--- Chapter 57 ---
[Do you want to open the quest's rewards?]
"Yes."
[Opening 2x Random Skills and 1x Random Elemental Soul]
[Ding! You have acquired...]
[King of Parasite(SS)]
[Imperfect Avatar(F)]
[Thunder Soul: Mighty Rajang's Beast Thunder(A)]
[Listing the rewards...]
[Name: King of Parasite]
[Type: Passive]
[Grade: SS]
[Description: King of Parasite is a powerful skill that allows the wielder to create a parasite from its blood and flesh. All the parasites created have varied abilities based on what "flesh." are used in the process, having 100% loyalty to their creator]
[The parasite couldn't live without the nutrients from its host. Even the strongest parasite couldn't last more than three days outside its host and possessed many weaknesses]
[Name: Imperfect Avatar]
[Type: Active]
[Grade: F]
[Description: A flawed skill that allows the wielder to create an imperfect clone, such as a small avatar of the wielder with several defects]
[Name: Mighty Rajang's Beast Thunder]
[Type: Elemental Soul]
[Grade: A]
[Name: A strong elemental soul formed after Fanged Beast: Mighty Rajang devoured at least twenty-four Elder Dragon: Kirin or five Thunder Emperor Kirin. It allowed its wielder to control "Crimson Lightning." and become powerful like Mighty Rajang itself by consuming lightning-infused materials]
[Warning! Mighty Rajang's Beast Thunder is violent, unrelenting, and ultra-aggressive. The subdue it, one has to lose limb and life]
Baek Ain stared at the system panel excitedly because he got powerful skills and an elemental soul. After all, King of Parasite is the first SS-Grade Skill he ever had.
Even though the description King of Parasite possessed some flaws, Baek Ain was sure he could exploit those weaknesses and make a decent parasite in the future.
And yes, It also saved Baek Ain from the problem of creating loyal subordinates.
Baek Ain knew organization or sect is almost everything in this world.
Individual strength is helpful and dominates most cases. However, Baek Ain learned from Xiao Yan and the other protagonist's hardship in the earlier stage of the cultivation story. Baek Ain believed a strong organization would help him.
He doesn't want to drag Yafei, Lan Rou, and others into danger because he offended someone in the Central Plains later on. That's why the organization is necessary.
In the Jia Ma Empire, Dou Emperor is the most powerful in existence.
Yet, out there, Dou Emperor is enough to be called "Strong." because there are Dou Ancestors and Dou Venerate exist everywhere within a strong sect.
Not to mention Half-Saint and Dou Saint, who could wipe Jia Ma Empire from existence.
Averting his attention to Imperfect Avatar, Baek Ain doesn't really have a comment about it because the Skill is pretty awful. Baek Ain is not saying Imperfect Avatar is useless, but Fire Clone(F) has better applications than it.
Also, Fire Clone is an elemental-based skill complementary to Baek Ain's main card.
[Ding! You have upgraded Imperfect Avatar(F) >>> Imperfect Avatar(A) with Upgrade Skill Token(A)]
[You have chosen Fire Clone(A) as the Main Core Skill]
[You have chosen Imperfect Avatar(A) as Subsidiary Skill]
[Synthesizing...]
[Ding! You have obtained Fire Avatar(S)]
[Name: Fire Avatar]
[Type: Active]
[Grade: S]
[Description: Create a myriad-shaped avatar out of the wielder's fire, having all the wielder's traits and strength with only the downside of slightly inferior durability. The wielder could create an indefinite amount of avatars, but the more avatars created, the more energy consumed in exchange]
[Fire Avatars connected to the host through hivemind and can be controlled like a puppet in standby mode]
"Nice, I'll try it later." Baek Ain nodded his head when checking the newly synthesized Skill. "Fire Clone is a decent addition to my overall kits, but Fire Avatar seems more flexible because I can shape the avatar into whatever I want."
"And no power lost, which is a plus compared to the clone."
Baek Ain checked the last reward from the Alchemist Grand Meeting and was speechless. "Holy shit, It's the Elemental Soul of Rajang from Monster Hunter Universe." He couldn't hide his surprise.
What's Rajang?
It's a Fanged Beast that Elder Dragon avoids at any given encounter, with some exceptions because there are more powerful creatures in the Monster Hunter World.
And this Mighty Rajang seems to be an Apex Predator.
It devoured over twenty Elder Dragons, exclusively Kirin, to reach this stage. After all, Kirin's horn is like a fine delicacy and power source for Rajang.
"If I consume lightning-infused materials, I could obtain Mighty Rajang's strength. Hehe, challenge accepted." Baek Ain laughed madly.
[Don't be too happy, host] Alicia calmed him down.
[You forgot this world is more Fire-Orientated than others Cultivation World]
[Even though there is some source of Thunder Essence/Soul, they are scarce and coveted by powerful sects]
"You have to drop my motivation down like this, huh?" Baek Ain sighed while slumping onto the sofa.
[Reality check] Alicia added casually.
"Whatever."
[Do you want to absorb Mighty Rajang's Beast Thunder?]
[Yes/No]
"Obviously... Yes." Baek Ain rolled his eyes.
He meditated on the sofa and closed his eyes, feeling an intense energy coming from the depth of his spirit. A massive creature with crimson-gold fur, resembling an ape, and a baboon with thunder-coated horns on top of its ape-like head appeared before him.
ROAR!
Baek Ain grinned and taunted the Elemental Soul, "Try to injure me if you can."
"I don't recommend it, though-!"
Before Baek Ain could finish his words, the Mighty Rajang rushed forward and tried to attack him.
[Ding! Soul Protection(Unknown) have been activated]
"See?"
"Just be a good boy, and let me covet your power."
ROAR!
A painful roar echoed in the Soul Realm as Mighty Rajang received a backlash from Baek Ain's Soul Protection. Baek Ain was quiet the whole time, allowing the Fanged Beast to attack him continuously.
Taming this guy would take quite a long time.
Aih, Gnome is cuter.
After a few hours, Baek Ain's body released crimson lightning and burnt the sofa to ashes. He opened his eyes and felt Mighty Rajang's Beast Thunder exist in every fiber of his muscle.
[Ding! The "White Lightning Mortal Body." has evolved through unorthodox methods]
["Mighty Rajang." refused to live with such a weak physique]
[Ding! You have attained the "Two-Colored Lightning Beast Physique."]
"Well, someone is competitive." Baek Ain chuckled in amusement.
[Name: Two-Colored Lightning Beast Physique]
[Type: Blessed Physique]
[Grade: S+]
[Description: The host experienced white lightning from the sky and crimson lightning from a ferocious beast, gaining a durable physique similar to Mighty Rajang. The host's appearance and aura will appear to be more dominating and wild when using this physique]
"Not bad, two blessed physiques? They will help me fight someone stronger in the future."
Stretching his body, Baek Ain reached the door and saw several alchemist elders waiting for him. He closed the door and mumbled, "Aih, I forgot about them."
"Royal Princess, Liu Ling, and Xiao Yan should have taken their rewards..."
"Hello, Young Ain. Can you open the door?" Someone asked from the other side.
Baek Ain frowned and answered, "Don't wanna."
Fa Ma and other alchemists are speechless.
"We just want to give you the 1st Place reward."
"Then, send it to the Miteer Family." Baek Ain returned casually.
"Why are you avoiding us?" Fa Ma sighed in confusion.
Baek Ain peeked between the door's gap and let them see his hazel-gold eyes. "From your first impression, I know you aren't here to just give me the reward."
"You want to ask several questions and rope me into the Alchemist Association, no?"
"First of all, no question."
"And I won't join the Alchemist Association."
Hearing his reasons, Fa Ma and the other elders couldn't help but stare at each other. They "indeed." want to ask some questions and rope him into the Alchemist Association.
"I might sound rude, but the Alchemist Association is not my go-to. Your method isn't compatible with mine and too old-fashioned." Baek Ain suddenly added.
"Not to mention, there is the possibility of you shamelessly using my formula."
"I don't want to share it unless you're my loyal subordinate..."
"Goodbye." Baek Ain opened the door and used Shadow Tiger's Steps, leaving Fa Ma and other alchemist elders.
Fa Ma laughed as he shook his head, "Aih, youngsters these days."
"What should we do?" One Elder asked.
"Well, I can't blame him for being too cautious." Fa Ma stared at the corridor.
"Send Baek Ain's rewards with some extra to the Miteer Family."
"His words are too straight, but he indirectly said to build a better connection with him first."
"The future of Alchemy lies within that young man."