V2 Chapter 7

“What does it say?”

Lafetti asked. No matter how long she looks at the words written in the book, she just couldn’t understand the language. It's a very strange language. One that she had never seen before. It's not even the language of any human kingdom on the continent.

“It says, [Cultivating Body Refinement],”

Rain said the words written in English.

“Is this a combat technique?” he wondered.

But what does it mean [Cultivating Body Refinement]? Why does it sound very xianxia-like? I thought this was a western-magic-esque novel?

When did the author start changing ships to Xianxia? Is the author’s brain still intact?

Frowning in suspicion, he continued to flip the pages.

“….Many experiments, trials, and errors, and attempts had been made just to recreate the knowledge of Innate Force widely used and practiced by Martial Artists in the world. However, since most of them are only known scarcely by a few people, there had never been any apparent success. However, a breakthrough occurred…”

As Rain reads the first passage of the strange book, suddenly a familiar notification chime rang inside his mind.

[Do you wish to learn [Body Refining Skill]? Yes or No]

His eyes widened in surprise.

What the hell?! This kind of thing also happens?! And what the hell is a [Body Refining Skill]?

[…There were two primary paths of training to become an Immortal.

The first was in Internal Energy Refining. This is the way of the martial artists, and 70% of those who trained to become an Immortal chose this path. This path allowed one to use many mysterious Immortal treasures, create complicated golems, control large amounts of deadly magical beasts, develop powerful magical formations, and also use some extremely vile techniques…in a word; this was an extremely glorious and profound path that uses both mystical arts alongside martial Arts.

The other path was in Body Refining.

A direct method that only deals with strengthening one’s body as a focus. A body that is capable of withstanding any kind of attack and power, one that can best the strength of Hercules, the toughness of Achilles, or the invincible body that the Stone Monkey possesses. One that can withstand any tribulations using only one’s body as a support, and possesses the power to break mountains and split rivers. This is the cultivation to obtain an incredible physique that even Gods would cower and make them kneel.

In this world, although increasing one’s level enhanced the physical body and constitution but there will always be limits, and the base of the Gods would never be reached no matter how high your level is. Humans are restricted by nature and cursed by Gods, that no matter what they do, they would never be able to reach the level of Gods. Even those who had luckily reached the level of God in their respective professions such as the Magic God and the Sword God are actually vastly inferior to that of a real God. And still remained mortal. And thus, we had developed this “Asura Body Refining Technique” after a long time of trial and error, and experiments using innate force and magical power, to break through those shackles that bind us and limit one’s potential.

Basing on the eastern mythology of Immortals that can go against the heavens to pave their own destiny, this Body Refining Technique was born.

Practicing this cultivation would allow possessing bodies on par with the Gods—Indestructible bodies, possession of boundless strength, regenerating from a single drop of blood, immortal and undying… these all belonged to the Immortal Body Refining Technique…]

A blue translucent screen appeared in front of Rain, depicting a brief explanation from the strange book. And the more he read the more his eyes widened in shock and he couldn’t believe what he was reading.

Holy fu*k! This is really a Cultivation Technique to become an Immortal. And what does it mean, by having a body transcending that of a God?

Is this skill allows a human to literally become a God?

“Rain? What does it say?”

Lafetti asked in interest after seeing Rain’s strange, but somewhat excited expression.

“This seemed to be a body refining cultivation technique,”

“A body cultivation technique?”

“Hm, one that allows one to possess an ability to cultivate one’s physique and body, making it really powerful that even Gods would cower against it, or so it says,”

“That’s quite a claim…but is it real?”

Hearing his words, not only Lafetti but also Granite and even Scarlet was shocked. Then from shock turned into excitement. After all, this kind of powerful technique, who wouldn’t want it?

But... does that kind of godly technique really exists?

“I don’t know,”

Rain said with a wry smile.

“But we can always try,”

After saying that, without hesitation, he focused his gaze on the ‘Yes’ icon and it immediately dyed in red color. Then, the book started glowing with golden light. Under such a bright light, Rain couldn’t help but use his other hand and covered his eyes.

He almost couldn’t open his eyes due to the strong light. Suddenly, the golden light congealed together and shot towards his forehead. In that instant, he felt something was invading his mind—no, not something, but rather, an endless flow of knowledge surged into his brain violently. Furthermore, it was so strong that it couldn’t be stopped.

Rain didn’t even have the time to react as his brain was stuffed with strange knowledge to the brim. On the other side, the book was still emitting a strong light, like there was still even more knowledge to be transmitted.

At this moment, his mind seemed to understand countless things, but unfortunately, unable to comprehend them. He couldn’t grab the main knowledge and was unable to understand clearly the knowledge he had learned.

Just, what is this?!

Now, Rain was in a situation where he seemed to understand, but not to understand—seemed clear but not too clear, such a confused state.

Aside from this strange knowledge forcing itself into his mind, inside his body, there seemed to be a change as well. It seemed like something had awakened. It felt like a mysterious power that had slept inside him for all this while was awakened.

The revelation seemed like heralds of angels singing at heaven’s gate, causing Rain to tremble all over. However, he who was silently enduring it, suddenly inside this golden light, he vaguely saw a fuzzy picture.

In the picture, a black-haired man wearing a long black fur coat, with his hem fluttering in the wind, standing at the peak of a tall, mountain of corpses.

Rooooooaaarrr!!

A beast-like roar across the battlefield, the miasma of iron hanging in the air, dry grit spreading through the mouth, the blood, red dyeing the land.

A blurry image—All around, the feeling of blood gushing, the sounds of clanking metals, and the stench of blood and sweat—almost realistic enough that one can hear, smell, taste and see clearly within it.

Finally, the feel of a sword gripped in his hand. The sword in his hand feels shockingly familiar. So much so that it feels like an extension of his body. The nostalgic sword with a dazzling mirror-like body—his beloved partner that had accompanied him for over a hundred years was once again now dyed the same blood red as the land.

With a cold face, and eyes, fighting alone on the battlefield, without companions.

Literally, one against the multitude.

Facing waves of the enemies, he was always mechanically killing, killing, killing—

Devoted fully to swinging his sword, he had already long lost count of his kills. Unclad in armor but protected by a red aura as dazzling like the sun; with titanic strength, he crashed through the battleground like a hurricane.

Even so, whether the death was in front of him or not, his attitude remains calm and unhurried. As if he was a monster that’s only fulfilling his killing nature—the beastly nature that had within him…!

Countless dots of red light amassed towards the sword, transforming into a gigantic golden sword image that surged towards the sky. Bangs that split in the middle rolled down the two sides of his pale, almost sickly, cold face. His icy-blue eyes flashed a killing intent, and he brandished his sword towards the heaven and earth while shouting something unknown!

The sword landed, and the heaven and earth that was filled with red light exploded. Every living creature of darkness in the world was reduced to smithereens instantly by the beautiful, crimson light—but then it was stopped by the sudden appearance of a figure with beautiful golden hair.

She was exceptionally beautiful. The kind of beauty that could no longer be described with words, and any praising flowery language would only undermine her looks.

Perhaps using 'a beauty that brings calamity to an empire and the people' could barely use to describe her beauty.

Those silks and satin-like golden hair as if each strand was molded from pure gold, and those sea-like deep blue eyes, and that fine and exquisite facial features, every one of them was God's masterpiece.

With a beautiful and gentle smile hanging on her face, she looks at the cold, killing monster of a man standing, while holding his sword. The moment she landed on the ground, right in front of him, her thin, alluring lips move:

“…for you, alone…I make the world kneel…!”

Although his ears couldn’t hear it, his heart heard the “voice” very clearly.

Indeed, a mysterious power was calling to himself from within his body. But he didn’t understand what it meant and only heard the mysterious power call.

It was such a unique experience, the voice sounding even more heavenly than an angel’s song, immersing him deep within. That kind of beautiful voice can move a person’s soul, like a mother’s lullaby you heard when you are sick as a kid. Thousands of words would not be able to describe that feeling…

What, what the heck is all this?

The golden light engulfing him slowly disappeared, returning back into the book, barely shining in between his fingers and the book itself.

The silence returned as the mysterious image disappeared.

Groggy, Rain slowly opened his eyes. But this time, for some strange reason, his original blue pupils that could cause people to palpitate had changed into silverish purple ones. Along with his vertical eyebrows which were vertical due to his frown, he looked like he had changed into a different person entirely.

[You have successfully learned [Body Refining Methods]!]

Suddenly, a notification chime rang out snapping him back into reality, muddle-headed. Then, he became calm again and his silverish-purple pupils also changed back to their original color.

When he looked around him after coming back to his senses, he was met with deeply concerned gazes from his companions.

“Are you okay?”

Lafetti looked at Rain with a strange expression on her face. Just a moment ago, she felt that something was wrong with him, and couldn’t help but get worried.

“What are you…? Dizzy?”

“No, but let me guess, you didn’t see any light, did you?”

Rain smiled wryly as he looks at Lafetti who was looking at him, bewildered. And from their expression, one can easily infer that they didn’t suffer any kind of blindness after that incredible light show.

“What light?”

As expected Lafetti responded with a cute tilt in her head. Though Rain wanted to laugh seeing her so incredibly cute, she would certainly take it as if he was playing with her, and will surely be annoyed, hence, he tried to endure not to laugh. But it was very hard for him to hold it in.

He shook his head with a wry smile, and then suddenly leaned over, taking the initiative to kiss her lips.

“It’s nothing; I’m just surprised about the book.”

Lafetti smiled sweetly, and her lips curved almost into a grin. Granite and Scarlet who was watching from the side couldn’t help but somewhat feel jealous.

Rain’s love and affection, both of them also coveted it. But knowing Lafetti’s personality, it would surely be difficult for them to suddenly barge in between them, especially in moments like this when they are entering their own pink world.

They could only keep their mouth shut and watched as they, themselves slowly drunk their jar of vinegar to comfort their own hearts.

They flirted for a while, hugging and kissing before Rain started explaining all the things he knows about the book, and the [Body Refining Method]. Then, he gave the book to Lafetti, wanting her to try if the game-like feature of learning something instantly would work for her.

However, even after he tried to let them enact what he did, nothing still works.

Whether the language is the problem or the fact that only humans who can use the Game features of the Dungeon as a Trial can do it. Nevertheless, Rain had decided to might as well just try and teach them, since the game system didn’t work for them.

The only concern that he had was the vague image he had seen at that moment, of integrating the skill. However, for some reason, no matter what he does, or works his brain, he seemed to have forgotten about it.

It was fleeting, as if just passing inside his head, without even stopping for a moment, to leave a mark or a footprint inside his memories—even his [Perfect Memory] due to Sylphy Systema was unable to help at all.

What’s the matter?

He knows he had seen something there but just couldn’t remember what it was.

It felt as if it was the very tip of his tongue but just couldn’t recall whatever it is.

It gave him an unfathomable feeling of an illusion. It was like a bare-naked beauty was standing right in front of him, but she just had to be behind a glass wall. No matter how much he stretched out his hand wanting to grab her, he was unable to…

The only thing that he could be sure of was that this cultivation book must be hiding some kind of secret from him. He just could not dig it out right now.

However, since he couldn’t remember anything, he could only set it aside for now. In any case, it might have just been a fragment of memory left by the owner of the book. Now, with his mind clear and bright, his focus turned towards the content of the mysterious book; [Body Refining Method] he had just learned.

In fact, it was not actually a skill, or ability—at least, not yet. The fact that it didn’t disappear after learning it like in Games, showed the fact that it was not a simple skill. Even in his skill status, there was no [Body Refining Method Skill] present.

What Rain had obtained from the book was knowledge!

Knowledge about different kinds of Methods for Body Refining. To say in a simple way, the book was like an inheritance.

Roughly a dozen methods had been transferred inside his mind, and all the knowledge and information he needed to know for Body Refining had been obtained by him and stored within him.

Of course, only those that could be read inside the book. And so, even without it, one just needed to read the book again to know those methods. The only difference is that the book didn’t explain most cultivation terms that can only be found in the Chinese History of Knowledge as well as Cultivation World.

Even if one can read the book, they would still have a hard time learning the method and skills written within.

Would a layman know the pressure points of the body? What about the meridians? Do you know about it? What about the Spirit Qi? And so on.

However, the inheritance in the book that had passed on Rain had introduced those things, very, very important things to him, and gave him that knowledge.

It seems like the creator of the book had already predicted that whoever found this book and gain the inheritance would certainly not be a person of Huaxia. In fact, the people who made this book might not actually be people of Hua. After all, why write in English, and not Mandarin?

Though, of course, it's not like helpless as well. As with the help of his [All-Language Comprehension] and Sylphy’s support, at most 60-70% of the knowledge of the book had been understood by him. However, the more he tried to analyze the knowledge he had obtained, the more he knows that it actually is not what he thought it to be.

He thought it would be an Immortal Cultivation like those in Xianxia and Wuxia novels, but actually, it’s not. Although there were several similarities, perhaps due to the fact that the creator of this technique was just imitating it, they still based them on the nature and law of Magic Power.

Unlike in cultivation novels, magic power is the one used to nourished and cultivate the body, instead of Qi, or other types of energy. The only thing that is similar to Immortal Cultivation is the method of cultivating the body.

Like circulating magic power through the meridians in one’s body in a particular manner, or like requiring to be struck by lightning to temper one’s physique and so on.

In the knowledge passed by him, Rain saw several Body refining Techniques, which seemed incredible but actually, many had adverse effects on the cultivator’s body or mentality. And most of all, they needed incredible arduous cultivation and many resources.

Though, I can't help but feel that the one who created this technique is someone with a huge eight-grade syndrome... Rain let out a wry smile. He actually saw several similar techniques and skills which had been integrated into cultivation that could be seen taken and replicated straight from fiction and comics. Even from anime, there were also some techniques that you can point out among the cultivation skills listed.

Well, trying to replicate cultivation in a fantasy-themed world, that guy already has some loose screws in the head.

But despite being retarded, the one who created this technique...is also a genius as well.

That is something that cannot be denied.

After a long time of analyzing each and every technique, Rain finally chooses the best he believed was out of many cultivation methods. And it was none other than the so-called- [Heavenly Dragon Devouring World] technique.

It’s a method that resembled his [Predation] ability, cultivating mainly through eating monsters and beasts, and absorbing their essences.

Unlike [Predation] ability, it didn’t steal skill or abilities, however, it uses the absorbed essences to nourished and temper one’s physique.

But the problem was that to complete the first realm of the Cultivation Technique, one needed to eat and drink the flesh of a true Dragon. The essence absorbed from the Dragon blood and flesh will be used to temper the cultivator’s body until the cultivator will be able to possess the Dragon Physique, able to devour anything. Otherwise, the physical body would only be mediocre, stopping at the [Lesser Dragon Body] limit.

Truthfully, he was hesitant for quite a while. Although the training speed isn’t fast, much slower compared to the other Cultivation Methods, once training and cultivation are successfully completed, then [Heavenly Dragon Devouring World] technique is without a doubt the strongest!

And besides, Rain didn’t know whether he could hunt and eat a Dragon later, which was said to be one of the strongest races in the world. How could anyone easily hunt such a monster?

Even still, after long careful consideration, he still chooses it in the end.

After all, the [Heavenly Dragon Devouring World] is the only technique that Rain could see that most suited for him. After all, he had the skill [Predation] which works even better than [Heavenly Dragon Devouring World] technique.

With the support of [Predation], he was certain that he would not have any problem cultivating the said method. And perhaps, he might even able to hasten his cultivation faster than normal. In addition, there would also no fear of the adverse effects, such as having his mentality be corroded by beast will after eating so many monsters and beasts.

The [Predation] skill would surely help him greatly with this technique.