The Seal and the Awakening

"Why didn't you tell me I'd become unconscious? And how much time has passed?" Jian groggily asked as he woke up. His entire body throbbed with pain, and he immediately cursed the system for keeping him in the dark.

"Host, you didn't ask what would happen," the system replied matter-of-factly. "And you shouted 'yes' before I could explain. As for the time, only half an hour has passed."

Jian sighed, a mix of frustration and relief washing over him. "Half an hour? Fine. But why does my body feel like it's been crushed? Shouldn't I feel refreshed after receiving my reward?"

"The seal is still present in your body," the system explained. "It's searching for your bloodline. During the devouring process, your body was reverted to that of a mortal with no talent to prepare for the reward."

"Wait—why is the seal still here? And why make me mortal in the first place?" Jian demanded.

"The seal was placed by a powerful cultivator. It's currently confirming the absence of your bloodline. Once that process is complete—about two to three minutes—the seal will dissolve, and your top talent will be fully integrated."

Jian took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. "Fine. I'll wait."

Barely a minute passed when a sudden, crushing sensation gripped his chest. Jian gasped, breaking into a cold sweat as his breathing turned ragged. Just as he was about to panic, the system's announcement echoed in his mind.

<Somewhere Else>

While Jian grappled with the seal's effects, two figures in separate locations felt its activation.

In one place, a man with a regal air sat upon a grand throne. His sharp features bore a striking resemblance to Jian, though his face was marred by a deep frown. After a moment of silent contemplation, he summoned an attendant and whispered an order before resuming his duties.

In another distant land, an elderly man gazed into the distance with teary eyes and a trembling smile. If Jian had seen him, he would've been utterly dumbfounded.

<Ancient Sovereign Realm>

[Ding! The seal is gone.]

"Does the host wish to accept the rewards for the mission?" the system prompted.

"Wait!" Jian blurted. "Show me the rewards first. Since I completed the mission, I should be able to see them, right?"

"Yes, Host. Displaying rewards now."

[Ding!]

Rewards:

4000 SPAccess to the Shop (1 Star)InventoryThree Top-Grade One-Star Healing PillsOne-Star Guardian FormationTop-Grade Talent

Jian's eyes skimmed the list before narrowing. "Wait, why are there only 4000 points? Wasn't it supposed to be 5000?"

"Host, 1000 points were deducted due to your repeated cursing at the system."

Jian's jaw dropped. "Cursing?! What do you mean? When did I—"

"Host has repeatedly cursed the system while it was assisting you. For instance—"

"Fu—" Jian began, but immediately stopped himself as the system interjected.

"Host, continuing this behavior will result in further deductions."

Cold sweat broke out on Jian's forehead. "Alright, alright! I get it. Let's move on. I'll accept the rewards."

As he tried to focus, a clattering noise caught his attention. He turned to see the girl he had rescued attempting to lift the sword she had discarded earlier. Before Jian could react, she grabbed the blade and charged at him.

"What are you doing?!" he yelled, alarmed.

The girl didn't answer. Just as she reached him, she stumbled and fell, convulsing violently on the ground. Jian hesitated before cautiously approaching her. "Why did you do that? I saved you, and this is how you repay me?"

The girl remained silent, her body wracked with spasms. Jian sighed and addressed the system, "What's wrong with her? Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Host, she has severe internal injuries. Feed her a healing pill from your inventory. Since you lack cultivation, simply visualize the pill, and it will appear in your hand."

Jian did as instructed, and a small, pristine white pill materialized in his palm. Its sweet aroma filled the cave. He knelt beside the girl and said, "If I meant you harm, I wouldn't bother saving you. Just take the pill."

The girl hesitated but eventually opened her mouth. As soon as the pill touched her tongue, it dissolved, spreading its healing energy through her body. However, her convulsions didn't stop.

"System, what's happening? Why isn't it working?"

"Host, she requires another pill to stabilize her condition."

Without hesitation, Jian retrieved another pill and helped her take it. This time, her body relaxed, but she fell unconscious.

"Why is she unconscious now?" Jian asked.

"She's healing," the system replied flatly.

Jian shook his head and settled in a corner of the cave. The system's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Host, would you like to begin assimilating your top-grade talent reward?"

"Wait. What exactly are the rewards?"

"Originally, the host was to receive a cultivation technique and a physique. However, after devouring your dormant bloodline, a new bloodline has been added to the rewards."

"Bloodline? Physique? What's the difference?"

"Bloodlines determine the inherent abilities and legacies of beasts and humans. The purer the bloodline, the greater the inheritance. Physiques, on the other hand, are gifts from the heavens and are graded as Mortal, Earth, and Heaven. To learn more, the host must progress further."

"Will the process be painful?" Jian asked warily.

"Yes. The system will reform your body, which will be excruciating. However, I can keep you in a semi-conscious state to mitigate the pain."

"How will you do that?"

"The host must take a healing pill and sit in a meditative position. The system will handle the rest. Shall we begin?"

Jian retrieved another healing pill, popped it into his mouth, and sat cross-legged. "Let's get this over with."

[Processing....]

[Ding! Assimilation countdown starting....]

As the countdown began, Jian braced himself for what was to come.

[3... 2... 1...]

And darkness enveloped him as the system initiated the process.