Slowly walking through the forest, Evan instructed the system to continue detecting spiritual plants while making his way back to the entrance from which he had originally entered.
However, as he walked, he did not remain silent. Instead, he asked the system about spiritual plants, learning about their grade. He listed them one by one, from the lowest to the highest grade the system had mentioned:
Lowest – These are plants that grow in environments with low qi condensation, absorbing qi from their surroundings for a relatively short period. In such conditions, it may take up to 100 years for a plant to transform into a spirit plant. Upon transformation, a plant's lifespan significantly increases depending on its species and nature. For instance, if a tree's natural lifespan is 250 years, becoming a spirit plant could extend it up to ten times that amount.
Lower – These plants are of a slightly higher rank but are incredibly rare. In an environment similar to Evan's current surroundings, it can take up to 1,000 years for a plant to reach this level. The fruits and other products from these plants greatly aid in cultivation, just as the plants themselves do.
Formation – These spirit plants have absorbed qi from their surroundings for 15,000 years. Their rarity is exceptionally high, with an occurrence rate as low as 0.00001%. The fruits of these plants can aid even cultivators at the Space Traveling level, albeit to a limited extent.
"Hmmm…" Evan pondered over the system's words as he continued walking through the forest. "The system only listed three ranks… but considering that when I previously asked, it mentioned the Soul Transformation level, which is above Space Traveling, that must mean even higher-ranked spiritual plants exist… Hmmm."
Deep in thought, he failed to notice a tree branch in his path and walked straight into it.
"Ouch… Damn it…" he muttered, irritated, as he pulled the branch away from his face. Annoyed at himself for not paying attention, he quickly refocused on the path ahead instead of letting his mind wander.
......…
A few minutes later…
Evan finally exited the forest. Unfortunately, despite the system's detection, he had not come across a single spiritual plant. Still, he continued making his way back to the hill, where he sat beneath a spiritual tree to resume his cultivation.
Closing his eyes, Evan began sensing and absorbing the qi around him. However, before diving into cultivation, he knew he had to clear his mind of the emotions left behind from his earlier encounter with the beast and its subsequent death. He understood that failing to do so could allow an inner demon to take root, destabilizing his cultivation or even causing him to lose his progress entirely.
........
One hour and forty-two minutes later…
Evan continued cultivating. However, before he could reach the breakthrough that would take him to the Second Level of the Energy Gradering Realm, he decided to take a brief rest. He understood that pushing himself too far could result in mental exhaustion, potentially causing him to lose consciousness from prolonged use of his cultivation method.
Within his body, the qi he had absorbed earlier began circulating, slowly strengthening him. Initially, the circulation was automatic, but after a short while, Evan realized that if he did not actively continue cultivating, he would not be able to break through to the Second Level of Energy Gradering.
.........
A few minutes later…
Suddenly, a small surge of qi burst from Evan's body. Almost immediately after, he broke through to the next level.
[Ding!]
[System detected that the host has broken through to the Second Level of the Energy Gradering Realm. Congratulations, host!]
Hearing the system's voice, Evan opened his eyes. A small smile appeared on his face as he asked curiously, "System, how much stronger am I compared to my previous level?"
[The host's overall strength has increased by 1.6 times due to absorbing a slightly stronger type of qi, though only in limited quantity and quality,] the system responded in its robotic tone.
"Only that much…?" Evan muttered, a little disappointed. However, after a moment, he asked again, "Normally, how much stronger would a cultivator become if they absorbed regular qi?"
[Answer: 1.5 times,] the system quickly replied.
"Hmmm… so I'm only slightly stronger than normal… but it doesn't help that I'm still just a child," he said, though after a brief pause, a grin spread across his face. "Then how about we test my strength!?" he suddenly shouted excitedly, ready to put his newfound power to the test.
But before he could make a move, the system's voice rang out again.
[Ding!]
[Warning: It is highly recommended that the host stabilizes his cultivation. Failing to do so may result in an unstable foundation, which could cause future cultivation issues and even a decline in strength!]
"WHAT?!" Evan exclaimed in shock. "Why didn't you tell me this earlier?! I haven't even stabilized my first level yet!!!" he shouted, gripping his head in disbelief.
[The host need not worry. Upon partial reactivation, the system assisted in stabilizing the host's cultivation while he was unconscious,] the system reassured him.
Hearing this, Evan's earlier panic faded, and he exhaled in relief. After a moment, he asked, "So, how do I stabilize my cultivation?"
[Stabilizing cultivation is a simple process. The host must sense the qi within his body and guide any residual qi that has not yet been fully absorbed into the qi circulation vortex inside his body,] the system explained.
Listening carefully, Evan sat back down in a cultivation position. However, instead of pulling in more qi from his surroundings, he focused inward, sensing the qi already within him. Slowly, he began absorbing any remaining traces into his body's circulation vortex, ensuring a stable foundation for his future cultivation.
......
Meanwhile, in an unknown location...
A place shrouded in darkness, where nothing can be seen except for occasional flashes of light piercing the void, momentarily revealing the surrounding landscape. And yet, what these flickers unveil is a scene of utter carnage—a land covered in corpses and rivers of blood flowing freely from them. The dead are piled into grotesque mountains, towering so high that they obscure anything beyond them.
But as one ventures further, something else comes into view—twisted beings, entities unlike anything a human mind could comprehend. Some are colossal, as tall as skyscrapers, while others are no larger than a man. Their forms defy all logic, impossible to describe by conventional means.
Some resemble grotesquely distorted animals, yet they are not beasts. They are something else entirely... something reviled by all... something feared by nearly every living being. They exist solely to destroy.
Yes, destruction. Wherever they appear, ruin and death follow. Sometimes their devastation engulfs entire planets, and in most cases, no race that encounters them survives. Their mere presence causes the land itself to rot, corruption spreading like an incurable plague.
Across the universe, they are known by one name: In'teritus—the Harbingers of Destruction. No one knows their origin. No one knows when they first emerged. But one undeniable truth remains: they must be annihilated before they annihilate everything else.
................
In another unknown location…
A massive hall, vast and imposing, with a single grand throne towering above all else. Seated upon it is a figure—a being whose mere presence commands silence. The gathered assembly stands below, none daring to meet his gaze.
He is clad in a regal purple tunic, embroidered with intricate golden patterns that glisten in the dim light. Yet it is not his attire that holds the greatest significance, but the man himself.
A man with short, golden-blond hair and piercing eyes of molten gold—eyes that seem to peer into the very souls of those who dare to look upon them. His skin is lightly bronzed, his features impossibly handsome, yet at this moment, his expression is one of deep irritation. His displeasure is not merely seen—it is felt.
A suffocating aura spills from his body, pressing down on everyone in the chamber with an almost unbearable weight. It stifles breath, crushes movement, and instills a paralyzing dread. And yet, amid the crowd, a few individuals stand unaffected, seemingly unshaken by the overwhelming presence that emanates from their ruler.
After a tense moment, a figure steps forward and kneels before the throne, bowing her head. She is breathtakingly beautiful, with hair as white as freshly fallen snow and eyes as black as coal. She is not dressed in ordinary attire but in a full suit of armor, missing only the helmet she now holds in her left hand. After a brief pause, she lifts her head and meets the man's gaze, her voice calm as she speaks.
"My Lord…" she begins evenly, her dark eyes never wavering. "If your aura continues to spill out like this…" She trails off momentarily before turning her head slightly, glancing at the assembly behind her—those who struggle to remain upright under the crushing force. "We may suffer unnecessary losses... in these uncertain times." She finishes her thought with careful deliberation.
The man gazes at her for a moment before a low chuckle escapes his lips.
"Hah… Haha… Hahaha…"
His laughter is brief and devoid of warmth. Then, just as suddenly as it appeared, the amusement vanishes, replaced by an expression of cold, deadly seriousness. His voice is flat, devoid of any emotion as he speaks.
"Losses?... What losses?" His golden eyes flick toward the trembling figures at the foot of his throne—those who are barely able to remain on their knees, their bodies on the verge of collapse. "Are you referring to them?"
His voice grows even colder, sharp as a blade. The kneeling figures flinch under his scrutiny, their foreheads slick with sweat. Their breathing grows ragged, their bodies trembling as terror grips them.
The woman, watching him carefully, suppresses a sigh. Perhaps I should have stayed silent… she muses inwardly, her gaze flickering between her lord and those he now addressed.
"They are to be considered losses? Them?" he repeats, his tone unreadable. But this time, he does not direct the question to the woman—he directs it to them.
The assembled, vast in number, were seized by the same feverish thought, echoing in their minds like a desperate mantra: I will not end up like them... I won't end up like them! Only a few among them did not share this terror
The golden-eyed man does not wait for a reply. His gaze sharpens, his aura surging outward in an instant—faster, heavier, deadlier. The floor beneath him cracks, splintering under the sheer force of his power. Even the grand throne groans under the pressure.
His eyes glow faintly, and with that single glimmer, his oppressive aura converges onto the struggling figures before him. They, who had barely managed to remain kneeling, suddenly feel the weight of an entire world bearing down upon them.
Then—
'Crack.'
A single, synchronized sound reverberates through the hall, sending shivers down the spines of all present.
The unfortunate souls caught in his wrath crumble instantly—reduced to nothing more than pulped flesh and shattered bones. Their bodies are utterly annihilated, but the destruction does not stop there. Even their very souls are obliterated, wiped from existence.
Silence follows.
The massive hall stands still. Beads of sweat roll down the foreheads of those who remain. Their minds scream at them, an unrelenting warning: I must not end up like them… I must not end up like them!
Then, as suddenly as it had flared, the golden-eyed man's oppressive aura vanishes, swallowed back into his being. A slow, pleased smile curls his lips as he speaks once more.
"So… what losses were you referring to?"
The woman, unfazed by his display, responds immediately.
"I was referring to the losses we may suffer in our battle against the In'teritus," she states, her tone composed. "Their strength is growing. Our forces may not be enough to push them back."
The man hums, his fingers tapping idly against the armrest of his throne.
"In'teritus… A race that has existed for as long as I can remember… And I remember a lot…" He falls silent, lost in thought for a moment before his golden eyes once again settle on the woman before him.
"It is time to move, Aurora," he declares.
She nods without hesitation.
"Yes, my Lord."
.
.
.
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[A/N:
Hi! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and won't forget to add the book to your library. I'd also love for you to be more active if possible… of course, without forgetting about the Power Stone. Have a great day!]