Chapter 64 – The Weight of Growth and the Fire of Pride
A sharp metallic chime resonated in the clearing, crisp and clear like a bell forged from lightning and steel.
DING!
The system's interface flickered to life in front of Lei Feng, its translucent panels unfolding with mechanical precision, bathing the forest glade in a faint blue glow.
> [Status Panel]
Name: Ignis
Level: 3 → 8
Talent Rank: Supreme (Platinum)
Type: Flame Avatar
Elemental Affinity: Fire
[Attributes]
• Strength: 54 → 64
• Agility: 54 → 64
• Endurance: 54 → 64
• Intelligence: 34 → 44
• Perception: 34 → 44
Total Stat Points: 230 → 280
Lei Feng exhaled slowly, a smile tugging at his lips. "Just like me… they've all gained five levels." He narrowed his eyes as he analyzed the stats. "Every attribute jumped by ten. That's not a small growth—it's a leap forward."
---
> [Status Panel]
Name: Glacia
Level: 3 → 8
Talent Rank: Supreme (Platinum)
Type: Frost Fairy
Elemental Affinity: Ice
[Attributes]
• Strength: 54 → 64
• Agility: 54 → 64
• Endurance: 54 → 64
• Intelligence: 34 → 44
• Perception: 34 → 44
Total Stat Points: 230 → 280
"Identical to Ignis... despite being elemental opposites, they're evenly matched in raw stats." He mentally noted the symmetry with appreciation. The fire and ice elementals were balanced like twin blades on a scale.
---
> [Status Panel]
Name: Aquari
Level: 3 → 8
Talent Rank: Supreme (Platinum)
Type: Tranquil Spirit
Elemental Affinity: Water
[Attributes]
• Strength: 54 → 64
• Agility: 54 → 64
• Endurance: 34 → 44
• Intelligence: 54 → 64
• Perception: 34 → 44
Total Stat Points: 230 → 280
Lei Feng let out a soft whistle. "She's overtaken me in Intelligence by over twenty points... Her mind's as sharp as a blade of ice." He chuckled. "Even her logic outpaces mine now. Scary."
---
> [Status Panel]
Name: Granite
Level: 3 → 8
Talent Rank: Supreme (Platinum)
Type: Golem
Elemental Affinity: Earth
[Attributes]
• Strength: 84 → 94
• Agility: 34 → 44
• Endurance: 84 → 94
• Intelligence: 14 → 24
• Perception: 14 → 24
Total Stat Points: 230 → 280
Lei Feng's eyes widened slightly. "His physical stats are a fortress," he muttered. "I doubt I can ever match that kind of endurance with my current number of free stats points… but strength?" He clenched his fist, veins rising beneath his skin. "I'll make it to the hundred mark. Just watch."
A wry smile formed on his face.
I must look ridiculous, trying to compete with my own summons. He sighed and shook his head. "What kind of leader races against his own vanguard?"
---
> [Status Panel]
Name: Aeolus
Level: 3 → 8
Talent Rank: Supreme (Platinum)
Type: ???
Elemental Affinity: Air
[Attributes]
• Strength: 35 → 47.5
• Agility: 65 → 77.5
• Endurance: 55 → 67.5
• Intelligence: 65 → 77.5
• Perception: 55 → 67.5
Total Stat Points: 337.5
"...Gulp." Lei Feng swallowed hard, his gaze locked onto the screen.
"He's ahead of me in every category—except strength." His brows furrowed. If this pace keeps up… he'll never stop being ahead of me.
"But I'm not some idle Summoner content to hide behind others. I'm Lei Feng." His eyes blazed. "I don't follow—I lead. Not as their master... but as their vanguard."
His gaze hardened, piercing like lightning. "There has to be another way to grow without relying solely on levels… The Omni Points."
But they don't easily come by, how can I get them, he said inwardly.
His pupils dilated. "Right. The quests."
Tap.
With a flick, he accessed the Quest icon.
ZHHNN!
The screen shimmered and shifted.
> ━━━『 Quests 』━━━
[Main Quest]
[Side Quest]
[System Quest]
[Instant Quest]
[Hidden Quest]
[Special Quest]
"So many types… let's start with what's in progress."
> ━━━『 Main Quest – Vengeance of the Fallen 』━━━
Objective: Fulfill Ling Chen's last wish.
1. Eliminate those responsible for his death.
2. Destroy the corrupt elements within the Ling Family.
3. Rise to power and reclaim his honor.
Time Limit: 6 months
Time Left: 5 months, 3 weeks, 2 hours
Penalty: Death
"No specified rewards..." Lei Feng narrowed his eyes. "But I have a feeling—Omni Points are involved."
---
> ━━━『 Side Quest – Rise to Fame 』━━━
Objective: Win First Place in the Rising Star Tournament
Penalty: Regression to Level 0
"No reward listed here either… but this is the perfect chance."
He smirked. "Zhan Xi'an is one of the top participants and he is Level 35. With my current power... I can dominate that tournament."
"But I lack real combat experience against other Awakeners. I'll need refinement."
He stood tall, eyes glinting with ambition. "After this, I'll head to Arcadia Prime… climb the mountains to the Celestial Pagoda… and seek out Grandmaster Zhi."
Only he can help me reach my true potential! He said with a resolute voice.
---
> ━━━『 System Quest – OmniClass Path 』━━━
Objective: Awaken three more Magic Classes
Time Limit: 20 Days
Time Left: 15 Days
Progress: 2/3
Reward: Thundergod's Embrace – Golden-Rank Weapon Set
Penalty: Loss of all progress in Magic Classes
"One more magic class to go..." He checked the time on his phone. "12:30 PM. Time to move."
After a brief mental review, Lei Feng activated his Summoner's Empathy skill. His telepathic voice rang through the minds of his Elemental Vanguard like a gentle yet commanding tide.
"Come here. Playtime's over."
"Yes, Master." Their unified voices echoed back with warmth and loyalty.
---
Moments later, they materialized in the clearing, drifting or bounding from different directions.
"Master, I got three kills in total!" Granite said proudly, puffing out his rocky chest.
"You weren't lying when you said you'd help him get some, huh?" Aquari glanced at Aeolus with a smirk.
"Of course! He's my brother. And I got plenty to share!" Aeolus laughed, floating smugly. "I'm at fifteen now."
"What?! I thought I was catching up!" Ignis scowled.
"How many skills have you gained, Ignis?" Aquari asked.
"Nine," he muttered.
"I've got ten. So I'm leading, loser!" Glacia said, a rare grin sharp as ice shard spread across her face.
Aquari folded her arms. "And I've got ten too." She raised both palms.
Ignis's jaw dropped. "Ten?!"
"How?" Aeolus floated forward, his silver gaze intense. "How'd you manage that?"
Aquari smirked. "I decided to be competitive this time. Used my perception to locate a nest of Obsidian Scale Lizards. The rest was simple strategy."
Aeolus blinked. "Why didn't I think of that…"
"Because you're a too ignorant," Glacia said with a calm voice, her expression indifferent.
A loud, exaggerated cough echoed through the group.
"Ahem."
Everyone paused.
Lei Feng stood tall, his hands tucked into his fluttering Storm Dragon Robe. His brow was furrowed, eyes narrowed like a disappointed monarch gazing at rowdy court jesters.
"You've all been ignoring me," he said, voice low and regal.
Ignis flinched, stepping forward. "Forgive us, Master!" He bowed deeply.
Granite immediately dropped to his knees, slamming his forehead to the ground. "Forgive this humble one!"
A beat of silence.
Hahahaha!
Aeolus exploded into laughter, his body shaking mid-air like he might dissolve into mist.
Lei Feng tried to keep a straight face, but he cracked and joined in, laughing heartily.
Aquari giggled softly. She and Aeolus had sensed his suppressed amusement from the start thanks to the Summoner's Empathy.
Glacia just shrugged. "Whatever. I don't care if he's mad."
Ignis's face flushed crimson, literal steam puffing from his head. "Why didn't anyone tell me he was acting?!"
Granite blinked. "He was acting?"
Aquari chuckled. "Yes, and you just headbutted the ground for nothing."
BOOM! Ignis combusted in a puff of flames, his entire face redder than a tomato.
Glacia gave a rare, melodic laugh. "You're an idiot."
"Alright. That's enough." Lei Feng's voice grew firm.
The Vanguard straightened up immediately, serious once more.
"I've been meaning to ask…" Lei Feng said, tilting his head, "how do you all stay active indefinitely without returning to the Summoning Realm to rest?"
He folded his arms. "I don't supply you with energy… so what's sustaining you?"
His blue eyes gleamed with curiosity.
"Care to explain?"