Ch 10: The Demonic Sword -1

Feng Chen sat cross-legged on the ground, his fist still clenched as he glared at the system's interface. Despite the profound benefits of the medicinal bath, he couldn't shake off the frustration from earlier. The system's revelation about the sign-in function being inactive had left him more than a little irate.

"System," he growled, his voice thick with irritation,

"what did you mean by saying that the sign-in function wasn't activated? Because I distinctly remember getting those rewards in the beginning." His eyes narrowed, daring the system to give him a straight answer.

There was a brief pause, as if the system was hesitant to respond. When the text finally appeared, Feng Chen could almost sense the system scrambling to explain itself without earning his wrath.

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System Notification:-

Error: The system acknowledges an oversight in the activation of the sign-in function. This was a mistake… To rectify this, the system will provide the host with compensation.

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Feng Chen's eyebrow twitched in annoyance.

"Compensation, huh?" he muttered skeptically. There was always a catch with these things, and he wasn't about to be fooled easily.

"Alright, system, let's see what you've got for me."

Another window popped up, offering him three intriguing choices.

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System Notification:-

Compensation Reward Choices:-

1. Earth-Grade Cultivation Technique

2. Weapon Selection Box

3. Earth-Grade Random Equipment

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Feng Chen's eyes scanned the options, his mind racing with possibilities. These weren't just ordinary rewards... they were high-level items that could significantly boost his power. The term "Earth-Grade" caught his attention, triggering a memory from his past life.

"Wait a second," he muttered, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"Earth-Grade… If this is what I think it is… Then it means these are the kind of items that barely failed to meet the requirements to form a spirit, which would make them Heavenly-Grade." His eyes gleamed with excitement at the thought.

"If that's true, then there's a possibility that these Earth-Grade items could eventually form a spirit and transcend into Heavenly-Grade."

Before making his choice, Feng Chen decided to probe the system for more information.

"System, explain the different grades found in the mortal world. I need to know exactly what I'm dealing with here."

The system responded promptly, displaying a comprehensive breakdown of the various grades.

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System Notification:-

Item and Technique Grades in the Mortal World:

- Basic-Grade: Common items and techniques, typically used by beginner cultivators. These have limited power and growth potential.

- Profound-Grade: A step above Basic-Grade, these items and techniques are used by more advanced cultivators. They offer more power and potential but remain within the realm of the common.

- Spiritual-Grade: Items and techniques imbued with spiritual energy, significantly enhancing the user's cultivation. They are rarer and more powerful than Profound-Grade.

- Earth-Grade: Items and techniques of considerable power, capable of impacting entire regions. These items have the potential to evolve into Heavenly-Grade under the right conditions.

- Heavenly-Grade: The pinnacle of power within the mortal world. Items and techniques at this grade possess spirits and can evolve further, becoming legendary within the cultivation world.

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Feng Chen's eyes widened as he read through the descriptions. The possibilities were immense, and his excitement grew with each word.

"So, Earth-Grade is just one step below Heavenly-Grade… and with the right circumstances, it could evolve."

He was tempted by all three options, each offering significant benefits. However, the Weapon Selection Box intrigued him the most. The idea of shaping his own weapon, guiding its growth, and watching it evolve was too enticing to pass up.

A mischievous grin spread across his face as he made his decision.

"System," he said, a hint of challenge in his voice,

"I choose the Weapon Selection Box."

The system's response was almost immediate, and the text appeared with a sense of urgency, as if trying to dissuade him.

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System Notification:-

Are you sure? The other options might be more suitable for your current level… Perhaps you should reconsider—

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Feng Chen's grin widened, his suspicions confirmed.

"Ha! I knew it. It's a trap!" he declared triumphantly.

"There's no way you'd offer something this good without trying to trick me."

He chuckled, savoring the victory.

"Nice try, system, but you're not fooling me. Now hand over the Weapon Selection Box."

The system hesitated, and the text appeared slowly, as if it was sulking.

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System Notification:-

The host's request is being processed…

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Feng Chen snickered, sensing the system's reluctance.

"What's wrong, system? Feeling a little regret? Well, too bad!" He could almost imagine the system sighing as the reward finally materialized in front of him. A small, ornate box appeared in his hand, its surface covered in intricate designs that glowed faintly with spiritual energy.

"This is it, huh?" Feng Chen muttered, turning the box over in his hands. The craftsmanship was impressive, and he could feel the latent power contained within. His curiosity piqued, he opened the box, eager to see what awaited him inside.

As soon as the lid was lifted, a new window popped up, providing him with details about the box's functionality.

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System Notification:-

Weapon Selection Box:

- Description: The host may choose the type of weapon they desire. The name of the weapon will determine its fate and nature, but the grade will be assigned based on the completion of a quest.

- Quest: Break through as many realms as possible within 7 days. The final grade of the weapon will be determined by the number of realms the host successfully breaks through.

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Feng Chen's eyes gleamed with anticipation as he read the quest details. The simplicity of the task had been replaced with a real challenge.

"Breakthrough as many realms as I can in 7 days, huh?" he muttered, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. The system wasn't holding back with this one.

"So, the more I break through, the higher the grade of the weapon. I see what you're doing here, system."

He closed the box carefully and placed it in his inventory, his mind already racing with strategies to maximize his progress. The quest wasn't just about breaking through realms... it was about pushing his limits, testing how far he could go in such a short time.

Before diving into the challenge, Feng Chen decided to review his current cultivation state. He needed to be fully aware of his strengths and weaknesses if he was going to push beyond his limits.

"System," Feng Chen commanded,

"show me my status."

The familiar blue screen materialized before him, displaying his current stats in detail.

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Feng Chen's Status:-

- Name: Feng Chen

- Age: 15

- Cultivation Realm: Qi Condensation Realm, Third Stage

- Qi Capacity: High

- Body Refinement: Enhanced

- Techniques:-

- Heavenly Thunder Palm (Advanced)

- Iron Body Technique (Newly Unlocked)

- Physical Attributes:-

- Strength: High

- Endurance: High

- Agility: Moderate

- Spiritual Awareness: Developing

- Equipment:

- Iron Bark Armor (Chest Piece)

- Spirit Hunter Robe

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Feng Chen nodded as he reviewed the information. He was currently at the third stage of the Qi Condensation Realm, a respectable level considering where he had started, but not nearly enough if he wanted to achieve something extraordinary within seven days.

His eyes then drifted toward his inventory, where the rewards and items he had accumulated over the past few days sat waiting. The thought of consuming everything in his possession sparked an idea. If he used everything now, his cultivation speed would increase exponentially.

"Let's see what I've got here," Feng Chen muttered as he opened his inventory, his eyes scanning the various items. He knew that to break through as many realms as possible in seven days, he would need every advantage he could get.

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Inventory:-

- Weapon Selection Box

- Qi-Enhancing Elixir (x2)

- Minor Strength Talisman (x3)

- Refined Beast Core (x1)

- Spirit Beast Cores (x10)

- Advanced Qi Gathering Array (7 Days)

- Spirit Beast Corpses (x50)

- Advanced Qi Manipulation Technique (Scroll)

- Swift Strike Technique Scroll

- Reinforced Bones Pill (x2)

- Qi Restoration Elixir (x3)

- Improved Lightfoot Talisman (x2)

- Thunderstrike Talisman (Enhanced)

- Essence of Speed Elixir

- Muscle-Enhancing Elixir (x2)

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