The Dawn of the New World

"What was it before? Check everything."

It had been so long that Hao Xuan had even forgotten what the old numbers were.

|Past Measurements Conducted at Spirit Stage 4th Realm|

Soul Power: 13.5

Physical Power: 8.7

|Full Body Scan Initiated|

|Current Measurements Recorded|

Name: Hao Xuan

Cultivation Realm: Peak Stage, Spirit Realm

Soul Power: 44

Physical Power: 49.9

"Soul strength 44 and physical strength at 49.9?! How did it increase by so much? My body was feeling a little taut but I never would have expected it was to this extent. Baracus, how is it compared to other people again? What was the standard?"

*Beep*

Baracus quickly jumped in to explain and refresh Hao Xuan's memory.

"An average cultivator without any special bloodlines, physique or constitutions is taken as the standard with the power level of 1 once they enter the Spirit Realm. Upon reaching Peak Stage they may only be able to reach a power level of 15 to 20 at most depending on their cultivation technique."

"Upon breaking into the Profound Realm they see a significant qualitative increase that pushes them to the power level of 30 as compared to a Spirit Realm cultivator. For those with special bloodlines and such, it is not unheard of to reach the power level 40 upon breaking into the Profound Realm."

"There are of course exceptions to the rule but they are outliers and do not affect the measurement criteria."

Hao Xuan's brow furrowed in confusion, "But I am still in the Spirit Realm and my power is far beyond even an average Profound Realm cultivator. How is that possible?"

*Beep*

"One possible explanation could be the forced refinement host went through within the last few days. Being pushed to the limit in both mind and body could very well result in such an irregularity."

"But to this extent?"

"No other logical reason can be found. It should not be physically possible for you to reach such physical prowess while remaining within the human lim-"

Strangely enough, Baracus cut himself off all of a sudden as Hao Xuan felt movement within his bloodstream when numerous nanites jumped into action.

"Possible Explanation: Bloodline integration. New blood purity level capped at 99.997% purity. Upon combining with the 'Immortal Devouring Demon Physique' and the 'Soul Severing Heavenly constitution' an unprecedented form of unity has been reached within the energy, spiritual and physical centers."

"This harmony has broken the standard limits of your human body and allowed it to reach a new realm."

Although he could hear and understand what Baracus was saying Hao Xuan's thoughts were focused elsewhere.

'So all these 'gifts' that I picked up along the way just 'happen' to work with one another in a way that it creates perfect harmony and a solid enough foundation that I doubt even the children of gods would be able to get. No matter how much I want to believe, there is no way this was a mere coincidence which means...she was right....'

*ROAAAAR*

Awoken from his daze unexpectedly by a muffled roar his spiritual sense was forcefully pulled back while the very ground he was standing on began to shake.

He turned towards the source of the noise which was the now 'bubbling' black pool. It seethed and raged as hundreds of grunts were pulled in at once making it expand even more.

And in the middle of the pool was something new. A rough outline of a figure that was covered in a viscous tar-like substance. But it was too muddled to make out anything just yet.

It was howling while trying to break free from the pool but it looked like that wasn't going to happen any time soon even though more and more of its frame was slowly revealed.

Hao Xuan's pupils constricted to the size of pinholes when he could see and feel what it was with a little more clarity.

The giant thing at the top was its head but that alone was more than 30 meters in length. On its back and sides were eighteen appendages that were obviously unfinished since he could only see bones and some flesh. Nevertheless, just one look was enough for him to see how deadly they would be.

"I was right then. You are not 'complete' yet, are you? Are those grunts just fodder to fatten you up?"

He had asked the question not expecting anything in return but the Synapse creature suddenly ceased all struggle and turned its eyeless head in Hao Xuan's direction. If it did have eyes they would be looking right at him.

He felt a sharp pain around his forehead as a word appeared in the back of his mind.

'Devour!' it screamed.

Hao Xuan shook his head trying to lessen the pain, "Devour? What a coincidence, that's my thing too."