Back in the relative safety of the inn room, An finally allowed himself to take a breath. He poured his pouch of coins and the pile of refined Demonic Energy Crystals onto the bed. The light from the pure black crystals danced on the silver coins, creating a scene that was both beautiful and practical. This was capital. This was power.
He didn't rush to spend or celebrate. Instead, he locked the door, sat cross-legged in the middle of the floor, and picked up one of the smallest crystal fragments. He needed to verify a hypothesis. The "Cultivation Primer" mentioned "spirit stones," stones containing pure spiritual energy, a precious resource that helped cultivators accelerate their training. These crystals, after being "refined" by the resonant explosion, might have a similar use.
He closed his eyes, activating Deep Analysis, focusing on the crystal in his palm. This time, with the "Rule Breaker" title, he felt his skill work differently.
[Deep Analysis Complete]
[Item: Demonic Energy Crystal (Refined)]
[Spiritual Qi Structure: Yin-attribute spiritual energy, neutralized, stable.]
[Optimization Suggestion: Create a buffer cycle using the "Lesser Yin Circulation" method to absorb safely.]
[Warning: Direct absorption without guidance may cause minor damage to meridians.]
An's eyes shot open, a look of sheer astonishment on his face. The System didn't just analyze, it offered an optimization suggestion. This new title was more powerful than he thought. It didn't just show him "what," it told him "how."
He no longer hesitated. He held the Demonic Crystal, and began to circulate his spiritual power according to the method described in the book and suggested by the System.
Immediately, a stream of pure, cool energy, without any of the previous corrosive feeling, flowed from the crystal through his palm and into his spiritual power circulation. It was like a clear stream flowing into a dry lake. This speed was tens, even hundreds of times faster than absorbing the diluted spiritual energy from the air. The Spiritual Power bar in his interface began to increase at a visible rate.
[Spiritual Power: 25/100]
[Spiritual Power: 26/100]
[Spiritual Power: 27/100]
...
The small Demonic Crystal in his hand gradually lost its light and finally crumbled into white powder. He had completely absorbed it.
[Spiritual Power: 42/100]
Just one small crystal had given him nearly 20 points of Spiritual Power. He looked at the pile of remaining Demonic Crystals on the bed with blazing eyes. This was his shortcut to becoming stronger.
He took another, slightly larger crystal, and repeated the process. The stream of energy flowed again, filling his meridians, bringing a sense of power and satisfaction.
[Spiritual Power: 68/100]
[Spiritual Power: 95/100]
After he finished absorbing the third Demonic Crystal, his Spiritual Power bar was almost full. He could feel a qualitative change in his body. His senses were sharper, and his physical strength had clearly increased. He was very close to the threshold of the first level of Qi Refining.
Just as he was about to grab a fourth crystal, a polite but firm knock came from the door.
Knock, knock, knock.
The light, polite knock startled An, immediately pulling him from his state of cultivation. He quickly hid all the Demonic Crystals and money under the straw bedding, his hand gripping the iron dagger at his waist.
"Who is it?" he asked, his voice filled with vigilance.
"Pardon the intrusion," a steady, polite voice replied from outside. "I am from the Merchant's Guild. Our Young Master, Bai Wen, would like to invite you, Mr. An, to his residence to express his gratitude for you resolving the disaster in the southern forest."
An's entire body went rigid.
Merchant's Guild. Young Master Bai Wen.
The attention he had tried so hard to avoid had finally found him. And it didn't come from curious adventurers, but from one of the most powerful forces in this town. This wasn't an invitation. This was a summons. He knew that refusing was not an option.
The next battle wouldn't take place in the deep forest with mindless monsters. It would take place in luxurious rooms, with enemies who knew how to smile, how to talk, and how to kill without using weapons.