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Chapter 207: Sixth-Level Magus! Earth Armor!
🕑 Added 2024-09-18 05:43:44 +0000 UTC"Oh." Tucker shrank his neck, not quite understanding.
However, his father’s tone made him feel as though he had done something wrong. Feeling guilty, he hurriedly ran off.
Standing still, Rhett watched his eldest son’s retreating figure, and a dark cloud settled over his heart.
The simulation of Tucker's disappearance weighed heavily on him, like a massive stone pressing down. The disappearance was so sudden and inexplicable—he had no idea who the enemy was, or even a single clue to follow.
At the same time, he also recalled that next month, a sixth-level white-headed eagle would harass his territory, bringing significant devastation. Many of his people and the residents of Dark Eagle City would be injured or killed, something he had to prepare for.
Rhett racked his brain for a solution but ultimately sighed, murmuring to himself, "It’s time to break through to the sixth-level magus... my current strength is insufficient..."
Recalling that after his last simulation, he had spent much less time in the White Rat branch, Rhett speculated that this change might have caused the white-headed eagle to pass through his territory. If that were true, it would indeed be a stroke of bad luck.
Regardless, he knew what needed to be done.
Right now, he had to make a trip to the White Rat branch to gather some fate points.
Not only to solve the upcoming white-headed eagle crisis but also to investigate the truth behind Tucker's disappearance more efficiently.
However, there were rumors of a sixth-level beast in the White Rat branch, and whether he encountered it would depend on luck. To avoid "winning" this dangerous encounter, another simulation was necessary before embarking on the White Rat branch hunt.
His mind set, Rhett activated the system.
[Would you like to initiate a text simulation? Each year simulated consumes 5 fate points.]
"Yes, simulate for one year."
[Kinton Year 476, December 23rd: Riley successfully refines a low-grade poison, becoming an official alchemist. With your help, Thales, Henk, and Macauff successfully tame their magical beast cubs. While helping Lawrence tame his cub, a fourth-level white-headed eagle attacks but is easily slain by you. Pressed for time, you immediately set out with Dick to the White Rat branch.]
[December 28th: You ordered Fireclaw to move at full speed, arriving at the White Rat branch two days earlier than planned, where you began your hunting expedition.]
[January 3rd: While fighting a fifth-level white-eyed rat, you encounter a sixth-level white-eyed rat. Using the mysteries of dispersal and Spike Rain, you engage in a fierce battle. Both of you are heavily wounded. Pretending to flee, you utilize your bloodline talent—Rapid Regeneration—to heal and then ambush, successfully killing the sixth-level white-eyed rat.]
[January 11th: You encounter a sixth-level white-headed eagle. Once again using the mysteries of dispersal and Spike Rain, you manage to harm the beast, but its terrifying toxins accumulate, and you succumb to the poison.]
The simulation was brief, and Rhett frowned as he read it.
As expected, there was still danger.
Though his current strength allowed him to handle some sixth-level enemies, such as ground-based beasts like the white-eyed rat, where his combat prowess was unmatched, defeating stronger foes wasn’t difficult.
But some creatures that countered his abilities would prove troublesome.
The white-headed eagle was a prime example. A flying beast with terrifying toxins, a same-level encounter would be manageable, but facing a higher-level one would be nearly impossible.
He initiated another simulation.
[Would you like to initiate a text simulation? Each year simulated consumes 5 fate points.]
"Yes, simulate for one year."
As words filled his vision, Rhett called for Fireclaw, holding Dick as they mounted the beast’s back.
"Grandpa yay, Grandpa yay," Dick's childish voice rang out as he joyfully clung to Fireclaw's warm feathers, closing his eyes in comfort.
Rhett smiled warmly, one hand gently holding Dick’s back as he reviewed the latest simulation results.
His brows furrowed. He still died?
This time, it was once again the white-headed eagle, though the encounter was delayed by two days, occurring on the 13th despite efforts to avoid it.
"Haah..."
Rhett took a deep breath. It was enough.
After all, on January 17th, that white-headed eagle would invade the Dark Eagle branch, killing Armando and Woderger before wreaking havoc across the territory.
If he departed on the 13th, he wouldn’t make it back in time. In other words, he had to break through to the sixth level before the 13th, intercepting the eagle in the White Rat branch to prevent this crisis.
Fireclaw soared high, the wind whipping through his hair. Rhett held Dick securely, knowing that this journey to the White Rat branch was critical. He needed to gather fate points quickly, and Dick was essential for that. If he had brought Thales, he couldn’t guarantee they’d collect enough fate points in just a month.
After a quick stop at the castle to gather necessary supplies, Rhett also visited the alchemy tower, collecting ample quantities of Raven's Bane and special potion bottles from Henk, making it easier for Dick to use them.
And so, the journey to the White Rat branch began once more.
Rhett shook his head involuntarily. "The path we chose is our own. If I chose the Dark Eagle branch for its promising future, I must also bear the risks that come with it."
This time, it was a blessing that the invader was only a sixth-level white-headed eagle. Though time was tight, Rhett could handle it through his breakthrough.
But what if the next unexpected change brought an enemy two or three levels stronger than him? What then?
Calling for reinforcements would be too late, and a sudden breakthrough would be impossible.
The initial plan had been a bit too optimistic.
Rhett sighed, rubbing his forehead. He would need to tread carefully.
A sense of relief washed over him.
This danger could be seen as a blessing, strengthening his vigilance and sounding an alarm.
"Adversity leads to growth, complacency to death."
The more peaceful life became, the more strength was needed to protect it...
By December 28th, the White Rat branch reappeared on Rhett's horizon.
Unlike the golden autumn landscape from before, snow now blanketed the mountains, covering the forest with a silver-white mantle.
This year’s early spring weather had been unusual, with a sudden cold snap bringing snow even in January.
Rhett rode on Fireclaw, holding Dick as they scouted from fifty meters above the ground for signs of beasts.
This greatly reduced the risk of ambushes, particularly from the sixth-level white-eyed rat, whose lack of flight gave Rhett ample time to react to any sudden jumps, keeping him out of danger.
After a while, Rhett's eyes locked onto a blank patch of snow-covered ground. He focused his mental energy.
Thud!
A spike burst from the ground, piercing through the thick snow and bringing up a splash of blood!
"Roar!"
A mighty roar echoed, filled with both anger and fear.
The surrounding snow shook as a sleek, purple leopard was impaled by the spike, letting out a painful howl before falling still.
"Dick, it’s your turn!" Rhett gently handed the poison vial to his grandson.
This vial contained Raven's Bane, and even the bottle had been specially designed by Henk.
Instead of a traditional stopper, it had been fitted with a dropper. By squeezing the vial, a single drop could be carefully released.
This not only increased the chances of success but also minimized waste—truly a win-win!
At that moment, Dick grasped the vial, his big eyes shining as Rhett guided his little hand to position it over the wound. Then, Rhett let go.
Dick grinned, his chubby hand gently squeezing the vial.
A dark drop of liquid fell, seeping into the wound.
The third-level purple-skinned leopard trembled briefly. Its already fading life force rapidly extinguished.
[Family member defeats an enemy four levels higher, fate points +4.]
The familiar yet long-awaited message appeared before him!
Rhett's expression lit up with excitement. "Amazing! This is fantastic!"
Killing a third-level beast and gaining four fate points—what a bountiful harvest!
Such high returns fueled Rhett’s confidence that he could gather enough fate points in just half a month to reach the sixth level as a magus.
If it had been Thales, he wouldn’t have dared to hope for such a windfall in such a short time. And as for his other two sons, they were out of the question.
After a quick cleanup of the corpse, Rhett wasted no time getting back on Fireclaw’s back.
The hunt continued!
Unknowingly, half a month passed.
During this time, Rhett operated at full capacity, hunting countless magical beasts. The tally reached into the hundreds, perhaps even close to a thousand. And with Dick, an ordinary person, by his side, his fate points skyrocketed like a rocket!
A glance at his fate points—[Fate points: 2850]—brought a smile to Rhett's face.
The White Rat branch's beast population was indeed abundant. Despite his relentless hunting, their numbers hadn’t significantly decreased, maintaining a healthy balance. He had no concerns about impacting his long-term hunting plans.
Rhett glanced at the bulging linen bag beside him, filled with Aurora Potions, while carrying four Blood Source Beads on his person.
"It’s time to attempt the breakthrough..."
Commanding Fireclaw to take him to the edge of the White Rat branch, Rhett selected a quiet cave.
The cave was dry and narrow, seemingly untouched by magical beasts or animals for a long time.
Sitting on the ground, Rhett closed his eyes.
With a thought, he activated the system.
[Would you like to initiate a real simulation? Each day simulated consumes 1 fate point.]
"Yes, simulate for one day!"
A ripple of energy spread through the air.
Rhett's mind settled into calm. This time, he didn’t plan to consume the Blood Source Beads right away. Judging the time, he could first consume twenty-two bottles of Aurora Potion before swallowing the remaining four Blood Source Beads, optimizing every moment.
Gulping down the Aurora Potion, he felt a surge of energy fill him.
A sense of determination welled up within Rhett.
"Sixth-level magus, here I come!"
Time passed day by day.
Over a thousand simulations later, Rhett had successfully reached the peak of the fifth-level magus.
Feeling his mental energy reach its limit, he ended the simulation and opened his eyes, a moment of disorientation passing over him.
Three years had dulled his senses somewhat.
Instead of breaking through immediately, Rhett took a walk in the snow to clear his mind.
Once he had adjusted, he returned to the cave and began the final breakthrough!
[Would you like to initiate a real simulation? Each day simulated consumes 1 fate point.]
"Yes, simulate for one day!"
Time flowed once more.
Having undergone countless simulations, the process didn’t feel particularly significant.
It wasn’t until over 1,600 simulations had passed that Rhett felt the last threads of the barrier unravel.
Boom!
His mind felt like a dam breaking, as if a torrent of power and calmness had overlapped, only to be suddenly released.
His mental energy surged, like a small pond growing into a lake. As it stabilized, Rhett felt the overwhelming strength filling him.
Overjoyed, Rhett welcomed the pain of the breakthrough, finding it much more tolerable than consuming the crimson Blood Source Bead. It was well within his endurance.
With a thought, Rhett ended the simulation.
The familiar prompt appeared before him.
[Real simulation complete. Please select one attribute to retain.]
[1. Physique]
[2. Dou Qi]
[3. Mental Energy]
"I choose three, Mental Energy!"
As soon as he made the choice, a flood of mental energy filled his mind.
Within seconds, Rhett had fully integrated everything from the simulation.
His eyes gleamed as he gazed at the snowstorm outside the cave, filled with confidence.
Just as he was reveling in his success, Rhett noticed a subtle shift in the earth element around him.
"Hmm? Another innate spell?" Rhett’s eyes widened in delight. He knew this was a benefit from the Saint-level Bloodline Potion. It was random, with each advancement potentially unlocking an innate spell, as long as the bloodline contained it.
Spending a few fate points, Rhett mastered the innate spell through simulation.
A look of understanding crossed his face.
The spell he had just learned was a ninth-level earth spell—Earth Armor! It was the highest form of earth-element magic and one of the strongest defensive spells among all magic users! Even though his mental energy hadn’t yet reached the Grand Magus level, this spell was still far superior to Rock Armor and other spells of its kind.
As his mental energy flowed, the surrounding earth elements quickly condensed, forming into a thick, yet agile, radiant armor that wrapped around him.
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