Floating Island - Triple S Talent

Based on the item's description, Lein understood that even a small difference could change the outcome of a battle—especially if the advantage was significant, such as having a more favorable element than the opponent.

The Divine Promotion Elixir would only be useful below the Emperor level. Beyond that, it would serve no purpose for Lein.

On the other hand, the elemental scroll would provide long-term abilities and exponential benefits aligned with his growing power.

"The (Immortal Star Crystal) isn't worth considering," Lein muttered, looking at the star crystal. Among the three, it was the weakest—only effective at the Master level and useless beyond that.

Even if he could copy 100 million skills from Master-level enemies, it would be worthless at the Emperor level.

Since the crystal was limited to the Master level, Lein decided not to prioritize it for duplication.

"So? Have you decided?" Mharzan's voice broke Lein's thoughts, pulling him back to reality.

Lein flinched, turning to him. The young man's expression remained calm, as if enjoying the confusion reflected on Lein's face.

Lein's mind churned with conflicting thoughts. His main problem was that he didn't trust anything Mharzan said. He strengthened his resolve, convinced that all other beings harbored ill intent toward him—especially powerful ones whose status panels didn't even appear.

Even though his real body wasn't currently in front of Mharzan, Lein still felt uneasy about the power Mharzan displayed.

"Fool, I need to duplicate the elixir first," he thought. He opened the Divine Promotion Elixir's description panel and quickly pressed the duplication button without hesitation.

[Duplicating (Divine Promotion Elixir) 10,000 times. Are you sure?]

"Yes."

Everything proceeded smoothly—no dramatic sounds, no flashing lights. The Divine Promotion Elixirs appeared quietly in Lein's spatial ring.

[Your Clone Has Died!]

However, the moment the decision was made, the Lein clone standing before Mharzan suddenly vanished, as if swept away by the wind. In the distance, the tentacles of the Voidwalker writhed restlessly, as though an invisible storm was raging.

"This kid dares to play tricks on me," Mharzan hissed, his teeth clenching in anger. His face, usually adorned with a smile, now darkened with menace.

"Was my act too obvious, or does this boy truly have an iron will?" he pondered, recalling how he had carefully crafted a harmonious approach that usually tempted lower beings like Lein. But this time, the approach had failed entirely.

Not only did it fail, but Lein even managed to pull a trick right in front of him.

"You won't escape. You will die." Mharzan waved his hand through the empty air. A faint crack began to form, widening into a dark fissure about two meters wide, resembling a portal that slowly opened. He stepped inside leisurely, followed by the Voidwalker, whose body seemed to shrink and wriggle as it entered along with its master.

The real Lein, standing on the vast grassland where the promotion trial took place, watched as the dark rift appeared before him. He hadn't even had time to react when Mharzan emerged from the darkness, accompanied by the Voidwalker.

Just as Lein saw Mharzan step out of the spatial portal with the Voidwalker trailing behind, his mind went blank. The entire world around him froze.

The wind that had once howled fiercely now halted in midair, as if caught within the grip of frozen time. The sunlight, which had shimmered moments ago, was now suspended, casting no further illumination. The Lein clone, busy opening an epic chest and exploring a soul gate, stood frozen in place, like a lifeless statue.

Inside his body, the rhythmic heartbeat ceased. Blood no longer flowed through his veins; no signs of life remained. Every cell, every pulse—everything had stopped.

From Mharzan's perspective, Lein's body appeared like a statue, standing motionless with wide eyes, frozen in a gaze of fear he couldn't hide.

"What kind of courage does this boy possess? Is he really that foolish?" Mharzan murmured, his brow furrowed in confusion.

He couldn't understand why Lein dared to reject his offer, even after he had dangled such an enticing reward.

"Never mind... It doesn't matter. I only need his talent," Mharzan continued coldly, unaffected by his failure. Beneath him, the Voidwalker squirmed with excitement, as if supporting its master's statement.

"Let's see just how talented this kid really is," Mharzan said, raising his hand and performing a series of intricate finger movements.

"At least, it should cover the costs of finding him," he whispered, his fiery gaze tracing over Lein's body, as though eyeing prey ready to be devoured.

"Begin," Mharzan commanded softly, yet with undeniable authority.

In an instant, millions of thin white threads emerged from his fingertips, gleaming under the suspended sunlight. The threads danced gracefully, following the rhythm of Mharzan's fingers as they approached Lein's body.

"Open," he whispered again. Lein's rigid body suddenly moved, but his motions resembled that of a lifeless puppet. His skin stretched, and his pores widened, like doors slowly opening to reveal the flesh beneath.

The flesh parted, exposing stretched veins, red and pulsing in eerie silence. Anyone witnessing the scene might have been gripped by terror, watching as Lein's body appeared like an experimental subject laid bare on a dissection table.

"Huh? A cosmic-level altar?" Mharzan whispered, his eyes lighting up as he noticed the swirling black energy within Lein's heart. The energy spun ceaselessly, radiating immense power, as if holding boundless strength within.

The white threads continued to creep deeper, peeling layer by layer from Lein's heart, meticulously searching for something hidden within.

"Nothing?" Mharzan's lips quivered, his voice hoarse with disbelief. He furrowed his brow, doubt clouding his expression. "Impossible..."

His gaze sharpened as he directed the threads toward Lein's brain, hoping to uncover something there. But once again, he found nothing.

Left with no other choice, Mharzan delved deeper into his thoughts. His eyes narrowed, haunted by a possibility he didn't want to consider. "This boy... even in death, he dares to mock me!" he growled, his voice laced with frustration.

With a swift movement, the threads descended toward Lein's lower abdomen, where vital organs lay hidden, scouring carefully as though searching for a hidden treasure.