Half a year later.
Deep in Ian's botanical garden.
The towering Iron Thorn had grown to nearly two hundred meters. Slender vines spread in every direction, enveloping the entire garden.
At its base,
Ian sat with his eyes closed.
He sat cross-legged in meditation.
But his breathing was different.
With every breath, vast amounts of elemental and natural energy seemed to circulate through him.
When that energy emerged, it did not dissipate. Instead, it gradually formed a huge ring behind Ian.
It cycled without end.
As more energy gathered, the ring became almost solid. Finally, when Ian drew a deep breath, it all flowed back into his body.
Then he opened his eyes.
They shone brightly, as though his body had received a tremendous infusion of strength.
He opened the status panel.
"Life Ring has reached Master Level. Your talent has increased by 2,000. "Talent: 63,000 → 65,000.
"Master Level at last."
Ian drew a deep breath.
After years of work, the Second Ring knowledge he had obtained from Truth Tower had finally reached Master Level.
For him, it meant a great deal.
"The discord between my body and spirit hasn't merely vanished. They're completely bound together now, as though they're one."
"Even if my Body Tempering improves further, at least during the Second Ring stage, my body and spirit shouldn't separate again."
Ian gently clenched his fist.
Surging power coursed through him. His progress through the third layer had reached eighty percent.
His strength could now rival an Iron Wyvern, a Second Ring draconic Magic Beast renowned for its immense power.
Life Ring had reached Master Level.
That had allowed his spiritual power to fuse completely with his body. His command of that strength had become almost instinctive.
It was simply incredible.
Even for Body-Tempering Wizards, gaining