Evolution Begins with Elemental Domination

Xiaoye successfully became a Two-Star Shadow Warlock.

As for the changes...

In terms of its physical strength, the increase was limited—a minor buff at best. The change in its body size was far less obvious than when it had evolved.

The most notable difference was the increasingly dense Shadow aura it now emanated.

’So, human job changes still result in glass cannons... no, there is some minor physical transformation. I guess you could call them crystal cannons now.’

Su Chen mused. This was just like how a Mage could never hope to match a Warrior’s physical stats.

But while it was true that they were fragile, once the class system developed, the future potential of a skill like Elementalization alone would be an excellent, life-saving skill.

Realistically, though, a single moment of carelessness could mean a bullet taking your life.

As for the Authority of the Shadow Warlock class, it granted Xiaoye four new traits.

First, Dark Element Mastery. Just as the name implied, it enhanced Xiaoye’s Dark Attribute damage and power, increased its affinity, and allowed for Harmony in composite casting with other Elements.

Second, Shadow Devour. It absorbed incoming damage and converted it into Life Force and Rune Mana. This was a good support trait that, in a way, extended its time on the field.

Third, Dark Vision. It was roughly similar to the visual trait of the Night Tiger, allowing it to clearly identify heat signatures in the dark, perceive low light, and so on.

It also strengthened Xiaoye’s sensory abilities beyond just its sense of smell.

Fourth, Dark Spring. Maximum Rune Energy Value increased by 60%, and Recovery speed +30%.

’Mostly passive traits,’ Su Chen thought.

To be fair, this was indeed a major upgrade.

From a damage-dealing perspective, as his guard dog, Xiaoye had been at a slight disadvantage when fighting ordinary cave dwellers. This upgrade more or less made up for that.

’But... that’s it for the reward?’

After all, Su Chen had sacrificed eleven corpses, including a minor elite boss.

That was far more difficult than slaughtering a giant bear.

To fight the cave dwellers again, he would have to risk venturing deep underground through the vertical corridor. The danger involved was hard to put into words. If something went wrong, escaping with just Shadow Leap would be a serious effort.

Therefore, this split reward from a hidden class Authority really wasn’t enough to satisfy him.

In fact, there was more.

After Xiaoye finished absorbing the class Authority, their figures were teleported out of the mysterious legacy space.

Returning to reality, Su Chen and Xiaoye stood atop the sacrificial altar. Their vision filled with intersecting beams of light as golden glows surged like a spring from the Rune Array on the altar’s surface.

"Holy shit, he’s back!"

"What’s going on? Where’d he go? Now he’s suddenly back."

The onlookers were stirred, all getting the sense that he had just had some sort of fortuitous encounter.

However, under the gaze of a sturdy and imposing Netherworld War Dog, the surrounding commotion was suppressed. As its sharp glare swept over them, the crowd felt a chill in their hearts.

"Something’s not right with that dog," someone shouted.

It wasn’t just the armor; the surging Shadow power swirling around it was enough to make people wary. Those who had been unable to resist inching closer instinctively recoiled.

Su Chen ignored the disturbance on the periphery. Five rewards were now clearly visible before him.

Two of them were crystals, translucent as ice, with a starlike brilliance flowing within. Just being near them was enough to make one’s soul tremble.

His Flame Burst Rune, in particular, showed a hint of excitement, slowly radiating a sense of hunger.

’Spirit Marrow Crystals.’

Without a doubt, these had to be the rarest upgrade materials at the current stage.

’Two of them. Not bad.’

As for the other three rewards, which looked like swirling, misty stardust, they were undoubtedly Spiritual Dust Sand.

Su Chen raised his hand and grabbed one. The moment he touched the Spirit Marrow Crystal, a powerful suction force emanated from his palm, traveling up the energy channels open in his arm’s meridians until it was completely devoured by the Flame Burst Rune.

To deal with more troublesome opponents, he didn’t hesitate and immediately absorbed the other three portions of Spiritual Dust Sand, feeding them all to the Damage Rune.

Promotion Requirements: Flame Burst Rune 6/16, Spiritual Dust Sand 3/5, Spirit Marrow Crystal 1/1

He had obtained the most difficult materials. If he kept up the effort, he could raise the Flame Burst’s power to Lv. 6 soon.

As for the other Spirit Marrow Crystal, he didn’t immediately feed it to his Telekinesis Rune. Instead, he placed it in a bottle in his bag, undoubtedly because the necessary Spirit Element materials were hard to come by.

With that, his sacrifice was officially over.

’Let’s do this.’

Su Chen didn’t delay. His Telekinesis surged out like a tide.

Under the influence of the construction trait unlocked by the upgrade, a single thought from him weaved a massive, invisible net of Telekinesis. The net swept over the pile of corpses on the cliff platform, deftly scooping them up and swiftly lifting them.

"It’s your turn."

Having done all this, he stepped back, silently yielding his position on the altar.

The Jingcheng University team was clearly supporting Yan Ruoruo as their core damage dealer, so they naturally intended for her to receive all the contribution rewards by herself.

As Su Chen passed her, he used his Telekinesis to block out the surrounding sound and said softly, "If you enter a mysterious Pure White Space in a moment, and you don’t want to accept the hidden class, you can choose to only absorb the Runes."

The specific details would have to be discussed later.

Yan Ruoruo was sharp as a tack; she nodded and stepped onto the altar.

Meanwhile, teased by Cao Yutang, Pang Peng—who had a reputation for being absurdly lucky—could only clasp his hands together and pray for Lady Luck’s favor.

This time, the strange phenomenon of being teleported to the legacy space didn’t occur. Perhaps the contribution reward wasn’t enough to meet the requirement.

But it seemed there was something to his prayers after all.