Log Entry 1: Crimson Sands, Year 1


    Date: Cycle 7, Day 23


    The Crimson Desert. A fitting backdrop for my present state. Arid, unforgiving, and populated by weaklings and simple beasts. My Qi has stabilized at the peak of Qi Cultivation. I no longer feel the pull of breakthroughs. This stagnation, while irritating, is temporary. It is a period of refinement, an opportunity to hone my formations. I''ve established a temporary base in a secluded canyon, hidden beneath a rudimentary Illusion Formation. The ambient spirit energy is meager, but manageable. First priority: establish a resource network. Local merchants are fools, easily manipulated. I will use their greed to line my own pockets.


    Earnings Today: 17 Spirit Stones. Unacceptable. Will find better opportunities.


    Log Entry 2: Crimson Sands, Year 1 (cont.)


    Date: Cycle 7, Day 28


    Exploited the local caravan routes. A simple Disorientation Formation laid across their path led them directly into a sandstorm that I had further manipulated with a Wind Guiding array. The resulting chaos provided ample opportunity to relieve them of their most valuable goods. Stones of minimal value were left to satisfy their need to believe they were robbed due to bad luck. Their pathetic outrage is of no consequence. I have learned their routes, they are predictable.


    Earnings Today: 112 Spirit Stones. An improvement. Still, the yield from mere merchants is insufficient.


    Log Entry 3: Crimson Sands, Year 2


    Date: Cycle 8, Day 12


    Discovered a hidden oasis. The spirit energy is marginally stronger here. I will establish a secondary base. A more complex array of defensive formations are required. Learned of a nearby sect of ‘Cultivators’ who practice in a nearby mountain range. I will investigate, there are more lucrative opportunities to be found there. Their spirit stone holdings are sure to be much larger than that of some mere peddler.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Earnings Today: 0, focus on formation set up.


    Log Entry 4: Crimson Sands, Year 2 (cont.)


    Date: Cycle 8, Day 27


    The ‘Cultivators’ of the ‘Scorched Bloom Sect’ are predictably weak in spirit. Their understanding of formation is pathetic. I observed their training grounds. A poorly designed and executed spirit gathering formation. They are ripe for exploitation. I will infiltrate their ranks under the guise of wanting to join, they are too ignorant to recognize the cold calculation hidden within my eyes.


    Earnings Today: 0, initial outlay of time for future profit.


    Log Entry 5: Scorched Bloom Sect, Year 3


    Date: Cycle 9, Day 5


    My plan has begun. The sect elders accepted me readily. They are fools who preach of kindness, they are blind to the underlying motives. I have convinced them of my ‘genius’ in formation crafting. They have shown me a treasure trove of spirit stones and resources, all of which will become mine in due time. I have crafted a minor formation to subtly drain their spirit energy during training, a small decrease to them but a small boost to my cultivation.


    Earnings Today: 30 Spirit Stones, gained through ‘favors’ for setting up training formations. Long-term gains are far more significant.


    Log Entry 6: Scorched Bloom Sect, Year 3 (cont)


    Date: Cycle 9, Day 29


    The sect is growing reliant on my formations. Their spirit stone reserves have become more accessible. I have begun siphoning a small percentage into my own private stores. They suspect nothing. The subtle spirit draining formation has been expanded and improved, the benefits of this are starting to show in my cultivation. They are nothing but stepping stones for my advancement


    Earnings Today: 150 Spirit Stones, direct siphoning from sect treasury.


    Log Entry 7: Crimson Sands, Year 4


    Date: Cycle 10, Day 17


    I abandoned the sect. Their usefulness was exhausted. My personal store of spirit stones is now sufficient. I have returned to one of my earlier bases. I will now focus solely on my cultivation. The stagnation I once felt is starting to crack, I have began to feel the draw of the next stage. I have entered secluded cultivation for the next 3 months.