"Hehehehe..."
Neo's laughter sounded unusually relaxed and content.
In fact, if anyone were to hear it, the image that would spring to mind would certainly not be that of a severely wounded man with missing teeth, clutching a grey fruit as though it were the most extraordinary thing in the world.
Actually, to Neo, at this very moment, it was.
His first treasure!
He had found his first treasure!
Although it wasn't the energy type that would have enhanced his physique like the green lotus from the party leader, in a way, this was even better.
If he didn't infuse a bloodline essence and first become a Body Spiritual, the effects on his physique wouldn't be that significant!
What he needed was another way to boost his strength.
Neo was so eager to devour the fruit that he nearly swallowed it whole.
"Hoo! Hoo!"
He took two deep breaths, calming himself. Now that the fruit was in his hands, he had to carefully examine it.
On the surface, it looked like an ordinary apple, except it was grey and covered in tiny white runes.
These runes were the source of the phenomenon that made Neo feel as though he were staring at a blade.
This was what set it apart from normal fruits, like the pink ones at Neo's tree house or the blue fruits in his satchel.
Once a fruit had these Spirit Runes, it became a treasure sought after by all.
It became an opportunity that could change one's fate in an instant!
And Neo had acquired such a treasure!
Now that he was in direct contact with it, he could feel the aura of sharpness it emitted even more clearly.
It was as if he were holding a round sword—so much so that his palms actually began to bleed!
Neo was curious. What was this treasure for?
Was it like a weapon intent treasure? Or would it grant him the legendary sword will?
He could only speculate. The only way to know for certain was to eat it.
Just as he was about to bite into the fruit, he stopped himself again.
Neo considered his current financial situation, and then thought about how much this treasure might fetch on the market.
Without a doubt, he knew it would be worth at least ten thousand credits!
Although he didn't know the exact grade of the treasure, one thing was certain: it was above the common grade, and perhaps even the uncommon grade! If he chose to sell it, it would fetch a high price and solve many of his problems.
With ten thousand credits, he could afford an average bloodline essence—or maybe even two!
This way, he could begin his Ascension journey right away.
There were three known paths of Ascension: the Pure Path, the Body Path, and the Mind Path.
The Pure Path was for those who possessed Elemental Spirits. They fused with elemental spirits of their affinity, gaining the ability to wield the spirits' power. This allowed them to channel spells and control the elements, such as lightning or fire.
A spell from a Pure Spiritual could evaporate oceans and ravage lands!
An example was Linda, the deceased member of the Bone Flash Party. Her fire spells were powerful enough to kill Common Grade beasts in a single shot!
Then there was the Body Path.
This path involved forming Celestial Bodies by coagulating bloodline essence extracted from bloodline beasts, unlocking the potential within one's genes, and growing stronger.
Their physical strength was comparable to that of Spirit Beasts, capable of collapsing mountains with a single punch.
They were just as formidable!
The last and rarest path was the Mind Path.
Also known as the Creation Path, this path involved creating a True Celestial Body through sheer will, granting the ability to visualise the world.
They could perform feats such as telekinesis and create objects purely through willpower. Those on the Mind Path were said to be the strongest of the three paths!
Neo had only ever seen one Mind Spiritual before!
Since humans could have two Celestial Bodies in their Soul Space, they could follow two paths. People in this category were called Mixed Spirituals.
They could either be Pure and Body, Pure and Mind, or Body and Mind Mixed Spirituals.
If Neo chose to use two bloodline essences to form his Celestial Bodies, he would become a Body Spiritual.
So, should he sell it?
He already had the common grade physique—was this not a sound plan?
Neo knew it was, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. If he died due to carelessness, could he ever forgive himself?
Absolutely not!
Not to mention, there was an enraged uncommon grade gorilla waiting for him outside this cave!
Neo made up his mind.
He sat on the cave floor in a yoga pose. For his first treasure, Neo was going to eat it like the legendary figures he had always read about in relics.
Crunch!
He bit into the fleshy fruit and savoured its sugary taste.
'Sweet...'
It tasted wonderful—far better than the pink fruits back at the tree house.
Neo had expected this. It was a treasure, after all. If it didn't even taste better than ordinary fruits, wouldn't that be absurd?
But as he chewed, Neo's expression gradually shifted from one of glee and satisfaction to one of pain and discomfort.
Something was wrong!
"Gah!" Neo grunted, clutching his head. He had barely taken one bite, yet it felt as if he were about to explode!
Was the fruit that powerful?
Or was he just that weak?
Neo couldn't dwell on it. The pain coursing through his body was excruciating—it felt like thousands of metal swords were piercing every part of him!
Even his mind wasn't spared!
'Am I going to die?'
This was the last thought that crossed his mind before everything went blank and he lost all feeling in his body.
Neo's limp form slumped backwards into an awkward shape. The yoga pose he had imitated was utterly ruined.
Meanwhile, Neo was undergoing a state of enlightenment.
A blue halo formed above his head and his entire body began to glow. This was the state of assimilation—a state where one comprehends a concept!
Within Neo's mind, a heavenly sutra began to echo...
'In the forge of gods where the stars are born,
A blade was wrought from the edge of dawn,
Sharper than breath, finer than air,
Cutting the void where none could dare.
It whispers in winds that shatter the stone,
Carving the heavens, cleaving the bone,
Its essence is boundless, yet silent as death,
Woven with threads of the world's final breath.
It dances in shadows where light cannot reach,
Teaching the steel what words cannot teach,
The mountains tremble, the rivers divide,
For sharpness rules where power resides.
Not forged for the hand, nor bound to the sword,
It sings through the mind, its keenest accord,
A thought that pierces, a will that ignites,
The sharpness of wisdom, of perilous sights.
Beware the blade that never dulls,
A hunger that endless sharpness pulls,
For sharpness devours the wielder too,
Leaving but echoes of what they knew.
In every edge, in every line,
Sharpness waits, both cruel and divine,
A force unseen, yet always near,
The honed whisper of eternal fear.'