My attributes are increasing infinitely Chapter 403: Building shadow army again

Without a sound, Ethan’s clone dissolved into nothingness.

In that very heartbeat, the true consciousness of Ethan descended to take its place.

The physical form of the clone locked up for a second before softening. As the eyelids fluttered open, the spirit behind them was no longer a mere puppet. It was a profound, limitless gaze, bearing a gravity that could only belong to the prime body.

Ethan had made his arrival.

He stood in the heart of a boundless, primordial wilderness. Colossal trees rose toward the heavens in every direction, their trunks possessing a girth greater than mountains, while their thick foliage completely obscured the sky. The atmosphere was saturated with primal energy, a Cultivation essence so concentrated that the simple act of inhaling felt heavy.

This domain was not intended for the weak. It served as a hidden sanctuary, a place where a primordial beast had sought refuge to live apart from the rest of the Origin World.

The forest sensed Ethan’s presence the moment he manifested.

The foliage shivered. The breeze came to a standstill. Even the spiritual veins buried deep within the soil felt a slight tremor.

Then, the avian creature fixed its sight upon him.

It was a massive bird, its frame draped in obsidian feathers marked by subtle streaks of crimson. Though its wings remained retracted, the sheer pressure radiating from its body warped the surrounding space. Its eyes, ancient and piercing, were fixed on Ethan with a look of clear bewilderment.

There was something familiar about this human.

It wasn't just a feeling; there was a fundamental connection.

The bird recognized the same aura that had previously intervened—the power that had decimated the Alucard seal restricting its bloodline and saved it from a destiny more agonizing than death. Back then, that strength had felt distant and supreme, resembling a deity reaching down from the highest heavens.

Now, that exact same presence stood right before it, manifested in the shape of a young man.

The creature did not strike.

Neither did it take flight.

It merely observed, wary and focused, its survival instincts blaring even as its bloodline vibrated softly in response to Ethan’s aura.

A long silence passed before it finally spoke.

Its voice resonated directly within Ethan’s mind, a deep, gravelly tone laced with a hint of suppressed dread.

“Are you the one who helped me?”

The inquiry was cautious and calculated. If this human truly possessed the power to shatter the Alucard seal, he was not someone to be crossed. That seal had been the work of an entity far beyond the bird's current Cultivation level. To destroy it so effortlessly suggested that this human could wipe out its life just as easily.

Ethan met the creature's stare with a calm expression.

He gave a single nod.

“Yes.”

The confirmation was absolute. There was no trace of arrogance or pride in his voice—only the statement of a fact.

The bird’s pupils narrowed sharply. The surrounding pressure fluctuated as its heart began to race.

Ethan continued, his voice remaining steady and poised.

“You should become my familiar. I can facilitate your evolution. In exchange, you will act as my mount. The choice, however, is yours. I have no intention of forcing you.”

Though the words were straightforward and delivered casually, they carried the weight of fate to the bird’s ears.

Ethan wasn't negotiating.

He was providing an opportunity.

He felt a rare sensation toward this beast, something he seldom felt for others. It wasn't the typical bond of a companion, but something more intrinsic. Because he had been born within the world of this bird, its life was intertwined with his own. It felt closer than a mere ally or a servant.

It felt like kin.

This was the reason Ethan intended to safeguard it.

The bird did not offer an immediate reply.

Its massive frame shifted slightly as it bowed its head, eyes half-lidded. Its mind worked rapidly, weighing the benefits of survival against the desire for total freedom.

While this forest provided safety from lesser threats, isolation did not guarantee safety from the truly powerful. If a Genesis Realm beast happened to pass by and felt a hunger, what defense would it have? If an Eternal Sovereign decided to hunt in these woods, what hope remained?

None at all.

Yet, this human stood there unbothered, as if such terrifying entities posed no risk.

Furthermore, the bird could sense their bond. A resonance within its bloodline responded naturally, as if it were acknowledging a member of its own family.

Finally, it looked up.

“You claimed you could assist in my evolution. To what height?”

A small smile touched Ethan’s lips.

“There is a primal race known as the Phoenix race—one of the original ancestors of all winged beings. I will see you evolved into one of them eventually.”

He took a brief breath before adding with a quiet certainty.

“And perhaps, I will take you even beyond that level.”

The impact of those words was instantaneous.

The bird’s eyes blazed like twin suns. Its breath hitched, and its heart hammered against its ribs. The Phoenix race was more than just a myth.

It was the ultimate ambition etched into the very core of its bloodline.

Without a shred of doubt or hesitation, the bird lowered its head in a deep bow.

“I accept.”

It didn't demand evidence or challenge his claim. Its primal instincts whispered that this human was telling the truth.

“Very well,” Ethan replied.

Raising his hand, he let a single drop of blood fall.

The droplet shimmered with a terrifying density, packed with an incomprehensible level of power. The moment it merged with the bird, the fabric of reality seemed to freeze.

Ethan had made his choice.

This creature would serve as his second general.

The concept of the Five Generals was a feature tied directly to his Omni Bloodline. Upon its creation, he had unlocked a unique trait.

He was capable of designating five absolute subordinates—beings with unwavering loyalty whose potential would expand indefinitely alongside his own.

They were not his slaves.

They were extensions of his very fate.

His life was theirs, and their end would be his.

As the blood integrated into the creature, the transformation was violent.

The Omni Bloodline surged forward like a tidal wave, tearing through every cell and vessel within the bird’s body. Its Cultivation rank shattered instantly, soaring into the Axiom Dominion Realm without hitting a single bottleneck.

Ethan’s eyes narrowed, showing a hint of surprise.

The reaction was far more potent than expected.

Like Ragnarok, this bird possessed a unique original bloodline. In reality, all species could trace their roots back to the Three Thousand Original Races. Their descendants usually carried bloodlines so diluted they would never stir.

However, Ethan’s blood was unique.

It did not merely buff bloodlines.

It awakened them.

It stood above all other bloodlines in rank, authority, and essence.

Boom!

The entire forest shook.

The bird let out a piercing shriek as its very nature began to shift. A massive gravitational pull erupted from its form, dragging everything toward it. Trees were ripped from the earth. Mountains began to fracture. Rivers flowed backward.

Everything within a million-kilometer radius was pulled toward the center of the storm.

“A devouring bloodline,” Ethan noted softly. “The Devouring Eagle original bloodline. Impressive.”

Suddenly, his expression sharpened.

He glanced toward the western horizon.

Dozens of powerful auras were closing in on their position.

Origin Paragon beasts.

Even Eternal Sovereign entities.

They had all sensed the massive disturbance of the awakening.

“We have to depart,” Ethan whispered.

But as the words left his mouth, he realized they were already surrounded.

To beings of such caliber, a million kilometers was a distance covered in a heartbeat.

Ethan immediately deployed his Ultimate Domain, shielding the bird so its evolution could continue undisturbed. Then, he reached out his hand and called forth his blade.

The Sword of Infinity appeared in his grip.

The moment he touched the hilt, his aura exploded.

His power spiked, forcibly reaching the threshold of the Eternal Sovereign realm.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

The void cracked as twenty figures materialized.

Seventeen were Origin Paragons.

Three were Eternal Sovereigns.

They were split into three different groups, their mutual dislike clear. However, the moment they spotted Ethan, their eyes turned to pure scorn.

“What is a lowly human doing in this place?”

“And where is the beast that is undergoing bloodline evolution?”

In the Origin World, humans were regarded as little more than cattle—toys for the superior races. Their very presence was viewed as a blemish.

Ethan gave a chilling smile.

“My apologies. You've come to the wrong place at the wrong time.”

He didn't give them a chance to react.

“Infinity Slash.”

He delivered a single strike.

A one-million-fold amplification was triggered instantly.

The world let out a scream.

A devastating force swept through the area. The entire forest region was wiped from existence. Space buckled, and time itself warped.

The twenty powerful beings didn't even have time to process their end.

They were vaporized before they could even scream.

Even the Eternal Sovereigns were gone.

A heavy silence fell over the ruins.

Ethan lifted his hand calmly.

“Arise.”

Tenebrous shadow energy surged over the remains. Moments later, twenty high-level shadow soldiers knelt in the dirt before him.

Ethan gave his commands without delay.

“Disperse. Hunt down Axiom Dominion entities or Origin Paragons. Any target will do.”

They vanished into thin air.

Ethan placed the evolving bird into his internal world and began to move.

He cut down hundreds of Progenitor and Primordial beasts as he traveled, steadily growing his shadow legion.

Finally, he reached the edge of the forest and stepped out.