Chapter 55: The Foundation of Power

The last porcelain bowl clinked softly against the table, signaling the end of the meal. The braised pork was gone, leaving only the dark, savory sauce at the bottom of the dish—a reminder of the stain that had just altered the dynamic of the house forever.

Ye Rou stood up, her movements slightly flustered as she gathered the empty plates. She avoided Kai’s eyes, focusing intently on stacking the dishes.

"I'll... I'll just clean these up," she murmured, turning away from the table.

Kai sat back in his chair, his legs splayed comfortably. He watched her walk toward the kitchen. As she moved, the soft fabric of her house dress clung to her back and hips. But Kai’s gaze was fixed higher. He watched the side profile of her heavy breasts, remembering the weight of them in his palm just moments ago. He watched the way they swayed with her steps, knowing exactly how soft they were beneath that cotton.

"You should rest, Kai," Ye Rou called out over her shoulder, her voice a little breathless. "You must be very tired from the mission."

"Yeah," Kai replied, his voice smooth and satisfied. "You're right, Mom. Fighting demons takes a lot out of you. I'm going to crash."

He stood up, the chair scraping against the floor.

"Goodnight, Mom."

"Goodnight, son."

Kai walked to his room, casting one last glance at her silhouette in the kitchen doorway before closing his door.

In the kitchen, the silence rushed back in.

Ye Rou placed the dishes in the washbasin, but she didn't start scrubbing. She gripped the edge of the stone counter, leaning her weight against it. Her heart was fluttering in her chest like a trapped bird.

The water in the basin was cool, but her skin was burning.

Slowly, hesitantly, she lifted her wet hand. She touched her collarbone, tracing the path Kai’s napkin had taken. Then, her hand drifted lower.

She cupped her own left breast.

She pressed her palm against the soft flesh, right where Kai’s large, rough hand had been. She closed her eyes, trying to recapture the sensation of his heat, the firmness of his grip.

A small, dreamy smile touched her lips. Her face was flushed pink in the dim light.

"Oh, my son..." she whispered to the empty room. "He takes so much care of me. He didn't want me to be dirty... he's such a good boy."

It was a lie. A sweet, comforting lie to protect her conscience. But her body knew the truth.

She squeezed.

Squish.

She kneaded her own breast, a sharp jolt of pleasure shooting through her. It wasn't maternal. It was wanton. She bit her lip, holding the squeeze for a second longer than necessary, before quickly letting go and plunging her hands into the dishwater, trying to wash away the sin with soap and water.

Inside his bedroom, the atmosphere was different.

Click.

Kai locked the door. He didn't bother undressing. He collapsed face-first onto his bed, the mattress groaning under his weight. He buried his face in the pillow, inhaling the scent of his own room.

"Fuck..." he mumbled into the sheets. "That Demoness... Ahena... she really drained me. My legs feel like jelly."

The victory had been sweet, but the cost of subjugating a Level ??? entity with sheer physical stamina was high. His meridians felt stretched, and his muscles ached with a deep, dull throb.

He rolled onto his back, staring at the wooden ceiling beams.

"But it was worth it," Kai grinned. "Level 9."

He summoned the interface.

[System Status] [Name: Kai] [Level: 9 (0/200 XP)] [Available Stat Points: 25]

[Current Attributes:]

Strength: 14 (Superhuman for a mortal)

Charisma: 8 (Above Average)

Constitution: 5 (Average)

Agility: 5 (Average)

Intelligence: 6 (Above Average)

Kai looked at the numbers. His Strength was his only standout stat, thanks to previous upgrades. Everything else was lagging behind. If he wanted to survive the upcoming tournament—and handle more dangerous women—he needed balance.

"System," Kai commanded. "Allocate the points evenly. Add 5 to every attribute."

[Processing Request...] [Allocating 25 Points...]

Strength: 14 + 5 -> 19

Charisma: 8 + 5 -> 13

Constitution: 5 + 5 -> 10

Agility: 5 + 5 -> 10

Intelligence: 6 + 5 -> 11

[Updating Body Parameters...]

There was no pain this time. No bone-breaking cracking sounds. Instead, a warm, golden light seemed to seep into his pores.

It started in his chest—a rush of vitality that cleared the fog of exhaustion instantly. The ache in his muscles evaporated, replaced by a hum of endless stamina. His skin tightened, becoming denser, more resilient.

His mind sharpened. Thoughts that had been sluggish suddenly connected with crystal clarity. The world seemed to slow down slightly as his perception speed increased.

Kai sat up. He clenched his fist.

The air popped in his palm.

He felt... solid.

"Strength 19," Kai muttered. "Constitution 10."

He wasn't a god. He knew that. In the grand scheme of the cultivation world, he hadn't ascended to the heavens.

With these stats, he was no longer "trash," but he wasn't an Elder either. He had effectively bridged the gap. He was now physically comparable to a dedicated Body Tempering Realm cultivator or a standard Qi Condensation disciple who had trained for years.

He was no longer a weak mortal relying solely on tricks. He was a warrior.

"I can fight now," Kai realized, swinging his legs off the bed. "I can take a hit. I can move fast enough to dodge a sword strike. And with Strength 19... I can crush a normal student's skull with one hand."

He stood up. The fatigue was gone. His energy was back, roaring in his veins like a captured dragon.

He walked to the mirror. His face looked sharper (Charisma 13). His eyes were brighter (Intelligence 11). He looked dangerous.

"Ye Feng," Kai whispered, looking at his reflection. "You called me trash. Let's see how you handle 'trash' that hits like a truck."

He cracked his neck.

"Time to sleep. Tomorrow, the Academy will see a new Kai."