Only when a certain ability has been awakened more than seven times does it qualify to be classified as Heaven-rank.

If, throughout history, all those with the freezing-type ability have never awakened it a second time, then this ability can only be ranked at the bottom of the Yellow-rank.

Similarly, if someone can awaken the power-type ability seven times, then from the moment of their seventh awakening, the power ability will also be listed among the Heaven-rank.

No one knows how much time passed before Grace Clark closed the book, rubbed his sore eyes, and gently let out a breath.

The Institute of Abilities truly is a great place; this kind of information would be very hard to obtain elsewhere.

Soon, Grace Clark stood up and walked to another row of bookshelves.

What he had just read was only the basic knowledge about abilities. What mattered more to him was the path to advancing his ability—what should he do to achieve a second awakening?

The Institute of Abilities houses countless books, and for every type of ability, there are dedicated records on how to cultivate and awaken it.

These are all valuable experiences left by predecessors, the results of generations of collection by the Institute, and can only be seen in the library of the Institute of Abilities.

Where Grace Clark was standing, four bookshelves were arranged in order, each engraved with one of the large characters: “Heaven”, “Earth”, “Mystic”, and “Yellow”.

These four bookshelves correspond to different ranks of abilities.

Grace Clark planned to start with the Yellow-rank. As his gaze swept over, he inadvertently saw the words “Beast Speech” and pulled out a thin booklet.

This book recorded exactly the type of ability that Haitang possessed.

The book’s account was extremely detailed, beginning with a preliminary introduction to the ability, then, in chronological order, describing the lives of those in history who had possessed this ability, as well as some anecdotes and interesting stories, giving it the feel of reading ancient tales of the supernatural.

What surprised Grace Clark a little was that being able to understand the language of beasts was not the entirety of this ability. According to the book, those who awakened this ability for the first time could understand animal speech; when the ability was awakened a second time, they could achieve empathy with animals. At that point, those with this ability could not only understand animals but also communicate with them...

However, that was the full extent of this ability. Historical records showed that everyone who had ever possessed it had only ever awakened it twice at most. No wonder it was classified as Yellow-rank, and only barely as a high-grade Yellow-rank.

As for abilities that could only be awakened once, they were naturally considered low-grade Yellow-rank.

The Institute of Abilities truly lived up to its name—even such obscure abilities were recorded in such detail. However, this book did not record any method for advancing this ability; either the method was never passed down, or there simply was no regular path for its advancement.

Grace Clark didn’t dwell on it, and moved to the bookshelf for Earth-rank abilities, where he found the book on the power-type ability.

This book was several times thicker than the previous one, and its records were even more detailed. It even included methods for further awakenings. Grace Clark was already somewhat familiar with this ability—David Harris liked to lift stone locks the size of millstones in the courtyard when he had nothing else to do, which was his way of training.

Advancing the power-type ability was about pushing one’s own limits, somewhat similar to bodybuilding, but the process was much tougher, and the upper limit was far more unpredictable.

After reading this book, Grace Clark moved on to the bookshelf for Heaven-rank abilities.

The records in these books were even more detailed, with almost every awakening of an ability accompanied by meticulous guidance—so much so that the process made Grace Clark a little apprehensive.

For example, those who awakened fire control abilities had to endure the blazing sun in the heat of summer, then reach into fire with their hands, bathe in flames, and, in the later stages of training, even seek out active volcanoes to train in lava...

Just reading the descriptions made Grace Clark feel parched.

Another example: those who awakened lightning control abilities had to stand on rooftops with iron rods during thunderstorms, drawing lightning into their bodies—this made Grace Clark's hair stand on end...

Grace Clark quickly found the book he needed most. As expected, the essence of advancing Heaven-rank abilities was to torment oneself. After awakening the ice ability, one had to seek breakthroughs in extremely cold environments—standing naked outdoors in the dead of winter, letting the wind and snow batter you, lying on ice, or living in an ice chamber...

Grace Clark wasn’t afraid of hardship or suffering, but it was currently the height of summer, the hottest time of the year. Where was he supposed to find ice or an ice chamber?

Could he really wait until winter to start training?

Grace Clark closed the book, troubled by this issue, when suddenly he caught a familiar, delicate fragrance.

Emily Turner's figure appeared before him and said to Grace Clark, “I saw David Harris at the palace gate, so I guessed you’d come here.”

Although Emily Turner's expression was cold, her eyes were somewhat gentle. Clearly, she was very pleased with such a diligent Grace Clark.

Grace Clark said to Emily Turner, “My ability just awakened, and I don’t know how to train yet, so I came here to read.”

Emily Turner replied coolly, “I’ll help you with your training. Come with me.”

With that, she turned and walked out of the library, leaving Grace Clark with a view of her back.