As the black symbol in his palm shifted and transformed, a thick, ink-black book materialized in Zhang Yu's hand.
"The Feather Book?"
Seeing the two large characters on the cover, Zhang Yu was momentarily stunned.
With a thought, the black book in his hand flipped open to the first page on its own, as if guided by an unseen force.
"Is this the table of contents?"
Apart from the prologue listed in the first line, the rest of the entries were blurred and unreadable, as if obscured by a layer of static.
Zhang Yu thought to himself, "Does this mean only the prologue is available now?"
With another thought, he turned to the prologue. On the left page was a portrait, while the right page displayed rows of data and information.
"Is that... me?"
The portrait on the left page depicted Zhang Yu sitting cross-legged with his eyes lightly closed, as if in deep meditation. The image was so lifelike that it seemed as though the figure was breathing. A faint glow seemed to emanate from the portrait, which Zhang Yu guessed represented the flow of magical energy within his body.
On the right page were rows of data:
**Zhang Yu**
**Dao Heart: Level 1**
**Magical Power: 7.7**
**Physical Strength: 0.83**
**Martial Skills: Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques (Level 1), Freehand Combat (Level 1)**
**Dao Techniques: Basic Breathing Technique (Level 1), Basic Heart Refinement Technique (Level 1)**
"Is this really me?" Zhang Yu muttered. "The data here matches what I've seen in school tests, though the Dao Heart level is rounded off without decimal precision. And below that are the martial and Dao techniques I've learned so far."
Among the four skills listed, apart from the Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques for physical enhancement, there was also Freehand Combat, which he had learned in martial arts class for practical combat training, the Basic Breathing Technique for refining magical power, and the Basic Heart Refinement Technique for improving his Dao Heart. All of them were at the beginner level of 1.
Zhang Yu stared at the numbers, thinking, "Is this the potential that the evil god awakened? Can this book really detect all my attributes?"
"But... there must be more to it, right?"
"The evil god said it awakened my potential, but if all it does is display my stats, that's nothing special. I can get my stats checked at school every day."
"There must be some other function."
With that in mind, Zhang Yu decided to test it out. He focused his attention on the attribute numbers and mentally commanded, "Feather Book! Level me up!"
However, the numbers on the page remained unchanged. Zhang Yu sighed inwardly, thinking that the evil god wasn't much help after all. It hadn't truly unlocked his potential.
He tried flipping to the next page, only to find the words "To Be Continued" written in bold.
Recalling the blurred entries in the table of contents, Zhang Yu speculated, "What does this mean? Can this ability level up? Will more functions become available after it upgrades?"
He flipped back to the previous page and continued to focus on his stats and skills, wondering if he could trigger any effects.
As he concentrated on the line "Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques (Level 1)," he suddenly felt the text shift slightly. It seemed to drag across the page, moving according to his will.
As Zhang Yu dragged the text around the page, wondering what purpose this served, the words "Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques (Level 1)" suddenly froze when they touched the portrait. The figure in the portrait absorbed the text.
At that moment, Zhang Yu felt as though a cool spring had poured over his head, and an indescribable sensation welled up in his heart. He felt an inexplicable connection with the figure in the portrait.
Simultaneously, the previously seated figure in the portrait stood up and began performing the Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques, one move at a time.
Above the portrait, a small line of text appeared: **Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques (Level 1+)**.
Seeing the small "+" at the end, Zhang Yu's excitement surged. "It's happening! My potential is really being awakened!"
He focused his attention on the "+," feeling as though he had pressed it with his mind.
In the next moment, the "+" blurred slightly and transformed into "(0/10)."
A sudden understanding dawned on Zhang Yu: **Practice the Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques ten times to level up the martial skill.**
Looking at the line "Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques (Level 1 (0/10))," Zhang Yu thought in amazement, "Just ten repetitions to level up this skill?"
Since the start of the semester, Zhang Yu had practiced the Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques countless times, but he had never felt any sign of progress.
"Ten times, huh?"
Eager to try, Zhang Yu took a step forward. With a loud bang, his muscles twisted like a giant serpent, unleashing waves of power.
Although he usually practiced the Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques with equipment at school to enhance the effects, the techniques themselves could be performed with or without equipment. Practitioners could focus on different aspects such as strength, speed, or agility based on their preferences.
Zhang Yu had previously chosen a balanced approach, focusing on both strength and speed without bulking up excessively.
Now, in his small room, Zhang Yu moved back and forth, his feet pounding the floor with loud thuds as his muscles expanded and contracted, gradually heating up.
But before he could complete a few moves, angry shouts erupted from the neighbors: "What the hell are you doing? Trying to tear the place down in the middle of the night?"
Zhang Yu immediately stopped, sighing inwardly. "The soundproofing in this rental is terrible. I can't practice martial arts at night."
Looking at the Feather Book in his hand, Zhang Yu felt an irresistible urge to continue. He wanted to push through and complete ten repetitions of the Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques to see the results.
"Maybe I should find another place?"
"I remember there's an abandoned building nearby..."
---
In the darkness, the sound of thuds echoed through the empty corridors of the unfinished building.
Under the flickering neon lights of the distant streets, the shadow of a young man occasionally appeared.
It was Zhang Yu, who had come to the abandoned building to practice the Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques.
His expression was focused as he performed the techniques, sweat pouring down his body, steam rising from his heated skin.
Zhang Yu had already trained intensely that morning, collapsing from exhaustion. Without the aid of stimulants, pills, or nutritional supplements, every movement and exertion now brought searing pain, as if his muscles were being torn apart.
But thinking of the changes in the Feather Book, his spirits lifted, and he pushed through to complete one full set of the techniques.
Breathing heavily, Zhang Yu eagerly opened his palm, and the Feather Book appeared once more.
Seeing the line "Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques (Level 1 (1/10))," a smile of satisfaction spread across his face.
"Is this my potential?"
"Leveling up the Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques to Level 2... It really seems possible."
"I'll complete all ten repetitions tonight!"
Zhang Yu eagerly began his second set.
But after a short while, he collapsed to the ground, his arms and legs feeling as though they no longer belonged to him.
"I can't go on. I've hit my limit. I'll have to try again tomorrow."
Just as Zhang Yu decided to stop and rest before heading home to sleep, a chilling sensation surged through his body.
At the same time, a voice echoed in his mind.
"Please adhere to the ritual agreement. Strive to fulfill your wish. Do not intentionally slack off or delay. 10."
"Please adhere to the ritual agreement. Strive to fulfill your wish. Do not intentionally slack off or delay. 9."
"Please adhere to the ritual agreement. Strive to fulfill your wish. Do not intentionally slack off or delay. 8."
As the countdown continued, the chilling sensation grew more intense, as if something within him was about to burst forth, tearing his flesh apart.
"The ritual... agreement... wish..." Zhang Yu quickly realized, "Is this the power of that summoning ritual?"
He immediately recalled the words of the doll.
---
"If you choose to refuse to fulfill my wish, or if you intentionally delay or fail in the process, you will suffer the backlash of the ritual, resulting in your flesh tearing apart and your soul scattering."
---
Zhang Yu thought, "So... because I plan to study hard, get into a prestigious university, join a major sect, and earn money to fulfill the second wish..."
"Does slacking off in this process count as intentionally delaying the fulfillment of the wish?"
"If I don't comply, will I die from the ritual's backlash?"
Hearing the countdown reach 3, Zhang Yu quickly jumped to his feet.
With a cry of pain, he forced himself to continue practicing the Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques, despite the agonizing pain tearing through his muscles.
The moment he began practicing, the countdown vanished.
(End of chapter ...)
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/PenguinTL
🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.