Chapter 376 - 348: Law Body
[You have obtained three wisps of Law Essence.]
A concise and clear message surfaced in his consciousness. At the same time, a phantom "price list" unfurled in Qin Ziwen’s vision, and its contents made his breath catch:
[Upgrade Costs]
· Ability "Meteoric Inheritance" (Level 2 → Level 3): Requires Law Essence x 1,000 wisps
· Ability "Feeding Spirit and Absorbing Radiance" (Level 2 → Level 3): Requires Law Essence x 1,000 wisps
· Ability "Resonance" (Level 2 → Level 3): Requires Law Essence x 300 wisps
"So the cost to upgrade different abilities really is different," Qin Ziwen said as his eyes swept over the staggering numbers. "But these prices are a total rip-off."
’A single, precious Level 1 Aquatic Marvel only gets me three wisps of essence after being sacrificed.’
’At this rate, upgrading my abilities would require an astronomical number of Marvels.’
’Fortunately, I’m upgrading the core abilities. Once Feeding Spirit and Absorbing Radiance and Meteoric Inheritance reach Level 3, all their sub-abilities will be upgraded too.’
’From that perspective, the Abyssal Ruins isn’t a complete rip-off... like hell it isn’t!’
’It takes three hundred Level 1 Aquatic Marvels just to go up one level.’
’I guess my pets will have to suffer for now.’
He decided to try the other path: refining his Law Body.
With his decision made, Qin Ziwen acted at once.
In his mind, at his command, the three wisps of Law Essence that swirled like liquid starlight exploded into countless fine motes of light. Like a gentle spring drizzle, they silently infused every fiber of his being.
A gentle warmth rose from deep within him, bringing with it a sense of completeness that felt more fundamental, more essential.
The warmth slowly subsided.
[Law Body · Level 1 (3/100)]
Qin Ziwen closed his eyes and focused, carefully taking stock of the changes in his body. His strength, speed, perception... all his basic attributes seemed to have improved, but the increase was minuscule. He roughly estimated the overall boost to be only around 3%.
’Three percent...’ He opened his eyes and clenched his fist.
’If I can max this out, my Basic Attributes should double.’
He felt that using the essence to refine his Law Body was more worthwhile. As for his abilities, it was better to train those himself over time.
Of course, that was just his thinking based on the information he had at the moment.
’If the Abyssal Ruins could be opened to the public like the Restaurant...’
’...and I acted as a middleman, charging a service fee for every transaction... I can’t even imagine how much I’d make.’
But he entertained the thought for only a moment before snuffing it out.
’Forget it. It’s too dangerous. I can’t afford the consequences of being exposed right now.’
’Better to just lay low and build up my strength for now.’
After dismissing everyone else, Qin Ziwen explained the function of the Abyssal Ruins, which he had just tested, to Du Yu, Mogu, Qin Ziwu, and Jia Liangcai.
Mogu’s expression was one of utter shock as he processed what his master had said.
"This... Doesn’t this mean it’s a second Restaurant?!"
Jia Liangcai’s expression turned grim, a ruthless glint in his eyes. "My Lord, should we... clean up everyone who knows about this?"
Qin Ziwen thought for a moment, then shook his head. "That’s not necessary."
He had never publicly mentioned the Miracle Card since he acquired it. People knew he was collecting Aquatic Marvels, but they had no idea for what specific purpose.
Eliminating people now would, on the contrary, make him look like he had something to hide.
As for whether leaving the Abyssal Ruins structure here would be too conspicuous, Qin Ziwen wasn’t particularly worried.
He controlled the structure; without his permission, others could toss in as many items as they wanted and get nothing in return.
This was one of his privileges as the master of the Abyssal Ruins—the commission.
A minimum of 0%, a maximum of 100%.
The commission he took from others’ sacrifices was entirely up to him.
’Thinking about it, I wonder how much "tax" the Restaurant has collected over the years. Its controller must be filthy rich.’
Afterward, Qin Ziwen discussed matters further with the group, ultimately establishing the collection of Marvels, hunting of Extraordinary Beasts, and search for Extraordinary Plants as their key long-term objectives.
...
Meanwhile, after completing her trade, Xie Ya left the mountain forest and returned to her Home.
As she crossed the plains, she took out a stick of incense and lit it.
As the fragrant smoke wafted from it, all the beasts in the vicinity fled as if they had smelled something terrifying.
After returning to her city, she used a Teleportation Gate to go back to her stronghold residence.
This sprawling stronghold complex was situated in the middle of a desert.
Yellow sand filled the air, and the vast, sandy sea was a picture of desolation.
After emerging, Xie Ya went straight to a courtyard in the back of the stronghold. With a flash of light, the scenery before her changed abruptly.
A giant golden beetle, over five meters tall and ten meters long, lay quietly on the ground.
Sensing Xie Ya’s approach, it made a wary, ferocious sound. Xie Ya simply smiled, took out the Heaven-Reaching Fruit, and tossed it forward. Catching the scent of the fruit, the golden beetle raised its head, opened its mandibles, and shot out its tongue, snatching the Heaven-Reaching Fruit off the ground.
After eating the fruit, the giant golden beetle’s defensive posture slowly relaxed, and the ferocious light in its eyes gradually faded.
Seeing this, Xie Ya couldn’t help but smile. ’It really is easier to tame when they’re dumber. This fruit is a wonderful thing. It’d be even better if I could get my hands on the tree itself.’
...
"That woman is definitely after my fruit tree," Qin Ziwen said. "So, we’ll skip the forest map next week. We can go to the Gobi Map instead. I’ll open a Node at the Oasis, and we can teleport directly there."
"My Lord is absolutely right," Du Yu agreed.
Jia Liangcai added, "The Heaven-Reaching Fruit Tree used to ripen about every twenty days. Now that we’ve moved it and have the Treasure Garden, the time it takes to mature can be shortened even further."
"Exactly. Things like the Heaven-Reaching Fruit Tree that can produce fruit continuously are the real treasures." Qin Ziwen nodded, a sharp glint in his eyes. ’I still have a Plant Breakthrough Card. I’ll have to choose my target carefully.’
’The best choice would be something with a short maturation period and a high yield.’
’That way, I can make sacrifices in bulk.’
’The fruit’s actual effects are secondary. Since I’m just going to sacrifice them all, their inherent properties don’t matter much.’
Mogu said, "My Lord, I’ll keep an eye out for suitable plants when I’m in the sea."
"Mm, but focus on Extraordinary Beasts. Oh, and about that cavern in the undersea mountain—since the spiders and jellyfish are gone and only those Silver Bobbit Worms are left, make sure you don’t let them go to waste."
’Silver Blood can be extracted from Silver Bobbit Worms, and that’s a Level 3 Marvel.’
’I wonder how much Law Essence I’ll get back for sacrificing it.’
"Understood," Mogu replied.
"Alright, that’s all for today. Everyone, back to your duties."
The words had barely left his mouth when someone came running up. "Chairman, bad news! The sea level outside is starting to rise!"
"By how much?"
"It’s almost at the main gate of the Gated Community! The underground garage is flooded again."
"Are you kidding me? We’re on the ocean," Qin Ziwen frowned. ’This isn’t a river or a lake—it’s the entire sea. For the water level to rise just because it rained... that would mean the world’s sea levels are rising.’
...
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