Thud!
Kaleem's foot slammed into the side of a reinforced training dummy, sending it flying across the room like a missile. The crash echoed in the large private training chamber, evidence of his growing strength. Though his androgynous features still carried a certain feminine beauty—sharp cheekbones, long lashes, and delicate lips—his body had undergone a dramatic transformation. Tightly honed muscles wrapped around a lean, narrow frame, sculpted through rigorous effort and the effects of supernatural refinement.
He exhaled slowly, stepping back before crossing his legs and sitting down in the center of the room. His breathing was even, calm, and controlled. Reaching into his inner space, Kaleem summoned forth his Anchor: the Kingless Crown. It hovered above his head, gleaming with a pale silver hue that pulsed faintly with unreal power.
"Select Sequence: The Fool," Kaleem intoned, his voice calm but filled with conviction.
Immediately, his entire aura shifted. Time seemed to blur around him. His eyes transformed, their pupils narrowing and their irises turning a deep grayish-yellow, shimmering with arcane light.
"Use Sequence Authority and Knowledge Authority: Begin deduction."
The crown shone brighter. It had taken him weeks to learn how to harness it properly. As the Sequence 0 of the Anchor: the Kingless Crown, it held dominion over probability, error, and fortune—concepts most mortals could scarcely grasp. But Kaleem had grown bold. He used the Crown's sequence authority in tandem with its limited Knowledge Authority to build a unique deduction system. Inspired by old novels from Earth where protagonists created cultivation methods and techniques via mysterious systems, Kaleem aimed to create one himself. However, such powerful uses of the crown came with limitations. Every use of a sequence triggered a five-day cooldown before the next invocation.
Suddenly, Kaleem was pulled into his mindscape, still the dark ink like sea with a starry sky above but now noticeable is a translucent throne and a grayish-yellow screen in front of him.
[Beginning Deduction: Physical Training Technique]
[Scanning Martial Knowledge in Creator: Insufficient Martial Training Data]
[Using Available Mysteries in Creator's Repository...]
[Please Select the Core Mysteries]
Kaleem took a deep breath.
"Use the Mystery of Decaying & Living Flesh, and the Mystery of the Stars."
[Using Mystery of Decaying & Living Flesh]
[Using Mystery of the Stars]
[Analyzing Compatibility...]
[69% Compatibility – Acceptable Fusion Level Achieved]
[Please Input Reference Object from Memory]
Closing his eyes, Kaleem pulled forth vivid memories from Earth. He envisioned the Twelve Chinese Zodiac Signs as archetypes for external physical development, and the Five Auspicious Beasts—Vermilion Bird, Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Black Tortoise, and Yellow Qilin—for internal cultivation and resilience. He linked them to astral coordinates, forming a symbolic unity of Heaven and Earth.
---
[Using 12 Zodiac: External Refinement + Stellar Attribute Mana Flow]
[Attempting Four Cardinal Beasts as Spatial Anchors: Error – Incompatible Structure
[Reconfiguring to Five Auspicious Beasts – Organ-Based Cultivation: Success]
[Constructing Energy Vein Channels... Establishing Flow Routes Between Meridian Nodes and Organ Fields]
[Select Evolutionary States to Influence: Body | Mind | Soul]
"All three," Kaleem replied firmly.
[Confirmed. Constructing Tri-Evolution Training Technique...]
[Mystical Density: Level 7 – High Growth Potential]
[Naming Protocol Initiated – Please Input Technique Name]
He paused, then smiled slightly.
"Stellar Rebirth Physique Technique."
As soon as the deduction concluded, Kaleem's body convulsed. Pain laced every fiber of his being as foreign energy invaded him, reshaping his form. His muscles contracted and expanded erratically—his limbs went from emaciated to bloated and back again. His skin dried, cracked, and peeled, only to renew with a fresh pink hue. At one point, he resembled a desiccated corpse. His long hair grew even longer, falling to his waist, a brilliant cascade of golden strands.
And through it all, his eyes glowed crimson, their slitted pupils exuding menace and eerie beauty. He now looked more akin to a divine exile or heavenly demon—impossibly enchanting, and equally dangerous.
The information of the Stellar Rebirth Technique poured into his mind like a rushing torrent. He could feel the immense, almost spiritual clarity it brought. His lungs sucked in air with such force that it visibly swirled around him, funneling into his body. His physical attributes had undergone a clear metamorphosis.
But he didn't begin training the technique just yet. A glance at the clock:
5:34 PM.
The stars weren't fully out, and the technique required starlight as a key attribute. The Stellar Mystery wouldn't respond correctly without it. So, Kaleem dismissed the now-dulled crown back into his mindscape and returned to his martial practices, testing strange arts and battle skills.
He launched into a flurry of moves against a new dummy—Flesh-Tail Whip, Predator's Claw, and more. But then an accident occurred.
His shadow began to ripple unnaturally. He was just attempting to use the Mystery of the Creeping Shadow, channeling mana into it. Yet something went wrong—black threads began to pour out of the shadow. They squirmed like worms, sickening and unnatural.
Alarmed, Kaleem halted the technique, and the shadow receded.
Breathing heavily, he returned to his living room. Rest and discipline were part of mastery too. Slumping into the couch, he turned on the television, trying to clear his mind when his phone buzzed.
Wechat Notification – Duke III
> Duke III: Hey dude, I and the guys are planning a small event.
> Duke III: Would love if you joined.
> Duke III: You there?
> Duke III: ???
Kaleem replied:
> Kaleem001: Sure, I will come.
> Duke III: Great! Should I pick you up or...?
> Kaleem001: Don't worry. I'll come on my own.
He tossed the phone aside with a lazy chuckle.
"Guess I really should get a car..."
He stood, intending to head out, but a glance at the time changed his mind.
8:00 PM.
"Eh... tomorrow it is."
He stepped outside, letting the night air wash over him. Then he looked up and froze.
There, glowing magnificently in the sky, was the Silver Moon.
His heart pounded.
The last time he saw this moon was during that strange encounter—with the Silver Moon Card. It had appeared during the day, twisting everything around him. He instinctively looked away, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple. From the information gathered, too much attention toward celestial forces could bring consequences he wasn't yet ready for.
Exhaling slowly, he took off his shirt.
Now was the time.
Under the glowing stars and the watchful silver moon, Kaleem began to move.
The Stellar Rebirth Physique Technique was based on cosmic resonance. Each movement of his muscles created ripple-like mana reactions, pulling starlight into his body. His lean figure danced through the air with grace and precision. The light shimmered across his skin and hair, making him look like a **banished celestial spirit** from ancient Chinese legends.
He began with the Snake Zodiac—its posture mimicked shedding, and true to form, his skin began to peel. Slowly, layer by layer, until his entire body was reborn anew.
His breathing turned erratic. The process was painful and dangerous. If he stopped midway, it would be fatal—just like how a snake dies if it fails to shed completely.
When it was over, his body stood still.
Fairer skin gleamed under the moonlight, faint scale-like patterns shimmered if one looked closely. A smirk tugged at his lips.
It had worked.
Carrying his old skin like a relic, Kaleem walked back into his home—as he is evolving more and more away from the category of 'human'.