Preparations for the Third Test 1

After purchasing the Raiju bloodline, Shin noticed he still had 20,000 SP remaining. He decided to browse for other worthwhile items, but after thoroughly checking all the categories, he couldn't find anything appealing. Ultimately, he saved the remaining points until after the third test.

Shin entered the small house and headed straight to the bedroom. He sat cross-legged on the bed and took a few deep breaths to calm himself and prepare mentally. Once in the right state of mind, he began circulating the ambient mana through his entire body and lucid mana heart.

***

-5 days later-

After five days of continuous energy circulation, Shin faced a significant obstacle on his path to entering the Initial Mortal realm: opening every meridian within his body. While he had successfully unlocked 149 meridians, the final one remained elusive. This particular meridian, encircling the brain, posed the greatest danger. Yet, its potential benefits were equally immense. Notably, not everyone could fully open it going beyond 70% risked peril. However, as the saying goes, greater risk yields greater rewards. The further one opened this meridian, the sharper their brain functioned, it also significantly enhanced the speed at which one could learn new techniques and grasp new concepts, and the greater the benefits for their future cultivation.

Determined to fully open the final meridian, Shin reflected on his past life. Back then, he had only managed to open it 75% because in the abyss, achieving a breakthrough in peace was virtually impossible. This time, however, he was resolved to unlock its full potential, knowing it would vastly enhance his abilities and accelerate his path to greatness.

After meticulous last-minute preparations, Shin began to channel his mana through the meridian. Time blurred as seconds stretched into minutes, minutes into hours. Finally, after a day of unwavering focus, he fully opened his last meridian, officially stepping into the initial mortal realm.

[Host has entered the Initial Mortal realm]

Upon viewing the system prompt, Shin smiled, content with his progress. In just over six days, he had already reached the initial mortal realm a pace far exceeding his expectations. This rapid advancement was likely due to his new bloodlines, which had significantly accelerated his growth.

After taking a brief break to eat, Shin felt rejuvenated. Though he didn't need food to survive, going without it for six days had been tough. Until reaching the Lord Realm, one must actively absorb mana to sustain oneself, a process that demands significant concentration and effort.

With his energy replenished, Shin returned to his cultivation. He planned to dedicate an entire month solely to cultivating, aiming to strengthen his foundation as much as possible. Following this intense period of cultivation, he intended to focus on developing his skills and mastering his affinities. This methodical approach would ensure that he not only advanced in realms but also became proficient in using his newfound powers. Determined and focused, Shin resumed his cultivation.

***

-10 days later-

Shin sensed the bottleneck for advancing to the next minor realm began to loosen. He now only needed to widen every meridian in his body to twice its size compared to the Initial stage. He was nearing completion, but once more, the main hurdle lay in the meridian encircling his brain. Enhancing this meridian would provide substantial advantages in his cultivation journey. Just like last time, he didn't have to fully widen this meridian; breaking through with it 50% completed would suffice. But Shin isn't settling for mediocrity; he aims to reach the pinnacle in this lifetime, so he's pushing to achieve the full 100%.

A day of intense cultivation passed, and he finally succeeded in fully widening the last meridian.

[Host has broken through to the Beginner Mortal realm]

A sense of accomplishment washed over him when he saw the system notification, filling him with pride and satisfaction. Feeling refreshed from the breakthrough, he decided to take a quick break. He enjoyed a relaxing bath and then treated himself to a hearty meal, savoring every bite as a reward for his hard work.

Now that he had widened every meridian, the focus shifted to strengthening them in the next three minor realms. Interestingly, not everyone placed equal emphasis on this phase. Some rushed through, not realizing its crucial role until deeper into cultivation. However, the stronger the meridians, the faster mana could circulate throughout the body. This fundamental enhancement was vital for future progress in his cultivation journey.

After his break, Shin returned to cultivating with renewed determination. He resolved, "No more breaks until the month is over. Then, I'll take a day or two to rest and start working on my affinities."

***

-14 days later-

On the last day of his dedicated cultivation period, Shin achieved a breakthrough into the Intermediate Mortal Realm.

[Host has broken through to the Intermediate Mortal Realm]

He felt immensely satisfied with his progress.

After a month of rigorous cultivation, Shin successfully advanced through three minor realms. Now, he faced the crucial decision of which affinities to develop for the upcoming confrontations with multiple enemies.

***

The gatekeeper observed Shin's actions in the void with immense admiration for his rapid cultivation speed. Even more surprising was the revelation from the guardian spirit that Shin had awakened another affinity during his stay. This occurrence puzzled the gatekeeper because, in the vast cosmos, he had never heard of anyone awakening additional affinities after their initial ceremony. Without any extremely precious natural treasures.

In light of this unprecedented event, the gatekeeper began to pay closer attention to Shin. He decided to offer some benefits to make a favorable impression, hoping that Shin would consider joining his master's academy as either a student or a teacher after leaving Strevovis.

***

While resting for a day, Shin contemplated which affinities to train for the third test. After careful consideration, he ultimately chose poison, space, lightning, and light to ensure a balanced and effective strategy.

poison: Primarily for offense, providing potent attacks against enemies.

Space: Versatile, offering offense, defense, and enhanced mobility.

Lightning: Effective for both offense and mobility, allowing quick strikes and rapid movement.

Light: Essential for defense, self-sustain, and healing, ensuring durability and resilience.

Shin believed this combination offered the best balance, taking into account his bloodline abilities and skills from his previous life. This strategic choice would maximize his chances of successfully completing the test.

After deciding which affinities to develop, he stepped outside to begin honing them. First, he focused on refreshing his familiarity with his abyssal affinity. He allowed the mana stored in his mana heart to flow through his body, envisioning a scythe crafted purely from his mana, transformed by abyssal magic.

-10 minutes later-

He finished creating the scythe, and what emerged was a weapon of pure dread. The handle, a deep, inky black, absorbed all light that touched it, giving it an otherworldly sheen. The blade, a striking blood-red, seemed to pulse with sinister energy as if imbued with the essence of countless battles and untold suffering. The entire weapon exuded an eerie, malevolent aura, making the air around it feel heavy and oppressive. It felt almost alive, radiating an unsettling presence that sent chills down Shin's spine. The scythe was a harbinger of disaster, a terrifying reminder of the abyssal power he wielded.

Despite having used this scythe many times before, its appearance never failed to send a shiver down his spine. Each glance at the ominous weapon was a stark reminder of the dark forces at his command and the price of wielding such immense power. In the abyss, he had lost his sanity multiple times, succumbing to the overwhelming darkness. However, with the evolution of his Abyssal Devourer bloodline to its pinnacle, he had become immune to its corrupting influence. Now, he could harness its power without fear, fully aware of the fine line he walked between control and chaos.

He slashed with the scythe upwards in a powerful fluid motion. As the blade cut through the air a wave of ominous dark energy erupted forth slicing through multiple trees in its way. The arc of the slash was swift and precise leaving a trail of eerie, pulsating darkness in its wake.