[Reward generated]
[Bone Baptism Elixir – Rank 3, Mid-Grade]
Effect: Fully refines and fortifies the skeletal system, enhancing durability, mana conductivity, and spiritual resistance. Suitable for use up to the peak of Foundation Establishment.
Alex's smile froze as he stared at the reward panel.
A Rank 3 mid-grade elixir?
The Bone Hardening Powder was a Rank 1 low-grade supplement, useful only during the early stages of Body Tempering. Beyond that, it was practically useless.
But what he'd received in return...
The Bone Baptism Elixir.
It wasn't just a step up—it was on an entirely different level. This elixir could be used all the way up to the Foundation Building realm, and even then, its effects remained potent.
'This isn't something you'd find lying around in a sect's treasury,' he thought, stunned.
Even mid-tier clans wouldn't dare use a Bone Baptism Elixir casually. It wasn't just rare—it was invaluable. A single vial could transform an ordinary cultivator's body into a fortress of spiritual steel, capable of enduring attacks from opponents a full stage higher.
What made it even more precious was its reusability. Unlike most elixirs that lost effectiveness after one use, the Bone Baptism Elixir could be taken multiple times, gradually fortifying the body with each dose.
That alone made it a legacy item—something only high-status families hoarded to give their descendants an unshakable foundation. Even if someone had a poor spiritual root, a body refined by this elixir could close that gap. And in some rare cases, the strengthening of the body could even nudge the quality of one's spirit root slightly upward.
Spirit and body were distinct, but symbolically connected. For someone like Evelyn, this elixir was one of the best possible treasures she could receive.
And it hadn't cost him anything.
Alex clenched his fists behind his back, trying to contain his excitement.
System-purchased items count...
This changed everything.
He could cycle cheap, low-grade resources through Evelyn, and in return, receive high-tier cultivation treasures—all at a fraction of the actual cost.
It was a perfect system. She grew stronger, and he gained access to the best resources.
Still, one question lingered.
Could he trigger the system again using the reward itself?
If he gave Evelyn this upgraded elixir, would the system activate once more?
Alex doubted it.
That would be too broken.
Alex glanced at the girl, who was still trying to guide the mild heat of the Bone Hardening Powder into her limbs. She trembled slightly, veins showing faintly beneath her skin.
A part of him pitied her — a small, quiet part.
Staring at his disciple, Alex began planning his next steps.
Evelyn's cultivation was still too low for him to guide her intensively—she was only just beginning to lay her foundation.
But with her poor talent and the mission timer hanging over his head, he couldn't afford to take things causally.
'With enough resources and my guidance, it shouldn't take long for her to complete Foundation Establishment,' he thought. 'Once she reaches Qi Cultivation, we'll leave the sect to search for more disciples to bind to the system.'
That became his first goal: get Evelyn to Qi Cultivation as quickly as possible.
After that, he could focus on finding the remaining disciples—three more geniuses within ten years. This way, he could make progress on both missions: raising Evelyn to Foundation Building within three years and forming a powerful group of disciples.
Having made up his mind, the future looked clearer.
Over the next twelve days, Evelyn's world turned into a cycle of pain, exhaustion, and stubborn determination.
Every morning began before sunrise, with Alex dragging her to the train.
There were no kind words or soft encouragements—only instructions, corrections, and punishment in the form of more training.
"You're using your legs too much," Alex barked as she struggled to hold a stance. "If you want to advance, you need to distribute the force through your spine. Not just rely on brute strength."
Then came the sparring.
Light at first, but steadily growing in intensity until Evelyn could barely lift her arms by the end of each session.
Her skin bruised easily, her bones ached from the strain, and the small patches of hardening on her body throbbed under the pressure of continuous refining.
But the real transformation came not from the training—but from the Bone Baptism Elixir.
Unlike what Alex had hoped for—but fully expected—no additional reward was triggered. That confirmed one thing: the system wasn't completely broken. It had its limits.
Still, by gifting Evelyn more doses of Bone Hardening Powder over the following days, he managed to accumulate a respectable stock of Bone Baptism Elixirs.
On the first day after she consumed her first one, Evelyn collapsed within hours. The heat of the elixir tore through her veins like fire, triggering the first of many torturous nights. Her screams echoed through the valley, silenced only by exhaustion and unconsciousness.
Even Alex had to admit it was cruel—but necessary.
By the third day, her skeletal frame had visibly changed. Her posture was more stable, and her movements, while still clumsy, carried more weight and control.
They repeated the process again on the fourth day. This time, Evelyn managed to remain conscious for most of it. The Bone Baptism Elixir had begun transforming her from the inside, building layer after layer of resilience where there had once been fragility.
Three cycles—nine days total—was all it took for her body to catch up to what others accomplished in months.
On the tenth day, she broke through the Fourth Layer and stepped into the Fifth—unlocking her first acupoint, the Spirit Gate. The sensation was dizzying for her. Her mind cleared, thoughts sharpened, and for the first time, she could feel the world of energy around her.
By the twelfth day, she had firmly stabilized her foundation within the Fifth Layer. More Bone Baptism Elixirs were waiting in Alex's storage, and if her progress held steady, she would reach the Sixth Layer within the next week.
It wasn't fast by genius standards. But for someone like Evelyn—with her weak spiritual roots and poor comprehension—it was nothing short of a miracle.