Chapter 108: SSS‑Grade Steam Origin Spirit State

C‑grade "Steam State" talent in hand.

It works, but not much.

"Steam Source Energy" only responds when Ta Ke actively invokes it.

Without activating the Precision talent.

Ta Ke finds it rather obscure to perform fine sensing and manipulation through source steam.

When Ta Ke raises the "Steam State" steam talent to 100%, it enters the A‑grade talent range.

The situation changes instantly.

Source steam becomes noticeably active in Ta Ke's perception.

Compatibility and perceptual clarity both rise a notch.

Even Ta Ke's efficiency in triggering steam source energy speeds up considerably, giving a smooth, natural feeling.

When the points reach 200% and it becomes an S‑grade steam talent.

The steam talent undergoes its first qualitative transformation.

"Steam State" turns into "Steam·Spirit State".

Ta Ke's perception begins to shift from the most basic source‑steam level into a deeper dimension of steam—the Spirit State!

It seems to involve layered dimensions, souls, and the deep state of material energy.

This touches Ta Ke's blind spot of knowledge.

After all, Ta Ke's grasp of the "Steam Sequence" knowledge was never extensive.

Following the principle "I don't understand, but I can explore slowly".

And adding the rule "Numerical strength is true strength".

Ta Ke continues to add points.

At 500%.

Steam source energy's response to Ta Ke has reached the point where his will alone can guide its flow.

When it reaches 1000% and becomes an SSS‑grade transcendent talent.

"Steam·Spirit State" further metamorphoses into "Steam·Origin Spirit State".

In Ta Ke's world, source energy and steam source energy both operate with Ta Ke at the center.

The world becomes increasingly clear, thorough, easy to comprehend, and amenable to analysis in Ta Ke's perception.

If "Precision·Correction" is to discern the world's complete trajectories and threads and modify them.

Then "Steam·Origin Spirit State" is to align with the world's fundamental rules and master them.

Yes!

"Steam·Origin Spirit State" possesses the ability to perceive the essence of the world.

This is also the experience Ta Ke has been gradually exploring and summarizing over the past six months.

And it is precisely by leveraging this trait.

Ta Ke, without any guidance from anyone,

has slowly explored on his own and already achieved deep mastery of two rune sorceries.

In fact, by using the "cutting‑in" aspect of Precision·Correction, Ta Ke can also comprehend and master the rune profound meaning.

But the perception of nature afforded by Steam·Origin Spirit State yields a better grasp of the rune profound meaning.

Therefore, Ta Ke does not hesitate to pour all fragments into Steam·Origin Spirit State.

Bringing Steam·Origin Spirit State to a high level of 1650%.

Both SSS‑grade transcendent talents can, in their own ways, perceive and analyze the "rune profound meaning".

This also makes Ta Ke recognize the power of SSS‑grade transcendent talents.

During these six months, the Demon King divine‑skill fragments have gradually accumulated to as many as 665 pieces.

At 200 fragments, and at 500 fragments.

The transcendent divine‑skill "Phase Walk" has not undergone a qualitative change.

Only the skill's intensity keeps stacking, and its traversal ability keeps strengthening.

Ta Ke roughly judges that the "Demon King divine‑skill" itself is already strong enough, likely with no further qualitative change.

Half a year is neither long nor short.

Now, Ta Ke is already contemplating leaving the ranch and heading to Sheng Lande.

On one hand, staying here offers Ta Ke no good prospects for further improvement.

On the other hand, Ta Ke needs to metamorphose the three major boss materials for promotion.

The tools Ta Ke currently holds cannot complete the "refining".

After completing the Steam Wizard's metamorphosis.

Ta Ke intends to refine the three major boss materials, then ascend to the second tier, thereby achieving a substantial boost in strength.

But when Ta Ke pushes that dilapidated source‑steam engine to its limit, the crucible nearly melts.

The boss‑level material inside the crucible remains completely unmoved, showing no sign of being refined.

Ta Ke consults alchemical texts about bosses and discovers.

To melt "boss‑level" material, ordinary source fire simply won't work.

It requires flame that contains boss, preferably lord‑level fire characteristics; of course, if it has a "Dragon Breath" trait, that's even better.

Dragon Breath trait?

Where am I supposed to go to find a Dragon Breath trait for you?

This made the then‑eager Ta Ke so angry he just wanted to hit someone.

Even Ta Ke once wondered whether he should make a bold, forceful advance.

He forcibly took three servings of leader‑grade materials.

But after thinking it over, Ta Ke gave up on this somewhat risky plan.

He chose the method of refining first, then taking.

Anyway, for Ta Ke, breaking through and raising his level to 29 is a matter of minutes.

Moreover, acquiring a decent set of alchemical tools has long been Ta Ke's plan.

Ta Ke possesses a unique alchemy talent; it would be a waste not to fire the furnace.

And those three portions of leader‑grade material are excellent for boosting Ta Ke's alchemy experience.

Just as Ta Ke was about to continue contemplating the mysteries of the "Soul Rune" beside the source‑energy steam engine,

"Brother Ta Ni Lu."

The voice of the girl Ai Lin came from outside.

Ta Ke pushed the door open.

Ai Lin, clutching a thick volume of "Shepherds on the Plateau," looked at Ta Ke with an expectant face.

Ta Ke's gaze flicked over that "Shepherds on the Plateau" book and he said,

"Actually… if you want to deeply understand the Shepherd sequence, this book isn't very useful."

"This book truly expounds the essential relationship between shepherds and sheep."

As he spoke, Ta Ke pulled out a book.

It was titled "Shepherd·Prisoner·Sheep."

Ai Lin leaned forward to examine it for a moment, then stammered,

"Ah… this book… my grandfather said it's a forbidden book."

Ta Ke smiled.

"Read it carefully; it will help you."

With that, Ta Ke handed the book directly to the girl Ai Lin.

"Regarding the Transform‑Sheep technique, does that step in your process have an issue?"

"Um… it's the infiltration step; my Transform‑Sheep infiltration is too easily disrupted," the girl Ai Lin, who had long harbored this doubt, said immediately.

Regarding the spells in her own hands,

Since Ta Ke awakened the Steam·Origin Static, in his spare time he has not neglected to contemplate, probe, and experience these sorceries.

After all, thorough understanding allows better execution.

After about an hour and a bit, Ai Lin, feeling her head was packed with many things she didn't understand at all, rose drowsily.

She planned to go back and get a good sleep, and have a proper exchange with the "Sheep Spirits" in her ecology.

Only then could she better digest that wondrous knowledge.

Leaving drowsily, Ai Lin didn't notice that her grandfather, the old shepherd "Lao Bulu," was quietly waiting on the sheepfold path outside the steam grove.

As a member of the Shepherd sequence.

It specializes in herding, observing, and adjusting souls, life, and extraordinary ecosystems.

Using the extraordinary ecosystem as a pasture, it herds life and harvests souls; that is the essence of a shepherd.

But when this sequence sinks to the lowest tier of human extraordinary society,

it becomes an effective means of livelihood—sheep‑herding!

Believe it or not, shepherds are born to be excellent at herding sheep.

The absolute herd controller can keenly perceive the flock's health and growth, drive away disease, sense the fertility of the grassland, and has sharp insight into seasons and environment.

Although the Shepherd Lao Bulu lacks great

but years of herding have given him a keen perception of danger and strength.

As Ai Lin entered the nearby cabin,

at some point the clouds covered the impending dusk of Ash Day.

"Wooo…"

The wind grew increasingly sharp at this moment.

Distant dark clouds gradually swept in.

Rainy season!

It's coming.

"Young wizard sir, greetings!"

Shepherd Lao Bulu bowed respectfully, his posture solid and his demeanor extremely deferential.

Ai Lin could not discern the terror and power of the young wizard before her.

But how could he not see it?

Other shepherds herd sheep.

The terrifying wizard before us is not herding sheep; it's clearly a pack of wolves in sheep's clothing.

The dreadful Transform‑Sheep art suppresses wolf nature and shapes sheep nature.

The wolf pack turned into a sheep flock.

This powerful method of altering a species' ecology is something bottom‑tier shepherds like them will never encounter in a lifetime.

"Elder, the rainy season is coming; can I sell those sheep of mine?"

Ta Ke asked kindly.

Although Ta Ke is 'herding sheep' here, he has no experience with the subsequent series of operations.

But the elderly man before me is a professional shepherd.

"You can sell them, but wolves turned into sheep won't fetch a high price,"

"And… if the sorcery doesn't close the loop, the price will be folded again," Old Bu Lu replied seriously.

"Hundreds of wolves' wolf‑to‑sheep transformation are all closed loops; I can guarantee that," Ta Ke answered confidently.

"Hundreds of wolves, all closed loops? You have to realize this is fighting against the ecology of a wolf pack," Old Bu Lu couldn't help but swallow a mouthful of saliva to conceal his inner fear.

After all, such powerful sorcery can also turn people into sheep.

A moment later, Old Bu Lu nodded seriously and said, "No problem. Go to River Valley Edge Town; there are plenty of 'Sheepheads' there, and many people collect sheep."

"Then thank you."

"Hehe… just a trivial effort. You should also thank the Wizard Lord's protection during this time! Otherwise those damned wolves would surely have stolen many sheep," Old Bu Lu quickly waved his hand.

Boom… Crash…

In the distance, low‑pressure leaden clouds gradually sweep together, and thunder and heavy rain are brewing within.

"The rainy season has arrived; it's also time to head to River Valley Edge Town."

Gazing at the dark clouds coming from the north, Ta Ke thought quietly.