Grey sat in the corner of the dimly lit room, his back against the cool stone wall, his eyes glazed over as he quietly absorbed the information Ange shared with him. The young woman’s voice, calm and steady, echoed in his mind as she delved deeper into the intricacies of the Dao of Medicine. For hours, she spoke, elaborating on the many layers of this ancient and revered art, but despite his best efforts to remain focused, Grey’s mind wandered. His thoughts were no longer on the herbs and formulas Ange described but on the strange, elusive figure that had appeared to him just days earlier, on the dark gold silhouette that had materialized from the statue, its energy potent and foreign, and the unshakable sense that the figure had more than just a physical presence.

Could that be a magic treasure? The thought gnawed at him. But as he pondered, something told him that it was far more than just a mere artifact. It had sentience, will, and even disdain for the "bizarre existence" that had crossed its path. The memory of the scene played over and over in his mind, that sword. The dark gold blade that hovered above the figure’s head, cutting down with an overwhelming sense of power.

Grey’s fist clenched involuntarily as he tried to replicate the motion, raising his hand and attempting to mimic the exact slash he had witnessed. However, as his arm descended, there was nothing extraordinary about it. It was just an ordinary strike, very quick, but lacking the devastating force, the overwhelming energy that had accompanied the dark gold figure’s attack.

Frustration boiled within him. ’Why can’t I do it?’ he thought. The sensation of "dominion over the heavens," that feeling of absolute power

Unbeknownst to him, as his shadow rippled faintly with his unease, a strange dark gold luster flashed within the depths of his grey eyes—just a glimmer, too subtle to be noticed by anyone else but profound enough to stir something deep within him.

Two weeks passed, and with it, Grey’s mastery of the Dao of Medicine grew at an astonishing pace. It was a journey of revelation for him—he had never imagined that he could grasp such a complex and nuanced art so quickly. His ability to absorb knowledge and apply it had left Ange, a renowned genius in her own right, astounded. She had watched in awe as Grey rapidly made strides, and though he could not yet refine pills with the same precision and artistry as she could, his progress was undeniable.

Ange had even remarked on his growth, saying that his potential in medicine was boundless. He had surpassed her expectations, though there were still many years of learning ahead. Even the Captain, a man of few words, had raised an eyebrow upon hearing about Grey’s development. He nodded in approval, a quiet recognition of Grey’s undeniable talent, and for the first time, a hint of satisfaction crossed his usually impassive face.

Still, despite the accolades and progress in his medicinal training, Grey couldn’t shake the feeling that something was lacking. He was stuck at the fifth level of Qi Accumulation, unable to break through to the next stage. His cultivation had stagnated. He could feel the barrier, thick and impenetrable, pressing down on him. He no longer advanced at the blistering pace he had once enjoyed. The corroded substance within his body, which had plagued him since his arrival in this twisted world, still lingered, though with his new abilities, it no longer corrupted him. Instead, it found its way into his shadow, leaving his body untouched, purified by an unknown force.

Grey didn’t mind the stagnation—at least not outwardly. His focus was on the Dao of Medicine and Poison, a path he had never considered walking before. But the more he worked with the materials, the more he realized that his body was perfectly suited for poison refinement. His immunity to poison, granted by the purple crystal within him, allowed him to handle substances most people would find lethal without a second thought.

It wasn’t just the medicine that was fascinating, though; it was the power that came with it. In the corroded zone, Grey had discovered that his newfound control over the dark gold aura had an incredible side effect. It had a deterrent effect on powerful, mutated creatures and bizarre existences. The very presence of the aura seemed to suppress these beings, leaving them wary and reluctant to approach him. It was this power, more than anything, that gave him the confidence to venture into the heart of the corroded zone, a place others dared not tread.

Even more astonishing was the discovery that the corrosive substances no longer built up in his body. Instead, they flowed into his shadow, leaving his physical form untainted. His attacks had grown stronger, and his confidence surged. With each passing day, Grey became more and more certain that he could hold his own against the terrifying creatures that lurked in the zone.

But even with these breakthroughs, Grey didn’t push his luck. He limited his time in the corroded zone to no more than three days. The reason for this was simple: the sinister gazes of the strange, lurking beings had become more apparent the longer he stayed. Their presence was palpable, chilling. Something dark, something ancient, watched him from the shadows—and that made him uneasy. The very thought of staying longer than necessary unsettled him, so he adhered to his rule: three days, and no more.

During these two weeks, the Captain’s team had also made impressive strides in their growth. Luo and Trogan had advanced to the seventh level of Qi Accumulation, their strength now formidable. The team had become well-coordinated and efficient in their missions, with Grey’s presence proving to be a game-changer. His aura, which repelled dangerous creatures, ensured that the team no longer encountered life-threatening dangers during their hunts. The Captain, meanwhile, had not advanced in cultivation, but his fighting prowess had grown exponentially. His icy powers had reached new heights, and his mere presence was enough to freeze anything that dared to challenge him. Though his expression remained as cold and calm as ever, a subtle chill emanated from him—a chill that could freeze the very essence of life itself.

Today, however, Grey found himself on a different path. He was making his way to the corroded zone, his destination clear in his mind. As the dense forest enveloped him, the creeping corruption of the zone grew stronger. But Grey paid it no mind. With his newfound abilities, he was unafraid. He ran for a time, the wind whipping through his hair, until the outline of a dilapidated shack emerged through the trees.

His senses immediately heightened, his vigilance sharpening as he scanned the surroundings. There were no signs of spiritual fluctuations and no sense of danger in the air. But he knew better than to let his guard down. His dagger was already in hand as he approached the shack, his steps silent and calculated.

Inside, the table was littered with various poisonous herbs and materials, things that would make most people wary. A small pill furnace sat to the side, along with tools and implements for crafting medicine. But Grey was not here to refine pills. He had a different objective.

’Poison!’

That was his focus now. After all, the purple crystal in his body made him immune to poison. He could handle the most lethal toxins with ease, and he had long since decided to experiment with refining poisons. It was this new discipline that had pushed his abilities in the Dao of Medicine to new heights. His success in both fields had been shocking, he had even begun to make pills that could enhance his poison capabilities.

Today, however, he was attempting something new. Carefully, he added a few drops of venom from a poisonous snake, followed by a sprinkling of blue silver grass. The air around him grew heavy with the influx of corrosive substances, but Grey’s expression remained calm. He crushed some red flower petals and added them to the mixture, watching as the corrosive energy seemed to recede, as though the substance itself feared the combination.

Hours passed as he worked, his movements slow and deliberate. He did not rush—every step in the process was measured and perfected. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Grey placed the black and brown pill into the furnace. He waited thirty minutes before he retrieved it.

With a contemplative expression, he examined the finished product. The pill was dark, its surface a blend of black and brown, with swirling patterns like veins of corruption. I’ve succeeded, Grey thought, the satisfaction of accomplishment rising within him. But as he approached the cage containing the black steel wolf, a deep part of him knew that success was only the first step.

The wolf inside the cage, at the third level of Qi Accumulation, bared its teeth at Grey, its eyes filled with primal fear. Grey didn’t flinch. Instead, he calmly placed the pill inside the cage, watching as the wolf hesitated before devouring it. Almost instantly, the wolf’s body began to tremble. A scream escaped its throat as the corrosive substance surged into its form, melting its flesh.

Grey watched, impassive. After a few moments, he tossed five medicinal pills into the cage.

**☺️😉**