--- START OF FILE tank.txt ---
Chapter 23: Ring Blast Barrage
Gu Nie gazed intently at the gradually opening Blood Curse Gate. His expression remained remarkably calm.
Gurgle…
The viscous bubbling sound grew increasingly distinct. Swiftly, he pulled out a vial of Refined Healing Potion and downed it in one gulp.
"Don't worry, this isn't my blood. It's the blood of that mysterious crimson tentacle," Gu Nie quickly explained. "It seems it can't project much of its power beyond the Transcendent Gate. We'll bombard it with spells together."
At that moment…
Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle…
Crimson blood flowed rapidly from behind the Transcendent Gate, spreading across the ground. Within the flowing blood, numerous thread-like tentacles writhed and struggled. The entire pool of blood pulsed with an eerie aura.
Gu Nie's expression turned grave.
"Attack now! It's coming out!"
With a thought, Rocket Spells shot out as if he'd activated some cheat code.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…
In a single second, Gu Nie unleashed eight Rocket Spells. His rapid-fire spellcasting was no longer a secret to his companions.
Hum, hum, hum…
The eight rockets landed precisely in front of the Transcendent Gate. The sharp, solidified arrows formed by the Rocket Spells embedded themselves in the ground, creating a fiery barricade.
Sizzle, sizzle…
The high temperature of the flames scorched the flowing blood, producing a hissing sound and plumes of crimson smoke. Although just a common spell, the fourth-tier Rocket Spell possessed power far exceeding that of typical low-tier Transcendent Spells.
After repeated probes were burned back by the intense heat of the Rocket Spells…
Hiss…Roar…
A furious roar erupted from the depths of the Transcendent Gate.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Yulaier and the others swiftly followed suit, unleashing their own spells.
When the apprentice fire elementalist, Lan Xier, hurled a Fireball through the Transcendent Gate, it was quickly extinguished. However, in the brief flash of light, Gu Nie caught a glimpse of what lay beyond.
A surging tide of blood, a monstrous face formed of crimson, its features savage and menacing.
"What in the world did this Blood Curse Master breed in there?" Gu Nie thought. "It seems I'll have to show some real strength today, or we're likely to be wiped out."
With this thought, Gu Nie finally stopped holding back.
"Ring Blast Barrage!"
A subtle surge of mental energy emanated from him. This time, he wouldn't rely on common spells. He was finally unleashing a fifth-tier, low-tier Transcendent Spell – Ring Blast Barrage.
The difference between Transcendent Spells and common spells was vast. Each tier of advancement in Transcendent Spells brought about a significant leap in power. The might of this fifth-tier, low-tier Transcendent Spell, Ring Blast Barrage, was already quite formidable.
The only downside was its rather…peculiar method of attack.
As Gu Nie finished his incantation…
Hum!
An intense wave of magical energy radiated from him, causing his black coat to flutter even without a breeze. A pure black ring, two meters in diameter, materialized before him.
It resembled a giant hula hoop, albeit a thick one, comparable in width to Gu Nie's thigh. This was the fifth-tier Transcendent Spell, Ring Blast Barrage. At its initial stage, it was only half a meter tall and as thick as a regular hula hoop. Now, at the fifth tier, it had grown to this impressive size.
The appearance of the massive, heavy black ring stunned everyone.
"This…"
"Ring Blast Barrage?" Yulaier, also a spellcaster, recognized it immediately.
"Yes," Gu Nie confirmed.
"But…why is it so big?" Yulaier gestured at the enormous ring with a slightly stiff expression as she quickly cast a Sharp Spear.
"Naturally, because it's a higher tier," Gu Nie replied without any intention of hiding it. It was already out in the open; concealment was impossible.
"A…higher tier." Yulaier's face paled slightly.
Ring Blast Barrage was a Transcendent Spell. Cultivating Transcendent Spells was incredibly difficult, requiring vast amounts of time, mental focus, Source Energy, and resources.
Her three Transcendent Spells consisted of two first-tier, low-tier spells, and one mid-tier spell that she could now cast smoothly and naturally, a sign of mastery. Being able to wield two first-tier Transcendent Spells at the apprentice level, with a mid-tier spell nearing mastery, was already considered exceptionally talented.
However, faced with Gu Nie, who could instantly cast both common and Transcendent Spells, potentially at the third or even fourth tier, while still an apprentice, her own talents seemed to pale in comparison.
Not only Yulaier, but the equally sensitive Lan Xier and Hei Luo also felt a pang of complex emotions.
The unleashed Ring Blast Barrage rolled forward like the wheel of history. Wherever it passed, the ground beneath it cracked and splintered, leaving a deep furrow of crushed stone in its wake.
There were countless spells within the spellcasting system. However, most spellcasters favored quick-strike spells like Rocket Spell and Arc Lightning, which could traverse dozens of meters in an instant.
In the parlance of spellcasting academia, this was referred to as "ballistic velocity." These quick-strike spells often exceeded speeds of a hundred meters per second. A slow-moving spell would be difficult to land on a target. However, a spell that could cover a hundred meters in the blink of an eye was much harder to dodge.
Agility versus power, speed versus impact. These were eternal considerations for spell creators.
Compared to the swift Rocket Spell and Arc Lightning, Ring Blast Barrage was the opposite. It was a slow-rolling, ground-based super bomb. It might not excel at rapid strikes, but it was exceptionally effective at slow, relentless assaults.
At the entry level, Ring Blast Barrage rolled at a decent speed of around 10 meters per second. However, compared to the lightning-fast Rocket Spell and Arc Lightning, it was incredibly slow. Now, with Gu Nie having leveled it up to tier five, its speed had increased to approximately 20 meters per second, which was quite respectable.
As the first Ring Blast Barrage traveled about ten meters, a second one began to coalesce in front of Gu Nie.
By the time he was conjuring the third, the first had reached the Transcendent Gate.
Facing the Rocket Spells, also cast by Gu Nie, the Ring Blast Barrage showed no mercy. It simply crushed them beneath its immense weight.
Crack…Boom!
The crushed Rocket Spells detonated, engulfing the Transcendent Gate in a fiery explosion.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 24: The Blood Curse Totem
The Ring Blast Barrage surged into the Transcendent Gate with unstoppable force. The crushed blood emitted a violent hissing sound, losing all vitality in the wheel's wake.
Whine…Roar…
The strange creature behind the Transcendent Gate seemed to sense the threat posed by the rolling ring. Six thick tentacles lashed out towards the Ring Blast Barrage, moving so fast they were almost a blur. Each tentacle was far thicker than the one that had attacked Gu Nie earlier. Had those tentacles been used then, Gu Nie's injuries would have been far more severe.
Boom, boom, boom…
The six tentacles slammed into the Ring Blast Barrage.
BOOM!
An indescribable explosion ripped through the air. The entire underground space trembled violently. Debris and dust rained down as a powerful shockwave radiated outwards. The deafening blast left everyone's ears ringing.
"The power of this spell is terrifying!" This thought, filled with both awe and fear, echoed in everyone's mind.
Unlike the others, who only experienced the shockwave and the ringing in their ears, the strange creature behind the Transcendent Gate bore the full brunt of the Ring Blast Barrage. Although Gu Nie couldn't see past the pitch-black gate, judging by the copious amounts of blood that gushed out with the explosive force, the creature was definitely not having a good time. This fifth-tier, low-tier Transcendent Spell was more potent than some high-tier spells. Even if the creature was a third or even fourth-tier Transcendent, it would suffer greatly.
Moan…Gurgle…
Strange, guttural sounds emanated from the liquid creature. It wasn't a plea for mercy, but rather a sound of otherworldly curses and rage.
Then, the second Ring Blast Barrage followed the tracks of the first, rolling into the Transcendent Gate.
BOOM!
Then the third…
BOOM!
The fourth…
The fifth…
…
One after another, the Ring Blast Barrages rolled into the Transcendent Gate, unleashing a continuous barrage of explosions. Each blast shook the very foundations of the Empty Source Land. Fortunately, the Empty Source Land was a self-contained environment, far more stable and robust than ordinary underground caverns or mines. Gu Nie wasn't overly concerned about a collapse.
He finally ceased casting Ring Blast Barrage after the tenth detonation. Silence descended upon the space beyond the Transcendent Gate. Everyone looked at Gu Nie, their expressions a mixture of awe and bewilderment. This relentless bombardment had once again redefined their understanding of his power. He clearly had far more hidden abilities than they had imagined, and his true strength remained unfathomable.
With a gesture, Gu Nie began conjuring Rocket Spells.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…
A dense volley of Rocket Spells, acting as torches, flew into the Transcendent Gate. In an instant, the space beyond was illuminated by the bright red flames of over thirty Rocket Spells. Gu Nie had specifically imbued these spells with extended burn times; they would last for at least ten minutes.
Now, the scene beyond the Transcendent Gate was revealed to everyone.
It was a cellar-like chamber, about the size of a small house. Its walls, floor, and ceiling seemed to have been reinforced by some special means. Outside, the Ring Blast Barrage had carved a deep, impressive furrow in the stone floor after ten passes. Yet, the chamber within remained completely unscathed.
"The methods of a Transcendent Master are truly extraordinary," Gu Nie thought, his gaze sweeping over the undamaged floor.
The Transcendent chamber was intact. However, the blood creature with its powerful tentacles had vanished.
No…perhaps not entirely.
Standing at the entrance to the chamber, everyone's attention was drawn to a striking feature in the center. A totem pole, about three meters tall and as thick as a millstone, stood within a three-meter wide blood pool. Carved into the pole was the image of a strange creature with fangs, wings, and scales, about the size of a washbasin.
Blood, splattered across the walls and ceiling from the explosions, dripped down and flowed along etched channels in the floor, converging into the blood pool.
Still wary, Gu Nie sent four more Rocket Spells into the partially filled pool.
Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle…
The Transcendent flames burned the blood, causing it to bubble, but nothing unusual occurred.
"It seems…it's dead," Gu Nie muttered to himself. "But I can't be completely certain. It might be feigning death, or capable of resurrection, or perhaps it's hiding in some other form."
Rubbing his temples, caution foremost in his mind, Gu Nie stepped into the chamber. Moments later, all six of them stood around the blood pool.
"A Blood Curse Totem!"
After carefully examining the three-meter tall totem, its base buried deep within the ground, a genuine sense of excitement welled up within Gu Nie. The reason was simple: this Blood Curse Totem, the second point of interest, was a genuine Transcendent Relic. It was a precious treasure capable of guiding apprentice Transcendents towards becoming true Transcendents.
Gu Nie's goal was to become a Spellcaster. And this Blood Curse Totem offered guidance towards the "Blood Curse Caster," a specialized subclass within the Spellcaster system.
Indeed.
"Blood Curse Caster" was not a common or standard Transcendent class. It was a specialized class, rarer and more powerful than ordinary Transcendent Spellcasters.
"It's a Blood Curse Totem!" The usually quiet Hei Luo, who had barely spoken a word throughout their journey, finally spoke.
Blood Curse Totem?
Everyone's gaze shifted to Hei Luo. Gu Nie also looked over. Through the system, he knew that the Blood Curse Totem was a special Transcendent Relic that could offer guidance towards a Transcendent class. However, he didn't know the specifics of the Blood Curse Totem or the characteristics of the Blood Curse Caster class. Hei Luo, it seemed, knew quite a bit about it.
Shrouded in her black robe and hood, Hei Luo began to explain, her voice calm and measured.
"To understand the Blood Curse Totem, we must first speak of a powerful Blood Curse Master from three hundred years ago, known as 'Grew.'"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 25: The Powerful Blood Curse Caster
"Blood Curse Master Grew was a highly talented and ambitious Transcendent Master," Hei Luo continued. "His most renowned achievement was the development of the Blood Curse Caster class."
"Before Grew, the Blood Curse Caster existed, but it was neither well-known nor particularly powerful. It was in the hands of Blood Curse Master Grew that this rather peculiar class began to reveal its terrifying potential."
As a top student, guided by a scholar mentor, Hei Luo possessed encyclopedic knowledge of various Transcendent classes, their unique characteristics, historical trajectories, and related events.
Gu Nie suspected that Hei Luo had most likely formed her own "Memory Palace." The ability to memorize anything at a glance, without fear of forgetting, was truly enviable. However, he also knew that forming a Memory Palace came at a cost: a portion of one's mental energy was required to construct and maintain it. It was an ability geared towards scholarly pursuits, not suitable for combat-oriented Transcendents like himself.
"Every Transcendent class strives for power. Be it physical prowess, knowledge, or enhanced survivability," Hei Luo explained methodically. "The paths to achieving this power vary, and this is the key to the diversification of Transcendent classes."
"For instance, Combat classes focus on physical strength. Spellcasting classes lean towards offensive power. Shadow classes prioritize agility and survivability."
"These are the fundamental characteristics of the most basic Transcendent classes. Current advanced research in academia, which you may have gleaned some knowledge of, suggests that to attain power beyond that of ordinary Transcendents, one must delve into more specialized Transcendent characteristics."
"More specialized characteristics lead to more powerful Transcendent classes. This is a widely accepted principle in modern Transcendent academia."
"I don't know if Blood Curse Master Grew possessed this understanding, but by inheriting the legacy of previous Blood Curse Casters and innovating upon it, he inadvertently achieved this very goal."
"The core power of Grew's refined Blood Curse Caster lies in…blood."
"Blood!"
As Hei Luo spoke, everyone's gaze instinctively shifted to the blood pool beside the totem. Gu Nie's Rocket Spells continued to burn within it.
"Unlike ordinary Spellcasters, who strengthen their mental fortitude and Transcendent bodies through Source Energy, Blood Curse Casters do the same, but they also channel a significant portion of their power into their blood."
"Blood Curse Casters possess unparalleled Transcendent characteristics related to their blood. They can enhance their blood to possess incredible regenerative abilities. Any injury to their body is quickly healed by the flow of their blood."
"In other words, a Blood Curse Caster's blood is comparable to an equivalent volume of healing potion."
"Furthermore, they can enhance the strength and vitality of their blood, imbuing it with Transcendent properties and making it almost…alive."
"Just like the writhing, animate blood we saw earlier."
"When ordinary Transcendents are injured, they bleed. Excessive blood loss can lead to death. But not Blood Curse Casters. As long as they will it, not a single drop of their Transcendent blood will be spilled."
"Conventional death from massive physical trauma, where organs and tissues are destroyed and bones are shattered, is rare for a Blood Curse Caster."
"To be precise, even if their entire body is pulverized, as long as their head and soul remain intact, they can survive."
"Therefore, the most effective way to kill a Blood Curse Caster is to completely destroy their head or inflict devastating damage to their soul."
As Hei Luo finished her explanation, everyone's expressions were a mix of fascination and awe.
"They sound incredibly powerful," Yulaier murmured, her eyes fixated on the Blood Curse Totem, a spark of admiration in her gaze. Similar thoughts echoed in the minds of the others.
Both she and Gu Nie were Spellcasters. This meant she, too, could potentially inherit the powerful Blood Curse Caster class through the relic. How could she not be tempted by such a powerful class?
"Indeed, they are a powerful class," Hei Luo confirmed. "And within Transcendent academia, they are classified as a rare class, with a relatively high star rating."
"What's their star rating?" Gu Nie asked curiously.
"Four stars!" Hei Luo replied without hesitation.
Within the Transcendent class system, there were numerous classes. Some had faded into the annals of history, while others had emerged in recent times and risen to prominence. Still others had been passed down through generations, unbroken. Most Transcendent classes, unless exceptionally obscure, were documented by Transcendent academia. Scholars would then evaluate and categorize them, assigning a specific star rating.
Common Transcendent classes, with no significant differences, were generally rated one star. Two-star classes were considered the entry point for rare classes. Three-star classes were generally quite powerful, with fewer inheritors. The higher the star rating, the more powerful the class's corresponding Transcendent characteristics and abilities, and the fewer its practitioners.
However, star ratings were merely evaluations and classifications by experts. In the real world of Transcendents, the only constant was this: it was the individual Transcendent who was powerful, not the class itself.
"Four stars. Such a powerful class, yet only four stars?" Gu Nie mused. "Could it be…that it has some drawbacks?"
Hei Luo glanced at Gu Nie and nodded slightly.
"Yes, the Blood Curse Caster has a fatal weakness. Without it, this class would be a six-star, or even a top-tier seven-star class."
Everyone's attention was now riveted on Hei Luo, waiting for her to reveal the Blood Curse Caster's fatal flaw.
"Blood Curse Master Grew made a pact with some mysterious entity, which is how the Blood Curse Caster gained its unprecedented power. However, this pact also inflicted a mysterious curse upon the class."
"During every full moon, on a blood moon night, a Blood Curse Caster's blood boils. This weakens them. The extent of the weakness depends on the balance between their physical strength and the power of their blood."
"However, the curse within their blood is potent. Even those with exceptional physical strength will experience at least a fifty percent reduction in power."
"And that's the best-case scenario."
"Spellcasters are generally not physically robust. Therefore, in most cases, a Blood Curse Caster will be completely incapacitated during a blood moon."
"Although this state only lasts for a few hours…"
"Well, you understand."
"If your enemies know you're a Blood Curse Caster and harbor deep resentment towards you…you're unlikely to survive more than a few blood moons."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 26: Death!
After hearing Hei Luo explain the Blood Curse Caster's fatal weakness, Yulaier felt a chill run down her spine. The class was powerful, yes, but the weakness was truly…fatal. And her physical strength wasn't particularly impressive. If she were a Blood Curse Caster, she would be completely defenseless during a blood moon.
Powerful physique? Her gaze drifted towards Gu Nie's face. Illuminated by the firelight, his features were handsome and composed. It seemed the Blood Curse Caster's fatal flaw didn't trouble him much.
"Right, Gu Nie is incredibly powerful, and his physique…is also terrifying," Yulaier thought. "For him, this might not be a fatal weakness at all."
"It is indeed a fatal weakness," Gu Nie said, his expression calm, though inwardly, he also felt a sense of gravity. "However, it's still a powerful Transcendent class. Besides…I might have ways to mitigate or even suppress the curse."
With the system at his disposal, Gu Nie was reasonably confident in his ability to manage the curse.
"Greatness always comes at a price!" He silently recited this philosophical maxim.
After a moment of contemplation, Gu Nie spoke.
"Everyone, I intend to accept the inheritance of the Blood Curse Caster class."
This announcement didn't surprise anyone. They had witnessed Gu Nie's power firsthand, and they had also experienced his formidable physique. It was highly likely that his strength would only be halved during the blood moon curse, leaving him still a formidable force. After all, the Blood Curse Caster was inherently a powerful class. It was only natural that someone as talented as Gu Nie wouldn't refuse it.
"As Hei Luo mentioned, the Blood Curse Caster is a powerful and unique class," Gu Nie continued. "And there's also that mysterious curse related to the blood."
"Although I'm confident in my mental fortitude and physical strength, to avoid any unforeseen accidents during the inheritance process, such as hallucinations, slight loss of control, or anything that could lead to unnecessary casualties…"
"It's best that you all leave this area and wait in the armory where we found the treasures earlier. I'll come and inform you once the inheritance is complete."
No one objected. Inheriting a Transcendent Relic was always fraught with peril. Mutation, loss of control, hallucinations, madness, even death were all possibilities. Humans were not inherently Transcendent beings. Grasping higher powers always came with risks.
"Be careful, and shout if you need help," Aili said, trying to sound reassuring, though her expression betrayed her concern. "But I believe with your abilities, handling this little Transcendent class shouldn't be a problem."
"You need to work hard too," Gu Nie teased Paul lightly.
"Haha…of course, I'll catch up soon," Paul replied with a hearty laugh that couldn't quite mask his slight unease.
Soon, they all disappeared down the passage into the darkness.
"Phew…" Watching them go, Gu Nie let out a long breath.
When he learned that the second point of interest offered a Transcendent class inheritance, he had already formulated a plan to acquire the "Coin of Fate," the third point of interest. He would use the inheritance as an excuse to send the others away, then open the Transcendent Gate containing the coin. That was his plan.
Returning to the Blood Curse Totem chamber, he paced back and forth, carefully surveying the area. Once he was satisfied that nothing had been overlooked, he left the chamber.
Entering the living quarters, he unleashed a volley of Rocket Spells towards the entrance of the passage. The roaring flames would mask the subtle sounds of the Transcendent Gate opening.
Arriving at the Transcendent Gate that sealed the Coin of Fate, he quickly entered the Lanemi password.
Click, click…
The gate opened with a soft grinding sound. Inside was a small, study-like chamber, not particularly spacious. Three of the walls were lined with collapsed, rotting bookshelves and piles of decaying books. Centuries had passed, and the decay of ordinary books was hardly surprising. The chamber itself, however, was surprisingly clean and free of dust.
Using the system, Gu Nie immediately spotted the "Coin of Fate," described as a "masterpiece," lying in a corner. This coin was arguably the most important item in this entire adventure. After all, the core theme of this adventure was the "Blood Curse Master's Masterpiece."
He walked over and picked up the seemingly unremarkable coin from the corner. If one wasn't paying attention, they might easily miss it.
Flip it, and see how your luck fares!
The moment Gu Nie picked up the coin, a strange thought popped into his head. He felt a sudden, almost overwhelming urge to flip the coin.
"Don't flip it!" A sense of alarm jolted him. With a thought, he stored the Coin of Fate in his system space. The strange compulsion vanished instantly.
"Some kind of powerful mental suggestion," he realized. "Fortunately, I was wary and knew this thing was unusual, so I wasn't swayed. If I hadn't known the significance of the Coin of Fate, and if my guard had been down, I might have actually flipped it."
"So…what would happen if I flipped the Coin of Fate?"
His gaze swept across the empty study. A chilling suspicion began to form in his mind.
"The Coin of Fate is clearly significant, yet it was casually discarded in a corner. This suggests that its original owner, Blood Curse Master Grew, likely…met a terrible end."
"Was it caused by flipping this coin?"
"If so…then this Coin of Fate is truly an extraordinary and powerful artifact."
"I'll need to study it carefully when I have more time."
Now was not the time to delve into the coin's secrets. With that thought, he quickly closed the Transcendent Gate.
Now that he had the Coin of Fate, it was time for the Blood Curse Caster inheritance.
Returning to the chamber with the Blood Curse Totem, Gu Nie scrutinized the totem once more. After confirming there were no other hidden details, he finally relaxed.
Placing his hand on the totem…
Hum! Hum! Hum!
With three faint ripples of runic energy, three runes symbolizing "communication" and "bridge" materialized in his palm. In that instant, he established a connection between himself and the Blood Curse Totem.
Accessing Transcendent tomes, or even wielding Transcendent equipment, required establishing such a connection. Similarly, receiving guidance from a Transcendent Relic for inheritance required building a bridge of communication.
The moment the connection was established, a torrent of dark, bloody, greedy, terrifying, and twistedly evil curses surged into Gu Nie's body and soul, as if a floodgate had been opened. Centuries of accumulated malevolent energy, intertwined with the Blood Curse Caster inheritance, flooded his being.
"Not good!"
The instant the connection opened, Gu Nie sensed something was amiss. By the time he tried to sever the link, it was too late. The dark, twisting curse had already fully invaded his soul.
His body contorted as he let out a horrifying, grotesque scream.
Gurgle~~
Writhing in agony, his body convulsed, and his blood boiled under the influence of the curse. His entire body swelled like a balloon. His heart pounded frantically, as if about to burst.
Thump, thump, thump…
It beat over a dozen times per second.
"Ugh…help…"
This sudden turn of events filled even the usually calm Gu Nie with terror.
"Am I going to die…but I have the system…" Despair and helplessness welled up within him.
BOOM!
Suddenly, his heart erupted with a dull, cracking sound. His pupils dilated, losing all color. His body collapsed like a felled tree, tumbling into the blood pool beside the totem.
His face was twisted in a gruesome grimace. His death was…horrific.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 27: Rebirth!
"I'm…dead?"
Gu Nie stared in disbelief at the scene before him. His perspective, fixed at a 45-degree downward angle, showed a world shrouded in a grey, hazy mist. Within his field of vision was the Blood Curse Totem chamber where he had just died.
His "corpse," contorted and bloated from the curse, lay submerged in the blood pool. He was looking at his own dead body. The scene was surreal.
"I definitely died just now, but…I'm still here." He tried to look around but found himself immobile, his perspective locked in place.
"Is this because of the system?"
System!
He focused his will. The realistic system interface appeared before him.
"Just as I thought!" he exclaimed.
Besides the [Level Up] and [Adventure] functions, a third option had appeared: [Rebirth].
"I triggered the [Adventure] function because I was near the 300-year-old Dragon Source Fruit. Now, it seems, my death has triggered the [Rebirth] function."
Rebirth!
With a mixture of urgency and excitement, he opened the [Rebirth] interface.
[Rebirth]
By dying and undergoing "Rebirth," all negative statuses, curses, memes, mutations, and abnormal life conditions are converted into personal Transcendent talents, granting corresponding resistance.
After Rebirth, mental fortitude, physique, Source Energy, and all related powers undergo concentrated refinement.
Current realm will experience a certain degree of regression.
Current Rebirth Count: 6
…
After carefully reviewing the [Rebirth] information, Gu Nie couldn't help but marvel.
"This…is another game-changing function!"
Undoubtedly, [Rebirth] was as powerful as [Level Up] and [Adventure]. In some ways, it was even more potent.
First, Rebirth could be used as a resurrection. His current situation was proof of that. This alone was incredible. Even in myths and legends, gods facing Ragnarok ultimately perished, never to return. Mythical beings couldn't resurrect, but he could.
Besides resurrection, its comprehensive abilities were also extraordinary. Converting negative effects into Transcendent talents was a game-changer. This essentially allowed him to embrace dangerous situations with far less risk. Of course, Gu Nie wasn't reckless by nature. However, this ability would give him a significant advantage when facing mysterious entities or Transcendent disasters.
While there was the drawback of realm regression, the "concentrated refinement" of mental fortitude, physique, and Source Energy was a significant benefit. After a moment's thought, Gu Nie understood its implications.
"In many idle games, the purpose of rebirth is to convert progress into base stats and talents, allowing for faster progression through later stages. The same principle applies to the refinement of my mental fortitude as a Spellcaster."
"In the future, as I ascend through the Transcendent tiers, I can use Rebirth to overcome bottlenecks and thresholds that might take other Transcendents a lifetime to surpass."
After careful consideration, Gu Nie calmed himself. The Rebirth function was currently his greatest trump card. If he hadn't died, he wouldn't have unlocked it.
Steeling his resolve, he reread the description.
"Curses are converted into talents?"
"The terrifying dark curse that just killed me was incredibly powerful. It literally burst my heart. That malevolent, twisting darkness wasn't the Blood Curse Caster's blood curse. So, the blood curse itself must have also entered my body during the inheritance."
"This means I had two curses within me: the Blood Curse Caster's curse and that potent dark curse. Then I died, which triggered a 'passive Rebirth.' So, both curses will be converted into Transcendent talents and resistances by the system."
"This means the Blood Curse Caster's curse is…gone? That's unexpected." A smile played on Gu Nie's lips, if he still had them.
"However, others don't know I've overcome the curse. If any enemies try to target me during a blood moon…"
"This could be used to my advantage."
Although he could immediately Rebirth and resurrect, he chose not to. He remained in his fixed perspective, observing.
After about ten minutes…
He carefully examined his surroundings.
"The grey mist is slightly denser than before. Rebirth isn't unlimited; it needs to be done within a certain timeframe."
"I wonder what would happen if my body was dismembered after death, or eaten by wild beasts, or even…cremated and scattered into the sea? Given the system's power, I assume it would find a way to resurrect me. I'll have to experiment later."
He clicked the Rebirth button next to the "6" Rebirth Count. His perspective began to rapidly zoom in.
"Six Rebirth counts, corresponding to the six months I've been in this world. I sense that the Rebirth Count can recover, which is excellent."
Within the blood pool at the base of the Blood Curse Totem…
Splash!
Gu Nie, drenched in blood, abruptly stood up.
Cough, cough…
Having fallen face-first into the pool upon death, he had inhaled quite a bit of blood. He coughed and sputtered for a while before finally catching his breath.
After cleaning himself up as best he could, he began to assess his condition.
His leveled-up spells were intact.
Four Secret Crossing Runes, unchanged.
Three Heavy Curse Runes, unchanged.
However, his mental fortitude, physique, and Source Energy had all changed.
"My Source Energy has decreased by about twenty percent. But its density has increased by about ten percent. Increasing Source Energy capacity is relatively easy, but increasing its density is incredibly difficult."
"Many Transcendents struggle to condense high-density Source Energy, but I can achieve this through Rebirth. This is truly remarkable."
"My physical strength has also decreased, and even my physical density has dropped, both by about twenty percent. However, my body feels incredibly invigorated, and my movements are more fluid."
"This is an increase in physical talent. With increased talent, my physique will level up faster and reach a higher potential."
"Finally…" His expression turned slightly serious.
"The most important change is in my mental fortitude."
He gently rubbed his temples.
In modern Transcendent academia, mental fortitude was categorized into several attributes. The most important were "Mental Strength" and "Mental Capacity."
Mental Strength: This represented the resilience of one's mind. High Mental Strength made the mind as tough as steel, while low Mental Strength made it fragile like tofu.
Mental Capacity: This represented the amount of mental energy one possessed. Mental Capacity was crucial. Those with abundant Mental Capacity could project their mental energy outwards, forming "Spiritual Sense," granting enhanced perception. A strong Spiritual Sense also allowed for greater control over spells, even allowing for slight adjustments to their trajectory mid-flight for more precise strikes. Conversely, those with weak Mental Capacity couldn't even become Spellcasters.
Currently, both Gu Nie's Mental Strength and Mental Capacity had decreased by about twenty percent. Yet, he felt no ill effects.
"My Source Energy and physique sacrificed secondary attributes to enhance core attributes and potential. However, both Mental Strength and Capacity, both crucial aspects of mental fortitude, have decreased."
"This means the improvement lies in a deeper aspect of mental fortitude that I can't currently comprehend. Even though my Mental Strength and Capacity have decreased, my perception seems clearer and sharper."
"Also, controlling the seven runes feels easier than before."
"In addition, the powerful curse has been converted into a Transcendent talent and resistance. The benefits of the talent won't be immediately apparent; they'll manifest over time through cultivation and study. Similarly, the resistance will only be noticeable when facing corresponding negative Transcendent effects."
"Overall…this Rebirth has resulted in a decrease in 'quantity' but an increase in 'quality.' This aligns with the nature of Rebirth. After all, 'quality' is far more important than 'quantity.'"
"My overall power hasn't decreased significantly, perhaps because my current level is relatively low. At higher levels, a single Rebirth might result in a much greater loss of power."
After meticulously analyzing the changes, the last vestiges of worry dissipated.
"Ultimately, Rebirth's resurrection ability should be treated as a last resort, not a license for reckless abandon. Caution is still paramount."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 28: Blood Curse Caster
At the dark, silent entrance to the passage, Aili, Paul, and the others stared anxiously into the darkness beyond. The row of Rocket Spells Gu Nie had placed there had burned out, leaving only an empty void.
Ten minutes ago, they had clearly heard Gu Nie's horrifying scream. That was the source of their worry. Inheriting a Transcendent Relic was dangerous. Humans were flesh and blood, while Transcendent Relics dealt with otherworldly powers. For ordinary humans to wield such power was inherently risky.
Those with insufficient willpower or Transcendent talent risked soul damage, mental corruption, physical mutation, loss of control, and other unpredictable outcomes.
Even though they had faith in Gu Nie's exceptional talent, that bloodcurdling scream had instilled a seed of doubt.
Tap…tap…
Tap…tap…
Strange footsteps echoed from the darkness. Everyone tensed, their expressions turning grave.
The three spellcasters discreetly began channeling their spells, ready to unleash them at a moment's notice.
Moments later, a figure emerged from the darkness, bathed in blood, and stepped into the flickering light of their torches. The sight of the blood-soaked figure nearly caused the spellcasters to instinctively launch their attacks.
"It's me!" Gu Nie's timely intervention prevented a potentially disastrous friendly fire incident.
"What…what happened to you?" Aili asked, her voice laced with concern, after scrutinizing Gu Nie and confirming his identity. Relief washed over her as she realized he was, despite his appearance, alright.
"When I touched the Blood Curse Totem, there was some residual spiritual energy within it, probably from that crimson creature we dealt with outside," Gu Nie explained, his voice calm despite his gory appearance. "It caught me off guard, and I fell into the blood pool."
The others exchanged bewildered glances.
"Fortunately, I had a backup plan and managed to eliminate it," Gu Nie continued. "And I acquired the Transcendent class, Blood Curse Caster."
He feigned a sigh of relief, but his companions felt a surge of complex emotions.
Transcendent!
This was their ultimate goal, and Gu Nie had already achieved it. As wealthy nobles, they understood the significance of this achievement. To attain a high status within their families, Transcendent power was essential. In some families rife with internal strife, not being a Transcendent could even be a death sentence.
Beyond power and wealth, Transcendents also possessed lifespans far exceeding those of ordinary humans. For commoners, living past fifty was considered a long life. Nobles generally lived until sixty or seventy, but after fifty, their health declined, and even a common illness could prove fatal. Ordinary life, in this world of mysterious powers, was as fragile as a reed in the wind.
However, becoming a Transcendent, even a first or second-tier one, granted a lifespan exceeding a century. Even in old age, they retained their mental acuity and a robust physique. The higher the Transcendent tier, the longer the lifespan. This extended longevity was another driving force behind the pursuit of Transcendent power.
Gu Nie turned to Yulaier. "Do you also want to inherit the Blood Curse Caster class?"
Yulaier, also a Spellcaster, was eligible for the inheritance. She had clearly given the matter serious thought.
"Yes," she replied without hesitation. The Blood Curse Caster had its weaknesses, but that didn't diminish its power.
"Many curses have solutions. If I become strong enough, I might even be able to suppress the blood curse," she reasoned inwardly. "And if all else fails, there are always Transcendent items."
"Although I eliminated the malevolent presence, you should still be careful," Gu Nie cautioned.
"I understand."
Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, Yulaier entered the passage alone, quickly disappearing into the darkness.
As her figure vanished, Gu Nie turned to the others. "Does anyone have any extra water?"
The blood in the pool was strangely viscous and clung to his skin, making him extremely uncomfortable.
"No."
"Nope."
"None here."
Their responses were unanimous.
Shrugging, Gu Nie sat down on the floor and closed his eyes, feigning rest. Inwardly, he opened the system interface. A glance at the Level Up page brought a smile to his face.
"The fifth Level Up slot is finally unlocked!"
After a long wait, the fifth slot was finally available. Suppressing his excitement, he turned his attention to his newly acquired Transcendent class: Blood Curse Caster.
Having fully received the inheritance, he was no longer an apprentice Spellcaster. However, he wasn't a first-tier Spellcaster either. He was…half a Spellcaster. Once he formed his Source Pool and his soul underwent the transformation of the first tier, he would officially become a first-tier Blood Curse Caster.
The core power of the Blood Curse Caster lay in their blood. As he calmed his mind, Gu Nie could clearly sense the flow of blood within his body. Born in the marrow, flowing through the veins, pumped by the heart to every part of his body, supplying energy.
The key to the Blood Curse Caster inheritance was blood enhancement. The stronger the blood, the stronger the body it nourished.
"The Blood Curse Caster strengthens blood to enhance the body. This aligns perfectly with my path of the Tank Spellcaster," Gu Nie mused. "A Tank Spellcaster needs both powerful equipment and a robust physique. This class suits me perfectly."
Along with the Blood Curse Caster class came the Blood Pool Codex, a guide to blood enhancement.
"Blood Pool Codex, huh?" He pondered the implications. "It seems Blood Curse Master Grew must have made a pact with some powerful blood demon or vampire to create this blood enhancement technique."
Sensing the profound and complex nature of the Blood Pool Codex, Gu Nie knew it was an extraordinary tome. Even the mid-tier Cyberna Source Pool he was currently leveling up paled in comparison to the complexity of the Blood Pool Codex.
Without hesitation, he placed the Blood Pool Codex in the newly unlocked fifth Level Up slot.
[Level Up]
Slot 1: Bone Marrow Potion Incantation (Tier 6)
Slot 2: Cyberna Source Pool (Tier 1)
Slot 3: Ring Blast Barrage (Tier 5)
Slot 4: Devout Knight Breathing Technique (Tier 1)
Slot 5: Blood Pool Codex (Tier 0)
All five slots were occupied by Transcendent tomes. After a period of leveling up, both the Cyberna Source Pool and the Devout Knight Breathing Technique had reached Tier 1. What would take others months, or even years, to achieve, Gu Nie could accomplish in mere days thanks to the system.
As soon as the Blood Pool Codex was placed, after ten seconds…
+15
A "+15" appeared above the Blood Pool Codex and quickly vanished.
"Such high experience gain?" Gu Nie was pleasantly surprised.
Having leveled up so many tomes, he had a good grasp of the system's mechanics. Higher-tier tomes started with more experience gain, but their leveling speed was slower compared to lower-tier tomes. Conversely, lower-tier tomes had lower level caps. For instance, the common Rocket Spell and Arc Lightning had reached Tier 4 after two months and seemed stuck there, despite continuing to gain experience. The Transcendent spell, Ring Blast Barrage, leveled up slower but had already reached Tier 5.
The Blood Pool Codex starting with +15 experience was remarkable. The mid-tier Cyberna Source Pool had only started with +8. The power of the Blood Pool Codex was evident.
"The more powerful, the better," Gu Nie thought. "Currently, I only have the Blood Pool Codex, but as I progress and my tier increases, the corresponding Blood Curse Caster abilities will unlock."
"I'm truly looking forward to those abilities. I wonder if they can also be leveled up. Given the system's capabilities, it's highly likely."
"Blood Curse Caster…" he mused. "This powerful class will reach its full potential in my hands."
While the others anxiously awaited Yulaier's return, Gu Nie remained calm. He had re-examined the Blood Curse Totem before they left. The strange curse seemed to have been fully expended on him, leaving no residue. Yulaier would only face the impact of the Blood Curse Caster's inherent properties, which shouldn't be a problem.
Half an hour passed quickly. Footsteps echoed from the darkness. Everyone looked up.
Yulaier emerged, covered in blood, her expression a mixture of exhaustion and embarrassment.
"I…I also…" she stammered, unable to finish her sentence.
Everyone stared at her in silence. One person falling into the blood pool was unfortunate; two was…a trend.
"Do you have any water?" Yulaier asked softly.
"I have a bottle."
"I have some left."
"Me too."
Offers of water came from the others. In the shadows, Gu Nie's smile slowly faded.
…
Half an hour later, after cleaning herself up, Yulaier, her natural beauty still radiant despite the lack of makeup, recounted her harrowing experience.
"I heard whispers amidst the sound of flowing blood. It made it difficult to focus. The sound was like a demonic chant, constantly echoing in my mind. I almost lost control at the beginning."
"But I feel much better now."
"The initial merging of Transcendent power with the body is the most crucial stage. Remember this for your future inheritances."
Yulaier generously shared her insights, and Gu Nie listened attentively.
"Whispers? Really?" he thought. "And you couldn't block out the flowing sound?" The problems Yulaier faced seemed trivial to him.
After she finished, Gu Nie spoke. "There's another Transcendent Gate. Let's open it and see what's inside."
No one objected.
Back in Grew's living quarters, under the watchful eyes of the others, Gu Nie opened the Transcendent Gate that had contained the Coin of Fate.
"It looks like a study. Too bad all the books have rotted away," Aili commented, examining the decaying bookshelves. "Otherwise, we could have learned a lot from them."
"Indeed."
After a thorough search, confirming there was nothing of value left, they returned to the main chamber.
"Besides the two Transcendent Gates, there are three other passages. Should we explore them?" Aili asked, directing the question mainly at Gu Nie.
"No, we shouldn't, and we can't," Gu Nie replied firmly.
Whether or not those passages held danger was irrelevant. The system hadn't indicated any further "Adventures" there, so it wasn't worth the risk. Wandering blindly in this dangerous place was courting death.
Perhaps there were other things of value, like tomes, scrolls, or information. But they had already reaped a bountiful harvest from the system-guided locations. It was time to curb their greed.
Gu Nie had already prepared an explanation. "Judging by this Transcendent Master's style, all the valuable items were sealed within the Transcendent Gates near the living quarters. We can take a quick look at these passages, but don't go deep."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"I'll take a quick look. If there's any danger, I'll retreat immediately. You all stay here and rest," Ai Yin volunteered.
"Be careful," Gu Nie said, not bothering to dissuade him further, lest it arouse suspicion.
As the others rested, Yulaier quietly approached Gu Nie.
"Do you feel it?" she asked, her voice soft and tinged with fear.
Gu Nie quickly understood what she meant. "The curse?" he murmured.
Yulaier seemed genuinely frightened. "Yes," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "A terrifying presence…it's watching us from the abyss!"
From her trembling voice, Gu Nie could sense her fear. The power of the Blood Pool Codex was undeniable, and so was the power of the great being behind it. Unfortunately for Gu Nie, that terrifying curse had been absorbed by the system and converted into his own talents and resistances. He wouldn't have the chance to face that entity. If it dared to gaze at him, he would stare right back. Sadly, the system hadn't given him that opportunity.
"It's just a curse," he said softly. "The best course of action is to find a way to suppress or eliminate it."
"Yes." Yulaier seemed to draw strength from Gu Nie's calm demeanor.
"Aren't you…afraid?" she asked after a moment of hesitation.
Gu Nie smiled faintly. "I think…it's not me who should be afraid."
Yulaier stared at him, her mouth slightly agape, a look of astonishment on her beautiful face.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 30: The Trap
A short while later, Ai Yin returned after briefly exploring the three passages. His cursory investigation hadn't yielded any danger or reward.
"Now that we've opened all the Transcendent Gates and obtained everything of value…" Ai Yin began, his voice cautious and deliberate, "…we should discuss how to…deal with those waiting for us outside."
As his words hung in the air, everyone's gaze instinctively shifted towards Gu Nie. He was the one who had first proposed the idea of a counterattack.
Gu Nie had already formulated a plan. "Here's what we'll do…" he began, lowering his voice to explain his strategy.
…
Howling Canyon.
The fog remained thick, even denser than before.
Fifty meters from the Empty Source Gate, around a bend in the canyon, the Blood Ear Elves, Bloodlong and Himo, waited patiently. Beside them, their second-tier Transcendent beast, a Komo Direwolf, lay curled up, dozing.
"It's been almost a day. Do you think they're dead?" Himo asked, breaking the silence. A day was a long time for exploring a small Empty Source Land.
"It's highly possible," Bloodlong replied with a nod. "After all, this was the dwelling of a top-tier Transcendent Master. That group of apprentices, despite their skills, are still vulnerable. It wouldn't be surprising if they were wiped out."
"We'll wait another day. If they don't come out by tomorrow, we can assume they're all dead. Then I'll seal the entrance with a spell. We won't have to worry about anyone else discovering this place for a while."
Bloodlong had already planned for this contingency.
Suddenly, a sound echoed from the depths of the fog. It sounded like footsteps. Then came a thud, as if a large object had fallen. The sound immediately put them on alert.
Bloodlong, a Pact Maker, his eyes glowing with crimson light, quickly communicated with his second-tier Pact Beast, a Secret Soul Wraith. This wraith, a spiritual entity from another dimension bound to him through a special ritual, possessed the ability to "Spirit Walk," allowing Bloodlong to spy on the group earlier.
The wraith's vision appeared in Bloodlong's mind.
At the entrance to the Empty Source Land, a large youth lay sprawled on the ground, covered in blood. He seemed to be struggling, coughing up blood, his breathing weak. Despite his dire condition, he still clutched a longsword that shimmered with mithril light.
"A mithril sword! They found something good!" A flicker of greed flashed in Bloodlong's eyes.
However, he remained cautious, continuing to observe through the wraith.
Five minutes passed. No one else emerged. The youth's breathing grew fainter.
"It seems…the others must have perished inside."
With a sigh, Bloodlong stepped out from behind the bend, followed by Himo and the Komo Direwolf. A single injured apprentice knight posed no threat to them.
"A mithril weapon is worth a fortune. We could get at least 1,500 gold pounds for it. That's enough for me to gather the materials I need to advance to Tier 3, and maybe even get a new robe," Bloodlong thought, already envisioning his bright future. "This Blood Curse Master's dwelling is a treasure trove! With these riches, I might even reach high-tier Transcendent…"
Just as he was reveling in his dreams of grandeur…
The situation changed drastically.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…
Several fiery projectiles shot out from the fog, aimed directly at Bloodlong. The rockets were so fast that he barely had time to react before the first one struck his chest.
Thud!
The impact sent a jolt through him.
Hum!
A shimmering black aura emanated from his chest, deflecting the attack. Bloodlong had some form of defensive measure.
The second and third rockets arrived in quick succession, equally swift and unavoidable.
Bang!
Bang!
Two Tier 4 Rocket Spells detonated against his chest, engulfing him in flames. Finally reacting, Bloodlong scrambled to the side.
Just as he moved, the fourth rocket arrived. Having endured three consecutive hits, the black aura protecting him reached its limit. It shattered under the force of the fourth rocket.
Pierce!
The rocket tore through his robe and pierced his chest.
Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle…
A volley of rockets followed, all striking his body. In less than a second, his chest was riddled with more than eight rockets, burning fiercely.
"Instant casting…too fast…" This was his final thought before he collapsed.
Himo, the Shadow Walker, had reacted the moment she saw the first rocket. Unfortunately, Bloodlong's reaction time was far slower.
"At least ten Rocket Spells in a second, and they easily broke through Bloodlong's 'Defensive Spirit Guardian.' This is a powerful Spellcaster," she realized instantly.
Seeing Bloodlong fall, grief and rage surged within her. Revenge burned in her heart, but her instincts and fear of the powerful enemy prevailed.
"I have to leave. If I stay, I'll die."
With a nimble roll, she retreated. However, her enemy wasn't about to let her escape.
Crackle, crackle…
A wave of purple lightning arced through the air, forming a net several meters wide. The lightning was so intense that even she couldn't escape it.
Yelp!
A piercing shriek echoed through the canyon. The Arc Lightning had struck the Komo Direwolf, which was directly behind Himo as she retreated. The direwolf, its pact with Bloodlong broken upon his death, and now struck by a powerful spell, yelped in pain and fled.
Seizing the opportunity, Himo, already concealed in the shadows, vanished without a trace. The Secret Soul Wraith, also freed from its pact, disappeared as well.
The battle was over as quickly as it had begun.
(End of Chapter)