บท 3: The Agonizing Rebirth

Shing~

A book suddenly materialized in the air, accompanied by a small bottle of pills. Lao Xie's eyes flickered between the items as they hovered before him.

"Congratulations, Host," the system's voice chimed, almost too cheerfully.

But before Lao Xie could respond, a sharp, burning sensation tore through his body. His legs buckled, and he collapsed to the floor as waves of searing pain surged through him.

"AGHHH!" His scream pierced the silence, raw and primal. His vision blurred as his muscles contorted, twisting violently under 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 gripped him.

His body convulsed. It was as though something was tearing him apart from the inside out. Another agonized scream escaped him, blood dripping from his mouth as the pain reached new, unimaginable heights.

Then, amidst his suffering, a glowing panel appeared before him, its text cruelly calm.

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 shook as if it were moments away from disintegrating.

"You never... mentioned... it would hurt like this," he spat, his teeth gritted, his body convulsing in spasms.

The system responded with its usual detached tone, "Well, Host, you didn't ask."

A bitter laugh escaped Lao Xie's lips, immediately followed by a choked cry of pain. His muscles screamed, his veins burned like molten fire coursing through them. His vision swam as another mouthful of blood splattered the floor.

"This... this is fucking insane..." he growled between gasps, his chest heaving.

"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 is strength? This is pure torment. Lao Xie couldn't think straight. His mind was being torn apart by the relentless agony. His breaths came in shallow, ragged gasps as the pain intensified, every nerve screaming.

"Shit... I really... am going to die..." he muttered, collapsing onto the floor, his body convulsing 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 around the edges. His limbs flailed uselessly as the pain showed no signs of relenting.

The system remained silent after that, as if to let him endure the process in peace. Lao Xie's world dissolved into an endless torrent of suffering. His mind hovered on the brink of consciousness, floating between the edges of agony 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 glanced at the system panel still hovering before him, its text mocking him with its silent glow.

"You... better be worth it..." he muttered weakly, before the world around him dimmed into darkness.

"Ugh… this damn pain," Lao Xie muttered through gritted teeth, his body throbbing with agony. His mind, however, remained sharp, calculating. "No… this isn't enough to break me. I've felt worse…" His voice faded as exhaustion crept in. "Heh… tomorrow… I'll be stronger." With a final, dark chuckle, he fell into unconsciousness on the cold, rough floor.

-----------------

The next morning.

Lao Xie stirred awake, groaning as every inch of his body screamed in pain. "What the fuck happened last night?" he muttered, sitting up slowly. His joints ached, muscles sore. "This pain... all over my body… damn it. I was tricked by that damned system." His eyes narrowed in cold realization as he recalled the events from the night before.

Forcing himself to his feet, he paused, noticing something different. "My body feels… lighter." Suspicion clouded his thoughts as he glanced at the system panel.

Poof—a panel appeared.

"Congratulations, Host! Your body has successfully undergone a transformation. You've obtained a new physique!" the system chimed in its typical cheerful tone.

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? 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 this 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 asked.