The next day, Zhang Yong stood atop the hideout's peak as the first rays of sunlight appeared.
His pupils, which had turned dark purple earlier from using moonlight to refine the Heavenly Demon Eyes, had now become a light purple from absorbing purple Qi.
He had meditated throughout the entire night, and his breakthrough was near.
[Host has risen to Level 2, obtained three status points.]
Zhang Yong sighed as he looked at the window. In his past body, he wouldn't even glance at these three points, but now he needed them pathetically.
Truly, when men reach high status, a little no longer satisfies them.
He wanted to forcefully raise his level, but even if he wanted to train the Heaven-Defying Body, it was impossible due to the lack of spirit stones.
"I need resources, but a world without spirit stones is a headache." Zhang Yong held his chin and began thinking.
"Right, in one of my fifty paths, there was that method. No, even if it worked, it would only be a waste, and there's a possibility I might cause a disaster." He closed his eyes and thought deeply.
The Path of Wisdom – The Library of Mysteries.
Immediately, Zhang Yong activated the ability of the Path of Wisdom.
Although it's called a library, more precisely, it attracts enlightenment.
"Yes, I found it. The Tyrant's Body. There are dangerous monsters in this world. If I can kill them and use them for training, this will be beneficial." Zhang Yong smiled, stood up, and then leaped from the peak.
Tai Yin Si Xiang – Phoenix Wings.
A black robe spread out behind Zhang Yong and split into two, making him appear as if he had a pair of wings. Unfortunately, this technique only allowed for a slow descent to the ground, not flight.
After landing on the ground, he began running toward the forest, raising his alertness throughout the area.
The first monster he spotted was a Gifnora dog.
"Really? Even in my world, it's barely a first-class monster."
Tai Yin Si Xiang – White Tiger Sword.
First Sword – Mountain Tiger Pounces!
Zhang Yong's sword rose from bottom to top and instantly cut the monster in half.
But Zhang Yong was not ignorant; dogs like this never hunt outside of packs. So immediately after killing it, a pack of five dogs of the same species appeared.
"Why the same species? I need ten types, not ten dogs."
And Zhang Yong started slicing.
The Gifnora dogs pounced like a storm, but Zhang Yong moved like a ghost; each sword strike cut one in half.
Black blood splattered on the grass, but he didn't care. Suddenly, a deep roar echoed from the forest.
A massive tree split in half, and from within emerged a colossal monster, a Tetra bear with three eyes.
Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track - lightness skill!
Immediately, Zhang Yong ran, climbed the tree with only his feet, and leaped over the bear.
Tai Yin Si Xiang – Dragon Devourer.
Then, a black dragon image appeared behind Zhang Yong and pounced on the bear, piercing its stomach in an instant.
Zhang Yong fell to his knee and began panting. With his low stats, even this level of combat was difficult.
[Host has risen to Level 4.]
[Host has obtained 6 status points.]
'If only I possessed Akame's sword, this wouldn't have happened.' He sighed, then stood up and activated the Great Circulation of Spiritual Energy.
This technique created a cycle of spiritual energy through the body very quickly, increasing strength, speed, endurance, and brain function.
Zhang Yong began the hunting process for four hours, but could only collect seven types of blood.
Then he decided to return.
At the hideout's entrance, Akame had already come out with Tatsumi.
"Oh, Zhang Yong, it's you," Tatsumi said with a smile.
Zhang Yong nodded calmly. "Both of you are already going out at this time?"
"We're going hunting for breakfast. Would you like to join us?" Akame said with a calm expression.
The two were carrying two baskets on their backs, while Zhang Yong nodded and accompanied them.
They went to the mountains, although the place was a bit far from the headquarters.
They arrived at a pond located behind some trees.
"This place." Zhang Yong looked around for a moment, then toward the pond. "There's a monster beneath the water."
Akame turned around and raised her thumb. "Mm hm, good observation. But in this lake, there is delicious fish. Once we get rid of it, we'll be able to fish."
"Wait, isn't it dangerous to fight a monster underwater?" Tatsumi could only stare dumbfounded.
The two looked at him, and Zhang Yong asked, "Should we use him as bait?"
"It seems like a good idea." Akame held her chin calmly. "Although boss will be angry if he dies, but..." Suddenly, Akame's mouth watered. "The fish here are delicious."
Tatsumi was immediately terrified. These two scoundrels would kill him. "No, hey, didn't you say there's a monster in the pond? We can't—"
Suddenly, before any of them could move, large bubbles surged from the water, and a terrifying roar shook the ground.
The giant fish monster Crshan appeared, its saw-like mouth full of teeth.
"Get down!" Zhang Yong pushed Tatsumi away and leaped into the air.
Heavenly Demon Records – White Tiger Claws.
Zhang Yong advanced and left a trail of wounds on the fish's body.
Crshan screamed and began to writhe and cry out in pain.
"Tsk, I won't let you steal the spotlight!" Tatsumi shouted as he leaped and cut off the fish's head in one strike.
After Tatsumi landed on the ground, he smiled and turned around as if expecting the two to praise him, and smiled proudly. "See that? I'm strong—"
However, no one was there. The fish was flying through the air and falling into the baskets on the side of the pond.
Then Zhang Yong and Akame emerged from the water.
"Damn, you collected more than me," Zhang Yong said, rubbing his head.
Akame raised a victory sign. "You still have a long way to go to surpass me."
Tatsumi stood stunned, looking at the two as they argued as if what just happened was completely ordinary. "You two are weirdos! You left me alone with that monster!"
The two looked at each other before Zhang Yong spoke. "You still need to teach him better."
Akame shook her head. "I'll work on that."
Then Tatsumi and Akame carried the fish on their backs.
"By the way, aren't you going to change your clothes?" Tatsumi couldn't help but notice.
Zhang Yong was still wearing the Lobok wires, but somehow they were also comfortable.
"Well, they're durable, and they work as armor. But I'll look for clothes later." Zhang Yong looked at his body, examining the wires. "Also, I need a weapon."
While the three were returning to the hideout, the sun had risen high in the sky, adding warmth to the humid forest.
Zhang Yong was thinking deeply as he walked behind Akame and Tatsumi. 'Now with this fish's blood, I have eight types. Wait, I just remembered, I can use 'that' to enhance my cultivation.' Zhang Yong smiled inwardly as they returned to the hideout.
After returning, everyone was already in the meeting room.
"Akame, where is breakfast?" Mine glared with annoyance, crossing her arms.
Akame nodded calmly and pointed to the baskets full of fish. "Here, we have fresh fish along with a lot of crabs."
Zhang Yong stepped forward toward the kitchen. "I'll prepare the fire." Quickly, he gathered some firewood and lit the fire.
Mine raised an eyebrow as she watched him. "At least one of you is useful." Then she looked at Tatsumi. "Better than some."
"You!" Tatsumi looked at Mine with an angry glare.
"Tatsumi, follow me to the kitchen," Akame said, not bothering to pay attention to the conflict between the two.
Zhang Yong looked at the ingredients and thought for a moment before saying "So, what should we cook?"
Akame looked at Zhang Yong expressionlessly. "Do we even need to think about it? We'll grill it."
"You have a fondness for grilling, but I think I have a better idea." Zhang Yong extended his hand and grabbed a kitchen knife. "If we're going to cook fish, it should be nutritious."
Sub-skill – Cooking.
Path of Food – Blessing Hands.
'Yes, the ability to make dishes that add effects to cultivation . Thanks to my version of the Path of Food. Now I'll prepare grilled fish fillets with colorful peppers.' A slight smile appeared on Zhang Yong's face as he began to slice.
With astonishing speed, Zhang Yong's hands moved with the knife, cutting the fish into thin, uniform fillets.
His fingers moved skillfully, as if playing a musical instrument.
"This... this is a professional chef's level!" Tatsumi said, impressed, as he watched Zhang Yong.
Akame found herself drawn to the aroma of fresh fish and the spices Zhang Yong began to sprinkle. "What are these smells? I've never smelled anything like them before."
Leone, Lubbock, Sheele, Bulat, and Mine stood at the kitchen door watching.
After a few minutes, Zhang Yong placed the dishes before them. Grilled fish fillets covered in a shiny sauce, with fresh vegetables on the side.
"Try it," Zhang Yong simply gestured.
Everyone took the first bite, and suddenly...
"What is this taste!?" Tatsumi shouted, his eyes widening in amazement. He felt as if warm energy was flowing through his body.
Even Mine found herself eating ravenously. "This... this isn't ordinary food."
Akame devoured her plate in silence, but her calm eyes sparkled with obvious admiration.
"Delicious"
"The ingredients are simple, but the effect..." Lubbock said, examining the dish with fascination.
After finishing the meal, everyone felt unusual energy.
Then Leone stood up. "That was a delicious meal. Well, I have to go now. See you later."
Tatsumi looked at Leone's departing form and asked, "Where does Leone go at this time?"
Sheele smiled and explained, "Because Leone grew up in the slums, she knows the ways of gathering information, so she goes every day to search for and accept missions."
Zhang Yong looked around at everyone and began eating. He had set aside a plate for himself that accelerated the flow of Qi in his body, allowing him to train faster and increase the Qi in his body.
'This ability is useful. For ordinary people, it will increase their physical ability, and for cultivators, it will be even more beneficial.' Then he shifted his gaze toward the Night Raid members. 'They are all strong. If they possessed spiritual energy, they would be even stronger. They are considered the strongest in this world. Given proper care, they would be talents.'
'In such a situation, since they will die sooner or later, why don't I absorb their souls? Then I can develop them as well. If my identity as a member of Night Raid is exposed, I will get a lot of points, but that won't be very beneficial. I need an event that makes me famous.' Zhang Yong thought, then stood up and left the place.
For the next three days, with his continuous hunting of monsters, his level rose to Level 7.
And now he had collected the blood he needed. He could train seriously. "The Tyrant's Body, let's begin."
Zhang Yong took out the blood from storage, all mixed together in the form of a blood ball.
He made it float , then opened his mouth and swallowed it.
The thick blood had a sharp, metallic taste.
Then he began circulating the technique within his body as he had done in the past.
Suddenly, he felt intense heat spreading through his veins. His muscles began to contract and expand uncontrollably, and his bones made a terrifying cracking sound.
He felt as if his body was being melted and reshaped anew.
The blood was fusing with his internal organs; it felt as if they were melting.
This feeling wasn't as harsh before because his body was originally strong, but now, it was unbearable.
After hours of agony that nearly made him lose consciousness, the pain gradually began to fade.
Zhang Yong opened his eyes, and a blazing purple light shone forth. He found himself covered in a thick layer of clotted blood and sweat.
He breathed deeply and felt an unfamiliar power flowing through every muscle in his body.
[Tyrant's Body lvl1 learned.]
[Host has obtained:
+50 Strength
+100 Endurance]
"Good, Uni. Put all status points into Agility." Zhang Yong smiled viciously.
[Status
Name: Zhang Yong
Age: 18
Body: Life-and-Death Proximity Structure lvl7
Level 7 [250/5000]
Strength: 60
Endurance: 108
Agility: 21
Intelligence: 20
Spiritual Energy: 7
Status Points: 0
Emotion Points: 8,182,182
Abilities
Skills. Store. Inventory. Missions. Gambling]
Suddenly, Zhang Yong heard someone knocking on the door.
He stood up from his bed, dried himself off, and put on the clothes provided to him.
Then he looked in the mirror. In this world, he was a young man with short blond hair and blue eyes. He wore a brown coat with a white wool sweater, jeans, and brown shoes.
Zhang Yong nodded to himself in the mirror. 'At least I've gotten rid of the curse of handsomeness.'
Then he opened the door, and Tatsumi was there. "You finally opened the door? The boss is calling for you."