[You have activated Level 70 optional boss expertise × 1.]
[Please choose one of the following three specializations:]
Elemental Celebrities: Charm Value +30; natural elements are more attuned to you.Spiritual Recovery: Mental recovery rate +30%; a portion of your spirit is stored in the soul. When mental power decreases, you can use the stored energy to restore your spiritual power.
Cooldown: 1 natural day.Magic Alchemy: Your magic becomes more solid and aggressive.
This Level 70 optional boss expertise felt promising, yet Bai Yi couldn't help but feel a bit exasperated by the inherent limitations.
The Magic Alchemy specialization seemed to imply transforming alchemical magic into mage-like magic, but Bai Yi knew he couldn't cast spells like a traditional mage.
Though alchemists could wield magic, they had to learn magical sigils, which required an extensive knowledge base. With the vastness of alchemical knowledge, Bai Yi knew he wouldn't be able to master everything even if he had thousands of years to study.
Even a great sage wouldn't claim to have comprehended all aspects of alchemy. While they might recognize new knowledge instantly, they would still need to invest time in understanding it.
Moreover, ordinary alchemists often struggled with magic, leading others to believe they couldn't use it effectively.
While alchemists could learn to cast spells, their magical abilities would always be inferior to those of dedicated mages.
Conversely, mages could study alchemical sigils, but their magic was inherently aggressive, making them less suited for gentle transformations.
Choosing Magic Alchemy would mean sacrificing at least 30% of the power in his alchemical creations.
Realizing this, Bai Yi opted for Spiritual Recovery instead. This ability intrigued him; with a 30% storage capacity, it promised to enhance his mental strength significantly.
These choices were made a month ago, and since then, Bai Yi had immersed himself in the study of transformation.
It took him a full month to achieve mastery-level knowledge of divine bones, reaching the pinnacle of proficiency.
[Your Alchemical Transformation has been promoted to Master.]
Current Transformation: [Master-Level Alchemy Transformation (200/100,000) (Expand)]
With a proficiency of 100,000, Bai Yi was astonished. Reflecting on the knowledge he had now, he had mastered high-level transformations, including Evil Thoughts, Madness, Wild Bloom, and Divine Bones.
He also had a range of general transformations, such as X, Y, M, L, exoskeleton transformations, and body mechanization transformations.
Many of these transformations had reached full proficiency, including the ability to transform human limbs into tentacles and execute simple potion transformations.
Bai Yi even had a new study on Cat Man Medicine, which could transform any golden-level individual or ordinary person who consumed it into a pure cat person.
Having reached mastery with these transformations was just the beginning; the knowledge required for a sage was far more extensive.
What was even more remarkable was that after mastering the high-level transformations, he could now view low-level skills at a glance without needing skill points.
This meant he needed to seek out a plethora of high-level transformations, even experimenting with ideas that surpassed his current capabilities, to achieve sage status.
Still, he had three special skill points remaining. Given their strength, he could potentially utilize them effectively.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Bai Yi decided to delve into the M-type transformation. Mechanical transformations had become less of a priority.
Due to the emergence of the X-type transformation, M-type soldiers had begun to feel inferior and constantly compared themselves to their L-type counterparts.
Some had even engaged in rivalry for their positions.
To maintain balance within the Soft Language Legion, Bai Yi needed to broaden his knowledge in this field.
Reflecting on his mastery of the X-type transformation, Bai Yi had become almost a full-level transformation master. Imitating low-level curses should be straightforward.
Both L-type and M-type transformations stemmed from the same foundational principles. Enhancing M-type transformations should be manageable.
Determined, he set out to find suitable subjects for experimentation. While he considered them experimental, he was confident in his transformations. Even if the advanced M-type transformation didn't succeed, it would still be an improvement over the original.
Bai Yi's confidence in creating a new transformation was unwavering. Unlike the madness or dark thoughts of the past, he was well-versed in both, and his mastery of madness exceeded his original proficiency.
"It's akin to a top mathematician revising a primary school textbook; it may not surpass the original, but it won't degrade either."
Upon reaching the Soft Language Legion's station, the commander, Garrett, greeted him respectfully.
Following Bai Yi's directives, the ten M-type transformation warriors with the best combat achievements and the seven L-type transformation warriors quickly assembled.
While their combat skills weren't sufficient for the X-type or the newly introduced Y-type transformation, the NPC combat merit exchange system diverged from the player system.
Here, they required only one million combat merits to exchange for the X transformation, rather than the 19 million needed in the player system.
For players, the crafting cost for X transformations was around 1.68 million gold coins in materials, plus an additional 300,000 gold coins for the transformation fee.
Given the merit-to-gold coin exchange rate of 1:10, the high merit requirement was understandable.
Players were aware of this disparity, and while some expressed frustration, they felt powerless, as the entire Federation operated under these rules.
It was simply a means of offering them an exchange channel.
Bai Yi was also aware of Xiahou Fuxing's transformation and was not surprised.
However, he had no intention of creating a player transformation legion, as their behavior could become chaotic. Once players mastered golden power, Bai Yi doubted they wouldn't cause trouble within the Federation.
"A sharp sword can be too rebellious, potentially harming its wielder."
As the transformed soldiers gathered, Bai Yi began explaining the higher-level transformations.
To his surprise, Yue Fang and Bato had also come. Despite having opened an alchemical technology store, they had quickly closed up to witness Bai Yi's demonstration.
Bai Yi welcomed their presence. As materials were absorbed by the M-type transformation soldiers, a brand-new transformation appeared on the panel, aligning perfectly with his expectations.
[New Transformation Created: Y-Type Transformation]
**[Name: Y-Type Transformation
Attribute: Flesh and Blood Transformation
Effect: Grants stable and extreme physical attributes: Strength 210, Agility 330, Endurance 200, Intelligence 200, Charm 0.
Gains Expertise:
Rapid: Activates stored power, increasing Agility by 30%. (Cooldown: 5 hours)
Ghost Walk: Illusionizes the body for 30 minutes, ignoring most physical damage while increasing Agility by 20% and Intelligence by 10%. (Cooldown: 8 hours)
Ghost Backstab: If the enemy turns away or you disappear from their sight, the next attack deals +50% damage.
Transformation Requirements: Bronze Middle Position.
Note: This transformation consumes all potential of the transformed individual.
Introduction: The art of assassination. What defines a ghost assassin? Perhaps an alchemist can tell you after mastering powerful assassination abilities.
[You used 2 skill points to enhance the proficiency of the Y-Type Transformation skill.]
[Your Alchemical Transformation proficiency increased by +1,000.]
The gap between Y-Type and X-Type transformations was substantial. Female elves, originally around 1.8 meters tall, shrank to 1.6 meters after the transformation, exuding an air of intimidation.
The bronze alchemists observed the composed elf before them with a mix of awe and apprehension, sensing a strong aura of danger. It felt as though the elf could strike them down at any moment.
Bai Yi felt satisfied with his work.
As the Y-Type transformation began to spread through the Soft Language Legion, M-Type soldiers found renewed hope, and any previous grievances dissipated.
The entire army stabilized once more.
Bai Yi continued his transformational work. With all seventeen reformed soldiers completed, the Whisper Legion now boasted twenty golden-level combatants.
However, the cost of Y-Type transformation was even higher than that of X, reaching a material value of 2.4 million gold coins.
This did not mean that Y was inherently stronger than X; rather, the materials required for Y were rarer. Yet in combat, X typically held an advantage.
After completing seventeen high-level transformations, Bai Yi received:
[You have performed seventeen high-level transformations. Experience Points +170,000. Additional Experience Points +170,000.]
Bai Yi exited the Whisper Legion, frowning slightly. As his levels increased, he found himself viewing low-level tasks merely as experience fodder.
"I should return to the city and begin crafting lucky potions. Their materials are rarer, but as the lord of Dongwu City, I have ample resources."
Three days later, the lucky potion finally materialized on his panel. He promptly allocated skill points to it.
Suddenly, a wealth of knowledge surged into his mind. While it consumed his mental strength, he found the experience exhilarating.
With each piece of knowledge absorbed, Bai Yi felt a clearer sense of his position and purpose.
Gradually, the pressure that had weighed on him began to dissipate under the influx of understanding.
With his skilled manufacturing, three bottles of pink potions appeared before him.
These three small vials were worth tens of millions of gold coins, as they contained the essence of fate.
The materials used were extraordinarily rare, adding to their value, but this potion was designed to alter fate itself.
[Name: Favor of Fate
Attribute: Amplitude-Increasing Agent
Level: Legendary
Effect: Luck +8. The second bottle is ineffective.
Requirements for Use: None.
Introduction: In a gamble with the devil, I trusted my luck, but they were not fortunate enough to win—Desi Thornton.]
Bai Yi eagerly uncorked the vial and drank it without hesitation.
[You drink the potion of Favor of Fate. Luck +8.]
He felt a subtle shift within himself and quickly checked his panel. The conspicuous 1 in his Luck attribute had increased to 9.
This was a significant breakthrough. Typically, a person's luck starts at 1 at birth. As they grow, exposure to knowledge can elevate their luck, with most extraordinary individuals reaching around 3, while the exceptionally lucky might hit 5.
Silver extraordinary beings generally have a luck cap of 3-8, while gold extraordinary individuals range from 5-10. Those exceeding 10 points are considered extremely fortunate, often winning fair gambles.
Thus, a luck value of 9 was indeed appropriate for Bai Yi.
However, his joy was short-lived as he noticed his luck slowly drop from 9 to 8.
Looking at the panel, he found no warning or explanation for the decline. "Am I not worthy of good fortune?"
Moments passed, and to his dismay, it fell to 7.
"This is frustrating; it feels like a waste of time to keep the panel open."
Yet not all was bleak; he also noted positive developments.
[You have created 3 Favor of Fate potions. Experience Points +300,000. Skill Points +2. Additional Experience Points +300,000.]
[You have leveled up to Level 70.]
[You trigger a promotion task.]
[Mission: Ranks of the Strong
Attribute: Promotion Task
Mission Description: You are nearing the pinnacle of gold rank. For now, you have successfully entered the ranks of top-tier warriors. In the grand scheme, you no longer seem weak.
Sufficient combat power does not guarantee stable strength. As an alchemist, knowledge is paramount.
Please advance to Master of Alchemical Science, Alchemical Pharmacy, and Alchemical Transformation.
Mission Rewards: Alchemical Transformation Energy ×1, Special Skill Points ×1, Attribute Points ×10, Random Reward ×1.
Task Limitation Period: None.
Failure Punishment: None.
Introduction: Accumulation is an inevitable process for an alchemist. You choose the path of holistic development. This is the way of the saint and the sage. In the near future, you may lead the field of alchemy and become a beacon for all alchemists.]
Bai Yi was momentarily taken aback, realizing the last promotion task emphasized strength, while this task focused on knowledge accumulation.
"There seems to be a connection."
Previously, his knowledge had been sufficient to propel him into the gold ranks, necessitating a focus on combat power. Now, however, his research time had dwindled, making it imperative to bolster his knowledge to support his magical transformations.
"It's time to accumulate knowledge," he concluded, gaining a deeper understanding of these growth tasks. To a degree, this panel had been quite forgiving.
He examined the progress of his three subjects.
[Master Alchemical Pharmacy (13,630/50,000) (Expand)]
[Master Alchemical Science and Technology (40,820/50,000) (Expand)]
[Master Alchemical Transformation (47,500/50,000) (Expand)]
Bai Yi decided to focus on Transformation first, as it was the most relevant to his recent endeavors. The ongoing battles had left his knowledge of pharmacy lagging. Utilizing others' extreme drugs could eventually hinder his growth.
Relying on others' materials, he understood, would not suffice for long-term success.
With Zero monitoring external developments, Bai Yi exited the laboratory and entered the Hall of Knowledge.
After establishing a temporary workbench, he began his serious study of alchemical knowledge.
With 88 skill points remaining, he recognized that while these could elevate all three disciplines to mastery, it would take time to initiate the process.
Once he got started, skill points would rapidly enhance his proficiency.
(End of this chapter)