The Sheep Enlightenment Gemstone flew out of Skye's palm toward the pile of giant lizard corpses, stacked like a small hill.
As the gemstone touched the corpses, they began to dissolve. Wisps of red energy emerged from the gemstone and entered the bodies of the sheep circling the hill. One by one, the sheep collapsed into a half-conscious state before drifting into sleep.
A few minutes later, Big Sheep slowly opened his eyes. Rising to his feet, he walked past the other sheep, who remained on the ground, asleep. He approached Skye hesitantly, opened his mouth, and a hoarse voice escaped:
"F... the... r."
________
Skye sat atop Big Sheep as the flock followed behind.
"Father, where are we going?" Big Sheep asked.
Skye smiled, pointing toward a distant hill. "There."
Big Sheep remained quiet for a moment before voicing the question that had been troubling him.
"Father, why do you look so different from us?"
Skye smiled again. "You'll know the answer after you grow stronger."
It wasn't a big secret—Skye's soul was human, and the body he inhabited was merely a vessel. For a soul to thrive, it needed a body that complemented it. Skye had created his current form to suit his human soul. While he could inhabit other bodies, doing so for long periods would lead to eventual harm.
For the rest of the journey, Big Sheep walked in silence.
Half a day later, they reached their destination.
Skye leapt down from Big Sheep and said, "Rest here and get familiar with this place. We'll be staying for quite a while."
The next day.
"Big Sheep, take the flock with you and hunt together," Skye instructed.
Big Sheep nodded. "I'll be careful."
"Be cautious," Skye warned. "The animals here are far more dangerous."
Turning to the flock, Big Sheep shouted, "Everyone, gather around me!"
The sheep stopped grazing and moved toward him. As the largest and most powerful sheep—second only to Skye—Big Sheep was their natural leader.
"From now on, we'll hunt together. Let's go," he commanded, leading the way.
The adult sheep exchanged glances before following him, while the lambs stayed behind.
One month later.
"Father, look! We managed to hunt a Stage 2 beast!" Fiery Sheep exclaimed, pointing her hoof at a group of sheep dragging a 15-meter-tall lizard, along with piles of smaller lizard corpses.
"Good! You all worked hard," Skye said with a nod.
The Sheep Enlightenment Gemstone flew from his palm toward the corpses. As they dissolved, wisps of energy spread among the sheep. This time, most of them woke within minutes.
Another month later.
Skye was experimenting with a pile of materials when a lamb ran toward him, wide-eyed with excitement.
"Father, look! I found something strange. It's so weird!" the lamb exclaimed.
Skye took the colorless crystal from the lamb's mouth,' So, they've finally found it.'
"Here, eat it," Skye said.
The lamb hesitated. "Umm… okay." It swallowed the crystal, blinking in surprise. "Oh, it melted!"
"How do you feel?" Skye asked.
"Refreshed," the lamb replied, the sensation still vivid in its mind.
"Good. That's a soul crystal. It strengthens your soul. Now, I want you to gather the others and search the hill for more."
The lamb looked stunned—it was clearly too much information for its little brain to process.
"Go," Skye urged.
"I'll find a mountain of them!" the lamb promised, dashing off to rally its friends.
One year later.
"I did it!" Misty Sheep—Big Sheep and Fiery Sheep's child—shouted excitedly.
Misty ran to Skye. "Father, look!" he said, making a stone hover in the air using his soul.
"Quite good," Skye said with an approving nod, motioning Misty closer. "Now, try manipulating this corpse."
As more soul stones were found, more sheep strengthened their souls. When their numbers reached a certain threshold, Skye taught them his Mutation Technique, along with basic research knowledge.
This sparked a significant change. The sheep developed a barter system. Every sheep sought strength, but the uncertainty of regular mutation methods made it risky. Skye's technique offered a safer path.
Thanks to the flock's hunting efforts, the surrounding area grew noticeably safer. Smaller teams formed, gathering resources and trading excess materials with one another. The corpses they collected were brought to Skye. With the Sheep Enlightenment Gemstone enhancing their comprehension, the flock grew adept at the Mutation Technique.
Around this time, Skye introduced the concept of taxes—something the innocent sheep readily accepted.
Absorption.
Physical Body Strengthening Mutation Technique.
Skye touched the materials laid before him, one by one, as each turned to dust. Their energy flowed into his body. Carefully, he controlled the energy, absorbing it in a precise sequence.
His blood boiled, and his muscles writhed.
'Now', Skye thought resolutely, beginning his second metamorphosis. Steam rose from his body as he endured the pain, continuing to absorb energy from the materials.
Half a day later.
'It went smoothly', Skye thought, activating one of his skills.
A blue window appeared in front of him, displaying his stats:
[Name: Skye
Level: 2 (Each consecutive level multiplies all stats by 1.3)
Lifespan: 12 / 29.5 years
Realm: First Realm, Stage Two
Race: Humanoid Sheep
Stats:
Strength: 2
Dexterity: 2
Constitution: 2
Comprehension: 7
Soul: 1.3
Energy: 1.3
Affinity:
Fire: 2
Others: 1
Talent: Monster Physique (Physical stats multiply by 1.2)
Mutation Technique: Physical Body Strengthening Mutation Technique
Skills: Abnormal Regeneration, Controlled Limit Removal, Status, Absorption]