The MC slowly guided the spiritual energy toward his cells.
His breathing was calm, deep, and controlled. Every strand of spiritual energy moved under his careful guidance, flowing through his meridians at a steady pace. He did not dare rush—even a slight mistake could shatter his body from the inside.
At first, everything went smoothly.
The spiritual energy merged with his flesh, spreading warmth through his body.
Then—
"Aah—!"
A sharp pain suddenly erupted from deep within his cells.
"Aaaaah!"
The pain pierced through his nerves like countless needles stabbing at once. His body shook violently, muscles tensing as veins bulged on his arms and neck.
"What… what is this?!"
The MC immediately cut off the energy flow and fell to the ground, gasping heavily. Cold sweat drenched his entire body.
"Aah…!"
He clenched his teeth, his vision trembling.
"This pain…"
"It's the same as before… when I tried to absorb impure energy into my skin."
He stayed silent for a long moment, carefully sensing his body.
"But… it's weaker."
That realization did not bring relief—it brought clarity.
"So the purity matters."
"If I want to use this method, I need far purer energy."
He slowly stood up, his expression grim.
"But where would I find such pure energy?"
The cave fell into silence.
Suddenly, his eyes widened.
"Oh… right."
"How could I forget?"
Without hesitation, the MC sat down and entered a meditative state. His consciousness sank deep within, passing through layers of darkness until that familiar place appeared once more.
The mysterious land.
The land that had once healed him when he was on the brink of death.
Back then, when his body had been torn apart, this land had released an overwhelming vitality that restored him instantly.
"That energy…"
His heart began to race.
"If I can use it… I might succeed."
But a new problem surfaced.
"How do I control it?"
According to the old man's memories, cultivators used spiritual energy or mental energy to control spiritual artifacts. However, spiritual energy was useless here—it was instantly devoured by the land.
"So spiritual energy won't work."
"That leaves only one option…"
"Mind power."
His brows furrowed deeply.
"But the old man barely knew anything about it."
All he knew was that mind power was necessary for alchemy and artifact refining. Nothing about direct control.
The MC lowered his head, frustration rising in his chest.
"Damn it…"
"For once, I truly feel lost."
The silence pressed down on him like a mountain.
Then he clenched his fists.
"No."
"I won't give up."
"I've already survived worse than this."
"This is just another obstacle."
He closed his eyes and forced himself to think.
"What did I feel when I was injured?"
Back then, he had been drowning in pain. His mind had been blank—except for one desperate thought.
Live.
Fear.
Pain.
The burning desire to survive.
His eyes snapped open.
"That feeling…"
"Emotion."
Realization struck him like lightning.
"This land reacts to emotion."
"The stronger the emotion… the stronger the response."
His breathing grew heavy.
"Should I try?"
Slowly, he stretched out his hand toward the land.
His voice was hoarse at first, but it soon filled with determination.
"Follow my will."
"Lend me your power."
His eyes burned fiercely.
"I need power."
"Power to become strong."
"Power to change this cursed fate!"
The moment his emotions erupted—
The land trembled violently.
The ground cracked open, shaking as if an earthquake had struck. The vast land began shrinking rapidly, its size decreasing as energy gathered at its core.
The MC's heart pounded.
"It's working!"
After a long time, the land stopped shrinking.
Only a tiny speck of energy remained.
"So little…?"
It was so small that he could barely see it, even with his yellow eyes.
But he smiled.
"Even a drop is enough."
He carefully grasped the energy with one hand, supporting it with the other, and guided it toward his right hand.
As the energy entered his cells—
"Aah—!"
Pain surged once again.
Sharp.
Piercing.
But unlike before, it was weaker.
His body trembled, but it did not collapse.
"So it's true…"
"My body can endure this much."
Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth as he roared inwardly.
"No!"
"This is the purest energy I have."
"I cannot lose it!"
With a hoarse scream filled with desperation, he forced the absorption.
Time seemed to slow.
The pain gradually faded.
The energy settled.
The MC collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily.
"Phew…"
"Finally."
He stared at his right hand, which faintly pulsed with power.
"I succeeded."
Slowly, he stood up.
"Let's test it."
He walked out of the cave and stood before a tall tree. A sky-blue light enveloped his right hand, flickering like flames.
He inhaled deeply.
Then punched.
BOOM—!
The tree vanished instantly.
In its place, a massive crater appeared.
Shock flashed across his eyes.
But before he could react—
His body was violently thrown backward.
"Aah—!"
He slammed into the cave entrance, his back smashing against jagged rocks. Stones fell around him as he collapsed to the ground.
His right hand was mangled, covered in burn marks and torn flesh.
"I… can't feel it…"
He sat on the ground, laughing weakly.
"Haha…"
"So strong…"
"Even a Qi Level 7… or even Level 8 cultivator… would fall in one strike."
His laughter faded, replaced by exhaustion.
"But… I can only use it once."
"I need to heal."
He looked toward the mysterious land—it was almost empty.
"I'll have to replenish it with beast meat."
As he ate the raw meat, impure energy flowed into the land. Moments later, the land released vitality energy, which surged into his body and repaired his damaged hand.
Slowly, flesh regenerated.
"Aah…"
"It's as good as new."
But his expression soon turned serious.
"The backlash is too strong."
"My body can't handle more than one strike."
"And now the land is empty again… like an empty shell."
His heart sank.
"If I cultivate normally, the land absorbs everything."
"If I fight, I get one strike."
"After that… I'm just waiting to die."
A cruel, endless loop.
"No…"
"I won't accept this."
"There must be a way."
"I just haven't found it yet."
He clenched his fists, eyes filled with resolve.
"First, I'll strengthen my body."
"Then I'll endure the backlash."
"And I'll gather more pure energy… to form more of these cells."
He exhaled slowly.
"Techniques need names."
"Strong names."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Then this technique…"
"I'll call it—Immortal Cells."
"And one day…"
"I'll truly live up to that name."
(so readers what do think about the immortal cells)