[Ding!]
[Lifespan: 10 (+45) days]
[New Lifespan: 55 days]
After consuming the three vitality pills, his lifespan increased by 45 days. Caleb Li looked at the panel floating right in front of his eyes, lost in thought.
He knew his body was getting adapted, and after the third pill, the vitality pill became useless. If he wanted to increase his lifespan, he needed to find a better alternative.
Thinking about it for a couple of seconds, he shook his head and threw the thought out of his mind. "With enough strength and money, I will find a more potent pill than the vitality pill."
With that, he focused his gaze on the Cloud Breathing Meditation. Instantly, a notification rang in his mind.
[Ding!]
[Enough lifespans detected. Do you wish to use your lifespan to comprehend the Cloud Breathing Meditation?]
[Yes | No]
'Yes.'
He wasn't stupid; he knew his talent was poor, and the best shot was to comprehend the breathing technique to a higher level to boost his cultivation speed.
Immediately, he found himself thrown into a trance. The human body was displayed in front of him in 3D, showing him the meridians where the Spirit Qi would pass and the rhythm.
For a couple of minutes, he didn't blink, lost in trance. When the enlightenment finally ended, he found himself using the new pathway detected, and his breathing had changed, following a new rhythm.
[Ding!]
[Lifespan: 15 days]
[Your comprehension of the Cloud Breathing Meditation has broken through to the Greater Success stage]
Caleb Li was lost in cultivation, and he didn't notice the system notification. Having comprehended the upper level of the Cloud Breathing Meditation, he found it easier to cultivate, and the time for Qi circulation was a bit shorter than before.
For the next two days, he didn't leave his room and focused on cultivating. Unknown to him, he was undergoing his first close-door cultivation.
On the fifth day, he opened the door with trembling hands. After not eating for five days, his body became weak and frail, unable to support his weight.
It was then he realized his mistake. He had enjoyed the cultivation and the feeling that came with it but neglected his physical needs. Now, it was telling all over his body.
"I'll be damned if I try this again," he muttered with some difficulty.
Just as he prepared to walk toward the mercenary lobby, he found food at his doorstep.
Instantly, his eyes brightened up, and he sat to devour the food. He didn't care whether other people could see him; he looked like a ravaged beast.
The only thought in his mind was to satiate his hunger. After twenty minutes, he finished the pile of food and belched with a satisfying smile on his face.
"Huh! That was better," he said in a low voice.
"You must have learned your lesson now," an old voice came from his back.
Turning his head, he saw the old man walking toward him with a light smile on his face.
"Indeed," he nodded.
"Hmm!" The old man halted on his track and said out loud. "You've broken through. You're now a Rank-2 Mortal warrior!"
What!
He widened his eyes and jumped to his feet to check his body. Then, he heard the system notification in his head.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations: You're now a Peak Rank-2 Mortal Warrior]
Looking at the notification, a bright smile crept up his face, and he grinned. At least, his pain wasn't for nothing.
Meanwhile, the old man was looking at him as if he was looking at a monster. In a week, the ordinary outsider had moved from no cultivation to Peak Rank-2. How insane was that?
Even though he had explored and visited many places, he had never met a person with such a terrifying cultivation speed. He had heard some of the heaven's favorites could defy the heavens but never believed it.
But looking at Caleb Li, his understanding began to change. Perhaps, this kid he helped on a whim was a heaven's favorite.
With such thought, he grinned and laughed inwardly. He had found a rare gem. Nevertheless, he controlled his emotions quickly and said.
"I came to check on you. Now that I found you safe and sound, I should return to my post." With that, the old man departed.
Caleb Li didn't think too much of it. With his body brimming with strength, he looked at the training ground and grinned. 'It is time to train.'
He arrived at the training ground and picked up an ordinary bow. Watching his arrival, everyone on the training ground set their gaze on him before one of them rushed out.
He noticed the various gazes directed at him but didn't care. He started to train his archery, starting from the 20-meter range.
The moment he drew his bow, he quickly noticed notable changes in his body. His control over his muscles was greater, and the ease with which he pulled the bowstring was on another level entirely.
'Wow!' He screamed in his heart.
Bang!
His first shot was a bullseye, but there was something different about this shot. It contained more power and ferocity but also had the gracefulness of the wind.
'Did I just feel the whisper of the wind!' he exclaimed in his heart.
He took many quick shots, but the feeling he was expecting didn't come. It felt like something was missing. Quickly, he left the 20-meter range and went to the 50-meter range.
He was not trying to hit the bullseye but trying to feel the sensation of the Whispering Wind once again.
Whoosh!
His arrow missed the mark, and those looking at him grinned. Some were happy, while some were puzzled. They felt his archery technique had gotten better, but why did he miss his mark?
Unbeknownst to them, he was only test running his technique, not aiming for the mark. His shot many missed the mark, but the grin on his face deepened.
'When I comprehend the Whispering Wind to the Greater Success, my archery will break through to another dimension,' he thought with a wild smile on his face.
Just as he was fantasizing about his newfound ability with the wind, he heard a voice from behind.
"Are you ready to return my money to me, loser?"