Surprises

When Strider's soul re-entered his body after the simulation, and leaving the system space he was greeted with an immediate reminder from the system:

["Your soul is now of a Peak Wraith Demon, but your mortal body cannot contain this immense power." ]

The realization struck him like lightning. His transformation into a Peak Wraith during the simulation meant that his body was now out of alignment with his soul's power.

The system, ever adaptive, informed him that it would begin a metamorphosis process to strengthen his mortal body.

Strider felt his body trembling violently as the transformation began, his muscles and bones shifting, reshaping, and hardening to accommodate his new strength.

The process was agonizing, and sweat drenched his body as his mortal shell struggled to withstand the changes.

The transformation took the entire night, and by dawn, the system chimed again:

["Transformation complete.]

[For the metamorphosis of your body's new body, 1200 system points were deducted to purchase a Equalizer Potion, elevating your body to the 3rd Layer of Energy Accumulation Realm (Physical Cultivation)."]

[Equalizer potion - alleviate disharmony between body and soul]

Strider felt a pang of heartache at the loss of 1200 system points, but when he tested his newfound strength, the power coursing through his veins made it all worth it.

His body, now as strong as a 3rd Layer Physical Cultivator, felt almost invincible.

The system added a reassuring note:

["Physical cultivation is harder to detect unless actions are taken. To others, you will still appear mortal unless you reveal your strength."]

This eased Strider's concerns, as he wanted to avoid unnecessary attention.

As the first light of dawn filtered through his window, Strider took a deep breath.

The transformation had left him exhausted yet exhilarated. After a refreshing bath, he stood by the window, watching his younger sister, Silvia, practicing in the training field below. A faint smile crossed his face as he observed her determination.

Testing his new spiritual sense, now amplified by his Peak Wraith soul, Strider extended his awareness toward the ancestral grounds of the barony. He was astonished to sense a powerful presence—his great-great-grandfather, Alex, who was meditating deep within the ancestral grounds.

Previously, in his Ghostling form, he couldn't detect Alex's energy, but now, Alex's presence was as clear as day.

With a burst of speed, Strider's figure blurred, and he appeared just a few steps away from Alex, his movements so precise and silent that even Alex, a 2nd Layer Energy Accumulation Realm cultivator, didn't notice him until he was standing right there.

When Alex opened his eyes, he initially assumed an enemy assassin had infiltrated his meditation space.

But upon closer inspection, he was surprised to find his great-great-grandson, Strider, standing before him.

"Strider? How did you get so close without triggering my spiritual sense?" Alex asked, his voice laced with astonishment.

Strider, prepared for such questions, calmly lied. "I've always been untalented in Qi cultivation, so I turned to the legends of physical cultivators. I've spent years experimenting with exotic plants and herbs from the black market to strengthen my body."

Alex's eyes widened. "You risked your life experimenting with unknown substances? That's incredibly dangerous… but also commendable. I admire your determination to cultivate, even without a natural talent for Qi."

Strider nodded humbly. "It wasn't easy, but I've managed to push my body to a level comparable to someone in the 1st or 2nd Layer of Energy Accumulation Realm."

Alex was taken aback. His dream had always been for Silvia to reach such a level, yet here was Strider, claiming to have already achieved it. The pride and curiosity in Alex's eyes were evident.

Alex led Strider to an isolated mountain property within the barony, a secluded place where they could test Strider's newfound abilities without attracting attention. "Show me what you can do," Alex said, his tone both serious and eager.

Strider nodded, deciding to hold back most of his strength to avoid raising suspicions. As the spar began, he matched Alex blow for blow, their strikes causing shockwaves that echoed through the mountains.

Alex's surprise grew with each exchange. Despite being a seasoned cultivator in the 2nd Layer of Energy Accumulation Realm, he found himself unable to gain the upper hand against Strider.

Every punch, every move Strider made was precise, calculated, and far stronger than Alex anticipated.

After an intense spar, Alex finally stopped, a wide smile spreading across his face.

"You weren't exaggerating. Your strength really is comparable to someone in the 2nd Layer of Energy Accumulation Realm. If you continue refining your abilities, you might even surpass me."

Strider smiled modestly but kept his secret to himself. In truth, his strength was already at the 3rd Layer of Energy Accumulation Realm, but he had held back to avoid embarrassing Alex.

He also didn't reveal his true power as a Peak Wraith, knowing that if he used his demonic abilities, defeating Alex would require nothing more than a single finger.

As they rested, Alex shared his knowledge about physical cultivation.

"Physical cultivators are rare these days, Strider. It's a path fraught with difficulty. For one, their lifespans are shorter—an Energy Accumulation Realm Qi cultivator can live up to 300 years, while a physical cultivator only reaches 200 years. On top of that, physical cultivation requires constant access to rare heavenly resources, making it far more demanding."

Strider listened intently, absorbing the information. Alex continued, "But one truth remains constant: in the same realm, a physical cultivator is always stronger than a Qi cultivator. Your strength is a testament to that."

Strider nodded, his mind racing. He realized that physical cultivation would provide him with a significant advantage in close combat, allowing him to fight without revealing his Wraith abilities.

After parting ways with Alex, Strider reflected on the events of the day. He felt a newfound sense of confidence—not just in his physical strength but in his ability to navigate the challenges ahead.

His Peak Wraith form made him nearly invincible in his current realm, but his physical cultivation provided a valuable cover, allowing him to remain hidden in plain sight.

The system's decision to elevate his body had proven invaluable. Though he still felt the sting of losing 1200 system points, he understood the importance of maintaining balance between his soul and body.

With his physical strength and demonic powers now in harmony, Strider was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Looking out over the mountains, he clenched his fists, feeling the raw power coursing through his veins. "This is just the beginning," he whispered to himself. "With this strength, I'll carve my path to the top."