Tempering the Physique

"Since the Miracle Formula gave me this strange ability to devour, it must bring endless benefits to me. If I let too many concerns hold me back, I'd be wasting a shortcut to rapid evolution." Mu Xiao was not some pedantic moralist. He did not see this as an evil devouring ability and refuse to use it. For the sake of evolution, as long as he did not abandon the bottom line of his humanity, he could use every possible means.

The greater the power, the easier it was to lose one's true nature and become nothing but a slave to one's genes. In the end, humanity would fall away, and one would no longer be human, but a demon.

Evolution was not simply about raising one's level. Sometimes, one's state of mind was just as important.

It was like the Daoists' so-called "state of mind." In the language of the current Evolution Era, it was called the "spirit."

This was the key to determining one's hidden potential. After evolving too many times, shadows would gradually gather within the "spirit." One had to uphold the principles set by one's own "spirit," never try to destroy the bottom line within it, and regularly cleanse one's "spirit" in order to see clearly the path ahead for one's body and evolution.

If a person could not even hold fast to their own "spirit," what right did they have to become a perfect Evolver untouched by filth?

Ordinary people found it difficult to notice changes in their own "spirit," allowing the power of evolution to corrode it. Though they appeared no different from others on the surface, they had already strayed onto the wrong path and lost the correct road of evolution. Sooner or later, they would either become "demons" or suffer genetic collapse and die.

Mu Xiao had once fallen completely at the trial of the "spirit," so he understood his own evolutionary direction very clearly and did not want to return to his old path. Moreover, cultivation of the "spirit" was the only intangible realm that could not be improved through external means. He could only rely on quiet meditation to calm his chaotic thoughts before continuing to elevate his realm.

In this era at the beginning of evolution, clearly no one paid attention to the "spirit." Many people only indulged in the thrill brought by power, completely unaware of the fatal hidden dangers buried by rapidly raising their realm. Therefore, Mu Xiao focused early on the direction of his own "spirit," refusing to label the devouring ability in his genes as something evil.

Otherwise, over time, his "spirit" would be affected, his temperament could become twisted, and there would be a great chance of destroying his own bottom line.

However, some abilities were connected to the "spirit." Such people had a very clear understanding and perception of the changes in their own spirit. But whether they could control the direction of their spirit and resist external temptations was another matter entirely.

Telekinesis drilled into the corpse of the guarding Mutant Human, tearing open a bloody hole in its chest. Soon, a bright-red heart filled with Blood Energy was dug out by Telekinesis.

Suspended in midair, the dark-red heart gave off waves of rich, fragrant blood scent. With a slight movement of Mu Xiao's Telekinesis, the Blood Energy contained within the heart was compressed into thick, vivid crimson blood plasma. He sucked it directly into his mouth and drank it like a beverage.

All the Blood Energy in the heart was absorbed.

Suddenly, a fierce spring of energy surged through his chest. The blood plasma was as violent and scorching as lava. His internal organs, tendons, bones, and muscles seemed to ignite in blazing flames, as though he had been tied inside a searing furnace. Mu Xiao's eyes became bloodshot, his skin flushed red and burning hot, and vast amounts of steam rose from his entire body. It felt as if his flesh were about to be steamed dry and roasted through.

Huff!

With every breath, Mu Xiao seemed to exhale scorching flames. His blood boiled like hot water. Gradually, a layer of black grime appeared across his body. His bloodline was purified, and the blazing heat within him began to cool, transforming into a warm, gentle spring-like energy that softly nourished every inch of his muscles and dispelled the violent blood aura from before.

"This is tempering the impurities in my body..." Mu Xiao's eyes were sharp as swords, honed with a piercing edge.

He could clearly sense that his body had undergone a round of tempering. Although he had not gained any experience points, the blood aura within him had become increasingly pure. The high heat had dried away excess fat from his body, leaving him covered in dense, refined muscles like cast iron. They radiated explosive force, and his combat strength surpassed what it had been before.

Now, Mu Xiao's entire body brimmed with vitality,

his mind felt refreshed, and his sense of touch had become several times more sensitive. Even the faint hidden ailments lingering within this body had been tempered and repaired. A thousand-mile dike could collapse from an ant hole.

If hidden ailments in the body were ignored, the damage they caused would only increase. New injuries would cover old ones, and over time, as more accumulated, deep-rooted ailments would become difficult to eliminate. This would greatly affect the growth and strength of one's physique, as well as the speed of explosive physical power and the duration of one's endurance.

"As expected, the heart Blood Energy of a Mutant Human is tremendously useful to me!" Mu Xiao moved his limbs. His body felt as hard as forged iron, yet incomparably light and agile. He casually threw a punch forward, and a faint gust of force stirred through the air.

Mu Xiao felt clear-headed and invigorated, experiencing for the first time the immense benefits brought by the "Miracle Formula."

To temper one's physique, different energy sources had to be used, repeatedly fused and strengthened, or paired with precious medicines before the effect of "tempering" could be achieved. Yet Mu Xiao had merely devoured the heart of a Mutant Human and skipped all the tedious steps, gaining a rare tempering effect.

Especially since his current physique was only at the initial stage of a New Human's body. The sooner he tempered it, the more thoroughly his potential could naturally be unearthed.

"The metal door has electromagnetic energy flowing through it, so it can somewhat block the Zombies' detection outside. As long as I set up some bombs at the entrance, safety tonight should not be a problem." Mu Xiao rummaged through his backpack, took out three Sensor Bombs and three High-Explosive Grenades, tied them together, and arranged them in a triangular formation at the doorway.

Mu Xiao placed the remaining grenades and bombs at the corners of the stairwell.

If any monster truly came in, it would definitely suffer two explosions. Mu Xiao would also have ample time upstairs to prepare.

In a secluded break room on the third floor, An Rongru sat on the bed with her thoughts in turmoil. Her plump, alluring face was flushed red and hot, her beautiful eyes shimmering as though filled with spring water. As her thoughts ran wild, desire gradually arose. It felt as though ants were crawling over her mature, voluptuous body, leaving her itchy and numb, while heat spread throughout her. Her legs rubbed faintly together, and cold liquid spilled from the hidden valley between them. Her heart softened like honey. She was both ashamed and annoyed, secretly cursing herself for being shameless, yet she did not know how she would endure the long night.

It was not that An Rongru was unwilling to yield to Mu Xiao and become his woman. After all, she had endured one shock after another throughout the day. Especially during the past few days, when she had been alone and terrified, Mu Xiao had suddenly appeared and saved her. Was that not a hero rescuing a beauty? Moreover, Mu Xiao had given her hope every time she was in the greatest danger. Although he had made things difficult for her at times, when she thought back on it, she knew he had done it for her own good, helping her adapt more quickly to this cruel world.

However, An Rongru had been a single woman for many years, constantly guarding against men with ill intentions. She had never possessed any true sense of security. Now, under Mu Xiao's repeated advances, how could the heart behind An Rongru's outward strength and inner vulnerability not be conquered by the masculine power he radiated?

But in the end, they had known each other for less than a day, and things were already developing to the point of sharing a bed. She felt that perhaps she was being too casual.

Still, An Rongru had promised to become Mu Xiao's woman, and she did not want to go back on her word. Besides, Mu Xiao truly stirred feelings within her.

"What should I do... It doesn't seem right to refuse him. If only he could understand me..." Like a young girl in love, An Rongru seemed to think of something. Her face bloomed with beauty, and her cheeks shone with an enchanting crimson glow. She knew that her exaggerated figure held immense temptation for men, so she naturally believed Mu Xiao was like any normal man, filled with primal desire for her plump, seductive body.

"If we really do have a relationship, how will I explain it when I see my daughter..." Thinking of the daughter who depended on her for everything, An Rongru's desire gradually faded, replaced by a mother's worries.

Suddenly, footsteps came from outside the room. With the worries that had just arisen and her bashful state of mind, An Rongru became restless and uneasy.

The moment Mu Xiao reached the third floor and spread out his Mental Power, he found the room where An Rongru was.

When he opened the door, Mu Xiao saw An Rongru looking distracted. Her beautiful eyes darted nervously away, avoiding his gaze as much as possible and refusing to make eye contact with him.

I'm not some lecherous wolf who eats people without spitting out their bones.

Seeing that she was not mentally prepared, Mu Xiao mocked himself inwardly. However, he had no intention of forcing himself on her. If she was unwilling, there would not be much pleasure in it anyway. Besides, if nothing happened between them, Mu Xiao naturally would not feel any pressure of responsibility. But if An Rongru became his woman, then as her man, Mu Xiao certainly would not casually abandon her.

An Rongru said nothing, and Mu Xiao acted as he pleased, paying her no further attention.

Mu Xiao set down the backpack in his hand, then picked out a set of clothes from the daily necessities she had retrieved and went into the bathroom. After tempering his body earlier, he was covered in grime and sweat. He had also fought all day and been splattered with plenty of foul-smelling dirty blood, so naturally he wanted to wash up properly.

When Mu Xiao entered earlier, An Rongru's cheeks had heated up and her heartbeat had quickened. She had not known what expression to wear in response to his gaze. But Mu Xiao had not said anything, merely walking into the bathroom with indifference. An Rongru's heart suddenly filled with panic, as though she had made some grave mistake.

"Then this is the only way."

Ashamed and aggrieved, An Rongru slowly took off her defensive suit. Her thin shirt could not conceal the two soft, full white rabbits on her chest. Their magnificent, round contours were like towering peaks impossible to climb. But she did not want Mu Xiao to ignore her so coldly. She prepared to enter the bathroom, bathe with him, and perhaps let their relationship happen naturally with the mood.

Just as she was about to take off her outer shirt, the bathroom door opened again. Mu Xiao stuck his head out and instructed her in his usual tone, "One of my backpacks has an iron box with some chunks of meat inside. Take them and wash them. Wash all the vegetables and meat you found earlier too, pack them away, and set out the things for dinner while you're at it. Once I'm done washing up, I'll repair a few energy stoves and make dinner."

After saying that, Mu Xiao pulled his head back inside.

An Rongru stood stunned for a long time. Then her lovely face suddenly reddened like a ripe apple as she realized she had overthought it. He had not been cold toward her at all.