Evolution Begins with Elemental Domination

”I need to buy some clothes.”

Hearing this, Su Chen looked at his companion with interest.

Yan Ruoruo, ever the quick-witted ice block, realized her previous words had been ambiguous, reminding him of their morning teasing about uniforms.

”I only have two changes of clothes.”

After her explanation, she didn’t seem to mind the joke either. ”Whatever you like is fine.”

Her usually placid, cold tone took on a surprisingly alluring quality.

In theory, some shops at the campsite had plenty of scattered and abandoned sportswear. Even at the camp they were staying at, there were various supplies. Su Chen remembered seeing disposable underwear, but it definitely wouldn’t be comfortable, nor as hygienic as one might think.

The aesthetics and selection were indeed not as good as in the border town of Qixia District.

Without further delay, they spent some time walking to what was once the area’s high-end comprehensive shopping mall.

Considering the extreme temperature difference between day and night, Su Chen bought quite a few winter and summer outfits for Ruoruo. His own RV closet was already well-stocked, so he had no intention of buying anything for himself.

It was worth noting that women always took their time picking things out when shopping. Ruoruo wasn’t so emotionally detached as to have no aesthetic sense. Every time she tried on an outfit, she would ask for his opinion. The whole shopping trip ended up taking over an hour.

Meanwhile, what were once luxury goods for women were now dirt cheap. A single Elemental Essence could basically get you three items, like a clearance sale.

Even at this price, most people weren’t interested. They still hadn’t come to terms with their situation in this apocalyptic environment. As a result, the luxury brand stores, dimly lit by stored-light lamps, were completely empty.

By the time they came out, the area outside the shopping center was already dark.

The temperature had dropped even further.

”It’s an Ice Element star trail.”

Su Chen looked up and saw a faint, ethereal blue streak of light slowly crossing the starry sky.

After so many nights, everyone understood that the planet they were on was orbited by many strange stars of various elements. Their unpredictable trajectories trailed dazzling elemental wakes.

This had a significant buffing effect.

On the first night after the city’s transmigration, the red star trail was quite prominent. The Fire Element grew more potent and powerful, providing a damage bonus. However, since Su Chen had been one-shotting everything with Flame Burst, it was hard to tell just how big the increase was.

Furthermore, it also increased the Recovery rate for Runes of that element.

’How long will the Ice Element star trail last?’ Su Chen wondered.

The movements of star trails were difficult to predict. If it flashed by like a comet, this cold snap wouldn’t last long.

But if it remained fixed in the sky like a rainbow arch, then this night would likely usher in a wave of extreme cold, and the entire city would face a rare and severe test of frigidity.

If there was one piece of good news, it was that the Bloodthirsty Fungus would definitely suffer.

Extreme heat and cold were very detrimental to it.

Beside him, Yan Ruoruo wrapped herself in a trench coat. The belted waist cinched neatly, accentuating her graceful figure.

When the two set off again, they used the Flying Skill. On their way, they passed by a Supply Station and had the staff pack up a large bag of takeout.

The Rock-Horned Demon Bull slaughtered in the afternoon was already sold out; even its marrow had been snatched up for soup. Fortunately, a Demon Antelope was on the menu for the evening. Su Chen spent two Elemental Essences to buy up all the ribs and leg meat.

While waiting, he overheard a piece of news from the shop’s broadcast. The returning Assault Corps and Investigation Legion had planned to organize a large group of powerful individuals for a night raid on the two main fungal nests, but they were forced to turn back shortly after leaving the city due to the sudden drop in temperature.

”They’re really made of iron. Haven’t slept for a day and a night and they’re already planning a surprise attack. They’re really racing against the clock to crush the enemy,” someone sighed.

”It’s a good thing, though. The risk was too great. If Dongfu City lost those two elite legions, it would be the end of the world.”

Some people looked quite shaken, generally agreeing with that sentiment.

Soon, Su Chen and his companion crossed the border and flew steadily along the forest at the foot of the mountain.

The trip back to the Qixia border town this afternoon had been very fruitful. He had traded away nine useless, idle Lv4 Runes, successfully obtaining the Runes and Spiritual Materials he needed for his own upgrades.

His Water Mirror Refraction and Jingzhe Rune were now just one Spirit Marrow Crystal away from being upgraded to Lv6.

Unfortunately, after feeding his Gravity Skill, he was fresh out of this precious treasure.

Additionally, he had also acquired a Lv4 Destruction Rune, which perfectly completed the set he had. He didn’t even need to add any Spiritual Dust Sand and could upgrade it immediately.

Su Chen didn’t hesitate, devouring and absorbing it into his mind. His personal Rune Map now featured a fourth type of elemental Attached Damage.

[Destruction] (Lv5): Grants all of the Spellcaster’s attacks an additional 250% dark erosion damage. Can silently erode and be detonated with a delay, causing continuous life steal, attribute decay, and Perception confusion effects.

Synthesis Formula: Dark + Light + Wood (Elemental Essence)

Promotion Requirements: Destruction Rune 0/16, Spiritual Dust Sand 0/5, Spirit Marrow Crystal 0/1

This characteristic alone was neither surprising nor exciting.

However, the weaving characteristic of a Grand Elemental Master opened up far more imaginative possibilities.

Under perfect fusion, it was enough to grant a complete transformation.

For example...

Destruction + Holy Radiance = Light Erosion.

This was the unique class characteristic of the Dual Element ’Light Erosion Warlock.’

Its effect, born from the extreme conflict between light and dark, would create Annihilation damage. Furthermore, the resulting diverging radiance could gradually erase all of the target’s buffs.

Destruction + Flame Burst = Shadow Flame.

This was the unique class characteristic of the hidden class ’Shadow Flame Envoy.’ Its effect could create a Netherworld fire that was smokeless, lightless, and heatless. It could seep into the bones without being noticed and, besides its stealth, could also create a delayed detonation effect.