Degrade from Nobility to a Humble Slave

'I feel so invincible, ' Zen thought as the warmth enveloped him like a gentle spring breeze. His whole body felt at ease and his eyes shone with excitement. In fact, the more punches he received, the more brightly his eyes shone.

"Go to hell!"

"Boom!"

"I will beat you to death!"

"Bang!"

Each punch by Melvin revitalized Zen. Melvin Luo worked so hard to break his opponent, and yet, his actions were equivalent to those of a hard-working blacksmith's. Each blow shaped Zen's body into the 'Mysterious Weapon'.

After a long while, Melvin Luo stopped. Although Zen lay on the ground, he looked unharmed. Melvin panted as he glared at Zen. He was bewildered by this experience. He had heard that Zen could bear heavy beatings, but he had not expected Zen to be this tenacious. He had endured so many punches from Melvin and yet, he was able to stand on his own, even though he appeared to struggle and tremble with the effort.

Melvin Luo had no idea that Zen was just pretending to be weak. He actually enjoyed his punches.

The slaves standing by shook their heads. They couldn't understand why Zen would continue to defy Melvin by trying to stand after each blow. If Zen was smart, like they were, he would stay on the ground as though defeated. That way the guards would send him back to the cellar where he could rest and avoid further injury. And yet, despite that intrinsic survival instinct, Zen stood up repeatedly, and faced each blow by Melvin. Perhaps he enjoyed being a punchbag? Did he like being beaten by other people?

Zen did not get up after the last blow by Melvin. Instead, he lay on the ground enjoying the warmth that had spread through every part of his body. He felt so serene and invincible!

Another reason that Zen stayed on the ground, was to avoid doubt. No slave would be able to take such a beating without being seriously injured. And if he were to stand repeatedly and not be injured, people would begin to wonder how he was able to withstand such a beating.

to avoid suspicion, Zen decided to stay on the ground and relish the warmth.

to stand, Melvin Luo felt

cellar. The minute the cellar door slammed shut, he stopped feigning being hurt. On the

up in the evening either. He ordered his accomplices to bring three wound-healing pills to Zen. Zen smiled as he looked in the paper bag. It seemed as though Darren

much? Would he be better behaved now?' Zen shook his head as he didn't believe that Darren would

would be plotting something else. He would never give up so easily, and was probably planning something more dire like perhaps, poisoning

cares?' Zen knew that he needed to be more watchful. But he also knew that people like Darren were cowardly. He decided not

as he

his mind calmed, Zen began focusing on other things. A full day of fighting meant that he was dirty. He walked toward the water tank and quickly removed his clothes. Zen then scooped cold water in his palms and

Crash....

pooled into a dark muddy mess at his feet. When Zen looked down, he was surprised to see that the dirty water was mixed

had received

was flesh refining level?

impurities

was the bone refining

impurities were

organ refining

It meant...

five levels of refining were a crucial process that would purify the whole body; starting from the skin to the flesh followed by bones and organs. It was a step-by-step outside to inside refinement process that would stop once the impurities were cleared from the spinal marrow. In completing all the levels, a person could break through his flesh body, attain a life of sublimation, and