Purification of Organs and Bones

The purified mystic stones were leagues ahead of their raw counterparts in terms of absorption speed and quality of mystic energy.

In just 30 minutes, Ariase had absorbed nine stones completely.

He exhaled deeply, opening his eyes, which gleamed with a serene clarity.

His body felt lighter, his mind calmer, as though a weight he hadn't realized he carried was slightly lifting.

Noticing his uncle had yet to return, Ariase's curiosity got the better of him.

He opened another case and grabbed a handful of the mystic stones.

Over the next hour, he absorbed 18 more, his concentration unwavering.

Each stone dissolved within him like a river flowing into the ocean, its energy harmonizing with his soul.

By the time the last one was consumed, he exhaled again—this time releasing a mist of seven radiant colors that shimmered in the air before fading.

Stunned, Ariase stared at the faint trail of mist still lingering before him.

"I can feel it…" he whispered, his voice tinged with disbelief and excitement.

"My soul is slowly healing on its own. Even my mind—it's a bit clearer now, so light. It's like some knot has been tied together."

But before he could revel in the newfound sensation, dizziness struck him like a wave.

His vision blurred slightly as he tried to stand, only to feel a warm trickle running down his nose.

Wiping it instinctively, his hand came away stained with crimson.

"Crap…" he muttered, closing his eyes as the room spun for a moment.

"Tsk, I guess 27 mystic stones are my limit. I better not push it, or it might end up doing more harm than good."

He glanced at the scattered black orbs still sitting in the open cases, his expression a mix of frustration and awe.

"But... absorbing these stones through meditation is indeed wasteful, just like Uncle said," he mused, shaking his head.

"It even creates these essenceless by-products… Well, I'm pretty sure Uncle has many of these, so it's not totally a waste. After all, I can see some progress."

His gaze lingered on the remaining stones as he added with a small smirk, "Still… to think I just burned through 27 of these in under two hours—burning money like some kind of paper. With the quality of these mystic stones, it might cost ₱4,000 or more."

Rather than risk overexerting himself further, Ariase took the opportunity to indulge in seeking knowledge for now.

With his uncle still absent, he turned to the internet, diving deep into the wealth of knowledge available in this new world.

The hours passed quickly as he read about the [National Association of Mystic Practitioners], guidelines for the [Elemental Awakening Rite] and the [Ancestral Artifact Invocation], the existence of [Void Gates], and the towering mysteries of the [World Towers].

Every discovery widened his perspective.

The history of this world was as astonishing as it was surreal, a place where myths and legends weren't just stories but tangible realities.

Ariase leaned back, stretching his arms as he smirked and looked up at the ceiling.

"Amazing..." he muttered, his tone brimming with anticipation.

"This world… it's so much more advanced than my previous world. It's like someone took countless fantasy stories and merged them into one."

"Mythologies of countless countries that were once just tales—they're real here. All those things people called fake or delusional? They're part of everyday life in this world."

He stood and wandered toward the window, gazing out at the mountainous landscape below.

The mid-afternoon sun bathed the apartment complex in a golden glow, a symbol of endless possibilities.

His thoughts drifted to his previous life.

"I managed to live pretty well last time," he reflected, his expression softening.

"If it weren't for that pig bastard…" his fist clenched slightly, but he quickly relaxed.

"It could've been a good life. But this time…" His eyes hardened with resolve.

"This time, I'll make sure it'll be greater than before. I'll live better, without an ounce of regret. I'll... explore every nook of this world and carve out a name for myself."

Just as he finished his quiet vow, the sound of the front door opening broke his reverie.

Herman's familiar voice called out, snapping Ariase from his thoughts.

"Ria! I'm back."

Ariase turned, his face lighting up with a smile.

They shared a warm lunch meal together, exchanging stories and laughter.

Herman didn't pry into Ariase's activities but gave him a knowing look when he saw the emptied cases.

After lunch, Ariase excused himself and got to work optimizing his schedule.

He meticulously planned out the remaining month, ensuring nothing was wasted as he prepared for tomorrow's organ purification.

The day passed swiftly, and soon the quiet of night settled over the world.

Ariase spent most of his time in his room, alternating between immersing himself in the vast knowledge of this new world and succumbing to the fatigue of his young body.

When morning came, the golden rays of sunlight streamed into his room, waking him gently.

It was July 6th, still shy of 10 AM—the second day of his true arrival into this world.

Ariase stretched and stepped out of his room, ready to face the next session of purification.

His uncle, Herman, greeted him with a calm smile and said, "Kid, there's no need to go out today."

"Half of the impurities were already excreted yesterday, so today's session should be much easier. So, just come here, and you can eat later after your organs have been refined and purified."

After seeing his nephew nod and sigh, accepting his fate, Herman proceeded to activate his [Expanse of Divine Purity], creating a golden domain of crosses and flowing golden lights.

This time, instead of using golden threads to pierce Ariase's body, Herman placed his palms firmly on Ariase's bare back.

Sensing the tension in his nephew, Herman chuckled lightly.

"Relax, kid. Today won't hurt nearly as much as yesterday. Just calm down and let the process flow."

Ariase nodded, trying to still his nerves.

He closed his eyes, releasing the apprehension lingering in his mind.

He reminded himself that yesterday's session was the worst of it—this time, it would be different.

Golden mystic energy began to flow from Herman's palms into Ariase's body, surging toward his organs.

This time, the sensation was markedly different.

If yesterday had felt like his blood was boiling and his muscles being torn apart, today felt more like waves of heat and cold rolling gently through his body—from his back to his head and then down to his toes.

Twenty minutes passed.

The waves of energy remained unrelenting, yet Ariase was thankful he wasn't vomiting like the previous day.

Instead, he felt something popping within his body, as if the impurities were being eradicated from the inside.

Another ten minutes passed, and Ariase noticed remarkable changes.

His heart thumped steadily now, its rhythm harmonious and strong.

He became vividly aware of each breath he took, feeling the air course down his esophagus and his lungs expanding with every inhale.

His body felt more alive, as though layers of dullness had been peeled away.

As the session extended another thirty minutes, Ariase's body grew stiff from maintaining a lotus position.

Yet, the results were undeniable.

His senses sharpened to a near-superhuman level.

His vision became startlingly clear, capable of discerning even the finest dust particles on the floor.

When he closed his eyes and focused, he could hear the faintest of sounds—the distant drip of water in the kitchen, the gentle rustle of a breeze outside.

'This is incredible…' he thought, marveling at the transformation.

'Uncle hasn't even finished yet, and my senses are already this sharp. If Uncle's Purification reached the Divine Grade, just how powerful would the acquired body talent be?'

Nearly half an hour later, Herman exhaled a long sigh.

"Finally, it's almost done," he said, his voice tinged with satisfaction.

Ariase smiled faintly, relieved that he could finally stand and stretch his stiff legs.

But before he could move, Herman flicked his fingers, and the crosses of the [Expanse of Divine Purity] began to shift.

They encircled Ariase, glowing with an otherworldly brilliance.

Suddenly, chains of transparent golden energy rose from the crosses, wrapping around Ariase tightly, as if binding him to a sacrificial altar.

"This is the final part," Herman said, his tone somber but firm. "Endure it, Ria."

Ariase sighed, closing his eyes.

He had no intention of resisting.

'Well, no progress comes without pain. But, is Uncle a sadist or something? This is the second time I've been treated this way,' he thought, steeling himself for what was to come.

Herman formed a complex hand seal, and the 13 crosses surrounding Ariase blazed with a radiant golden light, illuminating the entire room.

That's when it hit Ariase—the pain.

It was unlike the blood and muscle purification.

It felt as if every major and minor organ in his body were being relentlessly compressed.

His lungs refused to draw breath, as though they had turned to stone.

His vision went dark, his hearing dulled to silence, and his thoughts scattered like leaves in a storm.

His entire body felt paralyzed, hardened from the inside out, leaving him unable to even scream.

The torment reached its peak within seconds, and then—a sharp, piercing sound.

A crack.