Winds of Thunder and the Poison Core's Fury
Ugh. I nearly screamed from the tearing pain surging from deep inside me. It felt like my insides were being shredded to ribbons. This was completely different from absorbing the Thunder Spirit. Back then, it was like my guts were being scorched and seared. Now, it was as if something razor-sharp was slicing and ripping me apart.
I have to endure it.
Pain like this meant the Wind Spirit held tremendous power. Naturally, gaining great strength was never easy. But on this Abian Continent, who would pass up a chance at a pure S-rank rune just because it hurt? Sure, plenty died failing to handle the power during absorption. But the rewards were so sweet that most would do anything to grow stronger.
Not just anyone can get strong easily.
Sweat trickled from my forehead in a single bead as I gritted my teeth and held on.
Whooooom.
Soon, one wave of agony passed. The mental world unfolded before my eyes. A vast sea of ether appeared, and the sight it revealed was...
The balance of power is completely shattered.
The ether sea, once evenly split between wind infused with Wind Spirit attributes and clouds heavy with Thunder Spirit, was now over three-quarters filled with lightning-crackling storm clouds. The sea churned unstably, but then—
Gwooooooo—!
From afar, a small vortex swelled into a massive typhoon spiral, sweeping up the dark clouds and expanding rapidly.
Fwoooooosh!
As the colossal storm raged, the lopsided forces began to find equilibrium.
Wind-Thunder Qi Gong! I circulated it at full power. The two clashing energies calmed. I handled them far more smoothly and effortlessly than before.
Yes! I cheered inwardly. Previously, stabilizing them had been a struggle. Now, even with far more energy, it felt effortless.
Confirming the Wind Spirit had settled via my status window, I flashed a dark grin. Three pure S-rank runes out of five slots. Pre-regression, these would've only opened at Ultimate Body, and even then, fresh off reaching it, I only had two S-ranks—and those weren't pure; I'd slaved to cultivate them. Now, three pure S-ranks. Origin Protection and Intuition were insanely efficient with growth potential. Just thinking about it sent thrills down my spine.
I won't stop at S-rank. Aim higher.
As joy trembled through me, a system message appeared.
You have filled all 5 rune slots.
Conditions met: Hidden Piece activated.
Activation Conditions: Maturity Stage or below, 5 runes owned, 3+ S-rank runes owned.
A new rune slot has been unlocked.
...? My eyes widened at the sudden Hidden Piece.
Are these even reasonable conditions?
Even a total veteran like me from the Insect King's War wouldn't have known this. No one could've met the prerequisite of five runes before Maturity Stage anyway.
If I hadn't grabbed the Wind Spirit, I might've missed it. Filling five was one thing, but picking three S-ranks was key. I'd predicted extra slots post-molt, but not like this. More runes were always better, so I welcomed it.
Hopefully this doesn't mess with molt-unlocked slots? Nothing's 100%, so plan for it.
Now an empty slot feels wasteful again.
Insects' greed knew no bounds—one taste begs for two, two for all. With an extra slot, treasures from Chung Hak Tower's third floor danced in my mind.
If I could just find a catalyst to fuse Thunder Spirit and Wind Spirit now...
I'd unleash peak power. But I shook off the regret. Time to head out properly. Routes to strength were endless; monopolizing known opportunities across the continent would outpace the tower.
Focus on what's at hand.
Next up: the Goliath Stone Eater's neidan. Staring at it recalled my chat with the tower keeper.
"The Wind Spirit rune—a treasure among treasures. So many grab the obvious, blinded by greed. Your discernment is superb."
He'd marveled, knowing its true value after guarding the tower so long. But then...
"Hmm, this...?"
His eyes twitched at the Goliath Stone Eater neidan. To him, it was pure poison, unthinkable for a Maturity Stage mantis.
"Not for consumption, surely... Must have another use."
For non-poison clans, it was trash. Shaking off thoughts, I prepared mentally for the dangerous item.
Exhale.
My hand tingled from the toxin as I breathed deep. Crunch. No hesitation—I tossed it in.
...!
Agony exploded from mouth to throat. Scorching hot, then icy, now stabbing like knives. The neidan's venom was vicious. Vision spun; I could've face-planted. But I held lotus position.
Wind...Thunder Qi Gong.
Esophagus and stomach melting? I circulated ether per the manual at full power to control the virulent energy.
Kuh.
But the poison was monstrous. No wonder the keeper shook his head. Forged from eternal poison stones in the Eternal Mountains. Without Transcendent Regeneration, they'd be dissolved already.
Dudududu. Porcelain skin turned red, hives and bruises erupting. Then, bugs crawling, devouring organs. Even pre-regression veteran me had never felt such hellish pain.
Super Vitality (C) has activated.
As limits neared, the cockroach trait Super Vitality—adapting to any extreme—kicked in. It let me cling to fading consciousness.
Super Vitality and Transcendent Regeneration... without them, I'd be done.
Even dazed, I felt bone-deep how they'd saved me multiple times. And one realization hit:
Only I can consume this.
Without extracting venom or antidotes, no one else could swallow it whole. That's why such potent energy sat unclaimed. Extraction would've gutted its efficacy.
Whew, finally stabilizing.
Thanks to Super Vitality, peak pain passed; I adapted somewhat. No complacency—I kept Wind-Thunder Qi Gong maxed. Sweat poured like rain; dehydration loomed.
Elixir Absorption (S) has activated.
Finally, the neidan's energy absorbed properly. Kugugugugu.Elixir Absorption pulled in even unabsorbable parts, flooding my cells. Unlike my sealed ether core using partial ether, the venom seeped straight into cells, becoming blood and flesh.
Physical abilities have skyrocketed.
Strength stat has risen to C+ rank.
Speed stat has risen to C+ rank.
Durability stat has risen to C+ rank.
All physical stats jumped to C+. But it didn't stop.
Limit Break has activated.
Strength stat Limit Break succeeded.
Speed stat Limit Break succeeded.
Durability stat Limit Break succeeded.
Normally, extra conditions for Limit Break, but overwhelming energy bulldozed them. Pure force broke limits.
First time like this. I felt viscerally how premium this neidan was. Shunned as poison, it rivaled top-grade ones usually non-public.
But more awe followed.
Successfully digested enormous venom.
Acquired trait: Immunity to All Poisons (A).
Poison resistance greatly increases.
— Resistance grows with repeated exposure to the same poison.
— Meet conditions for hidden trait unlock.
Ugh. Unexpected trait acquired. The hidden power in the neidan must've been this. Its meaning? Huge.
Centipedes, hornets, scorpions, tarantulas dominated via deadly venom.
With Immunity to All Poisons, no more fear.
Most poisons blocked. Evolve to Immunity to All Poisons? I'd rampage poison bugs unchecked.
Perfect timing—heading to chop Amar King Centipede limbs, and I get this godsend.
Things flowed too well; grin slipped out. Then—
Super Vitality (C) is undergoing Limit Break.
Super Vitality (C) rank has risen to Super Vitality (B).
Whoa. Under life threat, Super Vitality hit B-rank. Perfect synergy with Transcendent Regeneration. Soon, I'd boast cockroach-level tenacity.
This sweetness might rot my teeth.
Sweeter than 100,000g Royal Jelly. Absurd worry: diabetes as an insect?
"Hold on."
Gauging the poison core in my dantian—undigested venom clump.
Dissolve it now?
Proper digestion could trigger Second Maturity molt instantly. With Immunity to All Poisons, no poisoning risk.
Too rushed might cause Incomplete Metamorphosis...
But any flaw? Chop and regrow with Transcendent Regeneration. I seriously pondered forcing the molt.
Cool head first.
Stepping out for air. Body felt feather-light. All stats Limit Broken, Wind Spirit secured. I could face peak Complete Body warriors without fear.
Light steps to personal training room—
"Hey, Aleck?"
"We were looking for you. In the private room, huh."
Max, Polt, Bartea—upper clan guys swarmed me. Adorned in dazzling treasures.
What's this situation?