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--- Chapter 122 ---
The next day.
Beast Taming Gate, Underground's Seclusion Cave.
Baek Ain meditated without moving an inch. He's like a firm mountain locked onto the ground, sitting majestically.
[Absorbing 10.000 years old Great Honey Milk Tree's Essence]
[Massive influx of Life Force is awakening the Ashen-Eyed Behemoth's Bloodline!]
Throb!
Baek Ain's whole body twitched as he let out a muffled groan. He bit his lips and endured the throbbing sensation and pain, awakening Ashen-Eyed Behemoth's Bloodline with all focus he had.
Brownish-white energy flowed from Baek Ain's throat to his abdomen, cleansing impurities from his body. Cracks appeared on Baek Ain's skin and spread from stomach to chest.
It was akin to someone ripping Baek Ain's skin, but this pain level was nothing. Baek Ain possessed extreme Pain Resistance and was "actually." accustomed to self-harming himself when making parasites.
Crack!
Baek Ain's right arm bends as the bone inside cracks into pieces. And followed by another bone breaking, making Baek Ain look like jelly.
However, he still maintained his posture.
White mist covered Baek Ain's broken bones and healed them, mending each other back to the original place. His flesh squirmed one after another and squished against his bones.
Blood started spilling all over the ground, wetting the cave floor with redness and heat. Unlike others, Baek Ain's blood is unique as it contains Ashen-Eyed Bloodline but still maintains his human quality.
A yellow flame burned brightly on Baek Ain's eyebrows, crawling slowly to his lower body. And three-colored lightning danced wildly, causing a small-scale storm in the cave.
[Ding! A variation detected!]
[Please choose your path of physical evolution]
[Pure Sage Physique(100% success rate)]
[Tyrant Sage Physique(90% success rate)]
[Five Elements Sage Physique(69% success rate)]
[Ashen-Blood Sage Physique(50% success rate)]
[Myriad Behemoth Sage Physique(20% success rate)]
[Ding! Upon choosing one of the five, Sun-Eater Serpent Physique and Three-Colored Lightning Physique will get sacrificed]
'Alicia, explain all the information.' Baek Ain calmly commanded while enduring constant breaking and recovery of his body.
[Okay, Host]
[Pure Sage Physique, a low-ranked celestial body birthed through extreme absorption of Wood Energy]
[Tyrant Sage Physique, a low-ranked celestial body molded through the usage of Wood Energy and Fire Energy within your body]
[Five Elements Sage Physique. A middle-ranked celestial body formed by absorbing five elements and fusing them into one vessel.
[Ashen-Blood Sage Physique, a middle-ranked celestial body tempered Wood Energy and Ashen-Eyed Behemoth Bloodline]
[Myriad Behemoth Sage Physique, middle-ranked celestial body birthed through a hybrid of Five Elements Sage Physique and Ashen-Blood Sage Physique. Combining the versatility of Five Elements and Ashen-Eyed Behemoth's Bloodline]
[Please choose your path wisely, Host]
[I wish you luck] Alicia encouraged him.
Baek Ain smiled at the system panel, weighing the important five choices before him. He'd pick the safest one usually, but Pure Sage Physique is too bland for his liking.
Tyrant Sage Physique and Five Element Sage Physique aren't bad. Yet Baek Ain is still leaning toward the last two.
There is no such thing as a safe choice.
Only a Wise choice.
If Baek Ain wanted to grow stronger quickly, he had to pick a dangerous path and survive. He doesn't have much time, either.
Less than two years to destroy the Hall of Soul. And even less time to find and kill the irregularity of this world.
Baek Ain believed in his foundations and also hoped for luck to come at this very moment. "I can't be a pussy, right?" He laughed and picked the fifth choice.
[Ding! You have chosen Myriad Behemoth Sage Physique]
[Sun-Eater Serpent Physique and Three-Colored Lightning Physique will get sacrificed]
[Golden Crow and White Tiger's Blessing activated and acted as Primary Sources of Fire and Metal Elements]
[Great Honey Milk Tree's Essence Used as Primary Source of Wood Element]
[Ding! Host lacked Water and Earth Element Sources]
[Searching for alternatives...]
[Using Gnome's Flame as the Primary Source of Earth Element and Subsidiary Source of Fire Element]
[Using Sea Heart Flame as the Primary Source of Water Element and Subsidiary Source of Fire Elements]
[Ding! The resources aren't enough]
[Searching for more Subsidiary Sources of Water and Earth Elements]
[Sacrificing 3000 Ocean Heart Gem and 10.500 Heavenly Pure Lotus Flower Petals as the Subsidiary Source of Water Element]
[Sacrificing 100 Geocentric Deep Crystal and 6.999 Earth-Shattering Chunks as the Subsidiary Earth Source of Earth Element]
[Commencing Sage Body's Evolution...]
Baek Ain's heart bleeds when hearing the notification his resources get sacrificed. Those four materials are S and SS Grade Materials he gathered and mined personally, which he could use later to make pills and artifacts.
He sighed helplessly and waited for the process.
Cracks!
Five elements suddenly appeared from the depth of his heart and burst out, causing five-colored light to flicker in the cave.
"Kuugh." Baek Ain gritted his teeth.
He clenched his hand and felt the five elements clash hour after hour, swarming every inch of his body in discomfort. Five orbs represented Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water Elements formed slowly within Baek Ain's energy pathway.
A day later.
Baek Ain coughed blood profusely and felt the five elements merging into one core. The five elemental cores seemingly melted and became the greenish gold-colored core, rotating slowly.
However, the process is far from over.
Baek Ain's hazel-gold eyes widened as an electric shock-like wave struck his body.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGHHH!"
After not feeling pain for months, Baek Ain finally screamed in pain.
The feeling of your own blood exploding happened inside Baek Ain's flesh, burning with red-colored smoke. His hair and bones have long become ashes, and his skin has evaporated, leaving only pulsating red and white fleshes.
Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
Baek Ain's Healing Factor kicked in, recovering him to his original state.
Only to be blown into fleshy red and white slimes.
Baek Ain's brain has become mush, not allowing him to think deeply besides chanting two words.
"Stay Focused."
One thought flashed, and another one stayed. Baek Ain's Parallel Thinking is "deeply." immersed in the feeling of near death.
Time and Space are "bizarrely." distorted because of Ashen-Eyed Behemoth's Awakening, flowing the cave with nearly endless energy.
[The Host will undergo Soul Transition now...]
TING!
A bright golden flash welcomed Baek Ain. Several figures of women appeared and greeted him with a smile.
Baek Ain couldn't see these women's faces, yet somewhat familiar with their auras.
The world turned upside down as the surrounding area crumbled like puzzle pieces. Baek Ain roared, sensing the change in his soul.
A drop of water fell on Baek Ain's face, waking him up.
He opened his eyes with great difficulty and appeared in a still world of a plain white floor and a pale blue sky.
"You've come, my Champion." A pleasant voice invaded Baek Ain's ears and soul.
He turned around and saw an ethereal beauty, even more than any woman he had encountered. She hovered in the air, lying on a seemingly white blanket pillow.
The goddess before Baek Ain possessed a fair face and long dreamy hair. Her beautiful black eyes sparkled with stars, a sharp yet soft nose touched with pinkness, and thin red lips pursed into a smile.
The goddess's body is perfect based on Baek Ain's taste. Her mountains are "thoroughly." covered in a white silk dress flowing down to her thin waist and massive rear.
Baek Ain calmed himself and looked at the goddess, "You're the Goddess of Opportunity?"
"Correct." The goddess opened her mouth and answered. "I believe this is our first meeting."
"So, let me explain a few things first."
Her tone is aloof and almost monotonous or emotionless in a way. But it couldn't hide her charming voice.
"This place is the Astral Soul Realm. A place where the Constellations and their champions met with each other."
"Usually, this meeting is invalid because you are too weak to stand before my presence... But 1st Soul Transition grants you the privilege to meet me and gain your first ever Stigmata."
"Stigmata is an innate power similar to your Innate Skills but much more profound. Every champion obtained it when they finished their first Constellation Quest, but you get it before that."
"You're the first ever to accomplish such a thing."
"I've watched you for months, witnessing your shortcomings and victories against powerful enemies. And your luck surprised me."
"You're truly an abnormal champion, Baek Ain."
"Should I be proud?" Baek Ain returned blandly. He didn't have a pleasant sight of the Goddess of Opportunity.
And he somewhat despised her from the depth of his heart.
Of course, the Constellations noticed Baek Ain's displeasure and shook her head. "I know you hated me." She said calmly.
"But you will soon understand why I issued those quests."
"I just don't want you to die early..."
"Not before you attained greatness... Just like that man." The goddess blinked, gazing at the boundless blue sky.
"I'll put aside my feelings." Baek Ain sighed because the woman before him was a Super Powerful Entity. She could kill and destroy his soul, but she didn't. "Can you explain how I can get my Stigmata?"
The Goddess of Opportunity approached Baek Ain, kissing him on the forehead like a mother kissing her children for a blessing.
"Be strong, Ain."
"The real stage has yet to be created. Cosmos and Order will belong to one who stands above others."
"We still have a chance."
"Finish your quest as soon as possible and use the exclusive World Travelling Ticket. After that, I'll issue the Constellation Quest and grant your second Stigmata."
Baek Ain felt a change in his soul, having the overwhelming sensation override his instinct. It was Powerful and Endless.
"Then, My Champion..." The Goddess of Opportunity whispered while hugging him with her perfect body.
"Open your eyes."
...
...
Baek Ain's eyes are wide open.
He sat up and looked around, finding himself in the secluded cave.
[Ding! You have attained Myriad Behemoth Sage Physique]
[Ding! You have leveled ups]
[You have reached 5-Star Dou Venerate]
[A massive change has happened to your body, increasing all attributes by 200%]
[Your race has evolved to "Humanoid Behemoth."]
[You have fully experienced 1st Soul Transition]
[Your Soul has reached to Low Mystic Realm]
[You have obtained 1st Stigmata: Superbia]