Just as Chen Tian was pondering how to refill the empty 'Points' bar, the door to the shack creaked open once more. Elder Chen Yan stepped inside, his breath slightly ragged. In his left hand, he carried a large bowl of steaming meat that emitted a savory, rich aroma, while his right hand gripped a heavy, sealed stone jar.
"Tian'er, don't just sit there lost in thought. Eat this while it's hot; you'll need the strength to recover," Chen Yan said, placing the bowl before him.
Chen Tian didn't waste words. After a year of suffering, he knew that in this cold, indifferent world, Elder Yan was the only source of warmth he had. He began to eat heartily, savoring every bite. This wasn't ordinary meat—it was Spirit Meat, its fibers infused with faint traces of the world's spiritual energy.
As the last morsel went down, a dim flicker of light appeared behind his eyelids.
Points: 0.1
Chen Tian's eyes narrowed slightly. A whole bowl of Spirit Meat only granted him 0.1 points? He immediately thought back to the bitter medicine Elder Yan had given him the night before, which had provided a full 1.0 point. If this delicious meat was only worth 0.1, then that medicine must have been ten times more valuable.
Ten times... Chen Tian gripped the edge of the empty bowl. He could only imagine the immense effort, the savings, or perhaps the risks Elder Yan had taken to obtain something so precious for an 'orphan' like him. A deep sense of respect and gratitude welled up in his heart, hardening his resolve to repay this old man's kindness one day.
Seeing Chen Tian finish the meal so eagerly, a look of satisfaction crossed Chen Yan's weathered face. He then handed the large stone jar to Chen Tian.
"This is the blood of a Peak First-Stage wild beast. Its power is comparable to a cultivator at the peak of Body Refining," Chen Yan whispered gravely. "I obtained this with great difficulty. Use it well, Tian'er. Do not let this effort go to waste. Only through cultivation can you truly change your fate."
Chen Tian accepted the jar with both hands, his eyes sparkling with genuine joy. "Thank you, Elder Yan! I will definitely put this to good use."
The moment Elder Yan left, Chen Tian locked the door. He sat cross-legged on his bamboo bed and unsealed the jar. A thick, metallic scent and a wild, scorching aura immediately filled the small room.
Without hesitation, he began his first true cultivation session. Although his mastery of the Wild Beast Blood Art was only at the Beginner level, the technique operated with terrifying precision under his new instincts. He began to draw the beast's blood essence into his pores.
Instantly, a wave of intense heat surged through him. His blood felt as if it were boiling, coursing through every inch of muscle and bone, tempering his frail frame. The pain was excruciating, but Chen Tian merely gritted his teeth, refusing to let even a whimper escape his lips.
Hours passed in heavy silence. Dark, foul-smelling impurities began to seep from his skin—a sign that the cleansing process was underway.
As the sun climbed higher, Chen Tian finally snapped his eyes open. A dense ripple of energy radiated from his body, blowing the dust off the floor of the shack. He clenched his fist, feeling a massive surge in strength.
"Peak First-Stage Body Refining?"
Chen Tian muttered under his breath, stunned by the progress. In a single session, he had skipped the initial phases and jumped straight to the peak of the first stage. It seemed he had vastly underestimated both this body's hidden potential and the sheer effectiveness of the mastery provided by his panel.
However, instead of celebrating, Chen Tian immediately withdrew his aura until he looked like an ordinary boy again. With a cheerful, secretive smile, he began to clean himself up. In the treacherous Chen Estate, hidden strength was his greatest weapon.
Once he felt that his body had regained its strength and his movements were fluid again, Chen Tian stood up from his bamboo bed. Every inch of his muscles now felt dense with newfound energy, and the agonizing pain that had previously plagued him had faded, replaced by a solid sense of power beneath his skin.
He knew he couldn't simply stay in this shack and rely on Elder Yan's charity forever. To fill the 'Points' bar on his panel, he needed resources.
How can I earn points quickly without attracting unwanted attention? he wondered, wiping the sweat from his brow.
Recalling how consuming Spirit Meat had granted him points, a spark of inspiration hit him. If eating the meat alone could yield points, then the process of slaughtering and butchering spirit beasts should theoretically offer far greater rewards. Becoming a Butcher was the most logical choice. It was a job looked down upon by arrogant cultivators, but for Chen Tian, it was a hidden gold mine.
He decided to seek employment outside the Chen Estate. Staying within these walls would only keep him as an easy target for Chen Ming and the other siblings who thirsted for oppression.
Chen Tian straightened his dull gray robes, ensuring his appearance remained that of a worthless, low-level servant. With a calm pace and his head slightly bowed, he began to make his way out.
The journey from his quarters to the outer gates of the Chen Estate felt like navigating a battlefield for his ever-vigilant soul. He chose narrow alleys and back paths seldom used by the clan's core members. His eyes constantly scanned the surroundings, and his ears caught every distant conversation.
Fortunately, luck seemed to be on his side today. By the time he reached the grand gates made of ironwood, he hadn't encountered a single one of the Chen children who frequently bullied him. The gate guards didn't even spare him a second glance, dismissing him as just another servant running a trivial errand.
The moment his feet stepped past the threshold of the gate, Chen Tian took a deep breath of the free air, feeling a wave of relief. A thin, cheerful smile played on his lips.
"Finally out," he whispered softly. "Now, let's find a place where blood and points flow freely."