Chapter 5: Feather Codex

Chapter 5: Feather Codex

As the black symbol in his palm shifted, a thick, pitch-black book appeared in Zhang Yu's hands.

"Feather Codex?"

Staring at the two large characters on the cover, Zhang Yu was momentarily taken aback.

Then, with a flicker of his thoughts, the black book began to turn its pages on its own, opening to the first page.

"Is this the table of contents?"

The table of contents showed only the prologue clearly, while the rest of the text was blurry and indistinct, as if it had been blurred out.

Zhang Yu thought to himself, "Does this mean only the prologue is available now?"

With another thought, he flipped to the prologue. On the left page was a portrait of a person, and on the right page were rows of data and information.

"Is this me?"

The portrait on the left page depicted Zhang Yu sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, as if in meditation. The expression was vivid, giving the impression that the person in the painting was still breathing.

Especially noticeable was the faint glow that seemed to represent the flow of Qi within his body.

On the right page were rows of data and information:

Zhang Yu

Dao Heart: Level 1

Qi: 7.7

Physical Strength: Level 0.83

Martial Arts: Mighty Physique 36 Forms (Level 1), Freehand Combat (Level 1)

Dao Techniques: Basic Qi Circulation (Level 1), Basic Mind Tempering (Level 1)

"Is this me?"

"The data here represents my Immortal Dao attributes. The Dao Heart Level is the same as the school's test, not precise to the decimal."

"Below are the Martial Arts and Dao Techniques I've learned so far?"

The four skills listed included Mighty Physique 36 Forms for Physical Strength, Freehand Combat learned in martial arts class for practical combat, Basic Qi Circulation for refining Qi, and Basic Mind Tempering for enhancing Dao Heart, all at the beginner Level 1.

Zhang Yu looked at the numbers and thought, "Is this the potential the deity has unlocked? Can this book detect my attributes?"

"But... it can't be just that, right?"

"According to the deity, it's supposed to unlock my potential, but detecting my attributes isn't much different from what I can do at school every day."

"There must be more to it."

With this thought, Zhang Yu decided to test it out. He focused his attention on the attribute numbers and mentally commanded, "Feather Codex! Give me a boost!"

Seeing the numbers on the page remain unchanged, Zhang Yu sighed, thinking the deity wasn't as powerful as claimed. It hadn't unlocked his potential at all.

He tried flipping to the next page, only to see the words "To Be Continued" in large letters.

Recalling the undisplayed content in the table of contents, Zhang Yu guessed, "What does this mean? Could this ability be upgradable? Maybe the advanced functions will unlock after upgrading?"

He flipped back to the previous page and focused his attention on his data and skills, hoping to trigger some effect.

As he focused on "Mighty Physique 36 Forms (Level 1)", he suddenly felt the text twitch and move, responding to his thoughts, moving around the page.

Zhang Yu dragged "Mighty Physique 36 Forms (Level 1)" around the page, wondering what this was for.

When the text touched the portrait, it suddenly solidified and was absorbed by the Zhang Yu in the painting.

With this absorption, Zhang Yu felt as if a cool spring was pouring over his crown, a strange and indescribable sensation rising within him, creating a peculiar connection with the Zhang Yu in the painting.

At the same time, the Zhang Yu in the painting stood up and began to perform the Mighty Physique 36 Forms, one move at a time.

Above the portrait, a small line of text appeared: Mighty Physique 36 Forms (Level 1+)

Seeing the small "+" at the end, Zhang Yu became excited. "It's happening! My potential is really being unlocked!"

He focused on the "+" and felt as if he were pressing a button with his thoughts.

The next moment, the "+" became blurry and changed to "(0/10)."

A sudden understanding rose in Zhang Yu's mind: Practicing the Mighty Physique 36 Forms ten times would complete the martial arts upgrade.

Looking at "Mighty Physique 36 Forms (Level 1) (0/10)" on the Feather Codex, Zhang Yu was surprised. "Practicing it ten times can upgrade this martial art?"

Since the start of the semester, Zhang Yu had practiced the Mighty Physique 36 Forms many times, but it had never felt like it was about to upgrade.

"Ten times?"

Zhang Yu couldn't wait to try it out. He took a step forward, and with a loud thud, his muscles twisted like a giant snake, exploding with power.

Although at school, Zhang Yu used equipment to enhance his training, the Mighty Physique 36 Forms could be practiced with or without equipment. It was a foundational martial art that could be focused on strength, speed, agility, or any other aspect.

Zhang Yu had chosen a balanced approach, focusing on both strength and speed without becoming overly muscular.

Now, in the small room, Zhang Yu moved back and forth, his feet pounding the floor with loud thuds, his muscles expanding and contracting, gradually heating up.

But before he could practice a few moves, a chorus of angry voices erupted. "What's wrong with you? Are you trying to tear down the building at night?!"

Zhang Yu immediately stopped, feeling frustrated. "The soundproofing in this rental is terrible. I can't practice at night."

Looking at the Feather Codex in his palm, Zhang Yu couldn't contain his excitement, eager to practice the Mighty Physique 36 Forms ten times and see the results.

"Maybe I should find a different place?"

"I remember there's an abandoned construction site nearby..."

...

In the darkness.

Thuds echoed through the abandoned construction site's corridors, accompanied by the flickering of neon lights from the distant streets. A young figure occasionally appeared in the shadows.

It was Zhang Yu, who had come to the abandoned construction site to practice the Mighty Physique 36 Forms.

His expression was intense as he performed the moves, soon breaking into a sweat and radiating heat.

Zhang Yu had already trained for an entire morning and was exhausted, lying on the ground. Without the aid of injections, pills, or nutritional supplements, he felt weak and sore. Every movement and exertion brought a tearing pain to his muscles.

But thinking of the changes in the Feather Codex, his spirit was reinvigorated, and he persisted in completing the Mighty Physique 36 Forms once.

Panting heavily, Zhang Yu eagerly opened his palm, and the Feather Codex appeared again.

Seeing "Mighty Physique 36 Forms (Level 1) (1/10)", a smile of joy spread across his face.

"Is this my potential?"

"Upgrading the Mighty Physique 36 Forms to Level 2... it might really be possible."

"I'll practice ten times tonight!"

Zhang Yu eagerly began the second round of the Mighty Physique 36 Forms.

But after a short while, he collapsed to the ground, feeling as if his limbs were no longer his own.

"I can't go on. I've reached my limit. I'll have to try again tomorrow."

Just as Zhang Yu decided to stop and rest before going home to sleep, a chill surged through his mind.

At the same time, a voice echoed in his head.

"Please adhere to the ritual agreement, strive to fulfill your wishes, and do not intentionally slack or delay, 10."

"Please adhere to the ritual agreement, strive to fulfill your wishes, and do not intentionally slack or delay, 9."

"Please adhere to the ritual agreement, strive to fulfill your wishes, and do not intentionally slack or delay, 8."

As the countdown continued, the chill in Zhang Yu's mind grew more intense, as if something was about to burst out of his body, tearing his flesh apart.

"Ritual... agreement... wishes..." Zhang Yu immediately realized, "Is this the power of the God Summoning Ritual?"

Zhang Yu recalled the words of the Cloth Doll Deity.

...

"If you choose to refuse to fulfill my wishes, or if you intentionally delay or fail in the process, you will suffer the ritual backlash, resulting in flesh explosion and soul dissolution."

...

Zhang Yu thought to himself, "So, because I plan to study hard, get into a prestigious university, join a major sect, and earn money to fulfill my second wish..."

"Any lack of effort in this process is considered intentional slacking or delaying?"

"If I don't listen, will I die from the ritual backlash?"

Hearing the countdown reach 3, Zhang Yu jumped up.

With a scream, he endured the tearing pain in his muscles and began practicing the Mighty Physique 36 Forms again.

The moment he started, the countdown vanished.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end