CHAPTER 170: NEW TALENT MERGE

Time quickly passed and Ethan arrived at the fifteenth floor, his progression through the tower’s legendary challenges having transformed him into something that transcended his previous power entirely.

The intervening floors had provided advancement opportunities beyond his wildest expectations. Diamond-rank creatures had fallen to coordinated assault while their cores and bodies provided enhancement materials that pushed his capabilities into theoretical territory.

He had evolved two crucial talents through careful consumption of compatible monsters. Protective Shield had transformed into Bronze Skin at B- rank, providing passive defence that could deflect attacks capable of shattering mountains. Regeneration had reached B- grade efficiency, allowing recovery from injuries that would prove fatal to lesser beings.

Most significantly, he had achieved Low-Diamond rank.

Human: Ethan Brandon

Rank: Low-Diamond

Talents: Elemental Manipulation (S), Super Sonic (B-), Bronze Skin (B-), Regeneration (B-), Accuracy Enhancement (F+), Dagger Wield (F-), Mental Enhancement (F)

Transformations: Basilisk (Mid-Diamond), Hydrant (Mid-Diamond), Stone Titan (Low-Diamond), Stalker Panther (Mid-Plat), FireFly (Low-Plat)

Level 13

Health Points: 18000 Mana Points: 18000

Strength: 1800 (+310) Agility: 1800 (+300)

Intelligence: 1800 (+240) Vitality: 1800 (+250)

Free Attributes: 43Skills: Mid Fast Steps (Apprentice- 40%), Swordsmanship (Apprentice - 90%), Mana control (Apprentice - 79%)

His attributes had reached astronomical levels through the consumption of Diamond-rank materials. Eighteen hundred base points in each category represented power that challenged fundamental laws while equipment bonuses pushed his total capabilities well beyond Low-Diamond classifications.

"Over two thousand total points in each attribute," Ethan observed with deep satisfaction as he reviewed his status.

The skill advancement had accelerated dramatically through constant high-level combat. Swordsmanship approached Competent mastery at ninety percent while Fast Steps had reached forty percent, Apprentice level.

New transformations provided access to Mid-Diamond capabilities when circumstances demanded overwhelming power application. The Basilisk and Hydrant forms offered specialized abilities that could complement his existing talent arsenal.

But perhaps most importantly, Rambo had evolved alongside him. The Blood Dragon’s SSS-rank potential had manifested through enhanced rank advancement, reaching Low-Diamond.

[Floor 15 Challenge Initializing...]

The arena materialized around them with dimensions that exceeded the previous floors’ scope. Environmental complexity suggested encounters designed to test comprehensive capability rather than simple combat.

Through dimensional rifts, the challenge creature emerged with power signatures that blazed with familiar yet enhanced energy patterns.

Hostile Entity: Apex Dark Imp

Rank: High-Diamond

Darkness Talent: A+

The creature stood four meters tall with ethereal form that shifted between solid matter and living shadow. Its presence created zones of absolute darkness that absorbed light while intelligence gleamed in eyes like dying stars.

"High-Diamond Dark Imp with A+ Darkness talent," Ethan observed with interest. "Similar capabilities to the Dark Wraith but enhanced beyond previous limitations."

A+ grade talent represented near-legendary classification while High-Diamond rank promised power. But his own advancement had reached levels that made such opposition manageable rather than threatening.

The creature’s darkness manipulation began immediately, reality warping as shadow-stuff flowed across the arena floor while environmental control established advantageous conditions for stealth-based assault.

FLOW! CONSUME! CONCEAL!

Absolute darkness spread across the combat zone while the Dark Imp’s form dissolved into ethereal substance that defied visual tracking. A+ grade talent created concealment that transcended normal sensory limitations.

But S rank Elemental Manipulation answered with comprehensive counter-techniques that eliminated the creature’s primary advantage.

BLAZE! ILLUMINATE! REVEAL!

Fire erupted across the arena in patterns that banished shadows while creating environmental conditions that forced the creature’s form into visible definition. S-rank power transcended A+ grade capabilities.

The Dark Imp shrieked with harmonics that shattered stone as its concealment tactics failed against overwhelming elemental control. Without darkness to manipulate, its primary combat capabilities became severely limited.

Rambo struck immediately, blood spears materialising through the air to target locations where the creature’s solid form intersected with normal reality.

PIERCE! CRITICAL!

The coordinated assault lasted a minute or so rather than an extended engagement, as Diamond-rank capabilities proved decisive against High-Diamond opposition that lacked comparable advancement support.

Enhanced Speed carried Ethan through the creature’s desperate counterattacks while the Primordial Fusion Blade channelled elemental combinations that carved through shadow-based defences with efficiency.

SLASH! DISCHARGE! DEVASTATION!

Elemental fusion attacks created plasma storms that consumed the creature’s ethereal substance.

The Apex Dark Imp crumpled among cooling elemental discharge while its A+ grade talent awaited consumption alongside High-Diamond enhancement materials.

"High-Diamond opposition eliminated through coordinated capability application," Ethan said with satisfaction as he began extraction procedures. "Partnership advancement creates overwhelming combat advantages."

You have devoured High-Diamond ferocious beast, Apex Dark Imp

You have gained A- Rank talent: Darkness Manipulation

+110 Strength

The talent acquisition represented a massive advancement opportunity. A- grade Darkness Manipulation would provide stealth capabilities, psychological warfare applications, and environmental control that complemented his existing elemental arsenal perfectly.

"A- rank Darkness talent," he observed with deep appreciation as shadow manipulation integrated with his consciousness.

The core consumption followed immediately, providing additional enhancement that pushed his strength capabilities even higher.

+60 Strength

[Floor 15 Complete]

[Record Broken!]

...

Time passed quickly once again, and Ethan had nearly made it to floor twenty-five. The intervening challenges had pushed his capabilities beyond all previous limitations, transforming him into something that transcended Diamond-rank classifications entirely.

Saint rank. The theoretical pinnacle of individual power that most beings could only dream of achieving. Yet here he stood, having broken through barriers that separated legendary from mythical through his devouring advancement that compressed lifetimes of development into days of tower ascension.

Human: Ethan Brandon

Rank: Low-Saint

Talents: Elemental Manipulation (S), Darkness (A), Super Sonic (A), Bronze Skin (A), Mental Enhancement (A), Regeneration (B+), Accuracy Enhancement (F+), Dagger Wield (F-)

Transformations: Balor (Low-Saint), Minotaur (Low-Saint), Dark Crocodile (Peak-Diamond), Imp (High-Diamond), Basilisk (Mid-Diamond), Hydrant (Mid-Diamond), Stone Titan (Low-Diamond), Stalker Panther (Mid-Plat), FireFly (Low-Plat)

Level 15

Health Points: 50000 Mana Points: 50000

Strength: 5000 (+490) Agility: 5000 (+450)Intelligence: 5000 (+510) Vitality: 5000 (+500)

Free Attributes: 53Skills: Mid Fast Steps (Apprentice- 60%), Basic Swordsmanship (Perfection), Basic Mana control (Apprentice - 99%)

Five thousand base points in each attribute. Numbers that challenged comprehension while representing power levels that could reshape continents through his conscious will. His health and mana reserves had swollen to fifty thousand each—energy pools that could sustain combat against armies while maintaining peak performance.

"Low-Saint rank," Ethan observed with deep satisfaction. "Equipment bonuses push every attribute beyond fifty-five hundred total points."

His swordsmanship had achieved Perfection mastery within Basic rank—flawless technique execution that maximised every movement’s potential. Mana control approached Competent advancement while Fast Steps continued improving through constant high-level application.

The transformations now included Low-Saint classifications that provided access to mythical creatures when circumstances demanded overwhelming power projection. Although he didn’t think that he needed to transform.

In front of Ethan materialised a creature that radiated power beyond anything the tower had previously manifested. Pure light blazed from its form while reality itself seemed to bend around its presence.

Hostile Entity: Sky LuminaryRank: Low-SaintLight Manipulation Talent: S-

The being stood six meters tall with wings of condensed radiance that created aurora displays across the arena’s expanded dimensions. S- grade Light talent promised capabilities that approached the absolute pinnacle of elemental classification.

"Low-Saint creature with S- rank Light talent," Ethan noted with predatory anticipation. "Powerful opposition that would challenge most mythical beings."

But others like Seraphina had reached floor twenty before him. How could he not surpass their achievements with advancement that exceeded every precedent?

The Sky Luminary attacked immediately, S- grade radiance creating environmental effects that transformed the arena into a miniature star. Light manipulation approached natural phenomenon control.

BLAZE! BURN! ILLUMINATE!

But Ethan’s response demonstrated why Saint-rank capabilities backed by diverse talent combinations redefined combat effectiveness entirely.

A-rank Darkness manipulation answered the creature’s radiance with zones of absolute void that consumed light while creating advantages through environmental control.

Whilst the creatures light was certainly stronger than his darkness, that wasn’t his only card. He used his elemental manipulation and speed to avoid most attacks. Furthermore, if an attack arrived and he was unable to dodge, his bronze skin would deal with it.

CONSUME! ABSORB! NEGATE!

S-rank Elemental Manipulation coordinated with darkness techniques to generate combination attacks that exceeded the creature’s defences. Fire, water, earth, wind, and crystal work in harmony with shadow control.

A-rank Super Sonic capabilities carried him through the creature’s light-based assault with velocity that made its attacks appear stationary. Enhanced speed transcended visual tracking while positioning for optimal strike application.

ACCELERATE! POSITION! STRIKE!

The new sword he had channelled multiple elemental combinations while darkness enhancement created cutting edges that carved through Saint-rank vitality with ease.

The Sky Luminary collapsed within minutes of engagement, its S- grade capabilities proving insufficient against coordinated Saint-rank assault backed by equipment that amplified every advantage.

VICTORY! CONSUMPTION! ADVANCEMENT!

You have devoured Low-Saint ferocious beast, Sky Luminary

You have gained A-rank talent: Light Manipulation

+300 Agility

The talent acquisition completed his elemental control spectrum. A-rank Light manipulation would provide healing, environmental illumination, and energy projection that perfectly complemented his existing darkness techniques.

+150 Agility

Four hundred fifty total agility enhancement pushed his velocity capabilities well beyond Low-Saint limitations while providing a foundation for Peak-Saint advancement.

But then something occurred.

TALENT MERGE OPTION DETECTED

Darkness (A) + Light (A) = Yin-Yang Manipulation (S+)

CONFIRMATION REQUIRED

S+ rank. Classification that transcended even his S rank Elemental Manipulation.

"Yin-Yang Manipulation at S+ grade," Ethan whispered with awe. "Darkness and light unified into duality control."

The fusion would create balance manipulation that operated on fundamental universal principles—order and chaos.

"Immediately confirmed," he announced without hesitation.

TALENT MERGE CONFIRMED

INITIATING FUSION PROCESS

YIN-YANG MANIPULATION (S+) ACQUIRED

Power beyond comprehension flowed through his consciousness as duality principles integrated with Saint-rank capabilities. His most powerful talent by far—classification that suggested an approach toward the highest power levels.