Before proceeding further, Shen Yuan glanced at the display in front of him. A moment of silence passed as the system's smooth, mechanical voice echoed in his mind, "System, States." The screen flickered, and instantly, a holographic panel appeared before him, displaying all the relevant information about his current state and capabilities. The text was clear and concise, as always, but this time, a deeper awareness filled him as he took in the details.
---
States
Name: Shen Yuan
Age: 11
Qi Cultivation: Dou Ling 4th Star
Soul Cultivation: Mortal - Peak
Attributes:
Fire (With a Trace of Wood)
Qi Method:
Origin Sutra [Flame Mantra]
Skills:
1. Immortal Eye (Mastered)
A unique skill that grants Shen Yuan the ability to extract hidden information through the use of his eyes, effectively giving him access to an extraction panel within his vision. Additionally, his gaze allows him to see through barriers and obstacles, be they physical or otherwise. This skill, now mastered, has become a part of him, a constant companion in both combat and exploration.
2. Heavenly Space (Half-Mastered)
This technique grants Shen Yuan control over a spatial dimension, enabling him to create storage space for objects, as well as the potential to open a portal to an entire realm. The storage aspect has been refined and is already highly useful, though the realm portion is still incomplete. He has yet to unlock its full potential, but the possibilities once mastered are vast.
Techniques:
???
This section remains mysterious, a placeholder for techniques yet to be unlocked or discovered. Shen Yuan knew that one day, this would be filled with formidable abilities, but for now, it was an enigma he would have to solve with time.
Absorbed:
1. Golden Emperor's Incinerating Flame - Residual Energy
A powerful flame that Shen Yuan had absorbed from an unknown source. Its power was immense, but it remained incomplete. More residual energy was needed for it to evolve into a Sub-Heavenly or even a Heavenly Flame, a rare and dangerous form of fire with the potential to reshape the world.
2. Amethyst Spirit Flame - A Sub-Heavenly Flame
This was a flame of extraordinary beauty and power, granted by the Amethyst Spirit Lion. Though it was already a Sub-Heavenly Flame, it was still in its infancy. To fully ascend it to a Heavenly Flame, Shen Yuan would need to absorb more of the Amethyst Lion's Birth Essence, a rare resource that would accelerate its growth and bring it to its true potential.
Mall:
Mall Points: 10,000
A convenient feature that allowed Shen Yuan to purchase various items, skills, and even rare treasures. Though 10,000 points seemed like a small sum, it was enough for now. He could buy useful resources, temporary enhancements, or maybe even something to aid in his current cultivation. The possibilities were endless within the mall's virtual marketplace.
(Click here to Sell any item.)
---
As Shen Yuan read through the panel, his heart skipped a beat. Despite his tender age of 11, the display showed him at an impressive level of cultivation. His Qi was already at the 4th star of Dou Ling, a level that many older cultivators struggled to reach. His Soul Cultivation, while still in the Mortal realm, was at its peak, hinting that he was on the verge of a breakthrough to a higher stage. His unique blend of Fire and Wood attributes further set him apart, a rare combination that hinted at untapped potential.
His eyes lingered on his techniques and skills—Immortal Eye was fully mastered, an ability that few could ever hope to understand or control. Meanwhile, Heavenly Space was still growing, but it was clear that once completed, it would grant him dominion over realms beyond comprehension.
The flames he had absorbed were even more significant. The Golden Emperor's Incinerating Flame, although still incomplete, held untold power waiting to be fully unlocked. And the Amethyst Spirit Flame, though already formidable, still had room to grow, making it a valuable asset in his journey toward greater strength.
The sheer magnitude of his own potential was staggering. The mall points he had accumulated were a reminder of how far he had come, yet also how much further he still had to go. Despite being just an 11-year-old child, his cultivation was already leagues beyond most of his peers, a testament to his incredible talent and the resources he had at his disposal.
---
Shen Yuan exhaled deeply, taking a moment to absorb the weight of his current standing. The screen, though nothing more than a tool to assess his progress, served as a reminder of the path he was walking—a path that held both immense challenges and unfathomable rewards. As he looked at the sections for Absorbed and Mall, he knew that his journey was far from over. The techniques, flames, and abilities he had yet to master and absorb would be what set him apart from those who had come before him.
Though he was young, his potential was boundless.
After a lengthy period of contemplation, Shen Yuan finally made up his mind. With a decisive wave of his hand, he commanded aloud, "System, buy the Fourth-tier monster core, Spirit Rat, Ginseng, Ice Silver Mushroom, and Spiritual Yang Fruit."
Almost immediately, a mechanical voice rang out in the air, echoing in the quiet room. "Ding! Items successfully purchased for 10,000 points."
Shen Yuan blinked in surprise, the weight of the price sinking in. His brows furrowed as a wave of frustration washed over him. "What? 10,000 mall points? Isn't that a bit expensive, System?" He couldn't help but complain, the high cost of the items leaving him visibly irritated. The prices had skyrocketed, and he couldn't shake the feeling that inflation was going out of control in this strange world.
The system's cold, unyielding voice responded with its usual mechanical tone, though this time there was an almost imperceptible hint of annoyance. "Ding. The items you purchased are medicinal ingredients, which are of high rarity and require specialized cultivation techniques. They are priced accordingly."
Shen Yuan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck in defeat. He had hoped to get away with spending fewer points, but it seemed like the system had its reasons. "Okay, okay, I get it," he muttered, his voice tinged with frustration but also a reluctant acceptance. He couldn't change it now.
A thought flickered in his mind as he paced around, a slight smile forming on his lips. With all these ingredients, refining should be easy, he thought confidently. He had some experience with pill crafting, after all. He could already imagine the delicate process of combining the items, of mixing them in perfect harmony under the heat of his flames. A faint smile stretched across his face as the possibilities seemed so simple, so clear.
But then, as his eyes fell upon the array of ingredients scattered before him, the smile began to slowly fade. His thoughts started to slow, and the excitement he had felt a moment ago evaporated into a cold, hard reality. Wait... refining pills... becoming an alchemist... it's not that easy, is it? The realization hit him like a bucket of ice water, leaving him frozen in place.
His mind reeled. It wasn't just about the ingredients. It wasn't simply about having the necessary materials and a willing spirit. Pill refinement was an intricate art, one that required not just an understanding of the ingredients but also precise control over the soul and flame, the delicate balance of energy that made the process work. The cauldron itself had to be of the highest quality, capable of withstanding the intense heat and pressure generated during the refinement. Without the right tools, the entire process could fail disastrously.
Shen Yuan's face paled slightly, his hands instinctively clutching at his robes as his gaze turned to the empty cauldron in the corner of the room. The cauldron... The weight of his decision pressed heavily on him. A sense of unease crawled up his spine. The future of his pill refining now rested entirely on his skill, and the stakes were higher than ever.
His mind raced, but there was no turning back now. The ingredients were in his possession, the points spent. He would have to face this challenge head-on, no matter how daunting it seemed. His breath hitched slightly as he pondered the complexities that lay ahead.