Return, Counting the Spoils

"Ding~ After learning, the consequences range from qi and blood flowing backward to energy imbalance and explosion, leading to death. Do you confirm cultivation?" the System said.

"Holy crap, confirm my ass! Is Yi Xiu trying to set me up?" Yang Xuan was startled.

"Impossible. Yi Xiu isn't that kind of person, and my death wouldn't benefit him at all," Yang Xuan thought carefully. "System, are you sure you're not mistaken?"

The System replied, "The System is never mistaken."

"That's strange. Yang Xuan is practically a Grandmaster now, yet looking at the characters in this scripture, they feel incredibly odd. Many of the phrases are contradictory."

"System, can you scan this book?" Yang Xuan asked shrewdly.

Please wait...

"Ding, it is recommended that the host try putting the book in water," the System scanned.

Yang Xuan didn't think much of it and put the book in water. As expected, it changed. The book slowly melted, leaving behind only a jade slip about a finger long and three fingers wide.

"Holding the jade slip, System, what is this?" Yang Xuan asked.

"Ding~ Successfully learned the Hunyuan Vajra Evil Buddha Body!"

"What? This is a secret manual?" Yang Xuan was shocked.

"It is a crystal formed after refining jade, capable of storing language, text, images, and videos," the System explained.

"The name sounds really powerful. Let's see the description," Yang Xuan said curiously.

Hunyuan Vajra Evil Buddha Body: Can absorb all energy, whether from Buddhist, Taoist, or evil sects.

After absorption, it does not enhance the energy realm but only increases physical defense and body transformation.

When trained to the highest level, one can transform into a thousand-zhang body, with physical strength and defense increasing with the growth of its size.

"This is great! With this cultivation technique, I can absorb any energy at will, somewhat similar to the North Profound Divine Art," Yang Xuan exclaimed in surprise.

"Host, you are mistaken. The Hunyuan Vajra Evil Buddha Body absorbs energy from within your own body. If not careful, you could turn into a fossil," the System warned.

"A fossil?" Yang Xuan was completely bewildered.

"If you absorb energy and can't stop, absorbing all your energy will strengthen your physique, making you like a fossil," the System explained.

"Holy crap, this is so bizarre! I've never heard of such a cultivation technique. No wonder they say many Buddhists are mentally ill, talking about becoming a Buddha or a demon in an instant – a bunch of lunatics," Yang Xuan grumbled, looking dejected.

Since it wasn't dawn yet, he decided to cultivate and see the effects.

Yang Xuan sat cross-legged and circulated the energy pathways of the Hunyuan Vajra Evil Buddha Body. He immediately felt the energy within his body slowly dissipating; no, to be precise, it was being absorbed by his body.

It started with his Bloodline Power. When his Bloodline Power was only at 20%, it began consuming his Inner Force, and only then did it start consuming his magical power.

In less than 10 minutes, 80% of his body's energy was gone. He felt a strange mix of comfort and discomfort. The comfort came from his physique being strengthened, while the discomfort stemmed from his body's energy being forcefully depleted in such a short period.

He could clearly feel an increase in his physical quality. He decided to test the effects.

Following the energy circulation path, he activated it!

"Holy crap, I can actually transform! Ah!" Yang Xuan, who had been marveling, suddenly realized he was still in the basement and promptly sat down on the floor. Fortunately, he reacted quickly, or the ceiling would have been broken. Looking at his enlarged body, even his casual voice was louder than usual, and his physical defense felt incredible.

"Gurgle, gurgle." At that moment, a hungry roar echoed from Yang Xuan's stomach.

"It's over! I didn't expect it to consume so much. It seems I can't circulate energy immediately after practicing, or I might really get drained. I'm starving!" Yang Xuan wailed.

Yang Xuan picked up the scattered compressed energy bars from the floor and started devouring them.

Some time passed as he organized his belongings, procured supplies, and cultivated his Taoist methods.

One morning, as Yang Xuan was practicing his cultivation technique, his phone suddenly rang.

"Hello, Yang Xuan. My two girlfriends and I are at the gym. Hurry over, we need to discuss our road trip," Natasha said.

"Okay, okay, I'll head out right away," Yang Xuan responded.

Yang Xuan took a shower and tidied himself up. He looked good. Since he started cultivating, his hair had become thicker and blacker. His teeth, which were a bit uneven before, were now gradually straightening and had become much whiter.

The weather was great, just a bit too sunny. Wearing sunglasses, he rode his little donkey towards the gym.

Yang Xuan entered the meeting room. "Natasha, sorry for keeping you waiting."

"Yang Xuan, come here quickly. We've been waiting for you for a long time. Let me introduce you to my two girlfriends." Natasha walked over and pointed to a tall, attractive beauty. "This is Xu Qing. It's because of her that I came to Hua country."

Xu Qing nodded politely. "Hello."

Natasha pointed to a girl sitting next to her, who had an average build and a slightly chubby, baby-like face. "This is Zhang Mengmeng, my other best friend."

"These two are my closest girlfriends in Hua country. We're a bit bored lately and plan to go on a self-driving trip to the wilderness in YN." Natasha explained.

"Is it just the four of us?" Yang Xuan asked.

"Two more people haven't confirmed yet, and we don't know if they're coming. We'll find a place first," Xu Qing said.

"Do you have any initial destinations in mind?" Yang Xuan inquired.

Zhang Mengmeng spread her hands. "Every time we traveled before, we went on group tours or independent trips to cities or beaches for fun and shopping. Going to a wilderness area this time, I'm really a bit clueless."

"How about this: we pick a location, and then we can play as we drive along, traverse through the wilderness, and then loop back," Yang Xuan suggested.

The three women huddled together and discussed. Natasha said, "We have no problem with that. We need to contact the other two people who want to go tonight and see if we can set a date."

Yang Xuan opened his phone's map and started looking. "Actually, we don't need much of a plan. We can just go with the flow. Look, we'll start from HN City, drive ourselves, avoid the highways, pass through Nanchang, Changsha, Guiyang, Kunming, and then reach our final destination, the wilderness forest. We'll figure out how to get back then."

"Not bad, not bad," Xu Qing said.

"Yang Xuan, you're amazing," Zhang Mengmeng said.

"It will probably take a few days to prepare supplies and some wilderness survival tools and equipment," Yang Xuan said.

"After those two people are confirmed, we'll arrange the vehicle and trunk space, and then decide how many supplies and equipment to purchase," Xu Qing said.

"Everything is arranged, so how about we go out for a celebratory meal at noon?" Zhang Mengmeng suggested.

"That sounds great!" Xu Qing agreed.

Natasha glanced at Yang Xuan. "What do you say?"

"Sure, sure. I'm starving anyway. I'll treat today," Yang Xuan said with a helpless wry smile.

"How can I let you do that? If I suggest eating out, I should be the one to treat," Zhang Mengmeng insisted.

"It's no big deal. After all, it's our first time meeting, let's be friends. I'm new here, so I'll treat, haha," Yang Xuan said.

"Just let him treat. It's fine," Natasha said, stopping Zhang Mengmeng who was about to speak.

"What's wrong with someone treating? You silly girl," Xu Qing teased.

"You're the silly girl," Zhang Mengmeng retorted.

"What are you two arguing about? Let's decide what to eat," Natasha said decisively.

"Let's go for barbecue. It's newly opened, and I heard it's reasonably priced and tastes good," Xu Qing said.

"Okay, let's go there. Yang Xuan, is that alright with you?" Zhang Mengmeng asked.

"I'll eat whatever you guys eat," Yang Xuan nodded.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go," Xu Qing said.

"You guys drive. I'll go with Yang Xuan," Natasha said.