One more catty, one more attribute point

Chapter 4: Chapter 2 Mutation

Su Heng's body tingled as if electrified, a wave of numbness spreading throughout, accompanied by an indescribably comfortable feeling.

Then, in the span of a single breath, Su Heng's body temperature began to rise, his skin reddening like that of a boiled shrimp. Thick beads of sweat formed on his forehead, his loose training clothes now soaked and clinging to his figure, highlighting the contours of his body.

It was clearly visible.

As Su Heng rapidly lost weight, his slightly plump body visibly shrank. His arms, legs, abdomen, and chest began to showcase prominent, robust, and powerfully masculine muscle definition.

The sweat evaporated in the heat emanating from his body, leaving flame-like, dancing shadows under the bright sunlight.

The thick veins within his body stirred and tensed, emitting sounds akin to a taut longbow with each of Su Heng's prolonged breaths.

From Su Heng's perspective, the changes occurring inside his body were even more astonishing. Tiny veins grew, spreading like forking tree roots into muscles that were normally difficult to train, allowing him to mobilize more strength.

He was already nineteen this year, and logically, his body should not be growing rapidly anymore.

But now,

Su Heng could distinctly feel his body undergoing a second growth that defied common sense, feeling a tingling numbness as this high-speed growth persisted for several hours.

When Su Heng finally reopened his eyes, the sky outside had dimmed, and he could even see a few fiery red clouds scattered across the horizon.

"How long have I been here?" Su Heng wondered in surprise.

He immediately noticed the changes in his body, having shed a great deal of fat, and felt incredibly light from head to toe. The training clothes that had fit him well before now hung loose.

Especially when he subconsciously clenched his fists, the muscles in his arms tensing, he could clearly see veins as thick as chains tightly woven together, resembling the sculpted likeness of temple guardians, the sense of vigorous power radiating from within.

He looked around.

Coming to the tea table, Su Heng picked up the porcelain cup he had used earlier.

Clenching his teeth, his thick fingers slowly exerted force, and a crisp cracking sound emanated from his palm—shattering the porcelain cup with a crash, and fine white shards trickled down his fingers, accumulating in a small pile on the table.

"Such power," Su Heng's pupils contracted slightly as he pondered.

Though the cup was roughly made, it was exceedingly hard. If he could crush a clay-made porcelain cup, breaking an adult's skull with a single punch would be effortless. He could even bludgeon fierce beasts like tigers, leopards, and bears to death.

Is such power truly still within the realm of the mundane?

Su Heng opened his attribute panel.

In the section for cultivation techniques, Pure Yang Skill had reached the sixth level.

Moreover, an additional category for realm had appeared on the panel, displaying simple content.

[Vein Mutation: 3%]

"Pretty much what I expected," Su Heng stroked his chin, a complete framework forming within his mind. Reaching the sixth layer of Pure Yang Skill marked an entirely different realm, even touching upon bodily mutation, or rather, a second growth that could elicit strength far beyond that of ordinary people.

This advancement normally required a unique "catalyst" for stimulation, but Su Heng bypassed this stage entirely through the use of attribute points, forcibly breaking through. Of course, the end results were roughly the same.

But...

Su Heng wondered if there were others within the Great Zhou Dynasty who had also reached the same realm.

Bypassing the onlookers, Su Heng and Li Si entered the residence.

The tidiness of the double-entry residence was unremarkable, a lush locust tree planted in the center of the courtyard, under which stood a square well. The drowned body that had been pulled out lay on a bamboo mat near the well.

"Ah!"

Su Heng heard a small gasp from Li Si beside him.

Li Si was usually composed, and such a loss of composure was rare for him; Su Heng couldn't help but look concerned.

"This man is named Li Qi, a distant relative of mine," Li Si said, "Today, when we were passing by Guozi Street, I saw him selling osmanthus cakes on the street, though I didn't greet him. However, I never imagined that in just half a day..."

"Are you certain it was just this afternoon that you saw him?"

Su Heng's gaze fell on the body, his expression serious and brows deeply furrowed.

"Positive," replied Li Si earnestly.

"But..."

The body on the bamboo mat appeared jalouse, mouth agape, eyes and tongue bulging out. The skin was pallid and swollen, showcasing distinct greenish livor mortis and blackened marbling of the veins. The internal organs had begun to decay, causing the abdomen to bloat, resembling an overinflated ball, as if it might explode at any moment, quite terrifying to behold.

Moreover, the scent of corpse-decay thickened with time in the courtyard.

Su Heng was not well-versed in the specific changes that would occur to a body soaked in water.

But of this he was certain.

In just half a day, a body had no chance of decomposing to such an extent.

It was as though some supernatural power had sucked away the body's life force, leading to rapid post-mortem decay and making it impossible to maintain its original state.

"It's exactly like the one found earlier, too horrifying," someone said.

"I heard this is the seventh one in recent days."

"Could it be the legendary water ghost?"

"I saw this person earlier too; I even bought pastries from his stall, who would have thought... Alas."

The surrounding crowd also buzzed with speculation, the evening growing dim, casting long shadows from the locust tree upon the well, like a monstrous demon with bared fangs, creating an atmosphere of chill and oppression.

"The city's patrol bureau enforces the law; everyone not involved disperse immediately!"

A forceful shout rang out, and the crowd parted.

A group of constables dressed in black robes, wielding long sticks, and carrying sabers at their waists hurried to the scene.

Li Si tugged at Su Heng's sleeve, "Young Master, it's getting late; we should head home soon to avoid any impurities."

"Indeed..."

Su Heng looked up, the fiery red sun now hiding its last gleam of light.

A lot had happened today, causing much delay; indeed, it was time to rush back home.