Chapter 15: The Spoils of Victory and a New Arsenal

Furthermore, the Ability Stone, though similar to Zhang Luan’s Ultimate Ability Stone, was of vastly inferior quality. The disparity between them was akin to the Heshi Jade compared to a mere pebble. The ability, Scorching Black Smoke, also overlapped with Starsflame, rendering it of little use even if Zhang Luan absorbed it. Thus, he simply tossed it into his system inventory to gather dust.

****

Following Elder Mo Hong’s demise, the quest titled [Counter-Encirclement] flashed incessantly on his interface. Its once bronze-colored text now shimmered in glowing gold.

Submitting the quest, the system’s voice resonated once more.

[Quest completed: [Counter-Encirclement] Rating MAX! Rewards: Elder Mo Hong’s Skill Book (Choose one of three)

Random Advanced Skill Book Chest ×1

Advanced Mana Potion ×20

Advanced Health Potion ×10]

These rewards were exceptionally generous. For players, a random Advanced Skill Book was practically a dream come true.

Skill books were notoriously rare. Most players could only progressively learn skills from their own class’s skill tree after specialization. To acquire other skills, they had to rely on skill books, yet the drop rate for these was incredibly low.

Moreover, some common, weaker monsters, despite their numbers, simply did not drop skill books. For instance, Zhang Luan had annihilated over seven thousand goblins earlier, yet not a single skill book had appeared.

This vividly illustrated the immense value of skill books, let alone Advanced Skill Books, which were even more exceedingly difficult to obtain.

However, the skills Zhang Luan possessed—Starsflame, Dauntless Adventurer, and the newly awakened Power of Creation—all transcended the realm of advanced skills. In his previous life, only one player was known to possess such skills. That individual was the epitome of a ‘Dragon King’ archetype, transforming from an ordinary person into a revered, high-tier player with numerous admirers after the world’s fusion.

Regrettably, even a Dragon King’s tale did not guarantee him the role of the protagonist. This particular individual met his end at the hands of the woman he loved, a truly tragic fate.

Opening the selection panel for Elder Mo Hong’s three skill books, Zhang Luan gazed at the three tomes displayed before him, momentarily falling into indecision.

[Hidden Smoke]: Reduces detection chance by 20%. A successful check, determined by your Luck attribute, grants an invisible state for 10 seconds.

[Smoke Wolf]: Summons a wolf formed from smoke to fight. The number summoned is based on energy consumed. The wolf’s combat damage is 5% of Intelligence.

[Gambler’s Command]: For one second after skill activation, there is a 1% chance to deal 100% additional damage and inflict a 5% vulnerability effect.

Zhang Luan found himself drawn to the first and third skills, dismissing the second. Though both required considerable luck, Zhang Luan’s Luck attribute, rated EX, meant luck was precisely what he did not lack.

Yet, if forced to choose between the two, he would opt for the first. Selecting the third would merely amplify his burst damage, but did he truly need more burst at this moment?

He did not.

Whether it was Starsflame, his archery skills, or the Power of Creation, all allowed him to unleash massive damage in an instant.

However, a period of weakness invariably followed such bursts. If he could enter an invisible state during this time, it would nullify his opponent’s counterattacks, allowing him to initiate the next offensive once more—a truly beneficial outcome.

‘But why didn’t Elder Mo Hong use such a skill?’ Zhang Luan wondered.

Perhaps he had, but his luck had simply failed to trigger it.

With one skill book treasure chest remaining, Zhang Luan decided to open it immediately. He paid no mind to Nan Fenghua’s curious gaze beside him as he retrieved the chest and lifted its lid.

A burst of dazzling purple light emanated from within, revealing a thin skill book floating before his eyes.

[Congratulations! You have obtained the Advanced Skill Book: [Wind-Swept Cloud Sword]]

[Wind-Swept Cloud Sword] (All-Class Advanced Skill)

Description: This sword art was practiced by a legendary immortal deity during their weaker days. It is said to have been passed down from an even more ancient entity. Though merely an introductory sword art, it became immensely powerful through the deity’s continuous refinement. Its might is extreme, but it places an immense burden on the weapon, making it suitable for use as a trump card.

Effect ① [Wind-Swept Sword Control]: Sword control art that allows for the manipulation of blades at will in combat.

Maximum attribute values are additionally increased by 30%.

Wind-attribute skills gain an additional 50% effect.

10% chance to inflict a suppression effect.

Effect ② [Fading Cloud Sword]: Upon activation, the next attack reduces the enemy’s all-resistance and defense by 50%. There is a 1% chance to increase the damage of this attack by 1000%.

Weapon durability will drastically decrease after use.

Cooldown: 10 hours.

Zhang Luan chuckled wryly as he examined the skill. He had just foregone one burst skill, and now he had been given an even more potent one.

Sword control arts resonated deeply with Zhang Luan, given his homeland’s culture; after all, what boy didn’t dream of cool flying swords? Moreover, Wind-Swept Sword Control boasted a modifier that granted an additional 50% effect to wind-attribute skills.

Coincidentally, among the items Elder Mo Hong dropped, there was a skill book for a wind-attribute storm. Zhang Luan had always been quite fond of this ability, and getting it in skill book form was just as good.

Effect ② was even more outrageous: a 1000% damage bonus. If he channeled all his current power and unleashed it with this effect, the spectacle would be glorious. He could instantly slay several Elder Mo Hongs.

He could even shoot swords with his bow now, and combined with Wind-Swept Sword Control and Fading Cloud Sword, it would be more terrifying than an intercontinental ballistic missile. As for the 1% trigger chance, it seemed difficult, but with his EX-ranked Luck attribute, the actual probability would surely be far greater than 1%.

Most importantly, it was a skill that an immortal deity had once used and refined.

Zhang Luan was more than satisfied with the spoils from defeating Elder Mo Hong. These skills felt tailor-made for him; not a single one was useless. This was the benefit of EX Luck. A person with low luck, even with such a treasure chest, would likely only unearth the most inferior advanced skills.

There was also a rare equipment treasure chest. Upon opening it, Zhang Luan found a rare longsword named [Azure Righteousness Sword]. It had two effects: Advanced Sharpness and Advanced Durability, perfectly complementing the needs of the [Wind-Swept Cloud Sword].

Nan Fenghua, who had been curious about Zhang Luan’s actions for some time, covertly lifted the pot on her head. Seeing Zhang Luan’s face alight with joy, a blush gradually spread across her cheeks. She carefully poked his wrist.

“What is it?”

“Um… the Mo Hong cultists will be back later… so… so, Brother Zhang Luan, do you still need me to replenish your mana?”

Zhang Luan gazed at her adorable face, a mix of expectation and shyness, and smiled. He extended a hand, placed it on Nan Fenghua’s cute face, and gently pinched it.

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