[Chapter 213: Higher Ascendant Order]
Boom!
An incredibly powerful force surged from within Daniel, sending waves of sharp pain rippling through his body. The sudden surge of power had strained his body heavily.
Daniel gritted his teeth and endured the agony.
Not only was his power increasing, but his spirit and soul were also rapidly strengthening. His Spiritual Sense sharpened alongside them.
His perception of the energy became even clearer -- as though he could feel the very breath of the world itself.
How long this sensation lasted was unknown before it finally faded.
[Exorcism Level: Exalted Hierarch (Higher Ascendant Order)]
[Merit Points: 22,935,700]
Seeing that he had finally become Exorcist of the Higher Ascendant Order, a pleased curve lifted Daniel's lips.
The difference between a Higher Ascendant Order and a Lesser Ascendant wasn't fundamental -- it was mostly that his power grew stronger, and he could draw more energy from the world.
Against a Lesser Ascendant, it was an overwhelmingly dominant level of power.
Only at this stage, though, could it really be called the true Master.
His merit points still had over 22 million remaining, and Daniel's heart surged with excitement.
That meant he could keep leveling up.
"Awesome, keep upgrading me!"
[Exorcism Level: Throne Regent (Higher Ascendant Order)]
[Merit Points: 22,735,700]
"Again!"
[Exorcism Level: Divine Legate (Higher Ascendant Order)]
[Merit Points: 22,335,700]
...
[Exorcism Level: Dominion Incarnate (Higher Ascendant Order)]
[Merit Points: 13,535,700]
With over 13.5 million merit points still left, Daniel paused his upgrades.
Originally, advancing from Dominion Incarnate to Heaven's Vicar of Higher Ascendant Order required 12.8 million points, and he had enough now.
But he needed to save merit points for his Body Enhancement. He didn't know how many merit points each level would require.
Besides, from past experience, upgrading Exorcism came with intense pain. Using the System to forcibly advance a Body Enhancement technique would surely be even worse.
Daniel glanced at the Celestial Thunder Body Enhancement; it was still uninitiated.
Taking a deep breath to steel himself, he reached out and tapped it.
Boom!
Instantly, lightning exploded from Daniel's body with great intensity. The lightning was so dense and fierce that it formed a sphere around him, crackling and buzzing.
Within the sphere, Daniel's body was encased in thunder; his skin looked like it was about to split, veins of electricity filling the cracks.
Crackle!
Bolts of lightning shot out in every direction.
Luckily, this was a training room Daniel had specially prepared -- no valuables inside -- and he'd set up a large Ward for protection.
Otherwise, it would've been total destruction by now.
"Ah!"
Daniel let out a low growl of pain.
It felt like his body was being torn apart by ten thousand horses, each pulling mercilessly at every muscle and sinew.
The agony was indescribable.
Daniel clenched his teeth but couldn't fully suppress the pain-filled cries that escaped.
Despite this, his body rapidly absorbed the power coursing through him.
His Physical Body was growing stronger at a speed visible to the naked eye.
After what seemed like an eternity, the lightning was fully absorbed.
Daniel's skin had turned charred black, smoke rising in sizzling wisps from his head.
But as his body trembled--
Crack!
The layer of blackened skin cracked and fell away, revealing skin as smooth and translucent as glazed porcelain beneath.
Mysterious thunder patterns shimmered faintly on the surface.
In seconds, the glazed skin gradually returned to a normal appearance.
The thunder patterns sank beneath the surface but Daniel's skin remained delicate and flawless -- like fine porcelain. If some women could see it, they'd probably be envious of his flawless complexion.
"What powerful strength," Daniel murmured, clenching his fist. Lightning crackled faintly around his hand. "Now I can emit lightning even without activating the Five Thunder Doctrine. Though it's not very strong yet. But my Physical Body is now more than ten times stronger than before."
With a casual flick of his wrist, a military knife appeared.
Daniel gripped the knife and slashed it fiercely across his arm.
Clang!
The blade snapped instantly.
Daniel's eyes lit up with excitement.
This level of physical strength was impressive -- it was truly invulnerable.
"It still hurts a little, though."
He rubbed his arm and saw a faint white mark.
Daniel nodded in satisfaction.
He entered the System menu.
[Celestial Thunder Body Enhancement: First Tier]
[Merit Points: 13,525,700]
Daniel's eyes widened.
"It only cost 10,000 merit points? That's nothing!"
A smile of anticipation crossed his face.
"Let's keep going!"
Boom!
Thunder enveloped Daniel once more, this time even more intense.
His low growls of pain grew more frequent and anguished.
The transformation repeated.
He shed another layer of skin.
His body grew even glossier and smoother.
Panting heavily, Daniel looked at the charred outer shell littering the floor, speechless.
"I have to shed a layer every time I level up? This doesn't seem very human."
He re-entered the System.
[Celestial Thunder Body Enhancement: Second Tier]
[Merit Points: 13,425,700]
"100,000 merit points? A tenfold jump? Does this mean the next one will cost 1 million? Let's try again."
Daniel didn't rush this time.
He rested, steadying his breathing, only starting again once fully recovered.
Boom!
Powerful lightning filled the entire room.
The ward Daniel had set up began to crack under the strain.
Finally--
With a booming crash, the ward couldn't hold and shattered violently.
Lightning lashed out against the walls, ceiling, and floor.
Boom!
Cracks spiderwebbed across the walls, a hole blasted through the ceiling, and the floor was scorched.
But Daniel barely noticed.
His mind was overwhelmed by the agonizing pain piercing to his very bones.
This time, it wasn't the ragged tearing of horses -- it was the slow, relentless sensation of dying by a thousand cuts.
Countless tiny knives seemed to slice and gouge flesh with every breath.
Eventually, the pain receded.
Once more, Daniel turned charred black.
His outer shell cracked and fell away, revealing glazed skin beneath, with thunder patterns more vivid and dense.
"Huff... huff..."
Daniel panted heavily.
Surveying the wreckage around him, he looked equally speechless.
He hadn't expected upgrading his Body Enhancement technique would cause such a cataclysm.
He had nearly wiped out his training room.
This was only the third tier. If he leveled up to the fourth tier, this house might not survive.
He checked the System again.
[Celestial Thunder Body Enhancement: Third Tier]
[Merit Points: 12,425,700]
"As expected, that took 1 million merit points, a tenfold increase each time. At this rate it's terrifying. With just over 12 million points left, I only have enough for one more level."
Daniel glanced around.
"I can't upgrade here anymore without a much stronger ward. For now, I'll save upgrades for later."
...
Daniel left the training room and found the Succubus Chris waiting outside the door.
"Master, you're finally out. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
Chris let out a relieved sigh, patting her ample chest.
"I felt a powerful force, but I didn't dare come in. You scared me half to death."
Daniel pointed inside the shattered room.
"Find a way to clean this mess up."
Chris blinked.
"Me?"
Daniel raised an eyebrow.
"Don't you have a physical form?"
"Wait, what?" Chris argued, crossing her arms. "Master, I should be considered high-level talent, right? You want me to clean up like a construction worker?"
*****
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