"I can live in the EGO form and feel the warmth of the ONE if someone can wield me.
I am already too powerful now. I don't even know where my limits lie, but I break through them smoothly every time.
When there is a need, I can always push beyond."
The voice echoed, assessing the figure before it.
"Your body does not contain any form of magical or holy energy. There are only a rare few who wield soul energy—used for curses and debuffs—but you are not one of them.
Yet, my eyes tell me you have unlimited growth potential. You are fit to wield this Nano Armour."
The voice paused, then continued with a solemn tone, "I will sacrifice myself to give this armour a growth type and leave it attuned to the wielder's energy—whatever they use.
Here, take this key. Show it to my descendants in the future to prove your worth and access the armour."
Ron accepted the key. "Thank you. Where should I go now?"
"You should return home for now. My son or grandchildren are on the 20th floor. They will test your resolve."
Ding! Quest completed: Key to participate in the Nano Armour Trial on the 20th floor.
The Laboratory Quest
Ron teleported to the 18th floor.
Ding! New quest: Clear the zombie mob in the laboratory.
Reward: Undead attribute or energy.
"This is interesting," Ron muttered, his gaze sweeping the scene. "I'll get a new skill and attribute for this."
The zombies in glass tubes were weak and easily dispatched.
However, the underground held something far more sinister. Zombies there were evolving by consuming one another.
"First, let's take care of the easy ones."
Ron eliminated the glass-tube zombies effortlessly. When he descended to the basement, the situation became more complicated.
"These zombies are stronger than me," Ron admitted.
"If I want to win, I'll have to strengthen my foundation to its peak and then break through to the peak of the Foundation Realm."
Ron chose to wait, letting the remaining zombies evolve further. After two days, only one zombie remained. It had devoured all the others and taken on a fearsome form.
Encountering the Zombie Lord
Species: Zombie Lord
Description: A low-level zombie that evolved into a zombie warrior, then awakened its true potential as a Zombie Lord. It is incomplete but vastly stronger than a typical zombie warrior.
Caution: A Zombie Lord boasts an average stat of 3,000.
"This thing has stats three times higher than mine," Ron observed, "but I'm not a cultivator if I don't rise to the challenge."
The Zombie Lord attempted a surprise attack, but Ron dodged its strikes repeatedly.
"You've got some nerve," Ron taunted. "You're not even in perfect form, yet you're so arrogant."
The Zombie Lord sneered, "I haven't tasted a fresh meat in a long time. Let's see what you're capable of."
Ron fought valiantly, but his stamina began to falter. His stored healing energy was depleted. "I need a new technique to match this monster's strength."
As his swordsmanship proficiency approached its peak, the Zombie Lord underwent another transformation, achieving a perfect form.
Perfect Zombie Lord Stats: 5,000 (average)
"This might be my last chance to swing my sword," Ron thought grimly, "but I refuse to back down."
Suddenly, Ron's instincts kicked in. He activated Gigantification and Super Strength simultaneously, combining them with his Dash skill to increase his combat speed and power.
In the heat of battle, inspiration struck. Drawing upon the Evolution Technique, Ron unlocked a new skill.
Ding! You have unlocked a new technique. Please name it.
Ron focused all the surrounding energy into his sword, condensing his Qi into a single point. With a decisive thrust, he targeted the Zombie Lord's head.
The energy erupted on impact, obliterating the Zombie Lord's skull completely.
"I'll call it Killing Point," Ron declared.
Ding! Technique named successfully: Killing Point.
Status
Strength: 1317
Stamina: 1378
Intelligence: 1239
Agility: 1395
Cultivation:
Inner Energy: Foundation Middle Stage
Body Cultivation: Steel Body (98.4%)
Skills:
Gigantification (45.3%)
Super Strength (47.9%)
Martial Addict (22.6%)
Energy Recovery (97.2%)
Player Skills:
Swordsmanship (Peak: 99.9%)
Dash (64.1%)
Evolution Technique (18.5%)
Poison Resistance (79.4%)
Heavenly Slayer Technique (14.6%)
Killing Point (1.3%)
Skill Memories Possessed: 6
Ron stood over the defeated Zombie Lord, his breathing steadying. "Another step forward," he muttered, "and many more to go."