Innate One Qi

Tianxia Group, conference room.

After negotiating with Nato Company, he was escorted back.

Not for any other reason, but because Tianxia Group's defenses were currently too weak.

Feng Baobao had stormed Tianxia Group, severely injuring three executives, and Jia Zhengyu had been expelled from the Tianxia Association by Feng Zhenghao, so he could only be called back for now.

As soon as he returned to Tianxia Group, Feng Shayan led him to Feng Zhenghao. Feng Xingtong stood beside them; it was clear this was no simple defensive deployment.

"Young people nowadays are full of spirit. In just two days, I've heard Mr. Ode's name several times. Truly, the younger generation is formidable!"

Feng Zhenghao laughed, patting his shoulder forcefully with his hand, giving off a "I have high hopes for you" vibe.

"President Feng, you flatter me. It's all due to the Young Lady's capable leadership."

He humbly took two steps back. This was just polite talk. The old fox Feng Zhenghao wouldn't praise him in front of Feng Shayan and Feng Xingtong for such a minor matter.

"Mr. Ode, you're being too formal. We're all family here. Call me Uncle Feng from now on. Xingtong, you should spend more time with Mr. Ode when you have the chance and learn from him."

Feng Zhenghao's glasses flashed as he glanced at the young man Feng Shayan had offered a seat to. He nodded, then gave Feng Xingtong a meaningful look.

"Yes, yes, of course. I'll host a welcome dinner for Brother Ode tonight."

Feng Xingtong nodded in agreement, appearing obedient and innocent.

"Ode, Uncle heard you can also forge artifacts? Truly a young hero~"

Feng Zhenghao sat back in the main seat, looking amiable, but his eyes were fixed on Feng Shayan.

Shayan actually said this kid could forge artifacts. That was an interesting ability. But was it his own skill, or did someone help him? He needed to find out.

Looking up, he knew the real reason for the meeting had arrived. If he answered that he couldn't forge, he probably wouldn't get off easy. This must be the purpose of today's summons!

"Yes, Uncle Feng, but forging requires a large amount of materials. Here is a list. Please take a look. If all the materials are gathered, I can refine something for the Young Lady at any time."

As he spoke, he presented the pre-prepared list. Most of the items were ores already present within the Tianxia Association.

Only two items were materials recognized by the Cycle Paradise for their quality.

[Mysterious Turtle Shell]

Origin: Under One Person

Type: Material

Green: 20

Description: A piece of armor from a hundred-year-old Mysterious Turtle, usable for alchemy, artifact forging, or medicine refining.

Price: 2800 Paradise Coin (can be taken out of Derivative World)

[Mysterious Iron]

Origin: Under One Person

Type: Material

Green: 25

Description: Mysterious Iron from the deep sea, possessing extremely high density and hardness. It is an excellent material for forging.

Price: 3000 Paradise Coin (can be taken out of Derivative World)

Both of these were excellent materials for forging. By obtaining these two items, he would have a plausible reason when the artifact was eventually refined.

"Oh, let me see. Hmm, Xingtong, go and get these materials for Mr. Ode. Ode, what kind of equipment are you planning to forge for Shayan?"

Feng Zhenghao glanced at the materials on the list, a flicker of interest appearing. It seemed this person might indeed have some skill in artifact forging and was worth cultivating.

"Gauntlets. The Young Lady's strongest combat style is her fists. The Hundred Paces Divine Fist combined with the Shrinking Ground Footwork, along with her Space Shuttle ability, makes gauntlets the most suitable."

These were the explanations he had prepared. In the plot's setting, Feng Shayan's Space Shuttle could only transport her own body and at most, her close-fitting clothing.

Therefore, gauntlets were the most suitable, and the leather gloves she was wearing were the most appropriate. After all, he wasn't truly forging; he needed a basis for his claims.

Feng Xingtong retrieved all the materials. At Feng Zhenghao's signal, he instantly stored all the items in his Mark Space.

This pseudo-version of "Sleeve-Shrinking Universe" impressed all three present. After some pleasantries, he received the leather gloves.

After leaving Tianxia Group, he found a nearby hotel to check in. He didn't want to be watched by cameras while operating; it would be too easy to expose himself.

That night, in the suite.

[You have used the Characteristic Card: Toughness, imbuing the leather gloves with a characteristic.]

The card transformed into a stream of light and entered the black leather gloves.

The leather gloves gradually melted away, and a pair of gauntlets covered in scales slowly appeared, layers of shimmering scales surging in the glow.

Especially between the fingertips, the fine scales became tough and strong, emitting a faint cold light.

[You have obtained Scale Gauntlets * 1]

Scale Gauntlets

Origin: Under One Person

Type: Gauntlets

Restriction: Female

White: 10+ (Exceeds peak White rating)

Equipment Requirement: Strength 8

Attack: 5~6

Durability: 30/30

Trait: Hard - When using Innate One Qi, Strength +2.

Description: Excellent female fighters often only need one blow!

Price: 2000 Paradise Coin

After reviewing it, he breathed a sigh of relief. Although this was only White equipment, its effects were no worse than Green equipment, and it was enough to pass the inspection.

Having completed 'Artifact Refining', he took out the [Life Essence (Qi)].

From emerging from subspace to negotiating with Nato Tong, and finally to meeting Feng Zhenghao, he didn't dare to absorb it for insurance purposes. After all, being injured could lower their guard and also grant preferential treatment.

The Life Essence turned into a warm current and flowed into his body. A vast life aura began to rapidly repair his body. The bruises on his chest and back disappeared, and many of the abrasions on his body quickly scabbed over and fell off.

[Notification: Innate One Qi compatibility with profession is 80%, has been added to skill slots]

[Notification: Life Force restored 100, current 100/105]

[Notification: You have obtained skill (Passive) Innate One Qi, current 10/10]

In a daze, he seemed to see the scene of Liao Tietou cultivating, flashes of images flickering before his eyes.

When he came to his senses, he felt a flowing energy within him, stable and balanced.

Innate One Qi, Level 1, Passive

Skill Effect: Activates the 'Qi' energy system, current 10/10.

A simple description, with no buffs, but it gave him an additional combat option, if only he could obtain a cultivation technique!

Right, cultivation technique!

He instantly thought of Iron Head Skill, but after taking it out, he put it back. This cultivation technique was of little use to him.

He didn't yet know the subsequent restrictions for learning cultivation techniques, so if he were to choose his first cultivation technique, he would naturally choose the one most suitable for him.

He held his breath and concentrated, silently sensing the flow of Qi within his body, but he seemed unable to mobilize this energy.

After trying for a long time, he finally gave up. It seemed he could only try after he exchanged for a cultivation technique later.

After absorbing the Life Essence, he took out three Treasure Chests, starting with the zombie old man's.

[You have opened Treasure Chest (White) * 1]

[You have obtained Mummy Powder]

Mummy Powder

Origin: Under One Person

White: 5

Type: Material

Effect: Can be used to craft potions or incantations.

Description: Mummy powder transformed by Cthulhu's power.

Putting away the powder, he figured it was a spellcasting material related to the Cthulhu world, its effect unknown. He continued to open the "mentor's" Treasure Chest.

[You have obtained Phantom Sound Wave Skill Book]

Phantom Sound Wave (Skill Book)

Origin: Under One Person

White: 10

Type: Skill Book

Usage Requirement: Innate One Qi activated, Intelligence 6.

Skill Effect: Consumes 50 Innate One Qi, uses low-frequency sound waves to inflict effects such as hypnosis, slow, and stun on enemies within a 5-meter radius (requires Intelligence/Stamina Check).

Description: Can easily control ordinary people and hypnotize them.

Price: 2000 Paradise Coin

This is a control-type sonic skill that uses sound wave transmission to achieve control.

It should be the green Qi the mentor released during battle, a wide-area crowd control skill.

Finally, there's the Formless Child's green Treasure Chest. This is the first green Treasure Chest he's obtained since entering Paradise. Hopefully, it'll contain something good.

[You have opened Treasure Chest (Green)]

[You have obtained Summoning Scroll - Formless Child]

Summoning Scroll - Formless Child

Origin: Enkai World

Type: Consumable

Rarity: Green

Effect: Summons a Formless Child to help you fight for 10 minutes.

Description: A kin of Sathogua.

Price: 4000 Paradise Coin

Clutching the parchment scroll, his fingers tapped restlessly on the edge of the table. He had a vague feeling this scroll might have other uses.

However, he had no information on the Formless Child, leaving him unable to analyze it.

Furthermore, he knew nothing about the 'Formless Child,' the 'Enkai' world, or 'Sathogua'!

To understand what these were, he would need to learn about the Cthulhu mythos, or at least the 'Enkai' world. Therefore, he needed relevant knowledge.

Knowledge...

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him.

His gaze fell upon the black and red stone tablet. After a moment of silence, he lit the Spirit Calming Incense.

After some thought, he placed a Rainbow Fruit Candy under his tongue and began to carefully read the contents of the stone tablet.

A dark, obscure aura floated up from the stone tablet.