[Binding Successful]
"Binding? What the hell's happening?"
A young man muttered, he wore clothes that belonged to modern Earth, his long black hair falling to his shoulders, partly obscuring his face. He brushed it aside, revealing hooded eyes with irises of pure black, straight eyelids, and straight thin eyebrows. A refined jawline, thin lips, and subtly defined cheekbones sharpened his facial features. His resting face remained blank, making him unreadable, carrying a distant, detached air, as if he held no cares in the world.
[Welcome, Host! I've transferred you to a new uni—err, world!]
The man froze, his gaze drawn to a glowing red panel floating infront of him, letters and words appeared across its panel.
`What? Is this one of those MC transported to a new world with-a system situations?'
[You catch on quick, host!]
"Well? What kind of system are you?"
[I am the Almighty Slaughtering System!]
"The… Slaughtering System?" He raised an eyebrow, a mix of curiosity and suspicion. "That sounds… interesting. What exactly dors that entail?"
[Simple. Kill anything, and you gain EXP and level.]
"You mean… I can kill anything and get stronger?"
[Correct.]
`Can I ask… what kind of world is this?'
[This is a cultivation world, Host, a realm where the path to immortality stretches across the very fabric of existence. Those who walk it can grow so powerful that a single thought can erase life itself, and they can shape reality effortless, living beyond time and reigning as a absolute sovereign over all of creation.]
"So… how does one become immortal and gain power like that?"
[By absorbing and refining Qi with a spiritual root, one can ascend beyond mortal limits. You'll be able to achieve power that dwarfs anything far beyond anything you could have imagined in your old world.]
The man's expression was still blank, but a faint smirk appeared on his face. To be able to possess the strength to bend others to his will, to toy with their lives like they were nothing, sent shivers down his spine. His mind ran wild with possibilities, each darker, each bloodier than the last. Ambition burned in his chest, gnawing, twisting, the fire inside him stretched endlessly, whispering that nothing, no law, no life, no world, could stop him. He didn't fear death. He wanted to push further, spill blood, crush everything in his path, just to see how far he could climb, and whether anyone could stop him. The thought made him curious and excited. But he shook off his excitement. He hadn't reached that part yet, there was no point in thinking this far ahead.
`Ahem.. So what's this spiritual root you were going on about?'
[A spiritual root is the inner organ that lets you absorb Qi. Some are innate, meaning you're born with them usually tied to bloodline. Others are bestowed, where a higher being or heaven itself gifts you a root. A Implanted root is one forcibly taken from another's person and implanted within themselves. Finally, there are self-formed roots, created through extreme body tempering and comprehension, where a person forges their own root through sheer effort.]
`Then… what about me? What's my spiritual root?'
[Spiritual Root: 0 | Status: Rootless]
"So… if I want to absorb Qi, my only options are to get an implanted root, have one bestowed on me, or forge one myself?" he muttered, his left hand resting on his chin while his right supported his elbow."
[Not quite. As I said, there are many ways to absorb Qi, spiritual roots are only just one of them. Others include manuals and techniques, such as specialized breathing methods or deep meditation. Qi exists in all things, the blood and cores of beasts, the lifeforce of humans, the vitality within plants. Any of them can be used for cultivation, because where there is life, there is Qi to be drawn upon.]
`I see… but if this is another world, how will I understand people? How can I communicate?'
[Worry not, Host! The system has already granted you understanding of this world's basic languages.]
`But I don't feel any different.'
[You will when you meet the inhabitants of this world.]
`Alright then, I should—'
'Rustle, rustle.'
He was about to continue speaking when a soft rustle in the bushes caught his attention. A small rabbit hopped into his view, oblivious to the man watching it.
Without a second thought, he lunged forward and grabbed it. The rabbit squirmed, but his grip was tight. He snatched a nearby rock and slammed it down. 'Squish… squish…' The wet, sickening sounds barely registered in his mind. Blood spattered, some landing on his face, warm and sticky, but he didn't flinch. His face remained blank. He struck again and again, stopping only once it had no signs of life.
The rabbit's blood coated his hands, dripping down onto the grass. He could smell the faint tang in the air, but it wasn't too overpowering.
For a moment, there was only silence.
[Ding! +2 EXP]
[Ding! Level Up!]
[Congratulations, Host! Your first kill has been registered. You have leveled up! Allocate your stat points to grow stronger.]
A strange satisfaction crept up Xue Shen's spine, but he quickly turned his thoughts to survival.
"You said Qi exists in all life forms… so how do I absorb this rabbit's Qi? If I can take it from beasts, plants, or humans, how do I actually do it?"
[Unfortunately you can't Host. You must learn a proper technique one that allows you to draw out and refine the Qi from living beings. Without it, the energy will only disperse and fade away.]
"I see.. So how do I check my stats?"
[Quite simple, Host! Just say or think 'stats,' and they will appear.]
"Stats…?"
Another red holographic panel flickered in front of him
[Name: Xue Shen]
[Level: 1 | EXP: 1 | 10]
[Gender: Male]
[Age: 24 | Lifespan 70]
[Race: Human]
[Cultivation: Mortal]
[Bloodline: None]
[Physique: None]
[Spiritual Roots: 0 | Status: Rootless]
[Talents: None]
[Unspent Stat Points: 2]
[Constitution: 0.4 +^]
[Strength: 0.7 +^]
[Dexterity: 0.8 +^]
[Intelligence: 1 +^]
[Endurance: 0.8 + ^]
[Perception: 0.9 +^]
[Charisma: 2 +^]
[Luck: 0]
[Skills: None]
[Techniques: None]
"Hmm? why can't I put points into Luck?"
[Luck cannot be raised with stat points, Host. It can only be increased through special items, blessings, or rare opportunities.]"
"I see… hmm, then I'll put 2 points into Endurance."
[Endurance: 0.8->2.8]
Xue Shen's body felt lighter, his breathing steadier, as if he could run for hours without tiring out. His eyes scanned the forest, shadows stretching long in the dim light. He tightened his fists.
"Alright… I need to get out of here. I need to find more life forms, more EXP… fast."
Xue Shen wandered the forest aimlessly for hours, the rabbit's dead carcass still clutched tightly in his hand, until at last a dirt road emerged before his eyes.
"Finally… huahh… I'm out that damned forest… This road… should lead somewhere… Hopefully…"