In the end, Jacob could only sigh because first, he was the one who decided to walk on this unknown path, and second, he couldn't question cursed immortality because it couldn't communicate with him before he completed the first phase and lastly, even if he got another chance to choose, he'll still choose to walk on this path without any regrets!
Jacob flipped the first page, and it vanished to the other side of the air before revealing a new page with new information.
It was information about the cursed heart emergence,
"First Phase of Body Transformation: Cursed Heart Emergence (First Stage)
"This stage is divided into three levels
"First Level: Formation of Immortal Mark Inside the Modify Heart (Complete)
"Second Level: Turn Immortal Mark into Cursed Mark (01% Completion)
"Description: Please insert different Tier-1 or higher species' heart essence directly into your heart until the cursed mark is completely forged.
"Note: A species' heart essence can only be inserted once, not again.
"Third Level: Complete Second Level
"Completion of this stage affected in; 100 Years Youthful Lifespan "
Jacob cocked an eyebrow when he saw the description about the second level of Cursed heart emergence and when he saw the reward of completing it, his heart galloped.
'Youthful Lifespan? Did this mean I won't turn into an old man?' Jacob couldn't help but feel moved, just this first stage effect alone.
This made him even more determined to walk on this path even if he had to go through hell!
Jacob tried to turn the page, but no matter how much force he mustered, it won't just budge, and when he tried to go backward, just with a thought, the previous page emerged, and with another thought and page turned again.
This also clarified that no matter what, he won't be able to see the other knowledge without completing the previous one.
So, Jacob gave up and said, "So, I have to find the heart essence of other species now and then inject it into my heart directly. No need to circulate anything or mutter any chants or mantras or anything?
"This is rather convent and simple, but this also means I have to kill them to get that heart essence. But how the hell am I supposed to know this is heart essence, and how would I know if the species is tier-one or not?"
Jacob became extremely perplexed when he thought this book had only given him half-ass information. However, the wording on the second page suddenly changed, and he was astonished when he read it.
"Tier-1 species are known as the Uncommon Species in this world. As for heart essence, let me make it precise in your language. After collecting the steam, you can gain heart essence after boiling the heart into the species' own blood inside a furnace at 1000 Celsius temperature. The steam is the Heart-Essence, and you only need 100-milliliter to inject into your heart."
Jacob felt goosebumps all over his body when he read it. This meant he had to kill no matter what!
He frowned, "So, you can answer my questions?"
The wording changed again, and it read:
"Only questions related to the scripture."
"Then tell me, does one species per heart mean an entire race or just a subspecies of that species? If I kill that imp-goblin, then does it mean the entire Goblin race will become useless to me, or just the imp-goblin race?" Jacob's eyes turned cold when he asked this question.
The words changed again. "Only the subspecies, not the entire species. Simply put, as long as you get the heart blood of the imp goblin race, then you can't get anything out of another imp goblin, but if you get the heart of a vile goblin, then it will work but only once. This also meant you must kill one member of a single tribe until you complete level two of cursed heart emergence, hahaha…."
Jacob felt annoyed when he saw the 'haha' he could imagine that eerily laughter and pursed his lips and asked again, "Then what about Youthful Lifespan?"
The words changed again, "No old age and grantee a hundred years, as long as others won't kill you… hahaha…"
"Fuck off." Jacob annoyingly replied. He just felt annoyed every time this book spoke.
"Make the classification of these species clearer, like the requirement for me, is to get at least one species heart essence, but it also said 'higher' as well. The imp goblin is a rare species, so will I get any benefits for ingesting higher species blood than a requirement or not?" Jacob asked another core question.
The words changed. "So, you're not so dumb after all. Those idiots only classified the species into Common, Uncommon, Rare, Rarer, Epic, and so on, but the truth is, it's not that simple. Because some species can be more powerful than rare species despite being uncommon because they have the potential to evolve, the rank of species is never evaluated like this.
"They are divided into tiers. From one to three tires can be considered uncommon species with low, intermediate, and advanced levels; from four to six, they can be regarded as a rare specie with the same three levels. From tier seven to nine, those tiers suit the rarer species, while the Epic species are not classified into tiers. They had a classification of their own, which you don't need to know for now.
"That imp goblin is from a tier-five species, but his bloodline is too thin. That's why he's akin to a tire-three: if you really ingest his heart essence, then your progress will naturally be faster, though."
Jacob's eyes shone with understanding. "All in all, as long as I can a higher species heart essence, my progress will be skyrocketed, but how the hell did I know their exact tier?"
"I don't know. It's your problem. But you can ask me by wasting your one chance of summoning me a day, hahaha..."
Jacob frowned. He knew this book could only give him limited help and sighed. With a thought, the book vanished again. He had no more questions and wasn't in the mood to listen to that annoying book's laughter.
He threw his head back to the chair, stared at the rotten ceiling, and sighed continually.
Likewise, he muttered, "A path forged with killing leads to immortality, huh? If it was in my youth, I might probably feel excited about it, but now… I feel nothing but calm. I finally got a way that led to immortality, yet there's nothing but darkness. But deep down, I can never detach myself from this path, no matter what…."
Jacob closed his eyes, and at an unknown time, he fell asleep on the chair. It was his first time sleeping without fear or anxiety about his life. He finally got what he wanted, but there was still a vast yet cruel price he had to pay for it!