A bottle of Aptitude Modification Fluid cost 50 Contribution Points, which made Jun Changxiao's heart ache. But on second thought, it could improve his aptitude, so he consoled himself. "Not a loss, not a loss."
He took the small vial containing the Aptitude Modification Fluid out of his Spatial Ring.
Pop!
As he opened the stopper, wisps of red vapor drifted out.
Jun Changxiao sniffed it and immediately found the smell rather choking. He could not help worrying. "This stuff isn't poisonous, is it?"
"Can't worry about that now."
"I'll drink first as a show of respect!"
Sect Leader Jun resolutely tipped back his head. The red liquid in the vial flowed into his mouth, then streamed through his body.
It was a little bitter, with a mellow fragrance somewhat like malt.
"Come on!"
Jun Changxiao sat cross-legged, his expression solemn.
What was he doing?
Preparing himself for the pain that could strike at any moment once the medicinal liquid fused into his body!
In Jun Changxiao's eyes, an item that altered one's aptitude was no different from cleansing marrow and reforging bones. It would surely come with equal risks.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Sure enough, the medicinal liquid spread through his body, and surging, majestic energy erupted in an instant!
Jun Changxiao clenched his fists, his gaze gleaming with determination. "No matter how unbearable the pain is, I can endure it through sheer willpower—"
Ding!
Host has used Aptitude Modification Fluid ×1. Spiritual Root Aptitude is being modified! Spiritual Root Aptitude modification complete!
"..."
Jun Changxiao's mouth twitched violently.
He had already prepared himself to face agonizing pain, yet the modification was finished so quickly. Wasn't that far too easy and casual?
The next moment.
Jun Changxiao noticed that the wisps of heaven and earth spiritual energy floating through the air were exceptionally friendly toward him!
The higher one's aptitude, the better one resonated with heaven and earth spiritual energy.
With superior aptitude like Li Qingyang's, once he circulated a Cultivation Method, heaven and earth spiritual energy would swarm toward him, scrambling to be absorbed.
Jun Changxiao had not been able to do that.
Just now, he had circulated a Cultivation Method in an attempt to cultivate, only for every strand of spiritual energy to act aloof and indifferent.
But now?
Their attitude had clearly changed!
Jun Changxiao was overjoyed. "That thing I exchanged for 50 points was truly worth it!"
Ding!
Congratulations, Host! Spiritual Root Aptitude has risen from low-grade to ordinary-grade!
Jun Changxiao shook his head. "As expected, this body's aptitude used to be the absolute worst, low-grade. No wonder even spiritual energy acted aloof and indifferent."
Whoosh!
He spread his arms and took a deep breath, immediately feeling refreshed and invigorated!
Ding!
Host has successfully broken through to Pulse Opening Sixth Stage!
Ding!
Host has successfully broken through to Pulse Opening Seventh Stage!
Hearing the delightful prompts by his ear, Jun Changxiao stood dumbfounded. "I opened two meridians just by taking a breath?"
The system explained, "An increase in the Host's aptitude will drive an increase in basic cultivation."
"I see."
Jun Changxiao more or less understood.
His aptitude had risen from low-grade to ordinary-grade, forcibly opening two meridians as a bonus. If it rose from ordinary-grade to mid-grade, it should probably increase again.
What should he do after improving his Spiritual Root Aptitude?
Cultivate, of course!
While his second disciple bustled about repairing the sect, Grand Sect Leader Jun shut himself away to cultivate, never stepping beyond his doors.
"This Calm Heart Art should be an ordinary-grade Cultivation Method. I can use it for cultivation."
The Calm Heart Art was the Cultivation Method the Cangshan Sect Elder had sought guidance on. By relying on the Insight Talisman, Jun Changxiao had not only memorized it, but also comprehended it through the fourth level.
He sat cross-legged and circulated the Cultivation Method through a full cycle.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
In an instant, heaven and earth spiritual energy within the room was drawn over, rushing to pour into his body.
After the spiritual energy entered his body, it followed fixed routes through his meridians and gathered in his Dantian. Refined by the Calm Heart Art, it formed a thumb-nail-sized ball of energy.
In the memories Jun Changxiao had inherited, this was called Spiritual Energy.
Once the Spiritual Energy in the Dantian reached a certain intensity, it could be used to force open some of the blocked meridians in the body, allowing one to break through in realm.
"Keep going, keep going!"
Jun Changxiao cast aside his stray thoughts and continued circulating the Cultivation Method.
Yet after an entire night of effort, the energy ball in his Dantian had increased by only a tiny amount.
He could not help feeling disappointed. "At this rate, reaching the standard for opening meridians might take several months."
Several months was already thanks to the Calm Heart Art.
If it were replaced with the lowest-grade Cultivation Method, along with his former lowest-grade Spirit Root, then gathering enough Spiritual Energy to open a meridian within a year would already be quite good.
"Too slow!"
Jun Changxiao said, "System, is there any way to open meridians quickly?"
"Yes."
The system replied.
Jun Changxiao was delighted. "What way?"
The system said, "Open Sect Contribution Points."
"Huh?"
Jun Changxiao froze. Then he pulled up the system panel and tapped Sect Contribution Points, immediately causing a new small panel to pop up.
It contained only one line—exchange Contribution Points for Cultivation Points!
"Damn!"
Jun Changxiao said in delight, "So Contribution Points have a button too, and they can be exchanged for Cultivation Points!"
The system reminded him, "Although this function for exchanging Cultivation Points is convenient, it will instantly consume all of the Host's Contribution Points. Please consider carefully before making a decision."
"Is that so?"
Jun Changxiao rested his chin on his hand and began to think seriously.
If he exchanged all his Contribution Points and only advanced one level, that would be a huge loss!
"No."
After pondering for a moment, Jun Changxiao said seriously, "My cultivation is far too low right now. The most urgent matter is to raise my Martial Dao Realm as quickly as possible!"
What was more.
During his research over this period, he had discovered that apart from a few Talismans and weapons, other beginner items were not only expensive but also required certain conditions.
For example, the Ninefold Collapse Fist in the Mall cost only 10 Contribution Points, but its detailed description stated that one had to possess Pulse Opening Tenth Stage cultivation before they could cultivate it.
Whoosh!
Jun Changxiao let out a breath. "Contribution Points can be earned again once they're gone. But if my cultivation cannot improve, how am I supposed to survive on the Starfall Continent?"
Swish!
As he spoke, he decisively tapped the [Exchange] button on the panel.
Ding!
Sect Contribution Points: 0/100.
"..."
His original 47 Contribution Points were instantly wiped clean, making Jun Changxiao's heart ache terribly. After all, he had earned them through painstaking effort in Qingyang City!
Ding!
Host has successfully broken through to Pulse Opening Eighth Stage!
Ding!
Host has successfully broken through to Meridian Opening Ninth Stage!
Ding!
Host has successfully broken through to Meridian Opening Tenth Stage!
A string of prompts rang out. Jun Changxiao could clearly feel surging, powerful Spiritual Energy condensing inside his body and smashing through all three main meridians with the force of Cui Gulaqiu.
"Damn!"
He exclaimed in delight, "I actually opened three meridians in a row!"
Using 47 Experience Points to open three meridians was still acceptable to Jun Changxiao.
The system said, "The Host's cultivation is currently low, so exchanging Contribution Points can produce consecutive breakthroughs. Once the realm reaches a higher level, exchanging them naturally will no longer be worthwhile."
Jun Changxiao ignored it. Clenching his fists, ten dazzling lights appeared around his left and right wrists. He grinned. "The feeling of growing stronger is incredible!"
Boom!
He threw a punch, and the house collapsed.
Grand Sect Leader Jun was directly buried beneath the fallen bricks and tiles.
The next day.
Li Qingyang stood before the ruins and said gravely, "Sect Leader, rebuilding after that punch of yours will cost at least two hundred taels."
Hearing this, Jun Changxiao, covered from head to toe in dust, immediately rolled his eyes.
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