Overpowered

Despite the fact that his footsteps were almost inaudible, the wolf still heard him because of its sensitive smell and hearing, it hopped from the ground and landed on its four paws, then it began scanning its surroundings. Luke's heart skipped a beat after seeing this, he halted his movement and stayed still.

The wolf looked to all directions until its gaze landed on an inconspicuous silhouette the shape of a human. Without giving Luke the time to react, it disappeared from its spot and appeared inches away from Luke, instantly making him fall to the ground because of the gale the wolf cause with its speed. Its majestic yet terrifying aura pervaded the air, almost suffocating Luke because of its intensity.

If Luke knew that this was the type of opponent he would be facing, he would've left the area instead of fighting it. However, what's done is done, if he can't get out of his current situation, only death awaits him. Tightening his grip on his pistol, he fired at close proximity.

Before he could press the trigger, the wolf slashed it's sharp claws at Luke's right arm at an unbelievable speed. By this point, Luke was truly terrified. He was ignorant at the rankings in the cultivation world, he thought that strength from a Qi Condensation 5th level is comparable, if not close to the strength a Foundation Establishment.

Blood spurted out his arm non-stop. He wants to run but his legs don't have enough strength to even stand up, he wants to fight but he doesn't have the courage. A trace of regret, fear, anger, and pure dread could be seen in his pitch-black pupils. He remembered this feeling clear as day as if it had just happened yesterday. The feeling of being powerless, the feeling of helplessness.

Immediately after realizing that his arm was cut-off, he wanted to scream in pain but no sound would come out of his mouth. His mind was a mess, he couldn't even think of what to do to stop his arm from bleeding. He wanted to ask the system for help, but it would be futile since he couldn't even access the store, and he also doesn't have any equipment that he could use to fend off the wolf.

'What to do... What to do...'

Luke felt like he was going crazy. Even though the wolf just stood there unmoving, the amount of pressure it gives off could easily overpower Luke. If he wants to get out of this situation, he needs to think of a solution fast, if not, only death awaits him.

He didn't know if it was because of the stress he was giving to his mind or he had just gone insane, but when he blinked, he could see a green with glowing white hue particles floating in the air.

[Appraisal Eyes. Hidden Ability Unlocked. Host is now able to see Qi whenever Host activates Appraisal Eyes.]

At this point, he just wanted to curse. Although he didn't expect anything from the system, there was something hidden within his heart. He was given a system, with that fact alone, he concluded that he was some sort of protagonist, and protagonists have a thick plot armor in them that would save them in times of need. He was already at death's door, but the only 'armor' he receives is a leather cloth.

Luke sighed in disappointment, he never knew that his life would end like this. He closed his eyes and placed his hand on the ground to let the wolf know that he was safe for eating. Just as his hand touched the ground, he received a notification from the system.

[Devour the land's Qi? Yes/No]

'There is hope!'

He clicked yes and immediately afterwards, he received notifications like crazy.

[Gained 50EXP]

[Gained 50EXP]

[Gained 50EXP]

[Gained 50EXP]

...

Without hesitation, he activated the 20x and 10x exp multiplier. Although it isn't guaranteed that both would work at the same time, he still did it anyway.

[Gained 10,000EXP]

[Gained 10,000EXP]

[Gained 10,000EXP]

...

The land surrounding them began to turn pale and seemed like withering, unlike before where it looked so green and lively. Luke's eyes widen, the only emotion he felt now is excitement. He received over twenty-five notifications of gaining ten-thousand experience before it stopped. That was two-hundred-fifty thousand experience points!

[Ding! Congratulations. Host has successfully reached Foundation Establishment 2nd level.]

However, there was one key point that he missed. It was that he couldn't consecutively level up. The power brimming in his body suddenly disintegrated, if he was weak earlier, now he was truly powerless. Running out of options, he called out his inventory, 'Status!'

[--Status--]

Name: Luke Forrester

Level: 5 [Qi Condensation 5th Level]

EXP: 0/2,000

Cultivation Technique: Forbidden Devouring Scripture

Items: 29x Cultivation Manual, 32x Cultivation Manual (Foundation Establishment) 3x Cauldrons, 9x Qi Gathering Pills, 9x EXP Card multiplier x10(1 hour) 12x EXP multiplier card x20, 1x Access to Search Function card (10 seconds; pause is permitted), Strength Optimizer card (Updates the Host's strength)

Game Funds: 1,438,923(300)

Store

Luke's eyes landed on the Strength Optimizer card, without hesitation, he clicked it.

[Host's strength will be updated to Host's current cultivation. However, Host has only five minutes before the Host's strength would return back to its current state, and would need three days of rest to be able to adjust Host's body to become a Foundation Establishment. Proceed?]

'Proceed!'

He had no choice left, if he wanted to keep living, the only option he has is to accept the system's proposition. After he clicked proceed, his body was now brimming with power, he felt like he could fight anything. 'Five-minutes...'

The wolf noticed a change in the air, and it immediately became defensive. Luke got up from the ground in an instant and ran towards the wolf at full speed. He hasn't got used to the speed yet so he was a few meters away from the wolf when he ran. Still, the wolf was close to his attacking range, so he threw a kick behind him, making the wolf crash onto a tree.

"You're not so strong now, are you!?" Luke exclaimed. The anger in his heart hasn't been subsided yet. He wanted to get strong, he wanted to topple his opponents, he doesn't want to feel like an ant. The anger from the previous owner and his own were combined into one, he wanted to get revenge, and he wanted it fast.

He disappeared from his spot and grabbed the wolf in its neck, he grabbed the neck so hard that the blood coming from the wolf began flowing down his arm, "Am I that easily bullied?"

He gripped the wolf tighter that it began whimpering.

*Crack*

[Congratulations. Successfully killed Ravaging Wolf. Gained 100,000EXP]

[20x and 10x EXP boost added. Calculating... Gained twenty million EXP.]

[Congratulations, Host has successfully reached Spirit Core realm 5th Level.]

[Rewards for reaching Foundation Establishment, Core Transformation, and Spirit Core have been added to the inventory.]

Luke's eyes widen, he immediately checked his status to confirm,

[--Status--]

Name: Luke Forrester

Level: 35 [Spirit Core Realm 5th Level]

EXP: 2,870,000/5,000,000

Cultivation Technique: Forbidden Devouring Scripture

Items: 29x Cultivation Manual, 3x Cauldrons, 9x Qi Gathering Pills, 8x EXP Card multiplier x10(1 hour) 11x EXP multiplier card x20, 1x Access to Search Function card (40 seconds; pause is permitted), 3x Skill Upgrade Card, 2x Occupation Card, 3x Access to Store card, 1x Lottery draw.

Game Funds: 1,438,923(300)

Store

His heart was racing, he's happy that he leveled up to such an extent, but there was something in his heart that he couldn't point out. The fear of losing out. If he needed three days for the system to fully regulate his body and spirit, how much more would the system take to regulate his strength to that of a Spirit Core Cultivator. Luke doesn't have sufficient time, the time he has left to use the Strength Optimizer card is roughly two to three minutes.

Luke grabbed his severed arm and his pistol, then he ran back to the mountain as fast as he can. He needed to prepare for the worst.