Before the corpse of the Puffadder Viper, Silas's fusion had reached its most critical and perilous moment.
The residual will of the Second Rank magical beast was far more violent and vast than that of any First Rank beast, crashing against his sea of consciousness like a tidal wave. The energy it contained, imbued with potent venom and earth power, flooded into his body, bringing unprecedented agony. His meridians felt as if pierced by countless red-hot needles and crushed by heavy boulders. His bones groaned under the strain, muscle fibers constantly tearing only to be forcibly repaired. On his skin, patterns resembling the viper's dark scales faintly appeared, only to quickly fade, repeating in a cycle.
This was a fierce battle between bestial instinct and human will, a brutal fusion of foreign power and life's origin. Silas clung to a sliver of clarity within his mind, pushing his newly advanced Second Rank Initial Stage soul power to its limit, like a beacon guiding him through the savage ocean of bestiality. Simultaneously, the powerful recovery granted by the Law of Life became his greatest reliance, constantly repairing the damage from the fusion and harmonizing the two distinctly different life energies.
The process was long and painful, as if centuries had passed. The light in the gorge gradually dimmed; night was approaching.
Finally, when the last vestige of the viper's violent energy was completely subdued by the Law of Life and meekly integrated into his own energy circulation system, Silas's entire body shuddered violently, as if some internal shackle had been shattered!
BOOM!
An aura far more powerful than before erupted from him, causing the air around him to stir! The already abundant Qi and blood power within him surged like rivers, becoming more refined and vigorous. The density of his muscles and bones increased further, containing explosive strength. His five senses sharpened again, especially his perception of earth vibrations, which became exceptionally clear, even allowing him to faintly sense subtle movements deep underground.
His physical realm, reaching its natural conclusion, advanced to the First Rank Peak Stage!
The traits of the nine magical beasts now achieved a subtle balance and fusion within him, forming an incredibly solid foundation. Nine Beasts Perfected! He felt his physical strength had reached an astonishing level; relying on bodily power alone, he could crush ordinary practitioners of the same rank.
Silas slowly opened his eyes. A flash of sharp light vanished in their depths, replaced by a profound, unruffled calm. He exhaled a long, turbid breath, which actually carried a faint, cloying scent—the last remnants of the venom being expelled.
Having successfully fused the ninth beast and advanced to the First Rank Peak, his power had greatly increased, but Silas wasn't blinded by joy. He knew well that this place was unsafe. The thick scent of blood had long since spread, liable to attract more terrifying predators at any moment.
He stood up and began searching the bodies of the Greenwood Family disciples more carefully. This time, he made a new discovery. Within the inner garments of Lynn, Lina, and two other higher-status youths, he found palm-sized metal tokens. The tokens were exquisitely crafted, bearing the engraved vine crest of the Greenwood Family on the reverse. The front was inscribed with the holder's name and simple informational codes, such as "Lynn Greenwood," "Lina Hess" (Hess likely being her maternal or retainer clan's surname), etc.
"Identity tokens..." Silas rubbed the cool tokens, his mind becoming active. With these, he might have a chance to infiltrate Essence Grace City. That city was the Greenwood Family's stronghold, the most dangerous place, but often danger held great opportunities and resources.
However, a major problem presented itself: how to change his appearance? His face, after years in the mine, though changed, might still be recognized by someone looking carefully. Impersonating someone as distinctive as Lynn or Lina was too risky.
Just as he pondered this, a thought struck him like lightning—
The Law of Life! Controlling life energy!
If he could guide life energy to accelerate herbs and heal his own wounds... could he manipulate his own life energy more precisely, affecting flesh, blood, and even bones, to alter his appearance, height, and weight?
The idea was extremely bold, almost fantastical. It required exquisitely fine control over life energy and a thorough understanding of human anatomy. The slightest mistake could lead to necrotic tissue, dislocated bones, turning him into a real monster.
But a flame ignited in Silas's eyes. His newly broken-through Second Rank Initial Stage soul provided mental control and perception far beyond before! And the Medical Bone Chip gifted by Old Elmer contained detailed knowledge of human meridians, bones, and muscles!
The conditions seemed... to be in place!
Action followed thought. Silas immediately sat down cross-legged, his consciousness sinking inward. He first recalled the detailed structure of facial bones and muscles from the bone chip, then attempted to mobilize the power of the Law of Life—no longer for crude repair or acceleration, but for extremely precise "micro-manipulation."
He selected the weakest and most ordinary-looking youth among the deceased—a branch family disciple named "Finn Cole." Using him as a template, he began the attempt.
The process was more difficult and painful than imagined. Directing life energy with his will, like the finest scalpel, he carefully stimulated the growth plates at the ends of his facial bones, causing minute deformations; adjusted the distribution of subcutaneous fat; altered the direction and thickness of muscle fibers... Each adjustment was accompanied by needle-like pain and severe depletion of his soul force.
Sweat soon soaked his clothes, veins bulging on his forehead. But relying on his powerful willpower and the support of his Second Rank soul, he endured.
Time passed. Finally, when Silas felt his soul force was nearly depleted, he stopped. He took out a small, exquisite silver mirror looted from one of the Greenwood disciples from his storage space.
The face in the mirror was completely unfamiliar. Somewhat youthful, pale (from soul exhaustion), with utterly ordinary features—the kind you'd lose in a crowd. It was the exact likeness of the deceased "Finn Cole"!
Success!
Silas touched his cheek. The sensation was real; the changes to muscles and bones were stable. As long as he maintained a faint output of life energy, this appearance wouldn't change. Unless he encountered an expert with a far higher soul realm who deliberately probed him, it would be extremely difficult to detect the disguise.
"From today, I am 'Finn Cole'," Silas (now Finn) whispered to himself, a cold glint in his eyes. Choosing this identity, weak in strength, was less likely to attract excessive attention, perfect for hiding.
He delayed no further, quickly erasing all traces that could expose his identity, especially the bodies and signs of battle, trying to disguise the scene as an attack by a powerful beast followed by scavenging. Then he carefully stored all the loot, including the important technique jade slips and identity tokens.
By the time he finished, deep night had enveloped the Beastfall Mountains. Ominous beast roars echoed in the distance; the blood scent was already taking effect.
"Finn" didn't dare stay. Choosing a direction, his figure vanished like a ghost into the depths of the forest. He needed to find a relatively safe place quickly to consolidate his new strength and familiarize himself with his new identity and abilities.
After running several dozen miles consecutively, finding a hidden cave concealed by thick vines, "Finn" finally relaxed slightly. But he knew well that the improvement in strength and change of identity required immediate consolidation and adaptation. He sat cross-legged, regulated his breathing slightly, and after recovering some of his soul power, he focused his mind, communicating with the ancient Mirror of Dueling in his sea of consciousness.
"Hum—"
A familiar slight dizziness washed over him. The surroundings twisted and reassembled instantly. The next moment, he was back in that gray, boundless mysterious space. But this time, the space seemed to have detected his surge in power and changing needs, producing new changes.
A cold, prompting thought directly entered his mind: "Detected strong combat memories and opponent data from the host. Specific environment and opponent simulation training available. Load 'Gorge Deathmatch' scenario?"
Silas (Finn) felt a stir in his heart and immediately responded, "Load!"
In an instant, the surroundings changed again! He was shockingly back in the misty gorge where he had just fought the bloody battle! Even the scents of blood and acidic venom in the air were simulated perfectly. Before him, the Second Rank Mid-Stage Puffadder Viper was coiled at the base of the cliff, its cold vertical pupils locked onto him, issuing a threatening hiss! Even more alarming, behind the viper, the figures of Hawk, Wolf, Lina, and the other Greenwood disciples slowly materialized! Their eyes were vacant, but they emitted energy fluctuations identical to when they were alive, like controlled puppets!
"They can even simulate them? And combine them for battle?" A flicker of surprise passed through Silas's eyes, quickly replaced by intense fighting spirit. "Perfect! I'll use you to sharpen my skills, to familiarize myself with my current power!"
The battle erupted instantly!
The simulated Puffadder Viper attacked first, its massive body charging with a foul wind, venom spraying! Hawk and Wolf aggressively flanked him, their water-parting spikes and war knife whistling through the air! Lina and the others formed up on the periphery, launching harassing spiritual energy attacks!
If this were the pre-breakthrough Silas, facing such a siege would mean a bitter struggle, fraught with danger. But now, he had achieved Nine Beasts Perfected, his body was at the First Rank Peak, and his soul had reached the Second Rank Initial Stage!
Facing the viper's charge, Silas didn't dodge. With a thought, the darker, more solid Energy Claws snapped out from his ten fingers! Simultaneously, Earth Sense expanded fully. The trajectory of the viper's lunge, the points of muscle exertion, even the tiny vibrations preceding its venom spray, were all clearly fed back to his mind.
"Break!"
He shouted low, his body ghostly sliding half a step to the side, narrowly avoiding the venom, his claws slashing out in a cross! Shred! This time, the Energy Claws cut through the viper's tough scales like a hot knife through butter, leaving two deep, bone-gouging wounds! Black blood sprayed out!
The viper shrieked in pain! But Hawk and Wolf's attacks were already upon him!
Feeling the torrential surge of Qi and blood power within him and the spiritual energy that obeyed his will more freely than ever, an unprecedented sense of power filled Silas. His left claw deflected Hawk's cunning spike thrust, while his right leg swept out like a steel whip, carrying the Striped Tiger's great strength. It arrived later but struck first, kicking Wolf's wrist heavily!
Crack! The simulated Wolf's wrist snapped audibly, his war knife flying away! Even though it was a simulation, the realistic feedback let Silas clearly feel the terrifying growth of his power.
His body turned again, as if merging with the wind—a combination of the Brush Antelope's flexibility and the Sharp-Eyed Hawk's agility! He easily avoided the spiritual energy attacks from Lina and the others, instantly breaking into their formation!
The Energy Claws swept forth like a scythe! These simulated First Rank cultivators were almost powerless before him! The claws tore through their spiritual energy shields as if they were paper. Amidst shrill screams (though simulated), Lina and her companions were quickly "killed" and dissipated.
The entire process was fluid and effortless! A world of difference compared to his bedraggled state and life-risking trades in the real gorge!
Finally, only the severely wounded viper and the one-armed Hawk remained. Silas didn't even use the Energy Absorption/Rebound ability. Relying purely on the physical strength, speed, reflexes, and sharpness of the Energy Claws brought by Nine Beasts Perfected, he utterly defeated the simulated Hawk within ten moves, then tore the struggling viper to pieces!
The gray space returned to normal; all simulated enemies vanished. Silas stood in place, breathing slightly heavily, not from fatigue, but from excitement. He clearly felt his own power! A First Rank Peak body, combined with Second Rank Initial Stage soul perception, and the all-around enhancement from nine beast traits, had caused a qualitative leap in his combat ability!
The light and shadow changed again. He needed to start practicing how to conceal his strength, how to fight using the identity of an "ordinary" branch family disciple of the Greenwood Family. This was far more difficult than all-out combat, but also more important.
In repeated simulated battles, Silas (Finn) continuously honed his newly increased power, tempered his disguise skills, and simultaneously digested the knowledge from the "Detailed Guide to Basic Spiritual Energy Channeling," attempting to integrate more efficient spiritual energy application techniques into himself.
Outside the cave, the night deepened, utterly silent. Inside, Silas's consciousness remained within the artifact space, engaged in high-intensity combat training.