Chapter 74: Serendipitous Discovery

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"Oh, me? I'm just a lacking Zul Knight; a 3rd Rank one. If you aren't aware of it, it's the second true stage of Body Cultivation. Although there's not much difference, the body is much stronger and the Natural Essence inside me has further condensed."

As soon as she disclosed her cultivation standards, the system disclosed an even more in-depth summarization about her.

Name: Cynthia

Elements: Wind and Water.

Cultivation: Rank 3 Zul Knight

Health: 12,400 (100%)

'Over 12,000 Health? It appears a Zul Knight's vitality is no small matter. However, that should be expected. If she can use Natural Essence to sustain herself then her physique would indeed be stronger. As for her elements, why did the system tell me that? Though I didn't expect aunty to possess dual elements as well.'

"Ah, I believe we need to hurry. We've idled long enough. Let's clear our task and get out of here. I would like to bypass the chance of any unforeseen circumstances towards us happening. So let's get this show on the road," uttered Danyul as he approached the lava path from the side.

A scalding heat could be felt from it as it bubbled and popped with a searing heat. The sulfuric smell and extreme heart threatened to singed their nose hair. Narrowing his eyes, a faint blue aura covered Danyul's body.

The same film then appeared over the bodies of Ashur and Cynthia albeit in different colors. It was a basic essence utilization technique that protected the body from harmful conditions. Apollo, however, was taken aback for a moment.

'Why didn't the mercenaries execute a technique like this? Back then, if they did so then my victory would have been uncertain. If the disparity between small families with lacking reputation and rogues is already this large, then how large is the disparity between those so-called Great and Supreme Families?'

The technique was known as Essence Aegis; it operated by expending a cultivator's reserves. Of course, the thickness of the film was determined by the attainments of said cultivator's essence density and the drain was minuscule and more so an auxiliary function. Therefore, Cynthia's aegis was more durable than the other two.

"Oh, I've learned how to do that as well," muttered Aaron before a multicolored layer covered him as well. But oddly enough, the was a third faint color laced within that surprised Apollo.

'Is that the earth element?'

[It would seem so. It seems this boy's inherited body is triple ele- No… I'm mistaken it's even beyond that. Look closer, there are faint blue lines circulating within. He must have inherited that from his mother.]

'Quadruple? That's the first I heard of it,' responded Apollo.

[It seems even he is unaware of it. I'm only able to see it due to certain reason. Possessing 4 elements simultaneously is an extreme rarity. In the future, his arsenal will be expansive.]

"Advance," commanded Cynthia before dashing forward. Unlike the others, Apollo didn't utilize an Essence Aegis. This was for two reasons; one, he was unable to do so at the moment. Secondly, he found this heat comfortable. So much so, it was nourishing his meridians at a visible rate.

'The circulation pathways aren't increasing in pain. Instead, it's also as if it's devouring the heat. Interesting, I look forward to this stigmata forming as well as finding out what it looks like.'

Approaching the entrance, Cynthia waved her sword managing to expand it with ease. Blue sword images pierced the rock and burrowed through creating a sizable opening. Inching closer they came in contact with what seemed to be the evolving beast's humble abode.

"What the hell is that?" exclaimed Aaron with an incredulous gaze. His finger trembled at a colossal volcanic rock cocoon. It remained suspended half a meter above the ground with tendrils of dense Fire Essence being absorbed by it.

Furthermore, three more Flame Salamanders laid in wait. However, that's not what captured Cynthia's and the other two's attention. Her gaze narrowed as her eyes fell on something that felt out of place. Taking a moment, her eyes soon brightened with a fervent gaze 'So that's how this beast began its evolution...this seems to be one of those!'

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"Such a potent Fire Essence! It appears this beast is using the ambient energy of this volcanic place to fortify its evolution. But…" Apollo gazed at the rock as he remained silent. Shifting his sights, he examined something else. 'Why can't I see any information? Am I too far?'

[Correct. For something like that you need to physically touch it. Unfortunately, you all have arrived late. Those fluctuations have been sealed. In other words, this beast is either finished evolving or at its extreme late-stage Nevertheless, it seems as if your aunt knows what those are. Confront her about it.]

"Aunty, what are those?" questioned Apollo pointing at an ash-grey tree. Typically, in this type of environment, a plant should be unable to survive. The conditions were too harsh! Needless to say, this turned out to be different for this particular tree; it even seemed to be thriving.

A clear sign of this was the fact it was bearing fruit! Multiple fist-sized, crystalline fruits with a cerulean hue hung on the branches of the tree. Copious amounts of vitality could be seen within as remained in the immediate vicinity of that volcanic cocoon.

"If I'm not mistaken...it should be a Natural Blessing. That's the only type of item that could exist in this habitat and thrive. Moreover, because it seems to be flourishing unabated, I believe it should be fire-element based," responded Cynthia with an odd gaze. In her eyes remained the desire to collect it as well as an innate caution.

"Natural Blessing? I've never heard of such a thing. What is it?" asked Apollo. In response, Aaron, Lily, and Axel's ears perked up. They too were ignorant to the term Natural Blessing. Hence, Cynthia disclosed the information she knew.

"Well for starters, as the name sounds it is a rarity that can only be chanced upon. Different from spiritual herbs which are limited to plant-based items; Natural Blessings don't share this limitation. They exist in a myriad of forms. Usually, they'd be found in special orbs, crystals, stones, metals—the list goes on," disclosed Cynthia piquing Apollo's interest.

Absorbing the information, he continued to question; intent on learning more about these things, 'It's possible I just discovered a way to hasten my advancement.'

"What effects do they possess and is there a distinguishment between their level or are you aware of their requirements/restrictions?" Apollo's attentiom remained glue to the crystalline fruits as if the most enticing object laid before him was in danger of disappearing.

"So curious you are. Nevertheless, this is how you should be—forever curious and seeking more. These items are extremely beneficial items, more often than not they possess the ability to enhance your current state of being through thoroughly purified Natural Essence—hence, their name Natural Blessing.

"As for their distinguishment, it goes hand and hand with their restrictions. This is quite often indicated by the name of the item. It'll possess hints of its capabilities by the name. For example, there's one we came in contact with recently called the [Earthen Flame Orb]. Not only did it temper the meridians into the Earth-Grade, but it also heightened one's affinity with fire considerably."

After mentioning this, her eyes fell upon Axel. Needless to say, this was a subliminal message. One didn't need to capitalize on both effects to ingest. Simply benefiting from one was enough for the family to justify the use of the item on Axel.

"Luckily, those types of Natural Blessings almost always possess a multiple-use function. Unless one possesses the means to draw every modicum of Essence from it," added Cynthia before being interrupted.