Chapter 104: Innate Talent Tiers – "Clock King" and "Hydra"

Chapter 104: Innate Talent Tiers – "Clock King" and "Hydra"

Luo En felt reassured as he read on. No wonder he'd never heard of mages dissecting or researching innate talents – it seemed Special Innate Talents couldn't be stolen, at least not at the Full Mage stage.

"…Throughout history, those with powerful Special Innate Talents have often walked further and higher on the path of transcendence. Take 'Eldest Flame Eye' Eldred, who rose from an ordinary hunter to become an Elemental Archmage, or 'Eternal Grasp' Leyanna, who ascended from a rural orphan to become a Spatial Lord…"

Archival records documented dozens of mages who achieved greatness through their Special Innate Talents, but the feats of several Archmages stood out most:

"…When 'Voidborn' Herbius reached the peak of Archmagehood, he single-handedly conquered an extraplanar realm called the Ashen Domain, transforming it into his private research territory. Legends claim his power could casually shatter stars, alter the orbital paths of entire galactic systems, and even carve out personal pocket dimensions within the void itself…"

"…Then there's 'Clock King' Erica, a legend among mages. She could briefly manipulate causality and warp the flow of time. During her battle against the 'XX,' she banished over a dozen 'Apostles' alone before ultimately [Redacted]. Even today, the great timepiece of the Endless Horizon still echoes with her sighs…"

Some sections remained deliberately sealed. Luo En had a premonition that attempting to pry into these restricted records without sufficient strength could unleash terrifying consequences.

He continued browsing, searching for entries that interested him.

Special Innate Talents clearly had a tiered ranking system, divided from low to high into three tiers. Those that propelled their bearers to Archmagehood or even Lich King status were undoubtedly First-Tier talents.

"First Tier – 'Hydra': Unconditional resurrection nine times, with strength, aptitude, and lifespan doubling after each revival. All negative statuses like spirit pollution reset completely. This is just too monstrous…"

There were many terrifying talents related to time, space, fate, and causality. After scanning through them, Luo En felt even his own "Profession Interface" blessing seemed unremarkable by comparison. His only advantage lay in the "infinite" growth potential that allowed him to stack professions infinitely to become the strongest.

Flipping a few more pages, he found his own "Dual Soul" and the completed "Sun Crown Protection" directly categorized under the Second Tier.

While these talents couldn't match the world-shaking power of First-Tier abilities, they still ensured their bearers would stand out among those without innate talents.

After skimming another dozen pages, he noticed a small, intriguing entry in the corner:

"…'Medicinal Body Resonance' Orland possessed a rare perception ability that allowed him to intuitively analyze potion effects and even improve formulas through instinct. Records state that any potion he consumed was several times more potent than for ordinary individuals. This Special Innate Talent enabled him to rise from commoner to Full Mage within five years, later becoming a master alchemist…"

"Medicinal Body Resonance" – this perfectly complemented the bonus effects of his Potion Master profession!

Luo En's eyes lit up. This Second-Tier Special Innate Talent aligned perfectly with his profession.

This was exactly what he needed! With this talent as a cover, he could naturally explain his rapid progress. He could publicly claim to possess this ability, which would justify how he advanced from Elementary Apprentice to Intermediate Apprentice in just two months – all thanks to potion consumption.

After all, in the mage world, Special Innate Talents provided far more credible explanations for miraculous achievements than mere diligence.

Buoyed by this discovery, Luo En continued his research, recording more knowledge about Special Innate Talents and strategizing how to display his abilities without raising suspicion.

He also noticed an important distinction between the tiers: Third-Tier talents not only paled in effect compared to the upper tiers but often came with restrictions and side effects when activating their abilities.

Remembering his original purpose for coming to the School Library, he spent time studying the habits of Spiritual Races and various bestiary compendiums about supernatural species.

【Transcendent Biology (Entry-Level) Experience Points +1】

As he left the School Library, night had fully descended over Black Mist Jungle.

Luo En's mind brimmed with knowledge about bloodline formulations and Special Innate Talents, like a water-filled leather pouch, heavy with knowledge.

New information collided with existing knowledge in his mind, sparking flashes of inspiration. Without the memory advantages and organizational skills granted by 【Broad Knowledge】, he might have been overwhelmed by this flood of complex data.

When he returned to his Workshop, the sky had darkened, but he had no intention of resting.

For Luo En, time was now his most precious resource – every moment mattered.

Inside the second-floor training chamber, he assumed his stance, took a deep breath, and began his routine cultivation of the Solar Corona Breathing Technique.

The oil lamp's flickering light cast wavering shadows across his calm face. Sweat had yet to form, but he knew this session would be grueling.

"Inhale for seven counts, hold for three, exhale for five…"

He murmured to himself, controlling his breath in strict rhythm.

These words were etched into his mind, becoming muscle memory.

With each deep, measured breath, Luo En felt a warm current flowing through his meridians, like a spring stream carrying the pulse of life.

【Current Progress: Breathing Physique Forging (Entry-Level 97/100)】

"Just three more experience points to breakthrough to Proficient level", he thought, a faint smile of anticipation forming.

Adjusting his breathing rhythm, he entered the second stage of the technique.

This was a deeper phase requiring greater precision and stronger willpower.

"Inhale for nine counts, hold for five, exhale for seven…"

Sweat began trickling from his forehead, following the contours of his cheeks to drip onto the wooden floor, forming small dark spots.

Yet his expression remained intensely focused, brows slightly furrowed, eyes determined, as if the entire world had vanished, leaving only himself and the mana flowing within.

As his breathing deepened, the warm current within his body grew more scorching, surging through his meridians like magma.

The searing heat became nearly unbearable, yet Luo En knew this was the process of transformation—pain was the inevitable path to strength.

With every deep breath, he felt more mana drawn into his body. With each held breath, that mana flowed through his meridians, nourishing muscles and bones. With every exhalation, impurities and blockages were expelled, purifying his body further.

His muscles began trembling—not from exhaustion, but from the immense pressure of the mana coursing through them.

The newly reforged meridians emitted a faint golden glow, faintly visible through his skin like starlight shimmering in the night sky.

【Breathing Physique Forging Experience Points +1】

The system’s prompt acted like a shot of adrenaline, solidifying Luo En’s confidence.

He didn’t pause to rest, immediately advancing to the third breath cycle—the final stage of the Solar Corona Breathing Technique’s foundational phase.

“Inhale for twelve counts, hold for seven breaths, exhale over nine breaths…”

This time, he focused his consciousness entirely on the imagery of the sun.

Within his spiritworld, the golden sun blazed brighter, radiating pure, searing mana that illuminated the darkest recesses of his soul.

Luo En felt his body transform into a crucible, every inch of muscle, every bone, every meridian being reforged in roaring flames.

Each exhalation felt like forging some internal essence, purifying and strengthening it.

The sensation was both agonizing and sublime—a process akin to a snake shedding its skin or a butterfly breaking free of its cocoon, filled with the miraculous transformations of life.

【Breathing Physique Forging Experience Points +1】

Luo En could feel his body visibly growing stronger.

His muscle definition became more refined, his bones emitting subtle clicking sounds, and his skin grew tauter and more radiant.

However, the cultivation of physique forging required careful balance. The final breakthrough was particularly crucial. Today’s training had already reached its limit—tomorrow would be time enough to continue.

【Current Progress: Breathing Physique Forging (Entry-Level 99/100)】

He picked up the ironwood sword beside him, casually swinging it through the air.

The blade sliced the air with a low, powerful whistle.

【Current Progress: Foundational Swordsmanship (Proficient 99/100)】

Seeing the prompt on his screen, Luo En couldn’t help but shake his head with a bitter smile.

Foundational Swordsmanship remained stuck at that final point, like an insurmountable chasm separating him from mastery.

“What am I still missing?” he muttered, sheathing the sword with a furrowed brow.

Luo En slumped onto the floor, a wave of fatigue washing over him.

An entire night of training—even for an apprentice with physical prowess far beyond ordinary people—was an immense drain.

Perhaps, as Andie had said, the final breakthrough in swordsmanship wasn’t simply a matter of repetitive practice, but required some special insight or the life-and-death trials of real combat.

It was getting too late. Luo En decided to rest for the night, leaving this problem for tomorrow.

Placing his hand on the Silver Pocket Watch, he deliberately activated the “Reset” effect, using the remaining mana reserves he’d saved for this moment.

As the black gemstone within the pocket watch glowed, a cool sensation spread rapidly through his body, like a gentle spring rain washing away all fatigue and discomfort.

【Reset Negative Status Successfully: Fatigue, Mana -1】

Instantly, Luo En felt his spirit rejuvenated, as if he’d just experienced a deep, restorative sleep.

The aching soreness in his muscles vanished, and his thoughts grew crystal clear.

This near-miraculous recovery ability was the key to maintaining his high-intensity training.

Lying in bed, he recalled the information he’d gathered at the School Library earlier that day, especially the “Medicinal Body Resonance” technique recorded in A Brief Record of Special Innate Talents.

“What a divine coincidence,” he murmured, closing his eyes and drifting into dreams.

The next morning at dawn, sunlight poured through the workshop window, bathing the entire room in golden light.

Luo En rose early, completed his morning routine, and immediately headed to the laboratory.

The bloodline formulation knowledge he’d gained at the School Library the previous day had filled his mind with possibilities, and he couldn’t wait to apply it to improving the bloodline activation potion.

The fatigue from last night had completely vanished, replaced by abundant energy and a burning desire to explore the unknown.

This was the benefit of the pocket watch—it allowed him to focus all his energy on what truly mattered.

“The key isn’t simply mixing different activators, but extracting their purest ‘bloodline factors’ and recombining them in precise proportions.”

Muttering to himself, he flipped open his formula notebook. Page after page was filled with dense notes, some sections repeatedly revised with overlapping ink stains showing his deep investment in this project.

On a fresh page, he neatly wrote the title: Bloodline Activation Potion Improvement Plan.

The tree spirit stood quietly nearby, its calm eyes watching Luo En’s every move.

Its roots had already extended deep into the workshop’s underground, while its vines silently spread into every corner, forming an invisible perception network.

Luo En retrieved several test tubes, each containing different experimental formulas he’d tried before.

Through the glass, the liquids displayed varying colors and concentrations—some as clear as water, others as murky as mud, and some in between, faintly glowing.

“Traditional activation potion formulas are too vague to precisely target ancient bloodlines.”

He muttered to himself while sketching a complex chart on paper, meticulously labeling detailed parameters for various materials and reaction conditions.

“If we can isolate the part of the Fire Lizard bloodline closest to the Yangyan Dragon, then use a special catalyst to enhance it…”

As his thoughts deepened, Luo En’s train of thought became increasingly clear, his hands moving faster in tandem.

According to yesterday’s theory, bloodlines contained countless “Bloodline Factors”—these tiny mana fragments determined an organism’s fundamental traits.

If one could precisely isolate and manipulate these factors, theoretically, more accurate bloodline activation could be achieved—like using fine needles instead of a sledgehammer, delicately tapping into dormant genetic switches.

Luo En retrieved the Silver Wing Separator, a precious tool gifted by Madame Ellen. In his hands, it felt almost alive, radiating a soft silver glow.

He began attempting to isolate the purest components from the Fire Lizard scale extract.

A drop of crimson liquid was carefully placed into the separator. Luo En gripped it firmly, beginning to rotate and shake it in a specific pattern.

This process required extreme precision, demanding immense focus and patience.

A single misstep could waste precious materials or produce unpredictable side effects.

Minute by minute, though his spirit grew weary, his hands remained as steady as a rock.

The separator spun deftly in his hands, separating the liquid into distinct layers, each displaying different hues and energy fluctuations.

“Interesting… This pale golden layer must be the factor closest to the Yangyan Dragon bloodline.”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end