Zhen couldn't help but smile at Golden Crow's words.
It seemed to acknowledge his ability despite having an inherently proud nature.
Zhen then turned his gaze to the three Spirit Cores he had obtained, though he found it too wasteful to absorb their Spirit Energy.
They were worth 15,000 Spirit Coins, enough to buy one Tier 1 Flowing Qi Pill and one Tier 2.
However, compared to those items, Zhen was more drawn to the Coin System he had accumulated.
If converted to Spirit Coins, he would only get 527, but he could significantly improve his understanding of scriptures and techniques.
'What should I improve?' Zhen wondered, eyes fixed on the Time Control Scripture and the Space Dao Scripture.
Both powers were extremely tempting.
'System, I want to raise my comprehension of Time Control and Space Dao to 20%, and use the rest on the Eternal Dragon Scripture!' He immediately gave the command to the System, deciding to distribute the points among the three scriptures first.
DING!
(You have exchanged 252 System Points for 18% comprehension of Time Control Scripture!)
(Your comprehension of Time Control Scripture has increased to 20%!)
(You have exchanged 224 System Points for 16% comprehension of Space Dao Scripture!)
(Your comprehension of Space Dao Scripture has increased to 20%!)
DING!
(You have exchanged 39 System Points for 3% comprehension of Eternal Dragon Scripture!)
(Your comprehension of Eternal Dragon Scripture has increased to 22%!)
(Eternal Dragon Body has increased to 22% form!)
(Your Soul Power has increased by 200 points!)
[System Points: 12]
[Body:
- Eternal Dragon Body [22% Form]
[Soul Power: 555]
[Scripture]m:
- Eternal Dragon Scripture (22%)
- Time Control Scripture (20%)
- Space Dao Scripture (20%)
'Mm, this is a strange feeling,' Zhen thought as his stats were updated.
The increase in his comprehension of the Eternal Dragon Scripture didn't feel strange. It was only a minor improvement.
However, at 20% comprehension of both the Time Control and Space Dao Scriptures, he suddenly felt a connection form between the world and himself.
It was likely because he had begun to gain control over two of the most fundamental aspects of the world in a significant way.
Basically, he could now do a lot more with space and time.
'Even after gaining this much understanding, it still feels incredibly complex,' Zhen thought.
Words alone couldn't describe how the powers of space and time truly worked.
'And with 555 points of Soul Power, I think my thinking ability has become much faster,' he mused.
With enhanced mental processing, he could understand scriptures and techniques more easily—but of course, it would still take time, unlike using System Points.
'I wonder what would happen if I fused my soul with the soul of a beast. Unfortunately, I still don't know how to capture a soul… Hmm, maybe this crow knows.'
Zhen looked at the Golden Crow again, which now seemed to sense a change in him after he sat down.
However, the Golden Crow didn't seem sure what exactly had changed.
"Crow, do you know anything about merging a human soul with a beast soul?" Zhen asked.
"Don't even think about it. If your Soul Power isn't strong enough, you won't be able to control the beast's soul. The worst-case scenario is that your own soul gets blown apart," replied the Golden Crow.
"Just tell me the core idea," Zhen replied.
He didn't need to explain that his Soul Power was already quite strong—there was no way to prove it anyway.
It was something only he knew.
The Golden Crow flapped its wings when Zhen firmly asked for an explanation.
It stared into his eyes as if trying to see what he had that made him interested in this topic.
"Basically, if you merge with a beast's soul, you can summon its manifestation and use it in various ways to enhance your combat power. The method is simple: capture the soul and fuse it with yourself. However, only beasts on the level of Grand Sages have complete souls. Below that level, their souls are still small and weak. If they die or are pulled from their bodies, their souls will instantly collapse…" the Golden Crow explained, still unsure why Zhen was asking about this.
"Grand Sages…"
Zhen fell silent upon hearing that realm. It was far above the Sage Realm—too distant for him at the moment.
"Well, let's head back to the city!" he said, getting to his feet.
He wanted to break through again and decided to buy a Tier 2 Flowing Qi Pill to meet the 10,000 Qi requirement for his body.
The lake had piqued his curiosity, but he felt he lacked the power to explore it right now.
Back in the city, he started looking for a cultivation shop to buy the Tier 2 Flowing Qi Pill.
He didn't want to go to the previous shop to avoid suspicion over possessing too many Spirit Cores.
In the end, he chose a small alchemy store that only sold pills and spiritual herbs.
Zhen was slightly surprised when he entered the shop and saw the 16-year-old girl from yesterday who had been with the Monkey Beast group—Ying Xue.
The girl seemed to be selecting some spiritual herbs to buy.
She also saw him and gave him a slight nod before focusing again on her selection.
"Sir, what would you like to purchase?" asked one of the female store attendants.
"I want a Tier 2 Flowing Qi Pill. I'll pay with two Spirit Cores from Level 11 Beasts," Zhen replied, directly taking out the two Spirit Cores, catching the attention of other shop visitors, including Ying Xue.
The shop assistant's eyes sparkled brightly when she saw the Spirit Cores.
She quickly retrieved a Tier 2 Flowing Qi Pill from a small wooden box and handed it to Zhen.
The transaction in this shop was simpler, with no need for a cashier.
Zhen naturally handed over the two Spirit Cores.
"Thank you, sir!" said the shop assistant.
Zhen smiled and nodded before walking away, heading to the inn he had rented.
In his room, he casually tossed the pill into his mouth, as his senses told him the Qi in this pill was easier to absorb than the Qi from the Golden Crow's eggshell.
Buzz!
His body began to radiate Qi light due to the Qi surge in his stomach, which his body quickly absorbed.
Within a single breath, he saw his Qi reach 100,000.
[Qi: 100,000/100,000]
As that Qi gathered, the Qi he had absorbed—collected over time including from the first stage—suddenly condensed in his stomach, forming a large Qi Core that seemed capable of generating endless Qi.
This was the Qi Core, the symbol of the First Stage of the Earth Master Realm.
With such a form, cultivators could release Qi more easily, since it was concentrated in a single point.
Not only did it release faster, but it was also more efficient. A technique that usually required 1,000 Qi would now only need 500.
That efficiency would increase as the Qi Core improved.
DING!
(You have successfully broken through to the First Stage of the Earth Master Realm! You have received 100 System Points!)
(Congratulations on breaking through to a new Realm! You have received 30% comprehension for one of your Tier 4 or lower techniques!)
(Since you only have one Tier 4 or lower technique, the system has automatically chosen to improve your comprehension of that technique!)
(Your comprehension of Flying Sword Technique has increased to 80%!)
[Cultivation: The First Stage of Earth Master Realm]
[Qi: 0/200,000]
[System Points: 112]
- Flying Sword Technique (80%)