My SSS-Rank Skill and System is too OP in Modern Cultivation world Chapter 34 34: The Corruption Unveiled

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Kent stared at the Soul Refinent Orb glowing faintly in his hand. Its light pulsed in rhythm with his heartbeat, almost as if it were alive. The system's latest quest weighed heavily on his mind.

Ding!

System Notification:

Quest Objective: Investigate the origin of corruption and its connection to the Erald Vein.

Reward: Unknown item and new skill slot unlock.

Kent's eyes widened at the reward. "Alright, system, you've got my attention. But how am I supposed to investigate sothing like this? I'm just one guy."

He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. "Nima would kill if she knew I was taking on sothing this dangerous."

"Kill you for what?" Nima's voice suddenly broke through his thoughts, making him nearly jump out of his chair.

"Nothing!" Kent said quickly, shoving the orb into his pocket.

Nima narrowed her eyes, clearly unconvinced. "You're acting suspicious, Kent. What are you hiding?"

Kent waved her off. "It's nothing important. Didn't I tell you to go to bed?"

Why are you here again? I ca to drink so water.

Nima said, pouting as she walked away. "But if you get yourself jailed doing sothing stupid, I'm taking all your stuff."

Kent chuckled, but her words only reminded him of the danger ahead.

.

.

.

.

The next day, Kent decided to start his investigation by visiting the local library in tro City. He figured ancient records or books about spiritual energy might give him a lead.

"The library was created a few years ago for everyone. Anyone can use it. The library contains all ancient books."

"But the most useful ones are not in the library. It's a good place to learn about the history of old cultivation."

The library was quiet, with only a handful of people scattered among the shelves. Kent made his way to the section on spiritual energy, scanning the spines of the books for anything that stood out.

"History of Spiritual Lands… Ancient Energy Techniques… Myths of the Spiritual World…" Kent muttered to himself as he pulled out a dusty to.

The book was heavy, and its pages were yellowed with age. As he flipped through it, a particular passage caught his eye:

"The corruption of spiritual energy is not a natural phenonon but a result of deliberate tampering. Ancient texts speak of artifacts that can disrupt the balance of spiritual energy, turning it dark and unstable. These artifacts were often used in forbidden rituals by rogue cultivators seeking power at any cost."

Kent's eyes narrowed. "Artifacts… like this orb?"

He read further, learning that these artifacts could be traced back to ancient sects that were wiped out during the decline of spiritual energy thousands of years ago. So were said to exist still, hidden in ruins or passed down through secret organizations or bloodlines.

"This explains the corruption in the Erald Vein," Kent thought. "But why now? And who's behind it?"

Kent returned ho, his thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and doubt.

He pulled out the Soul Refinent Orb, its glow casting eerie shadows on the walls.

Kent sat on a chair in his dimly lit room, the Soul Orb glowing faintly in his palm. The artifact radiated an eerie yet srizing aura, pulsating like a heartbeat.

His curiosity was piqued. What exactly was this orb?

"System," Kent said, narrowing his eyes. "Appraise the Soul Orb."

A soft chi echoed in his mind, and a translucent window appeared before him.

Cost 10,000 SP.

[Yes/ No]

Do it, Kent said.

Ding!

[Soul Refinent Orb]

Description: A rare artifact capable of upgrading a soul's strength and potential.

Function: Collect the souls of defeated beings to fill the orb. Once complete, the energy can be transferred to a specific soul to enhance its rank and abilities.

Limitations: The quality of the soul absorbed determines the upgrade's effectiveness.

Note: You can store multiple souls at a ti.

Compatibility: Highly effective on individuals with Soulbinding abilities.

Kent's eyes widened as he read through the description. "So, this isn't just so random item. It's... a ga-changer."

His mind imdiately went to Nima. Her Soulbinding ability was still untested, but he knew its potential was imnse. If the Soul Orb could make Nima grow stronger faster, it was worth exploring.

Kent paced the room, spinning the orb between his fingers. "System, did you... plan this for Nima? You've given tools and resources, but this feels different."

The system's chanical voice responded, emotionless yet oddly reassuring.

"Host has a strong bond with Nima. The system optimizes resources to benefit the host and their allies. Nima's growth aligns with the host's objectives."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "So, you're saying even my sister's getting a boost because of ? Guess I should feel flattered."

But there was no ti for sentintality. If the Soul Orb was to be used, it had to be tested. He needed to figure out how to collect souls and determine the orb's capacity.

Kent decided to start small. He slipped the Soul Orb into his pocket and ventured into the forest outskirts where lesser evolved beasts road.

These creatures had been the first to transform when spiritual energy returned, and they were perfect test subjects.

It wasn't long before he encountered his target—a snake-like creature with glowing blue scales and sharp fangs. It hissed nacingly, coiling to strike.

"Alright, buddy," Kent muttered, cracking his knuckles. "Let's see if this thing works."

The fight was over in seconds. With his enhanced physique and fire aura abilities, the creature stood no chance.

As its lifeless body slumped to the ground, the Soul Orb in his pocket began to hum.

A spectral mist rose from the creature's corpse, drawn toward the orb. Kent watched in fascination as the fog was absorbed and the orb's glow intensified.

"Looks like step one works," he said, holding up the orb. "Now to fill it completely."

It automatically collected the soul. I don't even have to do anything. This is a problem. What if the orb collects only low-level souls?

"I have to research it further, I guess."

Over the next few hours, Kent defeated several more beasts, each one adding to the orb's energy. By the ti he returned ho, the orb was blazing with light, signalling it was full.

Nima greeted him at the door, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. "You're late again. What were you up to this ti?"

"Work," Kent said with a grin, holding up the glowing orb. "And I brought you sothing."

Nima blinked, tilting her head. "What's that?"

"An artifact that might make you even stronger," he said, handing it to her.

"Think of it as a soul vitamin."

She stared at the orb, sceptical. "And what am I supposed to do with it?"

"Absorb it," Kent explained. "It's designed to boost the power of your soul. The system says it's perfect for soone with your abilities."

Nima hesitated but eventually nodded. She sat down and held the orb in her hands, closing her eyes. Kent watched as the glowing energy seeped into her body, but nothing happened.

What the… why isn't it working? Kent said.

Nima gets angry. Kent, are you pranking ? She slams the Soul refinent Orb into the ground.

SLAMS!

99 SP copied from Nima. (Anger)

Wait a minute, Nima. I guess I made so mistakes. Summon your servant Soul bear. I think this is for your servant.

She summons the spiritual Soul Bear from her dark soul space. The bear's soul materialized with a dark haze in front of them.

"Give the Orb to the bear." She put the orb near the Bear's soul, and nothing happened.

.... 🍃

Nima is about to yell. That mont, he said feed it to the Bear. After feeding the Orb, it finally works. The Bear is absorbing the souls of other beasts from the Orb.

Kent asked can you feel the Orb inside the Bear's belly?

I can feel it. It will take so ti to absorb it. But I don't want this ugly Bear. Can't you find sothing cute, Kent?

"She bites Kent's hand like a hungry shark 🦈."

Kent said I will definitely find sothing cute later. For now, use the Bear. Maybe it will get cute once it levels up.