Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Speed Running The Trials - 3

Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Speed Running The Trials - 3[Do you wish to take on the trial of the 12th floor of the Tower of Evolution?]

"Yes."

The next second, Damian's vision blurred, and when it cleared, he found himself standing in an unfamiliar place.

A sudden chill crept up his legs as he realized they were submerged in water up to his knees.

"This is new," he muttered, glancing around.

Before him lay an island, roughly ten meters in radius.

Similar small islands dotted the area, stretching as far as his eyes could see.

Beyond them, there was nothing but endless water.

"Am I standing in an ocean or something?" Damian mumbled.

He stepped onto the island, feeling the soft sand beneath his feet.

The island was barren, save for a couple of sparse bushes.

[Welcome to Aqualia, a realm filled with underwater creatures that once roamed as ordinary sea life but have mutated into terrifying monsters after absorbing immense amounts of water essence.]

[12th Trial Objective: Obtain the Water Essence Stone.]

"In the 4th trial, it was the Fire Essence Stone. The 8th trial had the Wood Essence Stone. Now it's the Water Essence Stone in the 12th trial..." Damian pondered aloud.

"That means in the 16th and 20th trials, I'll encounter two more essence stones."

A grin slowly crept across his face. "This is amazing. I'm going to gain three more powers!"

Suppressing his excitement, Damian leapt into the air, skillfully jumping from island to island.

His senses honed in on the distant presence of the [Water Essence Stone], guiding his path forward.

Landing on one of the islands, he noticed a disturbance in the water.

Ripples spread outward as something massive moved beneath the surface.

Without warning, a monstrous figure burst from the depths: a colossal, mutated crab.

Its overgrown body was the size of three full-grown elephants stacked atop one another.

Its hard, blue exoskeleton was adorned with sharp spikes, making it look even more menacing.

-----

[Name: Mutated Deepwater Crab]

[Level: 128]

-----

Damian's expression remained unchanged.

Calmly, he raised his hand and focused.

The [Fire Essence] from his core surged through him, gathering in his palm.

The flame condensed, intensifying as its color shifted from a reddish-orange to a searing yellow-orange.

Without hesitation, Damian unleashed the blazing fireball toward the creature.

BOOM!

The concentrated flame exploded on impact, sending shockwaves in every direction.

The force of the blast tore through the crab's armored shell, reducing its massive body to burning chunks of flesh that splashed into the water and scattered across the ground.

[Experience Gained]

Damian stepped forward, wading through the shallow water.

Amid the remains, he spotted a glowing object, the [Water Essence Core], which had dropped from the monster's shattered body.

It was a deep blue crystal orb, shimmering like liquid, reminiscent of a water-filled gemstone.

-----

[Item: Water Essence Core]

[Typically found inside the bodies of monsters. The stronger and higher the level of the creature, the more energy it contains. These cores store vast amounts of water essence, enhancing the monster's power.]

-----

As Damian examined the core, he noticed bubbles forming around his submerged legs.

The water was starting to boil, steam rising steadily into the air.

"Whoa… am I that hot?" he questioned, eyeing the bubbles rather than his reflection.

He knew that one of the effects of the [Eternal Earth Flame Physique] was an abnormally high body temperature, but this seemed excessive.

The water wasn't just warm; it was actively boiling on contact with his skin.

Although not intense enough to scald the surrounding water, it was enough to create steam.

"Hmm, looks like these clothes are tougher than they look. That's good," Damian nodded approvingly, satisfied that his garments withstood the heat.

Suddenly, Damian sensed hundreds of presences closing in from all directions.

It was as if the creatures of this realm had detected the presence of an intruder.

Monstrous forms erupted from the water, each shaped like terrifying versions of sea creatures.

Their sizes dwarfed even the mutated crab he had just slain.

The smallest among them matched its massive size, while others loomed even larger, casting shadows over the islands.

"Well, that's a lot of monsters," Damian muttered calmly.

Without hesitation, he drew his two swords: the [Eclipse Sword] in one hand and [Monster Slayer] in the other.

Steeling himself, he charged into the fray, prepared to cut down all the monsters that stood in his way.

— One Hour Later —

[You have leveled up] x 8

Damian stood amidst the bodies of the countless monsters he had slain.

"Jesus Christ, the Wood Essence is too powerful. Even after fighting all these monsters, I barely feel tired, and I can already feel my fatigue recovering rapidly," he muttered, clenching and unclenching his fists, feeling the energy coursing through his body.

The [Wood Essence] possessed immense healing properties.

While the [Fire Essence] also offered significant healing, it couldn't compare to the regenerative power of the Wood Essence.

Not only did it accelerate healing, but it also boosted Damian's health and fatigue recovery by 100%.

The Fire Essence granted similar capabilities but was nowhere near as effective.

Even his [Qi] and [Mana] offered healing and strengthening abilities, but neither could match the efficiency of the Wood Essence.

Each type of energy had its distinct purpose.

[Mana] allowed the creation of elemental forces through imagination, enabling one to manifest and imbue elements into objects.

It also had enhancement properties but was weaker in this aspect compared to [Qi], which made Mana ideal for magic.

[Qi] excelled at strengthening and enhancing the body.

Although it could also create elements, it was far less effective than Mana, which is why Qi was mainly used in cultivation to enhance a cultivator's physical form.

Then there were the Elemental Essences.

Damian wasn't sure how many existed, but currently, he possessed two: [Fire Essence] and [Wood Essence].

The [Fire Essence] granted abilities related to fire: fire immunity, fire generation, increased speed, enhanced health and fatigue recovery, and a passive boost in vitality.

However, it was primarily offensive in nature.

The [Wood Essence] was entirely supportive, offering no offensive capabilities but unmatched healing and regenerative power.

Looking down at the pile of [Water Essence Cores] he had collected from the monsters, Damian activated his innate ability.

[Extraction: Unique Innate Ability Activated]

In an instant, the energy within hundreds of [Water Essence Cores] was drained and absorbed into his hand.

[You have absorbed an enormous amount of Water Essence.]

"Oh, this feels easy," Damian remarked.

Unlike his previous experiences with the [Fire Essence] and [Wood Essence], there was no resistance this time.

It was as if his body naturally accepted the Water Essence.

Neither his Fire nor Wood Essences conflicted with the new energy.

[Your talent [World Tree's Blessing] is taking effect.]

[You have gained complete affinity with the energy known as Water Essence.]

Without affinity, one cannot control or circulate energy, leading to instability and self-destruction.

This was where Damian's talent, [World Tree's Blessing], shined.

It allowed him to gain affinity with any form of energy once it was absorbed and registered in his spirit.

As he gained complete control over the Water Essence, he began to circulate it.

He felt no resistance, even less than what the Wood Essence had given him.

However, he noticed something peculiar: the Wood Essence was now absorbing the Water Essence to grow.

[Your Wood Essence increased: +1]

[Your Wood Essence increased: +1]

[Your Wood Essence increased: +1]

...

..

.

Damian remained calm.

He trusted his other talent would manage this interaction, and he was curious to observe how the essences reacted to one another.

He realized something important: the Fire Essence burned the Wood Essence to grow, and now the Wood Essence was absorbing the Water Essence to strengthen itself.

Additionally, the Water Essence was weakening the Fire Essence.

[Your talent [Limitless Harmony] is taking effect.]

[The Water Essence has gained harmony with the other energies inside you.]

With [Limitless Harmony] activated, the conflicting reactions between the elemental Essences stopped.

All three energies began circulating in perfect synchronization, no longer interfering with one another.

Damian directed the circulating Water Essence into the space where his three cores spun continuously with energy:

A light blue core representing his [Mana Core].

A fiery orange core representing his [Fire Essence Core].

A vibrant green core representing his [Wood Essence Core].

Between the Fire and Wood Essence Cores, a new deep blue core began to form, slowly condensing until it matched the size of his other Essence Cores.

[You have formed the [Water Essence Core].]

The remaining Water Essence flowed into the newly formed core, filling it with energy.

[Your Water Essence increased: +1]

[Your Water Essence increased: +7]

[Your Water Essence increased: +4]


[Your Water Essence increased: +5]

...

..

.

[Your Vitality increased: +27]

[Your Perception Increased: +20]

[Your Constitution [The Unyielding Warrior's Physique] is taking effect]

[Due to the creation of the Water Essence Core and the Water Essence coursing through your body, your constitution has been altered.]

[You have awakened the Constitution: Eternal Sea Sovereign Physique]

[Effects:

-Grants you the [Water Essence Core], allowing you to store Water Essence.

-Increases your body's adaptability to any condition by 75%.

-Increases your immunity to flames by 70%.

-Allows you to create water and water-based energy from any part of your body using Water Essence.

-Enhances healing capabilities by 100%.

-Enhances perception capabilities.

-Grants you the ability to thrive underwater.

-Increases your resistance to physical pressure by 100%.

-Passively increases vitality as your Water Essence grows.

-Improves energy circulation by 100%.

-Increases your affinity with sea creatures by 100%.

-Increases your pain resistance by 75%.

-Grants you the ability to live without food.

-Unlocks an ability called [Water Avatar]].

After fully refining the remaining Water Essence, Damian ventured to the center of the largest island in this realm.

At its heart lay a pond.

Without hesitation, he dove in, swimming deeper until he found the [Water Essence Stone] he had been searching for.

Grasping it tightly, he swiftly returned to the surface.

[You have obtained the [Water Essence Stone].]

[You have completed the 12th Trial.]

[Rewards:

+65,000 Gold

+10 Free Stat Points

+1 Water Essence Stone]