Exhausted after the battle, Adrien pulled out a healing pill and swallowed it. Instantly, a wave of soothing warmth surged through his body. Within minutes, the pain ebbed away, and every wound sealed as though they had never existed.
At that moment, the System's voice resonated through the space—
[Suggestion: The Host should consume the "Body Refining Pill" and "Bone Marrow Pill" to reinforce physical constitution and strengthen the core marrow.]
Adrien felt as if a memory he'd buried had just resurfaced.
"I completely forgot about those pills…" he murmured to himself.
He reached into his inventory and retrieved two small bottles—each neatly labeled, one Body Refining, the other Bone Marrow Strengthening. Inside, twelve shimmering pills glowed faintly.
He asked aloud, "System, after I take these pills, what exactly will I need to do?"
The System responded instantly—
[I will transmit a cultivation technique to help you control and maximize the effects of the pills.]
Technique Transfer Initiating…
▓▓░░░░░░░░ 10%
▓▓▓▓░░░░░░ 20%
▓▓▓▓▓▓░░░░ 50%
▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓░ 90%
▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓ 100%
[Transfer Complete: New Technique Acquired—"Pill Energy Circulation Art."]
A vivid map of energy pathways unfolded in Adrien's mind—how to circulate the power through his meridians, where blockages would arise, how to synchronize the marrow and heart, how to keep the surge of energy from detonating his body before it could be refined.
"Remarkable…" he whispered, closing his eyes to recite the instructions silently until he felt them etched into his memory.
A moment later, Adrien asked in a cautious tone, "System… what if I take two pills at once?"
The reply came sharp and immediate—
[Warning! Attempting this will destabilize the pill's energies. Your internal channels will rupture from uncontrolled surges, and your body will explode. Death will be inevitable.]
He exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of that truth.
"All right… one at a time, then."
Adrien stood, his steps heavy but resolved. He crossed the chamber and walked down a silent hallway lined with polished stone, until he reached the castle's dedicated cultivation chamber.
Inside, he closed the massive door behind him. The air here was utterly still, as though the walls themselves were holding their breath. He sat cross-legged at the chamber's center, his expression serene, but inside, a current of anticipation was rising.
He set the bottles before him and carefully removed the stopper from the Body Refining Pill vial. A soft golden glow spilled out, carrying a biting herbal scent so potent it made his pulse quicken.
"It's time…" he whispered.
He picked up a single pill and swallowed it without hesitation.
The moment it reached his stomach, a fierce, searing burn ignited in his gut—like a river of fire rushing through his core.
His jaw tightened. He immediately closed his eyes and activated the Pill Energy Circulation Art.
First Phase: The energy pooled in his abdomen, then slowly began to climb his spine in a molten wave.
Second Phase: It spread across his lungs and heart, compressing them with a crushing heat and pressure.
Third Phase: The power diffused into his muscles and beneath his skin.
"Ah—!" Adrien couldn't suppress a strangled groan. His muscles locked so tight it felt like iron rods were forcing them apart.
Sweat poured down his face. His skin flushed red as though he were on the verge of bursting.
Endure it… this is only the beginning, he reminded himself, teeth clenched.
At a microscopic level, his tissues were breaking down. Old cells died, shedding like ash, while new ones formed, nourished by the infused Qi.
Minutes dragged into an hour. Then the energy reached his bones.
Craaaack.
He felt his skeleton shift—splintering and knitting itself back together in a stronger, denser lattice.
"It feels like my bones are being recast…" he thought, shuddering with the realization that he was becoming something more resilient than before.
Two hours passed in agony. Sweat pooled beneath him. The surface of his skin began to exude thin, black filaments—waste and impurities forced out by the alchemical purification.
"They're the toxins… the last barriers holding me back…"
At last, Adrien opened his eyes.
His entire body was slicked with sweat and oily black residue. He was exhausted to the marrow. But in his gaze, a new clarity burned. His breathing was steady. His heartbeat slow and deliberate.
Only when he was certain the Body Refining Pill had finished its work did he allow himself to rest, using slow, measured breaths to calm his internal Qi.
Even then, a dull ache pulsed through every joint and tendon—a reminder that this was only the first trial.
He looked at the second bottle—the Bone Marrow Pill—and hesitated. Unease crept into his chest. Could he really endure another wave of pain so soon?
In the hush, the System spoke again, its voice even and calm—
[Host—You are now ready to consume the Bone Marrow Pill. Initiating minimum pain management assistance. Be advised: The Bone Marrow Pill cannot be taken without active System support.]
Adrien felt the knot of dread loosen slightly.
"At least… this time, I won't be alone," he whispered, almost to himself.
He uncorked the bottle. The pill inside glimmered with a pale blue luminescence, and even before he touched it, a gentle warmth seeped into his palm.
He drew in a deep breath, pressed the pill to his lips, and swallowed.
A heartbeat later, a new torrent of heat erupted inside him—deeper and harsher than before. He felt something tearing in his marrow, as if ancient, stubborn impurities were clawing their way out.
Black, foul-smelling liquid seeped from his pores, dripping onto the smooth stone.
His breathing became ragged. Pain spiked until it eclipsed all thought. But he did not scream. He only clenched his teeth, sweat streaking down his temples.
The System's voice murmured like a distant echo—
[Caution—pain levels increasing. Focus on your breathing. Warning: Consciousness may waver.]
Adrien forced himself to concentrate. Each deliberate breath anchored him, held him just above the edge of blacking out.
Three hours passed in that brutal crucible.
At last, the fire dulled. The black residue dried and flaked away. Adrien felt lighter—his skin almost tingling from within. When he flexed a hand, his bones seemed impossibly solid, humming with new vitality.
[Bone Marrow Pill refinement complete. Skeletal density and life force significantly enhanced.]
He heard the notification. But by then, Adrien was too drained to react. His eyelids drifted shut, and before he could will himself upright, he slipped into a deep, dreamless sleep right there on the stone floor