Absolute VOID
Chapter 51 Breakthrough (2)

Chapter 51: Chapter 51 Breakthrough (2)

Chapter 51: Breakthrough.

They thought that he might just prefer it raw since it wasn’t rare for there to be Serinerians who liked eating their game raw due to their beastly instincts. Though weird nonetheless.

"Thanks," Lin Mu said, his voice softer now, a rare moment of warmth breaking through his usual reserve.

’ Good thing they didn’t ask questions.’

Mei lingered at the entrance, her curiosity warring with her respect for his privacy, but Lian’s gentle nudge sent her on her way.

’ Now let’s get started.’ Alone again, Lin Mu unwrapped the meat, its deep red surface glistening in the lamplight.

He focused inward, offering the five kilograms to the system with a mental command. The meat vanished in a shimmer of light, and the system’s response followed:

«[Resource accepted. 70 System Coins awarded.]»

’ Hahaha it worked ’ Lin Mu’s heart quickened as he reopened the shop interface, he didn’t waste time in selecting what he’d already planned on getting.

The Blood Pills had caught his attention, seven for the price of his coins. Since they wasn’t anything else he could get at the moment.

They weren’t ideal, but they could still bolster his body and give him an edge as he pushed toward the Qi Condensation Realm.

He confirmed the purchase, and seven small, crimson pills materialized in his palm, their faint metallic scent tickling his nose.

’ What a potent aura.’

Settling back onto the mat, Lin Mu closed his eyes, the pills resting in his hand.

’ Well, down the hatch you go.’ He took one and began to cultivate using the nightshade breathing technique, his breathing slow and deliberate, the familiar rhythm of qi flowing through his meridians and nourishing his flesh.

In the blink of an eye, The tent, the camp, the world outside. It all faded, leaving only the sound of his own breathing.

The last Blood Pill dissolved in Lin Mu’s stomach, its faint metallic taste fading into nothingness as the final pulse of energy coursed through his flesh, only to be absorbed completely, vanishing like a candle snuffed out.

Yet, in that moment of quiet depletion, the system’s voice surged into his mind, carrying a note of triumph that made his heart skip.

«[Congratulations on finally breaking through to the 6th Stage of the Body Refining Realm.]»

«[ Due to the multiple Blood Pills consumed, your foundation is exceptionally robust, and you are approaching the limits of this stage.]»

«[The 7th Stage is within reach so don’t let up for one second you here me!]»

Lin Mu ignored the systems words at the end, instead focusing on the former info.

He has finally reached the 6th stage, just 3 more to go before he would reach Qi Condensation Realm.

At the thought of it, a slow, fierce grin spread across his face, illuminating his sharp features in the dim glow of his tent’s oil lamp.

Elation coursed through him, like a wildfire that burned away the lingering ache in his muscles.

" I have to test it out, let’s see what difference lies in-between 5th and 6th stage."

Lin Mu’s dark eyes gleamed with a hunger for action, his lean frame itching to test the newfound strength that thrummed beneath his skin, as if his very bones sang with power.

He rose from his mat, the woven fibers creaking softly under his weight, and moved toward the tent flap, his steps light as if trying to avoid notice.

’ Huh?’

But as he pushed the heavy fabric aside, the cool night air hit him, sharp with the scent of frost and pine, and he froze at the sight of a Serinerian tribesman standing guard just outside.

’ What’s he doing here. He looks like he’s been waiting here for awhile.’

The man, clad in thick furs and gripping a bone spear, turned his weathered face toward Lin Mu, his eyes glinting under the faint starlight. "The chief requests your presence for a late-night dinner," the guard said, his voice low but firm, carrying the weight of a command.

Lin Mu blinked, his mind stumbling over the unexpected summons.

’A dinner with the chief?’ he was caught of guard, wondering what the old man had in mind for inviting him out so late at night but... when he recalled the second word uttered by the guard.

DINNER....

His thoughts raced, a spark of opportunistic glee igniting within him.

Instead of a late night meeting, Lin Mu felt as if he’d heard the words: Premium beast meat.

’ And just when I was wondering how to ask for another offering of meat.’

’ The heavens really aren’t unfair.’ he mused inwardly, is lips twitching as he imagined the succulent, qi-rich flesh that only the tribal head could afford to serve.

’ This is a chance to stock up for the system. I can’t let it pass me by.’

The prospect sent a thrill through him, not just for the resources but for the rare chance of dining with the man who led the tribe—and, more awkwardly, the father of his betrothed.

" Please, lead the way." he said, nodding to the guard, his voice steady despite the whirlwind of thoughts.

The guard led him through the camp, where the darkness was punctuated by the soft glow of fires and the distant murmur of tribesmen settling for the night.

’ Meat, Meat, Meat. I can’t wait.’

Lin Mu followed, his shoes crunching softly on the frozen ground, until they reached the chief’s tent.

Inside, the air was thick with the savory aroma of roasted meat and spiced broth, the warmth a stark contrast to the chill outside.

A low spreadsheet seemed to groan from the weight of a feast: slabs of glistening beast meat, bowls of steaming root stew, and flatbreasts dusted with herbs.

’ What a spread!’

The tribal head, sat at the head of the spread, his presence commanding yet softened by a faint smile.

’ Glad he looks happy to see me.’ Lin Mu’s lingering worry regarding not participating in the duel, vanished.

’ So they were invited as well.’

’ I guess it’s more of a family dinner than a quiet meeting.’