Chapter 1137

Task completed?

Looks like Long An's efficiency is not bad; all remaining Safe Zone tasks have been taken down.

Lin An raised his eyebrows, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes.

He directly put his clothes and equipment back on, preparing to examine them closely.

Just now, a quick glance revealed a huge amount of content; it seems the method to advance to Fourth Stage is not that simple. Lin An had already prepared himself mentally for this.

Fourth Stage Information:

Fourth Stage Introduction: After Awakened Ones advance to Fourth Stage, the true combat power calculation will shift from spirit power * attribute * additional effects, adding a rule attribute.

When facing units below Fourth Stage, the rule will have 100% effect. At Fourth Stage and above, the rule will produce a counter effect, with the final effect determined by type and mastery level.

For example: when a wielder of the fire control rule attacks a Third Stage target, the fire effect can be fully exerted and accompanied by a rule suppression trait. If the opponent is also fire-affiliated, then according to the rule effect, one can ignore or deprive the opponent's ability.

When attacking Fourth Stage and above, priority is given to consuming rule power, weakening the effect. The specifics depend on rule mastery.

Not too complicated, after reading the first section on Fourth Stage combat characteristics, Lin An quickly realized the importance of rules.

Assuming he is a Fourth Stage wielder of fire control, any Third Stage fire-affiliated Awakened One cannot even attack him in his presence. But when facing an equal-level Fourth Stage, if the opponent has a water-system rule, the two rule powers will cancel each other out, no longer having that overpowered trait.

Thus, rules also have strengths and weaknesses; even a seemingly completely suppressive rule, if mastery levels differ, might still suppress the opponent.

Rule Types:

1. Basic Element System: Fire (high temperature), Water (freezing), Wood (life, plants,), Electric (metal), Earth (body strengthening), Light (healing, support), Dark (curses, weakening), Space.

2. Trait Type: Fire immunity, explosion immunity, inverted light rays, super gravity...

3. Special Type: Solidification, hardening, doppelgänger, mirror body traversal, shadowing, elemental transformation...

4. Four Great Rule Types: Four Great Forces...

Note: The clearer the rule, the more detailed its content, the more restrictive conditions, the higher the mastery level.

Some rules limit physical fitness, e. g., those with low strength attribute cannot master transcendent strength. A few rules require the user's form to change accordingly.

Looking at the myriad rule types, Lin An felt astonished.

The rules listed in the introduction are not many, but at a glance there are still thousands. Moreover, the system information clearly states that rules can be combined, and even self-defined a certain type of rule. However, self-defined rules must not conflict, e. g., rapid heating and rapid cooling.

From the several major rule types, he couldn't help but think of his mastery of electromagnetism.

It seems his future path of rules belongs to the most 'basic' kind, and also the one with the broadest coverage.

But without doubt, it is also certainly the most difficult kind.

For example, suppose a Fourth Stage rule's power is that when attacking, cells must friction-generate electricity, unleashing an attack surpassing bodily limits. Such a simple rule naturally requires a much higher mastery than his electromagnetism, and may not even require understanding anything.

If further restrictions are added, e. g., the rule only works when using the right hand, then it becomes easier to master.

As for rule types being limited by one's physical form, this is easy to understand.

The self-defined rule is: when attacking, six hands strike simultaneously with equal damage, unaffected by weakening. Well, you'd at least need six hands....

So, if one greedily seeks to master the highest rule with the broadest applicability, is it easy that greed leads to insufficient combat power? In the early stage, the simpler and cruder the rule, the higher the mastery, the faster the combat power increase?

Continuing to read, Lin An quickly found the promotion method he cared most about.

Fourth Stage Path:

1: Rule Cards.

After using a Fourth Stage rule card, the system itself instills the corresponding rule and grants the corresponding title. If the rule requires changing the body's form, the system automatically replaces it.

Note: After fixing the rule type via the card, one cannot change the mastered rule, nor use any skills or abilities outside the rule. The promotion path must also adhere to the initial rule.

2: Equipment Draw.

After reaching the peak of Third Stage, you can draw the corresponding rule from Epic Tier or higher equipment. For example, if the equipment's trait includes a special ability, you can isolate it and strengthen it into your own rule.

3: Skill Promotion.

You may select up to two skills and solidify them into rules. The rule's effect is generated according to the skill's characteristics.

4: Talent Promotion.

You can convert your talent into a rule; the generated rule will contain the talent's trait and receive a substantial enhancement.

5: Self-Mastery.

By observation or study, you can research the essence of a certain rule and attempt to master it. Upon reaching a certain level of understanding, you can form a rule. For example, the gravity rule: when you can induce double gravity, regardless of the means, as long as it is your own ability, you can obtain a rule prototype.

After reviewing the five promotion paths, Lin An exhaled clearly and his thoughts raced.

Regarding promotion methods, it's a bit complicated.

The first card is easy to understand; he remembers the various titles on the card, which looks like a class change. It seems the most convenient and also the fastest way to realize combat power. No need to worry, no need to choose. Use whatever the system gives. Of course, development potential is also fixed to the utmost.

As for equipment draw versus skill/talent promotion, Lin An recalled the Corpse Emperor. He originally thought the Corpse Emperor gathered similar equipment to make himself stronger in some aspect, pursuing maximal effect. Now it seems that bloody stance was simply drawn from equipment.

A thermal weapon weakening, innate to mutants, should be her own talent ability. The rest comes from equipment draw.

Thus, even if the Corpse Emperor advances to Fourth Stage, he's just among the most ordinary... He chose the second simplest path, hardly making any changes.

Talent, Skill, Equipment Conversion to Promote to Fourth Stage?

Stroking his chin, Lin An imagined what differences his several promotion paths would have.

If it's a skill, suppose using the Fool skill, he could master a rule that turns people into idiots? If it's destruction, what would it be? Gain an unstoppable trait, and after any charge attack receive a massive damage boost?

Feels meaningless, more like a souped-up version of a skill.

As for talent..

If the unceasing becomes a rule, would I possess three times the time or something?

Rules are too mysterious and complex; for a moment Lin An cannot judge what effects these things would have after becoming rules.

However, after repeated consideration, he still decided to stick to the plan. Study electromagnetism, master electromagnetism, and ultimately manifest the entire electromagnetism rule!

Looking at the last few lines of explanation, Lin An unexpectedly saw his current status.

Electromagnetism Mastery: % (Upon reaching 1%, the electromagnetism rule prototype is unlocked.)

Current mobilized cell count: 1.7%; expected to obtain the preliminary magnetic field rotation rule when mobilized quantity reaches 10%.

Special Hint 1: Fourth Stage Awakened Ones can master at most two rules; it is recommended that one of the rules be selected for talent conversion.

Special Hint 2: The Perfect One's rule mastery quantity is additionally +1.

Special Hint 3: Fourth Stage Awakened Ones will gain rule parasitic ability; as long as the rule is not deciphered, they can be reborn by dripping blood at the cost of reducing all attributes by 50%! After rebirth, they permanently lose the rules used in battle!