Nostalgic Taste
[Ding!]
[Third blood sample recognized!]
Taken off guard, Elias jumped up a little, spilling the tea over himself.
"Fuck!"
He started to frantically tear the clothes he was wearing off, when he realized that what was supposed to be scalding hot liquid felt like a hot shower at most.
Sigh.
*Superhuman durability is a nice thing to have...*
MEOWR!
His thoughts were interrupted by a particularly wet and angry animal that was laying comfortably in his lap. Or at least it was comfortable until it got an unexpected bath.
Piercing blue eyes were trained on Elias. The little tiger looked very irritated, and instead of laying back down, it demonstratively walked away from Elias and laid down by the fire.
"Hey, it's not like I did that on purpose."
Elias's words were thoroughly ignored.
"Alright, that's fair."
It did not take long for Elias to brew a new cup of tea. Just a few minutes later, a refreshing smell hit his nostrils once again. Elias brought the cup to his lips once more and took a sip. The tea was bitter. Incredibly bitter. But this bitter taste was something Elias longed for. Of course he missed sugar, but he did not have any hopes of obtaining it in his current situation. And it wasn't like the sugar was important. No, it was the tea. The taste that brought back the memories of him visiting his grandparents. His grandfather drank tea whenever he was sad, or happy, or simply bored. He would drink tea with milk, with lemon or varenye, but most importantly - with pleasure. He loved tea that was strong and hot, so hot it was almost burning your lips. And for some reason, he would always call tea "bouquet".
Elias savored this nostalgic bitterness for a moment. He opened his eyes and looked towards the starry sky.
*Will I ever be able to go back?*
Elias was about to go on with this train of thought, but the strong feeling of deja vu stopped him from that. Instead a new thread of thought appeared in his mind.
*This is a magical world, and magic is known to humans! This means my options could potentially be almost unlimited! I even may learn how to go back to Earth from the Elemental Masters!*
Filled with confidence and enthusiasm, Elias decided to focus on his current situation. System had interrupted him earlier, but it was not without reason. He finally got the third blood sample. The solution of his body's inability to process energy may be just around the corner.
*System, now that I have three blood samples, how long would it take to analyze them?*
[Ding!]
[Thorough analysis of the blood samples available. ETA: 1 hour. Energy required: 36 units of cultivation base. Proceed?]
*Yes!*
[Energy received. Genetic sample analysis in progress, ETA:1 hour.]
Elias decided to pass the time by executing his breathing technique. After all, it was better to keep enough energy for an unexpected situation.
Soon enough he heard a familiar notification sound out in his mind.
[Ding! Analysis complete.]
Elias could barely contain his excitement. It was the moment of truth, the moment where he would learn his next step. He also was hoping he could practice both the cultivation of local people as well as the cultivation path of the immortals.
[Analysis results:]
[Lack of GDF8 myostatin detected. A different protein has replaced it. The new protein only starts to exhibit its effects when the muscles are developed to a certain level. New energy capture, storage and release mechanisms detected. Double energy density compared to adenosine triphosphate detected. Minimal osmolarity. Trace bloodline powers detected.]
[Conclusion: the powers of the local warriors are more reminiscent of stimulated evolution.]
*So… I simply lost in a genetic lottery?*
[Host is correct.]
*Alright, what options do I have then?*
[Ding!]
[Option one: Basic Genetic Imprint function will enable the host's body to reach the peak strength of the True Breath warriors. If enough genetic material of the warriors of the higher levels is available, the limit can be lifted.]
[Option two: Stimulation of the trace bloodline powers found in the host's body. Effect: unknown.]
*Bloodline power… Could it have any relation to the secret techniques of the Fierce Tiger Tribe? If there is a connection, I will probably end up chasing ghosts without the techniques. Also, the Fierce Tiger Tribe isn't even the biggest tribe around. If their bloodline powers were strong, they would dominate the area, but instead they are stuck as a tribe here. No, option one is probably better one.*
Elias had made the decision. The power of True Breath warrior may not be much, but Elias wondered how strong he could become if he combined this strength with the power of an immortal cultivator.
*System, make option one a priority and set up a task.*
[Ding!]
[Setting up a new task.]
Task: Reach True Breath Level
[Ding!]
[Setting up a new task.]
Task: Activate Basic Genetic Imprint function
[Ding!]
[Setting up a new task.]
Task: Find the information regarding the processing of herbs
Alternative: Perform practical experimentation to find the required herb combination
[Ding!]
[Setting up a new task.]
Task: Activate the Chemical Analysis function
[Ding!]
[Setting up a new optional task.]
Task: Activate the Heuristics Stimulation function
[Ding...]
Notifications about new tasks kept sounding out in Elias's mind as he sat there wide eyed. System behaved like that for the first time, but it communicated one thing clearly. He had a lot of work coming. After looking at the energy prices of the functions he needed the most, he went wide eyed once again. Cursing system did not help, so he could only begrudgingly go back to meditation.
As soon as morning came, Elias woke up from his meditation and got to herb gathering. Herbs that grew here were potent, and therefore valuable. He was going to trade with Safar before his caravan set off, so he did not even think about slacking. Just the thoughts of seasonings and proper clothes already gave him enough energy to go wild on poor herbs.