''Let's evaluate everything.''
First things first, I've probably gathered enough Fear to push myself directly to late stages of Terror Manifestation realm.
Xu family should be weakened enough to fall even without my intervention. Not that I can do much in this state.
It's likely that not much time has passed since I passed out. Otherwise, she would have at least changed her clothes.
The wounds I've suffered this time were unnecessary. A few extra points of Fear are not worth the risk.
Han and Lan family will greatly benefit from this conflict, which should help me get some favors.
I'm fairly confident that Yuexin has feelings towards me... and they seem rather strong.
She still isn't capable of doing much, but her attitude shifted a bit. She will be useful later.
The ones responsible for ending original Ye's life are the Zhan family. They are even weaker than Xu, so I can take care of them anytime. And I will...
And most importantly, I'm weak. In a direct confrontation without Fear Qi, even if my body is stronger and Qi pool larger, I still struggle.
Despite our combat strength, the Han family doesn't have too many good techniques. But there's nothing like a heritage, as our family are just... escorts.
But what about Lan family? The situation is completely different with them. An established cultivator family must certainly have some hidden gems.
After contemplating my current situation for a while, I decide to take things slowly.
Good. I must get into their library.
'Status.'
[STATUS]
[Name: Han Ye]
[Age: 18]
[Cultivation: Terror Manifestation Realm - Early Stage ▸ Foundation Establishment - Early Stage]
[Fear Points: 5 811]
[Trauma: +108/day]
[Fear Points needed for the next stage: 1 500]
[Techniques: Shadowless Step, Thousand Faces Arts (incomplete), Silent Pulse Breathing, Crow Shroud Technique]
Seeing the status window, I can't help but smile a little. Not even the sharp pain can stop me from enjoying my current sight.
''Not only do I have a lot of Fear Points, but I've also acquired a passive income.''
The efficiency of this cultivation is insane. 14 days to go from Early stages to Mid stages. I doubt that even those so-called prodigies can grow this fast.
The possibilities this system opens...
Talking about the system, when I first gathered Fear from the maid...
What was her name again?
...
Xiaoyu, right. Her deepest Fear was shown to me. What if there's a large gain from exploiting it?
I have so many questions I want to ask the system...
Silent Pulse Breathing.
As my breathing changes, my presence grows weaker, my aura almost unnoticeable.
Perfect, even in my current state, there's no issue. Let's advance.
[You've consumed 1,500 Fear Points.]
[Advancing…]
The temperature within the room lowers instantly. The candlelight flickers as if something unseen just passed by, its presence disrupting everything nearby.
A soundless ripple emerges from within my dantian, slowly making its way through my meridians, my bones, my muscles. Everything the ripple touches becomes stronger, sturdier, and to my surprise, my wounds have begun to heal themselves at an alarming pace too.
Crack!
The sound of my ribcage snapping itself to the right place echoes throughout the room, followed by my pained groans. The entire healing process comes with an insufferable pain. But knowing that its temporary puts my mind at ease.
On the outside, the Fear Qi coils around my body, like a snake that is about to digest its prey whole. Once my body disappears from within the mist, it condenses further. The mist is no longer just leaking out of me, it clings to me and follows my will as its master.
[You have reached the Mid Stage of Terror Manifestation Realm.]
My eyes snap open. For a moment, the world looks different, sounds different. As I focus on my senses, I notice quite a large difference compared to before.
With my eyes closed, I put all my focus into my hearing.
Step, step, step.
...
'He cut off his head!'
'What? No way, such a young boy?'
'You should have seen it, it was horrifying.'
...
I hear a few maids talking with a guard, who seems to be spreading the word about my exploits.
''All my senses are on a completely different level now.''
Let's go all the way to the Late stage.
Then I might just crush the Zhan family all by myself, while traumatizing everyone around...
.
.
.
[STATUS]
[Name: Han Ye]
[Age: 18]
[Cultivation: Terror Manifestation Realm - Mid Stage ▸ Foundation establishment - Mid Stage]
[Fear Points: 4 311]
[Trauma: +108/day]
[Fear Points needed for the next stage: 3 000]
[Techniques: Shadowless Step, Thousand Faces Arts (incomplete), Silent Pulse Breathing, Crow Shroud Technique]
Authors note: If you're enjoying the novel so far, please add it to your collections! Every single one goes a long way. Honest review will be Great too!
Powerstones: If we can reach 70 power stones in a week, I will make one more chapter a day for 1 week. Let's do it!