Tempering Physique

"Since the Miracle Formula gave me this strange devouring ability, it must bring endless benefits to me. If I worried too much about it, I'd be wasting a shortcut to rapid evolution." Mu Xiao was not some stubborn moralist. He did not consider this a sinister devouring ability that should never be used. For the sake of evolution, as long as he did not abandon the bottom line of his humanity, he could use whatever means were necessary.

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

Evolution was not simply about raising one's level. Sometimes, one's mindset was equally important.

It was like the Daoist concept of a "state of mind." In the language of this age of evolution, it was called the "mind."

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

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

Ordinary people, however, found it difficult to pay attention to changes in their own "mind." Thus, their minds became corrupted by the power of evolution. Though they appeared no different from other people on the surface, they had already strayed down the wrong path and lost the correct road of evolution. Sooner or later, they would either become "demons" or die from genetic collapse.

Mu Xiao had once completely fallen at the hurdle of the "mind," so he understood his direction of evolution all too clearly and had no desire to return to his old path. Moreover, cultivation of the "mind" was the only intangible realm that could not be improved through external means. One could only rely on quiet meditation to calm chaotic thoughts before continuing to advance.

In this era at the dawn of evolution, clearly no one yet paid attention to the "mind." Many people only indulged in the thrill brought by power, utterly unaware of the fatal hidden dangers that rapid advancement could plant. Therefore, Mu Xiao had begun paying attention to the direction of his own "mind" in advance, so that he would not define the devouring ability in his genes as something sinister.

Otherwise, his "mind" would gradually be influenced without his noticing. If his temperament became twisted, there was a strong chance that his own bottom line would be destroyed.

However, some abilities were connected to the "mind." Such people had an exceptionally clear understanding and perception of changes in their own minds. But whether they could control the direction of their minds and avoid being influenced by outside forces was another matter entirely.

His telekinesis drilled into the corpse of the mutated guard, tearing open a bloody hole in its chest. Soon, a bright red heart brimming with blood energy was dug out by his telekinesis.

The dark-red heart hung in midair, emanating waves of rich, fragrant blood aura. With a slight movement of Mu Xiao's telekinesis, the blood energy contained within the heart was compressed into a thick, vividly crimson plasma. He sucked it directly into his mouth and drank it like a beverage.

All the heart's blood energy was absorbed.

Suddenly, a violent spring of energy surged through his chest, battering every part of his body. The blood plasma was like savage, scorching lava. His internal organs, tendons, bones, and muscles seemed to have been set ablaze, as though he had been tied inside a blazing furnace. Mu Xiao's eyes bloodshot, his skin flushed red and burning hot, and steam billowed from his entire body. It felt as if his flesh was about to be steamed dry and roasted through.

Huff!

Every breath Mu Xiao exhaled seemed to carry the heat of flames, while his blood boiled like scalding water. Gradually, a layer of black grime emerged across his body. His bloodline was purified, and the searing heat within him began to subside, transforming into a soft, warm spring of energy, like a gentle spring breeze. It tenderly nourished every inch of his muscles and washed away the violent blood aura from before.

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

He clearly sensed that his body had undergone a round of tempering. Though he had not gained any experience points, the blood energy within him had become increasingly pure. The high temperature had burned away the excess fat from his body, leaving him with dense, refined muscles like cast iron. They radiated astonishing explosive power, and his combat strength surpassed what it had been before.

Mu Xiao's entire body now brimmed with vitality. His mind was clear and refreshed, his senses several times sharper, and even those barely detectable old injuries lingering in this body had been tempered and repaired.

A dike spanning a thousand miles could collapse because of an ant hole.

If hidden injuries in the body were neglected, the accumulated damage would only grow. New wounds would cover old ones, and over time, the deeper injuries would become difficult to eliminate. They would greatly affect the growth potential of one's physique, as well as the explosive speed, endurance, and sustained strength of the body.

"As expected, the blood energy in a mutated human's heart is immensely useful to me!" Mu Xiao moved his limbs. His body felt as hard as forged iron, yet incredibly light and agile. With a simple punch forward, a faint gust of force stirred the air.

Mu Xiao felt open-hearted and invigorated, his energy overflowing as he experienced for the first time the enormous benefits brought by the "Miracle Formula."

To "temper" one's physique, one normally needed different sources of energy, repeatedly blended and strengthened, perhaps supplemented with precious potions, before achieving the effects of physique tempering. Yet Mu Xiao had merely devoured the heart of one mutated human and skipped all those complicated steps, gaining a rare round of tempering.

Especially since his current physique was only at the beginning stage of a new human's constitution, the sooner he tempered it, the more thoroughly his potential would naturally be unearthed.

"The metal door has electromagnetic energy flowing through it. It can somewhat block the zombies outside from sensing us. As long as I set a few bombs at the entrance, our safety tonight shouldn't be a problem." Mu Xiao rummaged through his backpack and took out three proximity bombs and three high-explosive grenades. He tied them together and arranged them in a triangular formation at the doorway.

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

If any monster really came in, it would definitely suffer two rounds of explosions, while Mu Xiao would 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 full, mature face was flushed a burning red, and her lovely eyes seemed to hold a pool of spring water. As wild thoughts ran through her mind, desire gradually rose within her. Her mature, voluptuous body felt as though ants were crawling over it, itchy and tingling, heat spreading throughout her body. Her heart felt soft as honey. She was both embarrassed and annoyed, secretly cursing herself for being shameless, while having no idea how she was supposed to endure the long night.

It was not that An Rongru was unwilling to become Mu Xiao's woman. After all, she had gone through one terrifying ordeal after another that day. Especially after spending the previous days alone in fear and loneliness, Mu Xiao had suddenly appeared to save her—was that not a hero rescuing a beauty? Moreover, Mu Xiao had given her hope at every critical moment. Though 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 and had long guarded herself against men with ill intentions. There was no sense of security in her heart at all. Now, under Mu Xiao's many advances, how could the surface-strong but inwardly fragile walls around her heart not be conquered by the masculine power he exuded?

But in the end, they had known each other for less than a day, and things were already developing to this point. She felt as though she might be acting too casually.

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 her heart.

"What should I do... It doesn't seem quite right to refuse him. If he can understand me..." Like a young girl in love, An Rongru seemed to think of something. Her face blossomed like a flower, her cheeks glowing with a captivating crimson sheen. She knew her exaggerated figure held great allure for men, and naturally believed that Mu Xiao, like any normal man, was filled with primal desire for her plump, enticing body.

"If we really do get together, how am I supposed to 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 sounded outside the room. The worry that had just risen in An Rongru's heart, combined with her embarrassment, left her unable to sit still.

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

When he opened the door, Mu Xiao saw An Rongru looking distracted. Her lovely eyes darted about as she avoided his gaze, doing her best not to meet his eyes.

It's not like I'm some pervert who eats people alive.

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

An Rongru said nothing, and Mu Xiao continued acting as he pleased without paying her much attention.

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

When Mu Xiao had entered earlier, An Rongru's cheeks had heated up and her heart had raced. She had not known how to react to his gaze. But Mu Xiao had said nothing, merely walking indifferently into the bathroom. Panic suddenly filled An Rongru's heart, as though she had made some terrible mistake.

"This is the only way."

Ashamed and aggrieved, An Rongru slowly took off her protective suit. She did not want Mu Xiao to coldly ignore her, so she prepared to enter the bathroom and bathe with him, perhaps even let their relationship progress 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, "There's an iron box in one of my backpacks with some chunks of meat inside. Take them and wash them. Wash all the vegetables and meat you brought back earlier too, then put them away. 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 while. Then her pretty face suddenly turned as red as a ripe apple as she realized she had been overthinking it. He had not been cold toward her at all.