Lao Xie stared at the glowing panel, his heart racing with a mix of anticipation and skepticism while his face shows no expression.
-----------------------------
Shing~
A book suddenly materialized in the air, accompanied by a small bottle of pills. Lao Xie's eyes flickered between the two items as they hovered before him.
"Congratulations, Host," the system's voice chimed, almost too cheerfully.
But before Lao Xie could react, a sharp, burning sensation tore through his body. His legs buckled, and he collapsed to the floor as waves of searing pain surged through every fiber of his being.
"AGHHH!"
His scream pierced the silence, raw and primal. His vision blurred as his muscles contorted, twisting violently beneath his skin. It felt as if every bone in his body was being shattered and reshaped all at once.
"What... is... happening?" Lao Xie gasped between ragged breaths, each word a struggle as the unbearable pain took hold of him.
His body convulsed. It felt like something was tearing him apart from the inside out. Another agonized cry escaped him, blood spilling from his mouth as the pain intensified to an unimaginable level.
Then, right in the middle of his torment, a glowing panel appeared before him, its text glowing calmly, almost mockingly.
[Due to the reward you received, Essence Restoration Pill. Your body is undergoing the process of reconstruction. The process is noted to be extremely painful, but you can do it, Host! ^^]_
"What... the... fuck..." Lao Xie rasped, barely able to form the words. His entire body trembled as if it would crumble at any second.
"You never... mentioned... it would hurt like this," he growled, gritting his teeth while his body writhed in pain.
The system responded with its usual detached tone, "Well... you didn't ask, host.."
A bitter laugh escaped Lao Xie's lips, but it was immediately followed by another choked cry of pain. His muscles felt like they were tearing apart. His veins burned like molten fire. Another mouthful of blood spilled onto the floor.
"This... this is fucking insane..." he growled between gasps, his chest rising and falling rapidly.
"You're not going to die, Host," the system replied with a note of indifference. "The process is necessary to fully awaken your potential. Rest assured, when it's over, you'll obtain an unimaginable strength."
Strength?
What strength?
This was pure torment.
Lao Xie couldn't think clearly anymore. His mind felt like it was unraveling. His breaths came in shallow gasps, and every nerve screamed in agony.
"Shit... I really... am going to die..." he muttered, collapsing fully onto the ground, his body jerking violently.
"You're not," the system repeated, this time with a cheery ding. "Almost there, Host. You're halfway through. Just a little longer."
"Halfway?"
Lao Xie's bloodshot eyes widened. He spat out more blood, his vision turning red at the edges. His limbs flailed uselessly as the pain refused to let up.
The system fell silent, as if letting him endure the rest in peace. Lao Xie's world dissolved into nothing but pain. His mind drifted at the edge of consciousness, floating somewhere between torment and oblivion.
Then, just as he thought his body would finally break, the pain began to subside, slowly, almost imperceptibly at first. His breaths came in labored gasps, and the tension in his muscles began to ease, leaving behind a dull, throbbing ache.
With the last of his strength, Lao Xie turned his head slightly and looked at the glowing panel that still hovered silently above him.
"You... better be worth it..." he muttered weakly, before the world around him faded to black.
"Ugh... this damn pain," Lao Xie groaned through clenched teeth. His body was still aching all over, but his mind remained sharp. Cold. Calculating.
"No... this isn't enough to break me. I've felt worse..." his voice was fading, tired.
"Heh... tomorrow... I'll be stronger."
With a faint chuckle that sounded more like a growl, Lao Xie fell unconscious on the cold, hard floor.
The next morning.
Lao Xie stirred from his slumber, groaning as pain ran through his entire body.
"What the fuck happened last night?" he muttered, sitting up slowly. His joints ached. His muscles were sore. His bones felt like they had been snapped and glued back together.
"This pain... all over my body... damn it. I was tricked by that damned system."
His eyes narrowed as the memories of last night returned clearly.
Still groaning, he forced himself to stand up, but as he did, something felt different.
"My body feels... lighter?"
Suspicion crept into his mind.
Poof -- A familiar panel appeared in front of him.
"Congratulations, Host! Your body has successfully undergone a transformation. You've obtained a new physique!" the system's voice was just as annoyingly cheerful as always.
Lao Xie scowled. "New physique?" His finger flicked the information tab, his skepticism growing.
INFORMATION
Name: Lao Xie
Age: 15
Cultivation Stage: N/A
Physique: Heaven-Piercing Sword Physique
Race: Human
Luck: ???
Spiritual Root: Primordial Ancient Spirit Root
"Heaven-Piercing Sword Physique?" Lao Xie murmured, his lips curling into a wicked smile. "What a grand name… fitting." His smile lingered, though its meaning was unclear, whether from excitement or something far darker.
"Congratulations, Host!" the system repeated in its usual tone. "You have awakened the Heaven-Piercing Sword Physique, the ultimate physique of a sword cultivator. Those who wield this physique are destined for limitless power and an unstoppable future."
Lao Xie's eyes glinted dangerously. "Sword cultivator, huh? How convenient… I also received a sword arts manual yesterday." His gaze pierced the system screen, suspicion and curiosity brewing behind his calm facade.
"It is merely a pure coincidence, Host," the system responded in its monotone cheer.
"Coincidence?" Lao Xie muttered, skepticism clear in his voice. "You expect me to believe that?" He chuckled darkly, his voice taking on an edge. "Since you've helped me overcome that cursed physique, I'll let it slide for now.... But don't think I'm naive."
"Rest assured, Host. Nothing will happen," the system responded without hesitation.
Lao Xie's eyes flicked back to the panel. "Hmm? What's this?" he s