Chapter 488 - 275: Development Progress 50%
’So, in other words, the ability has a de facto cooldown, making it a burst-type skill. That’s perfect. The Hundred Refinement Forger will still have a role to play.’
"This is insane..." Su Chen’s eyes glimmered with anticipation. This `Permanent Body` sequence was only on its fourth profession, and it hadn’t even been truly melted into a `Holy Profession` yet.
’If it were melted into a `Holy Profession`, how insane would that be? An endless well of `Physical Strength`?’
’Getting something for nothing feels amazing!’
Su Chen chugged a few more mouthfuls of a `Nutritional Potion` and waited for his body to gradually return to normal, unable to help but feel a sense of wonder.
Such a powerful ability came not just from two special professions, but from `Professional Fusion`. Moreover, he had acquired it without spending a single bit of his time, energy, or resources.
’Looks like I really need to find a way to get some `Fog Ashes` to feed the `Great Venerable`. But I probably can’t count on `Black Tuo`. He values `Fog Ashes` so much that if I tried to trick him out of some, I’d have to explain the whole story. Besides, he can sense whether the `Fog Ashes` have been purified.’
Su Chen mused to himself. His gaze seemed to settle on the `Sect`’s `Flame Fire`. He had no idea what level it was, but even a weak-grade `Black Tuo` had been hard enough to fight.
A `Flame Fire` that could entangle the `Sect` and torment an `Ancient King` to the point of ecstasy and agony couldn’t possibly be low-level.
Acquiring the `Reincarnation Saint` profession had greatly increased his endurance, but his maximum combat burst power hadn’t seen a substantial breakthrough. He could handle weak-grade `Fog Ashes`, but anything stronger would probably be trouble.
’I’ll just make a note of it for now.’ Su Chen suppressed his thoughts and opened his panel for a look.
Currently, the only profession he had yet to acquire was `Holy Mark Physician`, the third special profession in the `Phoenix` sequence.
He was confident he could make it into the top hundred on the `Holy List`.
However, he glanced at his professional development progress, which was at 42%.
’Let’s see... there are only a few days left.’
Su Chen thought for a moment. ’First, I’ll get it to 50%. Then, once I break into the top hundred on the `Holy List`, I’ll use the `Creation Copper Heart` to complete the requirements for the `Holy Mark Physician` profession.’
’After that, it’ll probably be time to prepare for my `Tier Six` `Main Profession`.’
Su Chen laid out his plan step by step. He took a swig of `Crimson Sun Potion` and gradually entered a training state.
...
The location for this year’s `Peak Star Conference` was suddenly changed from the `Royal Court` to the `Bronze Sect`. When the news spread, it caused quite a stir within the `Sect`.
The middle and lower-ranking members were rather bewildered.
"Wasn’t it the `Royal Court`’s turn to host? Why did they skip them and come to our `Sect`?"
"Who knows? But this is a good thing. Saves us a trip to the `Royal Court`. That would’ve been a huge waste of time."
"The last time our `Sect` hosted the `Peak Star Conference` was forty years ago. I wasn’t even born yet. I heard it was an unprecedented spectacle."
"..."
The high-ranking members of the `Sect` who knew the inside story, especially those in `Qin Yun`’s faction, breathed a sigh of relief.
They had been laying low because of the incident with `Fan Zhao`, so for them, this was welcome news.
At the very least, they could foresee that `Qin Yun` wouldn’t be under too much pressure going forward.
...
「About ten days later.」 In `Copper Heart`, within the vast, fully-equipped residential area where `Qin Yun` lived.
`Qin Guang` was pacing back and forth in front of a metal door, a look of anxiety on his face.
VMMMM—
At a certain moment, with a humming sound, the metal door before him slowly slid open to the sides.
`Qin Tianlin` walked out, the flush of exertion not yet faded from his face. His steps seemed faintly unsteady, as if he couldn’t quite control his own body.
But after just two steps, he had already steadied himself.
By the time he reached the excited `Qin Guang`, his complexion had returned to normal.
"`Lin’er`!" `Qin Guang`’s face was alight with excitement. "Did you successfully acquire the profession?"
`Qin Tianlin` glanced at his father, his face showing no sign of respect, and nodded. "Yes."
"That’s great, that’s great." `Qin Guang` let out a sigh of relief. His own wealth and status were all riding on `Qin Tianlin`.
He immediately followed up, "Are you confident you can defeat that Xiang Zhou now?"
`Qin Tianlin` frowned slightly and said thoughtfully:
"Xiang Zhou’s professional development is nearing 100%. His `Holy Profession` is from the [Mystic Sword Spirit] sequence, specializing in sword-based combat. He’s agile and nimble, supplemented by the [Divine Armor Guardian] `Holy Profession` sequence for defense and the `Permanent Body` sequence for endurance. He’s a well-rounded and stable fighter."
He was quite familiar with Xiang Zhou’s profile. The training projections were available, and by fighting them long enough, one could naturally discern the general direction of his professions. With the help of professional analysts, they could guess his `Holy Professions` with a high degree of accuracy.
Although Xiang Zhou had three `Holy Profession Sequences`, he wouldn’t necessarily melt all of them. Some were just to compensate for his weaknesses. To leave open the possibility of `Melting a Holy Profession` in the future, it was natural to choose from within `Holy Profession Sequences`.
"My `Holy Profession`, on the other hand, is `Immortal Vajra`—heavy and stable. It should have been supplemented with a `Holy Profession` that adds agility to cover its shortcomings. Instead, I supplemented it with `Dawn Celestial Punishment`, further increasing its offensive power, making it utterly fierce and domineering."
"Now that I have acquired the fourth profession in the `Immortal Vajra` sequence, [Celestial Punishment `Vajra`], he is no longer my match."
"Excellent." A voice came from a distance. The expressions of both `Qin Guang` and `Qin Tianlin` changed as they looked toward the end of the corridor.
It was `Qin Yun`, approaching at a slow pace with a gentle expression. Behind him followed a butler with graying hair, gaunt cheeks, and unusually high cheekbones.
"You are seven years younger than Xiang Zhou, yet you can defeat him and take the top spot for `Tier Six`. You are truly the qilin of our `Qin Family`."
At `Qin Yun`’s praise, a look of excitement couldn’t help but appear on `Qin Tianlin`’s face.
`Qin Yun` then continued, "The challenge room has been prepared."
Standing beside them, `Qin Guang` hesitated slightly and said in a low voice, "Why not go to the Challenge Center?"
"The Challenge Center?" `Qin Tianlin`’s eyes lit up. That place was the most crowded; news of his actions would spread throughout the `Sect` immediately.
He was someone who enjoyed the spotlight, otherwise he wouldn’t so frequently visit the `Ancient King Stele`.
`Qin Yun`, however, frowned and shot `Qin Guang` a cold glance. "Being so deliberate is beneath our status."
Hearing this, `Qin Tianlin`’s expression became more reserved. A chill went down `Qin Guang`’s spine, but he still gritted his teeth and said:
"Father, it’s not that I’m deliberately trying to be high-profile. Many people in the `Sect` are waiting to see what happens. To be honest with you, there have even been some rumors floating around lately..."
At this point, `Qin Guang` looked hesitant, as if unsure whether he should continue.
`Qin Tianlin`’s eyes narrowed. "What kind of rumors?"
"Something about... inviting a `Venerable` to their death." `Qin Guang` said evasively.
`Qin Yun`’s eyes turned cold. ’Inviting a `Venerable` to their death... they certainly aren’t referring to `Chu Linyuan`.’
"Hmph." `Qin Yun` sneered. He knew that `Qin Guang` wasn’t just speaking for himself. Since his return, many people had been waiting for him to make a move.
But he had remained quiet from the beginning, not reacting to the outside world in any way, which had already discouraged many.
"Fine, go ahead," `Qin Yun` said with a wave of his hand.
`Qin Guang`’s expression lit up with joy. `Qin Tianlin` raised an eyebrow, bid farewell to `Qin Yun`, and followed `Qin Guang` to the Challenge Center.
Watching the two of them leave, `Qin Yun`’s eyes grew profound. ’The `Peak Star Conference`... The other `Sects` are being rational, but how will they try to force my hand?’
As he thought this, a voice of unknown origin suddenly echoed in his ear, "This young man has the `Divine Dawn Talent`, and he’s your direct bloodline. What are you still waiting for?"
The butler standing beside `Qin Yun` showed no change in expression; it seemed only `Qin Yun` could hear the sudden voice.
`Qin Yun` remained expressionless and replied coolly in his mind, ’But he’s my grandson... my most treasured grandson...’
...
「In the training room.」 Su Chen’s brow was tightly furrowed. Silver snakes of lightning coiled around his body, crackling as they crawled across the walls. A violent `Spiritual Power` churned like an invisible vortex, hissing and darting through the gaps in the lightning.
A muffled crackling sound came from deep within his body. After a long while, the searing lightning suddenly exploded outward along with the violent `Spiritual Power`, only to abruptly retract.
[Development of `Thunder Flame Monarch` has reached 50%. A `Professional Ability` similar to `Thunder Flame Binding` has been acquired. Fusing...]
[Acquired `Professional Ability` - Calamity Fire Thunder Body: Stimulate the `Crimson Thunder Core` to greatly increase personal defense and `Elemental Resistance`.]
[Development of `Red Thunder Master` has reached 50%. A `Professional Ability` with an affinity for `Word Spirit` has been acquired. Fusing...]
[Acquired `Professional Ability`—`Spiritual Power`: Expend `Spiritual Power` to manifest what is in your mind.]
It turned out that two of his own professions had both reached 50% development, awakening new abilities that were then fused and strengthened with his previous ones.