Evolution Begins with Elemental Domination

[Gravity Skill] (Lv5): Can alter gravity for multiple targets or within an area, granting two effects: increased gravity and weightlessness.

Synthesis Formula: Earth + Dark + Wind (Elemental Essence)

Advancement Requirements: Gravity Rune 7/16, Spiritual Dust Sand 3/5, Spirit Marrow Crystal 0/1

In a flash of insight, Su Chen understood the mechanics of the skill. The strength of the field depended on his own Strength Attribute, but it was also directly proportional to the target’s base mass.

To completely restrain, or even suppress, something like a giant hippopotamus would consume his Energy Value at an incredible rate.

He looked at a thick branch not far away. Its diameter was nearly half a meter, and it must have weighed over a thousand pounds. With a single thought, an immense force immediately snapped the branch.

His gaze shifted.

This time, he extended the gravity field over a patch of water.

”Sink.”

Instantly, the lake’s surface buckled as if pressed down by a giant hand.

The water level dropped at a visible rate. Water that was once deep enough to submerge him completely fell to ankle-height in a flash, exposing the muddy lakebed. As the gravity field continued to apply pressure, the mud began to crack.

”Not bad.”

Su Chen didn’t retract the Rune Technique.

He even infused his Telekinesis into it.

The invisible Spirit Force Field and the faintly yellow gravity field instantly merged. Activating in synergy, they caused the lakebed to shatter inch by inch like a fragile eggshell. It collapsed downward, blasting a huge crater into existence.

”Perfect.”

Su Chen was extremely satisfied with the synergistic pressure effect. If used on a living creature, it could be called ’Absolute Tele-bind’.

With such powerful crowd control, even if it couldn’t guarantee a complete lockdown, forcing even the most troublesome enemy to slow down would provide a significant advantage in a fight.

After testing the increased gravity effect, it was time for weightlessness.

Experimenting on himself, he felt his body suddenly lighten as gravity vanished without a trace.

Like a dry leaf caught in a hurricane, his body shot into the sky, eventually hovering more than fifty meters above the forest canopy.

If he hadn’t canceled the effect in time, he likely would have floated higher and higher like a hydrogen balloon, right out of the field’s range.

He didn’t try to test where the limit was, however.

’If I can master weightlessness, it could be a key tactic.’

’It’s also excellent for crossing difficult terrain.’

By once again merging it with his invisible Telekinesis, Su Chen felt like he’d gained a vector engine. A powerful burst of propulsion sent him shooting into the distance like a cannonball.

The wind pressure buffeted him, but it couldn’t affect him in the slightest. His Telekinesis had already formed an invisible barrier around his body, and not even the muscles in his face twitched.

Weightlessness redefined his mobility.

By using his will to shift the vector, Su Chen could turn on a dime like a fighter jet. Then, after an abrupt mid-air stop, he accelerated forward once more.

Thrilling!

Only one word could describe how he felt right now.

Through this process of exploration, the synergy between weightlessness and Telekinesis had allowed him to unlock super-high-speed flight and aerial maneuvering.

After zipping across a stretch of forest, he landed steadily on a treetop just as the weightlessness effect was about to expire.

’This is easily on par with the Flying Skill.’

By freeing himself from the bonds of gravity, his body became as light as a feather, and he could use Telekinesis as a vector thruster to adjust his direction, accelerate, and decelerate.

But that didn’t mean he’d stop considering the Flying Skill entirely.

If he actually had the Flying Skill, he could fire a full-power Telekinesis Shell while airborne.

But having to divert a portion of his Telekinesis to stay aloft, or even to protect himself, would undoubtedly reduce his offensive firepower by a tier.

Telekinesis was crucial for his skill synergies and also essential for his Perception. He needed to allocate it for many different purposes, so freeing it up from even one task would be a huge improvement.

Besides...

The Flying Skill was a Wind Element Rune, which meant it could most likely be combined with his Telekinesis for acceleration. When used in conjunction with weightlessness, his overall flight speed would become absurdly fast.

’I’ll take it.’

Su Chen was a decisive person, so he didn’t bother waiting for the official Wind Element Rune Formulas to be revealed.

As for the Flying Skill Rune, he already had a Lv3 one in his bag—it was the one that had dropped from the archery coach who’d dug his own grave.

The Seventh Rune had just been slotted.

And the Eighth Rune slot was filled right after.

[Flying Skill] (Lv3): The Spellcaster gains the ability to fly for up to 6 minutes. During this period, they can perfectly command all air currents, converting them into lift and thrust.

Synthesis Formula: Wind + Wind + Light (Elemental Essence)

Advancement Requirements: Flight Rune 4/4, Spiritual Dust Sand 0/1

Runes Mastered: Water Mirror Refraction Lv3, Flame Burst Lv5, Waking Shock Lv4, Shadow Leap Lv3, Shadow Summoning Lv4, Telekinesis Lv5, Gravity Skill Lv5, Flying Skill Lv3

’So all I need to upgrade is one more Spiritual Dust Sand.’ Su Chen was quite satisfied.

Lv4 was clearly the turning point for a class change, so needing fewer materials was a great help.

For a mid-level member like that coach in a large team, it was highly probable they wouldn’t be allocated any Spiritual Dust Sand. That kind of rare upgrade resource usually flowed to the top leadership.

He glanced at the other loot he’d gotten from the coach’s body. Besides a Thunderblast Lv3, there was also a Healing Skill Lv3.

Mobility, Attached Damage output, and healing—it was a pretty well-rounded build. The coach’s Rune setup was mostly complete; he was clearly just bottlenecked by a lack of Spiritual Dust Sand.

’A shame I couldn’t fleece the other two.’

The other two archery coaches had sunk into the water, and he hadn’t had time to salvage their bodies and capture their Rune Essence.