Chapter 3: "Unlocking skills and OP Title"

Somewhere in the Cai Clan estate, the hall named "Grand Hall" was located in the estate's center. On each side of the hall, a lantern was placed with its dim light, casting and flickering darkness along the ancient stone walls. Cai Lin lounged on a chair made of precious "neither wood."

This wood is particularly dark green and found only in deep forests where the density of primal energy is ten times higher in normal places. Cai Lin was tapping his finger restlessly against the armrest of his chair. His eyes narrowed at the sudden arrival of the servant in his room without taking his permission.

Cai Lin was displeased with his servant's behavior before he scolded him for his actions, Cai Lin stopped midway, seeing the trembling servant before him. The servant said something to his master that was hard to believe.

"Say that again," Cai Lin said coldly, his voice was barely above a whisper.

The servant bowed even lower, sweat beading on his head. "Young Master, our assassins... they-they're dead. Their bodies were discovered near the outskirts of Ironclad City early this morning. We... could not find Cai Ren's body among them."

Cai Lin's jaw tightened. A tense silence filled the hall, as if the air itself held its breath. "Dead? All of them?" he muttered.

"Yes, Young Master. It appears they were killed by some form of venom. Black veins were covering their entire bodies.

Cai Lin rose slowly from his chair, his eyes gleaming with fury. "Venom? How could a crippled fool like Cai Ren possibly possess such power? He could barely lift a sword, let alone kill the assassins."

The servant hesitated, lowering his head further. "There are... rumors, Young master. The clan's guards were stationed not far from Cai Ren's position. Due to the distance, they couldn't see the battle. But they saw Cai Ren covered in a blood-red aura covering around him, it gave them a sense of death.

So, out of fear they didn't go near him and they were the ones who relayed this information. According to them, Cai Ren was holding some kind of stone; and after it started to glow, they speculated that it was some kind of relic or... an artifact of some kind.

Cai Lin's expression darkened. "Relic or not, he's nothing but a stray dog. Even if he survived, he won't last long. Find him. If he's breathing, bring his head to me."

Also, kill the guards who relayed this information and spread rumors it was Cai Ren who killed them. This way clan will also take a measure against Cai Ren.

"Yes, Young Mater." The servant scurried out of the hall, leaving Cai Lin alone with his shimmering rage. The only thing in Cai Lin's mind was how to get rid of this cripple as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Cai Ren sat cross-legged in the shadows of a secluded place. The Apex Venom System's translucent screen hovered before him, pulsing faintly.

[System Alert: Foreign Poison Detected]

A latent poison has been circulating within the host's body. Would you like to absorb and convert it into Venom Points?

Cai Ren's eyes narrowed. Poison? He knew exactly where it had come from- the handiwork of Cai Lin. His brother's scheming had left his dantian crippled and his body was on the brink of death. But now, that very poison would lead Cai Lin to his downfall. 

"Absorb it," Cai Ren commanded without hesitation.

[Absorbing Poison...]

Venom Points +75.

A cold sensation flooded his chest as if ice water had been poured into his veins. His breath hitched momentarily before it stabilized. The poison that had once gnawed at his life was gone, replaced by newfound strength.

[Status Update: Venom Points - 225]

Cai Ren smirked. "Your tricks won't work anymore, Cai Lin."

[System Upgrade Available]

You have sufficient Venom Points to unlock new skills. Would you like to visit Skill Tree to see options?

"Show me my options." Cai Ren said in confidence, awaiting new surprises from the system.

[Skill Tree - Apex Venom System]

* Venom Fang Strike (Level 1): Already Unlocked.

* Scorpion Tail Lash (Level 1): Already Unlocked.

* Crimson Carapace (Level 1): Already Unlocked.

* New - Venomshroud (Level 1): Cloak your body in a layer of venom, increasing evasion by 20% and dealing toxic damage to anyone who touches the host. Cost: 40 VP.

* New - Venom Serpent's Grasp (Level 1): Manifest a serpent of pure venom to restrain and poison enemies for 10 seconds. Cost: 90 VP.

* New - Basic Venom Synthesis (Level 1): Combining venom with different effects to make an improved and more potent venom. After raising this skill's level poison can be combined with other raw materials. Cost 30 VP.

Cai Ren's eyes danced across the new abilities. But why are only three options and the remaining options are grayed out with unable to view their information? This could only mean two things either he is not strong enough to unlock these skills or lacking in Venom Points.

After giving a thought for a moment he chose to unlock Venomshroud and Venom Synthesis.

"Unlock Venomshroud and Venom Synthesis," he decided.

[Skill Acquired: Venomshroud (Level 1)]

[Skill unlocked: Basic venom Synthesis]

A rush of information flowed into his mind. Formulas, venom combinations, and intricate crafting methods surfaced. It was as if the knowledge had always been there, waiting to be released.

His fingertips tingled.

A faint green mist swirled around his arm, dissipating as quickly as it came. His strength was growing piece by piece.

Cai Ren looked outside the window of an empty house, his current location was in the lawless zone of Ironclad City. Many criminals and rogues hide in places like this. The government didn't bother to clean such places, because it would waste their manpower. But still, these people threaten safe zones and create chaos among crowds.

Cai Ren sat cross-legged in the middle of a dark empty place, the only source was a lantern with its flickering light casting away long shadows on the wall.

Even though the rhythm of his breath was rough, but his eyes burned with unwavering focus. The memory of his near-death encounter and assassin's blade passing through his chest was still vivid, seared into his mind like molten iron.

"System," Cai Ren whispered, his voice cold and resolute. "Show me my status."

A translucent screen materialized before him, floating gently in the air.

[Apex Venom System]

Host: Cai Ren

Title: Venomheart Prodigy

Level: 1

Venom Points (VP): 155

Apex Coins: 0

Body Path: Bronze Carapace (Initial Stage)

Soul Path: Inactive

Traits:

*Venom Resilience (Low) - Increases resistance to poison and venom-based attacks by 10%.

* Enhanced Reflexes (Minor): Boosts reaction time by 15% in combat situations.

Skills:

*Venom Fang Strike (Level 1): Unleash a venom-infused punch capable of temporarily paralyzing opponents. Cost: 20 VP. 

* Scorpion Tail (Level 1): Summon a spectral trail to attack enemies at mid-range. Cost: 35 VP.

* Crimson Carapace (Level 1): Temporarily hardens the skin, increasing defense by 30%. Cost: 50VP.

* Venom Absorption (Level 1): Ability to absorb any poison and grant venom points by absorbing poison. Enhances natural poison resistance over time.

*Venomshroud (Level 1): Cloak your body in a layer of venom, increasing evasion by 20% and dealing toxic damage to anyone who touches the host. Cost: 40 VP.

Basic Venom Synthesis (Level 1): Combining venom with different effects to make an improved and more potent venom. After raising this skill's level poison can be combined with other raw materials. Cost 30 VP.

Cai Ren's focus shifted to the title he acquired after awakening the "Apex Venom System." The system understood his host's intention and sent him a message.

[Would you like to see a detailed explanation of the title]

Seeing this message Cai Ren nodded and waited for the explanation.

[Title: Venomheart Prodigy.]

[A rare title bestowed upon those who can merge their spiritual core with venom-based energy without backlash. Grants the ability to cultivate Venom arts at twice the standard efficiency. Immunity to Tier 3 or lower poisons. Natural venom synthesis from within the heart, enabling the creation of original venoms. Passive boost to recovery when exposed to hostile toxins.]

Looking at the op description of his title, Cai Ren was silent for a moment.

What the heck is this, such a broken title. Not only I am absorbing primal energy, but also venom boosts my cultivation. Also, there are other perks to this title strengthening his venom resistance and increasing the synthesis rate of the venom.

After giving his status window another look, Cai Ren sighed after seeing his skills and cultivation stage. He was glad the system healed his broken meridians, but he lost his previous cultivation.

"The system's generous, but not too generous," he thought. "Still, he was glad that he can cultivate and grow stronger. Seeing the host's desire system window came in front of him.

I thought I had lost everything...but this?

His lips curled into a sharp grin. This is better.

Just as Cai Ren thought a new path had opened, the system gave him another new surprise.