Evolution Begins with Elemental Domination

There was also monster meat.

A freshly killed Demon Antelope. Just from its loin, you could see a significant amount of rich meat.

”I have the Purification Skill.”

If two people hadn’t mentioned having the rune magic for clearing away contaminants and pathogens, it’s likely no one would have dared to eat.

The situation was much tougher than before. Ever since the central cold storage had exploded, the campsite no longer provided any meat, not even charcoal.

”Cook it well-done! All the way through!” several people urged. ”Who knows what kind of strange fungi might be inside.”

The forest felt alien after the rain. Watered by the downpour, the subterranean mycelial network was frantically growing and spreading in the hot, humid environment.

Over the course of the day, large swaths of the forest floor had been gradually covered by patches of a living fungal carpet.

”I was going to hunt an elk this afternoon, but when I took aim, I realized something was wrong. Its flank was split open, and a clump of mycelium was pushing out. Logically, it should have been dead, but it was still walking, very stiffly,” Le Yuxuan shared a horrifying story.

A zombie deer... Many of them felt their scalps tingle.

Once the floodgates of conversation opened, people began sharing their own stories about fungi and mushrooms.

For instance, a purple, umbrella-shaped mushroom that actively released hallucinogenic spores.

In a certain thicket grew a patch of white brain-mushrooms, shaped like human brains, constantly writhing in the wind.

And another disgusting type of fungus that looked like it was hatching eggs, with multiple crimson tentacles extending from it.

”The moment fungi started parasitizing animals, the forest’s danger level definitely shot up. Not everyone has a High Level Purification Skill. I can’t even guarantee that no one here has inhaled any spores,” a member of the tech university group said, his face full of sorrow.

Having lost two members so far, the tech university club, now down to just five people, had decided to head for the city tomorrow morning. For one, a member had decided to change their class to Rune Walker. For another, they were no longer willing to stay in this dangerous border region.

The decision was both unexpected and understandable.

The danger in the surrounding area was clearly increasing by the day.

On one side was a mysterious mushroom forest that seemed eager to devour people. On the other, a deathly silent, flooded part of the woods.

Under the dual threats of spores that could parasitize humans and a post-disaster plague, coupled with the blow of losing teammates, it was perfectly normal that they no longer wanted to stay.

”Of course, the situation in the city might not be much better. The floods haven’t fully receded, and supplies are a major issue. But at least we won’t have to be on the front lines, constantly on edge.” Having shared his thoughts, the member from the tech university group let out a clear sigh of relief.

The five of them had clearly discussed this internally. Now, they were just saying their goodbyes.

The departure of a strong little group would undoubtedly stir some feelings.

The need to change classes was a major factor.

Compared to the faint hope of a hidden class Authority, the Legacy Sanctuaries were obviously a more stable and comfortable option.

”We’ll be heading to a Legacy Sanctuary the day after tomorrow at the latest. We’ll also wait and see if there’s any more intel on related classes.” Le Yuxuan from the polytechnic university group was optimistic and a bit more ambitious. He planned to wait until all three members of his team had met the conditions for an upgrade before they set out together.

Yan Ziqian’s group and the members from Jiangnan University didn’t state their intentions right away.

But sooner or later, they would have to leave too.

It was only a matter of when.

The power boost from changing classes was huge. They couldn’t afford to delay.

Su Chen himself wasn’t particularly moved. He didn’t feel like his RV was restricting his personal freedom.

He had no intention of yielding to this forest. The border region was convenient for his own nearby explorations, and he personally planned to grind troglodytes until he got a hidden class Authority he was satisfied with.

While the food was cooking, the group didn’t forget the appetizer—they started exchanging the Rune Essences they needed ahead of time.

To show respect for Su Chen, the powerhouse, Yan Ziqian and Le Yuxuan suggested that he be the first to present his list.

One look at it surprised most of them.

The amount of Rune Essence he had available for trade was far more than what an entire team possessed. High Level Earth Element Runes made up the largest portion, making some people secretly wonder if he had killed the giant hippos.

’What a ruthless lone wolf...’

As everyone was marveling, Le Yuxuan’s eyes lit up. He had spotted the Stone Skin Skill Lv3.

”Brother, you’re a lifesaver,” he said, almost crying with joy.

That was right. The unidentified Earth Element Runes Su Chen had salvaged from the two hippo carcasses were both for the Stone Skin Skill.

He had only just learned their effect after opening the Earth Element ”blind boxes.” He hadn’t expected to get two at once. With his Earth Armor, Stone Skin, and Barrier Skill all active, he would undoubtedly transform into an unshakeable fortress.

If he continued to develop in this direction and eventually obtained an exclusive Earth Element class, he could even dream of becoming invulnerable.

Since the polytechnic university team only had one Flame Burst Lv3, they had to bring in several other people to pool enough Fire Element Essence to trade for the two Stone Skin Skill Runes.

In that moment, Su Chen was also completely satisfied. His Flame Burst Rune was close to a major turning point.

Upgrade Requirements: Flame Burst Rune 14/16, Spiritual Dust Sand 4/5, Spirit Marrow Crystal 1/1

’Lv5? No, Lv6!’

And this blatant, continuous absorption of runes made Yan Ziqian and the others realize that he was pushing his Attached Damage kill-move to a terrifying new level.

It was too fast.

For context, Ruoruo, whom their entire team was supporting, had only just finished upgrading her Wind Split to Lv5 at noon.

”Let’s give the ’Critical Strike Lv3’ to Su Chen.”

A melodious, ethereal voice spoke up. Xue Yao, sitting opposite, turned slightly, her clear gaze landing on the cool, distant woman not far away.

”I have no objections.” Yan Ruoruo agreed almost without hesitation, her tone crisp and decisive, as if she had expected this all along.

It turned out their two teams had privately discussed a rune exchange, but after seeing Su Chen’s list, Xue Yao had changed her mind, deciding to give this Gold Element Piercing and damage-enhancing Rune to him instead.

Yan Ziqian recalled the brief exchange between the two last night. He couldn’t quite put his finger on their relationship, but it wasn’t worth getting upset over such a small matter.

Su Chen didn’t refuse. He looked directly at Xue Yao and said, ”Do you need a Thunder Element Rune?”

The hydro-electric combo effect from last night wasn’t bad. Her Thunder Strike combined with the Water Creation Skill had been quite stunning.

Xue Yao nodded.

”How about ’Lightning Shield Lv4’?” Su Chen continued.

A glint appeared in Xue Yao’s eyes, but she immediately shook her head and smiled. ”I already have one.”

She pulled up her sleeve, revealing a snow-white wrist adorned with a diamond bracelet engraved with thunder patterns.

”Alright then.”

Su Chen promptly pulled a thunder scepter from his canvas backpack. To everyone’s astonishment, he easily snapped the seemingly sturdy scepter in half with one hand. The thunder patterns covering its head instantly dimmed and vanished.

An invisible wave of Telekinesis rapidly stripped away a pile of wood splinters, and a perfectly intact Thunder Element Rune was sent floating over to her.

”I can...”

Xue Yao started to speak, intending to suggest trading her bracelet for the scepter so he wouldn’t have to waste such a fine-looking item. But when she saw the ring on his left index finger, something seemed to cross her mind. Her gaze fell, and in the end, she said no more.

As the Telekinesis withdrew, it also took the Gold Element Rune from her hand.

Su Chen caught it and immediately absorbed it.

[Critical Strike] (Lv3): The Spellcaster’s next attack will be condensed with extreme Penetration Power, ignoring 45% of the target’s physical and elemental resistance. If it inflicts weak point damage, it will grant an additional 50%~100% damage bonus.

Synthesis Formula: Gold + Dark + Light (Elemental Essence).

Upgrade Requirements: Critical Rune 0/4, Spiritual Dust Sand 0/1

’Wait, is this my soul’s carrying capacity?’

After successfully absorbing it, Su Chen felt a sense of constriction deep in his consciousness, as if he were wearing shoes a size too small.

If he was right, he had likely reached the limit of his soul’s carrying capacity.

This was actually expected.

In fact, it had come a bit later than he thought it would.

According to the information he had passively received, an ordinary person had a minimum of three Magic Slots, like the cornerstone of all construction. As long as they gathered three Lv4 Runes, there was room to advance.

Based on a rough estimate, the average person probably had around five or six.

The fact that he had acquired nine Magic Slots in one go before hitting his limit already made him exceptionally talented.

Su Chen couldn’t say for sure if it was related to his Physique attribute. In any case, to break the limit, he wouldn’t need to seek an early class change. He was fully capable of breaking through by feeding back the Spiritual Energy that was still in the process of converting.