Substances were divided into three levels: Low Level, Middle Level, and High Level.
Individuals between Level 11 and Level 100—those ranging from Warrior Rank to Legend Rank could only use Low Level substances, as their source cores were incapable of handling Middle or High Level ones.
Once a person reached Level 101 and became a Planetary Being, their source core goes though a big transformation and gain access to Middle Level substances, which not only increased the strength of their powers by four to six times but also came with various additional effects.
To use a High Level substance, however, one needed to reach Level 501 and step into the realm of a Cosmic King Level being.
Substances also came in many different varieties. For example, there were wind substances that could only be used by individuals with wind powers, and water substances that could only be used by those who wielded the power of water.
Most substances were formed in places saturated with their corresponding elemental energy. For instance, Planet Sovara, that Oliver just spoke of was rich in wind elemental energy and frequently produced substances related to the wind element.
The majority of substances simply provided an increase in power and nothing more. However, on rare occasions, some powerful substances were born with additional effects, such as granting special attributes beyond power enhancement or improving the wielder's physical condition and many other effects.
As Azrael examined the information about the first substance through his status window, his eyebrow rose slightly in surprise.
---) Hurricane Wind Substance (Low Level): A wind substance formed under the nourishment of rich wind elemental energy and hurricanes over the course of two hundred years. Upon embedding, it increases the strength of the user's wind powers by two times. In addition, it also grants 5% resistance against the wind element.
'A full two times increase… that's the highest boost a Low Level substance can provide. And on top of that, it also gives 5% resistance against the wind element.'
Azrael picked up a note from inside the box, which contained the details of the Hurricane Wind Substance and to make it appear as though he had learned about it solely from the note, he read through it carefully
After reading the note, Azrael placed the Hurricane Wind Substance back into its box and picked up the second one.
Although the Hurricane Wind Substance was excellent, offering the full two times boost, its additional effect of 5% wind resistance was useless to Azrael.
He already possessed 100% resistance against wind element thanks to the Heart of Wind he had used when activating his powers.
Inside the second box lay a small, nail-sized rock glowing faintly with a blue light. Azrael lifted it into his hand and examined its information.
---) Azure Wind Substance (Low Level): A top-quality Low Level wind substance formed on a remote island in the middle of the sea. Upon embedding, it increases the strength of the user's wind powers by 1.9 times. In addition, because it was influenced by the water element during its creation, it greatly enhances the user's physical defense at the time of embedding.
Azrael studied the glowing rock in his hand with a deep expression, his mind working quickly.
Although the Azure Wind Substance only boosted his wind powers by 1.9 times instead of the full two times, its additional effect of greatly enhancing physical defense was tempting.
However, there was a problem.
'Enhances physical defense during the time of embedding…' Azrael muttered, sighing.
What that meant was clear. The physical defense enhancement was a one-time effect. His physical defense would increase only during the moment of embedding, but once the process was complete, he wouldn't receive any enhancement afterwards.
'If it could continue to enhance physical defense even after embedding, I might have considered choosing it. But to settle for a 1.9 times increase just for a one-time physical defense boost…' Azrael shook his head and after reading the note of the Azure Wind substance, he placed it back into its box.
There was another reason why he dismissed the Azure Wind Substance. The defense skill he had chosen earlier from the skill library also had the ability to improve his physical defense.
Although practicing that skill would be grueling and cause him considerable pain during training, he was confident in his ability to master it. As such, he quickly eliminated the Azure Wind Substance from his list of options.
"It seems this one is not to your liking," Oliver remarked with a smile after observing Azrael's expression.
Azrael nodded. "Honestly, choosing a substance that only increases power by 1.9 times instead of two just for a one-time defense enhancement doesn't seem like a good deal to me."
Oliver nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Not only that, but the enhancement it provides at your current level wouldn't be very significant. If it weren't for your request to look for a substance that could improve the physical body, I wouldn't have included it here."
Azrael acknowledged his words with another nod and turned his gaze toward the final box.
"Go ahead. This one is the best among them," Oliver encouraged, noticing where Azrael was looking.
'The best one…' Azrael arched an eyebrow and opened the third box.
As soon as the lid was lifted, gusts of black wind surged out, sweeping across the room. Azrael paid them no mind and focused his gaze on the object within.
The item inside was a small animal skull.
'A rat's skull?' Azrael wondered, staring at the strange substance.
"This substance came from the Underworld Plane, so it's normal for it to look a little unusual," Oliver explained, noticing Azrael's puzzled expression.
'The Underworld Plane…' For some reason, Azrael felt his heart skip a beat when he heard those words. These words alone stirred a strange unease in his chest, as if some part of him already knew the winds of that realm.
Taking a steadying breath, he reached out and touched the skull. Instantly, its information appeared before him.
---) Nether Wind Substance: Formed in the dead zone of the Underworld under the nourishment of Yin winds. Upon embedding, it increases the strength of the user's wind powers by two times. The Nether Wind Substance possesses the devouring property, which allows it to break the highest limit of a two-times increase imposed on Low Level substances and reach even higher levels.