49: Chapter 49 Cortical Transformation, Dragon Mark

The night was deep.

The people were asleep.

The entire Raccoon Apartments fell into silence.

However, in Qin Feng's room, a faint glimmer still shone.

Thump... Thump...

Inside the flesh-and-blood bathtub, Qin Feng's body was held in a strange posture, sitting upright like an old ape.

The blood-red liquid, thick as plasma, churned constantly, washing over his skin and releasing dense, heavy bubbles.

The moment the bubbles burst, a scorching hot aura diffused outward, carrying wisps of pitch-black Impurities. They drifted through the air and finally dissipated into the night sky through the gap in the open window.

Under this kind of tempering and the removal of Impurities, Qin Feng's skin momentarily appeared as translucent as jade.

It even possessed a strange texture, like gold or iron.

At the same time.

An aura like rising steam.

Was exhaled from his mouth and nose.

In his mouth.

Thick blood crystal rice porridge was being chewed and swallowed by him.

The pure energy of the titan blood crystal bloomed from the ingested blood crystal rice porridge, soaking into his internal organs, blood, and every part of his body.

This caused his body and blood Qi to continuously grow stronger.

Wisps of "Qi".

Emerged from the surging blood Qi, gradually becoming more robust.

And as more energy poured in.

Vaguely.

A mysterious gravitational force flowed out from within Qin Feng's body, drawing the titan blood crystal energy into the "acupoint gate" within his body and pouring it into the "Acupoint Black Hole."

Five Acupoints.

Five black holes.

Rotating incessantly.

They sucked in every bit of the titan blood crystal energy without missing a single thread.

There was not a single shred of waste.

Originally, even if Qin Feng's Breathing reached Perfection and he used the "Tough Skin" skill to its limit to intercept the escaping titan blood crystal energy, he still wouldn't have been able to achieve one hundred percent perfect absorption.

In the end, a portion would always be wasted, feeding the air.

Over time.

This wasted titan blood crystal energy would accumulate into a significant amount.

Rounding it up.

It was practically the painful loss of an entire titan crystal!

But now that he had condensed his Acupoints and combined them with Deep Sleep Fetal Breath, he no longer had such concerns.

"The titan blood crystal truly lives up to its name. Before this single night's cultivation time has even passed, another acupoint is nearly at the stage of 'Aperture Opening'."

Qin Feng withdrew from the Deep Sleep Fetal Breath state.

He opened his eyes.

Deep within his pupils.

Five deep black holes flashed and vanished.

Two of the black holes appeared exceptionally deep and condensed, like Soul-devouring abysses, harboring a powerful and terrifying gravitational pull.

Condensed black holes, deep as an abyss, and surging gravity—these were exactly the signs of "Aperture Opening."

"I'm one step closer to becoming a true Martial Artist!"

Qin Feng clenched his fist tightly.

Feeling the immense power contained within his fist.

His mood was light.

He looked at the skill panel of the crimson cheat:

Skills:

1. Anatomy: Perfection

2. Breathing: Perfection

3. Tough Skin: mastery (2%)

4. Hide: mastery (1%)

5. White Ape Health-Preserving Secret Pile: skilled (19%)

6. Armored Spear Technique: beginner (1%)

During the cultivation just now, the "Tough Skin" skill had finally entered the mastery level.

Just like the "Hide" skill.

As soon as it reached mastery.

A qualitative change occurred.

The current "Tough Skin" skill didn't just make his skin as tough as iron or allow his pores to breathe like his mouth and nose; it had also derived a special effect:

Dragon Markings.

That's right.

Special Dragon Markings containing the power of a Dragon-type Behemoth.

With just a thought, mysterious Dragon Markings would adhere to the skin of his entire body.

In addition to greatly enhancing the skin's toughness, it could also allow the Dragon Markings to manifest as dragon scales in a short period, like a layer of dragon-scale treasure armor, making him impervious to fire and water, and untainted by a hundred poisons.

Paired with that dragon pearl hidden in his heart.

It could be said that they complemented each other perfectly.

However...

This ability clearly had nothing to do with the original "Tough Skin" skill.

It likely originated from that dragon pearl in his heart, which was suspected to be a dragon's acupoint.

"When I practice the White Ape Health-Preserving Secret Pile and breathe in the titan blood crystal energy, this dragon pearl fused with my heart inevitably participates in my respiratory cycle, becoming a part of my cultivation."

"It seems..."

"The strengthening of skills isn't immutable or fixed on a set path?"

"If I add some special treasures as assistance while grinding proficiency, can I actually influence the direction of the skill's enhancement?"

Qin Feng thought to himself.

Of course.

This surely depended on the compatibility between the skill and the treasure.

The dragon pearl could influence the "Tough Skin" skill.

But it might not necessarily have a special effect on the "Hide" skill.

While pondering.

Qin Feng turned his gaze to his sixth skill.

Whenever he had free time these past two days, he would watch the "Magic Blade Series Firearm Introductory Tutorial" video that cost him a hundred yanxia coins. He had even purchased a basic holographic helmet while waiting to pick up his vehicle at the Ruin Market.

After all, it was a premium video bought with money.

It came with a built-in holographic simulation tutorial.

After Qin Feng ran the holographic simulation a few times.

He had learned the "Armored Spear Technique" skill.

"This 'Armored Spear Technique' is different from spear techniques in the general sense. Strictly speaking, it's more like a gun-kata that combines spear techniques with combat."

"Well, this isn't bad."

"It can barely be considered as giving me a combat skill."

Qin Feng put on the holographic helmet placed to the side.

While soaking in the bath.

While Breathing.

He entered the holographic simulation tutorial to grind the proficiency of this "Armored Spear Technique."

...

The next day, after waking up from the Deep Sleep Fetal Breath state, Qin Feng went to work full of Origin Qi.

It was worth mentioning that he had habitually looked for his little electric scooter.

Only when he saw the "Deep Red Magic Dragon" waiting quietly for him did he realize.

He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

He smiled with emotion:

"I guess I'm finally a car owner now."

"Not bad, not bad."

"I've finally made something of myself."

Driving into the parking lot of the Rising Sun Behemoth Factory.

Qin Feng's new vehicle unsurprisingly drew quite a bit of attention from his colleagues.

News about Qin Feng getting a new vehicle quickly spread.

"Have you heard? That Manager Qin, who was promoted by the Upper City people, got a new car. It's good to have Upper City people backing you; it's only been a few days and he's already earned enough for a car. I'm so jealous my balls are turning purple!"

"Have you heard? Manager Qin got a new car. They say it was a gift from that Manager Lu from the Upper City. I saw Manager Lu come over from the Upper City specifically to look after Manager Qin a couple of days ago!"

"Have you heard? Manager Lu from the Upper City gave Manager Qin a car. It's so flashy. Manager Lu cares about Manager Qin so much; they say their relationship is anything but ordinary!"

"Have you heard? Manager Lu from the Upper City and our Manager Qin are long-lost brothers. That's why he specially gave him such a flashy car!"

"Have you heard? Our Manager Qin and Manager Lu from the Upper City are actually twin brothers. Now he's not only given Manager Qin a car, but he's also introduced him to a noble young lady from the Upper City!"

"Have you heard? Manager Qin is about to move into the Upper City, marry a rich beauty, and reach the Peak of his life!"

"???"

When Qin Feng heard these increasingly outrageous rumors in the Dissection Workshop.

His head was practically full of question marks.

What the hell?!