage (Lv1), Craftsman (Lv3)]

[Special Traits: Undying Courage (Extreme), 5x Recovery & Breakthrough Speed, Rhythmic Combat Intuition, Void Storage, No Pain-No Gain]

[Note: Start Cultivating]

Chris hissed. You don't need to tell me twice, Oga. My stats are poor.

["You don't need to tell me twice, system."]

Chris took deep breaths, eyes sealed shut. His meridians pulsed, hot and peaceful.

Energy flowed into his body at an impressive rate.

Through the cold night, he cultivated.