Chapter 2 Mutation

Su Heng's body tingled as if electrified, a wave of numbness spreading throughout, accompanied by an indescribably comfortable feeling.

Then, in the span of a single breath, Su Heng's body temperature began to rise, his skin reddening like that of a boiled shrimp. Thick beads of sweat formed on his forehead, his loose training clothes now soaked and clinging to his figure, highlighting the contours of his body.

It was clearly visible.

As Su Heng rapidly lost weight, his slightly plump body visibly shrank. His arms, legs, abdomen, and chest began to showcase prominent, robust, and powerfully masculine muscle definition.

The sweat evaporated in the heat emanating from his body, leaving flame-like, dancing shadows under the bright sunlight.

The thick veins within his body stirred and tensed, emitting sounds akin to a taut longbow with each of Su Heng's prolonged breaths.

From Su Heng's perspective, the changes occurring inside his body were even more astonishing. Tiny veins grew, spreading like forking tree roots into muscles that were normally difficult to train, allowing him to mobilize more strength.

He was already nineteen this year, and logically, his body should not be growing rapidly anymore.

But now,

Su Heng could distinctly feel his body undergoing a second growth that defied common sense, feeling a tingling numbness as this high-speed growth persisted for several hours.

When Su Heng finally reopened his eyes, the sky outside had dimmed, and he could even see a few fiery red clouds scattered across the horizon.

"How long have I been here?" Su Heng wondered in surprise.

He immediately noticed the changes in his body, having shed a great deal of fat, and felt incredibly light from head to toe. The training clothes that had fit him well before now hung loose.

Especially when he subconsciously clenched his fists, the muscles in his arms tensing, he could clearly see veins as thick as chains tightly woven together, resembling the sculpted likeness of temple guardians, the sense of vigorous power radiating from within.

He looked around.

Coming to the tea table, Su Heng picked up the porcelain cup he had used earlier.

Clenching his teeth, his thick fingers slowly exerted force, and a crisp cracking sound emanated from his palm—shattering the porcelain cup with a crash, and fine white shards trickled down his fingers, accumulating in a small pile on the table.

"Such power," Su Heng's pupils contracted slightly as he pondered.

Though the cup was roughly made, it was exceedingly hard. If he could crush a clay-made porcelain cup, breaking an adult's skull with a single punch would be effortless. He could even bludgeon fierce beasts like tigers, leopards, and bears to death.

Is such power truly still within the realm of the mundane?

Su Heng opened his attribute panel.

In the section for cultivation techniques, Pure Yang Skill had reached the sixth level.

Moreover, an additional category for realm had appeared on the panel, displaying simple content.

[Vein Mutation: 3%]

"Pretty much what I expected," Su Heng stroked his chin, a complete framework forming within his mind. Reaching the sixth layer of Pure Yang Skill marked an entirely different realm, even touching upon bodily mutation, or rather, a second growth that could elicit strength far beyond that of ordinary people.

This advancement normally required a unique "catalyst" for stimulation, but Su Heng bypassed this stage entirely through the use of attribute points, forcibly breaking through. Of course, the end results were roughly the same.

But...

Su Heng wondered if there were others within the Great Zhou Dynasty who had also reached the same realm.

Moreover, what exactly was the "catalyst" needed for Pure Yang Skill? He had investigated Ning Zhibai, who was indeed a true inheritor of Pure Yang Skill and had once served in the residence of an important figure in the county city. Otherwise, Su Heng would not have chosen to practice at Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall, casually spending large amounts of silver.

Even Ning Zhibai, a true inheritor, didn't know what the "catalyst" was, let alone the higher realms of Pure Yang Skill.

Why had these legacies been cut off?

Could it be that some change had occurred in this world?

Su Heng's mind involuntarily began to wander, but then he detected a strong scent of sweat on himself.

"It's getting late; I should head home," Su Heng thought. Losing himself in martial arts practice all day, in Mr. Su's eyes, was an irresponsible act. Although he didn't take it too seriously, arriving home too late would inevitably lead to a scolding, and that would be annoying.

Su Heng dismissed further thoughts.

Leaving the practice room, he washed himself simply in a secluded courtyard before changing back into his regular clothes. As Su Heng reached the entrance hall, he found Ning Wantong with her sleeves rolled up, sitting on a small wooden stool, washing vegetables in a wooden basin.

Looking up, Ning Wantong tucked a few stray strands of hair behind her ears and, smiling, spoke to Su Heng, "Will you join us for dinner at the martial arts hall?"

"Thanks, but no thanks," Su Heng declined with a shake of his head.

He noticed Ning Wantong's gaze remained fixed on him, prompting his curiosity, "What's wrong, is there something dirty on my face?"

"No..."

With a warm and candid smile, Ning Wantong spoke, "I feel like you've changed a bit."

"What's different about me?" Su Heng asked, looking at her with curiosity on his face.

At this moment, the setting sun bathed Su Heng's robust and towering frame in a fiery red glow.

In fairness, his looks were not extraordinarily handsome. However, with thick brows and large eyes, sun-kissed skin, and slightly curled long hair draped over his shoulders, he exuded an air of health and masculinity. A breeze came by, causing his black robe to flutter, outlining the strong muscles and pronounced sinews beneath.

"You seem sturdier than before, and there's also an indescribable fragrance about you," Ning Wantong flicked the droplets of water from her hands, giving him a careful look before she spoke earnestly.

...

Creak creak.

The wheels rolled over the stone pavement as Su Heng rode in the carriage heading home.

At dusk, street vendors and stall owners along the road gradually packed up to go home, and there were fewer pedestrians, with wisps of cooking smoke rising from the white brick and grey tiled residences on both sides. Turning a corner and passing by a residence, Su Heng heard a muffled hubbub of discussion.

The voices were deliberately suppressed, unclear as if in fear of something, as though scared to disturb some entity.

"Hmm?"

The carriage came to a stop, Su Heng opened his eyes, a puzzled look on his face, "What happened?"

After a moment, the driver Li Si's voice, full of shock and uncertainty, came from outside, "Young Master, it seems that another drowned body has been found."

"Another drowned body?" Su Heng's eyebrows knit together, sensing that something was amiss.

Although the current Great Zhou Dynasty wasn't exactly bright and unblemished, murders were scarce, especially within a single day, discovering two drowned bodies one after the other was highly unusual.

"Let's go down and take a look," Su Heng immediately said.

Bypassing the onlookers, Su Heng and Li Si entered the residence.

The tidiness of the double-entry residence was unremarkable, a lush locust tree planted in the center of the courtyard, under which stood a square well. The drowned body that had been pulled out lay on a bamboo mat near the well.

"Ah!"

Su Heng heard a small gasp from Li Si beside him.

Li Si was usually composed, and such a loss of composure was rare for him; Su Heng couldn't help but look concerned.

"This man is named Li Qi, a distant relative of mine," Li Si said, "Today, when we were passing by Guozi Street, I saw him selling osmanthus cakes on the street, though I didn't greet him. However, I never imagined that in just half a day..."

"Are you certain it was just this afternoon that you saw him?"

Su Heng's gaze fell on the body, his expression serious and brows deeply furrowed.

"Positive," replied Li Si earnestly.

"But..."

The body on the bamboo mat appeared jalouse, mouth agape, eyes and tongue bulging out. The skin was pallid and swollen, showcasing distinct greenish livor mortis and blackened marbling of the veins. The internal organs had begun to decay, causing the abdomen to bloat, resembling an overinflated ball, as if it might explode at any moment, quite terrifying to behold.

Moreover, the scent of corpse-decay thickened with time in the courtyard.

Su Heng was not well-versed in the specific changes that would occur to a body soaked in water.

But of this he was certain.

In just half a day, a body had no chance of decomposing to such an extent.

It was as though some supernatural power had sucked away the body's life force, leading to rapid post-mortem decay and making it impossible to maintain its original state.

"It's exactly like the one found earlier, too horrifying," someone said.

"I heard this is the seventh one in recent days."

"Could it be the legendary water ghost?"

"I saw this person earlier too; I even bought pastries from his stall, who would have thought... Alas."

The surrounding crowd also buzzed with speculation, the evening growing dim, casting long shadows from the locust tree upon the well, like a monstrous demon with bared fangs, creating an atmosphere of chill and oppression.

"The city's patrol bureau enforces the law; everyone not involved disperse immediately!"

A forceful shout rang out, and the crowd parted.

A group of constables dressed in black robes, wielding long sticks, and carrying sabers at their waists hurried to the scene.

Li Si tugged at Su Heng's sleeve, "Young Master, it's getting late; we should head home soon to avoid any impurities."

"Indeed..."

Su Heng looked up, the fiery red sun now hiding its last gleam of light.

A lot had happened today, causing much delay; indeed, it was time to rush back home.