[King Kong's Mind-Body Pill - Ultimate]

  A grand dream of three thousand worlds, an enlightenment of the physical body. By taking this King Kong Boxing pill, one can directly reach perfection. When you take it, put the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth. Then, self-observe your own body.

  Current lifespan: 57 years and 124 days

  Like the previous message, except for the addition of the word "Ultimate".

  Stirling checked his remaining lifespan. After a quick calculation, he saw he had gained about 45 years in the underground cave.

  Stirling wiped the writing off the porcelain bottle. He copied the visualization diagram of the Malice-Converting Technique. Then, he tore it up and put it inside. He added a hematopoietic pill. He wrote the entry:

  Then, new entries appeared in Stirling's vision.

  [Current enhancement requires a lifespan: 135 years and 71 days. Enhance?]

  ????

  Stirling was completely bewildered.

  Why does it take a little over ten years to master King Kong Boxing, while the Malice-Converting Technique needs ten times that?

  Stirling felt utterly ridiculous. He had thought he was on his way to instant wealth and the pinnacle of life, but now he was still a penniless loser.

  Stirling shook his head in upset. He erased the text and changed to

  This reduced the required lifespan for enhancement to 18 years and 13 days.

  Stirling glanced at the number, his face tense. He gritted his teeth and enhanced.

  [Sudden Enlightenment Nine Heavens Transformation Malice Mind Pill]

  [A vast dream of three thousand worlds, transforming malice into your own body. Taking this pill will bring quick insights and help you master the ten directions of malice. Remember to place the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth when taking it. Then, self-observe yourself.

  [Current lifespan: 40 years and 66 days]

  Again!!

  Stirling added another hematopoietic pill. He also included the visualization diagram for the Aether Skill. He then wrote,

  perfectly integrated with Aether Skill.

  [Current lifespan required for enhancement: 340 years and 98 days. Enhance?]

  "Fuck!" Stirling completely exploded. When he saw this number, he even thought the Creator Ring had malfunctioned.

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  He understood that the Malice-Converting Technique was so advanced that it took 135 years to perfect. But this Aether skill? It was only a basic martial art! Stirling felt frustrated. But the numbers came from the ring, and he couldn't change it. So, he had to give up his plan to improve his Aether Technique at this moment.

  He couldn't make it. Reaching perfection would take 340 years. Even minor mastery needed several decades, which was much longer than he could afford now.

  Stirling cursed as he thought this. Then, he focused on and

  Luckily, these last two martial arts took 19 years and 18 years, respectively, to perfect. Stirling steeled his resolve and chose "yes" for both.

  So, Stirling, who had about 70 years to live yesterday, now only has 3 years left. He always walks on the edge of death.

  But this all-in gamble directly caused Stirling's strength to proliferate.

  This increase wasn't anything more than a simple boost, like reaching a higher level. It was a real improvement in his martial arts skills. This left Stirling unsure of how strong he indeed was. For the next few days, Stirling kept up his night watch. During the day, he strengthened his body with hematopoietic pills. At night, he refined his viscera using Yearning Malice. Time flew by.

  Stirling was puzzled. Yearning-Malice still mixed with Glittering-Malice, but people in the inner city acted as if it were normal.

  The more this was the case, the stronger Stirling's unease became. He sometimes even considered leaving Farfield City.

  October 9th.

  Stirling arrived at the tavern in the Six Horse district, outside the city, as agreed, and sat down to wait for The Eighth's arrival.

  Shortly afterward, a middle-aged man with a sallow complexion entered the tavern. He sat down, head low. He scanned his surroundings carefully. Then, he tapped a coded signal with his fingers.

  Hearing that familiar signal, Stirling's heart raced. He couldn't help but look at the newcomer.

  It was obvious that the newcomer differed vastly from the Eighth in both height and build. Even if he were wearing a human skin mask, Stirling wouldn't believe it was the Eighth in disguise.

  Stirling paused for a moment, then extended his fingers and started tapping in rhythm.

  The sallow-faced man spotted Stirling but didn't approach right away. He kept sipping his freshly poured beer.

  A moment later, another person sat down in front of him. He then got up, picked up his beer, and after wandering around the pub, finally sat down opposite Stirling.

  "Where's the Eighth?"

  Stirling looked at the man sitting before him and asked in a low voice.

  This scene felt a bit familiar, but this time it was Stirling asking the question.

  "The Eighth is dead." The man said.

  "He relied too much on your malice-breaking orb. He died at the hands of a nascent master from the Seven Extreme Shrine." The man sighed.

  "Trade has its rules. No matter what, the Eighth's death has nothing to do with you, so do not worry. Even though I am the contact now, we can still trade. The supply of the Seven Extreme Shrine statue fragments is currently on hold. If you need anything else, you can contact us." The man said, sipping his beer.

  Stirling narrowed his eyes a tad and shook his head. "Since you do not have what I need, then forget it."

  "Don't be absolute. I'll still wait for you here for an hour every month." The man said with a smile, then suddenly changed the subject.

  "Also, as a token of our sincerity, we will give you some information for free."

  "Your enhanced Malice-Breaking orb has attracted the attention of the Seven Extreme Shrine. They heard that the envoy from Yearning Palace is in Farfield City. So, they came to expose the sale of counterfeits."

  "Oh?" Stirling's expression remained unchanged, but his eyebrows twitched slightly.

  "So, keep a low profile these days, or go into hiding." The man said, preparing to get up.

  "Wait, where are they now?" Stirling grabbed the man's arm and asked.

  "I'm not sure of their exact location, but judging by the time, they should be here in two or three days." The man smiled, then forcefully pulled his hand away from Stirling's grasp. He tossed a few copper coins onto the table. Then, he got up and left the tavern, disappearing in the blink of an eye into the crowd outside.

  It was, in fact, a case of the tree wanting to be still, but the wind never ceasing.

  Stirling stroked the beer mug in his hand, letting out a soft sigh.

  Stirling gulped down his beer, tossed the copper coins aside, then stood up. He wiped his mouth and turned to leave.