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«Congratulations, the system has deemed your efforts an enormous feat. You are rewarded 500% additional Experience, 3 Spirit Shards, and 5 Demonic Essence Pellets.» ​​

«25,200 (2,100 + 2,100 + 21,000) Experience has been received.» x2

«Congratulations, you have reached… Level 55.»

«Congratulations, you have been rewarded 1.0 Attributes and 30 Stat Points.»

Dragging his injured body across the battlefield, Apollo limped towards the position of the Blood Tempering Ginseng. As he reached it, instead of bending over, his legs gave way. Tumbling to his knees, he knelt before the ginseng. Sucking in a cool breath, a jolt of pain flashed through his body from the contact of the ground.

“Agh… my body hurts,” uttered Apollo through grit teeth as he clutched the Blood Tempering Ginseng attempting to yank it from its roots. However, he was stopped in the process as Azridan halted his actions.

[Wait! Don’t retrieve it that way. If you do, you’ll damage it. Spiritual herbs need to be harvested properly. Stab the Vantablack Knife into the ground and cut around its roots. The more damage you inflict upon it, the lower its efficacy will be. And in your current state, you want as much as possible.]

“Right,” weakly uttered Apollo as he struggled with shaky hands to stab the knife into the ground. Drawing a rough and jagged circle, he was finally able to make a suitable space. Grabbing the item, he tossed it into his Minor Spatial Pouch and began to slowly limp away from the area.

[In the distance should be an uninhabited place. Head there and seek shelter while you recuperate. Only then can you rest.]

Listening to Azridan’s suggestion, Apollo traveled in a certain direction. His slow traveling speed made him take longer than usual to exit the Inner Region. However, thankfully he possessed Azridan who was capable of navigating him in a way that avoided all contact with Spirit Beasts.

Soon enough, they came to a murky cave. While its aura seemed unsettling, Azridan was certain nothing existed inside. Hence, Apollo’s nerves calmed and proceeded forth unabatedly. Surprisingly, as he entered rather than being confronted by impairing darkness, he was capable of seeing small outlines of the cave walls.

[You must be surprised that you’re able to see correct? Your body is slowly changing and your eyes have already undergone the changing process. In other words, you possess the ability to see through the darkness to a certain extent; a special trait of Demons. Naturally, yours isn’t mature which is the reason why you can only trace outlines. But it should give you an advantage during the night.]

“That’s convenient. Are there any other abilities I possess?” inquired Apollo as he sat against the cold wall of the cave. His back tingled from the foreign sensation yet it also felt comfortable to an extent.

[At the moment, no. For now, just focus on trying to manipulate Natural Essence to your best ability. It’s the best choice you have right now at recuperation other than cultivation tools.]

“Yeah, in fact. I never checked the contents of that list earlier or the effects of the Blood Tempering Ginseng,” remarked Apollo as he withdrew the Minor Spatial Pouch from his hip. Opening it, he poured out 3 types of pills, one vial, and the ginseng. Instantly, their information appeared before him. One of which he was familiar with the Natural Warrior Revitalization Pill.

Item Name: Essence Gathering Pill

Rank: Rank 1 Pill

Grade: High

Information: A pill vital to the cultivation of Mortal and Zul Warrior Cultivators. It allows the cultivator to enter a state where one can attune with the Natural Essence naturally. However, depending on the grade and other factors, the time of this state varies.

Effect: When ingested, increases the rate Natural Essence is gathered by 30%. This state lasts for 3 minutes.

«High-Grade Bonus»- Increases the rate to 50% and the time is extended to 5 minutes.

Item Name: Foundation Forging Pill

Rank: Rank 1 Pill

Grade: Flawless

Information: Another foundational pill on the path of cultivation. As the name suggests, it is a pill that refines the cultivator’s body. Furthermore, it is a heightened version of the Foundation Strengthening Pill.

Effect: Ingesting this pill rewards both.5 Strength and Agility as well as 1,000 Experience.

«Flawless Bonus» – Increases the effects by 100%. Furthermore, every 5 pills increases the Zul Count by 1.

Item Name: Purple Mercury Blood Elixir

Rank: Rank 1 Elixir

Grade: Superior

Information: An elixir made to refine the body. Pouring this into a bath will allow one to temper their blood. When the blood is as thick as mercury and contains a faint purple tint, you have reached the height of this item’s effects.

Effect: Soaking within a bath of this solution allows one to temper both their Strength and Vitality. Due to your body, it can also be ingested. 1 drop = .3 increase in Strength and Vitality.

«Superior Bonus» – Effects are increased to .5.

Usages: 12/12.

‘Hmm, these cultivator tools seem to be top-notch. Not to mention, they also seem like items that aren’t found in my family. Then… What’s the origin of that teacher and why is every pill and item he possesses above the high-grade? Whoever is crafting these, their attainments are very high,’ thought Apollo as he remained in a daze from these rather overwhelming effects.

[He must have a prestigious title and reputation. Nevertheless, check the contents of the ginseng. After all, it’s what you risked your life for. Let’s find out if it was worth it.]

“I hope it is. It would be a little disheartening if it wasn’t,” muttered Apollo as a weird glint appeared in his eyes. His gaze kept falling upon the large wound on his shoulder. Although it had become numb it seemed to have become a reminder to him.

Item Name: Blood Tempering Ginseng

Type: Spiritual Herb

Grade: Mature Superior Earth-Grade

Information: A special herb that usually needs to be refined. However, due to its reaching maturity that isn’t the case. It possesses the ability to heighten one’s inner talent through painful tempering. Only the best metals are forged through the fires of torturous pain.

Effect: Allows one to achieve anywhere from a Low to High Tier Earth-Grade Inner Talent by refining its essence.

«Mature Superior Bonus» – It will achieve the High Tier Inner Talent with absolute certainty. However, the sensation will be increased threefold. After refinement, your level will be increased to match.

[It’s more than worth it! You should understand the implications of leveling up. After certain levels the difficulty multiples. However, this item will equalize your level to match your inner talent. In other words, it’ll essentially eliminate some of your struggles in exchange for extreme amounts of pain!]

“Um…Azridan, why do you sound so excited,” bitterly uttered Apollo as he glanced at the ginseng in his grasp.

[No, you misinterpret. Hurry and recuperate slightly and then ingest the ginseng. Wait… I have an even better idea but it’ll hurt more!]

‘Oh God…help me,’ thought Apollo as he shook his head painfully.

[We’re Demons, what god could we worship? We survive through ourselves!]