"Cosmic Phantom Beasts? Can you hear my voice?
I am your new master, the one who summoned you into this new universe," Rhodes said.
The items from the system's mysterious gift box are always powerful, and this time, obtaining the Cosmic Phantom Beasts is truly the ultimate reward.
To directly become a super lifeform—this is truly a leap to the top.
"We can hear your voice, master of the new world.
I am the Cosmic Great Water Buffalo, and as the representative of the Cosmic Phantom Beasts, I will speak with you," a voice sounded in Rhodes' mind.
After being summoned to this new world, all the Cosmic Phantom Beasts had already become Rhodes' servants.
"I want you to possess those I designate, and transform them into super lifeforms. Is this possible?" Rhodes conveyed his intention to the Cosmic Phantom Beasts.
He wanted to give this evolution—becoming a giant super lifeform—to his little wife Elena first.
He'd been troubled about how to make her a top-tier super lifeform, and now the Cosmic Phantom Beast had delivered itself to his door.
Their nightly sessions were quite taxing on the body; he had to let his little wife upgrade to a super lifeform first.
Once she became a super lifeform, Rhodees wouldn't have to worry about this matter anymore.
"No problem, Master! We can possess those you designate, granting them the power of the Cosmic Phantom Beasts.
However, our powers vary in strength. Only some of our weaker companions can possess ordinary lifeforms.
Currently, the Cosmic Azure Dragon, Cosmic Red Dragon, Cosmic White Tiger, Cosmic Black Tortoise, Cosmic Vermilion Bird, and Cosmic Phoenix are the stronger ones.
They cannot directly possess ordinary lifeforms, but the other Cosmic Phantom Beasts—Cosmic Mantis, Cosmic Giant Python, Cosmic Soaring Crane, Cosmic Phantom Water Serpent, and Cosmic Rapid Frost Leopard—can possess ordinary lifeforms and upgrade their life level from ordinary to super lifeform," explained the Cosmic Great Water Buffalo.
The Cosmic Phantom Beasts vary in strength; if someone is too weak, they cannot withstand the transformation from a Cosmic Phantom Beast.
"Very good. I plan to have one of you possess my wife. She is a female—are there any suitable for females?" Rhodes asked.
"Master, we need to see your wife, then select the most suitable companion to reside in her," replied the Cosmic Great Water Buffalo.
Rhodes nodded and asked again,
"The basic martial arts techniques recorded in the Cosmic Phantom Beast Fist Manual—if I have lifeforms in this new universe train in them, can I set up some anti-theft measures? I don't want my enemies to gain this power."
Some protection was necessary; otherwise, it would be like handing power to the forces of Chaos.
"Master, the basic version of the Cosmic Phantom Beast Fist can be practiced by any lifeform, but training must take place on the planet where we Cosmic Phantom Beasts reside.
Our cosmic aura greatly enhances the training, making it more effective.
Without our assistance on other planets, their progress will be limited.
As for spreading this martial art, that's even less likely. It can only be learned on a planet where Cosmic Phantom Beasts exist," the Cosmic Great Water Buffalo explained.
There are countless planets in the universe. Many martial artists have come to their Draco D60 planet to train.
But the reason the Cosmic Phantom Beast Fist hasn't spread is that, without the unique aura emitted by the Cosmic Phantom Beasts, all you're practicing are basic moves with no real power.
Such basic martial arts can be learned from other fighters as well.
Entry into the Cosmic Phantom Beast Fist involves absorbing the aura emitted by the beasts, becoming stronger, and eventually gaining their recognition and merging with them to become a super lifeform.
If one is already a super lifeform, they can merge with higher-level Cosmic Phantom Beasts.
"That's excellent. So I need to find you a suitable planet for you to reside on. Only then can ordinary people train in the Cosmic Phantom Beast Fist, correct?" Rhodes nodded.
As long as there were security measures, he'd need to find them a suitable home. He decided to ask about their requirements.
"Master, our requirements for a residence are quite strict.
First, the planet must be enormous—the bigger the better—so all Cosmic Phantom Beasts can reside on it.
We'll use our aura to gradually transform the planet's environment, filling it with our energy and making it ideal for martial artists to train on.
A planet we transform will emit powerful cosmic life energy, making it vibrant and full of life," said the Cosmic Great Water Buffalo.
The Cosmic Phantom Beast race possesses amazing abilities, easily revitalizing a planet.
"You mean your presence can gradually change a planet's environment?
If it's a dead planet, one stripped of all life energy, could you restore it?" Rhodes asked.
That would be a powerful ability. Could they revive a planet consumed by the Tyranids?
"If it's a completely dead planet, all our companions would need to reside there for centuries to restore it to its original state.
While we can revive a planet, if it's truly dead, the process is very slow for us.
For such tasks, you'd need Delachion or the Cosmic White Blood Cells—they're experts at planetary restoration," the Cosmic Great Water Buffalo explained.
Those two are the real experts—they can make a dead planet vibrant again in days.
"What if I increase your power, or simply increase your numbers?" Rhodes asked.
When Rhodes acquired this book, he also obtained upgrade options for the Cosmic Phantom Beasts.
By spending system coins, he could strengthen any Cosmic Phantom Beast, increasing their power and that of their users.
Each upgrade is unique and must be unlocked after merging with a host.
Additionally, the Fist Manual and the upgrade function allow the creation of new Cosmic Phantom Beasts.
Rhodes needs to spend 2 million system coins to upgrade the system function, so he can use the book to create new beasts.
First, he must choose a high-level, gentle-natured, elemental monster as a prototype, then spend 1 million system coins to transform it into a primary Cosmic Phantom Beast, making it an energy being rather than a physical creature.
There are plenty of elemental monsters to choose from.
"Master, that would be wonderful. Previously, we could only strengthen ourselves by forming bonds with martial artists.
As for planetary restoration, with more of us, we can speed up the process.
Even if a planet is uninhabitable, as long as it isn't dead and still has a core, we can use our power to change its atmosphere and climate, even move it into the habitable zone of a star," said the Cosmic Great Water Buffalo.
With 100 companions, they could revive a dead planet in just a few years.
If the planet isn't dead and still has a core, they can modify the climate and move it to a habitable orbit.
"I understand. We'll do the strengthening after you merge with my wife. As for your living planet, I'll find you a suitable one soon.
We'll experiment with planetary modification and restoration in the future," Rhodes said.
It was time to find a proper base. Once his identity was restored, the Imperium still owed him several planets!
With the Cosmic Phantom Beasts, he could transform uninhabitable worlds, so he'd pick a system with lots of planets as his territory.
"No problem, Master. Even now, with the 12 of us working together, we could restore a planet that isn't too badly damaged," said the Cosmic Great Water Buffalo.
The Cosmic Phantom Beasts' abilities are truly game-breaking. Cosmic monsters or native planetary monsters also have planet-restoration powers.
"Once I find a suitable planet, you'll reside there and transform its environment.
I'll set up a training ground, and send people over to start learning the Cosmic Phantom Beast Fist," Rhodes said.
He planned to open a training base on the planet, sending lots of Sisters of Battle and Primaris Space Marines for advanced training.
The anti-theft mechanism of the Cosmic Phantom Beast Fist is formidable—without the beasts' homeworld, you can't even train the basic version.
"Cosmic Great Water Buffalo, now give me your power!" Rhodes commanded.
PS: Read advanced chapters at patreon.com/AbsoluteCode,