Healing System

[It's a byproduct of mana core initiation, something that's taboo in all worlds and will likely get you killed by the higher powers pretty quickly,] the system explained, yet it only arose more questions.

'That sounds like some sort of an organization,' he thought, yet the system quickly denied it.

[It's not. Mana Core Initiation is the act of a person utilizing their whole body as a mana core.]

'How exactly is that taboo, though? It sounds very effective,' Michael questioned as he took a few looks around.

It seemed like most of the other sects were nearing the exit, and since he had practically looked around all of the nearby tunnels, he would exit soon as well.

But before he did, there was still one thing he had to do—that being to capture that worm.

However, due to his current interest in whatever the system was telling him, he would put that on hold.

With a flip of his hand, he blocked off the exit so no sects could leave and soon went back to listening to the system's explanation.

[It has been made taboo ever since Adam and Eve escaped, just like I've shown you in the Halls of Reflection. Their bodies were one big mana core, hence why they seemed so off.]

'So it's taboo because of tradition then?' he questioned with raised brows.

[More like caution. Some beings tried replicating that process, and a few even managed to succeed. However, their power was far too great to maintain neutrality, thus the scales tipped either to the side of angels, demons, or...] it trailed off, making him frown.

'You said you would tell me. So finish your sentence.'

A moment of silence ensued, followed by an annoyed sigh as the system continued.

[Or the Eldritch bastards. They are amalgamations of primordial mana that gained consciousness, much like the first light, which is us angels. Essentially, they are as old and as strong as us, with the demons only being born after Adam and Eve fixed their shit.]

'So like those massive world-ending octopuses from the comics?'

[Essentially, yes. They take the form of whatever you are most afraid of since they don't exactly have a concrete form due to their bodies being made solely of mana... And yes, they also have similar mana cores as Adam and Eve, just with slight differences that I wasn't able to decipher.]

The system finished, and he nodded in response, a smile tugging on his lips.

'So technically, if I make my body into one massive mana core, I would get much stronger—with the addition of having many more enemies. Is that correct?' Michael asked.

[Yes. You will be hunted down most likely by either the angels or demons. The Eldritch beings don't meddle that much in such affairs unless you form contracts with them and don't hold up your end of the deal,] the system explained.

'I see. I'll keep that in mind for now,' he nodded, and with a quick glance to the side, locked onto the evolving worm.

It seemed like it was watching him from inside the wall, and the moment he glanced at it, the worm began running away.

But before it could get too far, Michael dashed toward it, sticking his hand into the tunnel's wall and blasting it into pieces.

At the same time, the worm was just barely out of reach. Therefore, he sent his mana outward in a way that would completely envelop the worm without directly touching it.

Since if it did, his mana would be absorbed.

The first try was unsuccessful, same with the second. However, on the third attempt, he was able to cover the worm in his miniature mana dome.

Making it not come into contact with the walls was troublesome, and the way he held it in place was by exerting much more mana the closer it got to the walls.

By doing so, he was able to create a sort of reflective barrier, which acted like an actual forcefield.

And now, Michael merely pulled his hand backward, making the dome holding the evolving worm fly back toward him.

Surprisingly, it was even smaller than he expected.

When he first entered, the evolving worm was the size of the entire tunnel, but now, it was merely the size of his arm.

Even then, its strength had only managed to increase, while at the same time, becoming much more portable.

'Pet acquired,' Michael thought with a smirk as he held the mana dome with the form inside like a football.

'Is there any way for you to store it inside your storage?' he questioned.

[Not with my current amount of mana. Storing living beings is still a bit too costly, and I'd say having the mana of someone at Tier 7 or 8 would do the trick,] the system responded.

'I see. Guess I'll just carry it around for now,' Michael said, injecting more mana into the mana dome.

With that, the inside became less see-through, until eventually, it just looked like a round ball.

'Guess this'll do.'

With that, he made his way toward where all of the sects were gathered, banging on a golden door that he himself had made.

Even his group was there—it seemed like they had gotten bored and gone out.

Now all that was left to do was be the first one to leave.

Yet the Plum Blossom Sect weren't exactly being the most friendly out of the bunch.

"You dare!?" a Plum Blossom disciple shouted, aiming his sword at the Cloudflower Sect's disciple.

But before a fight could start, Michael interfered, walking past them and reaching the golden dome blocking the exit.

And before everyone's eyes, the golden dome opened up, letting him through.

While the others were shocked at the sight, Michael's group did the same, following after him.

Soon, he finished the tournament, once again coming in first place.

By now, the Azure Dragon Sect's sect leader would be panicking—or at least, that's what Michael assumed.

After all, he was only one more win away from winning the entire thing, and with that, the bet would be finished.

Therefore, as he stepped toward the end of this exit, he approached a narrow crack, where, on the other side, he could see light.

It reminded him of that time back in the Golden Dragon Sect's trials, yet he doubted there would be any boons on the other side awaiting him.

So, with Michael's team behind him, he squeezed on through. Surprisingly, what awaited was the sight of the Azure Dragon Sect's grounds and a bunch of spectators huddled all around.

At the same time, the Plum Blossom elder's voice—who obviously wasn't expecting this outcome—rang out.

"Congratulations. The Golden Dragon Sect has won again."

"Obviously," Michael added, making the elder's brows twitch.

Yet as he glanced around to look for Chu Dong, he was nowhere to be seen.

However, upon closer look, he could still feel the lingering mana in the air belonging to Sect Leader Ji.

That meant he was not too far away.

'I can't shake the feeling that he's a bit closer than I'm expecting, though,' he remarked inwardly and listened as the elder finished his announcement.

"This makes it two wins for the Golden Dragon Sect—an extremely strong start by all means. As for the third part of the tournament, it will be held in the Cloudflower Sect."

After a few bouts of clapping, the elder continued.

"Now then, you may all proceed toward their sect grounds. The same goes for the disciples who participated. The rules are the same as before, and the tournament's condition will be announced once everyone is gathered."

Michael nodded before turning to his team. "Let's go. If we stay here any longer, the other disciples will burn a hole through our skulls with their gazes alone."

"Yes, Master Mujin," Hu Rong replied, and soon, they made their way out.
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But unlike the path to the Plum Blossom Sect, the path toward the Cloudflower Sect had more interesting surroundings.

There were even some people parading around in masks, wearing all sorts of clothes that represented the four sects of the city.

Yet surprisingly, all the Golden Dragon Sect had was a small, shabby-looking clay dragon, sloppily painted yellow.

That did not seem to disturb Kai, however, as he bought it with what little money he had.

"Why did you do that?" Michael questioned.

"It's my first time being in a tournament like this... So I wanted to buy something to remember it by, and also... it looks kind of cool," Kai said in a serious tone—right up until the end.

'That's cool? Damn, very low standards,' Michael remarked inwardly before stretching out his hand.

Suddenly, a wisp of golden mana formed, slowly shaping itself in a spiral until finally, the outline of a majestic dragon was made.

Yet the size was a little overwhelming, so with the usage of his pretty decent mana control, he shrank it, maximizing the details as much as he could.

And soon, he handed it over to Kai, who, upon receiving the golden dragon, beamed a smile.

"Thank you!" Kai said with a respectful bow, making Michael chuckle in response.

"No problem, kid. Let's win the next part too, shall we?"