Chapter 248: Humans are strange creatures.

My innate Light-element talent was like a fish finally returning to the ocean after spending far too long away from the water.

Every second, I could feel the progress of my Light Body, but unfortunately, the pain was overwhelming. If it weren’t for the data continuously transmitted by the Biochip deep within my mind, I probably would have already given up.

[Light Body Progress: 17%.]

[Light Elementium absorption rate: increasing.]

[Innate talent activity: extremely high.]

[Body regeneration: activated.]

Ever since I had left that strange world belonging to that angel in the Kar-Dur Tower Region, the progress of my Light Body had remained stuck at 17%.

Now, however... I had found an amount of energy that simply surpassed anything my body had ever experienced.

Under the impact of that violent energy, my Light Body finally began to advance.

[18%.]

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[19%.]

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[20%.]

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[21%.]

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[22%.]

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[23%.]

[WARNING.]

[The physical body has reached its current tolerance limit.]

[Continuing the process presents a high risk of bodily collapse.]

After finally finding a way to break through that 17% barrier, stopping now felt like a waste.

But I wasn’t an idiot. Cultivation that completely destroyed my body could not be considered cultivation. I needed to survive in order to enjoy the results.

Therefore, I gritted my teeth and began to retreat. When I finally reached the debris-covered shore and climbed over the rocks, searing sunlight streamed from my body.

The glow of light that flickered through the air as it fell upon the rocks made them hiss and burn. Only after all that energy had left my body could I clearly see my new appearance.

My body looked terrible. The darkened parts of my skin that had been burned had hardened and turned almost into rock. Large pieces began to peel away, revealing the flesh underneath.

The pinkish areas were my newly regenerated flesh. They were completely exposed. Even so, there was something different about them. They were far more resilient and much more compatible with Light.

My previous body was mine, but it had not been specifically created to withstand such a tremendous amount of Light-element energy.

Now, however, some of its limitations had been removed. The Light Elementium had destroyed the incompatible parts. My regenerative ability had rebuilt those parts. And the result was a body better suited to my innate talent.

My insides were in an even worse condition. My organs were covered in tiny cracks. If I attempted to cultivate again immediately, I could turn those minor injuries into permanent damage.

So there was no other choice. I sat on the shore of that radiant ocean for some time until I felt my new body beginning to stabilize.

Only then did I stand up and retrieve the clothes I had hidden earlier before putting them on. Without looking back, I entered one of the tunnels filled with searing sunlight once again.

About half an hour later, I found a partially isolated cave. It wasn’t large. After modifying its entrance slightly and blocking several secondary passages, I turned the place into a small temporary base.

I might have to remain there for several days, allowing my body to rebuild itself.

I took out a core and summoned a Black Rock Basilisk.

Boom!

The enormous creature appeared inside the cave. I immediately ordered it to position itself at the entrance. The Basilisk’s thick body almost completely blocked the passage.

The advantage of this creature was precisely its nature. Its body was made of rock, and if it remained curled up and minimized the activity of its consciousness, it could easily pass for an ordinary rock formation.

That meant I could sleep without having to constantly keep my consciousness active to detect enemies. After checking the safety of the cave, I took out a small amount of Light Crystals.

I placed them in a cavity at the center of the shelter and began preparing my meal using magical energy. The meat I had came from Light-element creatures. Therefore, it didn’t require complicated preparation.

I took the meat and began eating. Before, this meat would have been practically impossible for me to consume. Now, however, after the strengthening of my body, it had become an important part of my diet.

Although my jaw hurt for quite a while after each meal, still... When I felt the Light-element energy slowly being released inside my body, I couldn’t help but think that it was worth it.

After finishing my meal, I took out another container.

Glu, glu, glu...

I drank a large amount of clean water.

Only then did I lie down on a soft blanket. This time, I did not meditate. My body simply couldn’t withstand another transformation.

I only needed to sleep. Not long after, my consciousness sank completely.

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POV: Saara — Humanoid Light Spirit

Our ship was very different from human vessels. In fact, calling it a ship was already something of an exaggeration.

We had transformed an enormous floating rocky island into a vessel. The very energy of the searing sunlight ocean propelled the vessel forward. And scattered across the deck were my companions.

We were the Children of the Searing Sunlight. Our bodies were about four meters tall. They were made of extremely durable granite, naturally shaped and tempered over countless years. Among adults, this stone had a golden hue, while among the young, it was crimson.

Our ship advanced rapidly across the ocean.

The large floating islands were skirted around, but the small ones...

CRASH!

They were simply crushed, and fragments of rock flew through the air and fell onto the surface of the searing sunlight ocean.

From time to time, some of the young ones would lean out of the ship. Their enormous hands would plunge into the searing sunlight ocean. They would retrieve a gemstone or a piece of ore.

Then they would bring the object close to their eyes and examine it. If it was beautiful enough, they would toss it onto the deck. Otherwise... they would return it to the ocean.

The less interesting stones would slowly sink, consumed by the absurd temperature.

To us, this was completely normal. That was why we, the Children of the Searing Sunlight, considered this place our home.

Furthermore, unlike many of the creatures in the outer region, we possessed high intelligence and an organized society. There were seven of us aboard the ship. Two adults taking care of five young ones.

Our true home was located on an enormous ring-shaped reef in the heart of the searing sunlight ocean. Normally, four or five teams patrolled the area. Not because we feared the creatures of the ocean.

But because of humans. When Crystal Peak’s Light Mountain entered its light storm phase, everything remained relatively peaceful.

Humans had difficulty entering. But when the resting phase arrived... the situation changed completely.

The level of the light ocean dropped, and previously submerged tunnels were exposed.

And the humans would begin to appear. Those weak beings from outside the mountain, whom humans called acolytes, would begin invading our territory.

The Light-element creatures that lived in the outer regions were not there by accident. We deliberately kept them in that area. They served as a barrier. But some humans were cunning, and they managed to cross the barrier.

And when they reached our home, they would begin stealing our treasures. I still remembered one occasion when two humans fought to the death over a Light Crystal that, to me, wasn’t even particularly beautiful.

And during that chaos... young Children of the Searing Sunlight ended up being killed. Ever since then, the arrival of the mountain’s resting phase had always brought tension.

That was precisely why I was carefully watching the shore when something caught my attention and my body tensed.

—Stop!

My voice echoed across the deck.

—Stop immediately!

—I smell a human!

The ship began to slow down.

—Check the shore!

Everyone in the patrol moved.

The ship stopped near a rocky formation.

Some of my companions jumped directly onto the shore, and we began searching.

It didn’t take long before we found the location.

The scent was clear. A human had been here.

—Saara... it seems that some human has invaded our world again.

—What do we do now?

—I don’t want to encounter those strange and frightening creatures...

He paused.

—I heard that they need to drink water and... urinate.

I remained silent for several seconds.

Another youngster began to tremble.

—I also saw with my own eyes that they need to wear clothes on their bodies because they consider it beautiful. Humans are very chaotic creatures. I hope I don’t find one of them under my bed when I go to sleep.

Some of the other youngsters looked at him.

I didn’t know where those stories came from. But we had no time to discuss them.

One of the adults placed a hand on his chin. He remained motionless for several seconds, analyzing the traces.

Finally, he spoke.

—We should inform the emperor.

I nodded.

—Send someone to report immediately. Ask the emperor to send reinforcements.

—Three of us will remain here and search for any additional clues.

My voice grew heavier.

—If he managed to cross the barrier of the Light Beasts in such a short time, then we cannot treat him as an ordinary intruder. He probably possesses some special ability. We cannot allow him to continue wandering freely through our territory.

Another adult stepped forward.

—Then let me stay with two youngsters and take care of this task.

He looked toward the ocean.

—It has been many years since human Mages directly invaded the searing sunlight ocean. This time, we are probably only dealing with a Mage’s offspring, most likely an acolyte.

His fists clenched.

—I can handle an intruder of this level.

I looked at him.

Then at the youngsters.

Finally, I nodded.

—Go.

The adult raised his arm.

The golden light within his body shone intensely.

His voice echoed across the shore.

—May the brightest light burn all our enemies!!

Zossh~~

The ocean began to move.

Waves of searing sunlight rose into the air.

Then dozens of enormous forms emerged from its surface. More than thirty Searing Sunlight Beasts emerged.

They gathered before the Child of the Searing Sunlight.

The adult raised his hand.

—Go!

The dogs’ eyes glowed.

—Find the human!

The Searing Sunlight Beasts raised their heads. Then they released sharp howls that traveled through the tunnels.

— Auuuuuuuuuuuu!

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