The Tiger Clawfish represented intermediate-level threat classification—respectable power, but irrelevant to his current objectives. Ye Tian maneuvered around the predator's territory and continued deeper into Lake of Death's aquatic maze.
His copying talent had evolved alongside his cultivation advancement. Elite Martial Artist status expanded detection range from three meters to ten—tripling his surveillance capabilities in the lightless depths.
"Nothing can hide within my scanning radius."
Time crawled forward as he navigated between territorial boundaries. Dozens of aquatic fierce beasts registered within his supernatural awareness—some harmless, others potentially lethal.
The most dangerous encounter occurred when a high-level fierce beast entered detection range. Fortunately, ten-meter advance warning combined with the creature's lack of active spiritual probing allowed successful evasion.
Even with Elite classification, direct confrontation with high-level opponents remained suicidal.
Thirty minutes into the hunt.
His scanning ability suddenly detected the impossible—a small colony of creatures matching his exact target specifications.
Species: Lighthouse Jellyfish
Bloodline Talent: Elementary
Healing Talent: Top
"Top-level healing talent!"
Shock paralyzed his nervous system completely. He'd anticipated intermediate or advanced grade capabilities at best—legendary classification exceeded his wildest projections.
This was his first encounter with top-tier genetic potential. Such abilities transcended normal biological limitations through mechanisms that approached true supernatural phenomena.
"Copy immediately. No hesitation."
The lighthouse jellyfish colony drifted through the water with ethereal grace, their bioluminescent forms creating constellation patterns in absolute darkness. Individual specimens seemed harmless—palm-sized creatures with tentacles that pulsed with organic rhythm.
But he understood their legendary reputation among Elite warriors. Swarms could penetrate even advanced defenses through coordinated assault, while their regenerative capabilities made conventional killing methods largely ineffective.
Stealth approach was mandatory.
Shadow talent maintained perfect concealment as he selected an isolated target. The moment his fingertips made contact with jellyfish tissue, copying activation transferred top-level healing genetics into his possession.
Mission accomplished.
Immediate retreat became his sole priority. Agitating the colony would trigger defensive responses that could attract larger Lake of Death predators—a scenario his current capabilities couldn't survive.
He withdrew from the aquatic zone with methodical precision, each movement calculated to avoid detection by the countless territorial creatures surrounding him.
Surface Emergence
Standing on solid ground again, relief flooded through his system like warm honey. Lake of Death's lethal reputation was well-earned—survival demanded respect for its apex predators.
"Immediate departure mandatory."
Distance from the lake meant safety from its most dangerous inhabitants. The familiar cave that had sheltered him during previous wilderness expeditions provided perfect isolation for the coming transformation.
Genetic Revolution
"Fusion."
BOOM!
Cellular metamorphosis erupted throughout his physiology with intensity that dwarfed every previous talent integration. If microscopic observation were possible, the process would reveal individual cells undergoing evolutionary reconstruction—basic human biology transcending into something fundamentally superior.
Top-level talent fusion demanded comprehensive physiological rewriting. Every organ system, every tissue structure, every genetic sequence required modification to accommodate capabilities that existed beyond normal human parameters.
The agony was indescribable. Previous integrations seemed gentle by comparison to this complete biological revolution.
But ecstasy accompanied the torture—he was witnessing his own transformation into something approaching true immortality.
Time became meaningless as reconstruction continued. Eventually, overwhelming relief replaced unbearable pain as the process reached completion.
Talent Assessment:
Name: Ye Tian
Cultivation Talent: Advanced
Speed Talent: Elementary
Knife Talent: Intermediate
Shadow Talent: Elementary
Healing Talent: Top
Experimental Verification
Drawing his knife, he made a deliberate cut across his forearm—deep enough to sever muscle tissue and cause substantial bleeding.
The wound closed in less than one second. Flesh knitted together with supernatural efficiency, leaving unmarked skin where damage had existed moments before.
"Incredible."
Such regenerative power approached true invincibility for most combat scenarios. Unless injuries were immediately fatal, his survival probability had increased exponentially.
But rational analysis tempered his enthusiasm. Healing consumed energy reserves—prolonged damage would eventually exhaust his enhancement capabilities. Against overwhelming opposition, regeneration would merely delay inevitable death rather than prevent it.
Strength remained the ultimate foundation of survival.
Economic Revolution
The following two weeks transformed his financial situation through systematic beast hunting optimization.
A Yuan Force-powered truck cost one million yuan—expensive, but the investment multiplied his daily transportation capacity dramatically. Where previous expeditions yielded individual creature materials, mechanical enhancement enabled bulk harvesting operations.
Top-level healing talent eliminated most intermediate-beast threats to his personal safety. High-level creatures remained dangerous, but such encounters were statistically rare in accessible hunting territories.
Mathematical efficiency reached unprecedented levels.
Loan eliminated. Five million yuan accumulated. Massive intermediate beast blood reserves secured.
Financial freedom had been achieved within months rather than years.
Cultivation Acceleration
With unlimited resources and supernatural regeneration, Ye Tian pushed cultivation intensity beyond normal human tolerance. Transitional damage from excessive training was instantly healed, allowing continuous advancement without recovery periods.
Half a month of extreme dedication yielded extraordinary results.
Thirty thousand pounds of physical strength.
Advanced cultivation talent combined with premium resources and healing support had compressed years of normal development into weeks of intensive effort. Other advanced-grade geniuses required months to achieve equivalent progression.
Offensive Talent Selection
Raw power was insufficient for his long-term objectives. Peak Elite Martial Artists possessed up to one hundred thousand pounds of strength—he remained significantly outclassed despite rapid advancement.
His current talent portfolio emphasized survival and utility over direct combat effectiveness. Healing, speed, shadows, weapon mastery—all valuable, but none provided the overwhelming offensive power needed to compete with peak-tier opponents.
"Next target: direct attack enhancement."
The comprehensive beast atlas contained hundreds of species profiles. Somewhere within those pages lay creatures possessing the genetic keys to devastating combat abilities.
"Mighty Bear—intermediate fierce beast with suspected strength talent."
Analysis: Elementary or inferior grade strength enhancement. Useful but insufficient for his requirements.
"Flame Bird—intermediate fierce beast with fire manipulation capabilities."
Analysis: Elementary flame talent at best. Modest improvement over his current offensive options.
His gaze continued scanning until one particular entry captured complete attention.
"Perfect target identified."
Excitement blazed through his consciousness as strategic possibilities crystallized. This creature possessed exactly what his advancement required—the genetic foundation for transcending Elite classification limitations.
The hunt for ultimate power was about to escalate dramatically.
[End of Chapter 25]