Chapter 34: Talent Advancement

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[Animal No. 230001]
[Evolution Opportunity Obtained]
[Talent Promotion]
[Detecting]
[Detection Complete]
[Please select the talent to promote]
1. [Dragon Bone]
2. [Dragon Breath]
3. [Dragon Transformation]
4. [Propagation]

Chen Xiao exhaled in relief as he learned the game had ended; he had truly feared being trapped there forever. Then, he immediately fell into a dilemma. Was he supposed to choose one to upgrade? He glanced at Jiang Yunhan beside him, who was not struggling at all but was instead overjoyed. His eyes were even brighter than usual.

Wait—they only had one talent! Of course, he didn't have to struggle! It turned out this was a "happy problem" for him. Moreover, the talents offered by the rules were all innate talents! Does that mean those gained through [Propagation] cannot be upgraded? It seems so...

Chen Xiao pondered and decided to promote his growth-type talent—the SSSS-ranked [Propagation]. First, [Dragon Bone] was his core talent, but the issue was that he rarely reached its full potential. The physical stat bonuses from [Propagation] each time, combined with the 50% strength boost from the Black Goat bloodline, meant his strength already exceeded the first-stage limit by more than half! It was practically sprinting toward the second-stage limit.

Second, [Dragon Breath] was merely an auxiliary talent; although he used it frequently, it ultimately couldn't help him much. As for [Dragon Transformation], it was his trump card, having just saved his life. But Chen Xiao was reluctant to promote it. The reason was the "animalization" factor. While the massive leap in strength was exhilarating, the cost of permanently increasing animalization was too high. Unless absolutely necessary, Chen Xiao would not use this talent again, so he naturally excluded it.

Conversely, [Propagation] was already heaven-defying as an SSSS-ranked talent, and now it had received a chance to be promoted! If he used it here: what if the conditions became easier, or the talents obtained became even more powerful? His potential would become infinite. It might sound like the word "potential" didn't matter much to him, as few in the apocalypse were his match. But he couldn't forget the likes of Horse-Face, those who called themselves "gods," lurking in the shadows. Chen Xiao had to become stronger than Horse-Face before the fifth Blood Moon! Otherwise, if Horse-Face emerged, he would likely be the first target to be eliminated. Chen Xiao needed to strengthen his potential—his foundation in the apocalypse—to stand a chance against these beings.

"Promote [Propagation]."

Having made up his mind, Chen Xiao no longer hesitated and decisively chose the promotion. The next moment, a voice sounded:

[Animal No. 230001]
[Talent Upgraded]
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[Talent Obtained]
[Propagation: SSSSS-Rank Growth Talent]
Description: The Tyrannosaurus Rex possesses extreme reproductive capabilities and takes pride in it; a male will dominate many females.
Effect: Intermittently enters a state of propagation.
Note: In this state, dual cultivation with the opposite sex permanently increases physical strength and power, with a probability of obtaining the other party's talent and enhancing it.
Note: The opposite sex must have affection for the talent holder; otherwise, no talent will be obtained (the higher the affection, the greater the increase in physical strength and power, and the higher the probability of obtaining a talent).
Note: No attributes or talents will be gained after the daily time limit is exceeded.

After reading the description, Chen Xiao gasped. A five-S talent! Unheard of! Its effects were even more heaven-defying. Comparing it to the previous description, there were two changes after this promotion! First, the bonus from [Propagation] had changed from just "physical strength" to "physical strength and power." Second, [Propagation] would not only grant a chance to obtain a talent but would also enhance that talent!

"Enhance talent? What does that mean..."

As if in response, that voice sounded:
[Detecting Propagation Talent]
[Water Source]
[Enhancing]
[Talent Obtained]
[All-Things Water: SS-Rank Creation Talent]
Description: One gives birth to two, two to three, and three to all things; utilizing the formless nature of water to carry the Tao of all things.
Effect: The possessor of this talent can create water from nothing, control all currents in the world, condense water into weapons, and shape liquid into tools. With a flick of the finger, everything related to water is within their grasp.

Is this really an SS-rank talent? Is the ranking system this competitive? Such an earth-shattering ability is only SS-rank! But Chen Xiao suddenly realized this was a creation-type talent—the rarest kind! Being this powerful was reasonable!

Unable to wait, Chen Xiao created a "Water Blade" right in front of Jiang Yunhan.

"Huh? How many talents do you have?"

Jiang Yunhan was clearly frightened by his move, his mind racing as he recalled that this guy had never used water before! Chen Xiao didn't answer, instead slashing toward Jiang Yunhan; he wanted to test the blade's strength!

"Damn it, using me to test your talent?"

Jiang Yunhan knew exactly what he was up to. He stepped forward, and a green light emerged from his palm.
[Mystic Turtle Vitality: SSS-Rank Magic Talent]
He also wanted to see how monstrous his newly promoted ability was!

"Boom—"
The Water Blade slammed hard against the green light in Jiang Yunhan's palm, unable to advance a single inch. Of course, Chen Xiao hadn't used his full strength; he just wanted to try the new ability. Suddenly, he had a whim—he manipulated the stagnant water within the blade in his mind, and it began to move! It moved faster and faster! The water flow on the surface was so fast it began to spray! It was an automatic water blade!

Chen Xiao felt he had finally found the right way to use it and slashed diagonally at Jiang Yunhan.

"Boom—"
This time, Jiang Yunhan didn't expect the blade to suddenly become so aggressive, and it broke through his defense!

"Rip!"
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Jiang Yunhan's palm was instantly wounded! Chen Xiao hurriedly retracted the flowing Water Blade, letting it scatter into a puddle on the ground.

"Sorry, brother-in-law, are you okay? I was just a bit careless..."

Jiang Yunhan gave him an annoyed look, and a green light appeared on the wound. In just a second, the wound healed completely! Healing magic! Chen Xiao's eyes widened. This guy had obtained a great opportunity! A talent like this would be protected by a dozen S-rank experts even in the capital!

"You're very strong, but unfortunately, our paths are different."

Seeing the envious look in Chen Xiao's eyes, Jiang Yunhan felt a bit smug. Chen Xiao retorted with disdain, "Tch, if it weren't for the fact that you entrusted your sister to me, I'd chop you into pieces and see how you recover."

The green light in Jiang Yunhan's palm intensified. "I'll tell you one more time: don't have any ideas about my sister!"

Chen Xiao was about to snap back at him, but suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. In the center of the arena, a sudden flash of light pierced the silence. The familiar white light poured down like a curtain, instantly filling the entire space.

Following that, Chen Xiao's figure reappeared on the peak of Mount Tuoluo. What heaven-defying methods these were! The Rules, Horse-Face! These were existences that induced primal fear. Appearing with him were Jiang Yunhan and, in the distance, Liu Chang'an. The four of them slowly drew closer.

Liu Chang'an looked at Chen Xiao with a sense of relief and thanked him, "Thanks to you, I managed to survive."

Chen Xiao waved his hand dismissively, "It's nothing." Then, he changed the subject, "I'm just curious, when do you plan to kill me?"

The sentence made cold sweat break out on Liu Chang'an's forehead. It was true that he had never given up the idea of killing Chen Xiao; he just hadn't found the opportunity. Because of his loose tongue and underestimation, he had let Chen Xiao know too many secrets. Only the dead could keep secrets! It would be best to kill that Jiang Yunhan too! To nip the trouble in the bud!

"Why would I kill you?" Liu Chang'an acted naturally, feigning confusion.

"Hahaha, just kidding." Chen Xiao laughed twice, turned around, and walked down the mountain, exposing his back to Liu Chang'an.

"Fishing" for a trap, waiting for the fish to bite! At this moment, Liu Chang'an was so focused on killing Chen Xiao that he had completely forgotten that it was Chen Xiao who had broken the game's rules. How could he make such a low-level apocalyptic mistake? But at this moment, he had to believe it, because the longer he waited, the fewer opportunities he would have! Others might not know, but he knew that after fighting him, Chen Xiao must have paid a terrible price! When he had knelt on the ground back then, it wasn't that simple; he was likely still in a weakened state!

The corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl upward! This opportunity—a one-hit kill! He had to seize it!
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