My attributes are increasing infinitely Chapter 498: About to reach level 10

Ethan drew a slow breath, centering his thoughts.

"This time, I'm aiming directly for level eighty," he whispered, knowing full well the journey would still be a gradual progression. His conviction wasn't born of arrogance, but of meticulous calculation. The Space Cube allowed him to condense years into mere seconds. With adequate patience, no goal was truly beyond reach.

"Let's commence."

He stepped forward, entering the cube. The internal expanse immediately unfurled around him. A pale, silver horizon stretched limitlessly in every direction. Time within felt denser, almost palpable, as if each second carried more significance than usual. Ethan proceeded directly towards the temporal field situated at the core.

He calmly reviewed the necessary conditions.

To breach the threshold of level three, fifteen thousand points were required.

He currently held ten.

Eleven full days would be needed.

Externally, those eleven days would elapse in less than a single second.

Ethan gave a slight nod. The figures precisely matched his projections. He assumed a cross-legged position and closed his eyes. The time field activated without a sound. His breathing deepened. Vital energy circulated through his body in steady patterns. Every instant spent within the cube possessed a serene intensity, as though the very fabric of existence propelled him forward.

Time began its inexorable march.

...

On the battlefield, Ethan strode alongside Max and the others, heading towards the main encampment. The tense atmosphere had subsided following the recent engagement. Soldiers moved amidst the supply tents. Some were occupied with weapon maintenance, while others relaxed against fortified barriers. The faint scent of iron and dust still permeated the air.

Max directed a look of clear admiration towards Ethan.

"Ethan, you were outstanding out there," he remarked. "There's a treasure in the military market called Dragon Blood; it can fortify the body without the need for cultivation. Would you like us to acquire it for you?"

His tone conveyed genuine concern. Max himself couldn't quite articulate why, but proximity to Ethan instilled a peculiar sense of calm. The same held true for the rest of the squad. The usual mission-related tension dissipated when Ethan was present. Subconsciously, they desired his strength to grow; they couldn't bear the thought of someone like him meeting an untimely end.

Ethan offered a subtle shake of his head.

"No, that won't be necessary."

He paused briefly, then directed his gaze towards Max.

"Hey, Max. There's a potent poison residing within your bone marrow. Are you aware of this?"

The words were spoken casually, yet their impact was immediate. Max's complexion paled dramatically. His pupils constricted slightly, and his breathing became noticeably irregular.

"How could you possibly know that?" he demanded sharply.

That particular secret had never been divulged to anyone beyond his immediate family. It represented a hidden vulnerability that perpetually plagued him. A poison entrenched deep within the marrow was impervious to conventional remedies. It insidiously depleted one's vitality over time. Only a handful of specialists globally possessed the knowledge to even detect its presence.

Ethan observed his reaction with quiet scrutiny.

"Judging by your reaction, you're already aware. Would you like me to remove it?"

Max's eyes narrowed, suspicion supplanting his initial shock. His voice then adopted a colder edge.

"Don't make promises you can't keep, Ethan. It could jeopardize our relationship."

From his vantage point, the assertion seemed utterly preposterous. Ethan, technically, was still a mortal. He hadn't exhibited any overt signs of cultivation. How could someone in his position possibly resolve a poisoning that eluded even elite medical practitioners?

Ethan showed no sign of offense. He simply presented Max with a slender piece of paper.

"I don't speak idly. If you wish for its removal, gather these ingredients."

Max accepted the list almost involuntarily. His eyes scanned its contents. Several items were exceedingly valuable medicinal herbs. A few were rare toxins employed in counter-agents. However, interspersed were unfamiliar names he had never encountered before.

"You have five years remaining," Ethan added calmly. "After that period, the poison will completely consume your marrow."

He continued walking forward, as if their conversation had never occurred.

Max remained frozen on the spot. His fingers clenched the list, his hands trembling subtly. The gravity of Ethan's words weighed heavily on his mind.

His teammates had also halted their movement.

"Max... is what Ethan said true?" Mira inquired cautiously.

Max didn't respond immediately. He looked down at the list once more. The combination of ingredients appeared logical. Not entirely, but sufficiently to sow seeds of doubt.

"Mira, I need to visit my family," he declared abruptly. "I'm going to speak with the commander as well."

"Wait. I'm coming with you," Mira responded.

They turned and departed with hurried steps.

Meanwhile, Ethan proceeded towards the supply depot. His pace remained unhurried, his hands clasped behind his back.

Erina moved to his side.

"What was that all about?" she asked. "Can you explain?"

"It is precisely as I stated," Ethan responded. "Max has a severe bone marrow poison issue. I can provide a cure if he permits me."

Erina's brow furrowed slightly.

"Even if that possibility exists... how do you possess such knowledge?"

Ethan offered her a brief glance.

"I have my own ways. Furthermore, Erina, you ought to discontinue employing that military breathing technique."

She immediately froze.

"You possess a body attuned to the light element. The cultivation method you follow is derived from a water breathing technique, modified for broader accessibility. However, residual water attributes persist, hindering your advancement."

Erina ceased her movement.

Kael and Dorian, who had been within earshot, also stopped. All three turned their gaze upon Ethan, as if confronting the impossible.

"How in the blazes are you aware of all this?" Kael demanded.

Ethan proceeded with a calm demeanor.

"Your breathing method should undergo a change as well. Your inherent element is lightning. Only Max is naturally inclined towards the technique you currently utilize."

Kael's expression turned grim.

"On what grounds do you make these assertions? You are challenging the very foundations of human cultivation."

Dorian articulated his thoughts more cautiously.

"You comprehend the implications of your statements, do you not?"

Ethan gave a slight nod.

"I am cognizant. However, you have observed that certain individuals cultivate at a significantly faster pace than others, have you not?"

"Indeed," Kael affirmed. "They are regarded as geniuses."

"That accounts for only a portion of the reason," Ethan explained. "Consider Max. His inherent attribute is water, aligning perfectly with the technique. This is why his progress is accelerated. The remaining four of you possess comparable talent levels otherwise."

"Your words lack coherence," Kael countered. "What do you mean by innate attributes?"

Ethan remained silent for a moment.

It appeared that the higher authorities had concealed fundamental knowledge. Alternatively, they might have deliberately simplified the cultivation process for widespread adoption.

He turned his attention back to Erina.

"I shall devise a technique specifically for you. Give it a trial run, that is all I request."

Without awaiting a response, he departed.

...

Re-entering the Space Cube, Ethan reviewed his status panel.

[Level: 9

Evolution Points: 10000 / 1.1B]

He released a slow breath.

The requirement had escalated from thousands to billions. This progression was extraordinary, yet not entirely unexpected. At elevated stages, advancement inherently decelerated. This phenomenon explained why certain cultivators remained stagnant for millions, even billions, of years.

Another limitation presented a considerable challenge.

Post-level five, vanquishing a monster of the same level yielded ten thousand points. However, this reward did not augment for subsequent higher levels. Defeating a level six adversary still granted ten thousand points, as did a level seven. The system implicitly compelled cultivators to seek supplementary methods.

This circumstance elucidated why ancient powerhouses devoted millennia to resource acquisition rather than continuous combat.

For Ethan, the situation was uniquely different.

He performed a swift calculation.

Seventeen days.

That was the extent of time he required. Thus far, he had allocated approximately one hundred days within the cube to achieve his current standing. Externally, mere seconds had elapsed. To observers, his progression would appear instantaneous.

A subtle smile graced his lips.

"Upon reaching level ten, I shall awaken my inaugural Elysium talent."

He reclined slightly, closing his eyes once more.

"I wonder what form it will take."

Anticipation subtly stirred within him as time recommenced its passage.