Playful Little Puppy.
Alex's focus shifted from the past events to his current circumstances. He found himself pondering the unfamiliar terms and changes that had occurred.
[Stats
Name: Alexander Simon
Cultivation: Body Refinement (Full Completion) (+ -)
Bloodline: Lower Demonic Bloodline (89%)
Lifespan: 36798
Technique: Dragon Twist Technique (Ninth Heaven)
578/3300 Aura Weaponizing Technique (3rd Level)
Divine: Heavenly Divination Technique (1 Divination) (+ -)]
He contemplated the mysterious "Lower Demonic Bloodline" and realized it might be connected to the inner demon he had absorbed during the fight. It struck him that this might be a unique ability, a demonic bloodline that enabled him to absorb and utilize the essence of the inner demons.
[Demonic Bloodline Absorption has been completed.
From now on, the limiter on Demonic Techniques has been removed. Demonic Techniques will level up, and the previously limited realms of these Techniques will become obsolete.]
His amazement grew as he considered the implications. The ability to level up Techniques and unlock new potential was an extraordinary advantage. The Demonic Techniques could now rival higher-level Techniques, effectively breaking their previous limitations. He was eager to test this newfound power, but the situation wasn't conducive to such experimentation.
"BIG BROTHER LI!!!" Chang Li's voice pierced his thoughts.
Alex refocused, realizing he had drifted into his own world.
"Ah... yes, sorry, Junior Brother Chang. I was lost in thought about something unrelated. The chaos earlier was... overwhelming," Alex explained and apologized to Chang Li.
"No problem, Big Brother Li. But... is it over now?" Chang Li inquired.
Alex glanced around at the lifeless bodies of disciples, many of whom were mere children. His expression grew somber, his memories of war and combat in his past life resurfacing. He was about to respond when a voice echoed through the hall.
"CONGRATULATIONS, YOUNGSTERS! YOU HAVE PASSED THE TEST SET BY THE SECT MASTER. FROM NOW ON, YOU ARE ALL INNER DISCIPLES. RETURN TO YOUR HOMES TO REST BEFORE JOINING THE INNER SECT."
Old Chang descended with a rare smile, announcing the end of the trial.
A sigh of relief swept through the surviving disciples.
Alex was relieved as well. Since his retirement from the military in his past life, he hadn't been exposed to such intense violence. It had shaken him more than he anticipated.
As everyone filed out, an elder extended his hand to call Alex over, but Old Chang intervened.
"Wait. Until we gather more information about him, do not approach him or notify him of anything. He might be a spy from another sect," Old Chang cautioned. Despite being able to sense Alex's energy, Old Chang suspected there was more to him than met the eye.
"Understood, Senior Brother Chang. I'll comply with your instructions," the elder replied.
--
Night fell.
Alex lay on his bed, cleaned after using the inner sect bathhouses. His mind raced as he contemplated his stats.
[Stats
Name: Alexander Simon
Cultivation: Body Refinement (Full Completion) (+ -)
Bloodline: Lower Demonic Bloodline (100%)
Lifespan: 36798
Technique: Dragon Twist Technique (Ninth Heaven)
578/3300 Aura Weaponizing Technique (3rd Level)
Divine: Heavenly Divination Technique (1 Divination) (+ -)]
His attention zeroed in on his lifespan, the numerical representation of his years ahead. A smile crept onto his face as he considered the potential.
"Time for a little shopping spree," he murmured.
He tapped the "+" next to his lifespan.
--
[Do you wish to increase your cultivation by spending your lifespan?
-5000 Years of Lifespan]
--
He hesitated, weighing the cost against the potential benefit.
"Yes."
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
--
[Congratulations, You have broken through the Inner Qi Realm]
--
Alex sensed a new experience this time. It felt as if he was soaring amidst a colorful sky, where vibrant clouds of various energies drifted, they were in all colors. They all gravitated toward him, merging and fusing.
"WHA--- AGGHHGHH!!!" Pain surged through his body, accompanied by the sensation of a thousand swords piercing his flesh. Even with his eyes closed, Alex was immersed in agony.
The clouds enveloped him, and he felt their essence flooding into his body.
--
[User has reached the Starting Realm of true cultivation.
User needs to choose one cloud he has an affinity for; it will become his elemental foundation before awakening a second one.]
--
Even in this tumultuous state, Alex's focus landed on the prompt. He attempted to gaze at the clouds and choose one, but the pain intensified dramatically.
"AAAGHHGG... SHIT!!! IT HURTS SO MUCH!" he screamed. The pain was overwhelming, as if the clouds were struggling to force their way into his body.
Yet, through the pain, he spotted an orange cloud in the distance—a mixture of orange and brown hues. He felt drawn to it, a magnetic attraction that he couldn't ignore.
In a moment of empathy, he forgot about a the pain and he went towards the little cloud.
"Hey there buddy" He picked the cloud up.
he found himself conversing with the formless cloud. It felt like a playful puppy, seeking attention and interaction. The cloud "jumped" into his metaphorical arms, wiping against his body like an affectionate puppy pet.
"Hahaha, you like playing?" Alex chuckled, experiencing an odd connection to the ethereal cloud.
But suddenly, the other clouds turned aggressive, attacking the playful one. Frustration surged within Alex, and he shouted, "FUCK OFF, ALL OF YOU!"
The other clouds recoiled, but the playful cloud remained steadfast. Then something unusual happened—the playful cloud fixed its gaze on Alex, as if assessing his sincerity, it felt Alex'es true desire that he really wanted to choose it. In a split second, it made a decision.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
A burst of white light engulfed Alex, making him shut his eyes reflexively. When he opened them, he saw a tiny cloud hovering before him, smaller than before, yet somehow distinct.
The pain renewed, even more intense than before.
--
[Host has exceeded the time allotted for element selection.
Failure to choose will result in a breakthrough failure.
Host must choose an element within 5... 4... 3...]
--
"THIS ONE!" Alex yelled, unable to withstand the pain any longer.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
Another explosion of white light engulfed him, and he felt a surge of power coursing through him.
When the light faded, he found himself back in his shack.
He opened his eyes, his body drenched in sweat. His attention was drawn to a prompt.
--
[Congratulations! Host has broken through the Inner Qi Realm.
Element: Power (Infant)]
--
He stared at the prompt in astonishment.
"That playful little guy was... a Power element?"
End Of Chapter.