Chapter 790
Chapter 790 - 776: Investment
1,880 words
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10 min read
Lu Ping’an gently rubbed the iron rod in his hand, but accidentally broke it.
Looking at the broken pieces of iron, he also looked at his updated panel again.
[Current Status: Physique (Silver Lower), Reflex (Middle Brass), Spirit (Silver Mid-position)]
All attributes have been significantly improved, both Physique and Spirit have moved up a level, and the worst Reflex has moved up two levels.
However, Lu Ping’an still felt that the most significant improvements were in Physique and Spirit. After reaching the Silver-tier, it would be extremely difficult to advance further, especially in Physique, which had jumped a big gap from Brass to Silver.
Lu Ping’an now felt as if there were hot streams flowing through his body, and he had boundless energy.
He suspected that this was just an illusion after breaking through, but he also did some exercises to "digest" this change... However, it turned out that it wasn’t just an illusion. The training that had reached its limit in the past now felt like it was just beginning.
"...Should I say, the courtyard is the true essence?"
By this time, Lu Ping’an had also faintly noticed that his "Life Maintenance" points might not only be for maintaining his own body but also for the maintenance of the courtyard.
Perhaps, he was already an embodiment of "deified". In a way, it’s like the relationship between the "Deity Body" and the "Divine Kingdom".
And the "strength" of the Divine Kingdom would undoubtedly be reflected on himself, the "human interface".
This time, even though he didn’t feel any qualitative changes, he had only sorted out the entire courtyard’s rules and earth’s veins; Lu Ping’an felt that he had received a lot of "feedback".
The improvement of basic attributes was actually not the most essential part.
His other significant improvements were the perceptual understanding and qualitative changes of his professional fundamental abilities such as "Affinity for Fire", "Affinity for Life Energy", and "Breathing Technique".
"Sure enough, it’s faster and smoother now."
Now, compared to before, using his abilities has become much smoother.
All sorts of ingenious ideas flashed through his mind, using abilities easily like breathing, and the feeling of tearing through a layer of fog when opening his eyes brought Lu Ping’an an excellent state of mind.
If a somewhat inappropriate analogy had to be made, before, when he had a 100-point hardware, it only exerted 80 points of use. Now, after reorganization and adjustment, it genuinely exerted 120 points of effect.
Even more direct, it’s actually the improvement of "Profession". Lu Ping’an estimated it was only half as difficult to promote other professions to Decree-level. His "talent" has been greatly enhanced.
"How did it happen... or should I say, there are higher-level rules ’within’ me, and the rest is just filling in the blanks?"
Lu Ping’an shook his head. He had no plans to delve deeper, as it was still too far away from him. He should wait until he becomes Rule-level to consider it.
For now, it’s good enough to use it well.
He found an empty space and exercised a bit. Other professionals doing similar things were not few.
The long journey was boring, but there always had to be something to do.
Professionals’ time was always the most precious, and Professional Skills and Abnormal Abilities needed to be tempered and trained. Every day, a large number of professionals improved themselves through basic training and battle training.
When he was idle, Lu Ping’an would also find someone to practice with from time to time.
Generally speaking, the outcome was evident. Lu Ping’an’s individual strength had surpassed the average level of professionals, and that was when he was not wearing armor.
After all, this place is the "Divine Kingdom". Occasionally, Divine Envoys would patrol. A little louder noise would be swept by an invisible force, making people uncomfortable.
Many methods weren’t easy to use, and naturally, the fights were not very enjoyable. Most people focused on tempering their basic abilities.
The improvement of professional skills is the foundation of professionals. In most cases, there are no shortcuts...
"Today, there are three spots, one for Battle-professions, one for Gardeners, and one for Beast Tamers... Healers are also acceptable, highest bidder wins. The last one will be reserved for priority within the group."
That’s right, the investment quota is now increased by one.
Another aspect of Lu Ping’an’s breakthrough was the evolution of his "investment".
[Investment Life (Silver Lower): Invest in creditworthy targets with a minimum return rate of 15% and a maximum return rate of 25%. Also, the invested target will receive the ’Life Shine’ effect, greatly enhancing their status and life returns. Current investment limit is four people, investment range is 1-3.]
[Life’s Ledger (Sub-ability): Those invested will be recorded in Lu Ping’an’s Life Ledger, whether it’s an animal or plant...]
Compared to the previous preliminary version, the overall improvement is evident.
The return rate increased from 10 to 20 up to 15 to 25. With some luck... as long as Lu Ping’an is willing to invest the maximum amount, he can obtain a "quarter (25%)" of someone else’s.
In reality, Lu Ping’an was basically getting the minimum 10% return before because he could only invest 1 point.
Previously, he could only invest one point at a time, but now he could invest up to three points. Through Lu Ping’an’s attempts, three points were required to achieve the perfect effect for Decree-level professionals, providing the best possible feedback... Several times, Lu Ping’an felt that he had received the full quarter.
Investing in professionals/animals for the "Life Shine" effect is an upgraded version of the previous "Excellent Condition." In their words, after adding the BUFF, various inspirations flash through their minds, and their training significantly improves.
Besides spending points faster, there’s nothing wrong with it, perfectly in line with Lu Ping’an’s expectations... Just by lying down, he can watch his strength soar.
As Lu Ping’an reads and watches others practice while waiting to gain experience and level up, he shocks those informed professionals.
Those who have experienced the effect of the "investment" will naturally fight for the quota. Lu Ping’an’s other dream of "auctioning investment quotas" also comes true.
Looking at the yawning, book-reading Lu Ping’an, they not only don’t underestimate him but are even more optimistic about his future.
"...A talent that gets stronger just by lying down, that’s too much, isn’t it?"
"No wonder he’s a Decree-level professional at such a young age; it’s just too much of a cheat..."
"You can marvel more at it. Maybe in a decade or so, he’ll be at Rule-level..."
In the world of professionals, might makes right. Lu Ping’an’s friendliness, strength, and promising future are the foundations of his "good popularity."
There’s no such thing as unrequited love, but a full foundation makes it much easier for love to find its way.
When not in battle, the lives of professionals are simple and pure. But when a group of them gets together, chit-chat often ensues.
"The worst I’ve ever been through was the jungle war; that’s no place for a human to go..."
As professional warriors, they naturally talk about their battlefield experiences.
At this time, a bunch of beginners gathered, with wide-eyed gazes at the veterans, hoping they would say more... This information could save their lives in crucial moments.
For the new recruits, this kind of opportunity is pretty rare.
Sometimes when a veteran or a few old birds start talking, a group gathers around to listen to their tales.
Each time, Lu Ping’an would move a small stool over and blend in with the newcomers to "attend the class"... Uh, making the big shots above a little uncomfortable.
It’s true that he’s a newcomer, but the veterans don’t dare treat him like a rookie.
After all, most veterans can’t deal with Lu Ping’an. But consider this: having such a formidable character listen to your experience is a sign of respect, isn’t it?
"...How do you deal with troops of heavily armed soldiers? Bows and arrows? Abnormal abilities? Broken stones? Mechanical traps? No, just turn around and run. Their consumption will always be higher than yours; never face them head-on..."
Looking at the veteran talking about "how to deal with heavy armor warriors" above, Lu Ping’an felt a subtle sense, even as if the other party was hinting at something... Remember, just yesterday Lu Ping’an had beaten this guy!
"...When you can’t outrun them and the enemy is more mobile than you, like charging up like a train..."
Someone chimed in, apparently referring to yesterday’s sparring results.
𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺
At once, there was a burst of laughter, as many people remembered the veteran being knocked away yesterday.
"Go away, if you don’t want to listen, that’s fine. I earned a reputation as a can opener (heavy armor killer) there. I don’t know how many heavy armors died at my hands; you guys just don’t understand..." He became a bit annoyed.
But he was also telling the truth, having gained some renown for taking down heavy armor, which is why he actively sought out Lu Ping’an for sparring...
It took much persuasion from those below to get him back on track.
Only after staring at the innocent-looking Lu Ping’an did he continue speaking.
"...When facing someone with strong bursts of speed and acceleration, charge straight at them. Don’t let them build momentum. A charging heavy cavalry is extremely terrifying. Their most vulnerable time is during the first few seconds of startup."
"Oh, so that’s why you charged at the train head?" Some people are just plain bad.
This time, the veteran didn’t get angry, as he too had reviewed that losing battle many times.
After pondering for a moment, the "can opener" continued.
"I don’t think my response at that time was wrong. If I had to do it again, I would still choose to proactively get close, bypass the train head, and attack the weak joints. In fact, I found a weak joint once..."
"So why did you miss?" Although it was still stirring the pot, this time an old stager asked the question sincerely.
That big shot had also watched the duel and was surprised that the "can opener" was so easily blown away by the "can."
"...Very hot." He gritted his teeth and squeezed out a word, not wanting to say more. His right hand was still bandaged from the burn.
When the gazes turned to Lu Ping’an, he innocently extended his right hand.
With a casual flick, the golden holy flame, bluish-purple poisonous flame, jet-black death flame, and orange-red blaze ignited on each fingertip.
The four-colored flames illuminated the excessively young face.
At this time, the veterans remembered just how outrageous his multi-tasking was... His most unbelievable feat was not just having multiple jobs but also reaching the master level in multiple major domains after achieving such depth in one particular field.
"This monster..."
— End of Chapter 790 —