Chapter 202: Level 3 Titan Mana Heart, Imbuing A New Mana Nature!

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After Riven’s Titan Mana Heart evolved to Level 3, it gained more internal "space" for a second Mana Cultivation Method to be bound to it. This gave Riven not only the singular Divine Frost Emperor’s Legacy he had expected, but two additional options as well.

Ding!

[It is now possible to bind a second Mana Cultivation Method to your Titan Mana Heart.]

[Three Compatible Cultivation Methods have been found. Which Method do you wish to Connect with the Mana Heart? It is recommended to choose only one for now to not overwhelm your Titan Mana Heart.]

[Option 1]: [Divine Frost Emperor’s Legacy – First Step]

Increases Mana Regeneration and Cultivation Speed by 400%. Imbues Cultivated Mana with Divine Frost Essence. Enhances the growth of this Cultivation Method.

[Option 2]: [Asura Blood Sea Scripture – Level 3]

Increases Maximum Mana Capacity by 200%, Spirit Energy Capacity by 150%, and Vitality by 100%. Imbues Cultivated Mana with the Blood Essence drained from foes and corpses, boosting the growth of your Blood Sea greatly.

[Option 3]: [Netherworld King Swordsmanship – Level 4]

Increases Maximum Mana Capacity by 300% and Strength by 100%. Imbues Cultivated Mana with Netherworld Fire, capable of Cultivating Mana, Soul, and Nether together, and shapes Mana into the form of a Ghostly Blade.

"Two new options appeared?!" Riven was surprised as the holographic windows floated in front of him. "And the two are Skills... but they’re so advanced I suppose they count as Cultivation Methods. Hmm..."

He sat in silence for a while, carefully weighing the possibilities. The Divine Frost Emperor’s Legacy was still the best choice for pure Mana capacity and regeneration. The other two offered more than just Mana. The Asura Blood Sea Scripture granted valuable Vitality and Spirit Energy, which would make his body even more durable. Netherworld King Swordsmanship, on the other hand, combined his swordsmanship with the Titan Mana Heart itself. That sounded especially powerful. It even increased Strength and allowed him to shape his Mana into the form of a Ghostly Blade, which would raise his offensive capabilities dramatically.

"It’s hard to decide."

Riven remained torn between the Divine Frost Emperor’s Legacy, which had been stuck at the First Step for a long time but might finally grow faster if connected to the heart, and the Netherworld King Swordsmanship, which could enhance his fighting power even further while still giving a solid boost to Mana.

However, he still possessed that mysterious crown. He could consume it to instantly master the Divine Frost Emperor’s Legacy. Netherworld King Swordsmanship had no such shortcut available.

"Hm... I might as well use that crown eventually," he sighed.

He had tried giving the crown to Elisa before, hoping she could reabsorb its power, but the relic had shown no response. It seemed to answer only to him and no one else.

Thus, he would have to use it himself one day. He could no longer simply gift it to her as he had once hoped.

Ding!

[You have chosen the Third Option.]

[Your [Netherworld King Swordsmanship – Level 4] has become permanently connected to your Titan Mana Heart.]

[The more you improve your swordsmanship and the control of your ghostly soul energies and aura, the more your Titan Mana Heart will advance its Mana Cultivation.]

[Your Mana is now being imbued with the Netherworld King Swordsmanship Essence. You can freely shift your Mana Nature to this Element, increasing all Shadow, Ghost, and Sword-Elemental Magic, Skills, Techniques, and Attacks by 500% when channeling this Mana Nature.]

Riven’s aura suddenly flared with ghostly blue fire. A ring of translucent ghostly swords materialized behind him and began slowly rotating. His eyes glowed with a fiery blue light for several seconds. At the same time he noticed a worn-down, half-destroyed black crown floating just above his head whenever he channeled this new Mana Nature.

"Not bad."

He experimented with the floating ghostly blades for a short while, making them spin faster and change formation. He could not properly test their cutting power here, however. He would have to go hunting inside his Spirit Dungeon Realm later, preferably with his wife by his side.

"I wonder how they’re doing right now."

Riven closed his eyes and connected his Five Senses with his Shadow Self. At that moment his Shadow Self and Vladimir were racing through a vast, ruined subway tunnel. They tore through packs of giant mutated rat monsters while drawing closer to the final stretch of the floor.

"I might as well give him a hand."

Riven divided a portion of his mind through his Psionic Avatar Talent and imbued it into the Shadow Self, effectively turning the shadow into a second body he could control directly.

"Hey Vladimir, struggling against some rats?"

"Huh?!"

Vladimir gasped in shock as the Shadow Self suddenly became far stronger. It swung a newly formed ghostly blade and cut through five Giant Mutant Rats in mere seconds, their bodies splitting cleanly before collapsing in heaps.

"Y-You’re...! Riven?!"

"Yeah. I can also imbue my mind into my Shadow. He doesn’t mind sharing."

"We work together," the Shadow Self spoke in a calm, echoing voice of its own.

Vladimir laughed in relief and admiration. "Hah, well, that’s good to hear. We’re about to face the Second Roaming Boss."

RUMBLE!

Crack, crack...!

CRASH!

The ground beneath them suddenly shattered. A massive three-headed Mutated Rat King erupted from the broken concrete, hissing and roaring with rage. It spewed thick clouds of poisonous gas in every direction while firing toxic spines from its bloated body like a living artillery piece.

"SHYAAAAAGGGHH!"

Riven stood calmly through his Shadow Self and channeled his Poisonous Mana Nature. The toxic gas and spines washed over him harmlessly as he absorbed every attack with a faint smile. At the same time he summoned ten additional Ghostly Blades from pure Mana. They formed a rotating ring behind his back, humming with deadly intent.

"Die."

All ten swords shot forward at the same instant. They pierced the monster’s entire body in mere seconds, stabbing through heads, heart, and spine with perfect precision. The gigantic rat was a mighty E-Rank monster, yet against Riven’s current power it could not even hold a candle.

"Gryyaaaeergghh...!"

THUD!

With a heavy thud the Rat King collapsed onto the floor, twitching weakly as blood poured from dozens of wounds. Vladimir did not have to lift a finger.

The former Fenrir Cultist stared in open disbelief. His eyebrows twitched as he quietly admired Riven’s overwhelming strength.

"Hah... this damn bastard has grown so strong now...! He has completely surpassed my former self...!"

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