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[Before you continue, allow me to explain exactly why this just happened. Most important of all, you’re a fresh body. To put it differently, your pores connected to your meridians are blocked. Hence, you need to open them whether one by one or all at once. The latter isn’t recommended due to it requiring extremely large amounts of Natural Essence typically warranted by reaching the Pinnacle of the Saint-Grade—which you aren’t.] ​​

[As a result, we’ll settle for the former. It’ll take much longer but time is something we have at the moment. We won’t be leaving this cave. So we’ll use the Demonic Essence Pellet as your substance. Not only will it assist in your change, but it’ll also curb or rather sustain your satiation.]

“I wasn’t expecting that type of pain. It felt as if sledgehammer were struck into my skin-piercing through my bones,” remarked Apollo as he relived the earlier pains. It would take quite a while for him to come to terms with it.

[Oh, stop your complaining. You didn’t even open one channel! Utter those words again after you encounter that sensation. This’ll seem like a walk in the park in comparison. If this were my heyday, I’d make your training even more hellish. Unfortunately, I’m unable to do so as you are currently confined to this garbage world.]

“Garbage…?” uttered Apollo nearly choking in the process. This was the second time he recalled Azridan mentioning this place as trash or garbage. Which only made him wonder, how strong was this being in him prime?

[Never mind that. Continue your actions but bear in mind you must power through the pain. If you always stop in the face of pain, how do you expect to advance? After you complete that task, we’ll address the Essence Cores and how they’ll play their part in your cultivation as well as some other important matters.]

“Wait, my cultivation? I remember reading in the book that the energy inside these cores is unable to be digested by a human dantian,” commented Apollo. He didn’t quite understand what Azridan was getting at. Typically, they were the main ingredients used in forming weapons, talismans, and even arrays! How could he possibly use that?

[Exactly, you answered your own question. That pertains strictly to humans; are you a human?]

“No…” answered Apollo as a flash of realization passed through his eye. It was slightly overwhelming to understand the fact that he was no longer a human. In both of his lives albeit being short, that’s what he knew—being a human.

[Alright, stop mulling over these trivial matters. Go back to perceiving the spots on the spiritual diagram and attempt to drill open your meridians. When the sensation of the spot undulating appears, then you’ve perfectly completed the task on the. Seeing as your inner physique has reached the full maturity of its current grade, it shouldn’t be a mountainous task.]

‘When you say drill, it just makes it sound more painful,’ mentally replied Apollo.

[That is the only way I can word it. The Natural Essence will soon drill into you, why do you think it is congregating on your skin?]

‘Oh… I see, well then, all I can say is I have to prepare myself right?’

[Pretty much; I like that outlook. Keep it.]

As they conversed in Apollo’s mind, the spiritual diagram began to illuminate further. At the same time, multiple tiny dots appeared. As for the number, it shocked Apollo; it continued to increase.

‘Wait what?! There’s over 300? Who in the…’ warily exclaimed Apollo. He was under the assumption that there were maybe 60 or so of these pores. Needless to say, that didn’t turn out to be the case. The truth of the matter is there were exactly 361!

[Hmm? Oh, yes. I forgot to mention that. We don’t need you to open them all. After all, it is directly linked to the absorption rate of your inner physique. We’re aiming for at least 120. Beyond that are unawakened meridians.]

“Are you saying, the number of awakened meridians are also part of my inner talent?” asked Apollo while pausing his cultivation.

[No, I’m saying it IS your inner talent. You can try to open it, however, it’ll still be in a dormant state due to it being unnourished.]

“I see,” replied Apollo before resuming his actions. With each passing moment, the saturation of Natural Essence on Apollo’s skin continuously increased. At some point, it broke a threshold as the posture he held facilitated its next actions.

The Natural Essence finally began drilling into the first acupoint located within his hands. Gritting his teeth in response, Apollo tried to bear with the pain, however, it was becoming unbearable. It wasn’t long before he had to cease his actions yet the remnants of the pain remained.

[Do not worry, this is a process that will take time. We are in no rush; continue with your actions step by step.]

Nodding, after a small rest, Apollo repeated the process once again. Initially, he was only able to withstand the pain for about a minute. However, as his tolerance increased, the duration did along with it.

Finally, 2 hours later, the first acupoint on his left hand was fully awakened. In response, it seemed to cull the Natural Essence towards it to nurture it. At the same time, Apollo noticed a small difference in a few things.

‘Is this acupoint…absorbing trace amounts of Natural Essence? But…why does it burn?’ thought Apollo.

[Foolish question! Look at the color of the Natural Essence. Clearly, it is of the fire archetype.]

Examining the Natural Essence with his Spiritual Vision, Apollo furrowed his eyebrows. The earlier clear essence indeed carried tints of red albeit a modicum of it at best.

[Of this world, the first element you’ll come in contact with is fire. It is the single most potent force in tempering one’s self when accompanied by another element.]

“Don’t just stop, continue to tell me. What is that element?” inquired Apollo in a zealous tone.

[Nope, if I reveal all the details where is the fun in that? You’ll come in contact with it anyhow. So why don’t you seek it.]

“Tch…” scoffed Apollo before ignoring Azridan. Once again, he took up the efforts of cultivation. This time, the second acupoint appeared on his right hand. Compared to the first one, a fraction of the time was shaved off.

Repeating the process, Apollo’s day became monotonous. However, it wasn’t without its benefits. Each opened acupoint seemed to have an effect on his trait. Although it wasn’t indicated in the system interface, he could feel it was so.

At this point, an entire day had passed. His progress was quite good. It seemed the first set of meridians were centric to the limb. Each one had opened three, however, they weren’t connected; to do so would require far more.

[Hmm, 10 percent of the number in sight of our goal has been opened. Let’s add some variety to the mix. Before continuing, let’s have you take a look at that «Monarch’s War Path Record».]