CHAPTER 28: THE HUNTER’S ASSOCIATION

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[#~System Notification~#]

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[You have several unclaimed rewards waiting to be claimed!]

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In the pale morning light of the dawn, the sound of the system alert chimed through Lucian’s mind. Rubbing his eyes, he walked over the nearly repaired roads of the city.

"Just as I expected, waking up this early is inhumane!" He grumbled in a low, almost inaudible voice.

For quite some time now, Lucian had been ignoring the system notification, as he feared that he might get too drunk over this newly found power. Although it was true that using such powers made him feel unique and special, Lucian didn’t want to become accustomed to them.

’Too much comfort? In times like these? That’s the same as inviting death with your arms wide open.’

’But then again, the curiosity alone is going to kill me if I keep ignoring it for long.’ Clutching onto his head in confusion, Lucian secretly eyed the system window.

"System, forget about the rewards for the moment. I believe you have some important information to share with me?" He asked in a soft, yet threatening demeanor.

Thinking of the rewards for so long, Lucian had remembered that under the pretext of unclaimed rewards, the system had completely forgotten about informing him of his new achievements.

Though he wanted to yell at the system like an old, grumpy boss of a small, rundown slave company, he couldn’t. Since he too had completely forgotten about it.

Almost immediately, the system window flickered to Lucian’s command, and a new screen appeared before his eyes.

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[#~System Notification~#]

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[Understood.]

[Displaying information about your latest achievements...]

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Instantly, several more system screens materialized in front of his eyes, all displaying different information.

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[#~System Notification~#]

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[Physique] - [Dying Star’s Primordial Physique]

[• Rank] - ???

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[• Description] :-

└ [Forged through the annihilation and rebirth of the cultivator’s mortal shell, the Dying Star’s Primordial Physique embodies the paradox of creation through destruction. The body becomes a vessel capable of enduring and channeling forces beyond its rank.]

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[• Traits] :-

└ [All physical attributes are permanently enhanced.]

└ [Drastically increases Qi capacity and control; absorbs and refines external energy with unmatched efficiency.]

└ [Immunity to most poisons, diseases, and standard environmental hazards.]

└ [Heals and recovers exponentially faster; can shed mortal wounds through refined Qi cycling.]

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[• Passive ability] - [Celestial Forge]

[• Description] :-

└ [Withstands internal backlash from failed breakthroughs, delaying death in exchange for extreme exhaustion or a temporary debuff.]

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[• Unique synergy] - [Authority: Infinite Qi]

[• Description] :-

└ [No limit on cultivation growth rate or upper Qi threshold (limited solely by mental and spiritual capacity).]

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Then another screen followed up.

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[#~System Notification~#]

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[Congratulations! You have withstood the process of recreation of the physique!]

[As such, your Qi Vessels have been replenished, and all the impurities have been expelled from your body!]

[Your Muscles and Bones have been strengthened several-fold!]

[Your Physique is in its prime condition!]

[The system has detected a vast amount of Qi, perfectly circulating within the host’s body.]

[Certain conditions have been met!]

[You have successfully surpassed the ’Body Refining Realm’ and broken through the ’Qi Condensation Realm’!]

[As a result, your Stats and Attributes have been massively increased!]

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The screen stretched below, as Lucian’s new stats and attributes appeared over it.

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[Stats]

└ [HP] - 8,500/8,500 (↑8,250)

└ [Stamina] - 10,000/10,000 (↑9,800)

└ [Qi] - 25.00/10.00 (↑24.99)

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[Attributes]

└ [Strength] - 40 (↑20)

└ [Agility] - 41 (↑20)

└ [Vitality] - 40 (↑20)

└ [Intelligence] - 25

└ [Endurance] - 40 (↑20)

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Reading through his new stats, Lucian choked on his own saliva. Bending down to his knees, he coughed violently for his life.

Holding himself together, his gaze retraced itself to the status window. It was still there. It wasn’t a mistake.

His physical attributes had really increased by 20! Not to forget about the abrupt stiff hike in his stats!

Lucian’s lips unconsciously curled into a grin as he stared at the system window in complete shock.

Unable to utter a single word, his mind went blank. Then suddenly, countless thoughts barraged his mind with a sudden uproar.

But Lucian’s eyes said otherwise. Unlike a few moments ago, when he couldn’t help but widen his eyes in shock, Lucian had calmed down. His face showed no emotion, and his eyes showed no ambition.

"Well, I accept nothing less from a cheat system." He laughed, his lips curling once again. Not a grin, but a sarcastic smile.

Though excited, Lucian felt equally disappointed in the System. He was confused—whether to celebrate the existence of his cheat Element of Creation and System or to cry seeing the end of his sleep-loving life.

"Hmm... I guess this is the place." Lucian mumbled in a low voice, his eyes scanning through the dozens of humans huddling around the gates of the tallest building in the city of Luminaris.

’Seeing it up close, it’s hard to tell that this was the same building that had completely collapsed during that apocalypse,’ he thought, crossing the gates and stepping over the sparkling, mirror-like marble floors of the building.

The building chimed with the loud, yet soft, muffled chatters of countless humans—dressed in armor and battle gear. In the distance, there was a giant desk at the center of the floor. Lucian silently walked towards the desk through the crowd, his eyes scanning each human he passed by.

"Excu—" Just as he approached the desk, a shadow appeared over his face as Lucian’s head bumped into something hard.

Clutching onto his head, Lucian stumbled backwards and raised his head. A middle-aged man clad in dark metallic armor stood up front, grinning. He stood posing, his eyes full of pride and greed.

Setting his eyes upon Lucian, the man lashed out with a wide smug.

"You fucking brat! How dare you dirty my New Gen-1 Mana Conductive armor with your filthy skin! Do you even realize how expensive this is!? How are you going to pay for the damages?!"

Lucian stood still, silent, as he stared at the man with a straight face. Though he looked calm at sight, Lucian’s mind was erupting with thoughts.

Thoughts that fought amongst themselves as two different factions, contemplating whether to crush the man in front of him or to kill the one staring at him from behind with a sharp killing intent.