As soon as he spoke, the system went to work. The Dragon Factor and Parvati Gene began to merge with his body. The process was entirely painless.
Before long, Su Ming felt the transformation. The Dragon Factor's enhancement was the first thing he noticed. While its physical boost wasn't as explosive as Parvati's, it offered traits the gene could not: extreme defense, elemental resistance, and... Dragon Might.
With the high-concentration Dragon Factor, Su Ming possessed all the characteristics of a dragon from legend immense resistance to supernatural forces like magic and elements, and a physical defense comparable to dragon scales.
Most importantly, it provided mana. In the Type-Moon universe, mana was a manifestation of life force and the soul. It could be used to reinforce the body, or for those with extraordinary amounts, it could be projected through Mana Burst. Mana Burst was incredibly versatile it could be used to create armor, weapons, or even fired as a beam of light.
Su Ming exhaled. His ordinary breath turned into a frigid gale, instantly freezing over half of the Pool of Aocang.
"Incredible. No wonder it could withstand the release of the Might of An-Utu!"
Though Kevin Kaslana's ability to offset the side effects of his weapon was largely due to his own god-like power, it still spoke volumes about Parvati's freezing capabilities. Su Ming could clearly feel that his physical strength had reached a new level.
If not for his years of training under Cloud Retainer to control his own body, this sudden surge in power would have left him unable to walk without breaking the ground. His past efforts had finally paid off.
However, his joy was short-lived. He frowned, his newly enhanced senses picking up something unusual. He felt eyes on him.
"Hmm? Someone is coming up the mountain?"
"Sigh, I was so busy testing my powers that I let a mortal reach the summit. Master is going to nag me for ages."
"I better fix this quickly. That old shut-in is probably tinkering with some gadget in her cave anyway; she shouldn't have noticed yet. Better chase them away."
Su Ming sighed. One of his daily tasks was to drive away mortals who came seeking the "path of the immortals." This was his only duty aside from training. Between a master who stayed indoors inventing and a fellow disciple, Shenhe, who radiated too much murderous intent, the job of "bouncer" fell to him.
He hadn't expected anyone to make it to the top, especially since no one had visited in over six months. He stood up and walked toward the distant figures.
Earlier, on the path to Mt. Aocang:
"Lumine... this mountain is way too high... do the adepti really live in a place like this?"
After flying for a while, Paimon had lost all her energy. She flopped down onto the head of Lumine, who was busy searching for the path.
Lumine sighed. "Alright, alright. Just a little further. We're almost at the top."
"I heard Cloud Retainer lives here. Once we notify her, I'll take you to Wangshu Inn for something good to eat. We can find the Conqueror of Demons there, and then we can head back to Liyue Harbor."
"Fine... but no take-backs! I heard the boss of Wangshu Inn is from Mondstadt. They should have Sticky Honey Roast! I want two big portions!"
"Yeah, yeah. Now get off my head, you're too heavy."
"I am not!"
The two continued their banter as they climbed, reaching the summit shortly after.
"Wow! What a view! Is this really where the adepti live!?" Paimon exclaimed.
Lumine nodded, taking in the mist-shrouded beauty. However, she didn't forget her mission. She began looking for an entrance to an adeptus's dwelling. Unlike their visits to Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper, the adeptus of Mt. Aocang seemed to prefer staying inside rather than strolling around.
"Hey, Lumine! Look! Could that be the adeptus we're looking for?"
Paimon pointed toward a clearing near the Pool of Aocang, where a figure was sitting.
Lumine walked closer. It was a person in a white robe, his long black hair tied back with a simple hemp rope. He wore a pair of black dragon-patterned bracers on his wrists. Even from behind, he gave off an ethereal, aloof aura that suggested he was no ordinary mortal. Lumine breathed a sigh of relief.
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