A strong sense of confidence welled up in Ian’s heart. He didn’t really know how strong his battle power or his destructive power was. Certainly, he knew for sure that it must be miles away from before. Simply incomparable!
’That fruit actually turned an entire planet into its nourishment. Isn’t that a bit devious, though?’
Even now, Ian couldn’t imagine how that is even possible. How the hell could a tree devour an entire planet? What is Nine Paths? And how terrifying was the Supreme Race that even the system can’t say its name?
One thing is for sure... This world isn’t as simple as he thought! Beneath the surface, there was the so-called Supreme Race, which seemed to be planting trees on every planet and becoming stronger through them. Such a path is thoroughly ruthless.
How strong are they? At least, Ian speculates that every one them who had even one fruit must be planetary-level. As for their abilities, they must be something similar to his transformation or exactly the same, right?
As for those who had eaten two or more fruits? Ian shuddered at this thought and didn’t dare think about it further. After all, such a possibility was terrifying. More importantly, there must be an ancestor or patriarch or a king of the Supreme Race who had eaten hundreds or even thousands of fruits. Maybe the strongest of them. Of course, Ian had to admit that his guess may not be far from reality.\
’Maybe the name of the supreme race is Nine Paths Race?’
Ian shook his head and began to concentrate on his body. He didn’t only gain the ability to transform. He could also now perform instant-teleportation. The range? Well, as long as it’s within the range of his eyes.
’Well, I should be able to combine it with my mind’s eye with some training. Once mastered, I won’t have such an embarrassing fight.’ He thought as he recalled how the deer before far outmatched him in terms of speed with his masterful use of Mind’s Eye to predict ten seconds of the future.
At this moment, the Grand Elder appeared in front of Ian and asked: "How are you?"
"I feel better than ever and more powerful." Ian grinned. "However, this fruit isn’t simple." He pointed at the tree. "That tree actually absorbed an entire planet as its fuel to create the fruit. And that three? It’s a planet by a so-called supreme race. Do you know anything about them?"
The Grand Elder’s face turned ugly. "I’m not sure. But you’re description seems to match the Outer Gods that I’ve witnessed in the past." His face turned weird, though. "But they’re not one race. I’m sure of that. Not to mention, they do plant trees. If so, they would have already planted one in the Human World and ours. So, the Supreme Race that planted that tree might not be the Outer Gods I know."
"Outer Gods? What the fuck is the ceiling of this world? Why are there so many powerful existences!?" Ian spat.
First, there was the Supreme Race with a planetary-level as the lower limit. Second, the Annihilators that had ceased to exist or might be somewhere hidden in the Universe. And now, Outer Gods?
"Are they real gods? Or just powerful beings?"
"I’m not sure. But their presence is oppressive and sacred. You won’t even sense their power level. They’re just like humans. Even if there’s one beside us. We won’t know. That’s the specialty of the potent energy they wield. An energy far superior to what we mortals had mastered."
With a hesitant face, the Grand Elder finished in one breath.
Ian scratched his chin thoughtfully. ’Are Outer Gods and Gods the same?’
Well, in the Lord of the Mysteries, a top novel he had proudly finished reading. There was a distinction between Outer Gods and Gods, right? So, Ian thought that it also might be the case here. Of course, it also might not be.
Just like that, Ian and the Grand Elder came out of the portal. All in all, they had gained a lot. At this time, the Grand Elder carefully examined himself. His energy levels, his blood purity, and his physical body’s growth had accelerated by almost ten times. In a short time, he had achieved a breakthrough in strength. Although he doesn’t know how much. He knew that it was a qualitative leap.
’The feedback I got from the increase in his strength is this exaggerated? How far did he go this time?’
The Grand Elder understood that by the end of the process the feedback would be given. It might propel his power level country-level!
This thought filled the Grand Elder with excitement.
At age of 38, Ian and the Grand Elder reunited with Mark Tuan and Mojica Just. Unfortunately, Peter Park had perished in the Inner Ring at the hands of a beast that had entered berserk mode. At this time, among the dark races, almost sixty percent had perished more than in the last venture to the secret realm.
Mark and Mojica visibly grew stronger; each had their own opportunities. They were shocked at the King’s appearance, but they didn’t dare to inquire about it. What was certain was that they could feel that the gap between them had turned akin to that of a chasm.
At the age of 40, Ian entered seclusion. He didn’t really need to worry about the empire and prioritized this time to familiarize himself with his bloodline.
At the age of 44, he had mastered the Ultimate Nine Paths 1 transformation. He could transform anytime he wanted for thirty minutes. And as he grew more and more proficient, he could extend the duration of the transformation. This year, Ian’s old team visited him. But when they learned of Ian’s seclusion to invite him for a mission, but they learned about his seclusion, they could only leave with regret.
A minor event happened in the Curtained Imperium. A massive pillar of lightning burst out from the North near the territory of the Demons, suspected as a heavenly treasure. When the Grand Elder invited Ian, Ian refused and continued his seclusion.
There’s also hidden tension between the Zombie race and the Ghoul race, as a well-known Ghoul had successfully stolen the heirloom of an ancient noble family of the Zombie Race. The hidden strength of the Ghoul Race had caused an upheaval for everyone!