Rhett’s spirit was invigorated. Wasn’t this exactly how Nina blessed water-type magic nts back then? But what was she doing using it on White Stripe? Could it be effective on other elements as well? Unfortunately, when the icy mistnded on White Stripe, the tiger simply shook its head, feeling only a slight chill, without any noticeable effect.


    A hint of disappointment shed in Rhett’s eyes as he thought, <em>As expected, White Stripe is a wind-element beast, and the Snow Sprite’s blessing doesn’t work on it.</em>


    White Stripe, oblivious to what had just happened, shook off the snow on its fur and went back to chasing squirrels for fun.


    Ryley smiled and pointed at White Stripe’s retreating figure, saying to Nina, “White Stripe is a wind-element beast, so you can’t help it. But I’ll be sure to pass on your kindness—it’ll definitely be happy to hear that.”


    Nina seemed to understand and nodded, though the sight of therge snowball’s smaller head bobbing up and down looked somewhatical.


    “Ryley, did you notice? Nina seems to have grown a bit sincest year—not just in size, but in intelligence too,” Rhett remarked as he observed from the side.


    Ryley brushed some snowkes off his head and pondered, “You’re right, Father. I also noticed Nina’s body seems a bit bigger—maybe by about a centimeter. It’s subtle but clear to me. As for her intelligence, it’s hard to say for sure. It might just be our imagination. But in a few more years, we’ll know for sure.”


    “True enough,” Rhett agreed, not dwelling too much on the topic.


    With everything settled, Rhett took in the snowyndscape around him, feeling an inexplicable sense of joy. He took a deep breath, the cold air filling his lungs, and said, “With the mountains snowed in, most wild beasts are either hibernating or less active. Lower-tier magical beasts will surely be hunting more frequently. For us, this is a perfect hunting opportunity. Let’s head out and hunt to our hearts’ content!”“Let’s go and hunt to our hearts’ content!” Tark echoed enthusiastically, his blood pumping with excitement as the four of them braved the cold winds and set off deeper into the mountains.


    Forty-three dayster.


    On the southern slope of the Dark-Winged Eagle Range, a small cave nestled halfway up the mountain.@@novelbin@@


    In the cave’s center, a small fire crackled, asionally emitting a sharp crackle. Rhett sat at the deepest part of the cave, his back against a milky-white rock wall. Despite over a month of hunting, he felt no fatigue.


    For over a month, they had hunted in the northern outskirts of the Dark-Winged Eagle Range. Only when the magical beasts became scarce did they move to the southern side. Although the simtion had provided a clear and sessful oue for this journey, Rhett remained cautious, never letting his guard down despite the promise of safety.


    As a result, facing first and second-tier magical beasts was a breeze, and even third-tier beasts were manageable with some effort. By this day, Rhett estimated he had in nearly four hundred magical beasts.


    He opened his system interface.


    Rhett nced at the screen before him. His three grandchildren were yet to be named, so they still appeared as question marks. However, the number under his "Fate Points" column filled him with a profound sense of satisfaction. He couldn’t help but think, <em>Is it time to break through?</em>


    “If I remember correctly,st time it took around two hundred Fate Points to break through from Tier 2 to Tier 3. Now, with over nine hundred points—four times as much—I might just make it to Archmage!”


    The thought sent a thrill through him. <em>Archmage—that’s Archmage!</em> Though only one rank higher, it marked the boundary between mid-tier and low-tier mages. Even the title changed, and with it came immense power.


    Rhett had once interacted with Archmage-level officers on the front lines and had inquired about the differences between an Archmage and a regr mage. What left the deepest impression on him was the transformation of mental energy after bing an Archmage—it became denser, more substantial. The most obvious manifestation was that mental energy could directly manipte physical matter, no longer limited to affecting the world through magical elements.


    Of course, an Archmage’s ability to manipte matter was still weak, with a force barely stronger than a child’s punch, and it required great effort. Using it inbat was out of the question, but it did enhance their control over elements, elevating the potency of their spells.


    Just as an Earth Knight could project their energy onto arrows or thrown objects, an Archmage’s spells could achieve simrly exquisite effects. For instance, Rhett recalled witnessing the spell <em>Sandwolf Howl</em> on the battlefield. It conjured three sand wolves that fought under the mage’s control, posing a serious threat to their enemies.


    These sand wolves, immune to physical harm, could only be defeated byplete annihtion. Stabbing them with a sword wouldn’t work—they’d simply reform. Their attacks, however, could cause real damage, making their all-out assault something to be feared. Moreover, the wolves could self-destruct, turning themselves into mobile bombs.


    Casting such a spell required continuous mental energy consumption, and only an Archmage could maintain it.


    Late at night, with the surroundingspletely silent, Rhett took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and prepared to attempt a breakthrough. Whether he seeded or not, it was worth trying. If he seeded, it would be cause for celebration. If not, he would continue hunting and try again.


    With that resolve, he activated the system.


    “Yes, simte for three days.”


    Rhett chose three days but intended to continue simting after each cycle. A few extra days could easily be exined, but if he used all nine hundred points at once, he’d simte over two years. There was no reasonable exnation for spending that long meditating alone.


    As the simtion began, the space around him rippled, and Rhett closed his eyes, entering a meditative state.


    ...


    Only two minutes passed in the real world, but Rhett experienced over eight hundred days in the simtion!


    On day 847, Rhett’s state of mind hadn’t changed despite the prolonged meditation. He remainedposed, sitting cross-legged and sensing the increasingly intense fluctuations of his mental energy. His breathing was steady, his heart calm like a mirror.


    After three more days, Rhett’s body trembled slightly as his mental energy surged in his mind. A voice seemed to echo from within: <em>It’s finally here!</em>


    Like a dam breaking, the vast umtion of power and long meditation shattered the barriers holding him back. A storm of mental energy swept through his mind, expanding into a mysterious region deep within his consciousness. As it expanded, his mental energy collided andpressed, evolving to a higher level.


    The process was apanied by some pain, but it was far more bearable than when he had taken the bloodline potion. After half an hour, his mental energy had fully transformed.


    Where it had once been fog-like—vague and insubstantial—now it felt dense and tangible, capable of following his will with precise control.


    Rhett opened his eyes, his gaze deep and profound. Exhaling softly, he murmured, “I’ve done it. I’ve finally be an Archmage.”


    His words echoed like a pebble dropped into a pond, startling Tark from his light sleep and rousing Ryley and Thales from their meditation. Tark leaped to his feet and rushed to his father’s side. Seeing Rhett fully awake, he eximed, “Strange… You weren’t sleep-talking, but how could you have be an Archmage already? It’s been less than a year since yourst breakthrough.”


    Because this was a simtion, Rhett merely rolled his eyes without exining. He stepped outside the cave and said, “I’ll exin everythingter. Wait here for me—half an hour should do.”


    Ryley and Tark exchanged puzzled nces but patiently waited.


    Rhett didn’t want to waste the simtion and nned to limate to his new Archmage-level power. First, he tried projecting his mental energy. Closing his eyes to focus, he extended his consciousness outward like an invisible tendril. It stretched slowly, reaching about ten meters before hitting its limit.


    Next, he tested its strength by forming a whip of mental energy and striking the ground, only to find it left no mark. Rhett now understood that while his mental energy could interact with matter, it was extremely limited, slow, and exhausting. It wasn’t practical forbat but could be useful in specific situations—like scrubbing that tricky spot on his back during a bath.


    Rhett then cast various earth spells from levels one to three, testing how his newfound power enhanced them. He immediately noticed significant improvements in their durability, range, and casting speed.


    “Father, did you really be an Archmage?” Tark asked, approaching cautiously. He figured his father had been getting used to his new powers and that it was safe to approach now. His amazement was evident.


    Rhett exhaled, realizing he had only two minutes left. Having fully mastered his Archmage abilities, he knew his next step was to acquire the <em>Sandwolf Howl</em> spellbook.


    As Tark’s footsteps grew nearer, Rhett turned around. Smiling at his son’s usual absentmindedness, he reached out and flicked Tark’s forehead. The boy yelped, rubbing the spot. “I’m not a kid anymore, Father! Why do you still flick my forehead like you did when I was little?”


    Suddenly, the simtion ended.


    The scene of Tark’s disgruntled face froze in Rhett’s mind, and he momentarily marveled at how real it had all felt. When the spatial ripples faded, Rhett returned to the real world, still sitting by the fire with his back against the white rock wall.


    Though he had spent over two years in meditation, his mind was calm. However, thosest few moments in the simtion had left him feeling slightly disoriented.


    After a few seconds of steadying his thoughts, Rhett’s system interface appeared before him.


    “I choose mental energy!”


    With thatmand, Rhett felt a surge of mental energy flooding his mind. Within seconds, he regained his Archmage-level power and reveled in its strength.


    Now that he had broken through in reality, Rhett couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride. <em>From now on, call me Archmage!</em>


    To emphasize this momentous achievement, he projected a wave of energy outward.


    <em>Whoosh!</em>


    Like a shockwave, the energy spread from Rhett as the epicenter, creating a breeze that swept across Ryley, Tark, and Thales, waking them all.


    “What… What’s this?” Ryley’s pupils shrank in disbelief. “Mental energy projection? That’s the power of an Archmage! Father actually became an Archmage?!”


    Tark and Thales gulped. Though it was hard to ept, the proof was right before their eyes. Their father had broken through!


    Their breaths grew heavy with awe.


    Standing up slowly, a smile yed on Rhett’s lips. “I forgot to tell you all—ever since I took that bloodline potion, my cultivation speed has beenpletely different from before. So, breaking through to Archmage isn’t such a big deal.”


    Rhett’s words had been carefully considered. Given the realistic simtions, his future progress would defy expectations. Rather than concocting increasingly borate excuses with each breakthrough, it was simpler to attribute it all to the mysterious bloodline potion he had taken. After all, he had purposely left its true quality ambiguous, leaving room for this exnation.


    “But… this is too fast!” Tark eximed, scratching his head in amazement.


    Rhett added, “Of course, keep the secrets of my cultivation and the bloodline potion to yourselves.”