[Congratulations, Host has obtained the Hidden Class: Alchemist King]
Li Shen crossed his arms, nodding thoughtfully. "Hmm… since Douluo is considered a backwater cultivation world, me being an Alchemist here is a huge advantage. Just like Tang San had medical knowledge from his past life, I've now got a class that makes me stand out."
He glanced at the golden book dissolving into light particles. "Pity though—it didn't come with a physical strength boost. Maybe it focuses more on spiritual and support abilities," he mused.
Then, his gaze shifted to the next reward hovering in his system space: a radiant orb wrapped in ancient energy.
"Whatever Spirit Bone I get, since it's a 100,000-year one, it should increase my stats immensely at the very least," he smirked.
With a breath, he tapped the glowing orb.
[Opening Random 100,000-Year Spirit Bone…]
A beam of light surged into the air, and for a moment, golden runes flickered like constellations. The orb cracked open like a divine egg—and a massive projection of a Spirit Beast appeared briefly behind it.
A dragon? No… something more ancient.
[Congratulations, Host has obtained: 100,000-Year Void Serpent Spine Bone]
Type: Back/Spinal Bone
Affinity: Void / Spatial
Abilities Gained:
Void Step (Active) – Instantly teleport short distances (100 meters) by slipping through spatial rifts.
Each Spirit Ring absorbed increases the distance by 100 meters.
Divine Serpent's Body (Passive) – Permanently enhances spinal flexibility, reaction speed, reflexes, five senses, and overall bodily responsiveness.
All above parameters improved by 50%.
Just as the system notification faded, Li Shen's entire body shuddered.
A surge of deep violet light burst from his spine, engulfing the room in a pulse of void-tinged energy. His back arched uncontrollably as the Void Serpent Spine Bone fused into his body. Crackling void threads laced across his skin before sinking deep within.
Muscles tensed, bones creaked—and then came the shift.
A new strength flooded through him.
"Ahhh—this feeling…" Li Shen gasped, panting slightly as the pressure eased. "I feel at least ten times stronger."
His fists clenched, veins pulsing with power. He rotated his shoulders, spine flexible and energized like never before.
"Genesis, what's my Spirit Ring limit now?" he asked with anticipation.
[Analyzing…]
[Due to fusion with the 100,000-Year Void Serpent Spine Bone, your Spirit Ring threshold has increased dramatically.]
[Current safe Spirit Ring absorption limit: 4,098 years.]
Li Shen whistled, impressed. "Damn… that's far above a normal first-ring limit."
He grinned wildly. "This changes everything."
It was common knowledge among Spirit Masters that spinal or torso Spirit Bones granted the most dramatic improvements to physical and internal strength. And this one—infused with Void—was no ordinary bone.
Among the six positions for Spirit Bones—right arm, left arm, right leg, left leg, skull, and torso (spinal)—the torso is widely considered the most valuable.
This is because the torso bone grants the greatest overall boost to physical strength, endurance, and internal energy flow. It connects and supports the entire body's movement and power, making it a critical piece for combat and cultivation alike.
That's why, in the world of Spirit Masters, the torso bone is often deliberately left vacant—especially by those from noble clans, powerful sects, or elite organizations. They wait for an extraordinary Spirit Bone worthy of that central slot. To waste it on a common one would be a long-term loss.
However, for commoner Spirit Masters, opportunities are rare.
Even a 100-year Spirit Bone might be a once-in-a-lifetime chance—and they would use it regardless of its level, especially if it could help them break through a bottleneck or survive in dangerous regions.
"Now, only the cultivation technique is left…" Li Shen mumbled, his gaze falling on the finely gilded scroll shimmering gently in his hand—the Random Cultivation Technique Scroll, a treasure that promised a method perfectly suited for him.
But before he could open it, Genesis spoke:
[Host, it is advised to open this after obtaining your first Spirit Ring.]
Li Shen raised an eyebrow. "Why? Doesn't this determine my whole path?"
[Because your Martial Spirit—Book of Infinity—currently has no defined element or path.]
[If you open the scroll now, it may grant you a neutral, soul-power-focused technique.]
[However, if you wait until your first Spirit Ring is absorbed—say a fire-type Spirit Beast—the scroll may adapt and generate a cultivation method infused with elemental affinity, potentially granting you elemental spirit skills as well.]
Li Shen considered that carefully. "Hmm… So opening it now means I get something neutral—usable by anyone—but maybe weaker. Waiting might give me something stronger but more specialized, and only usable if my Spirit Path stays aligned with that element..."
[Correct, Host.]
"Genesis, do you know what's more expensive in the system shop?" Li Shen asked, eyes narrowing with thought. "A neutral cultivation technique usable by everyone—or one attuned to specific elemental paths?"
Genesis paused for a brief moment before answering:
[Among the currently locked catalogues, the most expensive technique is a neutral-type method—designed to be suitable for all Spirit Masters, regardless of elemental affinity.]
"Just as I thought…" Li Shen nodded slowly, a slight smirk tugging at his lips.
He had already guessed that. Universal adaptability came with a price.
"Then… if I cultivate a neutral technique first, I can still take on an elemental path later, right? Since neutral won't conflict with any other cultivation technique?"
[Correct, Host. A truly neutral technique serves as a foundation—one that does not hinder fusion or progress with elemental or spiritual variations.]
"Perfect," Li Shen said as his fingers tightened around the shimmering scroll. "With the First-Time Opening Blessing in effect, I've got a higher chance to pull something rare. Might as well aim high."
[Activating Random Cultivation Technique Scroll...]
A brilliant golden radiance enveloped the scroll as Li Shen pressed his palm onto it. Arcane patterns ignited along its surface, swirling with mysterious energy before unraveling into the air like floating pages of divine scripture.
Suddenly, a notification flashed:
[Congratulations, Host has obtained the Supreme Cultivation Method — Void Scripture: Cycle of the Infinite]
Type: True Neutral
Grade: Supreme
Description: A profound technique that nurtures the soul, body, and spiritual consciousness in balance. It harmonizes internal power with universal essence and lays a foundation that transcends elemental boundaries. Especially effective with evolving or undefined Martial Spirits.
Bonus: Due to compatibility with the Book of Infinity, Host receives +10% cultivation speed and enhanced spiritual stability when absorbing Spirit Rings of any attribute.
"…Void Scripture: Cycle of the Infinite," Li Shen repeated, eyes wide with awe. "Perfect for the Book of Infinity."
He took a deep breath, heart pounding with excitement. With the Alchemist King class, a 100,000-year Spirit Bone, and now a Supreme cultivation technique, Li Shen's path was no longer ordinary.
It could be said—it's already better than the original protagonist, Tang San.