The shift from static to dynamic practice wasn't merely about accelerated cultivation.
Oliver's newfound ability to gather bodily energy while in motion signified a dramatic improvement in his control.
Internal energy circulated faster, movements became more powerful. This represented a comprehensive boost to his overall strength.
His mastery of Energy Cultivation naturally progressed to the "Minor Achievement" realm, significantly enhancing his cultivation speed.
Now, with a protein-rich diet at every meal, he generated about 2.5 silk-like strands of internal energy daily.
Upon reaching Minor Achievement, this pace jumped to 3.5 strands per day.
A 40% increase in practice efficiency!
This percentage mirrored the skill boost from his recent level-up.
Factoring in the 40% increase from reaching skill level 4, Oliver's cultivation speed now approached 4.3 strands daily.
This rate of progress was truly remarkable. With sufficient sustenance, he could potentially reach the third level of Energy Cultivation in just five months...
Realistically, it would take longer. The pace of advancement would gradually decelerate as he progressed.
Even so, it was an astounding feat. Even accounting for slowdowns, it wouldn't take a full year.
At just fourteen, Oliver reaching the third level of Energy Cultivation by fifteen would mark him as a prodigy. Such talent would surely be expected to break through to the fourth level and awaken spirit roots!
But would such potential be nurtured or suppressed?
Oliver couldn't be certain. His knowledge of Willowbrook's upper echelons was limited. He couldn't gauge whether they'd encourage lower-class advancement or seek to stifle it.
At minimum, Willowbrook offered some room for upward mobility. The Village Chief and his circle didn't exploit commoners too ruthlessly.
"Could it relate to resentment?" Oliver mused, recalling his father's words about evil spirits born from negative natural energy and human bitterness.
This spectral threat was so severe that Willowbrook held purification ceremonies every three years.
Exploiting commoners to the point of vengeful deaths likely strengthened these malevolent forces.
In this extraordinary world, perhaps ordinary folk relied on this metaphysical check and balance to survive against the powerful.
"None of this concerns me directly," Oliver decided. "I'd best focus on cultivation. Otherwise, I'll be left hoping my own resentful spirit might make a difference – and who knows if that would even work!"
Oliver closed his eyes, refocusing.
His recent progress in Energy Cultivation had dramatically enhanced his control. He could now gradually access areas previously beyond reach – internal organs, even minute cells and tissues.
This qualitative shift resulted from the synergy between Energy Cultivation and his reincarnation skills. Most practitioners, possessing only half this equation, might not experience such a profound change.
Ideas once deemed fanciful now seemed within reach – like his "digestion enhancement" concept.
That first year after joining Hunter's Hall, with unrestricted access to food, had been a golden period for strength improvement. Experimental risks then weren't justified.
Now, that choice proved wise. Mastering digestive enhancement required significant Energy Cultivation progress and greatly improved control.
Previously, his "hardware" simply wasn't up to the task. Any attempt would have been futile!
"Enhanced digestion could not only accelerate the process but extract more life force from food, vastly improving Energy Cultivation efficiency. It's an incredibly promising technique!"
Oliver's perception suggested that during normal digestion, most of a food's life force dissipated, unabsorbed by the body.
Accelerating digestion could retain more of this typically lost energy.
Without this technique, one might extract only 10-15% of a food's life force. With it, that could jump to 30%, 40%, or even higher.
At peak efficiency, Oliver might achieve meat-level energy from mere grains.
Given the sixfold price difference between grain and meat, this skill held immense value when funds ran low...
Motivated by these factors, Oliver devoted himself to studying internal energy circulation, aiming to penetrate internal organs – especially the stomach and intestines.
...
"Pitter-patter!"
"BOOM!"
Rain poured in torrents, punctuated by lightning and thunder. Winter had passed without snow, but a lingering chill remained.
"This storm came out of nowhere..." Oliver and Emma huddled by the fireplace, bewildered.
"AWOOO!!!"
A faint wolf's howl pierced the village, barely audible above the deluge.
Had Oliver not cultivated his senses to heightened acuity, he might have missed it entirely.
His expression hardened as he moved to the window, peering out.
Beyond occasional lightning flashes, impenetrable darkness shrouded the world beyond.
After a moment's consideration, Oliver donned his leather armor and sword. Rather than satisfying his curiosity outside, he barricaded the front door with heavy objects.
His quarters boasted a courtyard wall with a single entrance, while the house itself had both front and back doors.
He secured only the front, leaving the rear as a potential escape route should trouble arise.
The windows, designed narrow and impassable, required no additional fortification.
"Brother, what's happening?" Emma's voice quavered, sensing the looming danger.
Uncultivated and frail, she lacked confidence in the face of potential threats.
"It's alright," Oliver soothed. "Probably a false alarm."
He resolved to maintain vigil through the night, keeping watch on the back door to preempt any surprises.
Emma, somewhat reassured but still frightened, clung to Oliver, unwilling to leave his side.
Eventually, exhaustion claimed her, and she fell into deep slumber.
Oliver remained alert, hearing successive wolf howls and... screams.
Strangely, despite wild beasts and possibly monsters invading the village, the Village Chief didn't summon hunters. Instead, he had people beat drums and gongs, instructing everyone to shelter in place.
Oliver considered this prudent. Spirit wolves might be valuable, but one had to be alive to claim the prize.
If the Village Chief didn't want interference, Oliver was happy to oblige. Better than serving as cannon fodder. A perfect alignment of interests.
As dawn broke and streets gradually filled, with no apparent incidents, Oliver finally felt the danger had passed.
He ventured out, seeking information, but found almost universal ignorance. He learned only that several families had met tragic ends at monstrous claws, with the Village Chief personally slaying the offending beasts.
Was this the true story?
None dared speculate openly.
Unable to confirm or deny anything, Oliver shook his head and returned home to resume his practice.
The key was constancy amidst chaos. Self-improvement remained paramount, regardless of external circumstances.
"Brother! I've devised a new recipe. Come taste-test it for me!"
"On my way!"
Oliver arrived, rice in one hand, barbecued meat in the other, eating with gusto.
Still consuming rice?
Indeed – his appetite had grown!