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

Ethan’s clone faded into nothingness, departing the world in absolute silence.

At that precise moment, the true consciousness of Ethan descended upon the form.

The body of the clone went rigid for a heartbeat before softening. As the eyelids lifted, the expression within the eyes had transformed; it was no longer a mere puppet’s gaze. It had become profound and limitless, bearing a heavy authority that could only belong to the original host.

Ethan had finally arrived.

He found himself in the heart of a colossal, prehistoric woodland. Massive trees ascended toward the heavens in every direction, possessing trunks broader than mountain peaks and foliage that completely obscured the firmament. The atmosphere was saturated with primordial Qi, possessing a purity so intense that the simple act of breathing felt burdensome.

This environment was not intended for the weak. It served as a sanctuary, handpicked by a prehistoric beast to live in seclusion from the remainder of the Origin World.

The forest reacted the second Ethan manifested.

The foliage shivered. The breeze died down. Even the spiritual veins buried deep within the soil gave a subtle tremor.

Then, the avian creature fixed its gaze upon him.

The bird was gargantuan, its frame draped in obsidian feathers marked by thin, blood-red veins. Though its wings remained retracted, the sheer pressure it radiated caused the surrounding space to warp. Its eyes, ancient and piercing, were locked onto Ethan with an expression of clear bewilderment.

This human felt strangely familiar to it.

Beyond familiarity, there was a sense of connection.

The creature recognized the same aura that had intervened previously—the formidable presence that had obliterated the Alucard seal restricting its bloodline, rescuing it from a fate more agonizing than extinction. Back then, that power had felt distant and supreme, like a deity reaching down from the highest heavens.

Now, that very same aura stood directly before it, contained within the body of a young human male.

The bird made no move to strike.

It didn't attempt to fly away.

It merely observed with a guarded and vigilant stance, its primal instincts blaring alarms even as its own bloodline hummed in resonance with Ethan’s arrival.

After a prolonged silence, it spoke.

The creature's voice vibrated directly within Ethan’s mind, sounding deep and gravelly, laced with a hint of suppressed dread.

"Are you the one who helped me?"

The inquiry was cautious and calculated. If this human truly was the entity responsible for shattering the Alucard seal, it was not a person the bird could dare to provoke. That seal had been placed by a power far exceeding its own current Cultivation. To wipe it away so effortlessly implied this human held the strength to erase its very life just as simply.

Ethan met the bird’s stare with a composed expression.

He gave a single, firm nod.

"Yes."

The lone word was filled with absolute certainty. There was no trace of arrogance or vanity—only the simple truth.

The bird’s pupils narrowed sharply. The surrounding pressure wavered as its pulse quickened.

Ethan continued to speak, his voice remaining level and controlled.

"You should become my familiar. I can facilitate your evolution. In exchange, you will serve as my mount. Naturally, the choice is yours. I will not compel you."

The statement was straightforward, nearly nonchalant, yet to the bird, it carried the weight of a divine decree.

Ethan wasn't negotiating.

He was providing an opportunity.

He felt a rare sentiment toward this beast that he seldom felt for others. It wasn't an affection born of long-term bonding, but something more fundamental. Since he had been born within the bird’s world, its life was intrinsically linked to his. It felt more significant than an ally or a servant.

It felt like family.

This was the reason Ethan desired to safeguard it.

The bird did not offer an immediate reply.

Its massive frame shifted as it bowed its head, eyes half-lidded. Its mind raced, weighing the prospects of survival against the value of its independence.

While this forest offered safety from inferior races, isolation was no guarantee of safety. 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.

Conversely, this human stood there with total serenity, as if such terrifying entities posed no threat to him.

Furthermore, the bird sensed an undeniable link to him. Its bloodline resonated instinctively, acknowledging him as if he were kin.

Eventually, it opened its eyes wide.

"You said you can help me evolve. How far?"

A faint smile played on Ethan’s lips.

"There is a primordial race known as the Phoenix race—one of the original progenitors of all winged creatures. One day, I will evolve you into one of them."

He hesitated for a second before adding with a quiet, firm confidence.

"And perhaps even beyond that."

The reaction was instantaneous.

The bird’s eyes blazed like twin suns. Its breath became heavy and its heart thundered. The Phoenix race was not merely 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 agree."

It sought no evidence and questioned nothing. Its instincts whispered that this human was incapable of lying.

"Very well," Ethan remarked.

Extending his hand, he released a solitary drop of blood.

The droplet shimmered with a terrifying density, packed with unfathomable power. As it merged into the bird’s frame, it seemed as though reality itself stood still.

Ethan had made his choice.

This beast would serve as his second general.

The concept of the Five Generals was an ability tied intimately to his Omni Bloodline. Upon creating it, he had unlocked a unique trait.

He was permitted to designate five absolute subordinates—beings whose devotion would be eternal and whose potential would expand alongside his own.

They were not thralls.

They were extensions of his very fate.

If he thrived, they would thrive. If he fell, they would perish with him.

The moment his blood merged with the bird, the transformation was explosive.

The Omni Bloodline surged through the creature like a tidal wave, forcing its way into every cell and vessel. Its Cultivation realm shattered instantly, soaring directly into the Axiom Dominion Realm without a hint of friction.

Ethan’s eyes narrowed slightly in surprise.

The reaction was more potent than expected.

Much like Ragnarok, this bird possessed a unique original bloodline. In reality, every race traced back to the Three Thousand Original Races. Their descendants carried these bloodlines, though they were usually too diluted to ever manifest.

However, Ethan’s bloodline functioned differently.

It didn't just bolster bloodlines.

It awakened them.

It exceeded every other bloodline in terms of quality, dominance, and depth.

Boom.

The entire forest shook violently.

The bird let out a piercing cry as its very nature began to shift. A horrifying vacuum force erupted from its body, pulling all surrounding matter toward it. Trees were ripped from the earth. Mountains fractured. The very rivers began to flow backward.

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

"A devouring bloodline," Ethan observed calmly. "The Devouring Eagle original bloodline. Impressive."

Suddenly, his expression shifted.

He turned his gaze toward the west.

Formidable auras were rushing toward their position. There were dozens of them—no, even more.

Origin Paragon beasts.

Eternal Sovereign entities.

They had also detected the awakening.

"We must depart," Ethan whispered.

Yet, even as the words left his mouth, he realized it was too late.

To beings of such caliber, a million kilometers was a negligible distance.

Ethan immediately expanded his Ultimate Domain, shielding the bird entirely to ensure its evolution remained undisturbed. Then, he reached out and called forth his weapon.

The Sword of Infinity appeared in his grip.

The moment his fingers closed around the hilt, his presence erupted.

His power spiked, forcibly ascending to the level of the Eternal Sovereign realm.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

The fabric of space tore open as twenty figures descended.

Seventeen Origin Paragons and three Eternal Sovereigns stood before him.

They were split into three separate groups, their mutual enmity barely hidden. However, the moment they spotted Ethan, their eyes were filled with nothing but scorn.

"What is a lowly human doing in this place?"

"And where is the beast currently undergoing bloodline evolution?"

In the Origin World, humans were viewed as nothing more than cattle—toys for the superior races. Their very presence was considered a disgrace.

Ethan gave a chilling smile.

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

He didn't hesitate for a second.

"Infinity Slash."

He delivered a single swing of his blade.

A million-fold amplification was triggered instantly.

The world itself seemed to shriek.

A devastating force consumed everything in its path. That entire region of the forest was erased from existence. Space buckled and time itself became distorted.

The twenty entities didn't even have the chance to process what was happening.

They perished without being able to scream.

Even the Eternal Sovereigns were not spared.

A heavy silence followed the destruction.

Ethan lifted his hand with composure.

"Arise."

Swirling shadow energy consumed the remains. Moments later, twenty incredibly powerful shadow soldiers knelt in front of him.

Without wasting a moment, Ethan gave his commands.

"Disperse. Hunt down Axiom Dominion entities or Origin Paragons. Any target is acceptable."

They vanished instantly.

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

He decimated hundreds of Progenitor and Primordial beasts along his path, steadily growing his shadow army.

At last, he stepped out from the confines of the forest.