Chapter 1664

Buzz!

The interface changed again.

In an instant, countless weapon icons flashed onto the screen.

Under a sea of eerie green, Lin An felt as if he had stepped into a vast forest of swords!

At a glance, everything in sight turned out to be set-level weapons.

Moreover, perhaps it had to do with the exclusive exchange.

These set-level weapons were all swords, without exception!

One-handed swords, two-handed swords, rapiers, short swords...

Even though Lin An had seen many swords in the reputation shop, he was still somewhat shocked at this moment.

"Are even the lowest ones set-level...?"

He swallowed dryly.

Although set-level equipment was hardly anything to him now.

But seeing so many sets laid out before him still gave him a dazed feeling.

After all, they're still sets...

Just a few months ago, he had risked life and limb to gather the Death God set...

A single piece of White Equipment dropped into the real world would be enough to make countless survivors scheme and fight to the death.

Yet in the Apocalypse Net, a set component capable of driving countless people mad—even sparking a war on Earth—now appeared in the exchange list as worthless as the cheapest cabbage.

Under such a strong impact.

For some reason, Lin An couldn't help but smirk at himself.

His mindset still hadn't adjusted.

He had only recently reached the Fourth Stage, so he knew nothing of true power.

Like a kid who suddenly struck it rich, the first encounter with the Fifth Stage shocked his understanding of everything.

Moreover, a tiny line of text at the very top of the list left Lin An feeling somewhat withdrawn.

"(Set) Basic Equipment Exchange List: Weapons, uniform exchange price: 1 point"

"Note: Equipment of this tier only has partial pseudo-rule effects; only a few high-quality items grant attribute boosts. This tier's equipment provides no bonus to attributes above 1000 points."

"War Star Level equipment: can provide partial rule bonuses, or possesses partial Rule Ability. Provides attribute bonuses under 1300 points. (Exchange cost: 10-999 points)"

"Star-Destroying Level equipment: possesses complete rule, provides attribute bonuses under 1600 points. (Exchange cost: 999-9,999 points)"

"Shattered Star Level equipment: possesses multiple combined rules, provides attribute bonuses under 19,000 points. (Exchange cost: 9,999-99,999 points)"

"A set is worth just one point... judging by the system's tone, this is basically trash..."

"Are sets at the Fifth Stage merely basic equipment?"

"For Awakened Ones beyond the Fifth Stage, only gear with Rule Ability counts as true equipment?"

Looking at the information the system provided, though simple, it was still precious to Lin An.

With a brief explanation, some of his earlier doubts were cleared up.

Although, it was quite a blow.

However...

Lin An instinctively lowered his head to glance at the Death God set he wore.

According to the system's explanation, a basic set cannot boost attributes above 1,000 points, nor does it grant any rule-based enhancement.

But the Death God set is clearly not like that.

To be frank, although the Death God set no longer gives him much combat help, Lin An still finds it quite usable.

Whether it's Blink or Judgment Space, as functional skills their effects are still quite good.

"It looks like the Death God set should count as high-quality Basic Equipment."

That's also a form of self-comfort.

Quickly scanning the cheapest set list, Lin An earnestly searched for gear that could help him.

Yet in that quick look he happened to spot a set component once dropped by the Corpse Emperor.

Even the famed sets of those "Emperor-level" powerhouses from his past-life memories appeared before him in considerable numbers.

Storm Armor... Immortal Bastion... Zeus's Wrath...

These, which in his memory were once coveted but unattainable Fourth-Stage sets, now lay displayed in the list like mere trash.

Although they look worthless now, Lin An still can't help feeling a bit sentimental.

"Indeed, they're not useful anymore."

"Just like Cain's Blade—aside from the Destruction Impact, which still works as a movement skill I use often, the Demonic Form... I can't even use it anymore..."

Lin An lowered his gaze to the Cain's Blade and Nether‑Shadow Blade in his hands.

Both weapons are Epic Tier; they used to be his trump cards, but now at this level of combat they're hardly better than using his fists.

"Exchanging more set-level weapons is pointless..."

After quickly scanning over a thousand set-level weapons, Lin An soon realized they offered little boost to his combat power.

Although he saw many weapons with interesting effects, far stronger than the Cain's Blade he holds.

But a simple calculation revealed bitterly that even swapping both weapons would raise his power by only a few tenths of a point.

As for some skill effects that look decent...

Compared to rule abilities, they're really just trash.

Just like the Blink skill and domain that come with the Death God set—even when he doubles his casting, he can't exhaust his Blink uses as fast as the simplest spatial rule.

As for facing death, Judgment and the like… they're useful only against peers or those weaker than him.

"It can't be said to be trash..."

He silently put away his double swords, Lin An shook his head, and could only say that the enemy he now faces is too strong.

He was like a player who just left the novice village, suddenly rushing into the high-level area. His previous top-tier gear was now useless.

"The exchange price is really too expensive."

"No wonder, no wonder those at the Fifth Stage appear to have hardly any Equipment."

Suppressing his complex emotions, Lin An glanced at his twenty points and still chose to check the War Star Level Equipment.

Starting from War Star Level, equipment comes with rule effects by default.

The cheapest ten points—maybe he could find something both cheap and helpful?

Even if it's a bit pricey, he still has captives outside that he hasn't killed.

Scraping together, maybe a hundred points could be enough?

With a glimmer of hope, Lin An decisively opened the War Star Level exchange list.

"Swish"

Accompanied by the familiar switch of the light curtain.

In an instant, countless crimson lights filled the entire field of view.

Unlike the equipment set interface, this time, even just facing the virtual equipment projection, Lin An felt a powerful oppressive force pressing upon him.

It seemed as if merely displaying these Equipment was enough to intimidate hearts!

"Equipment Name: Dragonfall Giant Sword (War Star Level)"

"Equipment Attributes: Strength +100, Constitution +100 (Attribute increase of 300 below 1000 points! 600 increase below 600 points!)"

"Equipment Rule 1: Spirit Light Rule"

Upon activation, summon a Fifth Stage Initial Dragon Soul, dealing a single mental shock to the target, and generate a Dragon Realm illusion; within the illusion, nine Fourth Stage Peak Dragon Souls are generated, automatically attacking the target. The Dragon Souls reborn within 10 seconds after death, until the rule collapses!

"Equipment Rule 2: Strength Rule"

Upon activation, the Strength attribute temporarily increases by 200 points; when attacking, it also brings a Fifth Stage Initial Rule collision effect.

"Equipment Rule 3: Low-Level Energy Immunity"

Upon activation, it immunizes against all energy attacks below Fifth Stage, and reduces rule damage of all energy types by 10% for Fifth Stage Intermediate and below.

"Equipment's built-in skills (17 types): Swift, Armor Break, High Heat, Dragon Blood Burst, Rend, Cleavage, Behead, Heavenly Wrath Dragon Roar, Heaven-Fall Strike..."

"Exchange Points: 999 points!"