(AN: Sorry guys, chapter 15 and 16has been re-edited with some semi major changes, am so sorry for the inconvenience.)
Late at night, after the Inspection Bureau's cleanup teams thoroughly sanitized the contaminated residence, the investigation continued.
Inspection Bureau Headquarters - Command Office
Captain Marcus Veil listened intently to Seris Valthorn's detailed report, nodding periodically as he processed the information.
"Contamination from King-Tier Abyssal creature flesh," Marcus summarized grimly. "That explains the sudden surge of violent incidents across a single day."
Seris took a bite of the cake she'd acquired somewhere, chewing thoughtfully. "There's definitely more corrupted biomatter scattered throughout the city. What we found tonight was just one of many fragment."
"This isn't a minor issue. If we don't handle it properly, we're looking at a potential catastrophe." Marcus rubbed his temples, already feeling the stress headache intensifying. "I'll need to discuss containment protocols with Commander Draven immediately."
He paused, recalling something. "You mentioned the contaminated warrior was already eliminated when you arrived. Who handled it?"
"Don't know him personally. Said his name was Vaelor Draeth."
"Vaelor Draeth?" Marcus shook his head. "Never heard of him. Is he registered with the Warrior Association? Either way, he did us a significant favor. We should authorize a reward through official channels."
"He's not registered yet," Seris said casually.
"Not registered?" Marcus frowned with confusion.
Seris looked up, cream decorating the corner of her mouth as she smiled mysteriously. "He appears to be a student at Thornhaven First Combat Academy."
"A student deserves proper recognition even more—" Marcus began, then froze mid-sentence as the implications registered.
"Wait."
"You said he's a student?!"
Thanks to Marcus's security clearance, Seris quickly accessed Vaelor Draeth's academy records.
The results genuinely surprised her.
"You're telling me he's from a standard class, his latest vitality measurement was 2.332, he awakened an E-Rank talent, and his profession is common-tier Shadow Reaper?!"
Her blindfolded face turned toward Marcus with obvious skepticism. "Are you certain this is the right person?"
Marcus shook his head firmly. "Impossible to confuse him with anyone else. There's only one male student named Vaelor Draeth at Thornhaven First Combat Academy matching your physical description."
"According to his file, despite poor talent classification, he demonstrates exceptional martial arts aptitude. Recently defeated a classmate who awakened B-Rank talent."
"Even accounting for that... there's absolutely no way he could eliminate a corrupted LV7 warrior." Marcus's expression grew troubled. "On the other hand, the girl with him—Seraphine Vex—awakened A-Rank talent and a rare profession. But even she wouldn't survive against LV7 contamination."
"If no other warriors intervened, both students should have died. You must have misidentified the individual responsible."
Seris remained silent for several long seconds, then her lips curved into an intrigued smile.
"How interesting..."
Three Days Later
Draeth Residence
Rain hammered against the windows with relentless intensity, accompanied by rolling thunder and brilliant lightning flashes that momentarily illuminated Vaelor's room.
He stood before his bedroom mirror, examining his reflection with analytical interest.
"I've grown taller. Hair's significantly longer too. Side effect of the cultivation advancement?"
The young man in the mirror stood shirtless at approximately 1.78 meters—several centimeters taller than just days ago. His physique remained lean and well-proportioned rather than bulky, with eight distinct abdominal muscles visible beneath skin that appeared almost luminous. Long black hair now fell past his shoulders in silky waves. His complexion had taken on an otherworldly quality—pale and smooth as polished jade, with a faint translucent sheen.
Most striking were his eyes: deep pools of liquid gold that radiated subtle but undeniable pressure.
Beneath the surface—invisible to normal observation—his body had undergone even more dramatic transformations. His cellular density had increased exponentially. His bones now possessed a golden-glass luster when viewed with proper scanning equipment, harder than most military-grade alloys.
Over the past three days, Vaelor had consumed every scrap of beast meat in the residence, plus the genetic medicines he'd purchased and the Essence Restoration Elixir from Seraphine.
The results spoke for themselves: He'd mastered the fourth form of his cultivation scripture. Every impurity had been expelled from his body. His physique was gradually evolving toward what the scripture called the "Eternal Cosmos Physique"—a state where his physical form would eventually match the resilience of cosmic phenomena themselves.
Currently, his skin alone approached B-Grade alloy weapon hardness in terms of pure durability.
"Time to register as an official warrior," Vaelor thought. "But before that..."
His gaze grew distant as he contemplated something he'd been planning since observing Seraphine's abilities.
The Shadow Summoning talent I observed from her. I've had three days to analyze it thoroughly with Absolute Insight. Time to take it to the next level.
Vaelor sat cross-legged on his bed and activated his divine comprehension. Rainbow luminescence filled his pupils as Absolute Insight operated at maximum capacity.
He'd already deconstructed Seraphine's Shadow Summoning completely—understood the meridian pathways, the shadow-element particle manipulation, the structural framework. Now he needed to go deeper.
To comprehend the fundamental principles underlying shadow itself.
[Absolute Insight activated - Analyzing Shadow as universal principle]
[Comprehending: Shadow Intent...]
The sensation was profound and disorienting.
Shadow wasn't merely absence of light, Vaelor realized. It was a fundamental force—the counterbalance to illumination, the manifestation of potential and mystery. Shadow represented the hidden, the unknown, the spaces between defined reality.
He understood darkness at the quantum level. Photon absorption and reflection. The way shadow could exist as both two-dimensional projection and three-dimensional substance when properly manipulated. The relationship between shadow and spatial dimensions.
But beyond physics, he grasped something deeper: Shadow as concept. The essence of concealment, of duality, of the unseen truth lurking beneath surface appearance.
[Shadow Intent - comprehension advancing...]
[Level 1... Level 3... Level 5... Level 7... Level 9 (Peak) - MASTERED]
But he wasn't finished. Shadow Summoning involved creating servants from darkness—which meant duplication was also a core principle.
[Comprehending: Duplication Intent...]
This proved even more complex. Duplication wasn't simple copying—it was understanding the fundamental information structure of something, then recreating that structure from different materials while preserving essential properties.
Vaelor comprehended replication at the cellular level. Genetic information transfer. The way consciousness could be divided and distributed. How to create something that was simultaneously the same and different from its original.
[Duplication Intent - comprehension advancing...]
[Level 1... Level 4... Level 6... Level 9 (Peak) - MASTERED]
[Two Intents mastered to peak level!]
[Life level elevation triggered!]
[Origin Talent evolution triggered!]
The transformation that followed was extraordinary.
Vaelor's entire existence shuddered. His Inner Cosmos—the miniature universe rotating in his core—expanded dramatically, incorporating shadow as a fundamental force alongside fire and momentum. New meridian pathways carved themselves through his body, optimized for shadow-element manipulation.
His qi transformed, taking on properties of both light and darkness simultaneously—a paradoxical energy that could be either depending on his intent.
Most significantly, his soul underwent another expansion. The fragment of consciousness he'd need to separate for shadow clones became accessible—not as something torn away, but as something naturally dividable, like water poured into multiple vessels.
[Life Level: Pseudo-Awakened → Early Foundation Establishment]
[You have begun true cultivation!]
[Cultivation Stage: Foundation Establishment (Early)]
[Origin Talent evolution triggered!]
[Shadow Summoning (A-Rank) + Shadow Intent (Peak) + Duplication Intent (Peak) → Eternal Shadow Dominion (EX-Rank)]
Vaelor's eyes snapped open, now containing swirling patterns of gold and darkness that rotated in hypnotic spirals.
He pulled up the new talent's description with barely contained excitement.
[Eternal Shadow Dominion](EX-Rank)
Mastery over shadow as fundamental force. Grants absolute authority over darkness, concealment, and duplication principles.
Primary Ability - Perfect Shadow Clone:
Create shadow clones containing 60% of user's total combat capabilities Clone body formed from solidified shadow-element particles and qi Contains separated fragment of user's consciousness (maintains full intelligence) Clone possesses independent action capability
Experience Transfer: ALL experience gained by clone transfers instantly to main body (no distance/realm limitation)
Comprehension Sharing: All insights, techniques, and knowledge learned by clone automatically shared with main body
Cultivation Synchronization: Clone can cultivate independently; progress transfers to main body Sensory Link: User can perceive through clone's senses at will
Unlimited Creation: No maximum limit on number of clones (limited only by available qi)
Perfect Disguise: Clones are indistinguishable from real body to all conventional detection methods
Secondary Abilities:
Shadow Manipulation: Control all shadows within perception range as physical weapons Darkness Concealment: Become completely undetectable while in shadows
Shadow Storage: Store objects within shadow dimension
Shadow Travel: Instantly transport between connected shadows (range: unlimited) Shadow Reconstruction: Regenerate from any remaining shadow if main body destroyed
Special Effect:
Clones can be sent to dungeons, tournaments, or dangerous zones for EXP farming while main body remains safe Experience gained accelerates cultivation advancement (EXP can be "hijacked" to boost cultivation)
"This is..." Vaelor breathed, his mind racing with the implications. "This is absolutely perfect."
He'd just gained what was essentially an infinite multiplication of his training efficiency. Every clone would be an independent version of himself, capable of gaining experience and insights that would feed back to him instantly.
"I could send one clone to academy classes while I cultivate. Send others into dungeons to farm experience. Have some focus purely on technique comprehension while others handle combat training."
The strategic possibilities were genuinely endless.
"And I've entered Foundation Establishment—the first true cultivation realm."
He pulled up his updated status panel.
Status
[Character: Vaelor Draeth]
[Race: Human (Transcendent)]
[Age: 17]
[Level: LV2 (Tier 1 Warrior)]
[Cultivation: Foundation Establishment (Early Stage)]
[Profession: Martial Cultivation God (Mythical)]
[Talent:
Unlimited Amplification (Primordial Origin)
Absolute Insight (Divine-Tier)
Primordial Inferno Concept (EX-Rank)
Infinite Momentum Concept (EX-Rank)
Eternal Shadow Dominion (EX-Rank)]
[Physical Strength: 6,822]
[Strength: 6,822]
[Speed: 6,822]
[Spirit: 6,822]
[Luck: 5]
[Intents: Fire (Lvl 9), Emberwood (Lvl 9), Plasma (Lvl 9), Kinetic (Lvl 9), Impulse (Lvl 9), Motion Flow (Lvl 9), Spatial Displacement (Lvl 9), Thought Acceleration (Lvl 9), Temporal Flow (Lvl 6), Shadow (Lvl 9), Duplication (Lvl 9)]
[Laws: LOCKED - Insufficient Life Level]
[Passive Special Essence: Limit Break (10x normal / 30x near-death)]
[Active Skills: Phantom Step, Celestial Annihilation, Infinite Velocity, Cosmic Reconstruction, Perfect Shadow Clone]
[Practice Method: Vibrational Force Technique, Eternal Cosmos Cultivation Scripture (DIVINE-GRADE) - COMPLETE]
[Equipment: Crimson Vambraces (Rare)]
[Free Attribute Points: 20]
[Qi Cultivation: 1,247/10,000 to next stage]
[Current Battle Power: ~7,500,000 (mid-Tier 7 - Standard) | ~27,000,000+ (mid-Tier 8 - Full power) | True maximum unknown due to untested combinations and near-death multiplier]
[Evaluation: Has begun true cultivation path. Possesses three EX-Rank talents. Classification system continues to fail. Recommend complete re-evaluation of power scaling assumptions.]
"My base stats increased by over 1,300 points each from entering Foundation Establishment and mastering two more peak Intents," Vaelor analyzed with satisfaction. "Battle power now exceeds 7,500,000."
He noticed the new cultivation progress bar with interest.
"So experience and cultivation are separate but related. Experience increases my level and directly boosts stats. Cultivation advances my realm and provides different types of improvements. And according to the talent description, I can redirect EXP gains to accelerate cultivation..."
A strategy crystallized in his mind immediately.
"I'll create a shadow clone to handle daily activities. The clone attends academy, meets with people, handles social obligations. Meanwhile, my real body stays here and cultivates continuously."
"Later, I'll send clones into dungeons to farm experience constantly. Every monster they kill feeds EXP back to me, which I can use to accelerate cultivation advancement."
"Two paths to power running simultaneously and reinforcing each other."
Perfect efficiency.
Vaelor stood and extended his hand. Shadow coalesced in his palm, solidifying into tangible darkness. He channeled his qi through the specific pathways required, then separated a fragment of his consciousness—
The shadows swirled, expanded, and took humanoid form. Within seconds, an exact duplicate of Vaelor stood before him, indistinguishable in every detail.
The clone opened its eyes—golden with swirling darkness—and smiled.
"This feels incredibly strange," the clone said, its voice identical to Vaelor's. "I'm simultaneously you and separate from you. I can feel the connection—everything I experience flows back to you instantly."
"Perfect," the original Vaelor replied. "You'll handle external matters while I focus on cultivation. Right now, I need you to visit Crimsonpeak Martial Hall. The director wants to discuss guild membership."
The clone nodded, already accessing the shared memories to understand the context. "The Crimson Rose Guild recruitment. Understood. I'll handle it."
"Remember—you have sixty percent of my combat capabilities. Still more than enough to handle any threats you're likely to encounter." Vaelor paused. "And if something genuinely dangerous appears, I'll know instantly through our link and can intervene."
"Got it. Don't worry—I won't embarrass us," the clone said with a grin before dissolving into shadows and reforming already dressed in casual clothes.
As the clone departed through the window, moving via shadow travel, Vaelor sat back on his bed and returned to cultivation.
The Eternal Cosmos Cultivation Scripture hummed with power as he began the next cycle of refinement.
His main body would remain here, advancing his cultivation realm as rapidly as possible. His clone would handle the mundane world.
And soon—very soon—he'd create more clones to send into dungeons for constant experience farming.
The path to power had never been clearer.
ONE HOUR EARLIER
Crimsonpeak Martial Hall
Rain continued its relentless assault outside as Kieran Ashford completed another round of spear training, her body drenched in sweat.
"Almost there," she muttered, examining her alloy spear. "Just a little more and I'll break through the bottleneck to Tier 3."
Her family's three-star martial art—the Heaven-Splitting Spear Technique—remained frustratingly incomplete. She'd mastered six of seven forms, but the final movement eluded her comprehension.
She had an intuition that perfecting the technique would trigger her advancement to Tier 3 Warrior. But martial arts comprehension couldn't be forced—it required insight, understanding, and sometimes pure luck.
"Shower first," she decided, heading to the facilities.
Twenty minutes later, Kieran emerged from the bathroom still steaming slightly, toweling her long black hair. She walked to the window overlooking the rain-soaked street, sighing quietly.
"Doesn't look like anyone's coming today..."
Her gaze fell on her communication device, and she thought of the exceptional high school student—Vaelor Draeth. Since their initial meeting, he hadn't returned despite her sending the message days ago.
Had President Scarlet changed her mind about recruitment? Was she not concerned about other guilds poaching such obvious talent?
Thinking about it made Kieran sigh again, tilting her head back. The motion emphasized her impressive figure—particularly the way her training outfit struggled to contain certain proportions that defied her otherwise slender frame.
"Maybe another martial hall already recruited him..."
[Ding - Guild President requesting communication]
Kieran startled, nearly dropping her towel before quickly accepting the call.
"Hello, President!"
"Yes, understood. I'll contact him immediately."
After the communication ended, Kieran quickly composed a message.
Kieran Ashford: Hello, Vaelor. Do you still remember me? Do you have time to visit the martial hall today? Our president wants to meet with you personally.
She sent it, then waited anxiously.
Within minutes, a response arrived.
Vaelor Draeth: I remember. I can come today. What time works best?
Kieran's face brightened immediately. "He responded!"
One Hour Later
The rain had lessened to a steady drizzle when Kieran heard the martial hall's entrance chime.
She looked up from her reception desk to see a young man entering—tall, with long black hair tied back, wearing simple but well-fitted casual clothes. His golden eyes scanned the interior with calm assessment.
It took her a moment to recognize him.
"Vaelor?" she said with surprise. "You look... different. Did you get taller?"
The clone smiled slightly. "Growing phase, probably. Training's been intense lately."
"I'll say," Kieran muttered, studying him. He seemed to radiate more presence than during their first meeting—like he'd undergone some fundamental change she couldn't quite identify.
His battle power feels even higher than before, she thought with confusion. How is he getting stronger so quickly?
"The president is waiting," Kieran said aloud, gesturing toward the back office. "Follow me."
As they walked, Vaelor's clone noted the modest but well-maintained facility. Practice weapons lined the walls. A few training dummies showed signs of heavy use. Everything was clean and organized, though clearly operating on a limited budget.
Small operation but professional, the clone thought, the observation instantly transferring to the main body still cultivating at home. President must be competent to maintain this quality despite lack of resources.
They reached an office door. Kieran knocked twice before opening it.
"President, Vaelor Draeth is here."
The clone stepped inside, ready to see what the Crimson Rose Guild had to offer—and whether joining would be worth the complications.
Meanwhile, back at the Draeth residence, the original Vaelor continued his cultivation without pause, already feeling the faint trickle of experience beginning to flow through his connection to the clone.
The system was working perfectly.
Now it was just a matter of scale.
(AN: I made multiple mistake in previous chapters calculating the combat power, but I promise from now on it will be correct. Vaelor Full Power now is Mid Tier 8. You can check the authors thought to see the calculations. Everything is taken into account, techniques, intents, cultivation etc. )