Chapter 43: Newly Acquired Talent.

It's important to note that one cannot force a Sacred Life Contract ritual if either the cultivator or the Spirit Beast has any slight unwillingness.

After receiving the consent of both parties,

The mysterious runes entered their bodies without much obstruction, akin to water flowing into a lake—an almost preternatural manner.

As this process happens, Myah could immediately feel a melting current spreading and rushing through every inch of his body while his blood was gradually heating up.

"Haa...gur...ha...hur..." After feeling this abrupt development, Myah's breath becomes deep yet hastened at the same time.

The vigor streams of power surged from the tiny runes and quickly seep into his blood, organs, bones, and tendons.

Overall, they significantly strengthened his physical body to a new height.

It's common knowledge that most Spirit Beasts were well known for their powerful and robust body except for the minority of particular cases.

Taking Myah's mother, Hannah, as an example, her Rank-3 War Soul, which was once a Lesser Water Elemental at the beginning, is one of the minority cases.

A Lesser Water Elemental has no physical body except its Elemental Core that was well protected.

Once a Sacred Life Contract is formed, there wouldn't be much physical enhancement. Instead, she would receive a certain degree of water elemental affinity, and it would also change the nature of her spirit energy.

Furthermore, possessing an elemental affinity would allow the said cultivator to potentially learn and cast Mystic Spells or strengthen their attack with the corresponding attributes.

Nevertheless, elemental affinities weren't limited to Elementals alone, but many other types of Spirit Beast also have them, though they might be much more inferior in typical cases.

...

In Myah's current situation, however,

Bumpkin was a pure Grass Horse and is a common species of Rank-1 Spirit Beasts that doesn't possess any elemental affinity other than their sturdy physical strength, stamina, and speed.

Hence, only his physical body will be improved as the primary focus.

As the mysterious energy from the countless runes reached its peak during this transformation, they crazily entered Myah's blood, muscles, bones, and tendons.

Surprisingly, Myah easily adjusted to this uncanny sensation of enhancement as it's not as painful as expected.

This slight discomfort could be considered "comfortable" compared to when he was in the tortured medicinal bath or his first breakthrough to the Warrior Realm.

At this moment within Myah's body, the density of his bones was quickly increased.

Perhaps it was due to the Dance of The Moon Goddess's exercise method. Though the newfound energy abruptly strengthened his muscles, they were compressed and is under control.

Therefore, Myah's outer appearance didn't change much, but rather, he maintained a petite and lean body.

Then, within a few minutes, which the transformation inside Myah continued, his height experiences an inevitable and noticeable increase as he went from 3.8 ft to a little higher than 4 ft tall.

Although 4 ft was already the average height of a seven-year-old child, Myah was still much shorter compared to the few "normal" children of similar age in the village.

'This... this feeling is awesome! I feel like my strength, stamina, and speed are almost as twice as before...'

Even though Myah never has a chance to try out his strength in any battle, with his acute sense and firm control required while practicing the Dance of The Moon Goddess's exercise method, he could clearly feel the changes in his body.

Clenching his tiny fist, little Myah felt as if he could crack a small stone instantly now.

The feeling of explosive growth was intoxicating!

——

Meanwhile,

As Myah's transformation was about to reach its conclusion, Bumpkin was also going through a change of its own after the miniature figure of the horse fused with Myah's Soul Origin Crystal.

With the mysterious runes that entered Bumpkin's body, it received a significant benefit with its growth potential.

The small shackle that kept it from breaking through to the next minor stage shattered as Bumpkin's body grew slightly more extensive than before. The masses of fats in its stomach also lessened.

"Neigh!!!!"

After a volcanic cry,

Bumpkin advanced and officially became a Mid-stage Rank-1 War Soul with a surge of spiritual energy as a lone streak of sparkling green light condensed and randomly orbited around its body.

Anyone could see this change,

It also symbolizes that Bumpkin is a Rank 1 War Soul, while the green light indicates Myah's C-grade talent.

Furthermore, it also helps people differentiate between a wild Spirit Beast and a War Soul.

At this moment, inside Myah's mind, the contents of the crystalline screen changed as new pieces of information appeared.

——

<You have successfully formed a Sacred Life Contract with a Rank 1 Grass Horse.>

<You have obtained a new Acquired Talent <Robust Strength>

<The status has been changed accordingly.>

——

<Name: Myah>

<Age: 6>

<Soul Origin Crystal: C (Green)>

<Cultivation: One-star Warrior>

<Unique trait: Pure Soul>

<Acquired talent: Spear Talent (Moderate), Robust Strength (Minor)>

<Spear Soul: Rank 1 (Developing)>

——

<War Soul: Grass Horse>

<Cultivation: (Mid-stage) Rank 1 Spirit Beast >

<Innate Talent: Robust Strength (Moderate)>

<Innate Skill: Shield Charge>

<Bloodline: Rank 1 (Ordinary Grass Horse)>

——

The new pieces of information attracted Myah's full attention as he was in a trance for a good while.

"Myah, are you alright?" Noticing Myah in a daze, Mu Suyin didn't think much of it and asked while she helps him up on his feet.

Then, once she attentively scanned the various changes in his body, she nodded to herself. Everything progressed as planned without anything unforeseen problem.

"Ah, yes, I'm fine." Getting back to his sense, Myah quickly replied, "Grandma, my body's filled with strength!"

"Of course, it's only natural for you to feel that way.

"Bumpkin's a none attributeless type Spirit Beast. Moreover, since it has already become your War Soul companion,

"The mutual benefit shared has greatly strengthened your body while you also received a weaker version of its Innate Ability, <Robust Strength> hence your physical force was amplified greatly compared to previously." Mu Suyin explained with a patient yet confident voice.

Having lived for hundreds of years, she was too familiar with the changes that transpired inside Myah's body.

These bits of knowledge were too standard for her. Otherwise, her life would have been in vain.

"Myah, withdrawn your Soul Origin Crystal and focused your mind and sense your soul." Once Myah followed her instructions, Mu Suyin continued,

"Can you feel anything else different from before?"

After a moment of silence, he responded with uncertainty, "Ummm...I don't know. I think I can sense a bizarre connection with Bumpkin and hear its thoughts in my mind. It wants green apples..."

"Neigh!"