14 March, 500 AA

In the blink of an eye, 4 days passed, and Leo was sitting in front of Niri with two piles of Beast Cores.

All the Beast Cores were wood-element and had bloodlines revolving around Mortal or Super. But that wasn't important since Niri already possessed a Royal Bloodline. From the pattern Leo had been observing all these days, he guessed her bloodline could only increase through another Royal Bloodline core or by leveling up.

In other words, he needed Beast Cores of sufficient strength so they could directly help Niri strengthen herself.

Leo had already been feeding Niri Spirit Crystals, Mana Crystals, and even the random Beast Cores of beasts he came across.

As for the two piles, one contained 21 Beast Cores, which were acquired from the information Lily had gathered. Thankfully, most of the cores belonged to beasts that were either 3-star or even Pseudo 4-star. As for why only strong beasts were available to hunt, the reason was simple. Any low-ranked beast would immediately be preyed upon by Beast Masters looking to tame a wood-element beast for its healing abilities.

The second pile was much larger, containing around 50 Beast Cores. Among them were two special Beast Cores belonging to Low 4-star beasts.

45 million AC...

Leo contemplated inwardly.

That was how much these Beast Cores had cost him after purchasing them through Aurelius Hall. Of that, 10 million AC was the price of a single Low 4-star Beast Core... simply because it was wood-element. Such cores were considered invaluable ingredients in high-level potion concoctions, with rumours claiming they could even bring back the dead—or at least something close to it.

As for why Leo didn't buy a higher-level core, the answer was simple. A single Mid 4-star Beast Core costs 35 million AC, which would leave him completely broke. He only had 36.55 million AC and always needed to maintain a sizeable reserve for emergencies. Just so he could have some money in hand, he needed to ask Lily for 15 million AC, which she happily gave.

Leo didn't know why, but it seemed Niri was approaching a major breakthrough that required far more resources than usual.

So, he decided to throw as many resources at her as he could.

Right now, Lily was playing with Niri while trying to groom her crimson leafy hair, something Niri seemed to enjoy very much.

Without hesitation, Leo converted all the Beast Cores into essence before immediately bestowing them upon Niri.

Niri's vine-red eyes suddenly glowed a brilliant golden-yellow as soothing energy began to radiate from her, gently spreading throughout the surroundings.

In the distance, Sylrael and many other elves immediately sensed the phenomenon and hurried toward the general swimming pool, where the mana-enriching treasure plants were still growing.

Even the Cedar Treant and Bigfoot, who had been training together, began making their way over with heavy, thundering footsteps.

Everyone with a wood affinity found themselves captivated by the almost divine phenomenon.

Even Lily and Leo could tell this advancement was unlike any before as they watched Niri's body slowly levitate into the air, emitting waves of radiant light at regular intervals.

Finally, the System's notification rang.

Ding!

Dryad [Niri] (Peak 3-star -> Pseudo 4-star)

- Royal Bloodline [5% -> 10%]

- BloodBond 80% -> 100%

Traits:

[Fast Regeneration] - Unlocked

[High Mana Regeneration] - Unlocked

[Tough Body] - Unlocked

[Half-Spirit] - Partially Unlocked 1% -> Unlocked

Ding!

>Conditions to unlock a physique and gain its complete benefits have been met.

Ding!

>Physique unlocked - [Sacred Physique] - 4 star

- A superior physique possessed by Guardian and Deity Beasts. It grants a naturally weightless body, allowing effortless levitation, precise aerial manoeuvrability, enhanced balance, and significantly reduced physical exertion while travelling.

> Note: The Deity [Dryad - Niri] is in the Juvenile Phase and hasn't unlocked all the capabilities of the Physique. As the beast ranks up, the Physique will rank up alongside it.

Ding!

> The tamed beast—Niri—has successfully reached the level of intelligence that can be classified as Juvenile!

Dryad [Niri] (Pseudo 4-star) - Royal Bloodline [Intelligence - Juvenile]

IQ: 129

>Note: The world has deemed the connection between the beast and the tamer as healthy and very close, effectively nullifying the need for a special contract.

Ding!

>Bond: Bloodbond -> Soul Bond (0%)

Ding!

> The beast—Niri—has successfully gained intelligence. The world will now attempt to bestow a suitable talent.

Ding!

>Blessing Successful!

>Talent: [Primordial Matriarch] - 10 stars

- The first mother of its lineage. Creatures nurtured or created by the Dryad grow faster, possess greater intelligence, and exhibit exceptional loyalty.... ... ..

Ding!

> New talent-based skill unlocked!

[Sylvan Court] - Low 1%

- Summons Treants as the first attendants of the Dryad's court. As the Dryad's strength grows, more powerful forest races and ancient plant guardians may answer its summons.

>All beast core essences have been successfully assimilated!

Ding!

>Dryad [Niri] (Pseudo -> Low 4-star)

- Royal Bloodline [10%]

- Soulbond [0%]

Ding!

>Various extracted skills from the beasts' cores are being assimilated!

Ding!

>Skill Acquired—[Forest Incarnation] - Low 1%

- Transforms the surrounding forest into an extension of the Dryad's body. Every branch, root, vine, and tree responds as though it were a single living organism under its direct control.

Ding!

Stats Updated!

Vitality: 3960 [6860 -> 7610] + {50% boost (Optional)}

Strength: 3960 [6860 -> 7610] + {85% boost (Optional)}

Agility: 3240 [6140 -> 6890] + {135% boost (Optional)}

Stamina: 3900 [6800 -> 7550] + {85% boost (Optional)}

Intelligence: 6255 -> 7255 [9155 -> 10155 -> 10905] + {50% boost (Optional)}

Mana: 688,050 -> 798,050 [1007K -> 1.2M]

But suddenly—

>Warning! The host's talent senses that the tamed beast—Howl—has insufficient strength for proper feedback.

Ding!

Stats Updated!

Vitality: 3960 [7610 -> 7460] + {50% boost (Optional)}

Strength: 3960 [7610 -> 7460] + {85% boost (Optional)}

Agility: 3240 [6890 -> 6740] + {135% boost (Optional)}

Stamina: 3900 [7550 -> 7400] + {85% boost (Optional)}

Intelligence: 7255 [10,905 -> 10,755] + {50% boost (Optional)}

Mana: 798,050 [1.2M -> 1.183M]

Things were happening so fast that Leo couldn't read a single notification before another flashed across his vision. Coupled with the divine-like phenomenon unfolding before him—something he couldn't afford to miss—he was completely overwhelmed.

But one thing was certain.

Another monster-like being had just joined Leo's ranks.

Before Leo could properly check the notification, something unbelievable started to happen in front of his eyes, and not only his, but Lily's and even the elves' eyes widened.

---

A/N: AAAHHHH! My brain!!!

(꒪ཀ꒪)...dead.