Speculation

Matthew could clearly feel that the total amount of life energy mobilized to execute 【Melting Slash】 at this moment far exceeded what it used to be. It was also much more condensed, and the loss rate was significantly lower.

If performing a single 【Melting Slash】 used to consume one-thirtieth of his energy reserves, now, the same energy output would only require one-fiftieth!

He speculated that this was likely due to his breakthrough in rank, which brought a comprehensive upgrade to his bloodline, energy circulation, and total energy capacity.

His thoughts settled on this point.

He locked his gaze onto the black iron-mithril composite target post not far away.

He took a step forward, his figure moving like lightning!

The agility bonus of the Silver Rank made his starting speed so fast that he left behind a faint afterimage.

He swung his sword!

There was no earth-shattering shout. Only a dark red arc of light tore through the air, carrying a scorching, high-temperature shockwave, and slashed precisely into the center of the target post!

“Clang—!!!”

It was no longer the crisp sound of metal clashing, but a duller, heavier crash that carried a sense of tearing and melting!

The composite target post vibrated violently. The moment the blade made contact, a distinct slash mark several inches deep actually appeared on the hard metal outer shell, its edges melted and warped!

The slash mark glowed bright red, wisps of green smoke rising from it and emitting a pungent smell of burning metal.

The heavy base connecting the target post to the buffer wall groaned under the strain, causing the ground to tremble slightly.

Matthew withdrew his sword and stood there, staring at the savage mark on the target post, his eyes flashing with brilliant light. The power of this strike had increased by at least fifty percent compared to when he was at the peak of the Brass Rank!

This was not just a pure increase in physical strength, but a comprehensive enhancement in energy quality, density, explosive speed, and the accompanying high-temperature elemental effect.

And although the absolute consumption of life energy in his body was not small, its proportion relative to his current vast energy reserves had actually decreased.

“Not bad,” he murmured to himself, gaining a more concrete grasp of Silver Rank power.

“Both the quantity and quality of my energy are nothing like before, and controlling it has become much more effortless. Next, it's time to fully test my basic physical attributes.”

He turned and walked toward the precision testing equipment, preparing to systematically map out the limit parameters of his newly transformed body.

Every punch, every sword swing, every sprint, and every extension of his perception would help him integrate this brand-new power and make it entirely his own more quickly.

...

After completing his preliminary familiarity and testing of his new power, Matthew had a clear and profound summary of his gains from breaking through to the Silver Rank.

The transformation of his life energy was particularly remarkable: compared to his time at the Brass Rank, the total amount of life energy in his body had increased by about 1.5 times, and its texture and density were far beyond what they used to be.

And this was far from the limit—a portion of the pure energy from the goat demon crystal core was still dormant in his body, waiting to be completely absorbed and integrated.

Once fully digested, he estimated that his total life energy capacity would likely reach a full two times what it was in the past.

This improvement was by no means a simple addition of numbers, but an expansion of his life's origin level. It meant longer combat endurance, more majestic explosive potential, and a more stable foundation for his energy cycle.

As for his physical fitness, it was even more astonishing.

Nourished by both the breakthrough empowerment and the lingering effects of the crystal core, the combined increase in his three basic attributes—Strength, Agility, and Constitution—was close to threefold.

At this moment, even if he only held a wooden training sword to perform 【Melting Slash】, its power would be enough to slice the cast-iron dummy in the outer city training ground—on which he could previously only leave a faint white scratch—clean in two with a single strike.

From “a faint white scratch” to “split in two,” this was not just a qualitative change in destructive power, but a leap-forward evolution in his body's capacity.

In addition, his reaction speed and dynamic perception had also been simultaneously enhanced.

The subtle changes in his surroundings—the trajectory of falling dust, the texture of flowing air, the faint sounds in the distance—could now be more keenly captured and processed.

In actual combat, this meant faster responses, more precise anticipation, and more relaxed control over the combat rhythm.

Overall, this advancement to the Silver Rank brought about a comprehensive sublimation of his life level.

It was not just about being “stronger,” but also “deeper,” “keener,” and “more in control.”

Matthew could clearly feel that a dividing line had been drawn between his present and his past.

Thinking of this, he could not help but sigh with emotion:

“If the Silver Rank is already like this, the Gold Rank is probably enough to be called superhuman.”

“However, my situation is also somewhat special. Ordinary Silver Ranks certainly wouldn't possess this kind of strength.”

Matthew stood in place, feeling the torrent of power inside him that was still surging relentlessly, far exceeding that of the past.

The transformation of the Silver Rank had indeed far exceeded his expectations. Whether it was the doubled growth of his total energy or the leap-forward strengthening of his bodily functions, it gave him a brand-new understanding of himself.

He looked down at his clenched hands. With a slight exertion of his knuckles, he could clearly feel the surging vitality that was almost bursting out.

“As expected, the transition of life level brings far more than just simple numbers on a panel,” he murmured to himself, his gaze sweeping over the precision testing equipment in the training hall. He already had a rough estimate of the limits of his various abilities.

Continuous high-intensity testing and power adaptation made even a newly broken-through, energetic Silver Rank body inevitably feel a trace of fatigue from the inside out.

This fatigue was not a depletion of strength, but rather a natural weariness resulting from prolonged high concentration of mind and the body's first full adaptation to a completely new load.

He exhaled softly, returned the training longsword to its sheath, and hung it back on the weapon rack by the wall.

“That's about enough,” he thought.

The initial adaptation was complete. More in-depth control would require gradual adjustment in actual combat and daily cultivation in the future.

At this moment, the massive, not-yet-fully-digested life energy from the goat demon crystal core inside him was continuously and gently merging into his limbs and bones with his every breath and movement, further solidifying his newly broken-through realm.

This integration process required a relatively relaxed state that was conducive to guidance.

He thought of the “Tranquil Spring” medicinal bath mentioned by the receptionist.

That was exactly what he needed right now—an excellent environment that could help soothe muscle fatigue, stabilize the life energy cycle, and accelerate the absorption of the remaining crystal core energy in his body.

Without lingering, Matthew casually picked up his outer robe from the side and put it on. After tidying up his slightly messy clothes, he walked toward the corridor on one side of the hall labeled “Medicinal Bath Room No. 7.” His steps were steady, yet carried a trace of relaxation after completing an important task.

...