Evolution Begins with Elemental Domination

Su Chen paid no mind to the stares of the onlookers in the distance.

After summoning Xiaoye to his side, the great sacrifice began.

HUM!

The altar structure shone with a dazzling light. The Rune Array it displayed activated, and the petrified statue of a dismembered human body sank into the center.

Immediately after, the tattered corpse of the Reviver was dragged by Dark Shackles and slammed heavily into the formation’s core. Six broken metal plates, brought back from the tombs of the Underground City, also flew from his bag and landed on the altar.

In an instant.

All the sacrificial offerings dissolved, transforming into specks of golden light that were devoured by the altar.

’Help me complete my set of Runes, please,’ Su Chen prayed silently.

The rewards had always been highly compatible with the sacrificer’s affinities.

Runes, Potions, and limited-edition gear were always practically tailor-made.

The most crucial part of this endeavor was to obtain the Ice Bird and Telekinesis Runes, which were otherwise difficult for him to acquire.

’Come on... give me something good...’

In that instant.

HUM!

The altar erupted with an unprecedented golden radiance. Like golden lotuses blooming from the earth, it spewed forth a massive shower of light.

’It really gave me the Ice Bird and Telekinesis Runes.’

This wasn’t a case of sincere prayer being answered, nor was it some metaphysical luck from Pang Peng. The value of the offerings was simply so immense that it yielded an overwhelmingly saturated reward beyond imagination.

Just within the dazzling light, there were eight Spirit Marrow Crystals, and a Rune Glove was also clearly visible.

”Holy shit!”

”What the hell did he sacrifice?”

The figures rushing over from the distance were utterly shocked. Some, their eyes red with envy, looked ready to make a move.

In theory, they were facing just one man and one dog, while their own squad had fifteen members.

In this lawless forest rift, there would be no evidence even if they committed murder and robbery.

Su Chen remained expressionless, not sparing the group so much as a glance. He just silently used his will to quickly absorb the Runes and Spiritual Materials, boosting his combat strength.

HUM!

His Sea of Consciousness trembled repeatedly as four Runes upgraded one after another, devoured and reconstructed.

[Telekinesis] Lv6 → Lv7 advancement successful!

Trait Strengthened: Perception Range, Object Manipulation

Trait Upgraded: Telekinesis Deconstruction

(Telekinesis Deconstruction: Use your will to directly shatter an object’s internal molecular bonds and Elemental Energy coupling points, inflicting greater destructive force.)

...

[Summon Ice Bird] Lv5 → Lv6 → Lv7 advancement successful!

The Ice Feather Frost Bird has successfully evolved to its next stage: the Frost Phoenix Bird.

Pet Skills Unlocked: Frostfall Descent, Frost Dissolution

(Frostfall Descent: Transforms into a meteor and dives to the ground, dealing ice damage to enemies within range and applying a knockback effect.)

(Frost Dissolution: The body dissolves into pure Ice Element particles while releasing a pure blizzard.)

Pet Skills Strengthened: Rapid Freeze Ray, Ice Storm, Frost Escape, and Ice Shield.

...

’Not bad.’

The Ice Element Rune Su Chen received was Lv7, which was enough to evolve Xiaolin to its next form all at once.

This also eased his need for future upgrades.

Telekinesis had also unlocked a new mechanic.

’Level seven always brings a major power spike.’

Telekinesis Deconstruction was undoubtedly the opposite of the Telekinesis Construction trait. It disintegrated matter by destroying molecular bonds, which was different from the energy Annihilation effect of Flame Bursting.

The combined lethality of the two would clearly be on a whole other level.

In addition, his Critical Strike and Shadow Summoning Runes also reached Lv6. Neither unlocked a new mechanic, only receiving numerical improvements.

In other words, he now only needed to get his Flying Skill to Lv6 to meet the conditions for unlocking his second Core Authority.

Although he didn’t get it from this sacrifice, he still had another one planned. Down in the caves were several cave dweller and mutated Mermaid Corpses he had yet to retrieve.

’And if all else fails, that group over there is bound to have what I need.’

”Do you want it?”

Su Chen turned his head slightly, his indifferent gaze sweeping over the group. As they drew closer, some of them had already conjured elemental shields of various types.

A few individuals looked particularly eager, the greed on their faces practically overflowing.

Though he stood alone, the aura he projected was so powerful that the fifteen of them felt as if they were the ones being surrounded.

And his words were a bewitching invitation, like a Demon tempting them to make the first move.

”We’re all here to explore the caves. This is just a misunderstanding...”

A figure dressed in knight’s armor quickly stepped forward, waving his hands to show they had no ill intentions.

This was none other than the Bright Knight who had briefly crossed paths with Su Chen. He had just seen the man on the rooftop yesterday, so the memory was still fresh.

And this group was none other than the ”Through-Line Club,” who were also staying at the base camp.

Their leader was Lv Taihong.

He had only returned with his men the previous evening, and the group’s combat strength had clearly seen a significant boost.

”A misunderstanding,” Lv Taihong said, raising a hand to stop his restless men.

Duan Yuanzhou was his trusted second-in-command, so his opinion naturally carried weight. Besides, no one was a fool. The fact that one person could acquire so many rewards from the cave was a silent testament to his formidable strength.

The Soul-devouring Dog standing between them alone was exceptionally sleek and powerful; it had to come from a Lv6 Rune at the very least.

As for just how strong this tall, cold young man was—strong enough to scare Duan Yuanzhou himself witless—it was hard to say.

Furthermore.

He wasn’t alone, either.

A tall, slender figure arrived, riding the Wind. Her cold eyes swept over the crowd. After dropping two large bags of resources, a Cyan Nether Bow materialized in her hands out of thin air. This unusual display alone was enough to intimidate the onlookers.