Chapter 197: Mastery Beyond the Foundation

【Payment: 60, 00 Paradise Points, Mastery Skill Generated】

Knowledge, more knowledge, surged into Chu Danqing's mind like spring shoots after rain.

Even a Level 1 mastery skill contained far more knowledge than the base skill by over a hundredfold.

Not to mention Chu Danqing upgraded six at once—the knowledge load in his mind swelled beyond measure.

By the time Chu Danqing recovered, three hours had passed.

Rubbing his temples, Chu Danqing slowly opened his data panel.

——

【Summoning Mastery: LV. 】

【Effect: Increases all attributes of summoned entities by 2%; summoned entities gain 20% of the Apostle's average attributes】

——

【Summoning Mastery: LV. 】

【Effect: Increases the innate talent and skill effects of summoned entities by 2%; enhances the potential and growth of summoned entities】

——

【Command Mastery: LV. 】

【Effect: Reduces Summoning cost by 2; increases summoned entities' compatibility by 20%】

（Note: Minimum cost cannot drop below 1 point; cannot reach zero）

——

【Nurturing Mastery: LV. 】

【Effect: Increases summoned entities' bloodline effects by 2%; enhances summoned entities' racial heritage】

——

【Harmony Mastery: LV. 】

【Effect: Increases summoned entities' affinity tendency by 2%; harmonizes conflicts within summoned entity systems】

——

【Spirit Control Mastery: LV. 】

【Effect: Increases the spiritual awareness of summoned entities by 2 points; increases mutual understanding between summoned entities by 20%】

——

The bonuses are modest, Bijingshi Level 1, but combined with the base skill, they become very significant.

Correct—the mastery skill is not just an upgrade, it stacks.

Chu Danqing's base skills had not vanished; they still remained on the panel, their bonuses still active.

For Summoning Mastery, for example, summoned entities gain 30% of the Apostle's attributes: 10% base + 20% mastery.

Command works the same way: the current cost reduction is 10 points from base plus 2 from mastery, totaling 12 points reduced.

"Pity—the base skill crystals can't upgrade mastery skills," Chu Danqing said, his expression tinged with regret.

Chu Danqing now had only seven base skill crystals left, usable only to raise other skills from Level 1 to 10.

He was considering whether to sell them or keep them for himself.

Currently, only Mountain River Covenant and Bodyguard could be upgraded by base skill crystals.

Summoned Entity Enhancement had already reached Level 10, exceeding the upgrade range of base skill crystals.

"I still have nearly sixty thousand Paradise Points," Chu Danqing muttered.

He owned several excellent-grade items, which, while common in Rank 1, had already become obsolete for him.

At minimum, he needed fine-grade ones.

"And I need nine dragon-class materials for the Nine Cauldrons Map's growth—another nine thousand fine-grade points."

After calculating everything, he had little Paradise Points left.

"First, go to the training room, then summon Guo Ming and the others—this time, at least raise Mountain River Covenant and Bodyguard to Level 10, and see about Summoned Entity Enhancement."

"As for armor upgrades, selling excellent-grade gear would fetch only a pittance—better to give it to Guo Ming."

"The Guo family seems very interested in Paradise-produced gear; I'll do them a favor."

"Then have him find me some fine-grade summoning armor."

Weapons aren't needed—the Moon Orchid Totem is bottom-tier among fine-grade items, but Chu Danqing still favors Moon Orchid Wraith.

Plus, the two summoned entities' recovery effects are quite good.

"The only thing troubling me is the Spirit Eye Chain," Chu Danqing thought, seeking an item to upgrade equipment quality.

Previously, the equipment synthesizer could do it.

He could sell it, but where would he find four more excellent-grade detection equipment?

This item was inherently scarce.

Mixing in other types of equipment as materials might not even produce a detection item anymore.

This rarity wasn't determined by the Paradise—it arose from the Apostles' own values.

Next, equipment requirements: if a detection base skill were needed to use it, Chu Danqing would explode.

Detection has an extremely high threshold, as its development path lies in Celestial Mechanics, Prophecy, Quantum Observation, etc.

It's not something ordinary people choose—reconnaissance and detection are merely their means of gathering information.

They don't just spend money—they spend their lives.

Frequent lifespan loss, backlash, and other penalties.

But they're truly powerful—predicting enemy moves and strategizing across a thousand li are trivial.

"I'll just take it one step at a time," Chu Danqing said, instructing Guo Ming to help search—what else could he do?

Then he went out to purchase some resources—he needed to turn Petal Essence into a potion to activate Da Bao; the main ingredient alone wouldn't suffice.

He also asked the Paradise to process the Petal Essence.

【Processing fee: 1, 00 Paradise Points; processing time remaining: 59 minutes】

Chu Danqing didn't even look—he immediately agreed, leaving the Petal Essence in his personal room.

The Paradise needed one hour to process it; by the time he finished shopping and returned, it would be done.

Chu Danqing went directly to the Life System Apostle to purchase—no need to hunt for these in the marketplace.

Life System Apostles also have assessment trials, but they don't enter the trial world.

The Paradise values their skills—once their Life System base skill level meets the standard and they complete corresponding R&D and production targets, they can directly advance in rank and gain passive attributes.

Life System Apostles aren't barred from entering the trial world—they usually serve in logistics: construction, maintenance, etc.

Even when entering the trial world, they're protected by large team factions to prevent casualties.

The Paradise doesn't ignore their weak combat power and dump them into dangerous trial worlds to fend for themselves while demanding mission completion.

The Paradise's operation is logical—it could never have such an absurd mechanism.

Life System Apostles are the Paradise's productivity; selecting farmers and tailors by warrior standards is pure madness.

Do you really think cultivating a Life System Apostle is easy?

The Paradise has a highly complete protection system for Life System Apostles.

After processing, Chu Danqing spent 3, 00 Paradise Points to purchase a large amount of supplies from Life System Apostles.

This time it was expensive because Chu Danqing bought many excellent-grade medicinal herbs.

In the Reserve Rank area, 3, 00 points couldn't buy this much excellent-grade material.

Afterwards, Chu Danqing retrieved the processed Petal Essence and headed to the training room.

【Detected Apostle #9999090919 has passed A-Rank promotion trial with A-Rank evaluation, eligible for use as S-Rank evaluation】

（Note: Valid only for this session and for training room use; invalid for next use）

（Note: Paradise Points charged at S-Rank training room rate: 10, 00 points）

Chu Danqing wasn't surprised—he'd read about this in the Rank 1 Area Common Knowledge Pack.

The Paradise grants preferential treatment to Apostles who achieve A-Rank evaluation in an A-Rank promotion trial.

After all, those who reach this level are few and far between.

If he chooses S-Rank difficulty for his next promotion and achieves an S-Rank evaluation, he can use this S-Rank evaluation as an SS-Rank evaluation in the training room when entering Rank 2.

"I'd like to ask—if I summon allies to enter the S-Rank training room with me, are their fees calculated per day or per fifteen days?" Chu Danqing asked the Paradise directly.

The S-Rank training room not only offers better instruction, but extends duration from ten to fifteen days.

Most importantly, it changes the time ratio.

In the A-Rank training room, ten days consume ten days of the Apostle's rest time.

But the S-Rank training room is different—fifteen days inside consume only one day of rest time.

That's a 1: 5 internal-to-external time ratio.

So for Chu Danqing, whether it's counted as one day or fifteen days matters greatly.

If it's fifteen days, he simply couldn't afford Guo Ming's Paradise Point cost.

【Mountain River Covenant allies entering S-Rank training room are charged at 1 day】

The Paradise responded immediately; Chu Danqing's face lit up with joy.

One day is perfect.

Chu Danqing immediately summoned two.

【You summoned Alliance Object #1 and #2; Paradise Points consumed: 2, 76】

【Alliance Objects have responded】

【Alliance Object Summoning Cognitive Rationalization Modification Completed】

As usual, Guo Ming arrived first, followed by Xiong Zhigang with his troops.

This time, however, he brought a large chest—items of treasure that Chu Danqing had previously asked him to collect.

"Mr. Chu, why have all the items you requested vanished from the panel?" Xiong Zhigang's expression changed.

Chu Danqing's expression remained unchanged; it seemed treasure items were somehow linked to basic skills.

"I understand. Don't bring them next time," Chu Danqing said.

He had seen the Seven Treasures Golden Eagle, presented by the sovereign of Sulu Kingdom, inside the chest—he hadn't taken it then, but he had seen its panel.

Now the panel was gone, meaning it could no longer be liquidated.

"I've brought you here to train. You can spare a day, right?" Chu Danqing said, then explained the S-Class Training Room's conditions, emphasizing it was a rare opportunity.

This was mainly for Xiong Zhigang's approval—Guo Ming would certainly have time.

After a brief thought, Xiong Zhigang agreed.

Knowing each summoning brought unknown dangers, he always made thorough arrangements before leaving.

A single day away wouldn't cause anything major.

"Alright, but I'm not sure if all your Flying Bear Iron Cavalry can enter with you," Chu Danqing said, glancing over, then began selecting the S-Class Training Room options.

He still had a knowledge item, the "Nourishing Orthodoxy Maxims," with only 50 durability left; though it only boosted command base stats, adding it would improve the quality of instructors.

(End of Chapter)