MTLNOVEL CHAPTER 178
The most enigmatic aspect of Lu Ming's existence was undoubtedly the system of unknown origin.
Its origins were shrouded in mystery, its workings untraceable, and its principles likely incomprehensible to anyone, even the former Mother Tree. Even Lu Ming, the system's owner, couldn't fathom its inner workings.
All Lu Ming knew was that this entity could help him transcend the limitations of his physical body.
It could make him stronger, faster.
But how it accomplished this remained a complete enigma.
Now, staring at the words "Void Domain" that had abruptly appeared on his attribute panel, Lu Ming was deeply perplexed.
He couldn't believe that the source of this new ability was none other than Hachima An, the zombie outside.
Hachima An's Eye of Void, it seemed, should be more accurately called Void Domain.
Of course, without the attribute panel and with Hachima An's limited understanding of his own power, he could only refer to it as the Eye of Void.
But that was a trivial detail.
The crucial point was that when Hachima An activated the Eye of Void and pulled Lu Ming into the void space, a unique connection formed between them.
After Lu Ming's Origin Power Armor skill advanced to the Intricate skill level, the upgrade boosted his physical fitness.
But where did the energy for this enhancement come from?
The answer lay in the outside world.
Unbeknownst to Lu Ming, every time he experienced a surge in power, the system drew in a multitude of mysterious factors floating in the air, using them as energy to increase his strength.
This explained how Lu Ming's body could contain an amount of mysterious factors far exceeding his current level.
Now, with his Origin Power Armor's advancement, the system needed to extract energy to fill the void within Lu Ming's body.
Most of this energy still originated from the freely floating mysterious factors. However, since Lu Ming had advanced within the void space, it also linked him to Hachima An.
This inadvertently caused the system to siphon a portion of Hachima An's energy and integrate it into Lu Ming's body!
Lu Ming himself didn't possess the ability to directly extract others' abilities.
However, through this confluence of events, it had inadvertently occurred.
This was a unique, unrepeatable phenomenon.
Neither Lu Ming nor Hachima An had any understanding of the principles or logic behind it.
True to his nature, Lu Ming didn't dwell on questions without clear answers. Besides, it didn't seem to be a negative development for him.
Meanwhile, Hachima An, oblivious to the situation, remained unaware that Lu Ming was siphoning his energy.
He understood that once the Eye of Void ended, he and his companions stood no chance against Lu Ming. His only option was to maintain the status quo.
Seventeen seconds later.
Lu Ming's Explosive Fist had reached the Intricate skill level!
Explosive Fist (Intricate 1/1,000,000): Mortal Realm Origin Power Skill. After mastering it, the lethality of the punch will greatly increase. You have cultivated the Explosive Fist to the Intricate level. All your attributes +2,000! Your free attribute points +2,000!
Inside the void space...
Lu Ming threw a punch, and the sheer power of the Intricate skill level Explosive Fist coursed through him.
It was akin to the transformation of the Origin Power Armor.
The transition from the Perfect Realm to the Intricate skill level was a metamorphosis.
He could distinctly feel every fiber of energy within his fist obeying his command, much like his own muscles. Even after the fist force left his body, the connection remained unbroken!
When Lu Ming struck, the power of the Intricate skill level Explosive Fist twisted and contorted, almost like a living entity swirling around his body!
Lu Ming echoed his earlier sentiment...
"Is this still an Explosive Fist?"
It barely resembled its former self.
It truly didn't resemble its previous form...
In essence, a qualitative change had taken place.
Examining the Void Domain on his attribute panel, Lu Ming noticed the notations "(Extracting) (Awakening)" following it.
"Well, then I'll just continue..."
Since entering this space, Lu Ming has spent a total of 82 days.
The prolonged isolation, with no one to interact with, felt like solitary confinement.
A normal person would likely go mad.
Yet, Lu Ming found comfort in it.
He relished this environment.
It was perfect for uninterrupted practice of the Explosive Fist!
In the outside world, Hachima An coughed up a mouthful of blood. The sensation of his energy being drained resurfaced. More than a minute had passed.
"What's happening?"
Hachima An was baffled.
But one thing was clear.
If he didn't control Lu Ming, Lu Ming would control him.
He had to persevere!
Perseverance was victory!
For Lu Ming, the only regret was not having Zhang Chengcheng and Wei Lan with him in the void space. He couldn't gain daily attribute growth, nor could he increase his cultivation proficiency.
Therefore, he could only focus on cultivating Origin Power Skills and the Body Forging Technique here.
But cultivation was still progress.
Lu Ming had no reason to complain.
However, he needed to plan and prioritize his cultivation efforts.
"Cultivating the Origin Power Armor is straightforward. It won't interfere with the training of other Origin Power Skills."
Gaining 10,000 proficiency points a day in Origin Power Armor was definitely achievable.
"So, along with Origin Power Armor, I'll also focus on cultivating the Weapon Transformation Technique and Atomic Sword Technique."
Practicing the Weapon Transformation Technique was slightly more demanding, requiring Lu Ming to constantly create and dissolve weapons in a continuous cycle.
Since this was somewhat tedious, pairing it with the Physique Realm Origin Power Skill, Atomic Sword Technique, was a wise choice.
Furthermore, cultivating Physique Realm Origin Power skills was inherently more challenging than Mortal Realm Origin Power skills. Being in the void space allowed Lu Ming to concentrate without any external distractions. He didn't even experience hunger or fatigue.
This isolation allowed Lu Ming to focus and overcome the hurdles of cultivation, even though, with the aid of the system, he didn't find it particularly challenging.
In the outside world, merely ten seconds later, Hachima An coughed up another mouthful of blood.
The sensation of being drained returned, more intense and violent than before.
But what could Hachima An do?
He was powerless, forced to endure.
Within the void space, Lu Ming's Atomic Sword Technique reached the peak Master skill proficiency!
All attributes +3,000!
The Void Domain still displayed the notations, (Extracting... Awakening)...
In the outside world, another forty seconds elapsed.
Hachima An vomited blood once more.
Lu Ming's Weapon Transformation Technique had reached the Perfect level.
All attributes +300!
The Void Domain's cryptic message remained: (Extracting... Awakening)...
In the outside world, another agonizing minute ticked by.
The relentless drain on his energy caused Hachima An's body to convulse, his vision blurring.
He was reaching his limit...
Lu Ming's Atomic Sword Technique had ascended to the Perfect level!
All attributes +4,000!
Yet, the Void Domain's message persisted: (Extracting... Awakening)...
"Damn it! What's happening?!" Hachima An's thoughts were a jumbled mess of confusion and fear.
A primal instinct for survival kicked in. Hachima An realized, with chilling clarity, that their situation was dire.
He had to end the Eye of Void and release Lu Ming immediately!
But there was a catch. If Lu Ming was freed, he would surely slaughter them all.
It seemed they were doomed either way...
Faced with this desperate reality, Hachima An took a deep breath, a cruel determination hardening his gaze.
"Better you than me."
He had made his choice.