Only I Am A Reader

'It's hard to believe that we reached this point in less than ten years…'

From the stage of being the helpless Baekho picked from the street, Leo had finally become someone worthy of his new surname. Although they were still not at the level of pillars, Cheon Baekho and his teammates were now at the level of the Heavenly Strength Society's elites, possessing strength only below that of top combatants!

The Centaur mutant core happened to be especially effective in Leo's case. With the wide range of abilities that he learned, enlightenment was just too fraudulent! Regardless of whether they were recorded in the Personal Book or not, everything in his has truly ascended!

The four advanced skills that he didn't dare imagine when they would fill had particularly grown the most. With his already accumulated knowledge of them, a deeper perspective was the trampoline that he needed to take one big jump!

Even the Smithing and Horsemanship that he completely neglected ever since he came to this world had advanced a few steps, eliminating the last basic skill that he had left…

'The greatest change is still the statistics…'

Leo was looking forward to trying out the upgraded Internal Energy Channeling and its relevant breathing, but he was still the most shocked about the rise in stats. His body's growth had been stagnant regardless of the training methods that he tried out, but just the breakthrough exponentially doubled his physique!

No matter what, the concept of Transcendence was unlike that of balanced Peak stage elevation. It was still an overall qualitative change, but it greatly focused on ascending the body past human limitations. Theoretically speaking, Leo's unchanged body frame shouldn't be able to hold that much strength, but it was practically possible now that he had a transcendent body.

"Congratulations everyone, your harvest is not bad at all."

Watching the five check out the level they had ascended to, Cheon Jeong sincerely congratulated them. This was only possible thanks to the Phoenix Cores, but what they achieved was still commendable.

'Indeed.'

The elevation in ability was more or less a confirmed result that any transcendence would lead to, but the part that Leo was the proudest of was the level that his Internal Energy had reached!

Although even the small Phoenix cores had at least double the amount he gained, as a person who already had 90 years of Internal Energy, being able to absorb another 30 years of energy at this level was already an incredible ratio!

'Almost two full heavenly cycles.'

"Master… Is the effect of a Phoenix core supposed to be that deep?"

After realizing the understanding she had reached, Cheon Sohee couldn't help voicing out her doubts.

"No, this is definitely a mutation resulting from this weird creature's consumption of it. Even if I were to include all of the Special Cores that I have knowledge of, a core like this is still against the norm."

Not only did it give them a moment of sudden epiphany, but the core also had the effect of permanently increasing the consumer's comprehension ability in a somewhat similar manner to the Sky Fruit. Even Baekho's lacking Mind had finally surpassed the normal rate that one would expect from someone at his age!

"Anyway, let's get ready to go back, there is a lot to report, but…"

'Overall…'

Eager to try things out, Leo and the other three started exerting their newfound physical strength by plucking the Devouring Centaur's feathers. Let alone arrows, a whole light armor could be made with a few feathers thanks to their large size. However, their most important use was still centered on alchemy, both as ingredients and fire feed.

"Unlike the last unfortunate one, the adventure this time can be called a great success!"

Not only did the seedlings achieve their breakthroughs as scheduled, but they also received a few great benefits that were comparable to the ones offered by the Sky Fruits. Although they didn't directly obtain or manifest a special ability just yet, their True Internal Fire was bound to evolve into something similar soon enough. Even obtaining the Eternal or Rebirth aspects limited to Phoenixes wasn't out of sight!

Additionally, the tempering of the Phoenix Fire didn't lose to getting tempered by the world's laws, such a great Physique growth was only possible under special conditions like these!

Since they were no longer in a hurry. The group of seven slowly walked back towards the Northern Ice Palace. After such a heated battle, everyone naturally deserved some casual time.

"...Little Baek. Did you also escape?"

On their way back, the group met old Dae who was rushing in their direction. The old scout had rushed back to report the change in case the abnormal monster was too much to handle without destroying half of the island, but he was surprised to meet the group halfway back just as he managed to convince the stubborn elders to provide backup.

"No, they already took down the mutated Phoenix monster, I might have also helped a little bit."

Old Dae was still half-blinded by confusion and rush, but he quickly noticed the feather bundles that they were dragging back with them, not just one or two! If the monster didn't stay still for them to pluck everything off, then they had truly succeeded in subjugating the threat!

"Baek?"

The Ice King who had joined the backup team as ordered by the elders who feared losing part of their sandcastle looked at his daughter with astonishment. Although he was a failure of a father, he could still tell that Bing Baek was speaking with confidence for the very first time since she was a child, something had changed in that small trip!

"Yes, father?"

The light in Bing Baek's eyes dimmed as she turned to look at her distant father. She was smart enough to understand that his merciless behavior was forced on him by the elders, but she still couldn't help hating him for not standing up to them when he was younger, just like she hated herself for that.

"... Nothing. Let me guide our guests back to the palace…"