The moment the words left my lips, a warm energy flooded my body. It started as a gentle hum deep within my core, then rapidly expanded, coursing through my veins like liquid fire, though it wasn't painful. My muscles twitched, my bones seemed to realign, and my senses sharpened. The sounds of the forest became clearer, the scent of the blossoms more vibrant, and the fiery glow of the sword in my hand intensified.
"Ding!"
Congratulations, Host! You have successfully reached Foundation Establishment Level 1.
+10 Strength
+10 Agility
+10 Intelligence
+20 MP
+5 HP Regen/minute
Another window popped up, displaying my updated stats:
STATUS WINDOW
Name: Zhen Huan
Level: Foundation Establishment 1
Title: None
HP: 120/120
MP: 20/120
Strength: 20
Agility: 18
Intelligence: 19/20
Charm: 90/100
Luck: ???
Skills:- None
"Whoa!" I exclaimed, flexing my fingers. I could feel a tangible difference. A newfound strength thrummed within me, and my mind felt clearer, sharper. "So this is cultivation... it feels... amazing!"
I looked at the fiery sword in my hand, a sense of connection forming between us. It pulsed with a restrained power, eager to be unleashed. "So, this must be the first of the Seven Ruthless Swords," I mused aloud. "The Sword of Fire..."
"Ding!"
Wrong. The name of the First Sword is 'Ignis'. It possesses immense fire elemental power.
"Ignis..." I repeated, the name rolling off my tongue. It suited the blade perfectly.
"Wow," I breathed, clenching my fists. The power surging through me was exhilarating. "System, tell me how I'll get more xp points."
The system remained silent for a moment.
"Hey, tell me something," I prompted.
Silence again.
"You fucking bastard, system, tell me something!" I snapped, my patience wearing thin.
A jolt of pure electricity shot through my body, making my muscles spasm. "Ah!" I cried out, collapsing to the ground.
"Hey, sorry! I won't say that again!" I gasped, my body still tingling.
The thumbs-up symbol reappeared in my vision.
"Yeah, hahaha, now with the help of the system, I'll become invincible! Hahaha!" I declared, my earlier frustration forgotten. "So, system, what's next? Where do I find the second sword?"
"Ding!"
Host is not in range of the Second Sword.
Hint:- The Second Sword slumbers where water meets the sky, guarded by the tears of a fallen beast.
"Wtf is this? I'm not good at puzzles. I'll leave it for later," I grumbled, dismissing the cryptic clue.
"Ding!"
Host, Sword Of Inferno has two techniques. Do you want to learn them?
"What? Yeah, I want to!"
"Ding!"
Host, you do not have enough points to learn techniques.
"What? Then why did you even tell me?" I retorted, annoyed by the system's inconsistent behavior.
The system simply displayed the nodding symbol again.
Deciding to ignore the elusive second sword for now, I began to explore the area. Zhen Huan's memories painted a picture of a solitary life as a woodcutter, with no family ties. As I ventured deeper into the surrounding wilderness, I came across a section of the forest marked with a crude warning sign. Curiosity overriding caution, I stepped past the boundary
"Ding!"
Host, Forest has a 3/5 star difficulty for your current cultivation.