Despite the vast quantity of meat consumed, it seemed inconceivable that it could all fit within his stomach. Yet, with each mouthful, a peculiar curse energy akin to a potent digestive enzyme emerged, swiftly breaking down the meat upon ingestion. As a result, every morsel was digested instantaneously, leaving not a single bone behind.
As Han Xiao reached the head portion of the snake, a notification chimed softly in the background.
Ding!
[Achievement Unlocked: Mythical Snake Bloodline Technique!]
[Serpentine Cloak: Level 1 Activated! Requires 250 mana to activate.]
"I'm eager to try this out, but alas, my mana reserves are at zero," he lamented, a hint of disappointment evident on his face.
As he consumed the snake's gallbladder, known to be the most crucial part of a snake's anatomy, a notification popped up.
[Ding!]
[New Passive Skill Acquired!]
[Poison Resistance: Level One Activated! Provides immunity to poisons of lethality level 2 or below!]
He grinned, feeling a newfound sense of resilience coursing through him.
"Indeed, a valuable addition," he muttered to himself, nodding in satisfaction. With this new skill, he felt a sense of assurance against potential threats, especially those lurking in the shadows. It was a small victory, but one that provided him with much-needed confidence in this unfamiliar world.
As he felt the cells of his body vibrating with an unseen energy, a sense of anticipation tingled through him. Suddenly, it was as though every fiber of his being resonated with the ancient chants of the Curse Devouring Body Sutra. In a swift motion, the essence energy derived from the consumed meats was rapidly absorbed, leaving him feeling rejuvenated and empowered.
With a resounding "Peng~" reverberating through his being, he found himself inundated with a strange energy that seemed to engulf him entirely. Yet, despite its overwhelming presence, his body struggled to assimilate it, leaving him feeling both mentally and physically distressed. The sensation was deeply frustrating, as he grappled with the inability to expel this unwanted influx of power.
What shocked him even more was the sensation of every cell within him vibrating and resonating with the ancient chant of the sutra. Then, as if in response to some unseen force, a strange substance began to ooze out of his body, seeping from every pore in his skin. A powerful and noxious odor assaulted his senses, and he recoiled as he realized that his clothes were now tainted with a dark, paste-like waste excreted from his pores.
"Argh! The smell is too strong!" Clutching his nose, he quickly rushed for the small stream that he passed by and jumped into the water.
"Ah, much better," he sighed, feeling refreshed after the cleansing dip in the stream. As he flexed his newly invigorated muscles and took in the surroundings with his heightened senses, he couldn't help but notice a newfound lightness in his body. His skin felt taut and vibrant, and his senses seemed sharper than ever before. With a satisfied nod, he remarked to himself, "Hmm, this feels good."
Looking at the red interface again, he saw new notification!
[You Have Broken Through!]
[Strength Training 100% Completed!]
[Next Phase Of Body Training Unlocked!]
[Flesh Training Realm 3% Completed! Strengthens the outer parts of the body. The epidermises of the skin can be infused with true essence.]
With a sense of accomplishment, he absorbed the message from the red interface. The completion of his Strength Training marked a significant milestone in his cultivation journey. As he delved into the details of the next phase, Flesh Training Realm, he felt a surge of determination. "Time to strengthen the outer parts of my body," he mused, ready to embark on the next stage of his training.
The notification kept flashing.
[23 Acupuncture Points Are Unblocked!]
[Now You Have Unblocked 25 Acupuncture Points. You Can Now Start Practicing The Qi Cultivation Technique!]
With a gleeful chuckle, Han Xiao's anticipation soared. "Hahaha, excellent! What's the hold-up? Bring out the book!" His laughter echoed through the forest, brimming with excitement.
Ding!
[Locate an area abundant in Origin Curse Qi to commence your training! These locales are often termed Curse Pits.]
His expression shifted to one of slight annoyance. "Well, now what?" he queried. "Fine, but where do I find these Origin Curse Qi-rich areas?"
[Curse Pits are simply locations abundant with hundreds of decaying carcasses aged at least a decade!]
[Consult this map. The black star marks indicate the spots associated with Curse Pits.]
Han Xiao's gaze fixated on the map that materialized in the red interface once more. It detailed the geographical features of the Willow Tree Forest, with his current position marked by a blinking red dot. He noted that he was situated at the eastern periphery of the forest, just within its outer bounds.
Eager to progress in his cultivation, Han Xiao wasted no time in setting out toward the nearest black star mark on the map. His excitement at the prospect of advancing further in his training fueled his determination as he embarked on his journey. With a newfound sense of purpose, he ventured forth, resolved to locate a Curse Pit and continue his pursuit of mastering the ancient arts of cultivation.
In less time than it took for an incense stick to burn, Han Xiao stumbled upon a small pond surrounded by a grim landscape. The water, tinged with shades of green and black, was dotted with bones and skeletons, a macabre sight that sent shivers down his spine. The air was thick with the buzz of flies, the whine of mosquitoes, and the incessant chirping of insects drawn to the decaying bodies that littered the area.
With a single glance, Han Xiao knew he had arrived at the right destination. Without hesitation, he waded through the putrid stench and the oppressive atmosphere, until he reached a large skeleton protruding from the water's surface. Seating himself upon it, he braved the foul odor and the unsettling sensation beneath him as he focused his gaze on the second page of the book.