The Blood King - Chapter 125

Physician Department.

” What…did you just say?” Sweat dripped from Levi’s face.

” Hmm? If you felt pain-” The old man was cut off.

” Not that! After!” Levi’s swept his arm from before him.

” Haha, if you were trying to keep that a secret, you just exposed yourself! So you do have opened primordial meridians?” The old man’s eyes narrowed.

‘ He tricked me!?’ Levi’s face dropped.

” I found it strange while examining you. Normally, Qi is stationary in the dantian unless commanded otherwise, but in your case, it flows throughout your body. In a way similar to how blood flows through your veins, the same constant flow.” The old man said.

“…” Levi clenched his fists.

” I had my suspicions, but seeing your reaction, I’ll take it as I’m right.” The old man said.

” But why were you trying to hide it? Or did you keep quiet because you knew how rare opened primordial meridians were?” He said.

” Then again, rare is an understatement. To my knowledge, you are the only living person utilizing these ancient meridians today.” The old man said.

” Elder, what do you know about primordial cultivation?” Levi couldn’t choke back his curiosity.

” Primordial Cultivation? Never heard of it.” The old man sneered.

” Wha-” Levi’s jaw dropped.

” I learned about your meridians from a friend. Although no one believed her when she said they could be used for cultivation.” The old man said.

” The person who wrote that book?!” Levi asked.

” Hmm. I bet she regrets nothing more than writing that book.” The old man shook his head.

” Did she never tell you how cultivation would work with primordial meridians?” Levi asked.

” No. She only discovered and theorized how to open them. She shared a few theories with me, but they were just that. Since there was no way to find out what was right, she couldn’t separate the wheat from the weeds.” The old man said.

“…” Levi’s eyes dimmed.

” Why don’t you tell me how it works for you? Any distinct characteristics might help me in piecing together some of the theories.” The old man sighed.

“…I sometimes find my vision in a tunnel-like place. It glows and gets wider when I absorb qi.” Levi said.

” Any amount widens it?” The old man asked.

” No, I have to absorb a certain amount first. After every widening, that amount increases.” Levi said.

” Oh, continue.” The old man said.

” The amount of Qi I absorb is way more than anyone I know,” Levi said.

” I don’t know if it has to do with this, but my body is becoming harder.” He said,

” Is it inhibiting your movement?” The old man asked.

” No.” Levi shook his head.

” Mhmm, Mhmm.” The old man closed his eyes.

Levi waited.

” Alright, this ‘Primordial Cultivation’ of yours might work like this.” The old man’s eyes shined.

” The Qi you absorb nurtures these meridians. When they are sufficiently strengthened, they allow for the storage of Qi. This restriction on storing Qi should only be relevant for the first cycle.” The old man said.

“…” Levi’s eyebrows rose. These were his exact thoughts confirmed.

” Secondly, with the strengthening of these meridians, your body is equally strengthened. From what Sophia explained to me, it should be a constant cycle. Another theory was that any creature practicing primordial cultivation would become huge as a result of the meridians’ widening.” The old man said.

” You haven’t grown?” He asked.

” No.” Levi lied.

‘ I maintain my size using the blood evolution skill, so lying is the best course in this situation.’ Levi thought.

” Strange. In any case, onto the strength of your body. Or rather, it’s durability. Are you sure your entire body became solid?” The old man asked.

” I don’t know…” Levi lied.

” There is always the possibility that just your skin or surface flesh became harder, and nothing else. But keep in mind that these meridians tunnel through most of your body. Maybe just your skin hardened, but the possibility of your entire body, organs and all becoming tougher hasn’t yet been ruled out.” The old man said.

“…” Levi kept silent.

‘ This old man…Who is he really?’ He thought.

He had already formulated the idea that Primordial cultivation worked in layers. From skin to flesh, then tendons, organs, and bones. The order might not be exact, but he was currently nurturing the meridians throughout his tendons.

He also theorized that he might find himself nurturing these exact meridians in the future, and thus named it the ‘1st tendon layer’.

But, him stumbling into these realizations couldn’t be considered unlikely, as these were things concerning his body. As for this old man, the fact that he came to similar conclusions based on so little information was very weird.

‘ I believe that after I reach the deepest layer in my bones, the process will need to be repeated from the skin, which I’ve already named the ‘2nd skin layer’.’ Levi thought.

‘ As for how long this cycle could continue…’ He thought.

‘ But the way this old man is analyzing everything is strange. Is he some great figure or something?’ His brows furrowed.

Even with the knowledge of the original theorist, shouldn’t it have been a little harder for the old man to piece these things together?

” Finally, the absorption rate. Think of it like this, you have many times the meridians of a normal person, and they grow over time. You absorbing more Qi in shorter amounts of time than others was inevitable.” The old man said.

” Conclusion? When it comes to primordial cultivation, you have the upper hand in regards to qi, both quality, and quantity-wise. Your body is strengthened continuously, and you may potentially become giant.” The old man said.

‘…He pretty much listed all of the same points I came to. Aside from the heart tree and my ability to manipulate my body, you analyzed everything.’ Levi thought.

” But back to the issue of Qi channels.’ The old man lifted a finger.

“…” Levi’s face darkened.

“…So I won’t be able to use any skills, regardless? Isn’t there any way to fix Qi channels?” He asked.

” Techniques, and why do you have to be able to use techniques? You’re lucky enough, being able to cultivate with damaged Qi channels.” The old man said.

” With your abundant, rich qi, you could take over the inscription world in just a few decades.” He said.

“…” Levi’s fists tightened. He couldn’t explain anything, but if he didn’t, the old man wouldn’t give him an answer.

” Sigh. Do you remember what I said?” The old man asked.

” You said a lot, Elder. Which part?” Levi asked.

” I meant the purpose of Qi channels.” The old man warned with his eyes.

” That they help with intricate techniques?” Levi asked.

” Close enough. Right, so these channels are a big help when you need to be precise with qi, and since yours are damaged, you won’t be able to use any techniques because of the pain.” The old man said.

” I can handle the pain.” Levi’s knuckles cracked.

” Let me finish, would you?” The old man asked.

“…” Levi kept silent.

” But that only refers to ‘intricate’ techniques or those that you need to be precise with.” The old man said.

” Doesn’t that just mean that I can’t use skills?” Levi doubted.

” It means that you can’t use certain skills, those that require precision. But what about more ‘free’ skills? Those few with simple structures where precision doesn’t matter? Or at the very least, their need for it isn’t nearly as necessary .” The old man asked.

“…” Levi Lowered his gaze in thought.

” But I have to say, don’t get your hopes up. The techniques of today were catered to ‘normal’ cultivators. Meaning, if you aren’t within that norm, you’re pretty much fucked.” The old man said.

” ‘Free’ techniques are rare, mainly because their more intricate counterparts are generally more useful. They’re probably as rare as opened primordial meridians.” He continued.

‘…Is this old man giving me hope just to take it away?’ Levi thought, his head tilted.

” Well, you’ve gotten your answers, now scram.” The old man’s mustache sprung as he curled it.

” How should I address you, Elder?” Levi asked.

” Aren’t you doing it just fine right now?” The old man scoffed.

” Elder?” Levi asked.

” Yes?” The old man answered.

“…What happened to the person who wrote the book on primordial meridians?” Levi asked.

” Why do you want to know?” The old man asked.

” I just…” He looked at the floor.

” She’s become a big name in the Limitless Heaven Tower.” The old man said.

” Limitless Heaven Tower?” Levi asked.

” Uh…Its branches were given a different name…What was it again? Enduring? No. Evernig-no…Everything guild! Everything guild is the name of its branches, maybe you’ve heard about it?” The old man asked.

” Er, yeah. Someone told me that you must be registered if you want people to take you seriously as an Inscription master.” Levi said.

” It depends.” The old man said.

” But I didn’t know that it was called the Limitless Heaven Tower…” Levi said.

” Is that so? Any more questions?” The old man asked.

‘ Only the main building is called that.’ He thought as he fluffed his mustache.

” Is there a library here?” Levi asked.

” Wha-You want to come back?! Why are you asking about a medicine library as an Inscriptor anyway?” The old man steadied himself in his chair.

” I…feel I should read up on the human body, just in case something happens…” Levi said.

” Fine, fine!” The old man rummaged through one of his desk drawers before tossing something.

” When you’re going to the library, take that. Unless you want to be tossed out on your backside.” He said.

” Anything else?” He sighed.

” No. Thank you, Elder.” Levi bowed.

He then left the room.

…

Inscription Department.

Levi walked silently through the hall. He reached his room.

“…” He stood behind the closed door.

” So I can’t use techniques…Or at least those that require precise Qi control.” He muttered.

” And surprisingly, even though I thought I healed myself perfectly…Ha, what did I expect? I just grew new flesh into any holes and called it a day.” He threw his head back.

“…Stuck a lump of meat on a stub and called it an arm.” He said.

” Come to think of it, this isn’t the first time I felt pain from this arm.” He lifted his arm.

” Not one scar, and yet this arm is supposedly damaged irreparably.” Levi smiled.

” But on the bright side, I confirmed some things about primordial cultivation…Kind of.” His head tilted from side to side.

” The fact that it’s most likely a never-ending cycle was confirmed, for now. Even the theory that the refining works in layers, from the skin to bones, could be considered confirmed.” He said.

” Size-inflation as a side effect was confirmed much earlier, though,” Levi said.

” Plus, I have a giant pool of qi, so even if I can’t practice certain skills, I can still become extremely strong.” He smiled.

” That elder said it himself, if I can find techniques that fit my needs, the problem would be solved.” He said.

” Who am I trying to fool…” Levi scratched his head as his hair fell, free.

” Techniques that fit my needs? The old man just told me it’s essentially impossible.” He said.

” I can dominate the inscription world? What the hell do I care about that?!” Levi shouted.

” Why the hell should I have to give up becoming strong?!” His fingers stiffened.

” What the hell did I ever do to have my paths blocked time and time again?!” The wall vibrated as his body spun.

” Why is it always me?! Suffering?! Why!” A hairline crack grew from under his fist.

” Hey! Why are you so loud!” A voice fumed.

“…” Levi opened the door.

” Y-You?” The youth took a step back.

” I’m sorry for the noise, but can you leave me alone?” Levi asked.

” You’re…crying?” The youth pointed. Never had he imagined that he would run into the person who swatted him like this, much less see him cry.

“…” Levi’s finger was wet as he touched his face. Even with deeply furrowed brows, tears slid down his face carelessly.

” I’m sorry,” He shut the door.

“…Is he apologizing for crying? Or slapping me through a table?” The youth scratched his head.

How would it feel to face your mortal enemy, only to catch them sniffling in sadness? Certainly not in the ‘ I’ll rip you limb from limb’ mood.

“…What is up with the guy.” The youth mumbled.

“…” He left after glancing at the door once more.