Lord of the Time: I Can Reincarnate Infinitely

The transformation was astonishing. The ant, now towering and more formidable, could hardly believe the surge of power coursing through his veins. He felt his strength and speed increase exponentially, almost 50 times greater than before. Overwhelmed with gratitude, he thanked Caleb profusely. "I'm at the middle stage of level 3 now," he announced, a tone of awe in his voice as he adjusted to his new capabilities.

He discovered that along with his increased physical attributes, he had acquired unique abilities from the crows. "I can make my body intangible now," he explained excitedly, demonstrating by letting a small rock pass right through him. "And with my tail..." he continued, his voice filled with wonder, "I can devour souls." As he spoke, his tail flicked through the air, revealing a shadowy, ethereal quality that seemed to hum with dark energy.

The Ant King, as Caleb now called him, realized that his tail could absorb the life essence of any creature it enveloped, enhancing his power further with each soul consumed. "I can grow indefinitely," he mused, considering the potential. "As long as I devour high-quality souls, I can reach even level 4 or 5." He understood, however, that the path would not be easy. The higher he climbed, the more formidable the souls he would need to consume.

"And hey, It seems I can also speak now!" The ant exclaimed.

Caleb watched with a mixture of pride and fascination. "From today, you will be known as the Ant King," he declared with a smile. The Ant King nodded, the new title fitting perfectly with his newfound majesty and strength.

As the newly dubbed Ant King stood beside Caleb, his mind buzzed with a mixture of fear, respect, and awe. 'This human's abilities defy all logic,' he thought, his antennae twitching anxiously. 'The power to fuse hundreds of thousands of crows into a single being... What kind of strength must he possess to wield such a power?'

The realization dawned on him that the human could, theoretically, create an army of immensely powerful creatures with just a few gestures. 'Is that his plan? To forge an invincible army?' The possibilities were both thrilling and terrifying. The Ant King couldn't shake off the image of armies clashing, each soldier as formidable as he now felt, all crafted by Caleb's hand.

He also speculated about Caleb's personal power. 'Has he fused other beings into himself? Is that why he is so confident, so calm in the face of monstrous threats?' The thoughts whirled through his mind, each more daunting than the last. The Leviathan, that gargantuan beast that ruled over much of the forest with unchallenged ferocity, hadn't even made the human flinch!

'If I, a mere level 2 creature a moment ago, have become so powerful from his gift, how far beyond us must he be?' The Ant King pondered, his new form feeling the power coursing through every grain of his being. 'Could he be... a mythical Level 5? Or perhaps, something even beyond the legends we whisper in the dark?'

These thoughts solidified his respect and loyalty towards Caleb. The human who had looked like a simple wanderer was possibly the most powerful being in the known world, a master of an arcane and terrifying power. 'To stand by his side might just be the safest and most promising path I could ever hope for,' he concluded, his gaze shifting to Caleb with a mix of reverence and existential wonder.@@novelbin@@

...

As they left the harsh landscape of the desert behind, Caleb and the newly named Ant King stumbled upon a verdant area, densely populated with towering bamboo stalks. Amidst the greenery, they noticed scores of pandas, each easily reaching up to a hundred meters in height. Unlike the wild creatures they had encountered before, these pandas exuded a calm and friendly aura, their adorable appearances making Caleb chuckle with amusement.

The Ant King, observing Caleb's reaction, took it upon himself to explain. "These giants are known as Kung Fu Pandas," he said, his antennae waving slightly as he spoke. "They're grandmasters of Kung Fu, possessing incredibly tough bodies and a bouncy fighting style that's both flexible and agile. But despite their prowess, they're peaceful creatures. They never start trouble with humans unless provoked."

Caleb watched as one of the pandas gently swayed a bamboo stalk, its movements smooth and practiced. "In fact," the Ant continued, "these pandas are often heroes in their own right. They've been known to save humans from other monsters. That's why it's forbidden to hunt them—there's a kingdom-wide edict protecting them."

Caleb nodded, his eyes still fixed on the gentle giants. "I see," he murmured. "It's quite interesting. I haven't involved myself much with the broader world's affairs. Perhaps that's why I've missed such fascinating details."

The Ant King looked at Caleb with a new level of respect, mistaking his ignorance for the solitude often sought by the powerful. 'Perhaps he is like those sages I've heard about,' he thought, 'who withdraw from worldly matters to focus on their inner strength.'

As Caleb and the Ant King stood observing, three of the Kung Fu Pandas lumbered closer, their massive frames moving with an unexpected grace through the dense bamboo thicket. Their deep, dark eyes sparkled with a mix of curiosity and intelligence as they approached the pair.

Caleb chuckled softly, adjusting his stance slightly to seem less imposing, despite his vast strength. "Looks like we've got some company," he murmured to the Ant King, who nodded, his antenna twitching nervously. Despite knowing the pandas' peaceful nature, their size alone was enough to keep him on edge. Explore hidden tales at My Virtual Library Empire

The largest of the pandas, easily towering above the rest, tilted its head as it studied Caleb. It made a soft chuffing sound, a gentle rumble that seemed like a greeting. Caleb, intrigued, tried to mimic the sound, his attempt a rough approximation that made the panda pause and then huff in what appeared to be amusement.

Another panda, slightly smaller but with an especially lush coat, shuffled closer and sat down just a few feet away. It reached out a massive paw, patting the ground next to it, inviting Caleb to sit as well. Overcoming his initial hesitation, Caleb obliged, slowly lowering himself to the ground beside the giant creature.

The third panda, which had been hanging back slightly, now joined its companions, sitting on the other side of Caleb. It seemed content to simply watch, its ears twitching occasionally as it listened to the sounds of the forest.

The Ant King, seeing the interaction, decided to stay back a bit, giving Caleb space to connect with these unusual beings. 'Humans and pandas sitting peacefully,' he thought, 'This world truly is full of wonders.'