Book of Eibon

In a flash, the black characters seemed to sprout flesh and grow tiny tentacles, slowly wriggling and then spreading.

He thought he heard whispers, or perhaps devout followers murmuring prayers, and the hissing of long snakes approaching from afar.

A faint, ethereal voice echoed in his mind, making his consciousness blur.

Sharp screams, interspersed with grand sacrificial chants, flickered in and out of his hearing. In a daze, he heard a toad's croak, a low sound resonating in his mind like an incantation.

His vision blurred, and his consciousness plunged into darkness.

The black text lifted from the stone slab, transforming into wisps of tentacles that burrowed into Wang Changle's head.

Waves of knowledge poured in, accompanied by echoing, mournful whispers.

[Notification: You have read the 'Book of Eibon (Rubbing) Fragment', you have gained knowledge related to Cthulhu - 'Enkai', your Cthulhu Lore has increased by 30. Health -20%]

[Notification: You have heard the whispers of the 'Unspeakable', now performing an Intelligence check. Intelligence 10, you resisted the fear. Magic -30.]

[Notification: You have heard the devout prayers of the 'Vormi', now performing a Strength check. Check failed, you have received the Intermediate Weakness Curse. You have obtained information about the 'Vormi'. Health -10%]

[Notification: You have heard the hissing of the 'Serpent People', now performing a Dexterity check. Check failed, you have received the Serpent People's curse 'Serpentization'. You have obtained information about the 'Serpent People'. Health -10%]

[Notification: You have heard the sacrifice of the 'Kunjyan', now performing a Charisma check. Check passed, you have gained the Minor Bloodlust effect, Magic reduced by 10.]

[Notification: You have heard the toad's croak of 'Sathogua', now performing a Stamina Check. Stamina 10, you resisted parasitic infection. You have obtained information about the 'Formless Child'. Health -20%.]

[Notification: You have passed three checks, you have learned the summoning array for the Children of the Forest (Black Goat Cub). Magic -50, Health -30%]

In the darkness, he seemed to enter another world:

He slowly descended into boundless darkness. The sun seemed distant, and he walked on the dark side of a colossal planet.

Terrifying shadows enveloped him, filling him with loneliness and oppression. The weightlessness of space made him feel helpless.

Suddenly, he began to fall rapidly, as if about to be swallowed by the giant planet.

The planet's surface was covered in an endless, black, oily substance that writhed and roared.

As he fell, he saw three-toed, hairy beings on a frost-covered plateau. They were savage and robust, crawling on the ground and praying to something deep within the earth.

In the endless darkness, he witnessed a grand human sacrifice, black and red blood spreading between the ravines during the ritual.

Deeper within the earth, he glimpsed colossal black shadows, entangled and hissing. They had deep black vertical pupils, filled with cold, bloodthirsty killing intent.

An endless fall, endless darkness. Finally, in the eternal dark, he saw a pair of massive eyes, filled with a "sacred laziness."

At that moment, his body underwent a transformation. He not only grew fine black scales but also developed a greater craving for blood. Yet, around him, there was only darkness and an inescapable damp stickiness.

Amidst the toad's croak, he suddenly awoke!

"Thud."

He fell headfirst onto the ground, his eyes opening in a daze. He found himself still in the hotel suite, but before him lay a pile of incense ash and some tiny snake scales scattered about.

As he tried to get up, he found his limbs weak and his breathing labored. Even the slightest movement sent tearing pain through his body.

He struggled to his feet, a fierce hunger gnawing at his abdomen, as if he hadn't eaten in a long time.

After eating some food, he realized his entire body was covered in a black, oily substance, and his skin seemed to have been torn by something, leaving him covered in fine wounds.

His Health was dangerously low, and he had spent a full 72 hours in this "learning" session!

Upon clicking to view the Paradise's notification, he gained an understanding of this "learning" experience.

Fortunately, the gains were considerable. He now knew information about the "Enkai" world and had a thorough understanding of the Great Old One 'Sathogua', its kin, and its servants.

He had also acquired a sacrificial summoning array. He was now even more grateful that he had purchased two [Spirit Calming Incense].

Otherwise, he would have become a monster afflicted with weakness, covered in snake scales, and craving blood.

In this world, he would have been more "Quanxing" than Quanxing himself!

He let out a long sigh. Despite the hardship, he had gained a deeper understanding of the hidden quest and learned how to use the Formless Child scroll.

Compared to summoning rituals requiring various sacrificial materials and flesh and blood, what he needed to do now was to create "Suleiman's End," and he had the materials.

This was a result of his knowledge, a form of applying what he had learned.

He took out the previous mummified corpse powder, then added frankincense, sulfur, and saltpeter. He began to grind them into a powder, then mixed them in the correct proportions according to memory.

[You have obtained Simple Suleiman's Dust *3]

Simple Suleiman's Dust

Origin: Under One Person

Type: Consumable

White: 5

Effect: Deals 10% fixed Health damage to creatures not from an 'Under One Person' Derivative World. Ineffective against Contractors.

Description: A grey-green powder made from Cthulhu mummified corpse. Its effects are reduced.

Price: 500 Paradise Coin (Cannot be taken out of Derivative Worlds)

Each palm-sized vial contained a small pinch of grey-green powder.

The next day, at the Tianxia Group's training room.

With a "boom," the plastic dummy was smashed to pieces. A retreating hook landed on the heavy sandbag, and with a "bang," the sandbag burst, scattering fine sand everywhere.

"The gloves are light and thin, not affecting punching speed, and offer some protection. They've increased my punching power by at least 10%, and after attaching Qi, they can increase it by another 10%."

Stroking the scale-patterned gloves on her hands, Feng Shayan was quite fond of them. These gloves were perfect for her. She never expected Mr. Ode to actually be skilled in "artifact refining."

"Hmm, it seems he really is an artifact refiner. Shayan, then you should be cultivated well!"

Feng Zhenghao's voice came through her earpiece. Clearly, Feng Zhenghao had seen everything happening in the training room.

Meanwhile, Wang Changle also received a prompt from Paradise.

[Prompt: You have completed the side quest "Artifact Refining." You have gained 1000 Reputation Points.]

[Prompt: You have been promoted to High-Ranking Executive. Current Reputation Points: Respected 2500/5000]

"The gloves are nice, I'll keep them. High-Ranking Executive, want to spar again?"

"Young Miss, I just gave you a Magic Tool, and you want to use it to beat up its creator? That doesn't seem right!"

He said with a hint of teasing in his voice, shrugged, and turned to walk outside.

"Now that I'm also a High-Ranking Executive, I need to find something to do. Sparring with the Young Miss won't increase my reputation!"

"Why do you need so much contribution? Do you also want to participate in the Luotian Grand Ceremony?"

Feng Shayan sidestepped and shattered another wooden stake, her tone laced with amusement.

"Yeah, the Luotian Grand Ceremony! So many heroes and outstanding figures. My age is also compliant. As long as I gather 2000 reputation points, I'll naturally go take a look! Plus, there's the Heaven Communicating Talisman Art as a reward~"

He turned and tossed a bottle of water to Feng Shayan, then sat on a stool, took out his phone, and tapped on the Tianxia Association's announcement.

"Beep beep beep beep"

"Hello, is this Mr. Ode? There's a message regarding the task you previously released. Can you come over when you have time~"

His eyebrows shot up, and he immediately ran outside. A target for becoming stronger had appeared.