Over the past few days, Xia Zhi had accumulated over 3000 points. That morning, he spent 1500 points to purchase [Tears of the Goddess], leaving him with over 1700 points—more than enough to successfully evolve the [Transformation Badge].
Time to try out the system's new feature.
Xia Zhi opened the [Evolution] panel, placed the [Transformation Badge] into the slot, and clicked the evolution button.
The system's voice echoed in his mind.
"[Would you like to evolve the Transformation Badge? Current success rate: 10%. Cost: 100 points.]"
"Yes."
His available points instantly decreased by 100. A flash of light followed.
"[Evolution failed. Success rate increased by 10%. Current success rate: 20%. Would you like to continue evolving the Transformation Badge?]"
"Yes."
"[Evolution failed. Success rate increased by 10%. Current success rate: 30%. Would you like to continue evolving the Transformation Badge?]"
"Yes."
"[Evolution successful. Transformation Badge has been upgraded to platinum-grade.]"
In total, he spent 300 points to acquire a platinum-grade item. Not bad.
This might have been due to his high luck stat. That morning, he had suppressed Osial and Beisht—a great deed. His [Auspiciousness] likely granted him additional luck points.
Coupled with the effects of [Transcendence], which boosted all his attributes by 50% (including luck), Xia Zhi's good fortune seemed justified.
Xia Zhi examined the upgraded [Transformation Badge].
[Transformation Badge]
Quality: Platinum
Type: Charged Item
Traits: Transformation, Fusion
Effect: Requires significant elemental energy for charging. Upon full charge, the badge provides a temporary transformation ability of a random type corresponding to the charged elemental energy.
Hidden Effect: +30% elemental energy recovery speed, +100% transformation duration.
At first glance, the effect seemed unchanged aside from the hidden effect's energy recovery speed increasing from 10% to 30% and doubling the transformation duration.
However, a closer look revealed a key difference: the words "same type" were missing from the description.
Previously, the badge required "significant energy of the same type" during charging. Now, the restriction was gone. Coupled with the new [Fusion] trait...
Xia Zhi's expression turned contemplative.
What if he charged the badge with both light-element and dark-element energy? Would it result in something like a dark Ultraman?
That sounded pretty cool.
And what if he added all seven Teyvat elements? A seven-element fusion Ultraman?
For now, he only controlled light, spatial, and geo elements. He could potentially add cryo with Shenhe's help.
"Let's give it a try."
Xia Zhi gripped the [Transformation Badge] and began charging it.
This time, he started with spatial-element energy. His high mana capacity allowed him to rapidly charge the badge halfway. Then, he switched to light-element energy to complete the charge.
"[Charging complete. Randomly selecting transformation ability. Elemental types: Spatial, Light.]"
"[Ability selection in progress.]"
"[Transformation unlocked: Angel of Interstice. Duration: 5 minutes.]"
Simultaneously, the badge turned a grayish-white.
[Interstice]?
What, a Sage of the Boundary? Yakumo Yukari?
[Angel]?
Who now?
Was this the result of the [Fusion] trait?
Intrigued, Xia Zhi activated his hidden state, opened his window, and flew to a secluded area on Mt. Tianheng.
Holding the badge, Xia Zhi triggered the transformation.
A grayish-white light burst forth. Xia Zhi's body didn't undergo any major changes, except his hair turned grayish-white, and a pair of pure white angelic wings sprouted from his back.
Opening his eyes, he found his sight restored—temporarily, thanks to the transformation.
He felt an unusual affinity with spatial and light elements around him, as if they responded to his thoughts.
Opening the system panel, he saw a host of new skills:
[The Curse of Dreams and Reality]
[Balance of Motion and Stillness]
[Web of Light and Shadow]
[Dreams of Straight and Curved Paths]
[Divine Veil]
[Angel's Blessing]
[Angel's Judgment]
[Angel's Lamentation]
Xia Zhi turned toward a patch of forest, raised his hand, and made a slight gesture.
A rift appeared in the forest—a void teeming with eerie eyeballs. The rift silently swallowed that entire area.
When the rift vanished, the land it consumed was utterly empty, as if erased.
"What a powerful ability."
After playing with the new skills for a while, Xia Zhi opened a rift filled with eyeballs in front of him and stepped inside.
Moments later, he emerged in his second-floor room at the Summer Shop.
"Long-distance spatial transfer…"
He ended the transformation and returned to his normal appearance.
This new fusion transformation was undeniably powerful.
And this was just the combination of light and spatial elements. If he added geo...
He was just about to try a three-element fusion when a soft knock came at his door.
"Boss, can I come in?" Chi Yu's voice called gently from outside.
Xia Zhi paused, put away the [Transformation Badge], and walked over. "Of course."
Since becoming an employee, Chi Yu had stopped barging into Xia Zhi's room unannounced. It was considerate of her.
Xia Zhi opened the door, smiling. "Come on in."
Chi Yu nodded and followed him inside.
"Boss, you asked me to come tonight—what's the big secret?"
"It's about you."
"Me?"
"Yes. How do you feel about being a ghost?"
"What about it?"
"Compared to being human."
"Oh, I think being a ghost is great! I'm always clean, no need to bathe or brush my teeth, and I never gain weight. The only downside used to be not tasting food, but with you here, that's not an issue anymore!"
"So, you're actually quite happy being a ghost?"
"Yep!"
Xia Zhi fell silent, then nodded.
"I see. Then I was overthinking."
"Overthinking?"
"Well, I've been working on something in my room. I've cultivated a type of fruit that doesn't do much for humans but, according to ancient records, might restore a ghost to life."
"Restore to life?!"
"I was going to ask if you wanted to be human again, but I guess it's unnecessary. Hey, why are you hugging my leg?"
"Boss! I don't care about being alive—I just want to taste that fruit!"