Energy: 2359

  Stamina: 101/102

  Strength: 107/121

  Spirit: 23/23

  Skills:

  - Iron Body Technique (Lv.6)

  - Five Tigers Blade Technique (Lv.4)

  - Thousand-Mile Leap (Minor Mastery)

  - Mystic Unity Blood Essence Technique (Lv.5)

  - Clock of Time (Basic)

  Bloodline:

  - Toxic Mist Bloodline (Basic)

  Ryan had practically emptied the entire settlement's beast crystal reserves, only accumulating slightly over two thousand energy points. This meant he could now craft two Level-2 Skill-Stealing Cards.

  Two Level-2 Skill-Stealing Cards, each with a 50% failure rate! With good luck, he might get two useful abilities from bloodline warriors. With mediocre luck, at least one. But if fortune abandoned him, he could end up empty-handed!

  Although Ryan considered himself lucky so far, who could guarantee continued success?

  "Ryan, remember—ten seconds," Overseer Marcus urged solemnly. "You must immobilize the Gray Mist Blood Bat for at least ten seconds."

  Ryan nodded confidently. "Don't worry, Overseer. I'll give it my all."

  Faced with the difficult choice between Level-2 and Level-1 Skill-Stealing Cards, Ryan quickly decided:

  He would create one Level-2 Skill-Stealing Card and ten Level-1 Skill-Stealing Cards.

  He planned to use the single Level-2 card on Marcus, hoping to gain something valuable. The ten Level-1 cards would target Old Shen and other former bloodline warriors. After crafting them, Ryan's energy dropped sharply, leaving him with just over three hundred points—enough for emergencies during the upcoming battle.

  First, he tested the waters with Old Shen again, using one Level-1 card:

  Skill absorption failed!

  Ryan grimaced but stayed calm—after all, a 50% failure rate was to be expected. He still had nine cards left.

  Undeterred, Ryan used another card on Old Shen. Four red skill cards appeared, and Ryan eagerly chose one:

  Clock of Time… again!

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  Ryan nearly groaned aloud. He already possessed this skill—getting it again was utterly useless!

  Annoyed, Ryan absorbed it anyway, and—as expected—it yielded no improvement. He shot Old Shen a resentful glance.

  Old Shen, noticing Ryan's strange look, became uneasy. Why was this brat glaring at him like he owed him money? Perhaps Ryan resented him for recommending him for this dangerous mission?

  Feeling guilty, Old Shen convinced himself that giving Ryan two beast crystals was worth it if it helped ease his guilt.

  Meanwhile, Ryan stubbornly tried again, using another Level-1 card on Old Shen. This time, success!

  Five Tigers Blade Technique (Lv.5)!

  Ryan's frustration mounted. He'd expended three cards, yet achieved little meaningful progress. Still, he absorbed this skill grudgingly.

  As the skill merged, Ryan suddenly felt an intense warmth flow through his limbs. New insights flooded his mind, clarifying previously obscure techniques. Checking his internal status, he was astonished to see:

  Five Tigers Blade Technique (Lv.6)!

  According to his father Hank Carter, no one in the entire settlement had reached Level Six—the pinnacle of the Five Tigers Blade Technique. It represented perfect mastery, each strike roaring like five tigers in unison!

  Old Shen and Hank each had reached Level Five, yet their techniques differed subtly. These slight variations had miraculously fused within Ryan, elevating his skill directly to Level Six!

  Realizing the Skill-Stealing Cards could fuse complementary skills, Ryan stared excitedly at Old Shen, now filled with gratitude. Old Shen, however, grew even more uncomfortable under Ryan's suddenly warm gaze, suspecting the brat was plotting some mischief.

  Ignoring Old Shen's discomfort, Ryan refocused on Marcus. If skills could fuse, could bloodlines also merge? Eagerly, he activated his precious Level-2 Skill-Stealing Card.

  A thousand energy points were at stake—failure now would hurt immensely.

  Five glowing orange cards appeared—success!

  Ryan breathed a sigh of relief. Without hesitation, he randomly selected one, heart pounding nervously. If he got another redundant skill, he'd truly despair.

  Blazing Flame Bloodline (Intermediate)!

  Ryan's heart raced with excitement. Once again, his luck had delivered a powerful bloodline!

  He quickly absorbed it, and within moments, a remarkable fusion occurred:

  Toxic Flame Bloodline (Intermediate)!

  His original Toxic Mist Bloodline combined seamlessly with Marcus's Blazing Flame Bloodline, evolving into a potent new intermediate bloodline. Now, his attacks carried fiery poison, vastly superior to either flame or poison alone. Additionally, intermediate purity meant Ryan effectively became a mid-level bloodline warrior.

  Intermediate warriors typically had double the strength of basic warriors. With this dramatic advancement, Ryan felt confident he could handle far greater threats.

  Thrilled, Ryan quickly used his remaining seven Level-1 Skill-Stealing Cards on the other former warriors. Unfortunately, despite his optimism, only two succeeded—one of which was just another Five Tigers Blade Technique (Lv.4), offering no further improvement.

  The other successful card granted him:

  Golden Bell Shield (Lv.5)

  Initially disappointed, Ryan absorbed it anyway. To his surprise, his existing Iron Body Technique instantly fused with this new ability, creating something even stronger:

  Golden Bell Iron Body Technique (Lv.6)!

  Although the combined technique remained at Level Six, Ryan's physical toughness instantly doubled. His skin felt like tempered metal, shimmering faintly golden when activated.

  Ryan opened his status panel again, smiling with satisfaction:

  Energy: 359

  Stamina: 131/132

  Strength: 141/144

  Spirit: 24/24

  Skills:

  - Golden Bell Iron Body Technique (Lv.6)

  - Five Tigers Blade Technique (Lv.6)

  - Thousand-Mile Leap (Minor Mastery)

  - Mystic Unity Blood Essence Technique (Lv.5)

  - Clock of Time (Basic)

  Bloodline:

  - Toxic Flame Bloodline (Intermediate)

  Though slightly disappointed with the low success rate of his remaining cards, Ryan couldn't complain—his overall strength had skyrocketed. He now felt tantalizingly close to becoming a high-level bloodline warrior.

  Overseer Marcus rose solemnly, addressing everyone: "Remember your roles clearly—this mission determines our entire settlement's survival. No mistakes allowed. Move out!"

  With a firm nod, Ryan stepped forward, heart calm and confident, fully prepared to face the Gray Mist Blood Bat.