Magic Cores on the Tip of the Tongue

“To absorb a magic core, you need to inject mana into its center, then guide the mana components into your body for circulation and refinement...” Leona explained the precautions for absorbing magic cores to Zhang Ye.

While training with magic cores wasn't as efficient as using magic crystals, they didn't have any crystals at the moment, so they had to make do.

“Keep in mind that absorbing a magic core requires a matching constitution. For example, a fire-attribute constitution can only absorb fire-attribute cores. This is because the mana attributes within a core are already set. If you force an absorption without a matching constitution, the conflicting mana attributes will clash inside you.”

“This makes the improvement efficiency extremely low, wasting the core. In severe cases, it can even cause mana turbulence in your body, hindering your cultivation progress.”

Zhang Ye grinned. “I don't have that concern because I have Full Attribute Compatibility!”

Leona paused, then chuckled. “That’s true.”

She had already checked the mana in Zhang Ye's body; it was indeed non-attribute mana, meaning he could practice any attribute of magic and absorb any attribute of magic core.

It was quite convenient.

As Zhang Ye picked up a magic core and prepared to inject mana to guide it, Ella suddenly spoke up.

“Actually, you don't need to go through all that trouble. The system's cultivation function can bypass the guiding and refining steps. With just a thought, the magic core will be absorbed at maximum speed and converted into cultivation. However, you won't be able to absorb some of the other components in the core.”

“But since you analyzed Gujiu's Devour, you can just eat the magic core directly. That way, you won't waste anything.”

Zhang Ye blinked, remembering that was an option.

But eating magic cores...

A Tier Three core was manageable, about the size of a broad bean. A Tier Four core was like a grape. But Tier Five and Tier Six cores were a bit large for Zhang Ye.

How... how was he supposed to eat those?

Zhang Ye swallowed hard.

According to Ella's explanation, magic cores contained nutritional substances in addition to mana.

Magic cores had many uses, such as cultivation, alchemy, smithing, enchanting, and forming arrays. Many of these uses relied on those specific substances within the core.

If Zhang Ye absorbed those substances, he would also gain some benefits.

For example, his magic resistance for the corresponding attribute would increase, as would his conversion efficiency.

Of course, the improvement from a single core was miniscule. Unless the core's quality was high enough, he would need to devour a large number of them to see significant results.

Still, it was better than nothing.

To level up as quickly as possible, Zhang Ye ultimately chose to devour and absorb them.

He picked up a Tier Three magic core and tossed it into his mouth, leaving Leona staring in shock.

“You're not actually going to eat it, are you?” Leona hurriedly said. “Magic cores can't be eaten directly! They can't be digested. Spit it out, quick!”

Zhang Ye waved a hand dismissively. “It's fine. I learned Gujiu's ability. I can devour anything, just like a slime.”

Leona was stunned, then asked curiously, “Can you eat poop then?”

Zhang Ye’s face darkened.

How could those words sound so wrong coming from such pretty lips?

“No!” Zhang Ye snapped, then activated Devour.

Sure enough, the magic core in his mouth rapidly transformed into surging mana that flowed into his body. The remaining substances turned into liquid and slid down his esophagus into his stomach.

The high absorption rate was no joke. Zhang Ye could clearly feel his cultivation improving. He estimated that after finishing these Tier Three and Tier Four cores, he would be able to reach the late stage of Tier Four.

Zhang Ye smacked his lips and said in surprise, “It's sweet and sour! It's delicious!”

Leona actually swallowed her saliva upon hearing that. “Is it... really that good?”

Seeing her reaction, Zhang Ye knew she was a foodie.

Zhang Ye chuckled. He tossed another core into his mouth, absorbed the mana, but didn't swallow the remaining nutrients immediately. Instead, he kept them in his mouth and looked at her teasingly.

“Want a taste? Hmm~?”

Leona's brow furrowed. She immediately gave Zhang Ye a sharp bonk on the head.

A bald head really made a loud sound!

“Ow!” Zhang Ye cried out, nearly spitting out the nutrients.

“Gross!” Leona huffed. “Hurry up and absorb them. Once you're done, I'll teach you mana control!”

“Fine...” Zhang Ye nodded with a hint of regret, then grabbed a handful of cores and stuffed them into his mouth to start devouring.

As he ate, he muttered to himself.

“This wood-type one... hmm, it tastes like aloe. A bit bitter at first, but with a sweet aftertaste. It makes my throat feel incredibly refreshed.”

“This metal-type one is orange-flavored. Sweet and sour, but leaning more toward the sour side. Very rich, quite the appetizer.”

“Wow, this wood-type one is actually lychee-flavored! It's so sweet, tsk tsk!”

“The earth-type one...”

Leona kept swallowing as she listened. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore. She snatched a core from Zhang Ye's hand and stuffed it into her own mouth.

“I don't believe it! Even if I can't devour it directly, I can use mana to separate the components...” As she spoke, she began to taste it carefully.

“Hmm... no flavor.” Leona frowned.

After the mana separation, the core turned into mana and nutrients, but Leona didn't taste anything. It was like drinking plain water.

She squinted at Zhang Ye. “I suspect you're messing with me.”

Zhang Ye was taken aback and said urgently, “Why would I mess with you? It's seriously delicious! It must be because your mana separation didn't bring out the core's flavor. You have to use my Devour magic!”

“If you don't believe me, try this one. It's lychee-flavored!” As he spoke, Zhang Ye held another core in his mouth and opened it toward Leona.

To be fair, Leona did smell a sweet scent coming from his mouth.

Leona looked at him, but in the end, she gave him another expressionless bonk on the head.

Zhang Ye clutched his head, looking aggrieved.

It really was delicious...

“Just eat! Don't talk!” Leona said irritably.

Dammit, he's making me crave it!

In all her years, she had eaten over a thousand types of magical beasts and researched thousands of ways to cook them, but she had never tried a magic core.

After Zhang Ye's antics, she was starving.

Finally, she decided to ignore him and went off to hunt some magical beasts to roast.

“Stay here. I'm going hunting!” With that, Leona flew away.

Zhang Ye curled his lip.

It's your loss if you don't get to taste such delicious magic cores!

Hmph!

Then, he continued devouring the cores.

Soon, all the Tier Three and Tier Four cores were gone. His cultivation had reached the late stage of Tier Four. While he couldn't feel the exact changes in his magic resistance and conversion rate yet, they had definitely improved.

Next, Zhang Ye picked up a Tier Five magic core the size of a lychee and popped it into his mouth.

The mana contained in a Tier Five core was substantial, nearly equivalent to four or five Tier Four cores, and it had even more nutrients.

Most importantly—it was delicious!

The higher the tier of the core, the stronger and richer the flavor. It was more exquisite!

Magic cores on the tip of the tongue—this was fantastic!

“Gujiu~” Gujiu suddenly hopped into Zhang Ye's lap, looking at him expectantly.

Zhang Ye smiled. “You want some too, Gujiu? Here.”

He picked up a Tier Five core and fed it to Gujiu. Gujiu cheered and devoured it, then lay in Zhang Ye's lap to digest. The human and the slime continued to enjoy the magic cores happily.

As the last Tier Five core from the Berserk Bear went down, a light flashed from Zhang Ye's body.

Tier Five!

Zhang Ye was thrilled. He reached for the egg-sized Tier Six magic core to stuff into his mouth.

Unexpectedly, before he could, a feeling of fullness washed over him. He let out a burp that tasted like magic cores.

Zhang Ye blinked.

His stomach didn't feel bloated, so why was he full?

After asking Ella, he learned that it wasn't his stomach that was full, but that the energy from the devoured cores had reached the limit his body could currently handle. He needed to wait for his body to completely digest the mana and nutrients before he could continue devouring.

Zhang Ye nodded, feeling the mana within him.

After absorbing the cores, his mana had reached Newly Advanced Tier Five. The process of digesting the mana was like consolidating his cultivation.

Given his current digestion speed, he estimated he could start devouring again in a few hours.

Zhang Ye nodded in satisfaction.

Newly Advanced Tier Five—he had already surpassed the standard for the first test of the All Souls Magic Academy. Next came mana control and actual combat.

Just then, Leona returned. Her mana was surging, and a massive flaming lion's claw extended from the mana layer around her, clutching a wild boar.

Zhang Ye tossed an analysis at it.

[Water Magic Pig: Tier Seven water-attribute magical beast!]

Zhang Ye was startled. It was actually a Tier Seven beast.

He analyzed it again, this time wanting to see its characteristics. The information changed according to his intent.

[Water Magic Pig: Tier Seven water-attribute magical beast. A species of magic pig that lives deep within the Myriad Beasts Forest. While possessing great strength and defense, it also has powerful water-attribute resistance and can control the power of water. Because it is nourished by water mana, its meat is very springy and firm, making it an excellent ingredient.]

Leona landed, holding the dying Water Magic Pig. She snorted, “What's so good about magic cores? Watch me show off my whole roasted pig. I'll let you know what true world-class delicacy is!”

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