"A.I. Chip, scan me!"
Vlad immediately requested an objective analysis, feeling the familiar sensation as the powerful energy from the A.I. Chip surged through his body. Within moments, the mechanical voice echoed clearly within his mind:
[Beep! Scanning the Host....
Class: Depravita / Demon Soul Hunter
Level (Body): 22 → 23
Level (Demon Soul Hunter): Legendary Realm
Lineage: Endless Horizon Monarch (Legendary Tier)
Life Level: High Legend Tier
Energy Pool (Depravita Aura): 0.3 → 0.5
Soul Force: 1.0 → 1.2
Seal of Sin: Skin of Wrath
Demon Soul Ability: Asura Form
Bloodline Ability: Sphere of Spatial Domain
Gift: Samsara Typhoon
Vlad couldn’t suppress the broad smile that spread across his face as he reviewed his greatly enhanced stats.
Thanks to the fusion with the Legendary Demon Soul, his soul force and energy pool had rapidly approached the threshold of Level 22, signifying tremendous advancement in his power.
Yet what truly ignited Vlad’s excitement was the enormous physical boost he’d gained after his body broke through into Level 23, officially reaching the Legendary Tier.
"Hahaha, excellent," Vlad laughed out loud, satisfaction resonating in his voice. "The Apple from the Garden of Eden didn’t just grant me a flawless breakthrough—it also immensely increased my vitality, pushing it past two points!"
Considering the daunting dangers awaiting him at the Void Heart Fortress, enhanced vitality was undoubtedly invaluable news. Still, Vlad understood better than anyone that complacency led to ruin.
Every improvement—no matter how slight—could mean life or death. Thus, without hesitation, he began preparing himself for an intensive meditation session over the next several days until Spartacus’ arrival.
However, just as he was about to close his eyes and enter deep meditation, a tremendous burst of energy suddenly erupted within the city.
Vlad’s sharpened senses detected the eruption instantly. Soon afterward, the entire Korokor Stronghold felt the reverberations. Powerful tremors spread through the city streets, and waves of lightning and fire danced wildly through the sky, illuminating it with an otherworldly glow.
Vlad immediately rose, his eyes narrowing sharply as he pinpointed the source. A familiar presence approached rapidly, a bright trail of fiery energy streaking directly toward his residence.
The figure responsible flashed swiftly through the gates, entering Vlad’s chambers without delay. Unsurprisingly, the small yellow cat, Jormungandr, stood proudly in front of him, wrapped in a swirling aura of lightning and fire.
A triumphant grin covered the little feline’s face. "I managed to break through—I am officially a Legend now!"
As he spoke those words, a vast ocean of magical power surged outward, permeating the chamber. The magic didn’t merely exist; it felt alive, dynamic, flowing with the boundless vitality characteristic of a being who had achieved profound mastery over the Law of Life.
This breathtaking manifestation of raw magical force was a testament to Jormungandr’s tremendous breakthrough.
Vlad smiled widely, genuine pride and happiness in his eyes. The incredible growth of the Depravita of Gluttony didn’t truly surprise him. Though physically Jormungandr was undoubtedly the weakest among the Depravitas, when it came to energy cultivation, his progress was unparalleled.
His racial trait allowed his energy pool to expand even in sleep, granting him a cultivation speed unmatched by any of his peers.
Yet, Vlad’s keen perception revealed something even more remarkable—Jormungandr’s energy reserves were roughly four times greater than an average Level 23 Legendary Mage.
Realizing this, Vlad’s eyes widened in awe and shock. Clearly, the small yellow cat had achieved significant progress in Gaia’s Nurture, the Legendary Auxiliary Technique inherited from the Dino People, which specifically enhanced one’s energy pool.
"He has already completed the second level," Vlad silently acknowledged, feeling a pang of complex emotions. "Meanwhile, I have yet to achieve even minor success with Voidborn Embodiment."
A complicated smile briefly flashed across Vlad’s face, tempered by humility. He knew Voidborn Embodiment was an immensely intricate and flawed technique, requiring far more time and patience to master. Still, recognizing Jormungandr’s rapid advancement served as a poignant reminder that he could never afford to slow his efforts.
Clearing away these distracting thoughts, Vlad’s eyes quickly regained their sharp focus as he addressed the small yellow cat directly.
"I assume you’ve come for your Legendary Demon Cage formation," Vlad said, returning the conversation to practical matters.
Jormungandr immediately nodded, his small feline eyes bright with anticipation. "That’s right. Now that my energy pool has reached the Legendary Realm, my soul force can safely sustain a Legendary Demon Soul."
The feline paused briefly before continuing with another significant revelation. "I also bring other good news—General Tiberius will soon awaken."
Vlad’s expression grew even more pleased. "General Tiberius is an extraordinary commander. Even if he cannot fight due to the wounds, his awakening alone would greatly bolster our strength."
"About that," Jormungandr interrupted proudly, "thanks to my potions and mastery of the Law of Life, I’ve managed to heal him far beyond my initial estimations. Although he’s not fully restored, General Tiberius should be capable of displaying at least seventy percent of his original strength."
A burst of hearty laughter escaped Vlad at the fantastic news. "Hahaha! Excellent!"
He knew exactly what this meant. General Tiberius, at seventy percent strength, could confidently confront Level 23 Legends—an invaluable asset for the imminent battle.
"Well then," Vlad said decisively, standing and preparing his engraving tools, "let’s get started immediately. Once we’re done with your Legendary Demon Cage, we’ll head straight to General Tiberius. There’s much to discuss."
Jormungandr narrowed his eyes slightly, sensing the gravity behind Vlad’s words. The small yellow cat was sure that the desire for strength and reinforcements behind the words of the True Depravita of Wrath had something to do with the discussion with Spartacus.
However, he left those questions for later and promptly removed his armor, revealing his bare furred body, bracing himself without hesitation for the painful yet crucial procedure ahead.