Shadow Manifestation

Main article: Sunny § Ascended Runes

The fundamental function of this ability is to allow him to turn shadows tangible. With his authority over all shadows, not only his own, but he could also manipulate their shape and even make them move according to his will.^[2]

Shadow Manifestation, unlike Shadow Control, required him to expend essence. The shadows would remain visible as long as he continued to sustain them with essence and only revert back to their natural state if no essence was sustained. His essence was merged into the manifested shadows, giving them its characteristics. In other words, they were all comparable to Memories of the Ascended Rank in terms of toughness and resilience.^[2]

The more complex and condensed a shape was, the more essence it took to sustain it. Manifesting deep and ancient shadows also took a toll, although they were more powerful. Lastly, all the things he made tangible were able to move on their own, as long as their shape allowed it. Each shadow possessed its own level of strength, which was usually not too high. In addition, he could manifest his own and in doing so was much easier, better control, and required far less essence. While tangible shadows can have an effect on the real world, they can also be affected. Since his shadows (invaluable helpers) were deeply connected to his soul, it was not a very good idea if they were destroyed.^[2]

Shadow Manifestation has various levels, including shaping, which was the most basic, and affecting material composition but that demanded a higher essence expenditure. Sunny can manipulate the density of the shadows, making them feel like steel or porous limestone. With effort, he can make them slippery or adhesive. In the past, these internal transformations were difficult to achieve, but after inventing Shadow Incarnation, it is easier to achieve these transformations.^[3]

After Sunny transcended, the depths and intricacy of what he could manifest wild shadows into had also increased tremendously.^[4]

Sunny needs to be surrounded by shadows to manifest them. This was covered by [Shadow Lantern] which helps him carry an infinite amount of shadows.^[2]

[Shadow Manifestation] ability had advanced, allowing him to create far more intricate items and even make them stay manifested permanently, although that will diminish their potency quite a bit.^[5]

Now that he is a shadow instead of a human, Sunny can maintain his incarnations indefinitely although manifesting them as humans still requires some essence. However, that is not much of a limitation as he regenerates his essence faster than he can expend it—only significant actions, such as summoning powerful shadow soldiers or teleporting across great distances, can momentarily deplete it. Even then, he'll be back to full power in a relatively short amount of time.^[5]

In Chapter 2342, Sunny possesses the ability to manipulate and shape shadows into complex, detailed constructs, such as buildings and gardens. He can create elegant structures like a shadow manor with architectural features including wings, bell towers, and even a garden filled with inky-black flowers. Beyond shaping, he demonstrates a deeper level of control by altering how these shadow creations interact with light. For example, he successfully changes the color of a shadow rose from black to red by adjusting how it absorbs and reflects light—a task that proves more mentally taxing than constructing an entire manor.

Main article: Shadow Weave

Shadow Weave greatly augmented Shadow Manifestation. Previously, permanently manifested shadows possessed durability equivalent to materials roughly two Ranks below Sunny's own Rank. After inheriting Shadow Weave, the difference was reduced to only one Rank, allowing him to create permanent tools and weapons worthy of a Saint.^[6]