Volume One: Turbulence in the Small Town Chapter 61: The Water-Drinking Machine

After two days of intense reading, Zhang Heng had essentially mastered the fundamental knowledge of alchemy.

For reasons unknown, ever since arriving in this world, Zhang Heng noticed that his memory had become extraordinarily fast. Any knowledge imparted to him by the system, he could absorb completely after hearing it just once.

Could this be a benefit reserved for those who cross worlds?

Only one day remained until the spatial turbulence would reappear at Dragon Burial Abyss. The treasure hunt in Dragon Burial Abyss had reached a fever pitch. Many cultivators were intent on seizing this last opportunity, frantically searching for treasures; thus, leaving now would be highly unwise.

Bored, Zhang Heng paced within the cave. Seclusion and bitter cultivation were not suited to him. If only he had a pill furnace, he could begin learning the actual process of alchemy—but where could he possibly find one in this desolate place?

As he walked, a sudden thought struck him.

That’s right, before leaving, Qian Muyun had given him the secret technique of the Aurora Mirage. It was the perfect method for escape—just what he needed. If he mastered Aurora Mirage, he might not win in a fight, but he would certainly outrun his foes.

Zhang Heng rummaged through a pile of miscellaneous items and found the secret manual.

But cultivation had always been his weakness. The contents of the manual were obscure and difficult to understand; after reading it several times, Zhang Heng had no idea what it was talking about, let alone how to cultivate it.

Sigh—System, could you lend me some guidance? Thankfully, Zhang Heng was a man with a system.

“Beep. This manual is relatively advanced for the current host. It is recommended that the host does not attempt to learn it; even if mastered, the host’s current spiritual energy is insufficient to execute it.”

Rather than discouraged by the system’s words, Zhang Heng grew even more excited.

He spoke with ingratiating enthusiasm, “System, you know everything. Could you find me a movement technique suited to my current cultivation?”

Since the system supposedly knew everything, it should be able to find a suitable technique for him. At this stage, cultivating a method for escaping was crucial.

“Beep. Recommend host to cultivate this: ‘Minor Aurora Mirage.’”

“Minor Aurora Mirage? What’s that?” Zhang Heng muttered.

“Beep. As the name suggests, this technique is a simplified version extracted by the system from Aurora Mirage, perfectly suited for the host’s current level.”

As soon as the system finished, a simplified version appeared in Zhang Heng’s mind.

Well, minor it is. As long as it helps me escape.

But there was another problem. Though Zhang Heng memorized the Minor Aurora Mirage, he couldn’t comprehend it and had no idea where to begin, making him question his own intelligence once more.

Helplessly, he addressed the system, “System, look at this…”

The system replied mercilessly, “Beep. Host’s current intelligence is insufficient. The system has detailed all issues and operational steps for cultivation. Just follow them.”

A flood of text appeared in Zhang Heng’s mind, written in modern language, so he could barely understand.

Following the instructions, Zhang Heng began to cultivate.

The first step was extremely simple: gather spiritual energy in both feet, then run.

Damn it! After running several kilometers, Zhang Heng collapsed on the ground, gasping for breath.

What kind of cultivation method is this? Other people using movement techniques look so graceful, while here I am training a simplified version of the world’s fastest technique, yet I’m in such a miserable state!

Still, after running for so long, Zhang Heng could clearly feel his speed increasing, even if only a little.

It was his first time cultivating, and to feel a noticeable improvement was already remarkable.

Elsewhere in Dragon Burial Abyss, battles erupted ceaselessly, with earth-shattering energies emanating constantly.

But Zhang Heng paid them no mind, immersed in his own cultivation.

The next day, Zhang Heng struggled to rise from the ground, his whole body aching.

Yet his face was all smiles. He relished this fulfilling and pressurized lifestyle.

Cultivators mostly trained in hardship, so to enter the zone quickly, Zhang Heng didn’t bother with a bed—he simply rested on the ground.

(In truth, he was just lazy.)

He glanced at the distant sky and murmured, “By now, the spatial turbulence should have stabilized, right?”

“Beep. According to detection, there are no longer any living human cultivators in Dragon Burial Abyss besides the host.”

Hearing this, Zhang Heng laughed.

“Haha, now, the entire Dragon Burial Abyss is mine.”

“Come, System, lead me to something rich in spiritual energy.”

Following the system’s instructions, Zhang Heng arrived beside a spiritual spring.

Though its spiritual energy was not as abundant as the spiritual lake he’d brought Murong Qingxue to, it was still sufficient.

Well then, it should be enough for me to break through to the second stage of Tribulation Crossing, right?

Without hesitation, Zhang Heng jumped into the spring.

But then he remembered—his method of absorbing spiritual energy differed from Murong Qingxue’s.

Murong Qingxue needed to soak in it, whereas Zhang Heng had to drink it. Hmm.

Looking at the spring water brimming with spiritual energy, Zhang Heng steeled himself. After all, it was his own body—no need to be picky.

With that thought, he began gulping down spring water in great quantities.

After a while, fully sated, Zhang Heng lay on the ground, content.

The spiritual spring entered his body; most of the spiritual energy behaved as usual, disappearing into his abdomen, but a small portion lingered, refining his skin.

Zhang Heng knew he was full, which meant he could break through to the second stage of Body Refining.

Sure enough, before long, he felt obvious changes in his body.

He’d achieved Body Refining Stage Two.

Looking at the spiritual spring, a bold idea formed in his mind.

If filling his body increased his cultivation, then, in theory, as long as he had enough spiritual energy, he could continuously improve without bottlenecks.

Wow! Zhang Heng sucked in a breath.

If this was indeed the case, he would be a true peerless prodigy, unmatched in cultivation speed.

At that moment, the Super Thigh System's voice sounded.

“Beep. Isn’t your stomach going to burst?”

Zhang Heng snapped out of his reverie.

He rubbed his bulging belly, speechless.

Right—if he wanted to absorb massive amounts of spiritual energy, he’d have to keep eating and eating, but his stomach was only so big.

Moreover, the further he progressed, the more spiritual energy he’d need. It was manageable now, but if he reached the realms of Divine Transformation or Tribulation Crossing, advancing a stage would require consuming an enormous amount.

Just thinking about it gave him a headache.

Forget it, why worry? For now, the spiritual energy needed for Body Refining was still manageable.

So Zhang Heng cultivated beside the spring. After stabilizing his cultivation, he drank more spring water, and upon breaking through the next stage, he again consolidated his progress.

He had become a relentless drinking machine.

And this method proved effective.

In just half a month, Zhang Heng had already reached Body Refining Stage Six.