43. Obtaining Power V
The night is cold and Clay is sitting on a futon made from layering random clothes he took out from the spatial rings he looted from his dead enemies.
A few hours ago, he thought he won’t be able to break the restrictions on the protective Formations surrounding each ring but much to his surprise, it was easily dissolved by his boosted power.
Clay wanted to celebrate but what he thought were treasure chests were instead stock rooms for assorted items ranging from magic tools he has no clue of and varieties of unfamiliar herbs, animal parts including Beast Cores. There was even a sealed coffin containing a rotting cadaver that he was forced to contain similar dangerous looking items into one ring and he planned on disposing them later.
Having sorted out his ill-gotten wealth, he pondered on his next actions.
Remembering his fights, it was evident he got lucky they all looked down on him especially the young swordsman he encountered at the river. He could have died multiple times if those vicious attacks aimed his head but thanks to their carelessness, the table was easily turned in his favor.
At least he has now better understanding of his strength. With the combined power of his dantian and his Beast Core, he can easily crush normal cultivators and he could even overpower a Core Formation expert. As for Nascent level, he has yet to encounter one.
But what worries him is the mysterious power used by the young swordsman. Recalling how his Qi Projections were pierced by a dagger imbued by an unknown explosive energy, he is afraid he will encounter someone similar and maybe stronger and will not give him a chance to retaliate.
Clay has no clue where the young swordsman derived that destructive power but during their battle, he had a chance to use his Godly Eyes and noticed a bluish color around the young swordsman’s soul. It is his first time seeing a different color and if not because his attention being focused on killing, he probably had seen and observed it better. But so far, it is his only lead of that destructive power.
Unless, he will integrate with another Beast Core.
Earlier when he was sorting out his loot, the varieties of Beast Core he took out inspired him to install more Cores and he had been pondering if do it or wait and observe. He has yet to determine if fusing with a Beast Core has detrimental effect but aside from his body transforming to a young adult, he could not feel anything wrong, not even the slight discomfort.
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In fact, his body is brimming with energy.
Exhale!
Clay let a long sigh. With his face illuminated by the dim glow coming from the Fire Crystal, his countenance looked no different from when he almost succumbed to desperation during his brutal torture. But despite his worry, his eyes still have traces of desire to live and fight back.
Clay clenched his teeth and took out a tiny bluish crystal. Earlier and without giving much thought, he prepared Awakening Pills using the ingredients given to him by Sar Aran before they parted. He is contemplating one last time if he should integrate with another Beast Core.
Having learned from his mistake of opening up all his meridians, he would like to consult with someone to make sure there is no unexpected side effects of implanting a Beast Core to his body but the sheer idea of being abducted and tortured again makes him restless delirious he would sell his soul to the devil if it means obtaining power.
Clay touched the area where he inserted the first beast core. For the past few days, not only did it grew larger but it seem to have had fused with his bones.
It is true he could not feel anything wrong now but he has this inexplicable premonition it will harm him in the future but does he really has any option and boost his power even further?
“So be it.”
Clay cleared the hesitation in his mind and took out a bluish Awakening Pill and placed it into his mouth then waited until the pill took effect.
As he sat in meditative position, he closed his eyes and observed his meridians.
“Nothing’s changed, huh.” Similar to when he when he first took the Awakening Solution back in the underground prison, four new Qi Nodes lighted up on each of his limb. As usual, it looks overlapping but in fact, they are separate and are not touching each other as if they have their own separate space and dimension.
If there is something different, then it is the order in which they fall into.
The first time he took an Awakening Potion, it was for people with Fire Elemental Affinity and what lit up and recalling the initial Qi Nodes that lit up, it was 3RD, 8TH, 16TH, 29TH, 50TH, and 84TH.
And what lit up now after he ingested the Pill for Water Elemental Affinity is minus one on the sequence which is 2ND, 7TH, 15TH, 49TH, 83RD.
From this data, he reckons it will either +1 or +2 and even +3 if he were to ingest other Awakening Potions for metal, wood, earth and thunder.
“Let’s hope for the best.”
Having made up his mind, Clay made an incision between his between his fourth and fifth ribs and after clearing enough space, he then inserted the small bluish crystal and sent out his Qi to initiate the connection.
And similar to his initial experience, he felt the same tingling sensation all over his body which slowly turned into an extremely level of pain.
"Arrggh!"