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 intent to command mana. The experience brings a surge of pride, awakening a deep sense of purpose in him. Nathan realizes that cultivating isn’t just a path to power—it’s his true calling.

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 whose unsettling demeanor leaves Nathan uneasy. Despite the generous payout, the experience leaves him with a lingering sense of being watched, hinting at a deeper, unforeseen tension.

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 of making his newfound skills profitable enough to leave his regular job behind.

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, eager to start enchanting but pacing himself to avoid burnout.

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 cultivation with patience, understanding that he has much to learn on his newfound path.

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 ticket to something greater.

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 strong sense of purpose for the journey ahead.

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-discovery and a sense of purpose beyond anything they've known before.

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.