Chapter 545: Tons Of Meat - 1
A few minutes later...
As the agonising transformation continued, the solar fire gradually fused with every part of Leo's body, tempering it like molten metal beneath a master blacksmith's hammer. His muscles became denser, his bones tougher, and his blood resonated increasingly with the infernal and solar energies flowing through him.
Though Leo didn't notice it, but his body had even absorbed the boiling blood of Infernal Serpent.
The invading power did not simply strengthen him—it reshaped the very foundation of his physique, carving a permanent connection to fire itself. When the final traces of crimson-gold energy settled and the reconstruction was complete, a powerful constitution was born.
Ding!
>Successfully awakened [Sunblood Infernal Physique].
Leo's eyes snapped open, now carrying a faint tint of gold and red. Almost instantly, he realised the pressure around his body had lessened. Even the searing heat had been reduced by almost 70%, making it far more bearable. Right now, the only discomfort came from the claustrophobic space trapping him and the broken bones scattered throughout his body—which were healing at a terrifying speed.
The serpent's muscles that had been constantly crushing him now felt like firm, heavy cushions that he could easily wriggle out of if he wanted to. But he took the opportunity to let his body heal further and check his status.
---
Ding!
>New Category—Physique—unlocked!
>Physique: [Sunblood Infernal Physique] - 7 star
-> Solarflare Affinity - 7 star
- A supreme fire affinity with a subsidiary connection to the sun. It greatly amplifies fire manipulation while infusing flames with radiant solar energy, increasing their destructive power and purifying properties. The solar aspect continuously replenishes vitality, accelerates body recovery, and grants exceptional resistance to heat and fire.
-> +40% Strength
-> +40% Agility
-> +40% Stamina
[Note: Physique traits are stackable with existing traits.]
-> 100% immunity against lower-ranked flames than the physique bearer's rank.
-> 80% immunity against same-ranked flames. After that, flame damage is reduced by 10% less with each major rank above.
[Note: In a flame-based attack mixed with other elements, such as poison, only the flame component will be offset. The remaining elements will still affect the physique bearer if they are stronger than the solar element.]
Ding!
>Physique bearer has been observed to wield multiple elements; the high-speed fire-element mana regeneration trait is being adjusted.
Ding!
-> -80% mana cost for flame-based attacks originating from the physique bearer.
Ding!
Stats Updated!
Vitality: 3960 [6860] + {50% boost (Optional)}
Strength: 3960 [6860] + {50% -> 90% boost (Optional)}
Agility: 3240 [6140] + {100% -> 140% boost (Optional)}
Stamina: 3900 [6800] + {50% -> 90% boost (Optional)}
Intelligence: 6255 [9155] + {50% boost (Optional)}
Mana: 688,050 [1007K]
---
"Damn! No wonder it's so bearable now," Leo muttered as he pushed the compressing muscles apart to make room for himself. He was covered in mucus and blood from head to toe, leaving him with a disgusting, wet, sticky feeling.
Leo let out a sigh of relief. Those few minutes of pain had felt like hours to him, but they had finally paid off. He might have celebrated a little longer, but his current location was the last place to do so.
By now, Leo had healed enough to at least carve open a path and escape this beast's body before it died.
He could instinctively tell that it was the [Solarflare] affinity helping him recover by consuming the stored solar energy within him, thanks to Niri. Since she possessed the [Solarbeam] skill, she naturally stored solar energy, and the same was true for Leo.
If Leo had acquired the affinity without any prior solar energy reserves, he wouldn't have healed at all and would have needed to spend a long time basking under the sun to store enough energy.
Once again, the team's healer had come in clutch. But he also cursed himself for procrastinating on Niri's progress, because his rapid healing came to an abrupt stop the moment the measly amount of solar energy within him was exhausted.
Well, at least all of his bones had been set back into place, and Agnivar's trait was still helping him recover.
Leo somehow managed to pull himself out through the bored hole in the serpent's neck. The moment he emerged, he slipped into stealth and quickly put some distance between himself and the serpent's body.
THAM! THAM! THUM! BAM!
The serpent was already on a rampage, lashing out wildly in every direction in hopes of killing the thief who had stolen its most precious treasure—and who would soon steal its life as well.
It now regretted its decision to follow Leo out of the lava crater, only to have its second pearl stolen as well.
Now that it thought about it, leaving the pearl out in the open as bait had been the wrong move from the very beginning. Centuries of peace and no competition had made it complacent, and now it was paying the price.
But it was already too late. Leo had created more than a kilometre of distance and had already called Agnivar for a lift into the skies.
"Lord! How did you survive?!" Agnivar asked, still unable to comprehend how Leo had escaped the impossible situation he had thrown himself into.
"Hahaha, I told you. Your new master is very special. Be ready for even greater surprises in the future."
Agnivar bared his teeth in annoyance. Leo's answer hadn't addressed his question at all.
ZOOOOMMM!!
Agnivar's pupils contracted as he abruptly changed direction, narrowly dodging an incoming lava breath attack unleashed by the serpent.
The serpent had spotted Leo on its back, and it needed its treasure back at any cost. The beast focused on high-intensity regeneration, and its second head literally began rebuilding itself in real time. Since the effects of the Netherblight poison had almost worn off due to the circulation of its scorching blood, its regenerative capability had returned. And in its desperation, it was burning its Blood Lifeforce to drive its body at efficiency far greater than peak.
Blood Lifeforce is the vital essence flowing within blood that sustains life, vitality, and physical strength. It nourishes every cell, fuels natural recovery, and forms the foundation of a living being's endurance.
By burning this essence in desperate situations, a being can temporarily push its body far beyond its normal limits, dramatically enhancing regeneration, strength, and resilience. However, every moment of such exertion permanently depletes vitality, shortens lifespan, and risks inflicting irreversible damage if prolonged.
The serpent's instincts already told it that its life would inevitably end without the treasure. There was no point in holding anything back anymore. It burned everything it had left, clinging to the faint hope of reclaiming its most prized possession.
Both heads were soon restored to their peak condition, the molten magma glow within their eyes burning even brighter as a supercharged breath attack rapidly formed inside their maws.