In the highest peak within the vicinity of the Soaring Cloud Sect, a lonely, single abode peacefully resided there, packed with beautiful pine trees that complemented the mystical scenery. The splashes from the ever-flowing waterfall which downstream to the vicinity below added to the already perfect tranquility in this area, providing a suitable place to cultivate.
Inside, a woman with divine disposition was silently reciting the chant of the main technique of the Soaring Cloud Sect, her heart was constantly being forged by what she witnessed in the heart of Me Feng.
"To not despair, to not give in... But how did he do it? Isn't it our instinct to despair when they face an opposition that could flick you away like an ant?"
Yu Minhe tried to stabilize her heart, but the image of her master being easily crushed by that being... It was too despairing. Too painful. She was still devastated to this day.
Her master was the most powerful person she had ever seen. Her strength could shake the mountains, her means could create a whole brand new landscape all by herself.
Yu Minhe's breaths quickened, with cold sweats trickling down her face. But when she imagined the will of his heart, the picture of a single, hopeless mortal resisting fate to love an Immortal...
Yu Minhe's starry, crimson eyes brightened as her heart burst out. It wants to defy, it wants to fight!
Like how a mere soldier would rather die than to give in to protect his family in his hometown! Like how a single mother sacrificed her dignity and her purity all for the sake of feeding her children!
Mortals were born to suffer, but amongst them, born a few individuals who have the heart to encompass everything and are willing to fight till the end, even if it means death!
Her master always said that while Immortals were born to defy, Mortals were born to conquer! Their insatiable hunger for the sake of survival pushed them through their fated limits, placing a few of them among those who deemed themselves Immortals!
Immortals cannot conquer themselves. They cannot conquer their indifference, arrogance, and pride, but Mortals can do so easily. After all, how could they survive if they yapped about their prowess and cried about they 'tarnished' dignity all day long?
For Immortals, the dao heart is their biggest hurdle, their biggest enemy. But for Mortals, their dao heart represents their whole identity. It's what made them capable of withstanding the humiliation of being a mere born of a mortal as they mingle with their Immortal peers to elevate themselves.
It was widely known that in the cultivation world, famous cultivators from humble backgrounds always came off as the strongest.
While Yu Minhe was being enlightened, Su Mengli, who decided to create an avatar to venture into this particular world, unlike Me Feng who only had to face her consciousness in her soul mark, was shocked as she watched Yu Minhe do her practice.
"She wanted to achieve the First Stage of the Heart, the Tranquil Heart?"
Su Mengli couldn't calm herself down anymore. The Tranquil Heart, achieved by a mere mortal?
First, there was that little Qi Refinement audacious boy down the mountain who could actually decipher a veiled Sovereign Scripture. Now there was this little girl?
"Even some of my peers have yet to achieve this state of heart. Just what the hell is going on with this small sect?"
However, unlike that sh*tty boy, this girl was actually quite good. The more Su Mingle looked at her, the more she liked her. This little girl was obviously elegant, tranquil, dignified, and gracious!
When she checked on her spiritual root, her eyes widened. Not only was her heart impressive, but even her spiritual roots had long surpassed the First Grade.
What a perfect candidate for a disciple!
Su Mengli felt like it was a pity. If only this girl was the one who activated her soul mark. And not that thing, or those who gave him it!
After Yu Minhe was done with her practice, an unknown presence suddenly showed itself from behind. Narrowing her eyes, Yu Minhe did not hesitate to perform the Cloud Step, launching herself to attack the opponent first.
Which, of course, was easily blocked by Su Mengli's avatar. Yu Minhe decisively used the hand to launch herself away, creating a considerable distance from the intruder.
It wasn't until she got a clearer outlook that she relaxed a little bit.
Considering the intruder's strength, who could veil her presence without her realization, exposing herself meant that she was not here to cause trouble.
Yu Minhe greeted respectfully, "Welcome to my humble abode, Senior. I wonder what you need?"
Su Mengli did not hesitate. She took out a simple scripture from nowhere, showcasing her abilities,
"You're very impressive. I am Su Mengli, the Ancestor of the Divine Palace's Dream Pavillion from the Upper World. Your state of heart has amazed me. Do you want to become my disciple?"
At the same time, in a simple hut amongst other huts, Me Feng grinned widely, performing the perfected Stance of the Snake with relish.
"What a boon!"
Unlike the 7 stages of the Mortal Body Scripture, the Stance of the Snake only had 3 stages. After full completion, even a simple flick could be amplified with the snake's intent, harnessing the sharpness and the acuteness capable of cutting hard steel without effort.
If not for his limited Karma, he would definitely elevate it into the next tier!
| Upgrade the Stance of the Snake Stage 3 for 5,000 Karma?
Me Feng also upgraded the Mortal Body Scripture, and true to his speculation, it evolved!
| Cultivation Technique: Sovereign Scripture: Endless Body Battles Stage 0 (+), Yellow Body Scripture Level 0 (+), the Stance of the Snake Stage 3 (+), Sovereign Scripture: Everlasting Trance Stage 0 (Incomplete) (+).
For comparison, if he felt like he was as hard as steel before, now, he could easily crush steel as if it were cotton!
The feeling of getting stronger was addicting. Unfortunately, when he tried to upgrade the scripture again, the price showed its poisonous fangs.
| Upgrade Yellow Body Scripture Stage 0 for 1,000 Karma?
"I got you for 1,000 but you wanted 1,000 out of me just to upgrade it to Stage 1?! F*ck!"
What a scam! Ruthless! Money-grubber! Shameless!
As usual, Me Feng cursed the price.
He did wonder, what if he use the Yellow Ticket to upgrade it? Feeling excited for another boost of strength, he did not hesitate to hit it up, and he was shocked!
| Use 1 Yellow Ticket to evolve Yellow Body Scripture to Earth Scripture: Elephant Bodily Strength?
"Woah!"
It has a title now! Me Feng couldn't help but shake. He even started drooling, like a man who had not touched a woman for 20 years getting laid!
Unfortunately, he was not laid. Fortunately, his strength experienced an earth-shattering change!
As soon as he confirmed the prompt, his muscles began to spasm. It was begrudgingly painful. Me Feng stumbled, lying on the floor as he curled up like a ball. He gritted his teeth, trying to hold back his scream.
"F*cking elephant, what the f*ck! Sh*t! Damned elephant your evolution was f*cked because you have a d*ck-shaped trunk for hands! You were so big because your Ancestor's mom ate a whole colony! You have barrels for legs!!! You're so fat!!! AEERGH!!!"
Unfortunately, he couldn't hold it in, cursing everything related to the scripture. Fortunately, it only took a dozen minutes.
After sweating a bucket, Me Feng took a shaky breath, feeling up his own muscles. He grinned painfully. They're perfect! Even his calves were perfect! Hell, his butt muscles were perfect!
Not that he felt them up.
...
It was a pity that he had no test subject. He cupped his chin, could he come up to the street and ask for a fight? Should he insult someone's father? Or maybe he should ask Li Yuan if there's a place for him to test his strength?
What a tough choice. Hmm... A minute later, he made his choice.
"Maybe the latter was more appropriate," Me Feng nodded to himself. It's decided.
After recuperating himself, Me Feng set his sights on the scripture that caused him trouble.
He recalled, "Everlasting Trance. It originally had 3 stages. Unfortunately, the incomplete version only had 2. It enhances the soul by continuously forcing yourself to be conscious, even in your sleep. It will temper the duration of your consciousness, enhancing your senses and awareness. To achieve completion, a Soul-coated Bead was needed."
Fortunately, it only required a treasure when it reached completion. Me Feng was weirded out. What a creepy name for a bead. What does it mean by Soul-coated? Coated with soul?
"It was very beneficial, especially to prolong one's peak state, since it could enhance the soul. Unfortunately, I could only practice a tiny part of Stage 1. The danger was evident. Forcing my soul to stay awake even in my sleep would harm my spirit, and if it was not strong enough, the chance is, I would turn into an insentient idiot."
Me Feng sweated in horror. What a horrifying consequence! His spirit had only awakened a day ago, so the chance was terrifyingly high.
"Must stay away from this soul-sucking technique! At least until I felt like my spirit was strong enough."
After demonstrating his enhanced senses, which allowed him to do two separate things perfectly, Me Feng's eyes landed on what he anticipated the most.
"It would better be worth it."
"Claim!"
| You received Purple Talent: Maniac!
Me Feng twitched. That's it?
"Maniac? What's that supposed to mean?"
| Maniac (Purple): You are insane. Increased your strength by 5 times when you made an irrational, idiotic, stupid, foolish, tomfoolery decision.
"What?!"
Me Feng was shocked. That's preposterous! If that was the case, where would his integrity go?! How about his pride, his dignity?!
The Endless Body Battles was enough, but why does this have to appear?! Aren't you forcing me to be a man disdained by millions?!
"This is bullsh*t!"