2: Chapter 2 has a strong smell

A series of electronic notification sounds with a slightly unserious tone exploded like heavenly music deep within his fading consciousness!

A system?! Li Guidai almost thought he was having auditory hallucinations before dying.

But that feeling of comfort that surged from nowhere, warm as if soaking in a hot spring, along with the "Yes/No" option button in his mind that was as clear as if it had materialized, instantly sobered him up—a golden finger! My golden finger has finally arrived! Although the activation condition is a bit smelly, I can't worry about that now!

"Claim! Immediately! Right now! Claim it now!!" He used his last shred of willpower to let out a heart-wrenching scream.

[Newbie Gift Pack claimed successfully! Dear, please give us a five-star review, dear~]

Hum—!

An indescribable, majestic, and ancient power, as if waiting for this moment since the beginning of chaos, violently surged into his frail body!

The first thing to undergo a drastic change was his waist. His two kidneys, which had been dormant for twenty-five years, erupted like sleeping volcanoes, unleashing a torrent of scorching energy that instantly swept through his entire body!

Every inch of muscle was cheering, every bone was vibrating, and every cell was greedily devouring this long-awaited nectar. The feelings of weakness, numbness, and suffocation melted away rapidly, like snow under direct sunlight!

Replacing them was explosive power! He felt that he could now punch through this latrine with one blow, tear the outhouse to pieces with his bare hands, and chase that big yellow dog at the edge of the village that always bared its teeth at him all over Jicai Village!

The dirt and toxins under his skin were forcibly shaken off and expelled by this domineering power. His pores dilated, emitting a faint glow, forming tiny, smelly bubbles beneath the murky feces-filled water.

In his mind, a profound and obscure cultivation technique, yet perfectly suited to him, automatically appeared—Ancient Kidney Physique Technique》 (Introductory Chapter). Without needing to understand it, the circulation route began to flow instinctively, orderly guiding and strengthening his entire body with the energy emitted by the Ancient Kidney Physique.

Strength! Endless strength! Li Guidai was so excited he almost rolled around in the latrine.

He suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing in them, though it was obscured by filth and seen by no one. He pushed hard with both arms—

"Splash—!!!" Accompanied by an earth-shaking splash of water, Li Guidai stood up abruptly from the latrine like a chaotic demon king descending upon the world.

Viscous filth streamed down from his hair, his face, and his robe, which was no better than a rag, but he didn't care at all; he even felt... refreshed?

He turned his head to look at Hua Lulu, who was motionless beside him; she seemed to have choked and passed out. Li Guidai didn't have time to think, so he reached out to grab her arm, exerted force from his waist, and let out a low shout: "Up!"

Hua Lulu was like a light straw, easily lifted out by him and carefully placed on the relatively clean ground nearby. Looking at her disheveled appearance, Li Guidai silently complained to himself: "This rescue scene might just win the award for the smelliest hero-saving-the-damsel of the year."

Just then, Hua Lulu's tearful, panicked screams came from outside the outhouse; clearly, she had started broadcasting as soon as she crawled out:

"Help! Someone, help! Someone's dying! Li Guidai! Li Guidai fell into the latrine! Hurry and save him—!! Li Guidai doesn't look like he's going to make it!!"

The voice was extremely piercing, echoing over the silent afternoon village; it was probably heard clearly even by the crow's nest on the old locust tree at the entrance of the village.

Li Guidai shuddered. No! He absolutely could not be seen in this state! He still wanted to save face!

He took a deep breath—although what he inhaled was still that familiar smell—pressed his arms against the edge of the outhouse, and with a slight exertion, he leaped out as lightly as a feather, landing steadily on the open ground outside, his movements dashing and clean, if one ignored his suit of "golden armor."

The sunlight was a bit dazzling. His whole body was covered in deep brown, viscous "essence," his hair was matted into clumps and still dripping with unknown liquid, and his robe clung tightly to his body, faintly outlining a physique that seemed a bit more robust than before.

But he stood straight, like a pine tree on a cliff.

For twenty-five years, he had never felt his body so light and so full of strength. The medicinal power of the Marrow Cleansing Pill was also quietly taking effect, washing his meridians, expelling deep-seated impurities, and making his whole body feel comfortable, forming a bizarrely charming contrast with the filth on the outside.

He looked down at his "fecal-chic" style, which was at the forefront of fashion, and then looked up towards the direction of his home in his memory.

He had to hurry back, take a bath, change clothes, and then... properly study this unreliable system.

He strode forward, no longer taking those timid, shrinking small steps along the wall like in the past, but with a vigorous, arrogant gait. The viscous fecal water dripped down his pant legs onto the dry yellow dirt road, leaving behind smelly, wet footprints that wound forward, as if declaring something.

Less than ten steps out, villagers who had received the news had already swarmed in from all directions, faster than when they heard about free pork being given out in the village. Some carrying hoes, some holding rice bowls, some leading naked-bottomed toddlers, and even a few old men and women leaning on canes... all with a standard expression on their faces: shock mixed with excitement, curiosity mixed with disgust.

"Oh my goodness! It really is that kid from Village Chief Li's family!"

"Tsk tsk tsk, look at him... he got marinated in the latrine, didn't he?"

"I heard he was scared into it because Hua Lulu saw him? Hahaha, he managed to fall into the pit just by watching someone use the bathroom!"

"He managed to crawl out after falling into the latrine? He's tough!"

"What's the point of crawling out? He's still covered in shit? Stay away, it stinks to death!"

The discussions and mockery were like a swarm of flies, buzzing loudly.

If it were before, Li Guidai would certainly have blushed with shame, wishing he could perform a vanishing act on the spot.

But at this moment, listening to these harsh sounds, feeling the two sources of renal energy in his body continuously providing power like small motors, and the cultivation technique running automatically in his mind, Li Guidai felt completely calm, even wanting to laugh.

He didn't even stop, nor did he look at the villagers pointing fingers; his gaze was fixed firmly in the direction of home.

However, as he passed through the crowd, his eyes, which were usually cast downwards, inadvertently swept over the few villagers who were laughing the loudest and rocking back and forth; deep in his eyes, a faint, imperceptible gleam, belonging to a predator, quietly flashed.

That look actually made those few villagers who usually took pleasure in mocking him shiver for no reason, their laughter stuck in their throats like roosters suddenly grabbed by the neck, and they subconsciously shrank their necks, making way for him.

Li Guidai walked by expressionlessly, his body still exuding a rich "fragrance," his image still disheveled.

But everyone who saw his eyes clearly and felt his completely different aura felt a jolt in their hearts, and an absurd yet lingering thought emerged—

How did he seem like a different person after soaking in the latrine? This latrine... could it have some miraculous effect they didn't know about?