Chapter 167: Thousand Shifting Shadows

Chapter 167: Thousand Shifting Shadows

"No, it's not small at all!" Daire huffed, hands planted firmly on her hips.

"I can already defeat so many powerful opponents in the arena!"

Liliya chuckled softly, reaching out to smooth Daire’s disheveled silver hair.

"In terms of combat strength, you've indeed grown formidable. But physical growth has its own rhythm—you can't rush it."

Daire pouted stubbornly but quickly replaced it with a sly grin.

"Lily Sister, are you hoping Master will admire your pretty body more?"

Liliya’s blush spread from her cheeks to her ears. She waved her hands frantically.

"What nonsense! Teacher is my mentor—I only feel reverence and gratitude for him!"

"Really?"

Daire’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she mimicked Liliya’s usual tone in exaggerated theatrics:

"‘Teacher, would you like some hot water?’

‘Teacher, I added your favorite herbs to this dish.’

‘Teacher, I’ve washed and ironed your robes.’"

Liliya, both embarrassed and indignant, scooped up water and splashed it toward Daire.

"Brat! If you keep saying such things, I’ll stop washing your hair altogether!"

Daire dodged nimbly, giggling.

"Lily Sister’s blushing! Blushing!"

Spinning in the water, she kicked up droplets like scattered pearls.

"I’ve noticed how you always sneak extra glances at Master whenever you hand him something!"

Sighing, Liliya smiled helplessly.

"Daire, Master treats us both kindly. I’m simply repaying his guidance to the best of my ability."

Her voice softened, a wisp of warmth in her gaze.

"Without him, I wouldn’t know what fate awaited me. He gave me the chance to learn, to see my own worth."

Daire grew quiet, swimming close to rest her head on Liliya’s shoulder.

"Master’s always been good to us. He saved my life, taught me so many skills, made me this strong."

The young siren’s voice turned wistful.

"But Master never seems to need help from anyone. He always studies alone late into the night."

Liliya gently stroked Daire’s damp silver locks, her tone firm yet tender.

"That’s why we must do everything we can to handle his daily chores. Let him focus on his truly important research."

Her eyes gleamed with resolve.

"I believe Teacher has aspirations far beyond ordinary men. All we can do is support him to the best of our ability."

Daire nodded thoughtfully before her usual liveliness returned.

"But Lily Sister, if Master ever needed a partner, would you be willing?"

Liliya’s face flamed again. She quickly grabbed a sponge to change the subject.

"All right, enough talk! Let me wash the blood off your back!"

Daire giggled triumphantly but obediently turned around, still murmuring.

"Lily Sister’s shy… Lily Sister’s shy…"

Laughter echoed through the bathhouse as water splashed around them.

Meanwhile, after confirming he was alone in his room, Luo En strode directly to the laboratory deep on the second floor.

This was a special chamber protected by multiple Isolation Formations, dedicated to experiments requiring absolute secrecy.

He meticulously inspected the array’s integrity, ensuring no minor damage or mana leakage.

For the upcoming advanced ritual involving his core abilities, he could allow no margin of error.

The array’s runes activated one by one, each fitting precisely into its designated spot, forming a perfect mana loop.

Luo En’s fingers traced the air, channeling spiritual energy like flowing water into every node.

When the final Protective Rune glowed, the room enveloped in a pale blue mana film, completely sealing it from the outside.

He felt the subtle energy fluctuations as the formation activated—a metaphorical invisible net, blocking all external mana interference.

Next, he began activating the Shapeshifter’s Skin, already charged to 100%.

The substance was no longer the dull silver-gray liquid he’d first obtained. It now shimmered with iridescent brilliance, like molten moonlight in constant flux.

"Are you certain the advancement won’t produce detectable energy fluctuations?"

Luo En asked cautiously, brow furrowed, fully on guard.

"Master needn’t worry", Shapeshifter’s voice echoed in his mind. "The advancement occurs primarily on the soul level, producing no perceivable external fluctuations. Plus, with these Isolation Formations, even minor mana leaks won’t be detected."

After a moment’s contemplation, Luo En nodded.

"Proceed."

He sat cross-legged, placing the Shapeshifter’s Skin on his palm.

The silver liquid shimmered ominously in the candlelight, as if something stirred within.

No longer inert, it flowed slowly across his palm, as if alive.

He inhaled deeply, steadying his breathing, then closed his eyes, carefully extending his spiritual energy to connect with the Shapeshifter’s Skin.

As his energy delved deeper, he felt the astounding mana within—a primordial force, like a centuries-sleeping dragon finally opening its eyes.

Complex yet ordered, the mana carried an indescribable beauty.

"Ready to begin?"

Luo En confirmed, his voice calm but his spiritual energy tinged with cautious anticipation.

"At your command, Master."

Shapeshifter’s mechanical tone remained unchanged.

"Once begun, the process cannot be interrupted. Please set aside sufficient time. Also note—upon completion, I will bind deeply with you. This is essential preparation for future upgrades to ‘Exclusive Weapon.’ Be prepared."

Luo En closed his eyes, inhaled deeply, and plunged his consciousness inward.

"Begin!"

Instantly, a lightning-like surge pierced his entire body.

Mana erupted from the Shapeshifter’s Skin, flooding into Luo En’s soul.

This wasn’t ordinary mana or spiritual energy—it was a more fundamental force, acting directly on the soul level.

He felt every inch of his spirit space being scoured, like an arid riverbed suddenly hit by a mountain flood.

Initially, the sensation was both painful and exquisitely intense.

But as the process deepened, the pain faded, replaced by an unprecedented clarity and acuity.

His perception expanded rapidly—not only feeling every cell in his body but also detecting the smallest energy fluctuations in the air.

Meanwhile, the Shapeshifter’s Skin underwent astonishing transformation.

The silver liquid surged violently, writhing as if alive.

The energy fluctuations grew intense, like a silent storm raging within the sealed chamber.

What was once plain silver liquid now differentiated into countless microstructures, like a miniature universe being born.

Each minuscule structure had a specific function, interconnecting into a perfect whole.

Luo En perceived these changes vividly, like witnessing the creation of a masterpiece from nothing.

He felt the Shapeshifter’s Skin bond inseparably with him—not just an external layer but an integral part of his body, a second skin fused with his very essence.

The advancement lasted an eternity, or perhaps only an instant.

When Luo En finally opened his eyes, only minutes seemed to have passed externally, yet his inner self had undergone a complete metamorphosis.

[Advancement Successful:
Rare Relic—Shapeshifter’s Skin → Glorious Legacy—Thousand Shifting Shadows]

[Thousand Shifting Shadows (Glorious Legacy) Effects:
Perfect Insulation: Creates triple mana barriers, completely isolating internal and external mana exchange
Advanced Mimicry: Simulates appearance and partial abilities of targets with increased accuracy
Record (Active Ability): Consumes 1% mana to record a technique, which can be released unidirectionally (cannot control its power)
Note: Can only record techniques no more than two ranks above self. Requires close-range contact for recording (currently limited to Dawn Star Rank mages or below)]

[Charging Progress: 0/100%
Special Note: At 50% charge, additional abilities will unlock. At full 100% charge, can evolve into an Exclusive Weapon and serve as a key item for advancing to Epic Profession (4-star)]

Luo En scrutinized the interface, each line accelerating his pulse as possibilities raced through his mind.

"Perfect Insulation" was crucial to his soul-splitting plan, ensuring no mana leakage or interference during the process.

"Advanced Mimicry" offered immense practicality for disguise or environmental integration.

Most exciting was the "Record" ability.

Being able to capture and release others’ techniques meant he could directly use foreign skills, vastly expanding his combat options.

Limitations existed—techniques no more than two ranks above self, requiring close contact—but even so, it was an extraordinary power.

He immediately envisioned an ideal application:

Learning from Full Mages during paid consultations, secretly recording their powerful spells.

"If every consultation lets me record a Full Mage-level spell, over time I’ll build a formidable ace-up-the-sleeve arsenal."

Calculating mentally, his eyes gleamed.

Testing the Thousand Shifting Shadows’ mana, he felt unprecedented control.

Past Shapeshifter’s Skin felt like an external tool—requiring mental commands and waiting for execution.

Now, Thousand Shifting Shadows felt as intimate as his own flesh and blood, responding instantly to his slightest thought.

He raised his hand—a mere intention, and silver luster coated his arm.

The surface transformed rapidly, mimicking various materials—steel, wood, crystal—with astonishing precision.

The transformation speed and accuracy surpassed anything before.

"Truly astounding control", he mused, recalling past imperfections. Now, the mimicry rivaled reality, even replicating textures and sensations flawlessly.

He pushed further, focusing his spirit, recalling the Lion Scorpion’s claws.

Instantly, his fingers morphed into identical razor-sharp talons, even duplicating the intricate patterns.

A single swipe carved deep grooves into the wooden table.

"Record ability…"

He pondered its potential.

"Currently limited to Apprentice and Dawn Star Rank techniques."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end