Urban Ascent

Returning to the flea market as instructed, the protagonist reflects on the whirlwind month that transformed him from a struggling office worker to a fledgling cultivator. Armed with a mysterious brooch and a newfound ability, he cautiously searches for the enigmatic old man who set this journey into motion. As the two reunite, the old man assesses his progress, commending his patience and solid f...

Chapter 19: The Mana Matrix - With only days left until he meets the old man, Nathan works on creating a mana-gathering array using refined gold bars. After rigorous testing, he realizes arrays need specialized materials to hold mana effectively. He constructs his first array with gold, creating a stable “mana matrix” that accelerates his cultivation. He notes the humorous pentagram shape, but his...

Chapter 18: From Fight to Flight - Nathan witnesses an elderly couple being mugged. Despite his limited power, he intervenes, overpowering the mugger with his newfound strength. This confrontation solidifies his understanding of his cultivation progress, and he recognizes that despite his power, he’s still vulnerable. This realization drives him to prioritize self-protection as he prepares to cult...

Chapter 17: Gold’s True Price - With newfound freedom, Nathan leaves his job to pursue cultivation. He realizes that gold’s high value could yield even greater profits through Karmic Exchange. His spell allows him to exchange undervalued items for higher returns, using gold’s smaller denominations to optimize his trade. This fuels his cultivation and financial independence, pushing him to embrace...

Chapter 16: Karmic Exchange - Nathan refines his spell, discovering he can swap items for fair market value if he matches the exact value of the trade. Testing this on silver coins and beer, he realizes “Karmic Exchange” is efficient yet taxing. Satisfied, he plans to use this spell to sustain himself without working a traditional job, aiming to perfect his mana control and cultivate stronger abil...

Chapter 15: Exchange of Power - Nathan explores using the brooch’s stored spirit stones to supercharge his cultivation, achieving significant progress. He experiments with a spell called “Karmic Exchange,” enabling him to swap items with others. He successfully exchanges silver for cash, realizing the spell’s value as a moneymaker. Eager to master this spell and build wealth, he strategizes around...

Chapter 14: In Plain Sight - Frustrated, Nathan hides the brooch inside a fake wall outlet in his apartment, noting its creepy aura and potential dangers. He also realizes the brooch contains a hidden storage space with various items. With excitement, he retrieves a spirit stone, sensing its potency. As he begins to understand spatial laws, he muses on the brooch’s potential power, cautiously opti...

Chapter 13: Robbed - While returning from the restroom, Nathan is confronted by a man he delivered a dresser to earlier, demanding the brooch. The man senses Nathan's low-grade spiritual treasures, and despite Nathan’s deflection, he’s robbed of his remaining rings. But he uses his wits to get $2,300 from the man in return, vowing to reclaim his lost treasures when he’s stronger. This encounter un...

Chapter 12: A Price to Pay - Energized by his progress, Nathan heads to a shopping center to sell his enchanted rings. He fields calls from Greg, who’s frantically searching for the brooch. Nathan deflects, hiding the artifact's importance. He sells one ring for a surprising amount, realizing he can achieve financial independence by selling just a few rings weekly. He heads to a restroom with grow...

Chapter 11: The First Breakthrough - Nathan grapples with the boredom of cultivating, only to realize he needs a structured approach. Inspired, he develops his own cultivation system with nine realms and names the first three. This newfound clarity propels him forward, and he has a genuine breakthrough, reaching the first stage of the Gathering Realm. Excited yet grounded, he begins to feel the we...

Chapter 10: Whispers of Power , Nathan returns from an eerie delivery to find a mysterious brooch left in his truck. Recognizing a similar yet far more intense energy within the brooch, he suspects it’s an artifact of unknown origins. Wary, he hides it among his silver stash to avoid its unsettling presence. Driven by newfound resolve, he returns to inscribing rings, discovering the power of pure...

Chapter 9: Encounters and Unease , Nathan continues honing his enchantment skills, successfully creating five mana-infused rings. However, his plans for a quiet day take a turn when Greg, a flea market acquaintance, asks for help delivering an antique dresser. Nathan reluctantly agrees, using his cultivated strength to handle the weight. The delivery brings them to a mysterious, wealthy client who...

Chapter 8: Mana and Metal , Nathan dives into his first experiment with enchanting, focusing on refining a silver ring to store mana. Though he encounters significant energy loss, he successfully creates a “core” in the ring, enabling it to hold mana for the first time. Despite the inefficient mana exchange, he’s thrilled by his progress and resolves to improve his technique, driven by the dream o...

Chapter 7: Silver Strategy , Nathan strategizes on how to discreetly advance his cultivation by practicing enchantment on jewelry, using Walmart’s affordable silver as his base. Guided by the old man's advice, he avoids using obvious charm magic in public, focusing instead on imbuing small items with mana at home to stay low-key. With a plan in place, Nathan works on strengthening his energy flow,...

Chapter 6: Meeting the Unexpected , Nathan encounters an old man at the flea market who sees through his charm magic effortlessly. The man, a seasoned cultivator, offers wisdom about Nathan’s undeveloped techniques and warns him about the dangers of drawing attention without a solid foundation. Encouraged but cautious, Nathan considers the old man's advice and resolves to strengthen his cultivatio...

Chapter 5: Charm and Chance , Nathan puts his charm magic to the test at a local flea market, aiming to subtly influence customers into buying his trinkets and snacks. The day starts slow, but with practice, he discovers how to project a gentle aura that attracts customers. As he fine-tunes his approach, sales start flowing, and he earns more than expected, confirming that magic might just be his...

Chapter 4: Crossroads of Fate , Nathan experiences a breakthrough in self-discovery, realizing his desire to seek truth and a higher purpose. With newfound clarity and determination, he plans to test his cultivation abilities by selling magically enhanced trinkets. As he preps for this experiment, he also reflects on his life, motivations, and the possibilities this power could bring, igniting a s...

Chapter 3: Ignition Point , the protagonist continues experimenting with their newfound powers, aiming to create a flame through sheer concentration and the flow of mana. This small act sparks a profound realization, merging their physical efforts with a deeper understanding of their connection to a powerful, primal force. Their success ignites more than a flame—it opens a doorway to self-discover...

Chapter 2: First Sparks , the protagonist dives deeper into the basics of cultivation, experimenting with newfound energy and testing the boundaries of their abilities. As they explore the flow of mana, they begin to uncover subtle, intriguing effects, sparking a desire to push their powers even further.

In Chapter 1 of Urban Ascent , the 32-year-old protagonist, stuck in a monotonous life, turns to Chinese cultivation web novels for escape. Inspired by a character, they try meditation and unexpectedly begin sensing and circulating mana. Despite skepticism, they complete several cycles, feeling energized and proud of their newfound practice.