C1 Root Bone Rebirth

Pain!

An excruciating pain that seemed to penetrate his very marrow engulfed Su Ze's entire being, rendering him nearly incapable of thought.

Is this what death feels like? But hadn't I already died?

Just then, a young man's voice reached his ears. "He's not going to wake up, is he?"

"Rest assured, Holy Son. This soul-severing elixir only carries the risk of death if overdosed. There's no chance he'll regain consciousness," a woman's soothing voice replied.

Who are these people talking?

"That's a relief," the young man said. "Faang Qingya, by bringing me here to claim Su Ze's Root Bone, you've clearly demonstrated the Fang family's genuine desire to align with me."

"I'm pleased. The Star Moon Holy Land will be as well."

"In three months, an envoy will escort you into the Holy Land."

"Yes, Second Palace Holy Son!" Faang Qingya responded with fervor. "The Fang family shall henceforth devote itself to the Star Moon Holy Land with unwavering fidelity!"

"Very well, that's what I like to hear!"

The Second Palace Holy Son chuckled with contentment and discreetly departed.

Only after an incense stick had burned down did a sigh escape from Faang Qingya within the house. "Su Ze, if you feel the need to blame someone, blame your own Root Bone. Even though I was to be your wife, I am first and foremost Faang Qingya of the Fang family."

"With your Earth Spirit Low Grade Root Bone, you outshone me. But without it, you'll never surpass me again. Once I enter the Star Moon Holy Land, the chasm between us will only widen."

"Don't think me heartless. The affection you believed you had for me was nothing more than your own delusion."

With those words, Faang Qingya too exited the room.

Silence fell. Su Ze, with his eyes still firmly shut, silently balled his fists.

Memories flooded in, and piecing together the earlier dialogue, he grasped the gravity of his situation.

As a patient, he had died in the modern world, but now he found himself alive once more in this strange world governed by the martial way, in the body of a young man who also bore the name Su Ze.

In this realm, martial prowess dictated the hierarchy of civilization: the powerful were esteemed, the weak, insignificant.

The potential for martial arts cultivation is categorized into four Root Bone types: Heavenly, Earthly, Profound, and Yellow. Each Root Bone type is further divided into three tiers: high, middle, and low.

The young man's name is Su Ze. At sixteen, he is the eldest son of the Su family patriarch and possesses an Earth Spirit Low-Grade Root Bone. The one who spoke earlier, Faang Qingya, is his betrothed. Also sixteen, she is endowed with a Profound Spirit Mid-Grade Root Bone.

The Su and Fang families have been close allies for generations, and the engagement between Su Ze and Faang Qingya has long been anticipated by all. Yet, within the Su family, an unthinkable betrayal unfolded as Faang Qingya conspired against her fiancé. She drugged Su Ze, then lured strangers to extract his cultivating Root Bone, rendering him a cripple incapable of further cultivation.

The taste of betrayal, intermingled with the sweet memories of youthful love, overwhelmed Su Ze, eliciting a pained grunt from him.

Faang Qingya!

Despite his current lack of affection for her, Su Ze couldn't help but recognize the malice in her actions. She had ruthlessly removed her fiancé's Root Bone, obliterating his martial arts future.

He had barely set foot in this world when he lost the ability to pursue martial arts.

His luck was abysmal!

As Su Ze pondered his next move, a faint sound caught his attention.

"Universal Attribute Points system activated."

"You have received a Newcomer Gift Bag."

Stunned, Su Ze wondered: A system? Universal Attribute Points?

An attribute panel materialized before him:

"Su Ze."

"Age: 16."

"Cultivation: Acquired Level 5."

"Root Bone: Damaged Earth Spirit Low-Grade Root Bone (recoverable)."

"Cultivation Technique: Su family's mental cultivation (Yellow Rank Mid-Grade, upgradeable)."

"Martial Skill: Stone Breaking Palm (trained to Level 1, upgradeable)."

"Supporting Skills: None currently."

"Would you like to open the Newcomer Gift Bag?"

Without further hesitation, Su Ze chose to open the Newcomer Gift Bag.

"Congratulations on unlocking the Newcomer Gift Bag! You've been awarded a trillion Universal Attribute Points, and your points are now maxed out."

"To prevent your body from collapsing, as someone at Acquired Level 5, you'll receive half a million attribute points. With each subsequent level you achieve, you'll gain additional corresponding points."

Su Ze was taken aback. Could the newcomer's gift bag really contain so many attribute points?

Even though he had only received 500,000 points, the number was staggering.

Why not put these points to use?

Barely had the thought crossed his mind when he heard a notification: "100,000 attribute points deducted for Root Bone recovery."

Su Ze watched as his Root Bone attribute shifted to: Earth Spirit Low Grade Root Bone (Upgradeable).

His Root Bone was restored!

The excruciating pain that had racked his body vanished, replaced by a soothing warmth.

Could he further enhance his Root Bone?

Once more, Su Ze pondered, "I wish to use 100,000 attribute points to elevate my Root Bone to Earth Spirit Mid Grade!"

Earth Spirit Mid Grade Root Bone (Upgradeable).

He was eager to keep going.

"200,000 attribute points deducted, upgrading to Earth Spirit Top Grade Root Bone!"

Earth Spirit Top Grade Root Bone.

He was down to his last 100,000 points, not enough to boost his Root Bone any further.

Yet, his Root Bone had transformed from a damaged Earth Spirit Low Grade to a robust Earth Spirit Top Grade, ascending two whole levels. Su Ze felt an all-encompassing ease.

Possessing an Earth Spirit Low Grade Root Bone made one a prodigy in cultivation. With an Earth Spirit Top Grade Root Bone, he was undeniably formidable!

Su Ze's gaze fell upon the Stone Breaking Palm (Upgradeable) and the Su family's mental cultivation method (Upgradeable). After a brief moment of thought, he chose to enhance the Stone Breaking Palm first.

"I'll spend 100 attribute points to advance the Stone Breaking Palm to the second layer."

Visions of his diligent practice with the Stone Breaking Palm swirled before Su Ze's eyes. Instinctively, he clenched his fists, feeling as though he had been perfecting the technique for years.

Stone Breaking Palm, Second Layer (Upgradeable).

Without any hesitation, Su Ze pressed on with the upgrades.

After deducting 200 attribute points, Su Ze's Stone Breaking Palm advanced to the third level. With a reduction of 400 points, it reached the fourth level, and upon losing 800 points, it ascended to the fifth level. Su Ze's bones emitted a symphony of cracks as vivid memories of enduring harsh winters and scorching summers to hone his palm technique flooded his mind. The art had become second nature to him; he could effortlessly shatter stone with a mere flick of his wrist.

Stone Breaking Palm (Fifth Level, upgradeable)

Su Ze was taken aback as he read the description. He remembered the Stone Breaking Palm peaking at the fifth level, yet here he was, able to enhance it further. As he attempted another upgrade, it was as if he had forgotten the Stone Breaking Palm entirely. He learned several new moves beyond the original ten, as if he were the creator of the technique.

"Deducting 2000 attribute points, the Stone Breaking Palm is elevated to a Yellow Rank Mid Grade Mountain Splitting Palm."

When Su Ze regained his focus, his stats window reflected the change: Mountain Splitting Palm (Yellow Rank Mid Grade, Second Layer, points can be added). The once unranked Stone Breaking Palm had leaped to a Yellow Rank Mid Grade Mountain Splitting Palm, with all five levels of the former technique now encompassed within the initial two layers of the latter.

The notation (points can be added) followed the Mountain Splitting Palm.

Su Ze pressed on, adding more attribute points. Consecutive deductions of 2,000, 3,000, and 4,000 points propelled the Mountain Splitting Palm to the third, fourth, and fifth levels, respectively.

Continuing the process, Su Ze felt a wave of dizziness after 10,000 points were subtracted. The sensation of forging a new martial art enveloped him once again, transforming the Mountain Splitting Palm into a Profound Rank Low Grade Martial Skill, the third level of the Mountain Suppressing Palm.

After three more iterations, having navigated through the fourth and fifth levels, he ultimately attained the Sixth Layer. This Profound Rank Low Grade Mountain Suppressing Palm was markedly more intricate, and despite reaching the Sixth Layer, it had yet to hit its zenith.

Su Ze's mastery of the palm technique resonated deeply within him. Rising to his feet, he limbered up and effortlessly executed the Mountain Suppressing Palm, a Profound Rank Low Grade Martial Skill, without missing a beat.

Over 10,000 Universal Attribute Points remained at his disposal. However, his Root Bone, the Su family's mental cultivation method, and the Mountain Suppressing Palm had all reached their upgrade limits.

It dawned on Su Ze why the system had allotted him a mere 500,000 attribute points upon reaching Acquired Level 5. Any further increase, he realized, might lead to an uncontrollable surge in his powers and insights, risking a catastrophic collapse.

He knew he must first acclimate to his current abilities and break through to the Sixth Layer of Acquired before he could safely handle further enhancements.

Amidst these reflections, a raucous commotion erupted from outside. "Young Master Su Ze, come out!"

Furrowing his brow, Su Ze swung open the door to survey the courtyard.

There, a portly steward stood bellowing arrogantly, flanked by four menacing Su family guards.

Curious onlookers peered into the courtyard, murmuring among themselves.

The rotund figure was Liu Hsing, a steward who had ingratiated himself with the Su family's Grand Elder, Su Bocheng, and had been entrusted with considerable authority.

"Young Master Su Ze, at last, you show yourself!" Liu Hsing taunted. "I was beginning to think you were too scared to face us!"

Su Ze, irked by the comment, barked back, "Silence!"

His stern command startled Liu Hsing into silence, cutting off any further remarks.

Regaining his composure but seething with irritation, Liu Hsing challenged, "What's this about, Young Master Su Ze? Feeling a bit guilty, are we?"

"And who might you be?" Su Ze retorted with a cold laugh.

"I am the steward, Liu Hsing."

"Liu Hsing? You're not even a blood member of the Su family, lacking even our surname. And you think you have the right to cause a scene in my courtyard? Do you truly believe you're worthy?" Su Ze advanced towards Liu Hsing, pressing him with the question.

Caught off guard, Liu Hsing involuntarily stumbled backward, struggling to find his words.

"Speak! Who sent you?" demanded Su Ze with another shout.

Liu Hsing, almost reflexively, blurted out, "Master Su Hee."

Then it hit him – why should he fear Su Ze?

He hastily continued, "Master Su Hee just purchased some Element Gathering Powder and it's gone missing. Someone claimed they saw you take it."

Before he could finish, the sound of a slap cut through the air.

Su Ze's hand, previously raised, slowly retracted as Liu Hsing's cheek ballooned with the imprint of a fiery red palm.

"Seems like you didn't grasp my earlier words. You have no business coming here and causing a scene!"

"How dare you?"

Clutching his face, Liu Hsing yelped in shock, pointing at Su Ze with a venomous hiss, "This isn't over! Master Su Hee and the Grand Elder will back me up on this!"

With those final words, he scurried off in disgrace, his four guards scrambling clumsily behind him in retreat.

Su Bocheng and his son, Su Hee, had long harbored animosity towards the chieftain's legitimate lineage, and their intentions this time were clearly hostile.

The chieftain's son accused of stealing Element Gathering Powder meant for Acquired warriors? How could they make such an audacious claim?

They must have a meticulous plan in place to level such an absurd accusation.

But Su Ze had enough confidence to show them that he was a changed man from his past self!