After fusing bloodlines, you can transform, changing into the fused race and gaining that race’s power. The strength of the transformation is limited by your own physical ability and age.

Transformation is the shapeshifter’s most powerful combat technique.

The enhancement after fusion is fundamental—in other words, the shapeshifter’s life level is essentially changed, which means their potential is increased. For example, among warriors of the same level, an orc’s physical ability is definitely stronger than a human’s. This is the difference in racial talent, and a shapeshifter can optimize their own racial talent, with their potential continuously growing.

It’s like mining: for the same weight, gold ore is much more valuable than iron ore, and a shapeshifter has the ability to turn themselves from “iron ore” into “gold ore.”

“Why don’t I feel the ‘power’ you’re talking about?” Owen Clark felt that Village Chief was trying to fool him.

Village Chief stroked his beard and said, “The shapeshifter bloodline has terrifying fusion ability. Every ten years, you can fuse a new race’s bloodline, with no limit to the number. That means your bloodline will only awaken when you turn ten.”

Owen Clark summed it up and hesitantly asked, “So you mean, I can turn into a beast?”

Village Chief was silent for a while, then slowly said, “If that’s how you want to understand it, I can’t stop you…”

Too much had happened today, and Owen Clark struggled to digest all this information.

There was a frost demon lord living in his head, he himself wasn’t human but a race called shapeshifter, and he had the talent to fuse with other races. Most importantly, Village Chief was amazing!

Owen Clark thought of the uninvited guest in his head and asked, “So what’s with us worshipping demons?”

Village Chief’s expression suddenly became very ugly, as if he didn’t want to answer this question. Even when talking about the tragic history of their race, he hadn’t shown this expression. He said lightly, “I’ll tell you about this later.”

Something’s fishy!

Owen Clark’s curiosity was piqued. No matter how much he pestered, Village Chief just kept a straight face and didn’t reveal a single bit of information. Owen Clark was extremely frustrated and thought to himself, “Since the real deal is living in my head, I might as well ask Demacia.”

Demacia had remained silent the whole time. Owen Clark could more or less understand his thoughts. Village Chief had just accidentally taken a hit from divine power. Whether by coincidence or strength, Demacia felt there was a risk of being exposed, so he didn’t dare speak to Owen Clark in front of Village Chief.

Owen Clark didn’t have much obsession with becoming stronger. His biggest wish was to become a traveler and explore this world. He’d read plenty of novels, and although he knew he now had great potential, he still couldn’t muster up any ambitions of reaching the top.

To put it plainly: the path to strength is extremely difficult, full of thorns, and there’s no guarantee of success.

To put it poetically: “I don’t yet have a reason to become strong, no companions I want to protect, and no bonds with a nemesis.”

In a word: lazy.

Village Chief coughed twice. “Since the totem is broken, we won’t hold the ritual for now. Tell me the three mentors you choose—each will train you for two years, for a total of six years. Henry told me you want to leave the tribe. At sixteen, every member must undergo the coming-of-age ceremony, leave the tribe through the ‘Mole Chaotic Flow Teleportation Array’ in the tribe, and be sent to a fixed altar on the Frejia Continent. Only by relying on your own strength to return to the tribe will you have completed the coming-of-age ceremony.”

When Owen Clark heard he could leave the tribe, he finally felt relieved. Facing monotonous snow and ice for six years would drive anyone crazy. “What is the Mole Chaotic Flow Teleportation Array?”

“A teleportation magic array,” Village Chief didn’t want to say more. “You wouldn’t understand even if I explained now. Choose your three mentors.”

Owen Clark’s eyes rolled as he thought for a moment. “First, I want the tavern owner Edgar Bennett.”

Boss Edgar Bennett was a short, chubby man who often tried to get Owen Clark drunk by dipping a fork in iced plum wine. The plum wine tasted great, and Owen Clark thought that if he chose him as a mentor, maybe he could drink for free.

Village Chief’s expression became a bit strange.

“As for the second, I’ll pick the hunting team captain, Uncle Anthony.” Hunting would definitely involve teaching wilderness survival. Owen Clark was lazy, but he still cared a lot about safety.

Village Chief nodded. This choice was much more normal.

“For the third, I’ll pick the black-robed uncle.” The black-robed uncle was a middle-aged man wrapped head to toe in a black robe, the only beggar in the tribe… In a tribe of less than two hundred people, having a professional beggar was pretty unbelievable. Owen Clark could tell something was up just by thinking about it. You ask how he thinks with his butt… probably by standing on his head.

Village Chief gave Owen Clark a deep look. “Are you sure?”

Owen Clark felt pretty good about himself. “I’m sure.”

“…Go to the village entrance tomorrow morning. Edgar Bennett will start teaching you.”

Owen Clark nodded to show he understood.

Village Chief glanced at Owen Clark, then walked away, thinking to himself, “He picked the three best fighters in the tribe. Did Henry secretly tell him?”

After Village Chief left, Owen Clark quickly called out to Demacia in his mind, “Are you there?”

Demacia’s voice finally appeared, saying helplessly, “I know what you want to ask. Even though you worship me as a totem, it’s actually just a partnership.”

“What’s really going on?”

Demacia said, “It’s no use even if you know now. I don’t want to talk about it.”