Mutagen

Day 200 - 4:21 PM - Dilapidated Shack, Northern Slums, Corregidor Military Settlement, Island of Corregidor, Province of Cavite

After Val Flora's visit, everyone stayed inside the shack, including Mark. They took the opportunity to rest and do some things, like cleaning their weapons. Unfortunately for Feng Zhiruo, while cultivating her inner energy was how she spent her time, it was impossible to do so currently. Cultivation needed deep concentration. Although Mark and the others would likely allow her to do so, the noise from outside would not.

In this case, Feng Zhiruo could only meditate lightly. She was pondering about her techniques and how to improve them.

Feng Zhiruo sure was a hardworking [Cultivator]. However, compared to the group of [Cultivators] she was with when she met Mark and Mei, she was severely lacking. In talent, that was.

Fortunately, while their first encounter was awful, meeting Mark and Mei became the best opportunity for Feng Zhiruo's life.

The aura emitted by Chiyo, the Night Everred Pure Spirit Tree, was highly beneficial for Feng Zhiruo's cultivation. And now, although it was just in terms of inner strength, Feng Zhiruo was already stronger compared to her elder disciples that Mark killed.

That leap of cultivation was unexpected since with her talent, measured in her sect, she would need at least ten more years to reach the level she was currently in, probably, more. That was how hard cultivation was in the magicless mortal world.

Although now that the magical energy on Earth was restored, regular cultivation became a bit faster. Nonetheless, it could not be compared to the cultivation speed that Feng Zhiruo had while inside Mark's base.

Without a doubt, one of the things that boosted Feng Zhiruo's cultivation was not just Chiyo's aura. The environment in the Mountain Base also helped a whole lot.

Back in her sect. The poor talent that Feng Zhiruo had shoved her to become an errand girl for those better than her. She came timider and timider and was pushed around without being able to retaliate. She even belonged to the lower caste of disciples tasked to do menial things around the sect.

In the Mountain Base, the treatment of people towards Feng Zhiruo was far better, even if she was nothing but a prisoner that Mark brought back. The nice environment and interaction with people led her to a better outlook both in mind and body. It was a kind of mindset that was needed for her to be able to cultivate faster.

And now, here she was, tagging along with Mark and Mei to gain experience outside the new world with her current cultivation.

The [First Step of Human Transcendence].

In Feng Zhiruo's sect, the Gutianjiangong or Ancient Sky Sword Palace, there were four levels of cultivation. Each level had two divisions, while each division had was divided further into five steps.

First was [Human Level], divided into [Human Transcension] and [Human Transcendence].

Next was [Dietyhood], divided into [Deity Transcension] and [Deity Transcendence].

The third was [Godhood], which was divided into [Godly Transcension] and [Godly Transcendence].

Lastly was [Immortality], being divided into [Immortal Transcension] and [Immortal Transcendence].

Each level was divided into two, indicating the process of transcending and having transcended that level.

In Feng Zhiruo's case, she was now at a level that transcended the limits of humans. Back when she met Mark and Mei, she was only at the [Second Step of Human Transcension]. Yes, she was stronger than regular humans at that time, but she was still within the limits of what regular humans could achieve. Her level rose by three after she was captured by Mark.

And at the age of 21, Feng Zhiruo, having reached the [First Step of Human Transcendence], could be regarded as one of the best talents in her sect.

"Don't forcefully try to cultivate." All of a sudden, Mark's voice entered Feng Zhiruo's ears, forcing her to open her eyes. "If you managed to enter Deep Cultivation and got disturbed by the noise, you'll receive a backlash."

"I know." Feng Zhiruo respectively nodded and replied. "I'm just pondering my techniques."

"In that case, it's fine."

Mark said, turning around and going back to his work.

At this point, Feng Zhiruo could not help but stare at Mark's back. This man in front of her sure was a mysterious person with a lot of secrets. It was not the first time that Mark gave Feng Zhiruo some pointers and guidance. It was not only on her cultivation but also her sword techniques. In fact, he greatly helped her in reaching her current level.

The strangest thing that Feng Zhiruo could not fathom was how Mark was able to teach her. No, not only her but also Mei. Both Feng Zhiruo's cultivation and sword techniques were exclusive to her sect. Yet, Mark showed deep knowledge of it for some reason unknown.

But did that really matter? At first, yes. Feng Zhiruo mulled over this for quite a while. Then, after some time, she stopped thinking. What mattered was that she was receiving pointers from Mark from time to time. In fact, she learned more from Mark than the elder that taught her in the past. And yes, it was that elder that Mark killed.

Mark was more or less her Master now. However, she could not call him that, as a Master and Disciple relationship should be mutual. There was no need to mention that Mark was not a part of her sect.

With those thoughts in mind, Feng Zhiruo closed her eyes, going back to pondering over her sword techniques.

Mark glanced at Feng Zhiruo, knowing that her inquisitive gaze was gone. He knew that she had a lot of questions, but he was not inclined to answer. After all, there was no way he would tell others that he could absorb the minds and souls of those who tried to take over his body, taking over their memories and some of their abilities.

Of course, with that elder's case, Mark was also kind of bummed over it. The elder had quite a cultivation at the [First Step of Deity Trancension]. But all those cultivation and techniques were unusable by Mark for some reason. More because his body had [Miasma], disabling him to gather and use his inner energy.

As an Otaku, Mark was also a fan of Chinese Manhua and s, both Wuxia and Xianxia. Now that he knew those things actually existed, it would be a lie if he said he did not want to learn it. Now, he had knowledge of it but was unable to use it. It was quite a disappointment for him, who did not really feel much emotions.

Mark sighed as he continued cleaning his weapon set. It might not be long before he used these once more. After all, the place they were currently in was not a peaceful one.

"Hmm?"

Soon enough, Mark noticed something and turned to the others.

"Stay inside."

Mark said as he stood up, wore his facemask and jacket, and went out.

Just as he walked out, a group of people was coming from the west direction. They were walking on the path between the shelters and camps.

It was clear that they were heading towards the direction of the dilapidated shack that Mark's group was staying.

Mark stood to the side of the door, leaning his back on the frame of the nonexistent door.

The incoming group saw Mark go out and became confused. Mark did not hide that he was looking at the group. It meant that he knew they were coming and was waiting. Surely, this situation was confusing for them.

Soon, the group arrived in front of Mark. There were seven of them wearing clothes different from the rags that most of the people in the slums wore. They were also armed with weapons, ranging from knives to pistols. One even had an assault rifle on his hands, while another had a machete. Both the assault rifle and the machete were military grades to boot.

A rather bulky man, supposedly the leader of the group and the one with the machete, stepped forward.

"Are you the leader of the group that arrived this morning?"

The man asked Mark.

Without a doubt, the news of Mark's group arriving this morning spread out. They might have worn disguises, but a small group of people surviving the new Earth and arriving in this place was more than enough to cause gossip.

And by the looks of the people in front of Mark, they were definitely the members of the gang controlling the northern slums and the very same people collecting the so-called protection fees in this area.

"I am," Mark replied, not moving an inch from his position. "Are you the members of that White Snake Gang?"

It was not odd that these newcomers knew of their gang. Any person nearby knew about it. Nonetheless, Mark's lack of fear and disrespect towards the group sure made them frown. Only the leader of the group did not show any reaction and instead was looking at Mark as if he was measuring him.

"If you know who we are, then there is no need to explain." The leader spoke. "Then, should also know that we are here to collect the fees. But since you people are new here, we can give an extension and collect it another day."

It was quite unexpected, but these gang members were behaving reasonably. Usually, when one said that it was a gang, they would do anything just to force the person to pay on the spot. It made Mark remember that compared to the other gangs ruling the slums, these people were the ones asking the lowest fees. Not only that, but they were not forcing the homeless to pay.

"Before everything, I want to ask something." Mark stared at the leader and replied. "What is this fee for? Are you people really protecting the people here, or is it just some sort of extortion?"

Mark was quite frank with his question. It would not be surprising if it ended in a fight. The people around watching started to hide, fearing that it would happen. And to say, it was what Mark wanted. If it was just protection fees, Mark did not need to pay for it. They could protect themselves without anyone's help.

If a fight started and Mark beat them singlehandedly, it would be proof that Mark's group did not need any protection. Of course, it could end up becoming worse with the other members of the gang attacking Mark's group as reinforcements. Nonetheless, Mark was not afraid.

Unexpectedly, the members of the gang group did not make any moves. Instead, they glanced at their leader, waiting for orders.

The leader did not say anything for a few moments and just stared at Mark. Mark did the same.

Knowing that Mark would not budge and was waiting for the answer without a shred of fear, the leader took a step back. The leader of this group did not want to start a fight against Mark's group at all. Knowing that they survived the new Earth, along with its dangers with just a small group, there was a huge chance that they were [Mutators].

The gang had its own [Mutators], and the leader of this group was one. However, a fight between [Mutators] could end up terribly for both parties involved.

Besides, this group was here to say a reminder. Not to fight.

After a long silence and staredown, the leader of the group spoke.

"Men, let's go."

The leader then turned around, with his men following and glancing at Mark.

Then, as the group began to leave, the leader left a few more words.

"It's useless to answer using words. Tonight, go at the gates and see for yourself."

Mark watched the group leave, looking a bit disappointed. He knew that two of the members of the group were [Mutators]. The rest were [Evolvers]. The seven of them sure were a group of strong people compared to the regular people around here. Mark wanted to know the ability of that bulky man.

Of course, Mark had no plans to kill the guy. In fact, Mark's question, while frank, was not with dislike or anything. He really wanted to know what the fee was for.

After all, there was no way that a [Mutator], with a subconscious trait of righteousness, would join or lead a merciless gang.