Dick retreated into the cliffside alcove, a place that had almost become his second abode, before immersing his mind in the pendant’s space.

In the sea of consciousness within the pendant, his thoughts still lingered on the crashing waves of the ocean, and the overwhelming force of the Level 4 spell "Torrential Wavefall." Emerging from the alcove, Dick drew his black battle blade and swung. The "Tenfold Wave" finally shattered the stagnation that had hindered his mastery of the wave-like momentum.

Though it seemed like just one more wave added to the sequence, the power and force had doubled, far surpassing the previous "Ninefold Wave," akin to breaking through the barriers of a higher realm.

At this moment, Dick had truly ascended to the ranks of the elite among the mid-level bloodline warriors of the Yaoguang family. A warrior’s strength isn’t solely determined by cultivation level; many factors play a role.

After months of relentless dedication to his craft, Dick was finally reaping the rewards. In good spirits, he even played with the vigilant Half-Crested Crane perched on the platform outside the alcove. These magical beasts, once bonded with genuine care, prove to be incredibly loyal and intelligent.

Since his advancement to a Level 5 warrior was still fresh, the family had assigned Dick few tasks. In truth, his mentors were giving him space, understanding that the leap from Level 4 to 5, while notable, wasn’t a massive progression. It was his advancement as a mage that required more time to adapt to his newfound abilities. After all, the leap from a Level 3 to Level 4 mage marked a significant transformation, with a substantial difference in capability.

The bloodline warriors of Yaoguang Mountain couldn't help but envy Dick. After all, his advancement to a Level 4 mage had granted him an additional hundred years of life. For warriors, reaching Level 7—an almost insurmountable challenge—was the only way to earn such a reward. Among the family’s bloodline warriors, there were only three who had reached that level.

For warriors, the journey is arduous and slow. With age, potential diminishes. But Dick, having gained a century of extended life, had undergone a qualitative transformation, now appearing even younger. With so many years ahead of him, and already at Level 5, his chances of breaking into the higher ranks had essentially doubled.

Even the most rigid and purist mentors could not deny Dick's immense potential. His growth was now comparable to the revered White Elder, Fisher, whose battle energy was nearing the peak of Level 6.

In other words, a new representative figure had emerged among the bloodline warriors of the Yaoguang family—Dick!

It wasn't merely his youth and potential that set Dick apart. As a Level 4 warrior, he had already grasped the "Wave Momentum" of the water element, making his true combat power immeasurable.

As for the Half-Crested Crane accompanying him, although officially on loan from the family, it had been by Dick’s side for months, staying even when not training at the seaside cliffs. Neither his mentors nor the other mid-level bloodline warriors had voiced any objections. It was practically acknowledged that the crane now belonged to Dick, as if the family had tacitly gifted it to him.

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Why? Because Dick had demonstrated strength and potential worthy of such treatment. In a way, this was the family’s subtle reward for his accomplishments.

And who would dare contest it? At least, no one had openly spoken against it.

Originally, Dick had no intention of claiming the family’s flying magical beast for himself. His usual demeanor was modest, and he was never one to flaunt his status.

But Barbara had once privately advised him, "This is yours by right. If you refuse, it might actually complicate things for the family. After all, even the White Elder Fisher quietly claimed one of the family’s flying beasts for his own."

So, Dick accepted it without hesitation. A flying magical beast was incredibly convenient, especially one that had grown so familiar with him. For a warrior, such a bond with a beast was invaluable.

The Half-Crested Crane wasn’t as large as the Ostrich Beast, and its back offered little space for a carriage or seating. Without sufficient strength, anyone attempting to ride it was more likely to fall off than enjoy the ride. Yet, despite being the same rank, the Half-Crested Crane’s speed far exceeded that of the massive Ostrich Beast, more than twice as fast.

At such high speeds, without proper shielding, the wind would batter the rider mercilessly. Those without strong defenses would struggle. For mages, a simple low-level magic shield could suffice, so a mid-level mage could ride with ease.

In short, if you don’t have the strength, you shouldn’t be riding a creature like the Half-Crested Crane.

"Barbara, do you have any lucrative ventures? This Half-Crested Crane eats magic crystals like crazy; it’s draining my funds!" During his downtime, Dick often found himself with either Barbara or Guo Huai, having grown familiar with both.

"That’s your own doing," Barbara sighed. "Who feeds a mere Level 1 magical beast such high-quality crystals? You're treating it like it's worth more than a mid-level mage!"

"It’s not that I want to; it just refuses to eat anything less than mid-grade magic crystals. What can I do?" Dick said, exasperated, lamenting his fate of having bonded with a picky beast.

"Suit yourself," Barbara replied helplessly. "How’s your training going? Don’t come along just to embarrass me. All my friends out there are top-tier warriors."

"Barbara, I’m a Level 5 bloodline warrior now. I won’t be a disgrace, don’t worry," Dick replied, laughing.

"Alright, fine. And you’re also a Level 4 mage. You’ll definitely be useful on a hunting trip," Barbara conceded, though she wasn’t entirely aware of the full extent of Dick’s abilities. After all, in family trials, Dick rarely employed his water-based momentum in battle.

Even though Dick had been sparring with the family’s other Level 5 bloodline warriors for months, he had yet to claim a single victory. Every match had left him bruised and battered, with some injuries being particularly severe.

"Yes, yes, my water magic ‘Lunar Wolf’ is quite powerful, almost like having an extra tank on the battlefield..."

At Level 4, a mage can fully materialize elemental creatures, conjuring beasts that rival the combat prowess of a low-tier Level 4 monster.

Dick could also summon a fire-based "Exploding Bear," though its existence was fleeting, more suited for an explosive attack rather than sustained combat.

Level 4 mages have a variety of area-of-effect spells, though their practical use is limited. Large-scale water-based attacks might work against weaker opponents, but against high-level enemies, conjured elemental beasts are far more effective.

"Come with me," Barbara said. Despite everything, the family had already begun to recognize Dick as a leading figure among the younger generation, no longer the minor character Barbara had once dismissed. Besides, Barbara had always maintained a close relationship with Dick, never looking down on him.

And, truth be told, a mid-level mage was always a valuable asset to a hunting party, where survival often depended on magical support.