MASTER OF NONE

The Blazing Ox

Chapter 3:

"System, how do I retrieve the sword?"

[The sword has already been retrieved by the Host and is stored inside your bloodstream.]

Ye Feng panicked. "In my bloodstream? Isn't that dangerous?"

[Do not worry, Host. The Pulsar Blade possesses a hidden-weapon feature. It can rest harmlessly within your blood and be summoned instantly for battle, acting as an hidden weapon when necessary.]

"Oh," Ye Feng breathed, calming his racing pulse. "So, how do I call it out?"

[Steady your mind and call upon it.]

Ye Feng did exactly as instructed. He closed his eyes and focused. Instantly, a crimson energy gathered at his fingertips, extending into a magnificent sword. The blade was a deep, blood-red hue, radiating an intense, palpable killing intent that made the surrounding air hum with power.

He didn't have time to admire it. The bushes burst open.

A massive bull the size of a truck, completely engulfed in roaring flames, charged into the clearing.

"So, my first beast fight is against a Blazing Ox," Ye Feng muttered, gripping his sword.

[DANGER! DANGER! DANGER!] the System's alarms blared violently in his mind.

"Keep quiet!" Ye Feng snapped. "I won't be able to concentrate if you keep making that noise!"

The System went dead silent.

The moment the Blazing Ox locked its glowing eyes onto Ye Feng, it rumbled forward, its trail leaving nothing but scorched earth and fire. Ye Feng lunged to meet it with insane speed, but the sudden burst of momentum caused him to misjudge his spacing, and he zipped right past the beast.

Ye Feng skidded to a halt, his heart pounding. Wow. That was insane. So this is what it feels like to have cultivation.

[Host possesses a High-Grade Thunder and Lightning Root. An increase in speed is normal.]

The ox veered around, charging straight at him again. Ye Feng focused. In that split second, everything seemed to move in slow motion. He effortlessly dodged the stampede and swung his sword at its side.

Clang!

The crimson sword bounced off. The beast's hide was incredibly tough; he couldn't pierce it. Seizing his moment of surprise, the ox violently whipped its head, ramming its heavy skull directly into Ye Feng's chest and sending him crashing through a row of thick trees.

[I recommend the Host retreat immediately.]

Ye Feng pushed himself up from the debris. He wiped a streak of blood from his mouth and let out a dark, mocking laugh.

"You're telling me to run?" he rasped. "You know what? I've been running my whole life both past and present. When I first came to this world and realized I was a waste, I thought if I just bowed my head low enough, I wouldn't be worth bothering. I knelt. I begged. I ran from pain. And yet, they still kicked me, laughed at me, tortured me, and killed my mother—the only person who ever cared for me! It was only after leaving that family that I realized the truth: the only way to survive is to get stronger. If anything stands in my way, it either kills me, or I kill it. So no. I will never run again!"

With a burst of explosive speed, Ye Feng zoomed across the clearing, transforming into a blur as he struck different parts of the bull from every angle. I have to find its weak spot!

Leaping into mid-air, his eyes locked onto the beast's face.

"Shrink!" Ye Feng commanded.

The blood-red sword instantly minimized into a small, needle-like projectile and shot directly into the Blazing Ox's eye.

The beast roared in agony, completely infuriated. Blazing energy gathered around its horns, condensing into a massive beam of fire that it unleashed directly at the airborne youth.

With no footing in mid-air, Ye Feng recalled the sword to his feet, using it as a momentary platform to jump off of. He changed his trajectory in the nick of time, narrowly dodging the massive torrent of fire.

That was close, Ye Feng thought, landing heavily on the dirt. If I got hit by that, I'd be ash. But it's working. The eye is definitely its weak spot, I just need more penetrating power.

The crimson sword flew back into his hand.

Man and beast stood at a sudden standoff, both preparing their final, most deadly attacks. The Blazing Ox gathered a fireball twice the size of the previous one, the air warping around its heat.

Ye Feng channeled every ounce of his spiritual energy into his weapon. Arcs of violent lightning began to engulf the crimson sword. His eyes turned stark white, giving off blinding sparks.

They charged at each other simultaneously.

The ox unleashed the massive fireball, but Ye Feng's lightning-clad sword cut straight through the flames. With a decisive thrust, the blade pierced through the ruined eye and shattered the Blazing Ox's skull from the inside.

The beast collapsed into the dirt, dead. However, the resulting explosive shockwave blasted Ye Feng backward, knocking him completely unconscious.

The next morning, Ye Feng opened his eyes. His body was covered in painful burn marks.

"Guess a Level 3 Star Beast is no joke," he groaned, standing up with difficulty. "Luckily no other beasts came around while I was out, or I would have been easy meat."

He limped over to the dead Blazing Ox. Using his sword, he sliced through the beast's dorsal section, reached inside, and pulled out a glowing, red, glass-like orb.

"So this is a Blazing Ox Star Core. I actually defeated a Level 3 Star Beast..." He paused, letting out a painful cough. My mom once told me the conversion levels. A Level 3 Star Beast is on par with an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. Ye Tian... just you wait. I will get justice for my mother.

[Congratulations, Host, on defeating a Level 3 Star Beast. Would you like to exchange the core?]

"Yes. Exchange it."

The red core slowly dissolved into dust, absorbed into the glowing screen.

[Core exchanged for 1,000 points. Host can now use points to purchase items from the System Mall.]

Ye Feng pulled up the interface. During that fight, my lack of technique meant I couldn't even scratch its hide initially. I need a proper skill.

He scrolled through the panel. "Oh, here's one. Heaven Mending Technique. With this, one can mend the universe's laws into his own sword... Wow. This is nice." He checked the price. "What?! A million points? No wonder it sounds so overpowered."

He kept scrolling until a specific entry caught his eye. "Now this is perfect. Thunderclap sword Art." He read the description: A high-grade lightning cultivation technique renowned for terrifying speed and explosive power. If perfected, it can split mountains.

"It's exactly what I need, and it's only 400 points. Now I just need something to strengthen my defense."

[Would the Host like to use points to acquire a new constitution?]

"Wait, I can buy constitutions?" Ye Feng asked, pleasantly surprised. "If I can get a stronger body, my defense will soar. System, what do you recommend I can afford right now?"

[The Myriad Divine Body is available for 500 points. This constitution grants the host immunity to all basic elements. Would you like to acquire it?]

If I had this body, I wouldn't have to fear the ox's flames at all, Ye Feng thought. "Yes. Retrieve the constitution and the Thunderclap sword Art."

A manual materialized into his hands.

[Would the Host like to fuse with the constitution now?]

"Yes."

Suddenly, a massive, majestic vortex of golden and silver spiritual energy erupted beneath Ye Feng. The pure force lifted his body into the air, wrapping around him like a protective cocoon as ancient, divine runes began to etch themselves into his skin, completely transforming his physical frame.

Yet, unknown to the floating Ye Feng, a powerful, oppressive presence was rapidly approaching his location.