Meteor Fall Master in the 'Starry Abyss'
Chapter 255 - 076. Super Godlike Mechanism (crossed out) Super Godlike Special Ability Master (confident)

Chapter 255: 076. Super Godlike Mechanism (crossed out) Super Godlike Special Ability Master (confident)

Li Aozi had two mutation directions, both of which could synthesize and bestow arcane energy upon others.

"Enhanced Supernatural Pod": capable of storing multiple arcane energies together before releasing them, the actual performance is more like using them as skills. It’s also considered a physical "bestowal" of abilities upon others.

"Quantum Information Nexus" on the other hand, allows for the fusion of arcane energy within the body and by transplanting cells, that is, generating these fleshy tumor spores, bestows synthesized arcane energies upon others.

At first glance, it may seem that bestowing arcane energies upon others is not a profitable deal——that would be a huge mistake.

Based on the experience of 14 versions of Li Aozi, "Mutants" are the occupation least afraid of having their information known, bar none. Mutation options, specialties, arcane energy combinations, arcane energy fusion, arcane energy transformation——this accumulation of combinations is infinite, and there’s no possibility of it being entirely deciphered and analyzed.

Moreover, Li Aozi has the Power Pod and "Blood of Eternity", allowing his body to hold more arcane energies than an ordinary person—Li Aozi estimated that his body could bear the gene load of about 10 arcane energies. The pod provided him with up to 22 arcane energy storage slots, a total of 32 arcane energies at his command.

Considering that it’s not just ’1+1’, ’1+1+1’, etc., any number of arcane energies could combine into a new skill—Li Aozi, in fact, could master an infinite number of arcane energy combinations.

"Mutants" are not lacking in versatility, but the real trouble lies in mastering one’s own arcane energy, that is, improving the level and proficiency of arcane energy.

This point, Li Aozi had figured out from the start.

"Share arcane energy."

NNegotiate his idle arcane energies, letting others help him use and enhance the development level of his arcane energies.

This is a gameplay unique to "Mutants".

However, the ratio actually isn’t high, and the actual profit here... roughly, is only about one percent of practicing development on one’s self.

For professional gamers, it doesn’t matter, the guild will take action to help you with power-leveling, hundreds of people will casually help you level up arcane energy proficiency, and by the end of a version, the development level will certainly have improved by a tier.

Ordinary gamers, if several of them are close and help level up proficiency casually while playing together, it’s also okay, but the vast majority of gamers, can’t do that.

But Li Aozi’s situation was different.

First, he was acknowledged as a "Sovereign" series Professional Instructor on Azure Star.

Second, he wasn’t just a Professional Instructor, he was also a Pioneer of pathways.

Third, he was the top celebrity on Azure Star, with the highest fame.

This is called market foundation.

His sharing targets were all "Mutant"s of the "Sovereign" series pathways on Azure Star. They not only would feel close to him but naturally shared a common interest community with Li Aozi.

If one flourishes, all flourish; if one suffers, all suffer.

Now, with the powerful effects of special abilities starting to emerge, these soldier gamers were very tempted, but financially constrained. By the time the official process was completed and funds came through, the war would probably be over.

In comparison, renting arcane energies was very cost-effective; it could directly improve the immediate combat power of the "Sovereign" series pathways and also provide a steady flow of income.

The key point is, players are different from NPCs. Most Azure Star People are reluctant to flee the universe, and they have the burden of family, country, and ethnicity. Many just want to live a happy life with a warm wife and children, nothing more. The ambition to develop arcane energy and become a dominator of fate... probably less than one in a thousand.

It’s not easy to say among players, the vast majority of whom are competitive; playing games is for excitement, for getting stronger.

Looking at the spiral spore rising from the palm of Li Aozi’s hand, entirely woven from flesh, some instinctively felt discomfort, but under the influence of the "Aura of Goodwill", this aversion to biological texture transformed into an appreciation of aesthetics.

"Renting arcane energy..." Liu Wenzhong was thoroughly tempted, "What exactly does that entail?"

Li Aozi smiled without speaking.

The next moment, a trade panel of an NPC emerged in front of these players, who couldn’t wait to read on.

"Eye of Truth——Mu Grade (Μ, the twelfth Greek letter) arcane energy, able to directly see through all targets and true effects within the visual range, passively performing item appraisal on its own... The rental version of "Eye of Truth" has a 50% increased energy consumption, but the energy use of this arcane energy is inherently low."

Liu Wenzhong liked it more the more he looked; this arcane energy seemed tailor-made for tactics.

The officers also began to exchange surprised comments:

"Renting Arcane Energy won’t affect our Main Profession? So, we don’t need to change our Occupation to [Mutant] to enjoy the effects of this Arcane Energy?"

"The cost isn’t high either, implantation requires 2,000 Experience points, and we have to pay 5,000 Experience points per month. We can earn it back after a few missions."

"No, it’s more than that, the female agents of Fourth Rule, one experience point is worth 3,000 to 4,000 points, and we can also capture prosthetics and equipment..."

Renting the Arcane Energy doesn’t improve the Development Level, nor can it evolve, but this fee is really too cheap. The players began to discuss heatedly; an Arcane Energy with a built-in Perspective effect was hugely beneficial for them, it was like an Arcane Energy made for complex deception environments.

Moreover, the inherent Appraisal function was quite a bargain—they had captured many prosthetics and plugins from Fourth Rule, but due to the inability to appraise them, they’ve been gathering dust in the warehouse.

Plugins like [Peak Moment], [Lightning Vanish], [Nomadic Tribe], and so on, which instantly boost speed in close combat are just too advantageous. There’s nothing you can do but let the enemy get in close, slaughtering your own people.

Now, once they’ve appraised their equipment, they will have the opportunity to fight back and show the Frost Plated People what combat is all about.

"Wait a minute, I’ve noticed a problem," the adjutant reminded, "You need at least a 100 point Favorability score with Li Aozi to get the option to rent his Arcane Energy."

This discovery was like a bucket of cold water poured on the heads of the players, who were still riding high on excitement.

After so many days, they had already realized that raising Favorability was like a tractor chasing a sports car; exhausting a great deal of effort but gaining barely any increase, which was extremely discouraging.

The Charm attribute is one that is nearly impossible to train.

And what’s worse, the threshold for Li Aozi isn’t low, requiring at least 100 points of Favorability to conduct the Arcane Energy rental service with him.

This was troublesome... The soldier players had their own training and work tasks, and they didn’t have much time to brush up on Li Aozi’s personal Favorability.

Liu Wenzhong sighed silently. If he had known it would come to this, he should have recruited some female team members into the squad. A bunch of big guys can manage when it comes to combat strength and organizational ability, but they were far inferior to female teammates in this regard.

"Unfortunately, we are not in a position to meet your requirements right now,"

Liu Wenzhong said,

"We are very interested in this Arcane Energy, and if we could rent it, that would be the best. Unfortunately, we don’t have the means to do so now."

Upon hearing this, Li Aozi felt a surge of joy inside: That’s exactly what I’ve been waiting for you to say.

"In principle, I usually won’t rent out my Arcane Energy because it would affect my own strength,"

Li Aozi showed a look of distress. He had long since developed the Specialty of lying without blushing, and his high Charm combined with the affinity of the Aura of Goodwill made his expressions appear very rich to the players. The struggle and dilemma implied in his words were magnified and understood by them.

"However, you’ve all been fighting bravely for Grante. It would be unacceptable not to offer something in return."

To the players, Li Aozi’s subtext seemed to be,

’This might impair my strength, I could even get hurt, but even so, out of conscience and recognition of your actions, I am prepared to lend you the Arcane Energy. Don’t worry about me, just focus on the battle.’

This selfless spirit, disregarding his own loss to help them, coupled with the successfully crafted image of Li Aozi, combined to have an exponentially powerful effect on the audience.

Li Aozi said, "I’ll make an exception and rent it to you, but in the future, it’ll depend on how you perform. Don’t disappoint me."

——What the players actually heard was: "My health is not important, the future is in your hands."

Li Aozi said, "If you can’t pay back for the potions, it’s okay, you can work off the debt. Go and ask Xi Silong for commissions."

——The players, shocked and moved by Li Aozi’s concern, actually heard: "I understand your financial difficulties, I’ve referred you to the President, a major client. Work hard, and you’ll make your fortune someday."

Li Aozi: "I have to go now, I’ve got things to do."

——The players, not only greatly shocked mentally but also touched by the care of Li Aozi, actually heard: "Maybe, I won’t be able to keep fighting in the future. I really like you all, and it’s been pleasant interacting with you, but now, there’s something I must do, something that only I can accomplish."

He’s so gentle, I’m about to cry.