As Jin Yu tried to pick up the trembling elven boy, a flurry of arming chimes burst in his ears like warning bells before a storm.
Ding!
Influence +2,000( killing intent)
Ding!
Influence +1,000 (Killing intent)
Ding!
Influence +3,000 (murderous aura)
Ding!
Influence +4,000 (Hatred)
Ding!
Influence +6,000 (Hatred)
What?! Their parents are nearby? And five of them?
Well… what do I expect? Of course they’d show up. But whatever’s coming today, I can't show weakness.
Only a strong front keeps predators at bay. My father's not here to protect me so I have to be the beast.
He drew a deep breath and released the child, slowly rising to his full height. His hand ran through his tousled hair as he tossed it back. With arms folded and chin high, he stared into the forest.
It looked empty.
But an eerie stillness lingered... it wasn’t natural. It was the kind of quiet that pressed on the skin like cold metal.
Ding!
Influence +2,000
Ding!
Influence +1,000
Ding!
Influence +3,000
Ding!
Influence +4,000
Ding!
Influence +7,000
Looks like they all hate humans down to their bones. But this st one, did I sughter your entire bloodline or what?!
He scoffed and took a step forward, voice ringing out with casual menace.
“Really? Are you just going to hide like cowards while I roast your kids?”
Jin Yu said loudly, arms still folded, voice zy but taunting .
For a second, the forest paused –literally paused, as if stunned by the audacity
Then the fury erupted again in full force
Ding!
Influence +3,000
Ding!
Influence +2,000
Ding!
Influence +4,000
Ding!
Influence +5,000
Ding!
Influence +8,000
(Emotion provoked: Killing Intent)
A violent wave of killing intent surged through the forest, thick enough to feel on his skin. From the east, green mist began to rise, rolling forward like an angry tide.
The children on the floor lit up with excitement at the familiar mist, about to cheer, but when the mist reached them, before they could –one by one, they all fainted, head hitting the ground like puppets who had their strings cut.
Holy shit!
That must be the most furious of them all. And this pressure… it's real.
Wait...is he trying to knock me out with this mist?
The green fog coiled around Jin Yu's ankles, slithered up his legs and wrapped around his chest. It was cold, yet didn't freeze. Heavy, yet didn’t crush.
But it didn’t do anything.
Huh?
Jin Yu blinked.
I feel fine…
He looked around at the kids who were all unconscious, then looked at himself again.
And it clicked.
Ah! my innate ability!
Immunity to Invading Qi. Looks like it works even against this kind of spiritual suppression. Very, very good.
A sly grin tugged at his lips.
If this mist is meant to suppress or attack the soul... it can't touch me. Which means...
He opened his interface, heart pounding with anticipation.
[Dominion Protocol Interface]
Name: Jin Yu
Core Attribute: influence
Physique: 30
Internal Strength: 30
Spiritual Technique: Uninitialized
Qi Affinity: Holy Qi
Cultivation Technique: Sanctum Sword Technique {Peak stage}
Trait: Invading Qi immunity
Influence Points: 72,500
What the?!
His heart skipped when he saw the influence points, and they were still climbing
Influence Points: 91,500
Influence Points: 112,500
Shit.
This is insane. But... perfect .
This mist is getting thicker by the second, if I'm going to break through, it's now or never.
He focused. His heart pounded like war drums in his chest.
Physique, Raise!
Ding!
—3,000
—3,000
—3,000
—3,000
—3,000
He smmed the [+] sign mentally over and over and the number leapt rapidly which jolted his body with raw energy.
It was like the marrow of his bones was being reforged.
His muscles tightened and skin stretched over new density.
He didn’t stop, the number kept jumping.
When Physique reached 40, he felt the difference immediately.
The mist, once curling zily, now recoiled slightly from his body. He took in a breath and the air felt richer, the world a bit slower.
But he wasn't done.
Having learnt from st mistakes, he didn't touch internal strength yet. His body had to be strong enough to absorb the surge of power.
Once sure his body had adjusted, he pressed again.
Internal Strength, Raise!
Ding!
—3,000
—3,000
—3,000
—3,000
With each tap, his inner channels expanded like tunnels reinforced with divine steel. The energy in his dantian churned faster and denser.
And then—Crack!
His body jerked.
It wasn't pain, but transformation.
His spine popped in a rhythm that echoed through the mist. His chest swelled, shoulders broadened, and his heartbeat thundered like it was trying to shake the sky.
He was changing.
No, he was ascending.
Goosebumps swept his skin. His whole body vibrated with power. Every fiber screamed More.
He was on the edge. His blood had become fire. His muscles wanted to burst, but held tight. The mist now spun around him like a vortex, confused and unwilling to get close.
But he wasn’t done.
Next stage. I want it now. I want fifth stage.
He gritted his teeth.
Physique, Raise!
Ding!
—40,000
Internal Strength, Raise!
Ding!
—40,000
The transformation this time was different.
He felt himself crack open, like a shell being discarded.
His bones shimmered inside his flesh. His senses exploded and he could feel the ants moving beneath the leaves, hear sap flowing in distant trees.
The mist? Gone. Vaporized around him like he was a sun in human form.
Every part of him felt new.
Rebuilt and reborn.
This… this is what it feels like to peak of Mortal Realm.
This is the Mortal Realm for real now.
A deep breath filled his lungs. When he exhaled, it came out like steam.
He opened his interface again.
------------
[Dominion Protocol Interface]
Name: Jin Yu
Core Attribute: influence
Physique: 50 [Peak stage Mortal realm reached]
Internal Strength: 50 [Peak stage Mortal realm reached]
Spiritual Technique: Uninitialized
Qi Affinity: Holy Qi
Cultivation Technique: Sanctum Sword Technique {Peak stage}
Trait: Invading Qi immunity
Influence Points: 2,700
--------------
The green mist parted for him, and silence returned.
But it wasn’t peaceful.
It was awed.
Jin Yu looked toward the source of the killing intent and spoke softly, but with force.
“Alright. Anyone else wanna try knocking me out?”