As for the allocation of the red jade, Ethan had naturally experimented.
The gem seemed to provide the most significant boost to ordinary Heroes.
However, for those with a unique Bloodline like him, the uplift wasn't as pronounced.
After Ethan's attempt to absorb a piece of red jade, he deduced a rough estimate: he would likely need to absorb around five hundred pieces to discern any noticeable enhancement.
With the quantity of red jade on hand, the enhancement in Sherry and Pale Wolf would be significant.
"Begin," Ethan instructed Sherry and Pale Wolf.
Without hesitation, they each grasped a piece of red jade and began the absorption process.
Meanwhile, Ethan led Mia to the entrance of the cave and up a side path that took them to a hill overlooking the Red Jade Valley.
The clash of Heroes still echoed from below.
"It seems there isn't much difference between Heroes and Dark Lords. Both are prone to infighting," Ethan remarked.
Mia giggled, covering her mouth. "It's not the same. Among Heroes and Dark Lords, none possess the wisdom you have, Lord Ethan. Had you not anticipated the upcoming strife, we'd likely be battling those Heroes now."
Ethan chuckled. "Over the past few days, we've amassed hundreds of red jades. It should be enough for both Sherry and Pale Wolf. "
"Once their strengths have augmented, we will join the fray and gather more red jades. So, Mia, you'll be part of the battle as well. Are you prepared?"
"Lord, I am a knight!" Mia replied with a stern face.
Ethan smiled gently, nodding. "Indeed, a knight. A noble and unyielding one captured by me."
"If you keep teasing me, Lord, I might just ignore you in the future!" Mia retorted with mock indignation.
Ethan quickly wrapped his arms around Mia, comforting her.
They shared an intimate moment, the earlier jests momentarily forgotten.
Hours later, they returned to the cave.
"How did it go?" Ethan asked, directing his gaze at Sherry.
A blush tinted Sherry's face, having deduced what had transpired between Ethan and Mia earlier.
A hint of jealousy flashed in her eyes, though she said nothing of it.
"I'm almost at my limit. Further absorption seems to yield minimal improvement."
"Pale Wolf, however, might need some more time, and there seems to be a unique transformation occurring within him."
"A unique transformation?" Ethan's curiosity was piqued, but he refrained from interrupting Pale Wolf as he continued absorbing the red jade.
Time ticked by, and after another two to three hours, as dusk neared, the clamor from the battles within the Red Jade Valley started to wane.
Eventually, Pale Wolf opened his eyes, revealing a pair of blood-red orbs radiating brutality and bloodlust.
"Pale Wolf?" Ethan called out cautiously.
Pale Wolf seemed to snap back to reality. "Brother Ethan?"
"How do you feel?" Ethan inquired with concern.
"I feel great!" Pale Wolf exclaimed, his tone brimming with elation.
He stood up, his towering figure nearly filling the entire cave.
He gestured for Ethan and the others to follow him outside.
Once out, he declared, "After absorbing the red jade, my power has surged immensely. But most importantly, it's this."
Under the astonished gazes of Ethan and the others, Pale Wolf began to undergo a transformation.
The already formidable Pale Wolf started to grow even more massive, reaching a staggering height of almost three meters.
Silvery, dense fur sprouted all over his body, and his hands morphed into sharp, claw-like appendages.
"Werewolf!" Ethan, Mia, and Sherry exclaimed in astonishment.
However, the transformed Pale Wolf shook his head with a smug grin. "No, not just a werewolf. I'm a Giant Clawed Werewolf!"
"What's the difference? You're still a werewolf," Mia said, rolling her eyes in mock exasperation.
"No!" Pale Wolf asserted, "The biggest difference between a Giant Clawed Werewolf and a regular werewolf is... the Giant Clawed Werewolf is much larger!"
Upon hearing this, Ethan and the others turned to walk away in bemusement.
"Wait!" Pale Wolf called out, desperation evident in his voice, "Just kidding. The true distinction between a Giant Clawed Werewolf and an ordinary werewolf is this."
As he spoke, he swiped at the air in the direction of a distant rock.
While he merely waved his claws, a magical force manifested mid-air, forming a Wind Blade that shot towards the rock, leaving distinct gashes on its surface.
"Magic?" Ethan murmured in surprise.
"Aren't werewolves supposed to engage in close combat?" Mia raised a valid point.
"Uh... This is indeed an unorthodox werewolf," Sherry commented, letting out a rare giggle, her usually stern expression softening.
The joy on Pale Wolf's face disappeared instantly.
Eager for praise and validation, he quickly retorted, "What's the problem? This is a unique Bloodline. "
"According to my Bloodline's legacy, the Giant Clawed Werewolf possesses this capability because of a divine blessing!"
"A divine blessing?" Ethan's interest was piqued. He had always been fascinated by tales of deities.
"Indeed," Pale Wolf nodded. "According to my Bloodline's lore, an ancestor of the Giant Clawed Werewolf once aided the Wind God, Batis Lin, in defeating a Dark Lord."
"In gratitude, Batis Lin bestowed upon the Giant Clawed Werewolf's ancestor the power of the Wind Blade."
Pale Wolf elaborated.
Of course, none of the group seemed to wonder why Pale Wolf, who was clearly human, could awaken the Giant Clawed Werewolf Bloodline.
After all, it was quite common. There were numerous hybrids born from human unions with other races.
What did intrigue Ethan, however, was the name of the wind god mentioned by Pale Wolf.
"Pale Wolf, you mentioned the wind god's name is Batis Lin. Don't you find that name a bit peculiar? The surname 'Lin' is rather rare, isn't it?"
"There are exceptions. For instance, the Wolf King of the snowy plains, Sedi Lin," Sherry countered.
"It seems I'm not as knowledgeable as I thought," Ethan remarked with a smile. But internally, his thoughts strayed elsewhere.
Upon hearing the name Batis Lin, an overpowering sense of familiarity washed over him.
He was certain he had never encountered this supposed wind god.
So, where did this intense recognition come from?
Could it merely be an illusion?
Shaking his head as if to dispel these muddled thoughts, Ethan turned to Sherry and asked, "Sherry, have you noticed any changes in your Bloodline?"
Sherry's expression dimmed, suggesting a reluctance to delve into the topic of her Bloodline.
Yet, faced with Ethan's inquiry, her hesitation was fleeting.
Sighing, she said, "The Bloodline I carry is only a fragment, not whole. The red jade merely augmented my power; it didn't bring any change to my Bloodline."
"Incomplete? What does that mean?" Ethan was puzzled.
"Aren't Bloodlines only distinguished by their strength or weakness? How can one be incomplete?"
"I'm not sure myself," admitted a despondent Sherry, displaying a rare moment of vulnerability.
"The Bloodline I carry is called the Shadowwalker, a lineage exclusive to assassins. The shadows I conjured before stem from it. However, that's all I can manifest—no other assassin-related abilities."
She continued, a touch of sadness in her voice, "Hence, I had to learn other techniques. As for the incompleteness, it means that the Shadowwalker Bloodline in me only exhibits half its potential. The other half resides within someone else."
Sherry's confession about the secret of her Bloodline was a weight lifted off her shoulders. It was the first time she had ever shared this, and she felt oddly unburdened.
"Only half a Bloodline?" Ethan couldn't quite grasp the concept.
Nevertheless, his spirit was undeterred.
Trying to comfort Sherry, he said, "Don't worry, Sherry. Once we settle matters in the Red Jade Valley, I'll help you investigate this Bloodline situation. "
"While I might be in the dark now, I assure you, someone out there knows."
And by "someone," Ethan was referring to none other than Victor.
Referred to as the Scholar, he was someone who even understood the Blood Source crafted by the forgotten ancient kingdoms in vivid detail. Ethan was confident that Victor would also have knowledge about the intricacies of Sherry's Bloodline.
That very confidence seemed to lift Sherry's spirits, prompting a smile. "Thank you, Ethan."
"Sherry, we're comrades in arms!" Ethan declared steadfastly.
Such a line, often uttered by heroes, felt deeply touching coming from Ethan. Sherry was visibly moved, tears glistening in her eyes.
"Alright, now's not the time for this," Ethan interrupted, glancing at both Pale Wolf and Sherry, and then gesturing towards the distant Red Jade Valley.
"After days of battles and searches, most of the red jade around here has been located. "
"Now that both Pale Wolf and Sherry have reached their full potential, it's time for us to make our move."
"We can't miss out on those red jades!" There was a fiery passion in Ethan's words, a palpable desire for combat emanating from him.
And it wasn't just Ethan's group feeling this way.
Throughout the Red Jade Valley, various teams, big and small, were stirring into action.
The contest for the red jade was drawing to its climax.
Who would emerge with the most treasures? Only the upcoming battles would tell.
A new round, even more ferocious than before, was about to commence!
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