The journey back was far from simple, for Han Xiao had ventured into the deeper reaches of the outer ridge of the Willow Tree Forest in search of Soldier Rank beasts. In addition to the Gluttonous Green Python, a formidable Two-star creature, and the Grizzly bear, Han Xiao had dispatched four other beasts of the same rank, each bearing a single star. Along the way, he had to take a lengthy detour to evade the perilously powerful Three-Stars Soldier Rank Saber Tooth Wolf, only to encounter yet another Two-Stars Soldier Rank beast. However, in his efforts to evade one danger, he inadvertently stumbled upon something even more perilous.
With his current physical prowess at the early stage of the Flesh Training Realm, he possessed strength equivalent to that of the mightiest Two-Star Soldier Rank beast, augmented by his special bloodline abilities. Thus, it merely took a single punch from him to utterly shatter the defenses of any Soldier Rank beasts below two stars.
A One-star shifty eye monkey killed!
+30 Curse Point Gained!
Total Curse Point 43
[The Beast hadn't Unlocked Its Bloodline Power
No Need to Eat Its Flesh and Organ]
Seated before the sprawling corpse of the monkey, Han Xiao intoned the incantations of his body cultivation technique. In response, the cadaver levitated into the air, gradually disintegrating into dark, cursed essence qi, which he absorbed through his nostrils and mouth. Throughout this intricate ritual, a surge of energy congregated towards the surface of his skin, causing a myriad of sensations—ranging from intense itching to euphoria and occasional bouts of excruciating pain. This devouring process persisted for the next thirty-five breaths of time.
Standing upright, he contemplated, 'How have my abilities improved after consuming it?' His query was swiftly answered as a new notification materialized within the crimson interface of his mind.
[Flesh Training Realm 21% Completed!]
[Two Acupuncture Points in the Spleen Meridian Channel Unblocked!]
[Total Acupuncture Points Unblocked: 27]
"Not bad, not bad at all! Getting stronger is going to be a breeze. Just slay and consume, and I'll keep ascending. Each beast grants me 30 Curse points, and if I devour them naturally, I inherit their bloodline abilities. Though I have some reservations about how this System operates, it does have its advantages." With these ruminations, he resumed his journey back to the institute.
On his journey back, he encountered three beasts of similar rank, each nearly as formidable as the last. One after the other, they fell to his might, their essence energy absorbed to fortify his skin and unlock further acupuncture points.
+30 Curse Points!
+30 Curse Points!
+30 Curse Points!
[Total Curse Points: 133]
[Flesh Training Realm: 39% Completed!]
[Total Acupuncture Points Unblocked: 30]
With each victory, Han Xiao felt his body grow stronger. His skin seemed to glow slightly from the rigors of his journey, and his mindset became firmer with each advancement in strength.
As the sun dipped below the distant horizon in the west, darkness began to spread, accompanied by the growing chorus of beasts and insects. The sky transformed into a canvas of shifting colors, with streaks of fiery orange and deepening hues of crimson merging with the fading blue. Shadows stretched across the land, creeping like tendrils of ink as the last traces of daylight succumbed to nightfall. The distant calls of nocturnal creatures echoed through the air, punctuated by the rustling of leaves and the occasional hoot of an owl. The atmosphere was alive with a sense of primal energy, as if the very essence of the wilderness had awakened with the onset of dusk.
His elation dampened as the realization dawned upon him: he had unknowingly encroached upon the territory of a formidable adversary. The warning notification in the crimson interface jolted him out of his reverie, serving as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in the wilderness.
+1 Watched!
+1 Marked As Enemy!
[Curse Points 135]
The atmosphere around him seemed to shift, the once tranquil ambiance now tinged with an undercurrent of tension. Every rustle of the leaves and every distant sound now carried the weight of potential danger, as if the very air itself had turned hostile.
Han Xiao's senses sharpened as he scanned his surroundings, on high alert for any sign of the lurking threat. Though he was filled with trepidation, a glimmer of determination flickered in his eyes. He knew that to survive in this unforgiving wilderness, he would need to stay vigilant and tread carefully. However, he didn't see because of the darkness but could smelled the danger looming over him.
The atmosphere around him seemed to shift, the once tranquil ambiance now tinged with an undercurrent of tension. Every rustle of the leaves and every distant sound now carried the weight of potential danger, as if the very air itself had turned hostile.
Han Xiao's senses sharpened as he scanned his surroundings, on high alert for any sign of the lurking threat. Though he was filled with trepidation, a glimmer of determination flickered in his eyes. He knew that to survive in this unforgiving wilderness, he would need to stay vigilant and tread carefully.
With resolve, he stood still, vigilant, and summoned the worn leather book into the red interface. As its pages flipped open, he recited the strange texts contained within, the words rolling off his tongue as if they were a natural extension of the page itself. With the final utterance of the mantra, he declared, "Nothing Can Hide From Me— Curse Eyes, activate!"
Once again, the thick essence of the Curse surged from within him, coursing through his veins and concentrating into his eyes through a network of blood vessels. As the energy infused his gaze, his irises darkened to a pitch black, while his pupils took on a crimson hue, forming a reverse crucifix pattern that seemed to pulsate with otherworldly power.
As he had experienced before, the world before him shifted into shades of gray, devoid of color or vibrancy. However, what he could perceive now was the ethereal qi emanating from trees, grasses, insects, and animals, each emitting a unique aura within the scope of his enhanced vision.
It seemed as though they were absorbing the qi and intermittently releasing it, as if they were an integral part of the natural flow of energy.
Caught off guard by the sudden appearance of the large bat, Han Xiao's heart raced as adrenaline surged through his veins. With its ominous silhouette silhouetted against the dimming sky, the bat seemed to exude an aura of menace, its wingspan casting a shadow over him like a harbinger of doom.
Startled by the sudden presence of the looming bat, Han Xiao's reaction was immediate. "Shit!" he cursed, taken aback by the unexpected threat. This marked the first encounter Han Xiao had with an aerial beast since entering the forest a month prior.
The magical large bat hovered ominously above, its wings outstretched in a formidable display. Its leathery wings, spanning several meters, cast eerie shadows on the ground below as it shifted its weight from side to side. Its fur, a dark shade of ebony, bristled with otherworldly energy, and its eyes gleamed with an intense crimson glow, reflecting the last traces of daylight. Long, pointed fangs protruded menacingly from its mouth, hinting at the deadly venom it possessed. With each beat of its wings, a gust of wind stirred the surrounding foliage, signaling its predatory presence in the forest.