C11 Activate Source Energy!

Kong Qing's gaze sharpened as he abruptly seized the necklace.

"Origin Stone, grant me your power!"

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Beams of light pierced through Kong Qing's fist, radiating brilliantly in every direction, while his fist became soaked with blood, trickling down his forearm to his elbow.

Drip...

Drip...

The sound of blood droplets hitting the ground's rocks rang crisply in Kong Qing's ears.

Pain!

It felt as though several silver needles had been thrust into his palm, accompanied by a searing sensation. Yet, Kong Qing's face remained stoic, unflinching in the face of the necklace's torment. The pain he was experiencing now seemed insignificant compared to the humiliation he had endured over the past three years.

As the light from the necklace gradually dimmed after several moments, Kong Qing let out a breath of relief. But then, without warning, the necklace erupted.

Boom!

The Origin Stone burst within Kong Qing's fist. Ignoring the agony in his hand, an invisible energy stealthily made its way into Kong Qing's body through his palm.

"What's happening?" Kong Qing's eyes widened in shock. "What's burrowing into my body?"

The energy roamed chaotically within him, reminiscent of a parasitic worm.

"Ah!"

Kong Qing collapsed to the ground, clutching at his chest, overwhelmed by the excruciating pain that was beyond his tolerance.

"Ah!"

The pain spread to his abdomen, limbs, and brain...

"Is this... Is this the end for me?"

Anyone present would have been horrified at Kong Qing's condition. His complexion was deathly white, veins on his neck, arms, and legs were bulging, and a red mist even seeped from his strained eyes.

Then came the pain in his ears, nose, and mouth.

The intensity of the pain forced Kong Qing's eyes shut, and his body ceased to thrash. Instead, he lay curled up on the ground, completely immobilized.

Half an hour later, the red mist emanating from Kong Qing's orifices transformed into a chilling fog, and beads of cold sweat formed on his face.

The pain had vanished, leaving behind an icy chill that pierced to the core. Kong Qing's face quivered as he instinctively wrapped his arms around himself, seeking even the slightest bit of warmth.

At that moment, the cave felt like a vast ice cellar, the frigid air cutting to the bone, oppressively so.

Then, abruptly, the cold dissipated, and Kong Qing's cheeks flushed red. His body hair stood on end as the sudden warmth forced him to release his hold and lie flat, taking deep, rapid breaths.

The cave now seemed hotter than a day in June.

And so, amidst this fluctuation of heat and cold, Kong Qing slipped into unconsciousness.

Time slipped by, and after three hours, Kong Qing's senses slowly returned, and he opened his eyes with a groan. Sitting up, he clutched his head with a sharp intake of breath.

"Ouch!" Kong Qing, though often whipped, had never cried out before. Yet the lingering headache made him wince.

He remembered the events of the previous night with a shudder, amazed that he had awakened at all—it felt like a miracle.

Surveying his surroundings, Kong Qing noticed the stillness. However, outside the cave, the distinct sound of knocking signaled the start of the slaves' workday.

Relieved that his cave remained undiscovered, Kong Qing decided to block the entrance with a few rocks, just to be safe.

With everything secured, he finally relaxed. His cave was now sealed off, but a small, fist-sized hole in the ceiling allowed a sliver of light to pierce the darkness.

Kong Qing retrieved the leftover steamed bun from the night before. Despite its odd smell, he smiled with satisfaction.

"Thank goodness I saved it last night. Otherwise, all that would be left of this bun now would be ashes," he thought to himself.

After quickly finishing the bun, Kong Qing settled into a seated position, contemplative.

Since waking, he had sensed something peculiar within his heart. Having watched martial arts dramas, he had some inkling of what it might be.

With this thought, Kong Qing quickly shut his eyes, tuning into the rhythm of his heartbeat.

Thump...

Thump...

It was some time before Kong Qing opened his eyes, a look of frustration crossing his face. Despite his efforts, his heart seemed unchanged, though he could sense a difference within himself.

Undeterred by this initial setback, Kong Qing closed his eyes once more, focusing intently on the unique energy pulsing in his heart.

As time slipped away, Kong Qing remained with his eyes closed for a full hour, his attention unwavering from the area of his heart.

He visualized the organ, continuing to feel each heartbeat.

Kong Qing was in a deep state of concentration, almost trance-like, with the image of his heart's silhouette dominating his thoughts, almost to the point where he could sense the blood coursing through it.

He then envisioned the blood flowing from his heart throughout his body, then returning in a perpetual cycle.

Unaware of how much time had passed in this state, Kong Qing suddenly felt as if he had tapped into the energy within his heart. He quickly focused his consciousness to grasp this energy.

After a brief moment, perseverance paid off. Kong Qing could clearly feel that he had not only made contact with the energy in his heart but had gained control over it!

He proceeded to channel this energy to his arms and then to his palms.

In an instant, Kong Qing's eyes snapped open, and he clenched his right hand. Without hesitation, he struck the massive rock on the ground with a punch.

Crack!

The rock fissured from the point of impact, with cracks rapidly spreading to its base.

Bang!

As Kong Qing withdrew his arm, the rock burst apart with a resounding crash.

Upon seeing the shattered fragments on the ground, Kong Qing's face broke into a relieved smile.

"Warrior! The legendary warrior! I never thought I'd actually become one!" Kong Qing was ecstatic.

Becoming a warrior meant he had the opportunity to break free from his overseers' grasp, with the possibility of escaping the twenty-sixth district and, even more so, the Ancient Quarters.

The idea of escaping the Ancient Quarters was unimaginable to Kong Qing just a few months prior, but now, things were different.

The power that had just surged through his hands was more than triple that of an ordinary person, and this was only his first attempt at harnessing his energy.

After giving it some thought, Kong Qing realized that if he ventured out now, he might run into the supervisor. And if it was discovered that he hadn't unearthed even a single Origin Stone, he would be in deep trouble.

Kong Qing had progressed to the point where he could be considered half a warrior. His strength and resilience had significantly improved, but to the three savagely strong men, his power was still insignificant.

What Kong Qing needed most at this moment was patience.

Only when he was strong enough to fend for himself in the 26th district would he truly possess the means to protect himself.

With a resigned smile, Kong Qing scanned his surroundings and spotted the Source Stone Essence protruding from the rock wall. Without hesitation, he closed his eyes and summoned the energy within his heart.

Having attempted this once before, the process was no longer foreign to him. A few breaths later, Kong Qing reopened his eyes, feeling a surge of strength in his arm, and he struck the mountain wall with a punch.

Bang!

A plume of dust billowed from the wall as small rocks tumbled to the ground, revealing the Source Stone Essence in full view.

Kong Qing hastily extracted it, and as he gazed at the dark blue Source Stone Essence in his hand, his elation was unmistakable.

After a moment of sheer joy, Kong Qing gripped the Source Stone Essence tightly, his eyes welling up as he exclaimed with fervor, "I've finally made it! I, Kong Qing, have risen at last!"

His excitement was short-lived; Kong Qing knew better than to rest on his laurels. He had a long journey ahead if he wanted to escape the Ancient Quarters.

Holding the Source Stone Essence, Kong Qing settled into a seated position on the ground, closed his eyes, and prepared to harness the energy needed to absorb the stone.

Kong Qing was well aware that if he were outside the Ancient Quarters, he wouldn't have the luxury of absorbing Source Stone Essence so freely.

Now, within the confines of the Origin Stone Mine, life might be stifling, but at least he didn't have to worry about the arduous search for Origin Stones.

"Could it be that fate itself has led me to the Ancient Quarters?" Kong Qing pondered, as the thought unexpectedly emerged in his mind.

Kong Qing had no intention of thanking the heavens for his situation. Given the option, he would have preferred to avoid setting foot in the Ancient Quarters, let alone the First Realm.