The young girl stirred, her eyelids fluttering open. She blinked, her gaze unfocused for a moment before settling on me.
"Hey," I said gently, a wave of relief washing over me. "You're awake."
"Yeah," she replied, her voice still weak but clear. "Thanks... for helping me."
"Oh, it's okay," I said, offering a reassuring smile.
Her brow furrowed as she glanced down at her attire. "Why are my clothes like this?" she asked, a hint of suspicion in her tone.
"Don't misunderstand," I quickly explained, my cheeks warming slightly.
"I applied a recovery cream on your wounds. It needed direct skin contact to work effectively."
"Did you... see my whole body?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, a delicate blush spreading across her face.
"Don't worry, Senior," I assured her, trying to maintain eye contact. "I closed my eyes when I applied the cream to your chest area. I swear."
She seemed to consider my words, her expression softening slightly. "My name is Yun Sha," she said, her voice gaining a little strength. "I'm from Flowers Valley Sect. What is your name?"
"My name is Zhen Huan," I replied. "And I haven't joined any sect."
"Junior Zhen," Yun Sha said, her gaze earnest. "Can I ask for your favor?"
"Yeah, you can," I replied, curious about what she would ask.
"Can you help me... killing that Wolf King?" Her voice was filled with a mixture of urgency and desperation.
"Senior," I said, a little taken aback. "I'm just at Foundation Establishment 5 level. How can I possibly kill a beast like that?"
"Oh... that's right," she murmured, her shoulders slumping slightly. "But I have to kill him, no matter what."
"And why is that?" I inquired, sensing the importance of her quest.
"Because..." she hesitated, then continued with a determined glint in her eyes, "I got poisoned during the fight. And if I want to remove the poison, I have to refine a Heart Clinging Pill. A 3-rank Wolf Heart is the main material."
"What? Really?" I pondered for a moment. "Hmm, Senior Yun, I can help you, but you have to help me with one thing first. Then I can breakthrough."
"What can I help with? Tell me," she said, her gaze hopeful.
"You just have to lure the 1-rank wolf beasts to me," I explained.
"How can that relate to your breakthrough?" she asked, a puzzled expression on her face.
"Ahmm... it's just that I want to gain more fighting experience," I stammered, not wanting to reveal the system's mechanics.
"Okay then," she agreed, though still looking slightly confused. "I'll do it."
And so, Yun Sha began to cautiously lure the 1-rank wolf beasts towards me. With Ignis in hand, I made quick work of them, gaining a steady stream of experience points. This continued for three days. Yun Sha, though still weak, diligently fulfilled her part of the bargain. By the end of it, my xp points had accumulated to a staggering 6720.
"Senior Yun," I said, a thrill of anticipation running through me. "I'm going to breakthrough. Can you protect me for a minute?"
"Of course," she replied, her gaze steady and protective.
Mentally, I addressed the system. System, how many breakthroughs can I do?
"Ding!"
Host, You can do four breakthroughs. Do you want me to proceed?
Yes, I commanded mentally, barely containing my excitement.
The familiar warm energy surged through me again, this time four times more potent. My meridians expanded, my spiritual energy soared, and I felt an immense surge of power coursing through my being. The process was intense but swift.
"Ding!"
Congratulations, Host! You have successfully reached Foundation Establishment Level 9.
Yun Sha stared at me, her mouth agape. "Wh-what the hell did you just do? How can someone breakthrough four levels continuously?" she stammered, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"Oh, it's nothing," I said casually, trying to downplay the unbelievable event.
"Ding!"
Host, Sword of Inferno has two skills. Do you want to learn them?
"Yes!" I replied eagerly.
"Ding!"
Host, there is the first skill, Inferno Slash. Do you want to learn it? Y/N
"Yes!"
"Ding!"
System took 1200 xp points.
Host, You have successfully learned the skill Inferno Slash, First level.
"First level? What is that?" I asked, confused.
"Ding!"
Inferno Slash is divided into three levels, and you have only learned the first level.
"Why didn't you just give me the full skill?" I grumbled.
"Ding!"
Host, You do not have enough xp to learn the higher levels.
"Hey, is your breakthrough done?" Yun Sha asked, still looking bewildered but regaining her composure.
"Yeah," I said, a confident grin spreading across my face. "Then let's go and kill that bastard Wolf King."