Ascension: Demon Monarch System

11 Natural Essence (I)
'----'

'After receiving his next mission

Apollo didn't dawdle. In his usual worn clothing

Apollo walked unhurriedly toward the family library. To get there

he passed through the training area. As such

he caught a glimpse of the other kids' training. Compared to him

their training didn't seem so systematic.'

'He also noticed a few of the kids popping their Foundation Strengthening pills like candy. For a moment

Apollo was skeptical and left with questions. Their actions didn't seem to conform with what Azridan stated. 'Azridan

I thought you said these aren't the type of pills which can be ingested continuously.''

'[That's only the case for your current physique

even though the pill is of poor quality

the energy it holds is slightly too tyrannical to be ingested concurrently. You must remember

until recently

your meridians could be counted as broken.]'

'"Tch

this difference between us suck

" Apollo grumbled

forming a self-deprecating smile as he continued toward the library. At this point

he was starting to hate whatever or whoever causes his body's condition. To him

broken meridians didn't sound like a naturally occurring issue.'

'Several moments later

Apollo reached the library. For a moment

he paused and gazed at the exterior.'

'It was a simple stone building

with a few luxurious windows as well as rustic decor. While it wasn't overly large

it was equivalent in size to a chapel. He pushed the doors

entering inside to examine the scenery.'

'To his surprise

there weren't many bookshelves

instead

there was a rather large staircase located in the middle of the building that led upstairs. However

the entrance to the staircase was barred by a thin barrier.'

'In the corner

Danyul opened his eyes glancing at the newcomer. "Oh

it's you

Apollo. What have you come for?"'

'"Hello Uncle

I've come to read."'

'Silently

Danyul pondered

rubbing his cheek

"I see

well just a reminder

this level holds no techniques or training stances. Those are located on the next floor

but as you know

the next floor and beyond are off-limits unless your body is tested to have reached the 5th rank of the Mortal Realm. Other than that

you are free to browse."'

'"Ah thank you

Uncle. I have a question

which section is background information on Cultivation?" Apollo inquired

glancing around on his own as well..'

'"Hmm

if I recall properly

then I believe it was located in the third row

" Danyul answered after some thought. However

not long after

he once again closed his eyes.'

'It didn't take long for Apollo to scour the right section. He continued to browse

searching for books that fulfilled the criteria of his mission. After several minutes

he found what he was looking for.'

'There were a few; [Records of World Changing History: Part One]

[Body Cultivation: Initial Familiarity with Natural Essence] & [Evolution of Cultivation: Book I].'

'With the books now in possession

Apollo picked a corner and sat. After reading a single page

he found himself becoming engrossed. In a single sitting

he read their entire contents while oblivious to the passing time.'

'While doing so he learned many new things. For example

he learned exactly what Natural Essence was and did.'

'Before the arrival of the Terrors

Natural Essence wasn't an obscure notion. It just wasn't a forefront practice. While people understood that some type of energy existed in their world

they didn't seek to actively harness it. However

when brought to dire straits

what they first ignored became a necessity. In light of this

the path of\xa0Body Cultivation was born in the extremely distant past.'

'Now

it was what they said to be the basis of all small life. Every sentient thing possesses it at some level. It was a naturally occurring energy that subtly shifted the advancement of the planet. Natural Essence was absorbed through the orifices to refine one's body. It could also be used to prepare one for the even newer cultivation practice—Spirit Cultivation.'

'Of course

the concentration of this energy wasn't homogenous throughout. Depending on where one was

the density could move across the spectrum

growing far denser or thinning to obscurity.'

'Be that as it may

its true benefits didn't appear until one approached the Zul Warrior Realm and opened their Dantian. When that happened

the intimacy with this energy deepens.'

'Unknown to Apollo

he spent the better part of the day swallowed by books. Although young

he was more fascinated by this information than he let on.'

'"Ah

so that's why Azridan said the only number that really matters is 1600 Zuls. It's because it is the minimum requirement for your body to withstand the clearing of the Dantian as well as the opening of the Soul Temple."'

'Once he placed the books back on the shelves

Apollo digested the information as he pondered in deep thought.'

''If I think about it

the real beginning of cultivation isn't until we reach the Zul Warrior Realm. However

the first milestone would be reaching the 5th Rank of the Mortal Realm

one's physique would unlock the function of absorbing Natural Essence in its base form. Pills and beast meat wouldn't be the only way to "cultivate" then.''

'Due to all the reading

a prominent wave of mental exhaustion was over Apollo

but luckily

the system message sounded as he yawned.'

'«System Alert! Mission COMPLETE!»'

'«You have been rewarded 120 Experience and .5 Intelligence Points.»'

'«Congratulations you have reached Level 3.»'

'«Experience: 70/300.»'

'«.1 to all Attributes and 2 Stat points have been rewarded.»'

''Tomorrow's training will only get harder

it's time to allocate the points. Add 1 point to Strength and 1 point to Vitality.''

'Following the command

Apollo opened his status panel to take a look.'

'----'

'(Demon Monarch System) Lvl.1'

'Name: Apollo Kaiser'

'Race: Human'

'Age: 10'

'Level: 3'

'Experience: 70/300.'

'Health: 18/18'

'Stamina: 22/22'

'Body Cultivation Realm: Rank 1 Mortal [3/10]'

'Physique: Mortal (Middle)'

'Zuls: 3'

'Strength: 1.7'

'Agility: 1.5'

'Intelligence: 9.2'

'Vitality: 1.4'

'Stat Points: 0'

''My Intelligence grossly overshadows my other stats. I wonder

is that why I ask so many questions? I'm not sure. It could be a possibility.''

''Hey Azridan

I'm curious

can stat combine to create other ones?''

'[Yes

but that will present itself at a later time. Focus on the base stats you were given

especially Intelligence. Never neglect it

lest you end up falling victim to hateful schemes.]'

'There was a tinge of hate laced in his voice as the system uttered these words in response causing Apollo to raise his eyebrow in bewilderment.'

''I see.''

'At that moment Apollo's stomach began rumbling ferociously. Only then did it come to his attention that he had forgotten to eat all day.'

''I'm so hungry

I could eat anything

' Apollo groaned internally. Almost instinctively

he dashed out of the library

in search of something to eat.'

'Meanwhile

Danyul opened his eyes

glancing in Apollo's general direction

"Unlike the other kids...he's seeking knowledge for himself. Alright

I think I should give my plan a shot."'

'----'

'While en route to the Dining Hall

Apollo looked up at the dark sky

amazed by how much time he spent in the library. Furthermore

in his mind

he was comparing it to his old world. Although the day was unfamiliar

the nights looked exactly the same.'

'There was only one moon with numerous small stars gracing the skies. Mesmerized

Apollo uttered one word

"Beautiful."'

'However

amidst being lost in his daze

he didn't look where he was going causing him to bump into the back of someone. Surprisingly

the following situation was quite comical—he was laid flat on his butt!'

'"Huh..?"'