"Three intermediate beast blood vials should sustain five days of intensive cultivation—enough to push my strength toward 600 pounds, possibly beyond."
Arithmetic projections danced through his mind with crystalline precision. Six hundred pounds of raw force, combined with elementary speed talent and intermediate knife mastery, would create combat power capable of crushing any Martial Apprentice. Even newly advanced Martial Artists would find him dangerously competitive.
"The stalactite liquid requires immediate investigation."
Anticipation burned in his chest. If the mysterious substance could enhance cultivation dramatically, early Martial Artist advancement became realistic rather than merely theoretical.
The past century had spawned countless supernatural treasures across the transformed world. Academic institutions and merchant guilds had compiled comprehensive identification guides to prevent valuable resources from going unrecognized.
Such treasure compendiums cost roughly a thousand yuan—previously unaffordable, but his trial rewards had eliminated financial constraints entirely.
One hundred thousand yuan stretched before him like infinite possibility.
The shopping expedition yielded the most complete treasure catalog available in Linhai Base's commercial district. Back home, he spread the thick volume across his wooden table and began systematic research.
Page after page revealed wonders beyond imagination—cultivation pills, essence stones, spiritual herbs, elemental crystals. Each entry contained detailed illustrations, effect descriptions, and market valuations that made his head spin.
Finally, buried deep within the compendium, familiar imagery appeared.
"Earth's Core Liquid: Leyline stones absorbing heaven and earth vitality for centuries condense this miraculous essence. Improves cultivation talent permanently—effective only for individuals below intermediate cultivation grade. Rare variant: Yuan Stone birthed liquid enhances talents up to advanced cultivation level!"
His breathing stopped completely.
"Talent enhancement treasure..."
Pure shock paralyzed his nervous system as implications crystallized. If marketed openly, this substance would command millions, perhaps tens of millions of yuan. Desperate cultivators would mortgage their entire families for a single sip.
But selling meant death within hours.
Such treasures attracted attention from powers beyond his current ability to resist. Elite families, academy leadership, base authorities—all would converge like vultures on fresh carrion.
"Now I understand the spotted snake's breakthrough."
The beast's bloodline talent had reached intermediate grade when he scanned it—impossible evolution for ordinary creatures. Earth's core liquid had shattered racial limitations, enabling fierce beast advancement that should have been genetically impossible.
"Unfortunately, the fluid only affects talents below intermediate level."
Disappointment colored his assessment. His own intermediate cultivation grade placed him beyond the treasure's beneficial range, making personal consumption worthless.
"But what about..."
A new possibility sparked like lightning across his consciousness.
Ye Yu.
His sister possessed only inferior cultivation talent. If she consumed the earth's core liquid, advancement to elementary or even intermediate grade was achievable.
Lunchtime.
"Sister, I have something special for you to drink."
Ye Tian placed the glowing container before Ye Yu with careful reverence, pulse hammering with anticipation and anxiety.
"What is it?"
Curious eyes examined the mysterious liquid with childlike wonder. She trusted her brother absolutely—no suspicion clouded her innocent expression.
"Powerful tonic. Extremely beneficial for health and growth."
Truth wrapped in protective vagueness. Her cultivation journey hadn't begun yet, making talent discussions premature and potentially dangerous.
"Aren't you drinking any?"
"I already consumed my portion. This is exclusively yours."
He touched her head gently, affection warming his chest despite the calculated deception.
"Then I'll drink it!"
She drained the container in steady sips, nose wrinkling slightly at the mineral taste.
"How do you feel?"
Tension filled his voice as he monitored for adverse reactions.
"Warm and comfortable! Like sunshine flowing through my body."
Relief flooded through him. The treasure compendium had promised mild effects, but firsthand confirmation was invaluable.
"This substance is incredibly precious—never mention it to anyone outside our family. Complete secrecy is essential."
Gravity weighted every word. Casual revelation to playmates could trigger investigations that would destroy them both.
"I promise, Brother!"
Her solemn nod carried absolute conviction.
Throughout the meal, his copying talent maintained continuous surveillance of her talent display. Three minutes elapsed before miraculous transformation began.
Name: Ye Yu
Cultivation Talent: Elementary
Ice Talent: Elementary (Unawakened)
Another hour produced additional advancement.
Name: Ye Yu
Cultivation Talent: Intermediate
Ice Talent: Elementary (Unawakened)
By the following day, enhancement had stabilized permanently at intermediate cultivation grade—the earth's core liquid's maximum effectiveness threshold.
"Intermediate cultivation talent plus ice affinity..."
Pride swelled in his chest like a physical force. His sister's future was now guaranteed. Top-tier martial artist status in Linhai Base was not merely possible but inevitable.
With financial security established, he enrolled Ye Yu in proper schooling immediately. Thirteen years old demanded social interaction, educational development, and childhood experiences beyond home confinement.
Initial resistance crumbled when he displayed the prize money openly. One hundred thousand yuan represented more wealth than most families accumulated across generations.
"Academic competition first prize," he explained simply—truth disguised through semantic precision.
One Month Later.
All three intermediate beast blood vials had been consumed and converted to raw strength. Relentless cultivation cycles had pushed his physical capabilities to extraordinary levels.
Eight hundred pounds of force.
High-level Martial Apprentice classification, approaching the threshold for Martial Artist advancement. His real combat effectiveness already matched newly promoted warriors through talent synergy effects.
But progress had decelerated dramatically without beast blood enhancement. His current strength was insufficient for solo fierce beast hunting, forcing him back to conventional training speeds.
"Patience," he reminded himself. "Power accumulated slowly is still power accumulated."
Mo Family Estate
Mo Shaobei emerged from month-long seclusion with triumphant satisfaction radiating from every pore. The breakthrough was complete—he had officially advanced to Martial Artist status.
Celebration echoed through the family compound as relatives and servants acknowledged his achievement. Elite martial artist at seventeen years old represented exceptional talent even among nobility.
But personal advancement wasn't his primary concern.
"Elder Li, what progress have you made in the investigation?"
His voice carried deadly seriousness as he addressed his most trusted servant. Li Hai had served three generations of Mo family heirs, accumulating extensive networks throughout Linhai Base's underworld.
The hunt for his trial humiliator was about to intensify beyond anything that Fifth Academy peasant could imagine.
[End of Chapter 13]