Chapter 104: Chapter 103: Massive Transformation

In his left hand was the Limit-Breaking Edition [Rock Bear Potion]. It was as viscous as molten gold, with patterns like flowing rock slowly circulating within, exuding a powerful aura that was both heavy and agile.

In his right hand was the [Dream Potion] he had purchased from Sterling.

The Potion was a deep, starry-sky purple, with specks of silver light drifting within, as if it contained a miniature Dream Realm.

The method for using the [Dream Potion] was different from Alevia’s [Water of Serenity]. It had to be consumed at the same time as a Bloodline Potion.

’The [Rock Bear Potion] will use the Power of the Earth to reshape my foundation, while the [Dream Potion] will guide my spiritual resonance and unlock the potential deep within my bloodline...’

Ian took a deep breath and downed both Potions at once.

BOOM...!

The moment the Potions entered his stomach, it was as if a volcano had erupted inside his body!

An unimaginably vast amount of Earth Energy exploded forth. However, it wasn’t the usual brutish torrent, but instead possessed a peculiar "resilience."

Like the movement of tectonic plates, it was slow, steady, and unstoppable, seeping into every inch of his muscles, bones, organs, and even his bone marrow!

"Ugh..."

Ian grunted. Dark Gold, rock-like patterns instantly appeared on the surface of his skin, making it seem as if his entire being was transforming from flesh and blood into Rock.

’If my appearance turns into a "monster," that’s not the effect I’m looking for.’

This was the second time he had taken the [Rock Bear Potion], and his reaction was completely different from Poison Fang’s.

What he felt was a kind of "flowing hardness."

His muscle fibers were tearing and reorganizing, becoming thicker and more elastic. His bone density increased wildly but didn’t become brittle. Instead, on a microscopic level, a layered structure similar to a Rock Layer appeared.

His body could now disperse impact by deforming slightly when withstanding immense force. A gossamer-thin Energy film, flexible yet highly protective, coated the surface of his internal organs.

Miraculously, he felt a faint resonance form between himself and the Earth beneath his feet.

A steady, heavy aura seeped out from the Earth Veins, passing through Rock and soil, and flowed into his body in wisps, continuously replenishing the energy consumed by the transformation.

This was the Limit-Breaking Effect, [Earth Vein Resonance], at work!

Pain washed over him like a tide, but his spirit was in a state of complete Vaporization. His Will was as firm as a rock, guiding the Energy to carry out the transformation in an orderly fashion.

In a daze, Ian’s consciousness was dragged into a deep Dream Realm.

It wasn’t the primitive, heavy memory fragments of the Rock Armor Demon Bear.

But rather... an ancient Extraordinary Creature that dwelled in the depths of the Earth, drank lava, and fed on Refined Gold.

It swam freely through a boundless subterranean sea of lava, the scorching heat slightly distorting the space around it.

Ian watched, like an outsider, the mountain-sized beast before him.

Its body was covered in a black-gold, crystalline Shell, with a lava-like luster flowing from the cracks. Its limbs were as thick as celestial pillars, and every step it took made the Earth Veins tremble.

This was no simple Rock creature, but a partial incarnation of the Earth Rule. It could travel freely through Rock Layers and draw upon the Energy of the Earth Core. Its Shell possessed terrifying physical resistance and Energy conductivity, allowing it to channel a portion of any attack it sustained through the Earth Veins and disperse the force across the entire Earth!

’Is this... the "Earth Vein Melting Core Giant Beast"? No... it’s just a residual echo in the Dream Realm!’

Ian’s consciousness possessed it, experiencing what it was like to stroll through lava, devour ore veins, and battle other colossal subterranean creatures...

Every swipe of its claws was augmented by the Power of the Earth Veins. Every time it took a hit, flowing patterns would appear on its Shell and channel the impact into the Rock Layer beneath its feet.

When severely injured, it could even sink directly into the Earth and draw upon Earth Vein Energy to recover rapidly.

This was an existence far more advanced than the Rock Armor Demon Bear, and much closer to the very essence of the Earth!

Time flowed on, and the Dream Realm was about to end.

A wisp of an ancient brand from the depths of his bloodline suddenly flew out.

Carrying the Will of "Assimilation" and "Inheritance," it followed the connection to the Dream Realm and bored into the depths of Ian’s consciousness.

It attempted to alter the essence of his bloodline, trying to shift him toward becoming this type of Extraordinary Creature.

The instant the brand was about to touch the core of his Soul,

the "panel" in Ian’s Sea of Spirit—which had never actively appeared but had always been there—trembled slightly.

There was no brilliant light, no sound—only an formless, supreme ripple that swept past.

The ancient brand, as if striking an insurmountable Barrier, instantly shattered and underwent Purification.

All the impurities within it related to bloodline Assimilation and mental Erosion were completely purged.

Only the purest strengthening traits—"Earth Carrying," "Rock Layer Resilience," and "Earth Vein Resonance"—remained, flowing like a gentle stream and perfectly integrating into Ian’s transforming body.

Just as it had when he took the ordinary Rock Bear Potion, the panel had once again protected the purity of Ian’s bloodline.

The Dream Realm completely dissipated.

Inside the rocky cave, Ian’s eyes snapped open.

"Hooo..."

A plume of white vapor, so dense it was almost tangible, shot from his mouth and nose, creating a faint pop in the air.

He slowly rose to his feet.

"CRACK, CRACK..."

His joints popped in a dense, rapid-fire succession.

It wasn’t the sound of stiffness, but a satisfying symphony of release as some kind of restraint was broken and his body achieved perfect coordination.

He looked down at his hands.

His skin was still fair, but it now had a faint, jade-like luster. It looked soft, but when he touched it with his fingertips, he felt an incredible toughness.

When he clenched his fist, he could clearly feel his muscle fibers twisting together like steel cables, his bones were like tempered Refined Gold, and his blood flowed like mercury, heavy and powerful.

He stomped his foot lightly.

THUD!

The cave floor trembled slightly. Spiderweb-like cracks spread out three meters from where his foot landed before coming to an abrupt halt.

He could control the release of his Power at will, with none of it wasted or leaking out.

He tried throwing a punch.

SWOOSH...!

His fist cut through the air with a sharp tearing sound, yet it didn’t cause any significant atmospheric disturbance. All the Power was focused along the path of his punch.

Speed, Power, reflexes, Endurance, recovery... an all-around improvement! 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

A sharp glint flashed in Ian’s eyes. ’I wonder how my current physical strength compares to a Level One Wizard who specializes in Body Refinement?’

Although his Wizard Realm hadn’t changed, the strength of this body was enough to let him withstand a more violent output of Witchcraft and grant him greater combat stamina.

’Earth Vein Resonance... The effect of the Limit-Breaking Rock Bear Potion really is far beyond my expectations. Combined with the guidance of the Dream Potion, this Body Tempering session was nothing short of perfect.’

He felt the surging Power within him, his heart filled with excitement.

In the Underworld, this body had become another one of his powerful trump cards.

"Gaga."

He dispelled the Barrier and called out toward the cave entrance.

A dark cyan Shadow flickered inside and landed on his shoulder.

"Ian! You succeeded? Ga!" Gaga moved closer, tilting its small head to study him, its eyes full of curiosity.

"You seem... heavier? No, you’ve gotten sturdier! Ga, and you have a nice Stone smell..."

Ian walked out of the cave and looked at the Demons that had gathered, a smile on his face.

"Time to get down to business."