Evolution Begins with Elemental Domination

The six Runes and the scepter floating before him all projected lines of light forward. Numerous runic totems suddenly appeared along their paths, weaving together as they extended to converge upon different glowing orbs of Authority.

’There’s a pattern.’

Su Chen stood his ground, beginning to carefully study the Runes and class Authorities that had appeared before him.

He quickly figured out the pattern.

’At least from what’s being presented, an Element-based class needs five Lv4 Runes to unlock a hidden class Authority.’

The Flame Sun Mage and Shadow Deacon were unlocked by satisfying the condition of five Lv4 Runes of the same element.

The Thunder Judge was also related to the scepter he held.

The Shadow Flame Envoy, on the other hand, was a mix of three Fire and two Dark Runes—a Dual Element class—but it was still only Three-Star.

The Spirit Element’s hidden class, ’Formless Thought Master,’ was different. It only required one Lv5 and two Lv4 Spirit Element Runes to unlock the Three-Star hidden class.

But there was a problem...

’They were good, sure.’

’But if I really choose one of these hidden class Authorities, won’t I be getting the short end of the stick?’

This offering of materials was just a simple test run.

’I definitely deserve something better.’

In fact, Yan Ruoruo had even offered to give him all her materials to raise the quality of the offering to a whole new level.

But he had refused, wary of owing her a favor.

And now, he’d run into this thorny problem.

’It only unlocked a few hidden classes. This batch is too mediocre; it’s not good enough.’

Su Chen pondered for a moment, then raised his head and spoke to the space above, ”I don’t want a hidden class Authority. You can reward me with Spiritual Dust Sand, Spirit Marrow Crystals, or just upgrade my Flame Burst Rune to Lv6.”

He waited for a full half-minute.

He tried asking in a different way, but there was still no response.

He couldn’t even hope for some supreme being to cast a glance his way, and there wasn’t even a dumb, rigid AI to consult. He would have to figure everything out himself.

’I’ve got it.’

Su Chen thought of a solution. Immediately, he looked at his Telekinesis Rune. Some upgrade materials had appeared around it: one portion of Spiritual Dust Sand and three Lv1 Telekinesis Runes. Absorbing them would allow it to upgrade to Lv5.

’If my guess is wrong, then I’ll have no choice but to take the path of the Formless Thought Master.’

’At least it’s the rarest Spirit Element class Authority available right now. It would at least cut my losses a bit.’

BUZZ!

Accompanied by an invisible wave of Telekinesis, these upgrade materials were gradually drawn into Su Chen’s hand, then absorbed one by one.

The next instant, the Telekinesis Rune glowed with a brilliant light and began to tremble violently.

The Rune’s frame and structure began to continuously extend and reconstruct.

[Telekinesis] Lv4→ Lv5 successfully advanced!

Traits enhanced: Perception Range, Object Manipulation, Spellcasting Efficiency, Strong Will Impact

New trait added: Telekinesis Construction

(Telekinesis Construction: The Spellcaster can use Telekinesis to shape and construct any formless object as they wish, bestowing upon it an absolutely stable framework.)

...

[Telekinesis] (Lv5): The Spellcaster’s spiritual will can perceive the outside world, control objects, generate force fields, and unleash a Strong Will Impact externally.

Upgrade Requirements: Telekinesis Rune 0/16, Spiritual Dust Sand 0/5, Spirit Marrow Crystal 0/1

...

’It worked.’

After making his choice, Su Chen was not forcibly set on the path of the Formless Thought Master.

As for the new effect of the Telekinesis Rune, he could only try it out after he left. Right now, he had more important things to deal with.

”Xiaoye, go eat that Lv4 Phantom Clone Rune.”

He recognized the Rune’s structure at a glance. It was composed of Dark, Light, and Water elements. Finding that it consumed too many materials needed for his Water Mirror Rune, he decided to give it directly to Xiaoye instead.

Following its master’s instructions, Xiaoye cautiously circled around, then bit down on a ball of light, tilted its head back, and swallowed it whole.

Not long after, a notification about a change to the summoning Rune immediately came through.

Pet Skill Unlocked: Phantom Clone

(Phantom Clone: Upon casting, creates two Illusions of the Netherworld War Dog that inherit 80% of the original’s Basic Attributes. Duration: 5 minutes.)

...

At the same time, WHOOSH!

The glowing Authority of the ’Flame Sun Mage’ vanished from the space, taking the path of related Fire Element Runes with it.

The reason for this was easy to understand.

The bounty reward only gave him the option of a hidden class; it wouldn’t let him get all the Runes for free.

Because Su Chen only had one Lv5 Flame Burst, he needed to gather four Lv4 Fire Element Runes to meet the requirements. Now that he had redeemed a portion of his reward early, he clearly could no longer meet the conditions, and this class path was completely severed.

’This works.’

’This whole plan is feasible.’

As long as he kept choosing to absorb Runes and redeem the corresponding reward value, he wouldn’t have to worry about the class Authority problem.

”Xiaoye, switch to another path and eat that Lv4 Dark Element Rune—that’s the Shadow Binding Rune. Then eat the Corrosion Skill next to it.”

He also noticed a Dark Element Rune from the second batch of officially released ones, which was also known by the simpler name ’Shadow Binding Skill’.

If he could get this control-type Rune, it would definitely be a huge power-up.

Xiaoye did as it was told again. Following the directions, it immediately opened its bloody maw, swallowed a Dark Element Rune in one gulp, and then took another bite at the one nearby.

The summoning Rune’s information was updated after a few seconds.

Pet Skill Unlocked: Shadow Binding Skill

(Shadow Binding Skill: Weaves chains of Shadow energy to entangle the target’s feet, immobilizing them for up to 5 seconds. If the immobilization effect does not trigger, it will still significantly slow their movement speed.)

’What a great Skill!’

Su Chen was delighted.

Then, another notification popped up.

Pet Skill Unlocked: Corrosion Skill

(Corrosion Skill: Sprays a ball of Dark Curse Energy, dealing 150% Dark Attribute damage and rapidly corroding the target’s Armor and Elemental Power, lowering their Defense Power.)

This Skill was specialized for fighting heavily armored targets and also rounded out Xiaoye’s ranged damage capabilities.

And at that very moment, because he had picked four Runes from three different class paths, his remaining reward value was clearly insufficient to supplement the requirements for the other hidden classes.

So, the four orbs of class Authority began to crumble one by one, and the Runes along their related paths vanished along with them.

Phew!

Su Chen let out a rare sigh of relief. The crisis surrounding his class change had been resolved.

His personal future was back on the right track.

Considering the requirements for the hidden class Authorities and his current Rune situation, he could totally absorb Lv4 Runes of different elements. He might even unlock a High-Star hidden class like ’Grand Elemental Master’ or ’Elemental Dominator’.

The five that had appeared just now were really not to his liking, and to a certain extent, they even limited his personal career development.

However...

”Hm?”

Su Chen’s gaze shifted forward, where a single, brilliant orb of light inexplicably remained.

”Please select one of your class options: ’Shadow Warlock (★★)’!”

A voice devoid of any emotion rang out.

After consuming numerous hidden rewards, the Shadow Prison Lord (★★★) had been downgraded, falling to the rank of Shadow Warlock (★★). However, the option was not directed at Su Chen; it pointed only at Xiaoye.

’This is ridiculous.’

Su Chen assessed internally: he only had two Lv4 Dark Element Runes on him, while Xiaoye’s Phantom Clone, Shadow Binding Skill, and Corrosion Skill were explicitly Lv4.

So, satisfying the condition of three Lv4 Runes of the same attribute could also unlock a class Authority.

’There’s a hidden mechanic like this too? Well, since a summoned creature can absorb Runes, then a class Authority should logically be fine as well.’

’If a class can be downgraded in stars, it might be possible to upgrade it back up.’

In that case...

”I choose you, Xiaoye.”