Ye Chenfeng thought about it. The Sword had spatial attributes similar to the peculiar behavior of a "licking dog."
If the sword counts...
"Yeah, you could say that," he replied nonchalantly.
"As I thought," Guo Li nodded. "Your magic power is indeed high-level, but some rare treasures can create similar effects." He paused briefly before continuing, "Situations like this aren't uncommon in the Imperial Capital, but they are rare enough. My apologies for the mistake, young man."
"It's fine," Ye Chenfeng responded. "Now, about awakening the summoning system?"
"Haha, if you truly want to awaken the summoning system, you'll have to rely on luck," Guo Li chuckled, shaking his head.
"Yeah," Ye Chenfeng agreed, already resigned to the odds. He was half-joking anyway. After all, there were only six or seven students in the entire Mingzhu Academy who had the summoning element.
But truth be told, the summoning system was genuinely fascinating.
Apart from the space system, the summoning system was what he desired the most. With his current strength, he wouldn't need to start from the slave level. The stronger the better! Ideally, he could use the Sword of Separation to cripple a leader-level monster and enslave it outright. If that didn't work, he could still try using the sword to manipulate spatial energy.
"Alright, I'll just awaken normally then," Ye Chenfeng said decisively.
"Wait," Guo Li interjected.
Ye Chenfeng raised an eyebrow. Did this old guy have a solution?
"Can you really help me awaken the summoning system?"
"No, I can't," Guo Li said with conviction.
The look on his face, however, hinted otherwise.
"But!" Guo Li declared dramatically. "I can significantly increase your chances of awakening a dimensional system!"
An elder like this really was a treasure, Ye Chenfeng thought, straightening up in earnest. "Senior, please tell me."
"You're lucky to have met me! Without me, you'd have no chance at all," Guo Li boasted, his face lighting up with pride. "I might be the only one in the entire Imperial Capital who can do this."
"Really?"
This was unbelievable. Were such skilled people really just lounging around in the Magicians' Association?
"This," Guo Li continued, pulling out a crystal-clear black stone with swirling halos of light, "is a dimensional black stone. I obtained it from an ancient ruin during my youth. It contains immense dimensional energy. With my guidance, your chances of awakening a dimensional system will rise to at least fifty percent!"
Ye Chenfeng examined the stone, calculations running through his head.
Fifty percent, plus the Sword of Separation's influence? That had to boost the odds to nearly ninety-nine percent.
The dimensional systems included space, summoning, chaos, and sound. That made it a two-thirds chance of getting what he wanted.
"I'll take the gamble!" Ye Chenfeng said, his voice resolute.
Guo Li extended his hand.
What now? Ye Chenfeng hesitated.
"One awakening costs 200,000. Considering you're using the black stone to boost your chances of summoning, I'll give you a 35% discount. The total comes to 12.7 million."
Ye Chenfeng blinked. "…What?"
This black stone's value was equivalent to half a general-level spirit!
Luckily, money wasn't an issue for him. With a casual wave, he transferred the payment. Awakening a high-level summoning system was worth every coin.
"Smart choice, young man," Guo Li said, carefully placing the black stone on the awakening platform. He performed a series of intricate adjustments before stepping back. "Alright, you're set."
The room cleared, leaving Ye Chenfeng alone with the awakening stone.
He steadied his thoughts, placed his hand on the cold surface of the stone, and closed his eyes. Calling on the Sword of Separation for guidance, he felt a surge of warmth flow from the stone into his mind.
It's happening!
As his spiritual world connected, colors danced before him: red, gold, silver, and… colorless?
No. On closer inspection, it blended seamlessly with the background, like a transparent mirror.
The Chaos System!
But it wasn't over yet. There was still a 50% chance for more.
Meanwhile, outside, Guo Li's assistant couldn't hold back her curiosity. "Teacher, does that black stone really increase the chances of dimensional awakening?"
Guo Li shook his head. "The energy in it is genuine, so it should help, but… honestly, I've never tested it."
"Teacher!"
"Hehe," Guo Li chuckled, scratching his head. "It's an experiment. But I promise the stone itself is authentic!"
Moments later, they noticed a glowing response from the awakening room.
Guo Li opened the door and was stunned.
"The summoning system?" he gasped.
Against all odds, the boy had done it.
"You really are lucky," Guo Li admitted, his astonishment clear.
Ye Chenfeng smiled faintly. "Thanks to your black stone, of course."
Guo Li grinned, relieved. But deep down, he knew it had been little more than a fortunate gamble.