Chapter 102: The Body Tempering Begins And The Noble Conch
[Congratulations Luke! to getting the 100 Noble Tier Artifact: Whispering Tide Conch.]
[🐚 Noble Tier Artifact: Whispering Tide Conch]
Type: Communication Artifact
Range: 1000 kilometers
Core Concept:
The Whispering Tide Conch is an advanced communication artifact created to transmit voices across extreme distances.
Unlike normal communication tools that rely on physical messengers or short-range signals, the Whispering Tide Conch uses Aether resonance to establish a connection between two linked conches.
No matter the location, the user’s voice can travel across the distance and reach another connected Whispering Tide Conch.
---
"Great!" A big smile appeared on Luke’s face. Because 1000 km communication with a little bit use of Aether is great.
After finishing reading, he took out one whispering tide couch and inspected its appearance.
The Whispering Tide Conch resembles a large pearl-white seashell with elegant blue patterns flowing across its surface. And the inside of the conch contains a faint blue glow water, resembling a calm flowing tide.
Finding its appearance pleasing to the eye. He turned his gaze toward the system screen, which was showing the read "ability description..." So he clicked on it.
---
Ability: Resonance Communication
The user pours a small amount of Aether into the conch. Then the artifact creates a resonance connection with another Whispering Tide Conch.
Effects:
• Voice transmission up to 1000 km
• Clear communication regardless of distance
• Works in any environment
• Resistant to normal interference
• Can connect with another linked Whispering Tide Conch
---
"No wonder it’s a noble tier artifact." Once he read the text, Luke exclaimed. Because on the noble tier, an artifact can hold many inscriptions on it. Which makes them very versatile.
"Now we can talk and connect to our territory even from a far distance." With a satisfied smile, he returned the couch to system space. Then checked other rewards as well.
[100 Marinthians, Coral Guard Realm x 10,000]
"Hmm...Coral Guard Realm," Luke rubbed his chin while remembering what Naira had told him.
"Currently only one race rules the ocean territory, or at least explored part of the ocean. That is Marinthians. We are!" At that time, her voice sounded a little proud. But he ignored that part and continued recalling that info.
"Like humans, every race has their own realm classification, and the same goes for their Ascension Series."
"So, rather than using Ocean itself, we moved toward the TIDAL ASCENSION SYSTEM."
"In which each realm grants us different powers, and with its help we do our ascension."
Luke came out of his thoughts and muttered. "Coral Guard Realm is equal to Iron Knight Stage."
But then his expression becomes confused. "Why did I get Marinthians?? rather than human soldiers like I used to."
While rubbing his chin, he thought maybe it was because most of the or almost every reward he got. It was from Aurielle, who is a human.
"But Naira is a Marinthian!" So that should be the reason. With that, he also confirmed from the system. [Affirmative.] That’s all system said.
Even though 10,000 coral guards seem fine. "I would prefer high-end combat." He finally made that decision. after checking his previous rewards, which were Enchanted Walker Fortress.
So he used 100x two times and made all of them into silver knight equal-strength units.
[Congratulations Luke! for getting 100 Marinthians, Tide Keeper Realm (Silver Knight Equivalent)]
After the notification, he got 100 magic scrolls, from which he can summon them anytime.
"Final Reward." Luke muttered without any excitement in his eyes.
[One E rank MARINTHIAN SEA SOVEREIGNTY SERIES x 10,000]
Yeah, the Ascension series for Marinthians, so he converted them directly into C-rank.
[Congratulations Luke! for getting C-Rank 🌊 Marinthian Sea Sovereignty Series: Aqua Spear Series]
After examining the text, he pulls out its info.
---
C-Rank Aqua Spear Series:
Type: Offensive / Piercing / Water Combat Path
Specialty: Water Spear Creation and High-Speed Piercing Attacks
---
Core Concept:
The Aqua Spear Series is a Marinthian combat path focused on transforming ocean energy into highly condensed spear-like attacks.
Unlike broad water manipulation paths that control waves or currents, the Aqua Spear Series focuses all power into a single point.
A simple principle: "The deeper the pressure, the stronger the spear."
The users of this series compress their tidal core energy into sharp water weapons capable of piercing through powerful defenses.
[First Aqua Spear Series Technique: Aqua Piercer...]
[Second Aqua Spear Series Technique: Aqua Drill Spear...]
[Third Aqua Spear Series Technique: Leviathan Fang...]
---
"Well...the name looks good." Luke muttered upon reading. But still, he checked only the first move.
---
First Aqua Spear Series Technique: 🌊 Aqua Piercer
Type: Water Spear Technique
Description:
The user condenses their Tidal Core energy into a form of sharp spear of compressed water.
The spear contains immense pressure inside its structure, allowing it to pierce targets with explosive force.
Effects:
• Creates a condensed water spear
• High penetration power
• Can be thrown or used as a melee weapon
• Effective against armored enemies
{Mastery Requirement: By completely mastering Aqua Drill Spear, the user gains the qualification to ascend into the Tide Keeper Realm.}
---
Sadly, the mastery requirement does not work here. Because they were already in the Tide Keeper realm.
"Still, they need to learn this technique from the start to ascend into a new realm." Luke muttered the info he got from the system. In which the person should have to practice every move in the series to build their foundation.
Or it would collapse when they do ascension. That’s also one of the reasons why people place heavy value on choosing their first Ascension series. because if they changed it later. They have to learn that series from the start.
Finally, after all the rewards were done. He chose to break through inside the inn room.
"I will be done before Aurielle returns." With that, he sat down on the mattress and summoned 10 Iron Knight stage tempering potions. while checking their description.
---
[⚔️ Iron Knight Stage Tempering Potion]
Purpose: The Iron Knight Stage Tempering Potion uses highly concentrated Aether Essence to continuously temper an Iron Knight’s body. Rather than increasing mana directly, it strengthens the body’s compatibility with the Aether Core.
It also continuously reforges the muscles, bones, organs, blood, and meridians, allowing the knight to safely release greater amounts of Aether.
---
Luke nodded after reading. Because Iron Knights progress with increased compatibility to their Aether code, and each stage brings their body closer to their Aether core.
So Luke uncorked the vial. And observed. Inside, the liquid shimmered like molten silver intertwined with faint black streaks, which kept releasing a dense wave of Aether.
Then without hesitation—
He tilted his head back and swallowed the whole potion in a single motion.
The next instant he felt the cool liquid sliding down his throat. And for a brief moment... Nothing happened.
Then—
THUMP!
His heart slammed violently against his chest. which startled him.
"...!"
But before he could react to the change, a sudden scorching sensation erupted from his Dantian.
WHOOOOOOM...
The Aether Core suddenly began spinning on its own. Like a raging vortex, and large amount of aether burst from the core.
But instead of flowing outside, it surged violently into every part of his body.
His muscles.
His bones.
His organs.
His blood.
Even the smallest meridians were flooded with dense aether.
Luke’s entire body trembled. "Nngh..." he clenched tightly his fists to hold the pained voice.
From the outside, blue veins bulged beneath his skin as violent streams of Aether forced themselves through every inch of his body.
But even after a few minutes, this speed didn’t stop. Then—
CRACK...
Tiny fractures start forming inside his muscles.
CRACK... CRACK...
His bones released faint cracking sounds. while Luke’s old muscle fibers shattered.
Immediately afterward, fresher, denser fibers replaced them.
His bones became heavier. His organs rapidly adapted to withstand the stronger flow of Aether. His blood absorbed more Aether than before.
Even his meridians expanded, allowing greater quantities of Aether to circulate freely.
Every single cell in his body was being destroyed... Only to be rebuilt stronger and better.
"Hng...!" Luke gritted his teeth to hold back the pained voice, which threatens to come out.
Cold sweat streamed down his forehead. And he felt as though countless invisible hammers were striking every inch of his body.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Every strike crushed his weakness. Every strike reforged his body. The pain was enough to make an ordinary Iron Knight scream in agony.
But Luke endured it! endure...in the silence.
Only an occasional—"Nngh..."—sound escaped between his clenched teeth.
Soon, the next phase started, and inside his dantian, the Aether Core increased its spinning speed.
WHIRRRRRR...
Impurities hidden within his Aether were expelled. While the core grew brighter. Denser. And more stable.
Its circulation also became smoother than before. And its connection with Luke’s body deepened.
As his body strengthened... The Core released more Aether.
As the Core released more Aether... His body continued tempering.
The two evolved together in perfect harmony.
So minutes passed...
And the violent Aether gradually settled.
WHOOOOO...
The last traces of energy slowly returned to the core. While silence filled the room, only Luke’s rough breathing sound could be heard.
"huff...huff..." Luke slowly opened his eyes while taking deep breaths.
Finally after a moment later, when he calmed down, a faint metallic sheen briefly flashed across his skin before fading away.
Seeing this, he slowly clenched his fist.
CRACK.
But this action makes the surrounding air compressed beneath the sheer force.
He could feel the difference immediately.
His muscles had become denser. His bones were stronger. His body was tougher. His organs were more resilient. While his blood carried Aether more efficiently. And his meridians had widened.
Every movement felt lighter. Every breath carried greater power. Even the flow of Aether throughout his body had become smoother than ever before.
He had successfully completed another round of tempering.
"Second Stage Iron Knight Achieved!" A big smile appeared on Luke’s face.
[Chapter End]