Russell stood up from the lotus position in which he sat, breaking his focus after his awakening.
Immediately the changes he experienced slowly receded back, his dark blue hair and emerald green eyes slowly reverted back to its raven black form and dark pupils; however, his skin complexion and brightness remained the same.
This change, however, had gone unnoticed by Russell because he didn't even notice them in the first place.
As he made his way to Area 4 of the slums where their run-down shack of a home was located, with his leather pouch hanging on his shoulders and a sack of food in his right hand, he slowly opened the rag that served as a door to their home.
"Davi?!"
"Davi?!!" Russell called out.
"Did I really stay up that late? Could he have already fallen asleep?" he wondered.
Putting the thought aside, he entered the house, but just as he entered, he was met with a stunning sight.
Davi's naked body lay on the floor shining in all its splendor.
What was even more absurd was that Russell could not even find the traces of his clothes around the room.
A sigh slowly escaped his mouth as he smiled, looking at his brother's sleeping figure, deciding not to think about where his missing clothes went.
"I will definitely protect you, brother!" Russell vowed silently.
"Since Davi is asleep, then I would save this meal for breakfast… tomorrow we will finally be leaving this place," Russell said out loud before he fell into the embrace of Mother Nature.
However, as soon as he said those words, Davi's eyes snapped open.
~Sigh
"What a hardworking young lad," Davi turned towards where Russell lay.
Looking at him now, you would feel an aura of a saint sage, a peak expert that could traverse the void back in the World of Forsaken Saints.
As Davi recollected his thoughts, he analyzed what had happened so far.
After a few minutes went by, he thought to himself…
"I wonder what realms of power exist in this world.
Besides, now I have obtained the Nine Hells Scripture, it would be good to know the realms of cultivation of this world, or better still the Asura… perhaps the 'system' could have the answer I seek," Davi thought.
"System, what are the realms of cultivation to reach the peak, and how do I get there?"
[There are six major realms host needs to reach before host is considered to be at the peak of this mortal world]
"What are these realms?" Davi asked.
[-Hell Initiate/Body Refinement Realm (Foundation stage): At this stage, host needs to temper his bones, muscles, and blood using the nen energy of this world and undergo the Hellfire Baptism]
[Host should gain a minor resistance to pain and increased physical endurance]
[-Hellborn Realm/Core Formation Realm (Forging the Asura physique): ???]
[-Demonic Forging Realm/Nascent Soul Realm (???): ???]
[The following realms need the second scripture to be able to cultivate further]
[-Abyss Overlord Realm/Dao Formation Realm (???): ???]
[-Abyssal Tyrant Realm/Dao Comprehension Realm (???): ???]
[The following realms need the third scripture to be able to cultivate further]
[-Hell's Monarch Realm/Immortal Ascension Realm (???): ???]
[Due to host's level of authority, this information cannot be displayed]
Davi read the interface calmly over and over again, after which he asked,
"System, how do I increase my level of authority?"
[Host has to increase in his realm of cultivation!]
~Sigh
"I guess that cannot be overemphasized. I better get started on my cultivation. At this point, I wonder if I truly need this magic… This cultivation technique is heaven itself!"
"That said, I must tread carefully as I don't know anything about this world. Worse still, I cannot see!" Davi felt frustrated at this thought.
Looking at the first of the Nine Hells Scripture, he smiled.
It read:
[HELL OF TORMENT (Foundation: Pain and Body Refinement)]
[Host will establish his Qi foundation using the nen magical energy of this world as a substitute. Strengthens host's physical endurance]
[Host must endure immense suffering to reach the next major realm of cultivation]
The system went on to explain how he was meant to cultivate and convert the nen energy into Asura Qi to serve as his foundation, and just like the name, he knew that truly this would be a hell of torment.
But as far as it will allow me to reach my peak and deal with those immortal bastards, I am ready for whatever may come.
Besides, I have yet to understand the secrets of this body…
"Hehe, things just get more and more interesting," Davi thought.
But then a problem that had always plagued him… how was he supposed to achieve all of this while being blind?
He had yet to understand why, of all bodies to be transmigrated to, the 'system' chose a blind body.
It just didn't make sense no matter how he looked at it. Since there was no harm in trying, he decided to ask the system.
"System, how do I even grow when I am limited by this blind body?" Davi asked.
[Host cannot grow without challenges!]
"There it goes again… very unhelpful bitch… That of course is if you are a woman hehe," Davi laughed sheepishly.
"System, is there a way to solve this blindness of mine? I cannot depend on Russell all my life, can I?" Davi asked.
[Host's blindness is permanent… at least for now]
[Host, however, can solve his sight in two ways. First is to reach the Demonic Forging Realm, where you must have developed a soul sense. Secondly is to obtain a soul fruit]
Davi was stunned after getting this bit of information.
Immediately after, he asked…
"System, what is a soul fruit and how do I obtain one?"
[Due to host's level of authority, this information cannot be displayed!]
~Sigh
"What level of authority must I reach to gain access to this information?" Davi asked, not expecting any answer.
"This is just so fucked up," he thought inwardly.
[Host needs to reach lv.15 to be eligible for this bit of information unless unforeseen circumstances should occur]
As soon as he heard this bit of information, he just totally gave up on finding out more from the system.
Besides, what he had learned today was more than enough.
At least for now, he had to focus on cultivating and keep an eye out for the so-called "soul fruit."
Right now, he knew that he was powerless to defend himself.
"I cannot depend on Russell forever to lead me by the hand…
Hell of Torment," Davi said as he read the manual in his mind of how to go about cultivating it. A smile formed on his lips as he said,
"Let's see if you are worth your name," Davi laughed. Right now, he looked like a battle-thirsty psycho.
Let's not forget that he was not putting on any form of clothing.
Calming his raging thoughts, he calmly sat into a lotus position.
Slowly expanding his diaphragm and breathing in a certain pattern, he found it difficult and slightly suffocating.
It felt like breathing, only for his exhaled air to be trapped and forced back into his lungs.
At some point in his cultivation, he almost considered giving up… but remembering the names of the immortals who had murdered him and destroyed the World of Forsaken Saints, he steeled himself and persevered.
Slowly, he adjusted to the breathing pattern according to the Hell of Torment.
In the middle of the night, nen energy began to swirl around Davi as it seeped slowly into his pores.
Gritting his teeth, he endured the pain and forced the nen energy to circulate in an anti-clockwise manner across his skin.
In the Hell Initiate/Body Refinement Realm, there were five parts of the body that needed to be tempered, and in this order: skin, muscles, bones, blood, and finally the meridians.
Hence, he had to start by circulating the energy around his skin.
After about five minutes of constant cultivation, he finally condensed a drop of Asura Qi, which he absorbed into his skin, strengthening it in the process.
Before he knew it, Davi had lost track of time and cultivated all the way until dawn.
Russell woke up and was stunned.
Considering the fact that Davi had awakened the day before, it would be an understatement to say he wasn't shocked to feel the thick nen energy gathering around him.
What was even crazier was that the energy was being absorbed by Davi at a pace visible to the naked eye.
"Was magic supposed to be used this way?" he wondered.
Nevertheless, he was extremely happy. At least now, not just him but his brother had a higher chance of passing the exam.
"If we can train our magic and nen control… hehe, I'm confident we'll be able to join one of those top powers," Russell thought to himself, grinning.
Now, however, it was time to depart.
"Davi, wake up! We need to leave now. Here, put on these clothes, Old Man Frank must be waiting for us," Russell said, holding out a set of clothing.
Davi's eyes snapped open, and he smiled, realizing it was already morning.
"Brother, how was your night?" he asked.
"It was wonderful. I'm pleasantly surprised you've awakened as well. I also awakened yesterday… I planned to tell you this morning," Russell replied.
Realizing Russell must have mistaken his cultivation for magic, Davi didn't correct him.
Instead, he nodded his head admitting that he indeed has awakened, and he then took the clothes.
Only then did he realize he had been naked the entire night, and he failed to hide his embarrassment.
Russell burst into laughter, finding it amusing.
"Here, have some food. Let's eat quickly before we leave," Russell said after Davi had dressed.
Russell decided that perhaps now wasn't the best time to ask how Davi could absorb nen, which wasn't supposed to be possible.
The priority now was to meet up with Old Man Frank…
And just like that, they ate their respective meals in silence.
Each lost in their own thoughts.