【Identification Complete】

【Monotestis Orb: A gem housing the Spirit of the Nether Mist, formed from a specific organ of the Nether Mist Black Goat after its death. Consuming the orb grants a 1% chance of acquiring the ability to manipulate Nether Mist.】

Finally, after countless attempts, Zhang Ping successfully identified the black orb.

As the orb’s attributes unfolded, a vivid scene appeared in his mind: A massive Black Goat radiated dense black mist, which transformed into enormous goat horns that lashed out at the surrounding Mutated Beasts. Suddenly, a colossal Mutated Wild Boar charged at it. In an instant, the Black Goat dissolved into mist, evading the attack, then reformed above the boar, unleashing a barrage of horn-like projectiles. The wild boar’s back was pierced with several gaping holes.

However, the boar’s tenacious vitality allowed it to retaliate. It snapped upward, its massive jaws clamping down on the Black Goat, eliciting an agonized cry. The black mist dispersed rapidly.

In the next moment, the Black Goat reformed on the boar’s back, its body spasming violently and stiffening. From its frame, waves of black mist seeped out, surging into the boar’s open mouth. Before the boar could spit it out, a cold gleam streaked through the air, severing its head with a shockwave. The massive body toppled to the ground.

The vision ended abruptly.

Zhang Ping stared at the black orb in his hand, a mix of unease and hesitation clouding his expression. To eat or not to eat—that was the question.

A gut feeling told him that consuming the orb would grant him a high probability of acquiring the Nether Mist ability. Yet, knowing its origin left him deeply conflicted.

"Some people can eat anything. Why can’t I be one of them?" he sighed internally.

There was no doubt the Monotestis Orb was more valuable than even an Elemental Gem in Mingzhu City—a treasure capable of altering one’s fate.

Why were martial arts gym memberships so expensive?

Because most gyms had access to a powerful martial technique. Mastering it to its peak could rival superpowers.

Why were weapons and equipment so costly?

Because mastering a weapon equated to gaining an additional skill. Yet, to wield a weapon with exceptional proficiency required talent, time, and practice.

But treasures like the Monotestis Orb were different. They bypassed years of effort. Swallow it, and there was a chance to gain a new ability—its rarity was undeniable.

For most Awakeners, having just one ability in a lifetime was the norm. Who wouldn’t covet more?

As Zhang Ping gazed at the orb, memories from his past life flashed before his eyes.

Buried alive in a landslide, suffocating in darkness.

Standing in the Patrol Squad’s headquarters, forced to greet Skyborn Fox, the murderer of Su Jingyao, with a fake smile.

The powerless feeling during Lunara Prince’s room inspections at school, his life hanging by a thread.

The despair when Skyborn Fox attacked in the Black Vault.

“Someone as weak as me—do I even have the right to be picky?”

Snapping back to reality, Zhang Ping smirked bitterly at the orb. He tipped his head back and swallowed it whole, struggling to gulp it down.

Immediately, he performed an identification on himself, but no changes appeared. Frowning, he wondered if he had failed to gain the ability.

Suddenly, a sharp pain stabbed through his abdomen. Clenching his jaw to suppress any sound, he curled up on the ground, clutching his stomach.

He felt something racing from his stomach to his brain. Amid the pain, he faintly heard a piercing scream, like a hallucination, vanishing in an instant.

Then, black mist began to seep from his sweat glands, forming a thin veil that enveloped his body like a shroud.

The agony lasted for five minutes before fading. Exhausted, Zhang Ping collapsed on the ground, unwilling to move.

After some time, he managed to muster enough energy to perform another identification on himself.

【Identification Complete】

【Summoned Beast：Zhang Ping】

【Master：Zhang Ping】

【Race：Human】

【Potential：⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐】

【Lifespan：99】

【Level：Beginner Level Awakener】

【Grade：9】

【Talent】

【Contract Gem: Consuming physical and mental energy to condense a Contract Gem. Once the target voluntarily accepts, their life, soul, and consciousness will be controlled by the Summoner, but they will also gain the Summoner's potential and luck. After the first use, subsequent uses will slightly enhance the user’s potential and have a 1% chance of awakening a new talent. PS. The talent abilities gained by Summoner Zhang Ping, derived from overdrawn intelligence, potential, and luck, are extremely powerful, but they also carry a great flaw—ambition may not always be a good thing.】

【Absolute Command: You have absolute control over Summoned Beasts. Your orders are unconditionally obeyed.】

【Absolute Obedience: You must obey the Summoner's orders without question.】

【Classic Identification Skill: Can be used to identify a target, with a 60% chance of obtaining target information. The first identification is guaranteed to succeed, and for subsequent identifications of the same target, the success rate will increase to 100%.

PS: This talent ability was born from the curiosity of both Summoned Beast Zhang Ping and Summoner Zhang Ping.】

【Nether Mist Night Walker: Grants Night Vision, significantly reduces presence at night, greatly increases movement speed, and decreases body weight. When in the shadow, complete invisibility is achieved. When the body is enveloped by Nether Mist, presence is drastically reduced.】

【Fire Eater: This ability allows the user to recover stamina by consuming flames and convert excess fire into elemental energy stored within the body. Upon releasing this energy, the user temporarily gains the Flame Wreath effect, which lasts until the stored fire energy is depleted.

Additionally, this ability gradually enhances the user's resistance to high temperatures.

PS: Potential is merely potential. Only when it is realized as strength does it become true power.】

【Wind Whisperer: The wind will bring you all sorts of messages, whether you want to know them or not.

PS: There are no walls that the wind cannot pass through, and no secrets the wind doesn't know.】

【Mutant Eater: When consuming special items, there is a 10% chance of gaining the corresponding special physique.

PS: Why does this kid eat everything?】

【Body of Nether Mist: Can absorb the fear of creatures and convert it into controllable Nether Mist.

PS: Your fear, my nourishment!】

...

Worth It!

Zhang Ping reviewed his attributes, suppressing the urge to laugh out loud. With the Aqua-Eroding Bullet Rabbit leader nearby, he decided to keep silent.

He hadn't expected the Monotestis Orb to improve him so drastically—his lifespan increased from 89 to 99, and his level jumped from 3 to 9. The Strategic Identification Skill upgraded to Classic Identification Skill, and Night Walker evolved into Nether Mist Night Walker.

Most importantly, he gained two new abilities.

Nether Mist: His first true offensive ability, one that could serve both attack and defense.

Mutant Eater: Though untested, Zhang Ping was already satisfied beyond words by the results of consuming the Monotestis Orb.

Ecstatic!

Lying on the ground, Zhang Ping closed his eyes and silently chuckled. But as he laughed, tears began to stream down his face.

There were so many things he wanted to do.

The Skyborn Foxes, whom he despised to his core, had long been on his hit list. Yet, due to his lack of power, all he could do was grit his teeth in anger.

The image of Su Jingyao's human skin flashed in his mind—a cruel reminder of the time he had to feign ignorance and keep his composure while standing face-to-face with the killer. The memory burned like fire in his chest.

Zhang Ping pressed his right hand against his lips, summoning fire elements to ignite his palm. He absorbed the flames quickly, restoring his stamina. When his energy returned, he pushed himself up to a sitting position.

Though his injuries remained, regaining his strength brought him renewed clarity.

Scanning the battlefield, he noticed Liu Sishan nearing the Saltfrost Tree. The axe-wielding brutes had already begun climbing it, while White Ape carved a bloody path toward the tree as well.

Counting his competitors, Zhang Ping estimated around ten individuals might succeed in picking the Saltfrost Berries, while the number of Mutated Beasts—including a white serpent and the White Ape—was even greater.

"Hope she's okay," he thought silently, knowing he was still too weak to assist Liu Sishan. All he could do was pray.

He looked down at his hands, willing the Nether Mist around him to coalesce in his palm. Compared to the immense clouds controlled by the Nether Mist Black Goat, he could only summon a handful of mist.

To generate more, he needed to absorb enough fear to convert it into mist.

Nether Mist wasn't true mist. It was something far stranger, not even qualifying as energy. Zhang Ping couldn't pinpoint what it truly was.

Using it, he could cut objects, block attacks, or even envelop himself for rapid movement—visually resembling elemental transformation.

The ability's potential was immense. More intriguingly, it possessed tier-breaking properties.

Even though Zhang Ping was merely a Beginner-Level Awakener, Nether Mist could effectively harm Advanced- or even Top-Level Mutated Beasts. It was an extraordinary power.

"I need to investigate that Nether Mist Black Goat when I get the chance," Zhang Ping thought, manipulating the mist to swirl around him.

With a flick of his mind, he directed it to cut through nearby rocks. He ran his hand across the smooth, sliced surfaces, his thoughts wandering.

Grumble.

His stomach growled—a loud protest against the compressed energy bars he'd consumed earlier. Though his stamina had returned, his hunger hadn't vanished.

Glancing toward the Aqua-Eroding Bullet Rabbit leader nearby, Zhang Ping weighed his options. At his current strength, it wasn't much of a challenge. Perhaps it would also be a good test for Mutant Eater.

With a flick of his finger, he launched a wisp of Nether Mist at the rabbit leader.

The creature reacted quickly, leaping to avoid the attack. But the mist pierced through its legs and into its brain in an instant, killing it on the spot.

Why did all Awakeners crave more and stronger abilities?

Because a single, powerful offensive skill could change the outcome of a battle entirely.

Zhang Ping retrieved the lifeless Aqua-Eroding Bullet Rabbit leader, estimating its weight at about 40 pounds. He carried it back behind the rocks, summoning a small blade from his Nether Mist.

Though he couldn't match the scale of the Black Goat's mist, his ability to manipulate it was far more versatile.

Skinning and gutting the rabbit with precision, Zhang Ping ignited a small flame in his palm. He carefully roasted the meat, sprinkling some nearby salt he deemed clean enough onto the surface.

The aroma of roasted rabbit wafted through the air, drifting toward the battlefield.