The Heavenly Human Realm!

Chapter 10: 010. Heavenly Human Realm!

"You brat, don't you know those things travel in packs?"

Kureha narrowed her eyes, anger lacing her words. "Do you think your pathetic strength can take on a pack of adult Laboons?"

Seeing she was genuinely upset, Mercer quickly explained:

"Don't get worked up yet. The one I met today was alone, only about 1.5 meters long, and not fully grown. It ambushed me, so I killed it in self-defense."

He quickly explained the situation in a few words. Seeing Kureha's expression soften slightly, Mercer breathed a sigh of relief:

"Doctor Doriel, let's have roast Laboon tonight."

Kureha looked at the Laboon Mercer had dragged into the house, only half of it remaining. A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes. "There's still half left? Did your Panda eat it?"

Mercer explained again, telling her about the tailor's shop.

Kureha gave a fake smile. "What? Want new clothes? You could have just told me, I would have bought them for you."

Mercer scratched his head. "Uh, it wasn't for me."

"Then who is it for?" Kureha's lips curved, a hint of anticipation in her voice. "It's not for that scoundrel Grandpa Garp, is it?"

Mercer tilted his head and whispered, "It wouldn't be impossible, but the Laboon fur is a bit small. Maybe I should ask the tailor to alter the coat into a shorter one."

Kureha said flatly, "You might as well go hunt a fully grown one then. That scoundrel is as strong as a Bear."

Mercer pinched his chin, seemingly deep in thought, then looked up at her.

"How about tomorrow?"

Kureha's face was cold. "Fine. I'll collect your corpse then. If I'm quick enough, I might be able to drag you out before you turn into poop."

Mercer put on a pained expression. "Then forget it. I still have to take care of you in your old age. If I go before you, it would be too disrespectful."

"You little brat, who are you cursing to die?" Kureha's face turned red with anger as she retorted, "Do you believe I'll hang you up and beat you? I'll break your legs."

Mercer: "..."

Having no other choice, Mercer relented. He patted his forehead as if suddenly remembering.

"That won't be necessary. I forgot to mention, the measurements for that Laboon coat were made according to your size. It probably won't fit anyone else."

Kureha stared at Mercer, her eyes narrowed. She was now certain the little rascal was messing with her. Her tone was seven parts annoyed and three parts restrained.

"Who taught you all these tricks? I don't remember teaching you anything like this. Was it that scoundrel Garp?"

As she spoke, Kureha said irritably, "Roast meat at night? We'll have it tomorrow. Eating so much meat tonight, do you want to turn into a Pig?"

"Oh!" Mercer's voice was dejected. He crouched down and looked at Bear Cub, a slight smirk on his lips. "Your Mama Dolier thinks you're too fat. You'll just eat dirt tonight, mixed with the snow outside to fill your belly."

Bear Cub had been lying quietly on the ground, trying to make himself scarce. Hearing Mercer's words, his shiny, obsidian-like black eyes suddenly widened. He looked at Mercer in disbelief.

"Ying?"

His stomach rumbled in response, and he looked at Kureha with pitiful eyes. He crawled to Kureha's feet, rubbing his furry face against her legs and whimpering anxiously.

He was trying his best to gain sympathy!

Kureha ignored him, her face dark as she looked at Mercer. Her eyelids drooped, and she gave a fake smile.

"What did you just call me? Bear Cub's Mama? Are you calling me inhuman?"

Mercer quickly shook his head. "Bear Cub was raised by you, through thick and thin. In his heart, you are his Mama. I didn't say anything wrong."

Hearing this, Kureha glared fiercely at Mercer, placing one hand on her hip and pointing a spatula at his nose. "You little brat, you still have the nerve to say that? What did you say back then, and yet all the trouble of raising him fell on me."

Mercer looked at Bear Cub with a helpless expression.

"Your Mama dislikes you. Why don't you beg her again?"

Bear Cub whimpered pitifully and stood up on his hind legs, hugging Kureha's legs with his front paws, looking up at her with longing.

With a slap to her forehead, Kureha was defeated. What was this Panda made of? It was too clingy.

Who did it learn this from?

Sighing, Kureha shook her leg, and Bear Cub rolled away. He walked over to the Laboon meat himself and dragged it into the kitchen.

"I give up on you two. Always causing trouble for me. Mercer, you'll learn to cook from me after a while. You're not that young anymore, it's time you learned to cook for yourself."

Listening to the "bang bang" of chopping meat from the kitchen, as if venting her frustration, Mercer looked at Bear Cub and tempted him.

"Want to learn Culinary Skills? You eat so much, you can make your own pots and pans. Once you learn, you can cook for yourself anytime, anywhere, and you won't have to face your Mama's temper anymore."

Bear Cub's eyes showed contemplation, but the next second, a sinister voice echoed from the kitchen.

"Do you really want your legs broken? If you're bored, go read a book, or go wash up. I don't want to hear your voice right now. Shut up."

Mercer gave a dry laugh and hurried to the washroom. Soon, the sound of running water could be heard.

After washing up, he sat at his desk and picked up a surgical case study book, reading about the key points of dissection. Mercer read the text and diagrams with great interest. Before long, as the aroma in the house grew stronger, Kureha's voice rang out.

"Get over here and eat."

Her tone was cold, indicating she was still angry. Mercer obediently went over and helped carry the meat from the kitchen.

Laboon was made into a large, fragrant, and satisfying basin of meat bones, along with a lightly scented medicinal porridge and a steamer of large meat buns.

Dinner was simple, but incredibly nutritious.

Mercer ate until his mouth was slick with oil, and the Bear Cub beside him was no different. His paws had transformed into iron chopsticks and an iron fork, and his mouth was wide open as he ate with wild abandon.

Kureha ate slowly and deliberately, a slight smile on her lips. "Eat slower, there's more in the kitchen. If you're not full, go get it yourself."

After eating their fill, Kureha went upstairs alone. After Mercer and the Bear Cub finished, Mercer took the Bear Cub to the kitchen. The latter's paws transformed into a type of gel-like glove, and under Mercer's guidance, they washed the dishes together.

Diligent children should be trained from a young age. A Gulp-Gulp Fruit user wouldn't starve to death. To prevent the Bear Cub from becoming lazy in the future, Mercer taught him whatever he could.

Fortunately, this bear was smart!

Everything was tidied up.

After reading for a while longer, and feeling that it was about time, Mercer went to bed to rest.

The Drum Kingdom was a major medical power in the World. People from all over would come here seeking treatment for illnesses from time to time.

Those who went out to sea to "forge their path" would also always come here seeking the "endorsement" of doctors. However, there was one man who would occasionally appear in these waters, causing some people no end of trouble.

But this did not affect Mercer's daily life. Every day, he followed a routine of studying, hunting, running and exercising with dietary supplements, or going with Kureha to various towns and villages to treat patients.

And earn some daily necessities.

Every day was incredibly fulfilling. Mercer, like a sponge, continuously absorbed all sorts of knowledge and skills from Kureha.

Kureha was happy to have it this way. When they first met, she might have only seen the infant Mercer as an interesting "experiment," but as time bore witness, everything had changed.

Like family, like master and disciple, and also like close friends.

And even fellow travelers with the same goal.

In the blink of an eye, time had reached September of Sea Year 1503. The winter on Drum Island showed no signs of seasonal change whatsoever.

Mercer, at three years and nine months old, stood at one meter and nineteen centimeters tall and weighed twenty-five kilograms. Kureha had raised him to be fair-skinned and clean, a picture of a delicate, slightly chubby child.

He had short, slightly curly black hair, a pair of clear, ethereal black eyes that held a hint of slyness amidst their mystery and liveliness, and a slightly rounded, fair, and tender face. The skin that was exposed was fair and moist, and he carried an aura of delicate tranquility.

The land nurtures its people.

Most of the people living on this island had fair skin.

However, Mercer's fairness, along with his demeanor, made him think, "A-rank Gift [Breathing]. I didn't expect it to be able to subtly adjust myself comprehensively. Not only that, but it also has some divine properties that interact with the natural environment."

Breathing was, after all, an important medium for living beings to interact with their natural environment.

Through advanced breathing techniques and prolonged interaction with the natural environment, from the outside in, coupled with the perceptive insight of Observation Haki, Mercer vaguely felt an indescribable instinct that he was about to undergo some kind of "transformation."

Recently, he had been experiencing this inexplicable feeling from time to time.

If he didn't understand, he asked. Mercer asked Kureha if she had any advice. The latter simply replied, "How should I know? My breathing depth isn't as profound as yours. Just go with your feelings."

So, Mercer continued to eat, drink, and sleep as usual. Although Kureha hadn't said anything useful, old foxes were cunning, and old people were wise.

He would listen to her and go with his feelings.

Today was a sunny day.

For the first time in a while, there was no snow falling from the sky, and even the clouds had dispersed considerably. The azure sky appeared exceptionally clear.

The view of the sky shifted and swayed as Mercer lay on the Bear Cub's back. The Bear Cub moved its four limbs, leisurely walking through the forest, its paws crunching on the snow-covered ground.

The Bear Cub, just over two years old, was already one and a half meters long. Standing on its hind legs, it was at least one meter ninety tall and weighed eighty kilograms, a truly round and plump creature.

Being able to eat was a blessing. The Bear Cub was practically a bottomless pit. It could eat several times its own weight in food at a single meal. If not for the Gulp-Gulp Fruit's ability to swallow anything, Mercer might not have been able to afford to feed him.

Oh, generally, he didn't need to feed him himself.

His head rested on the Bear Cub's shoulder as he was carried forward. Resting on him, the soft, furry sensation was incredibly comfortable.

People often say that proximity to vermilion leads to redness, and proximity to ink leads to blackness. Intelligent creatures were always good at imitation. Thus, Mercer's Observation Haki perception enveloped the Bear Cub.

Mercer's breathing was calm, with an indescribable, unique rhythm. Naturally and spontaneously, he could "taste" a rhythm similar to his own within the Bear Cub's breathing.

Over a year later, the already intelligent Bear Cub, through the persistent efforts of Mercer and Kureha, had learned that special breathing technique.

He had only learned the basics, not to Mercer's level, but it had given the Bear Cub a significant degree of control over his own body.

Increased control over his body naturally manifested in various aspects.

They arrived at the foot of one of the Drum Mountains, the closest one to their treehouse, after passing through the forest.

He looked at the greyish-brown peak before him, resembling a pillar supporting the heavens, a full five thousand meters high, piercing the clouds.

The surface of the cylindrical peak had small rock crevices resembling textures, providing excellent footholds for rock-climbing enthusiasts.

However.

For Bear Cub, who possessed the Gulp-Gulp Fruit's abilities, eating Mount Drum might take a decade or even a century. However, simply eating a path up the mountain wouldn't take nearly as long.

A winding "Z" shaped mountain path appeared on the cliff face, repeating itself.

Bear Cub led the way, starting his climb from the foot of the mountain. One side of Mount Drum was gnawed into a path leading straight to the summit.

The path was rough and uneven, with gaps here and there. Under Mercer's command, Bear Cub had spent nearly five months eating it into existence.

Halfway up the mountain, the wind howled fiercely. There were no railings on the path, and it was only wide enough for Bear Cub to stand steadily. Bear Cub extended his four claws, gripping the ground firmly.

The wind whistled, and Mercer followed closely behind Bear Cub as they climbed. Two hours later, the ten-thousand-meter-long mountain path was completed.

Mercer and Bear Cub ate their way through an internal passage leading to the summit. They lifted a stone slab covering the opening and finally reached the peak.

There was no wind around. It was a pine forest, completely deserted. The flat ground was covered with a thick layer of snow.

On this Winter Island, only the royal family of this country built their castle on the summit of the central Mount Drum.

The remaining few Mount Drums were unused, appearing incredibly vast and desolate.

Standing at the edge of the peak, one could see the entire island at a glance. Besides a few other identical mountain peaks, everything else seemed to lie prostrate at their feet.

At an altitude of five thousand meters, the air was thin. The clouds seemed to be underfoot. The view was vast, and a sense of heroism brewed within.

"When I stand at the highest peak, I'll see all other mountains dwarfed!"

It was a feeling that had to be expressed.

Taking a deep breath, his chest and abdomen gradually expanded. A childish shout erupted from Mercer's mouth, releasing all his strength as if to roar out the heroism in his heart.

"Ah—ha!!!"

"Eee?"

Attracted by Mercer's unusual behavior, Bear Cub nuzzled up to Mercer's side. He also saw the scenery below. Even though it wasn't his first time here, his legs still trembled slightly. He glanced at Mercer again and, imitating him, let out a roar.

"Awooo!!!"

Roaring out all the pent-up heroism in his heart, Mercer took another deep breath. A slight warmth spread throughout his body, a subtle sense of clarity from the inside out.

His eyes sparkled.

Feeling that wondrous clarity, Mercer followed the emotions in his heart, breathing! Shouting! Using all his strength, he yelled freely. Gradually, a sense of inner peace emerged.

After a long while, Mercer stopped shouting, savoring the new, special feeling within him.

With each rise and fall of his breath, his body felt transparent and connected. He felt a deeper connection with all the natural things around him, a sense of emotional closeness.

Unsure of this bodily change, Mercer cheerfully opened the system interface.

Gifted Abilities panel.

[A+ Rank Gifted Ability: Breathing] (Can grow freely)

[Gift Effects: Qi贯全身, Unity of Heaven and Man. Greatly enhances the application of one's own physique, greatly enhances the perception of natural phenomena, and permanently and greatly accelerates the growth of "Physique" and "Soul" Attributes below A+ rank.]

[Gift Evaluation: Is this a Breathing Technique? No, this is the foundation of some kind of cultivation method. At this moment, you have taken the most important step.]

It had changed. The effects of "Breathing" had clearly changed. It wasn't just a further step within the A-rank level. Mercer understood:

"A-rank Gifted Abilities inherently have deeper applications. Although I reached it in one go before, some details were lacking.

After more than a year of adaptation and training, coupled with the shock to my mind today, its true effects have finally been revealed at this moment.

And it has advanced even further."

Unity of Heaven and Man?

A spiritual and mental realm of comprehension.

It was also the foundation for stepping into the extraordinary.

Mercer's lips curled into a satisfied smile.

And that wasn't all.

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The following is a brief overview of the realm and sensations of Unity of Heaven and Man:

Realm of Unity of Heaven and Man:

Emotional Closeness: The individual develops a sense of closeness with all natural things, forming an emotional connection.

Consciousness Fusion: The images, states, and manifest or latent information of all natural things are internalized into the individual's consciousness.

Body-Mind Integration: The individual forms a harmonious community with external objects or others, integrating body and mind, acting in coordination.

Transcending Self: Transcending individual desires and limitations, connecting with the mysteries of the universe, and merging with the cosmic rhythm.

Inner Peace: Achieving the state of Unity of Heaven and Man can bring inner peace and true freedom.

Sensations of Unity of Heaven and Man:

Unity with Heaven and Earth: Feeling oneself merge with the great atmosphere of heaven and earth, the body becoming transparent and connected, as if becoming a bridge between heaven and earth.

Oblivion of Self and Object: Reaching a state of oblivion of self and object in cultivation, acting without desire or purpose, and encompassing everything in thought.

Awakening of Cosmic Consciousness: Transcending the individual, possessing an awakening of cosmic consciousness, capable of perceiving the power and wisdom of the universe.

Understanding the Meaning of Life: Profoundly understanding the meaning of life and the value of existence, comprehending the deeper meaning of Unity of Heaven and Man.

Following Natural Laws: Conforming to natural laws, living in harmony with nature, embodying the state of "Unity of Heaven and Man."