175. Initial Ascension
Orlaville couldn't dispatch mercenaries, and Madam Liuer, the person most knowledgeable about sequence Omega Energy in the Abyss, had no solution either. Clearly, this was not a problem that could be solved with external help.
Fortunately, Li Aozi's information rune contained the entire school's map. He set up a projection and began marking it according to his investigations.
"Thankfully, the dimensional barrier set up by Remaining Moon isn't too intricate. The blockade area I'm in is substantial, with complex environments like teaching buildings, an arena, and a cafeteria… Tch, the library is sectioned off. Now I can't confirm the status of Hobbs and Lucite."
Of course, there was some good news. This area had relatively abundant resources. Even if it were sealed for a few days, Li Aozi could collect resources here to maintain his combat effectiveness.
However, due to the high density of buildings in the blockade area, searching for survivors and supplies would become incredibly challenging.
"Looks like I'll have to explore… I'm not sure how many Colonized Soldiers Remaining Moon will deploy. I need to level up first and see what the Epsilon-Tier mission entails."
With his decision made, Li Aozi opened the interface and poured all his accumulated experience into his primary class, "Starfall Resonator."
"Please, give me some hope! Don't give me a mission that's too difficult, please!"
[Primary Class [Starfall Resonator] upgraded to lv.100 (MAX)]
[Based on specialization, you gain the following benefits: Charisma +26.]
[Total level has reached the ascension threshold.]
[Tier ascension requirement: Possess three sequence Omega Energies, with at least one developed to the Perception Tier or above.]
"Hiss…"
Li Aozi's eyelid twitched.
He wasn't sure if his luck was good or bad.
This ascension requirement was exceedingly difficult for most people.
Three sequence Omega Energies would take at least three game updates to accumulate. Moreover, at this stage, most people didn't even know the synthesis recipes for sequence Omega Energies.
Most individuals who acquired an Omega Tier ability thought it was already powerful enough. Very few players would build their combat systems around the occasional sequence Omega Energy they obtained.
As for sequences? What even were those?
But Li Aozi? He had four sequence Omega Energies at his disposal.
Say he was lucky… this was the hardest requirement.
Say he was unlucky… and yet, this was the only difficult condition he could fulfill.
Li Aozi remained silent for a moment before beginning his ascension.
[Ascension mission complete.]
[Individual sublimation in progress…]
[You have overcome yet another obstacle, pressing onward on your path to divinity.]
[Sublimation complete.]
[Domination Path exclusive: Your lifespan +500 natural years.]
[Tier Effect: Any attacks and attribute checks from targets lower than your tier will be considered 50% effective. When attacking or performing attribute checks on targets lower than your tier, it will be considered 350% effective.]
[You have ascended—Epsilon Tier.]
That wasn't all.
Li Aozi's body began to levitate. The golden markings of the Elai Spirit race rapidly spread across his skin. An invisible, supreme force entwined him, tearing open his flesh like rippling waves and exposing his cells to primordial radiation from the Abyss.
It was happening!
[Child of the Abyss, you have reached a new milestone. This is the path of life's transformation.]
[From Alpha to Omega, from the beginning to the end, you have begun to comprehend the fragility and brevity of life.]
[Once, you and mortals lamented how time flies; now, you shall become the bright moon, illuminating past and present.]
[In the "Domination Path," you have ascended to the Epsilon Tier.]
[Begin initial ascension. Choose your path to deification.]
[Note: Ascension abilities can only be selected once and cannot be changed. Choose carefully.]
"The first ascension and divine transformation. The next modification may not come until the Kappa Tier."
Li Aozi took a deep breath, his expression solemn.
Each ascension was immensely significant and required meticulous consideration.
The world around him dimmed, transforming into a sea of stars encircling his body. The ancient constellations whispered hymns, imparting vast amounts of information:
[For your initial ascension, choose two ascension abilities from the following:]
A. "Dance of Golden Spears"
[Divinity]:
This ability leans toward [War]/[Expansion].
[Description]:
"You aspire to become a great warlord, painting your dominion with blood and fire. Combat and slaughter amplify your charisma. You inspire belief that victory in war is the only righteous cause!"
[Effect]:
When personally commanding a war, no matter your reasons, people won't consider you an evil conqueror. They will instinctively rationalize your wars and justify your actions.
The more territory you conquer, the higher your charisma.
Use your violence to conquer the world and become a God of War.
B. "Endless Progress"
[Divinity]:
This ability leans toward [Research]/[Education].
[Description]:
"I don't pursue wisdom; I pursue progress. Humanity vacillates between science and mysticism, forgetting that the purpose of craftsmanship is to reshape the world. Truth enhances my charisma."
[Effect]:
The education and technology you promote will be more readily accepted by all kinds of people. They won't question the technologies themselves. The more they adopt your innovations, the higher their favorability toward you until you become their belief.
The more techniques you master, the more charisma you gain.
Use your skills to educate the world and become a God of Truth.
C. "Decadent Delight"
[Divinity]:
This ability leans toward [Corruption]/[Desire].
[Description]:
"Those foolish mortals sing praises of carnal pleasures, oblivious to the fact that true joy stems from higher desires. Restraint is merely for a more satisfying release. Suffering doesn't necessarily make you stronger, but indulgence always makes you happier. I was born to love."
[Effect]:
Your followers will have higher fertility rates and find greater joy. They will become more devoted to indulgence and artistic creation. Their faith in you will bring them spiritual upliftment.
As your charisma increases, their appearances will transform to become more beautiful.
Use your charm to seduce the world and become a God of Desire.
D. "Smile Through Suffering"
[Divinity]:
This ability leans toward [Pain]/[Flesh].
[Description]:
"I have endured suffering, and thus I savor happiness. I cannot forget pain, and thus I become resilient. I conquer and transcend pain, and thus I love the world equally. You, too, must share in pain to better survive."
[Effect]:
Pain and failure will accumulate greater bonuses for you. The more suffering you witness and endure, the more growth you and your followers will achieve. Even in defeat, you will gain experience and lessons; the more you lose, the stronger you become.
When you no longer feel pain, the world will experience the pain you bring.
Use your flesh to devour the world and become a God of Dominion.
E. "Death's Prison"
[Divinity]:
This ability leans toward [Mind]/[Vengeance].
[Description]:
"Do you think death is the end? No, death is just the beginning of servitude. Everything has value; even the dead deserve respect. So I imprison them, and they will ceaselessly provide more power. Our dreams have just begun."
[Effect]:
You and your followers will develop a fervent passion for death culture. They will gain additional resurrection abilities. Even if killed, they can pursue their killers through "Soul Reaping." You are not malevolent spirits but fans of death.
You can resurrect the enemies you kill—though they may seek revenge.
You and your followers will extract memories, knowledge, and occasionally skills and specialties from the deceased.
Use your integrity to avenge the world and become a God of Death.
————————
"Hmm… I really do need to think carefully."
Option C was immediately ruled out.
The [Starfall Master] emphasizes restraint and rationality. Hedonistic divinity offers no benefits to this approach. Besides, it's utterly useless in combat.
It's better suited for those who see themselves as harem protagonists, promoting harmony in families.
Option B was also dismissed. Li Aozi truly didn't need more knowledge. This path was ideal for establishing religions and universities, replacing violent invasions with cultural influence.
But Li Aozi's ambitions lay elsewhere.
Options A, D, and E were all exceptional choices.
Option A tempted Li Aozi greatly. Justifying war—what politician could resist such an excuse? With Option A, endless troops could be raised.
Victory would be hailed as holy liberation; defeat would be seen as peace-loving efforts.
But then there were Options D and E.
Flesh and death.
These were two extraordinarily rare divinities.