Chapter 59: One Month Later
Just like with [Cold Resistance], it only took Baishi three days to develop [High Temperature Resistance].
Initially, this could have taken even less time, considering that the high temperatures at the bottom of the hot spring were incomparable to the natural climate of the Land of Iron.
However, Baishi couldn't stay underwater for long periods, and the frequent use of the Flying Thunder God Technique to enter and exit the water used up a significant amount of chakra, extending the process to three days.
His chakra levels were much higher than a year ago; otherwise, he wouldn't have had enough for even those three days.
Once he had the initial ability to resist high temperatures, Baishi immediately began to evolve his skin to draw oxygen from water, hoping to acquire this capability as quickly as possible.
Five days later, a new ability appeared on Baishi's panel—[Absorbing Skin].
He named it so because his expectations for it extended beyond just extracting oxygen; he planned to guide its evolution to absorb external energy.
If this idea became reality, one could imagine the despair of his enemies. Their attacks would not only fail to harm him but would also power him up—an unacceptable scenario for anyone.
However, achieving this goal wouldn't be easy.
How to absorb different types of energy, how to convert and store this energy, and how to ensure it wouldn't cause him to burst were all challenges.
But Baishi was not in a hurry; he had time.
Returning to [Absorbing Skin], although level I [Absorbing Skin] was not very effective—providing just enough oxygen for an additional five minutes underwater—it was a start.
These extra five minutes allowed him to reduce the number of trips back and forth, saving chakra that could be used to speed up the evolution of both [Absorbing Skin] and [High Temperature Resistance].
The evolution of these abilities would enable him to stay underwater even longer, creating a positive feedback loop.
It was foreseeable that soon he would be able to move freely at the bottom of the hot spring.
With such expectations, Baishi rested and once again entered the hot spring, letting the days pass by.
······
One month later.
In the underground river.
Baishi sat cross-legged atop the giant mound, unaffected by the scorching heat emanating from below.
Oxygen dissolved in the water entered his body through his skin, sustaining his life, while the immense underwater pressure provided an 'acceleration buff' for the evolution of his [Physique].
Suddenly, Baishi opened his eyes, and several bubbles escaped from his mouth and nose.
Clearly, he had reached his limit.
Activating the Flying Thunder God Technique, he instantly disappeared from the spot.
······
Next to the hot spring.
Baishi's figure quietly reappeared.
At this moment, he was like a person who had nearly suffocated, greedily drawing in the oxygen from the air.
However, unlike most people, Baishi wasn't just breathing through his mouth and nose; he was also fully utilizing his [Absorbing Skin].
Yes, after a month of evolution, his [Absorbing Skin] was no longer limited to extracting oxygen from water.
In the air, it could also absorb oxygen, and even more efficiently.
A few moments later, Baishi finally recovered.
Usually, he wouldn't push himself to such limits, but today was different. His [High Temperature Resistance] was close to advancing, which had delayed him slightly. Feeling the changes in his body, Baishi spoke, "System, display my status."
Immediately, the familiar semi-transparent panel appeared before him: [Host: Baishi Age: 9→10 / 69→70↑
－－Basic Attributes－－
Strength: 60.3→73.6↑
Agility: 60.5→74.1↑
Physique: 61.7→74.9↑
Intelligence: 60.6→73.8↑
Chakra: 29.1→60.5↑
－－Special Enhancements－－ Spatial Perception Enhancement: VII (0.1%)
Chakra Affinity: Earth: VI (8.5%) Water: VI (7.8%) Lightning: V (0.1%)↑ Mental Resistance: V (65.1%)→V (89.5%)↑ Self-Healing: V (11.1%)→V (81.7%)↑ Wood Release: V (50.5%)
Toxin Resistance: IV (78.3%)
Enhanced Senses: IV (25.3%)→IV (61.3%)↑ Cold Resistance: IV (43.2%)
*High Temperature Resistance: IV (0.1%)↑ *Absorbing Skin: III (31.5%)↑ Cell Adaptability: III (0.1%)
－－Abnormal Status－－]
"Level IV, 0.1%."
Baishi sighed in relief as he looked at the panel, particularly the level of [High Temperature Resistance].
Then, he turned his attention to [Absorbing Skin]. Although the underwater environment had accelerated its evolution up to level II, it was struggling at level III.
However, his gains weren't limited to this.
Despite the three-month delay due to the evolution of [Chakra Affinity: Lightning], his strength, intelligence, physique, and agility had each increased by about 13 points, breaking through the 70-point threshold.
Thanks to these improvements, his lifespan increased by a year, and both [Enhanced Senses] and [Mental Resistance] had each advanced significantly, moving him closer to the next level.
The least affected was the increase in his chakra limit.
As he expected, as his body developed, its growth accelerated.
In just seven months, his [Chakra] had doubled from 29.1 to 60.5, a remarkably fast growth rate.
Now, if he were to fully utilize the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique, creating 500 clones would be no issue, though he was not Naruto and did not need to use such tactics. For him, the Wood Clone Technique was more practical.
With his current chakra levels, he could easily create seven or eight clones, each as strong as a Jonin, which was more useful than a large number of fragile shadow clones.
Shifting his focus from 'Basic Attributes,' Baishi looked at the 'Special Enhancements' section, particularly [Wood Release].
Years had passed, and because he hadn't devoted time and energy to it, its level was still V, but its potential was nearly fully exploited.
"It's time to upgrade its level."
Muttering softly, Baishi closed the panel, then used the Flying Thunder God Technique to re-enter the underground river.
Upgrading [Wood Release] was not his immediate priority; he had another task at hand.
Standing on the mound, feeling the intense heat below, Baishi pondered for a moment before forming hand seals and using the Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Technique.
In the next moment, his body sank into the stony ground.
As he continued to infuse chakra into the ground, the surrounding rock began to behave like quicksand, slowly engulfing him.
Level IV [High Temperature Resistance] gave him the confidence to further explore this place.
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