11 Natural Essence (I)

    ''----''

    ''After receiving his next mission

    Apollo didn''t dawdle. In his usual worn clothing

    Apollo walked unhurriedly toward the family library. To get there

    he passed through the training area. As such

    he caught a glimpse of the other kids'' training. Compared to him

    their training didn''t seem so systematic.''

    ''He also noticed a few of the kids popping their Foundation Strengthening pills like candy. For a moment

    Apollo was skeptical and left with questions. Their actions didn''t seem to conform with what Azridan stated. ''Azridan

    I thought you said these aren''t the type of pills which can be ingested continuously.''''

    ''[That''s only the case for your current physique

    even though the pill is of poor quality

    the energy it holds is slightly too tyrannical to be ingested concurrently. You must remember

    until recently

    your meridians could be counted as broken.]''

    ''"Tch

    this difference between us suck

    " Apollo grumbled

    forming a self-deprecating smile as he continued toward the library. At this point

    he was starting to hate whatever or whoever causes his body''s condition. To him

    broken meridians didn''t sound like a naturally occurring issue.''

    ''Several moments later

    Apollo reached the library. For a moment

    he paused and gazed at the exterior.''

    ''It was a simple stone building

    with a few luxurious windows as well as rustic decor. While it wasn''t overly large

    it was equivalent in size to a chapel. He pushed the doors

    entering inside to examine the scenery.''

    ''To his surprise

    there weren''t many bookshelves

    instead

    there was a rather large staircase located in the middle of the building that led upstairs. However

    the entrance to the staircase was barred by a thin barrier.''

    ''In the corner

    Danyul opened his eyes glancing at the newcomer. "Oh

    it''s you

    Apollo. What have you come for?"''

    ''"Hello Uncle

    I''ve come to read."''

    ''Silently

    Danyul pondered

    rubbing his cheek

    "I see

    well just a reminder

    this level holds no techniques or training stances. Those are located on the next floor

    but as you know

    the next floor and beyond are off-limits unless your body is tested to have reached the 5th rank of the Mortal Realm. Other than that

    you are free to browse."''

    ''"Ah thank you

    Uncle. I have a question

    which section is background information on Cultivation?" Apollo inquired

    glancing around on his own as well..''

    ''"Hmm

    if I recall properly

    then I believe it was located in the third row

    " Danyul answered after some thought. However

    not long after

    he once again closed his eyes.''

    ''It didn''t take long for Apollo to scour the right section. He continued to browse

    searching for books that fulfilled the criteria of his mission. After several minutes

    he found what he was looking for.''

    ''There were a few; [Records of World Changing History: Part One]

    [Body Cultivation: Initial Familiarity with Natural Essence] & [Evolution of Cultivation: Book I].''

    ''With the books now in possession

    Apollo picked a corner and sat. After reading a single page

    he found himself becoming engrossed. In a single sitting

    he read their entire contents while oblivious to the passing time.''

    ''While doing so he learned many new things. For example

    he learned exactly what Natural Essence was and did.''

    ''Before the arrival of the Terrors

    Natural Essence wasn''t an obscure notion. It just wasn''t a forefront practice. While people understood that some type of energy existed in their world

    they didn''t seek to actively harness it. However

    when brought to dire straits

    what they first ignored became a necessity. In light of this

    the path of\xa0Body Cultivation was born in the extremely distant past.''

    ''Now

    it was what they said to be the basis of all small life. Every sentient thing possesses it at some level. It was a naturally occurring energy that subtly shifted the advancement of the planet. Natural Essence was absorbed through the orifices to refine one''s body. It could also be used to prepare one for the even newer cultivation practice—Spirit Cultivation.''

    ''Of course

    the concentration of this energy wasn''t homogenous throughout. Depending on where one was

    the density could move across the spectrum

    growing far denser or thinning to obscurity.''

    ''Be that as it may

    its true benefits didn''t appear until one approached the Zul Warrior Realm and opened their Dantian. When that happened

    the intimacy with this energy deepens.''

    ''Unknown to Apollo

    he spent the better part of the day swallowed by books. Although young

    he was more fascinated by this information than he let on.''

    ''"Ah

    so that''s why Azridan said the only number that really matters is 1600 Zuls. It''s because it is the minimum requirement for your body to withstand the clearing of the Dantian as well as the opening of the Soul Temple."''

    ''Once he placed the books back on the shelves

    Apollo digested the information as he pondered in deep thought.''

    ''''If I think about it

    the real beginning of cultivation isn''t until we reach the Zul Warrior Realm. However

    the first milestone would be reaching the 5th Rank of the Mortal Realm

    one''s physique would unlock the function of absorbing Natural Essence in its base form. Pills and beast meat wouldn''t be the only way to "cultivate" then.''''

    ''Due to all the reading

    a prominent wave of mental exhaustion was over Apollo

    but luckily

    the system message sounded as he yawned.''

    ''?System Alert! Mission COMPLETE!?''

    ''?You have been rewarded 120 Experience and .5 Intelligence Points.?''

    ''?Congratulations you have reached Level 3.?''

    ''?Experience: 70/300.?''

    ''?.1 to all Attributes and 2 Stat points have been rewarded.?''

    ''''Tomorrow''s training will only get harder

    it''s time to allocate the points. Add 1 point to Strength and 1 point to Vitality.''''

    ''Following the command

    Apollo opened his status panel to take a look.''

    ''----''

    ''(Demon Monarch System) Lvl.1''

    ''Name: Apollo Kaiser''

    ''Race: Human''

    ''Age: 10''

    ''Level: 3''

    ''Experience: 70/300.''

    ''Health: 18/18''

    ''Stamina: 22/22''

    ''Body Cultivation Realm: Rank 1 Mortal [3/10]''

    ''Physique: Mortal (Middle)''

    ''Zuls: 3''

    ''Strength: 1.7''

    ''Agility: 1.5''

    ''Intelligence: 9.2''

    ''Vitality: 1.4''

    ''Stat Points: 0''

    ''''My Intelligence grossly overshadows my other stats. I wonder

    is that why I ask so many questions? I''m not sure. It could be a possibility.''''

    ''''Hey Azridan

    I''m curious

    can stat combine to create other ones?''''

    ''[Yes

    but that will present itself at a later time. Focus on the base stats you were given

    especially Intelligence. Never neglect it

    lest you end up falling victim to hateful schemes.]''

    ''There was a tinge of hate laced in his voice as the system uttered these words in response causing Apollo to raise his eyebrow in bewilderment.''

    ''''I see.''''

    ''At that moment Apollo''s stomach began rumbling ferociously. Only then did it come to his attention that he had forgotten to eat all day.''

    ''''I''m so hungry

    I could eat anything

    '' Apollo groaned internally. Almost instinctively

    he dashed out of the library

    in search of something to eat.''

    ''Meanwhile

    Danyul opened his eyes

    glancing in Apollo''s general direction

    "Unlike the other kids...he''s seeking knowledge for himself. Alright

    I think I should give my plan a shot."''

    ''----''

    ''While en route to the Dining Hall

    Apollo looked up at the dark sky

    amazed by how much time he spent in the library. Furthermore

    in his mind

    he was comparing it to his old world. Although the day was unfamiliar

    the nights looked exactly the same.''

    ''There was only one moon with numerous small stars gracing the skies. Mesmerized

    Apollo uttered one word

    "Beautiful."''

    ''However

    amidst being lost in his daze

    he didn''t look where he was going causing him to bump into the back of someone. Surprisingly

    the following situation was quite comical—he was laid flat on his butt!''

    ''"Huh..?"''