Chapter 63: Fusion, Finally
Xiang Yu’s eyes scanned the streamlined reset screen, noticing how many of his stats had advanced significantly, some had even reached their full potential, disappearing completely from the daily reset. As he watched this, he couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed. The once-lengthy list of doubling attributes had condensed, making him feel as though he wasn’t fully exploiting his system’s potential. He longed for the satisfaction of watching thousands of stats double each day.
His attention settled on his Mind level, which seemed to have just hit its own bottleneck. Was this limitation due to his current cultivation level, or had the Mountain Heart Sutra simply reached its ceiling? Despite this concern, he took comfort in achieving Mind level 4—an impressive feat that would likely provide sufficient mental fortitude to withstand future enlightenment breakthroughs, at least for now. The recent doubling of his High enlightenment had occurred without any strain, suggesting his mind had grown robust enough to handle such transformations.
Xiang Yu summoned his complete status display:
[Name: Xiang Yu]
[Realm: Body: 9th Layer; Mind: Level 4]
[Species: Human]
[Spiritual Root: null]
[Enlightenment: High (60/3000)]
[Battle Instinct: Mortal (100,000/100,000)]
[Spirit Flame: Abyssal Void Flame: 6th Grade (630/40,000)]
[Professions: Cook: 5th Grade (70/500)]
[Techniques: Mid-grade Phantom Footwork: Perfect; Low-grade Iron Body Technique: Perfect; Basic Knife Technique: Perfect; Basic Sword Technique: Perfect; Basic Weapon Techniques: Perfect]
[Scriptures: Mountain Heart Scripture: 9th Layer (180/900); Mountain Heart Sutra: Level 4]
[System Function: Double Exp (Cooldown: 24hrs); Fusion]
Satisfaction washed over him as he admired the rows of "Perfect" designations in his techniques section. To have advanced this dramatically in just a little over a month exceeded even his own expectations. His enlightenment had ascended to the High level, placing him among the ranks of thousand-year geniuses—though still far behind his junior sister, who qualified as a million-year genius.
Despite his impressive progress, one glaring issue remained unchanged: his "null" spiritual root status. Though he had maintained optimism about his advancement, Xiang Yu recognized the fundamental limitations he faced. If unlimited body refinement were possible without talent, wouldn’t immortals with millions of Body Refining layers be commonplace?
He couldn’t determine precisely how far his physical cultivation could progress. The system still tracked his advancement through the ninth layer, suggesting he possessed above-average potential—most cultivators reached their limit at the ninth layer, either breaking through to Qi Refining if blessed with spiritual roots or abandoning cultivation entirely if not.
A soft sigh escaped his lips. Then, drawing his attention to his techniques section, he examined the eighteen newly mastered techniques alongside his original two weapon skills. He decided to postpone worrying about his cultivation ceiling—he would cross that bridge when he got there. For now, his priority was testing the newly unlocked Fusion system function he’d been anticipating for so long.
...
Xiang Yu stared intently at the techniques displayed before him as he activated the system function. To begin the merge process, he first selected the Fist and Spear techniques but he immediately encountered resistance—the system indicated that the two techniques were incompatible. Shock rippled through him. If these two couldn’t merge, did that mean his dream of creating an invincible technique was impossible?
With mounting anxiety, he rapidly tested various combinations, only to discover that only a few pairs out of his twenty techniques showed compatibility. Discouragement had nearly settled in when inspiration struck. He selected the Knife technique and paired it with the Sword technique, which the system confirmed were compatible. Then, experimentally, he added the Spear technique—one that had previously shown incompatibility with the Sword. To his astonishment, the system accepted this addition.
A smile of realization spread across his face. The techniques didn’t all need direct compatibility with each other; they merely required a chain of connection. The Sword was compatible with the Knife, which in turn was compatible with the Spear, creating a linking bridge between otherwise incompatible techniques.
Renewed hope surged through him. His ambitious dream technique could still materialize—he just needed to construct the proper chain. Working methodically, he connected the Spear to the Kicking technique, then linked that to the Fist technique, and continued building his sequence. Occasional incompatibilities arose, requiring restructuring, but these proved mere temporary obstacles. Within minutes, he had successfully arranged all twenty weapon techniques into a harmonious chain of connections.
His finger hovered over the fusion button, ready to merge his masterpiece, when a daring thought seized him. His gaze drifted to the Scriptures section of his status display. Could he possibly...? He swallowed nervously. There was no harm in attempting, he reasoned.
With tentative movements, he selected the Mountain Heart Scripture and added it to his fusion chain. He squeezed his eyes partially shut, bracing for the inevitable rejection notification. After several seconds passed without any negative response, his eyes widened in wonder. The scripture had integrated seamlessly into his technique chain.
Emboldened by this success, Xiang Yu reached further. He added the Mountain Heart Sutra to the mix, holding his breath as he awaited the system’s verdict. Just like before, the sutra connected without resistance, expanding his fusion chain even further.
Turning his attention to his remaining techniques, Xiang Yu added both the Mid-grade Phantom Footwork and the Low-grade Iron Body technique to the growing amalgamation. Once again, the system accepted these additions without protest, incorporating them into the ever-expanding chain of connection.
By now, Xiang Yu could barely contain his excitement, practically salivating at the possibilities before him. The fusion would combine twenty weapon techniques, a movement technique, a body enhancement ability, a body refining scripture, and a mind refining scripture. If this didn’t result in an invincible war god technique, he would consider himself thoroughly cheated by the system.
Drawing a deep breath to steady himself, Xiang Yu extended his finger and gently tapped the fusion button. The moment his fingertip made contact, a blinding light erupted from the interface, he suddenly stumbled to the ground, struggling to get up. He wondered what was happening as he held onto the walls of his house trying to get up. Suddenly, he felt all the strength leave his body, loosing his grip on the brick wall as he fell onto the cold floor...
...
A/N - Should I add an appraisal function? Feels weird not having it.