Chapter 289 - 159: Power and Speed

Li Ziyu could completely understand a Skeleton Undead being able to recover; that was perfectly normal. But for a shattered Weapon to be able to splice itself back together and gradually return to its original state—that was a bit inconceivable.

Perhaps because it had been shattered, the Shield’s recovery speed was slower than the Physical Skeleton’s. When the Shield was fully restored, however, its appearance had changed. It was no longer a flat slab. The face of the Shield was now a convex curve, looking much like a ladybug’s shell and covered in an earthy-yellow halo.

’Has its Defense Power increased?’

As for the Physical Skeleton, he had changed as well. His shin and thigh bones were several degrees thicker, and his palms had also grown larger. This was likely because the Shield had shattered and he had been sent flying, which made him think his stance wasn’t firm enough and his grip on the Shield wasn’t steady.

’One more time.’

Li Ziyu could see the eagerness in the Physical Skeleton’s Soul Fire; it was as if he had become addicted to taking a beating. ’Alright, let’s continue then. The one taking the hits isn’t complaining, so what can I, the spectator, do?’

At his command, the Ox Demon came over again, carrying its Totem Pole. Without another word, it aimed at the Physical Skeleton and rammed it directly with the Totem Pole.

BAM!

A stream of light flickered over the Shield, and it actually held. Under the immense force, the Physical Skeleton slid back two steps but still stood firm.

BAM!

With the second heavy blow, the earthy-yellow light shattered, and fine cracks appeared on the Shield. The Physical Skeleton slid backward once more.

BAM!

The Ox Demon didn’t pause. Mustering all its strength, it struck again. With an incessant CRACK-CRACK-CRACK, a "tree" spread across the Shield, and the Physical Skeleton was sent flying, Shield and all.

This was already so much better than last time. Last time, it only took one hit to "grow a tree." This time, the Ox Demon had to strike three times before it barely managed to create the "tree." And when the Physical Skeleton hit the wall, it didn’t shatter into pieces, only suffering some cracks on its bones.

These weren’t major problems. Whether it was the "tree" on the Shield or the cracks on his body, they would be repaired soon enough.

’Its evolution is incredibly fast. How long has it even been? The Physical Skeleton has already grown from an ordinary-looking Skeleton Undead into an Undead capable of withstanding the Ox Demon’s attacks.’

’As expected of the Imperial Family of the Alien Undead.’

Li Ziyu waved his hand. The Ox Demon put away its Totem Pole and stood to the side. The Physical Skeleton inspected its Shield, glanced at the ground, then walked back to its original spot and stood at attention, giving off a rather obsessive-compulsive vibe.

The system Introduction for the Dark Skeleton suddenly surfaced in his mind. It had clearly and explicitly warned Li Ziyu that the Dark Skeleton was dangerous. Now, he understood what the system meant.

The Physical Skeleton was just a Lower-Rank Tattooed Skeleton, yet its growth rate was already so terrifying. So, as an Upper-Rank Tattooed Skeleton, if the Dark Skeleton were allowed to grow unchecked, how astonishing would its growth rate be? How terrifying would its combat power be?

The only thing that comforted him was that these creatures weren’t his enemies and were all still under his control.

’If I could build an army of Tattooed Skeletons...’

The thought flashed through his mind and was just as quickly dismissed. It was true that Tattooed Skeletons were powerful, but these creatures weren’t so easy to control. Their intelligence was much higher than that of normal Skeleton Undead.

Just think about the Dark Skeleton. If Li Ziyu hadn’t checked the system information, he never would have known how intelligent that creature was, silently lurking by his side all this time.

Even this Physical Skeleton before him, which acted as simple and foolish as a normal Skeleton Undead, was probably not what it seemed.

Li Ziyu felt that the Physical Skeleton’s current level of enhancement was sufficient. He didn’t want to waste any more time and planned to summon the other Tattooed Skeletons. The second Tattooed Skeleton to be summoned was the Power Skeleton.

Power and Constitution were complete opposites. One seemed to be for offense, the other for defense. The Physical Skeleton grew rapidly by being constantly beaten, so Li Ziyu was very curious to know how the Power Skeleton evolved.

[Power Skeleton]

[Introduction: Specializes in pure Power-based offense. It embodies the principles that strength can overcome skill, and force can break all techniques. No matter how many tricks you employ, I will shatter them all with Power.]

[Requirements: Demonized Skeleton x1, Mutated Soul Energy x30, Soul Energy x500]

’This description is interesting. It really gives off the vibe of an ancient martial arts hero. Very domineering, yet simple.’

Simple was good. Li Ziyu liked simple and practical.

’Summon, Power Skeleton!’

The Power Skeleton that walked out of the Alien Tomb was soon standing before Li Ziyu.

The newly born Power Skeleton was similar to the Physical Skeleton. It was about 170cm tall, with a build similar to a Skeleton Undead. Its Soul Fire was also not pure blue but had an orange-yellow glow. In its hand, it carried a hammer.

That’s right, a hammer. The entire hammer was made of bone. The handle was about 30cm long, and the head was a sphere slightly smaller than a fist.

With the precedent set by the Physical Skeleton, Li Ziyu didn’t dare to underestimate this one. He had come to understand that every single Tattooed Skeleton was formidable. Now, it was time to see how the Power Skeleton grew.

The system Introduction didn’t explain his growth method, so Li Ziyu could only ask the Power Skeleton himself directly.

The answer he received was: exercise.

’What the hell is exercise?!’

’Don’t tell me he has to do push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups?’