Meteor Fall Master in the 'Starry Abyss'
Chapter 97 - 077.ALPHA (Alpha)_2

Chapter 97: 077.ALPHA (Alpha)_2

Based on Li Aozi’s experience, facing such powerful beings as a [Biochemist] beyond his own level, it was highly likely to produce the reward option ’Mutant Exclusive’.

This time, the three options were much more practical than the previous two times. Li Aozi, eager to advance to the Alpha Stage, saw a very suitable one and simply chose it.

[Gene Screening Completed]

[You have acquired the status: Missing Gene Fragments——Reproductive Isolation with the species ’New Generation Homo sapiens’]

A very inconspicuous negative status, using the mere isolation from humans, in exchange for a powerful life force like that of a cockroach, Li Aozi thought it was worthwhile.

After all, there were so many species in the cosmos; New Generation Homo sapiens were rather rare. He had neither desire nor need to reproduce. Bearing children was merely for extending one’s life or for political purposes.

Li Aozi was destined to tread the path of a [Meteor Fall Master], belonging to the ’live longer than the universe’ type. By the time he died of old age, he might outlive an entire Nebula-level civilization.

He still had a vial of [Ersha Drug-IV Trial], which he originally planned to use to awaken the prerequisite Arcane Energy for the [Meteor Fall Master] to supplement mid-term combat power.

But now, with the [Object Resonance] talent from Yawen, as long as he got that talent, after advancing to [Bishop] mid-term, no one of the same level would be able to match him.

"Using it directly here, hoping to get a Blood Demon Style talent... if not [Death Link], [Pain Contract] would also work."

Li Aozi resolutely injected the last vial of [Ersha Drug-IV Trial].

This time, the result was rather mediocre. It was probably the so-called law of conserved luck, for there was no call from the Voice of the Primordial Abyss, and the four abilities were all unremarkable.

[Rhythm Pulse]: Distort reality with the power of music—Zeta Level（Ζ, the sixth Greek letter）

[Werewolf Transformation]: Freely switch between human and werewolf forms, but becomes vulnerable to silver weapons—Delta Level（Δ, the fourth Greek letter）

[Inscription Saint Swordmaster]: Gain power and skill augmentation when killing enemies with bladed weapons. The more enemies killed, the more the weapon awakens self-awareness—Cauchy Level（Ξ, the fourteenth Greek letter）

[Swan Wings]: Grow wings that allow rapid flight and agile turning. Feathers can be used as projectiles—Theta Level（Θ, the eighth Greek letter）

"Not unacceptable... [Rhythm Pulse] is for professions like [Musician] and [Occultist], but I don’t intend to go that route."

Li Aozi pondered:

"[Werewolf Transformation] is greatly favored by [Martial Artists] and [Psychics], as during the transformation, it can double the [Constitution] attribute, but my [Constitution] is too low to be worthwhile."

Actually, the follow-up potential of the [Werewolf] series was quite good. Whether taking the magic wolf route for output or becoming a massive tank with the holy body flow, it was all feasible. But it was not suitable as his subordinate Arcane Energy.

"[Swan Wings] is purely flashy, only inexperienced little girls would be mesmerized by the graceful, pure, and splendid white wings like an angel. What’s the use of being stylish, those feathers can’t even do significant damage, completely like glass cleaning... Only big fools would be attracted to that ability."

Don’t ask why he knew so clearly.

A certain Mr. Li Mouzi, who wished to remain anonymous, said it was entirely a friend’s experience, and he truly wasn’t the big fool this time.

At least, not this time.

"[Inscription Saint Swordmaster]... seems feasible."

Li Aozi rubbed his chin.

This Arcane Energy suited his combat style and placed a very low burden on genes, almost none, and barely consumed during combat.

Since it was just a supplementary Arcane Energy, it was indeed worth it.

[You chose ’Inscription Saint Swordmaster’]

Li Aozi felt a bout of soreness. He spread his hands, the skeletal structure and skin of his palms slightly changed, becoming better suited for gripping the hilt of cold weapons. A layer of keratin grew on his fingers, ensuring that weapons wouldn’t slip due to blood or sweat.

The subsequent mutation options, unsurprisingly, were nothing special.

"[Gene Editing: Cancer Immunity], with my DNA more fragmented than packaged cookies, am I still afraid of cancer? [Gene Integration: Enhanced Lungs], but too bad it’s not in the antiviral direction; the side effect increases liver load, which is crucial for [Mutants]..."

Li Aozi looked and chose [Gene Optimization: Superior Vision].

The negative effect of this mutation direction was the reduced absorption rate of energy from vegetables and fruits, but given the terrifying digestive capacity from Iron Stomach, it was nothing to worry about.

The positive effect was quite good, Li Aozi’s eye structure could automatically adjust, forming two additional central foveae corresponding to close combat ambushes, long-distance sniping, and ultra-long-distance observation.

Meanwhile, his ability to capture high-speed objects greatly improved, further enhancing the visual analysis capability.

Li Aozi tried it with interest. If his previous eyesight felt like playing a game with a washing machine—lagging, frame skipping, blurry, and lacking light-sensitivity...

Now, he found the whole world suddenly became bright and vibrant.

He could see two extra colors, and even tiny particles in the air became extremely clear.

Looking around, he saw the red-black Ersha Cloud above the dome, pulsating and clashing like human blood vessels, tearing and squeezing each other, as vicious and bloody as a swarm of locusts.

"This is good, like having an extra telescope."

But most importantly, it was for the next stage.

Having completed three mutations, Li Aozi sat cross-legged, quietly sensing the changes in his physique.

[Advancement Task Completed]

[Individual Ascension in Progress...]

[The gene fragments integrated within you began to generate wondrous reactions.]

[They attracted, understood, and devoured each other—eventually merging.]

Li Aozi suddenly held his breath. A massive pressure surged within him. His cells seemed guided, churning and clashing like sea tides.

Splrt—

Fissures appeared on his skin, from which red-black crystalline spikes grew, and the veins in his neck bulged and hardened.

Craack—Craack—

His pale skin suddenly lost elasticity, and calcified armor spread across his chest as ribs pierced through the skin.

His extended hands transformed into sharp and ferocious claws. Nails could freely retract, still best suited for holding swords.

Moreover, a slit opened in his left palm, and a pencil-thick red neural tentacle protruded, doubling as a weapon to strangle targets or pierce into bodies, directly extracting life force.

Li Aozi’s golden pupils stabilized, and gravity spontaneously formed a barrier around him.

When he opened his mouth, all his teeth were as sharp as bayonets, gleaming with a metallic luster, and his tongue elongating into a pointed shape.

His facial muscles split open and flipped, covering his face with crimson inner membrane, intricately veiling the seams with red-black crystals.

In an instant, he transformed into a figure far more terrifying and grotesque than an Infant Eater.

[Ascension Complete]

[Your lifespan +20 natural years.]

[Hierarchical Effect: Any attacks or attribute checks on targets below your hierarchy are considered only 90% effective. When you attack or perform an attribute check on targets below your hierarchy, it’s considered 190% effective.]

[Hint: Overseer Form—Unlocked]

[In the Overseer Form, your Arcane Energy gain increases by 10%, you gain 20% extra health points, and movement speed boosts by 50%.]

[You have entered the ranks of the Transcendents. The mutation directions will be influenced by your subjective consciousness]

[Your genes have finally acknowledged your existence, they begin to fear and submit to you.]

[As the number of mutations increases, you will thoroughly dominate everything that belongs to you, from your genes to your fate.]

[The past belongs to history, but the future will inevitably submit to your sovereignty.]

"Finally."

Li Aozi clenched his claws. His vocal cords resonated, producing a blood-curdling shriek like an evil ghost seeking retribution:

"Fifteen days, to step into the Alpha Stage and become a true [Mutant]."

This was a speed unimaginable to any player. In Starry Abyss, leveling up was challenging. At the end of a version, many players barely reached the max level, and not everyone completed the advancement task.

Even a studio power-leveling would consider a month dedicated to leveling a client’s account quite diligent.

"Next, it’s time to settle accounts with Mingji Humanity!"