Chapter 393 - 314: Return and Panel Changes (Part 3)
The absorption progress was still increasing.
[Absorption Progress: 34%... 51%... 69%...]
Ian watched the golden threads slowly fade, the corner of his eye twitching.
’Can’t you leave a little for me...?’
The panel didn’t respond. The golden threads of light continued to dim.
But the changes to the panel were becoming more and more obvious.
The Light Curtain, once merely an auxiliary tool, now had a hint of... a Spiritual quality.
It was as if it had come to life. Finally...
[Absorption Progress: 100%]
[Small World Origin has been completely absorbed]
[Panel Core Rule Database updating...]
[Rule Perception Speed Permanently Increased: 300%]
’The Rule database updated, a permanent threefold increase!’
Ian closed his eyes, feeling the weight of that number.
A threefold increase in perception speed.
This meant that his future breakthroughs to Level Four, Level Five, or even... True Spirit Wizard... would be three times easier, and would take only a third of the time.
And with the Rule Database... from now on, whenever he wanted to perceive Rules, he would no longer need to consult external sources. He could simply immerse his consciousness in the panel, compare the Rules one by one, and choose the most suitable one for himself.
’In that case, I’ll need to keep enriching the Rule Database.’
This was more than just a cheat.
This was a cheat hardwired into the depths of his Soul.
’In the future... I’ll find more for you to eat. I’ll let you eat your fill!’
Just then, deep within his Sea of Spirit, the Silver Rune that had long been dormant... lit up.
The Phase Soul Weaving Technique.
This ultimate Secret Technique of the ancient Soul Weaver Civilization was finally showing some progress.
A brand-new stream of information appeared on the panel.
[Phase Soul Weaving Technique (Pending Activation)]
[Number of Projections: 1 (Retrieved)]
[Activation Conditions: 1. Construct a complete Abyssal Altar; 2. Sign a contract with an intelligent lifeform from an Otherworld; 3. Provide the coordinates for the "Initial Loom"; 4. Pay the contract fee (TBD)]
[Currently Weavable Projections: 1]
[Warning: Maintaining the Phase Passage requires a continuous drain on Spiritual Power. The Rules of the Otherworld may cause backlash Erosion to the main Soul. Please use with caution.]
The information was concise.
With the projection retrieved, the Phase Soul Weaving Technique had once again entered a "Pending Activation" state.
This meant... he could start preparing to travel to a second Otherworld.
To weave a second projection and establish a second "avatar."
He would enjoy double the time and double the rewards, but of course, he would also face double... the risk.
’The next world...’
A contemplative look flashed in Ian’s eyes, but he quickly suppressed the thought.
Now wasn’t the time. He hadn’t fully absorbed the enhancements from his projection’s return.
More importantly...
He looked into his Sea of Spirit, at the three slowly rotating Star Orbits.
The three Rule Imprints were now clearer and more powerful than ever before.
His total Spiritual Power had doubled.
His Soul’s strength was at least four times that of a Wizard at the same level.
Suddenly, an insane idea surfaced from the depths of his consciousness.
When ordinary Level Two Wizards condensed their Elemental True Form, they usually chose only one attribute.
Fire, Ice, Earth, Wind, Light, Dark, Life, Death...
Because the Soul has a limited capacity, handling one Rule was already a strain. Two could cause a conflict.
Three... was basically a death wish.
’But I’m different.’
Ian had three Rule Imprints.
Thanks to his projection’s return and the tempering from multiple instances of Witchcraft Limit-Breaking, his Soul was four times stronger than that of his peers.
He also had the panel’s assistance and the boost from a Limit-Breaking Potion...
’Could I... use the Gravity Collapse Ball as a core framework and fuse the characteristics of all my Witchcraft?’
’To condense an Elemental True Form... perfectly suited to me?’
’Gravity would provide its form, allowing the True Form to twist, compress, and expand at will.’
’Purification would provide its essence, giving the True Form an absolute advantage against the Abyss.’
’Time would provide its speed, granting the True Form terrifying mobility through the manipulation of time’s flow.’
’The Ice and Fire Beam from my Frost Ash Beam would be the long whip in the Elemental True Form’s hands, and the entropy effect would be an aura surrounding it.’
’My Crystal Energy Barrier and "Floating Crystal Guards" would serve as the True Form’s armor.’
’My Melting Furnace Body Refining Technique would be its tough skin.’
...
’What would I get if I stacked all these Rules and effects?’
’A being that could shift between the tangible and intangible, was specialized against the Abyss, and could even control the flow of Time...’
’A monster?’
Ian opened his eyes.
A flash of silver light sparked in the depths of his pupils, reflecting the cold stone walls of the Laboratory.
"This path... is well worth a try."
He murmured to himself, his voice exceptionally clear in the silence.
He felt a light scratching on his shoulder.
Gaga’s small claws clutched his collar, its silver-gray eyes filled with worry.
"Ian... just now... that was so scary, gaga!"
The little creature’s voice trembled.
"That golden thing... what was it?"
"Hm?"
Ian reached out and ruffled its little head, the smooth touch of feathers against his fingertips.
"The other me came home, and I got stronger."
Gaga tilted its head, its eyes filled with curiosity.
"Did ’you’ have a good time over there? What’s the world on the other side of the Altar like, gaga?"
"’I’ was fine. As for that world... I left behind no regrets."
Ian gazed at his palm, where a faint golden halo seemed to flow just beneath the skin.
"Since you’re so curious, I’ll take you to visit some other worlds when I get the chance."
"Really, gaga?!" Gaga’s little eyes lit up. It spread its wings and zipped around Ian a few times.
"Then... when are we going?"
"After I get through this busy period. And... I need to find some more goodies for you to eat, to fatten you up a bit!"
"I won’t get fat! My shadow stomach can digest any food."
"Like Tier Two Blood Essence, Tier Two Golden Saint Fruit, or Tier Two Jade Honey... If you don’t believe me, you can bring me some and see for yourself."
"Heh! You’ve got it all figured out, haven’t you."
Ian laughed as Gaga rattled off the list like it was ordering from a menu.
In his Sea of Spirit, the Star Map slowly rotated, its three Star Orbits weaving a complex network.
The three Rules—Gravity, Purification, and Time—resonated in perfect harmony.
They were like three keys sliding into a single lock.
And behind that lock... lay the gate to becoming a Level Three Wizard.
It was the mystery of the Elemental True Form, and... a vaster, star-filled sky.
Ian ascended to the ground floor of his Laboratory and pushed open a window.
The cold night wind poured in, carrying the unique floral scent of Wisteria Lane.
He gazed up at the night sky, where countless stars twinkled.
They were like silver flames burning against the deep blue curtain of night.
"It’s time to prepare for the breakthrough," Ian said in a low voice.
Gaga nodded forcefully on his shoulder.
"Ian! I want to get stronger too! From now on... I’ll eat double the Blood Essence every day!"
"Fine, you’ve got it. As long as you can handle it."
Ian chuckled, feeling more relaxed than ever before.
’If that insane plan of mine... actually works...’
’What will my Elemental True Form look like after the breakthrough? How strong will it be?’
He couldn’t wait to find out.