[Name: Vlad Noname]
[Race: Fusion Mass (3) → Mimic (4)]
[Bound Talent: Blackhole]
[Refined Energy Meter: 0.1 (0.0001%)] – (Energy → Refined Energy)
[Mass: 500 lbs]
[Realm: Body Refinement 1st Layer (1%)]
[Combat Power: Body Refinement 1st Layer]
Not only had the default Energy Meter transformed into the Refined Energy Meter, but the Realm section also finally had something behind it. Moreover, his Race changed from Fusion Mass to Mimic which, according to the Panel, was a very rare and powerful race that could take on any form. They were even rumored to be capable of copying and utilizing the abilities of other races, which explained the abrupt acquisition of a cultivation base.
"I can cultivate now, so does that mean… I'm now a Cultivator!?"
Vlad was thrilled beyond belief.
In his past life, he read many Xianxia stories. In them, they described enigmatic entities that could move mountains, sweep through thousands of enemies, and flip the sea and the world with a single palm flip.
To make it more terrifying, those were just the feats of Mortal World Cultivators.
What about the immeasurable strength of higher beings – Immortals, Gods, and… beyond?
"Ah, I really can't wait to begin this exciting journey I've embarked on," Vlad smiled, his smile coming off oddly eerie and unnerving.
*Rustle, Rustle*
At the sound of rustling leaves, Vlad instantly went on alert. He shot his piercing red gaze toward a nearby grouping of bushes, readying himself for a tough battle if push came to shove.
"Who… Who are you?"
Hearing this oddly familiar voice, Vlad eased his sword-like brows. He relaxed his stance, and when the skinny Fang Ting walked out of the bushes, he was already prepared for the act he was about to put on.
"M-My head…" Vlad staggered, clutching onto his head as if a brain-melting pain was assaulting him. "I… Where is this…? How did I get here??"
When Fang Ting witnessed this scene, he quickly discarded his caution and rushed over. Before Vlad could "collapse," to the ground, he wrapped his arm around his shoulders and supported him up.
"A-Are you okay?" Fang Ting asked with concern. "Have you been attacked? You look like you hit your head pretty bad; do you remember anything??"
"I… I don't know…" Vlad struggled to look up with great difficulty, his breath haggard and his eyes flickering open and shut. "Do I… Do I know you? Do you know who I am…? Because… Because…"
"No, you don't need to say any more," Fang Ting sensed his distress and said, "How about I take you back to my place? I know a Healer in the Entry Sect; perhaps she can help you."
Originally, he came here after sensing the minor disturbance caused by Vlad's Evolution, but now he was coming back home with a naked man. This certainly wasn't what he was seeking tonight… Why couldn't it have been a naked jade beauty instead?
'Stop it, Fang Ting. This is not the time to be selfish,' he shook his head, disappointed in himself. 'There's someone in need of assistance here, and as a Disciple of the Seven Sword Sect, it's my duty to help.'
"You… You would really do that for me…?" Vlad's acting was Oscar-worthy, and continuing, he weakly said, "I-I don't want to trouble you. I can just—"
"No! Please, I insist," Fang Ting said righteously. "My place may not be very big, but it's more than large enough to accommodate another person for a day or two – even longer if need be!"
"You… What a kind soul," Vlad said with a grateful tone. As he allowed himself to be guided by Fang Ting, he inwardly thought, 'what a sucker. I know this is a cultivation world and all, but how could anyone possibly be this naïve?'
The first moment he saw Fang Ting, he knew he had the aura of a Protagonist. Perhaps the extreme level of naivety came along with the territory?
Either way, he got what he wanted: a backstory and an alibi.
[Some time later]
Lying on a simple cotton mattress with a wooden frame, Vlad found himself inside an average-sized room. The furnishings were pretty basic – and the roof had some water leakage from a recent rainfall – but overall, it was rather nice and cozy.
*Bang…*
Just then, the room's only door opened. The fresh morning light-rays bled in through a window, and with the tossing of the curtains, a stunning silhouette came into view.
The Healer that Fang Ting mentioned was the only one in the Entry Sect. In fact, the only reason she transferred to the Entry Sect from the Outer Sect in the first place was because Fang Ting was here.
Her name was Qing Yulan, meaning "Pure Jade Orchid". And she was just as beautiful as her name described her to be – with long, straight hair as silky and black as fine threads, a pair of clear blue eyes, and a voluptuous figure, only further accentuated by the tight white dress she was wearing.
When their eyes met, it felt like a pile of firecrackers went off in Vlad's head.
He had seen many beauties in his past life – whether online or otherwise – but this woman before him by far surpassed them all.
However, it wasn't that Vlad was going through the emotions because he was smitten with the woman. No, he may have found her attractive, but that wasn't it.
'This… This truly is a world of cultivation!'
For some weird reason, it took seeing the gorgeous jade beauty for this fact to truly settle in.