The torrential rain poured down on the Shadowmist Mountain Range, washing away all traces of the life-and-death chase. Lin Feng leaned against the ancient tree trunk, inhaling deep breaths of the cool, fresh air, feeling every aching muscle in his body. The adrenaline had receded, leaving behind utter exhaustion. But deep within, a fervent fire was burning. He had survived. Not just survived, he had transformed.
The System Panel still shimmered before his eyes, its numbers and notifications a testament to the unbelievable truth. Lin Feng looked at the Devouring Art scroll in his hand, then at the ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones. This was his chance. The chance for a mortal like him, one who had been abandoned by fate, to change everything.
"Find a safe place first," Lin Feng murmured. The Black Panther Demon might not have been able to follow him into the rock crevice, but the Shadowmist Mountain Range was still full of dangers. He followed a small, hidden path, concealed by dense foliage, searching for a cave or a secluded rock crevice. The rain limited his visibility, but "Speed Boost (Basic)" and "Flesh Reinforcement (Basic)" had given him unprecedented confidence. He moved more nimbly, and his body suffered fewer scrapes when brushing against branches.
After about half an hour of searching, Lin Feng found a small, dry rock alcove, just wide enough for him to sit in meditation. He huddled inside, using some dry branches to obscure the entrance to avoid detection.
"Now... the Devouring Art."
Lin Feng unrolled the ancient leather scroll. Complex characters and images appeared in his mind, not as difficult to understand as he had expected. The System seemed to have "translated" and "explained" them in the most intuitive way. The Devouring Art was a peculiar cultivation technique; it not only absorbed pure spiritual energy but could also "devour" impurities and chaotic energies from all things, then refine them into usable spiritual power. This was precisely the crucial point.
Lin Feng placed a Low-Grade Spirit Stone in his palm. Spirit Stones were items containing pure spiritual energy, the primary energy source for cultivation. He closed his eyes, following the instructions of the Devouring Art, and began circulating spiritual energy within his body.
Initially, nothing happened. Then a cold, then warm, current began to permeate from the Spirit Stone into his palm. It traveled along his meridians; Lin Feng could clearly feel each tiny stream of spiritual energy being absorbed.
[Devouring Art (Basic) is operating. Absorbing Low-Grade Spirit Stone...] [Spiritual power +0.1... +0.1... +0.1...]
His spiritual power increased very slowly, but it was real growth! Lin Feng felt his body like a vessel gradually being filled. He continued to absorb, forgetting all fatigue. The ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones quickly depleted, turning into dust.
[Low-Grade Spirit Stone (10) has been fully absorbed.] [Spiritual power significantly increased. Cultivation: Qi Condensation Realm (Initial Stage).]
Lin Feng opened his eyes, filled with excitement. Qi Condensation Realm! He had reached the Qi Condensation Realm! Though only the Initial Stage, it was a colossal leap he had never dared to dream of before. He felt a warm, pure energy flowing within his dantian. This was spiritual power!
He checked his status panel:
[Host: Lin Feng] [Level: 1 (EXP: 0/200)] [Cultivation: Qi Condensation Realm (Initial Stage)] [Spiritual Power: 10/100] [Attributes:]
Strength: 5
Agility: 6
Physique: 5
Spirit: 7 [Skills:]
Flesh Reinforcement (Basic): Reduces 5% physical damage.
Speed Boost (Basic): Increases movement and reaction speed by 10%.
Devouring Art (Basic): Absorbs spiritual energy from all things, converts it into spiritual power. [Extracted Items:]
Black Panther Demon Fur (1)
Demonic Aura (0.5) [Synthesized Items:]
Heavy Stone (Basic) (1) [System Points: 1]
"System Points!" Lin Feng remembered. This was the only thing he hadn't explored yet. He focused his thoughts on "System Points." Immediately, a new, much more complex interface appeared.
[System Shop (Unlocking higher tiers).] [Skill Upgrade (Uses System Points).] [Item Exchange (Uses System Points).]
Lin Feng couldn't help but gasp. System Shop! Skill Upgrade! Item Exchange! This was the most terrifying aspect of the System!
He tried clicking on "System Shop." A long list of items appeared, from cultivation techniques, elixirs, weapons, to even strange things like "Lightning Elemental Essence" or "Ancient Bloodline." Their prices were listed in "System Points." Some items were low-cost, but most were colossal numbers he couldn't even imagine.
"Skill Upgrade." Lin Feng switched to this section.
[Select skill to upgrade:]
Flesh Reinforcement (Basic) - Upgrade to Intermediate (Requirement: 1 System Point)
Speed Boost (Basic) - Upgrade to Intermediate (Requirement: 1 System Point)
Devouring Art (Basic) - Upgrade to Intermediate (Requirement: 2 System Points)
Lin Feng only had 1 System Point. He could upgrade either Flesh Reinforcement or Speed Boost. He pondered. Speed Boost had helped him escape the Black Panther Demon. Flesh Reinforcement had also saved his life. Both were important.
"Upgrade Flesh Reinforcement!" Lin Feng decided. Defense was the top priority when facing stronger opponents.
[Upgrading Flesh Reinforcement... Success!] [Consumed: 1 System Point.] [Flesh Reinforcement (Basic) upgraded to Flesh Reinforcement (Intermediate) - Enhances skin toughness, reduces physical damage (Effect: 10%).]
Lin Feng felt a stronger surge of energy spread throughout his body; his skin became firmer, as if encased in an invisible armor. He now had 0 System Points.
"And the Black Panther Demon Fur and Demonic Aura..." Lin Feng looked at the "Extracted Items" section. He tried focusing on "Synthesize" once more.
[SYNTHESIZE Function: Select attributes/materials to combine.] [Detected: Black Panther Demon Fur (1), Demonic Aura (0.5). Can be synthesized.]
"Synthesize Black Panther Demon Fur and Demonic Aura!"
[Synthesizing... Success!] [Consumed: Black Panther Demon Fur (1), Demonic Aura (0.5).] [Received: Black Panther Cloak (Grade: Low-Grade Spiritual Artifact) - A cloak made from Black Panther Demon fur, capable of enhancing physical defense (5%) and concealing aura (Effect: Basic).]
A jet-black cloak, made from Black Panther Demon fur, suddenly appeared in Lin Feng's hand. It was soft yet appeared sturdy, and emitted a faint demonic aura. Lin Feng put it on. Immediately, a warm, secure feeling enveloped him. He felt as if he merged with the darkness, his own aura becoming more indistinct.
Lin Feng looked at himself in the dim light, a cold smile slowly forming on his lips. A mortal without a spiritual root, now a Qi Condensation Realm cultivator, possessing a cultivation technique, defensive and speed skills, and even a spiritual artifact cloak. All within a few hours, thanks to the Omni-Extraction System.
The rain outside had subsided. Faint moonlight pierced through the leaves, casting weak rays onto the damp ground. Lin Feng knew he couldn't stay in the Shadowmist Mountain Range for too long. He needed a safer place to cultivate, to find resources. And more importantly, he needed to return to Qingfeng Town.
Not to seek help. But to confront.
To confront those who had once scorned him. To confront those who had once trampled upon him. Lin Feng clenched his fists. From now on, he was no longer the weak, useless Lin Feng. He was Lin Feng, wielder of the Omni-Extraction System. He would be the predator.