After receiving the mission completion notification and the metallic chime of the system still echoing in his mind, Long Tian wasted no time. He sat cross-legged, closed his eyes for a moment, and then opened the system shop. A soft light emerged in front of him, projecting an endless list of martial techniques and knowledge floating in the air like living scrolls.
There were manuals of all kinds:
Roaring Tiger Palm Technique, which focused energy into a single devastating strike.
Silent Lotus Style, a fluid and elegant art that silenced all movement for stealth attacks.
Steps of the Shadow Void, allowing the user to briefly vanish from sight like a living shadow.
He even saw a forbidden technique called Withered Heart of the Purgatory, which consumed a piece of the soul in exchange for explosive power.
Long Tian longed for more than one. He could imagine each style flowing through his body, making his movements more lethal, more agile. But then, reality set in: he only had 10 Infernal Points.
He sighed, though not with discouragement. He knew that even with little, the right choice could make all the difference.
Finally, his eyes stopped on a digital scroll glowing with reddish and golden hues. Its name seemed to vibrate with restrained power:
"Crimson Lightning Step".
The description was clear:
> A martial art focused on explosive speed and striking force. Its training strengthens tendons, bones, and muscles to superhuman levels, allowing the user to move and hit beyond what an ordinary human could achieve. While it does not rival a true ki cultivator, its power far surpasses that of any warrior without cultivation.
The art was divided into three levels:
Beginner: Increases agility and reaction speed.
Intermediate: Enables short bursts of speed, almost like flickering flashes.
Advanced: The user can briefly stimulate the body's passive spiritual energy to launch an attack with three times the strength of an average human.
The cost: 10 Infernal Points. Exactly what he had.
Perfect... he murmured, a smile of resolve forming on his face.
With a mental command, he confirmed the purchase.
The glowing scroll unraveled before his eyes as if it were real, and ancient lines of text began to burn into his mind like fire carving into stone.
Long Tian had just taken his first step on the path of martial arts.
After some time, Long Tian emerged from that deep state of concentration. His breathing was calm, but his eyes shone with renewed determination. The manual was now etched into his mind—every stance, every movement, and every principle flowed as if they had always been a part of him.
However, knowing was not the same as mastering.
"Now... all that's left is to practice," he murmured to himself, clenching his fists with resolve.
He knew his body had to catch up to his mind.
After letting his body relax for a few more minutes, Long Tian opened his eyes and carefully took out the two spiritual pearls he had kept. He held them in the palm of his hand: small, radiant, each one glowing softly with a pulsing light, like a beating heart.
He activated the system, and a translucent window appeared before him, displaying detailed information:
[Spiritual Pearl: Low-Rank Item]
Contains traces of condensed spiritual energy.
Effects on mortals: improves physical condition, strengthens internal organs, and moderately increases longevity.
Effects on cultivators: can be absorbed to accelerate cultivation and refine internal energy.
The system also revealed another tempting option:
Store Value: 4 Infernal Points each.
Long Tian narrowed his eyes. The idea of earning 8 Infernal Points was very tempting, especially after seeing what the store had to offer. He could buy techniques, weapons, or even rare items that would accelerate his progress.
But then he thought about his current situation. His body was still that of a mortal, and although he now had a powerful martial art imprinted in his mind, he still lacked the physical foundation to make full use of it.
—No... for now, I must strengthen myself —he muttered, making a firm decision.
He sat cross-legged, held one of the pearls between his fingers, and brought it to his mouth. The energy within it was released instantly, and a surge of spiritual warmth coursed through his veins like liquid fire.
As soon as the pearl touched his tongue, it dissolved like warm mist, releasing a gentle current that flowed down his throat and spread throughout his body. It was as if a stream of clear, warm water coursed through his veins, cleansing impurities and strengthening every cell of his being.
Long Tian closed his eyes as the power surged through him. His skin tingled, his muscles tensed slightly as if waking from a long slumber. He could feel his heart beating stronger, his lungs filling with purer, revitalizing air. Even his mind cleared, entering a state of deep calm and sharp clarity.
"Incredible…" he whispered, amazed by the sensation of lightness and vitality wrapping around him.
Without wasting time, he took the second pearl and repeated the process. The energy was even more intense this time, as if his body already knew how to absorb it and welcomed it eagerly. A subtle hum ran down his spine, and a pleasant sensation spread from his core to his limbs.
When he opened his eyes, his body was no longer the same. He didn't just feel stronger, more resilient, and more agile… there was also something different within. The spiritual energy inside him pulsed—alive and growing.
The system quickly displayed the change:
[Current Spiritual Energy: 30 units]