Chapter 179 The First Threshold

Having arrived at the combat training room, Han Xiao closed the heavy door, leaving only himself in the vast space.

Taking a deep breath, he stretched his shoulders and opened his attribute panel.

The negative status "40% Experience Penalty," which had been hanging in his status bar for over fifteen months, had only a few minutes of duration remaining. Staring at the dwindling time, Han Xiao felt a slight surge of emotion, a bittersweet sense of relief.

"It's been tough, sixteen months of experience penalty..." Han Xiao muttered with a sigh.

Sixteen months ago, he had finally stepped into the realm of supreme power, becoming a newly born Super A. Those who had just entered this circle would always face more covetous eyes and hostility.

In just a year and a half, the situation had been turbulent. First, he fought with Sisko to protect the Evolutionary Cube, then the duel with Herber, reporting to the Red Empire's homeworld, being provoked by the Empire's allies who wanted to gauge his strength, briefly fighting with the Otherworldly Deities, and not long ago, he even encountered the biggest crisis to date, almost getting taken down by the Arcane Church.

Having only been a Super A for about a year and a half, he had already experienced so many crises. Looking back, it felt like a lifetime ago. Han Xiao was still somewhat apprehensive and took a deep breath.

Fortunately, this brother managed to resolve these dangers with his clever brain and handsome looks... Han Xiao shamelessly gave himself a thumbs-up.

Crisis was also an opportunity, and he had established his position because of it, and now he had finally gotten rid of the negative state of the experience penalty.

Things were getting better, getting better!

Han Xiao rubbed his palms together, his face full of "happiness."

"I'm at level 260 now, which I urgently raised while dealing with those twisted freaks from the Arcane Church, costing me 40% more experience. With the experience I've accumulated again during this time..." Han Xiao looked at the experience bar and estimated, his eyes lighting up, "I should be able to reach level 280."

At this level, the experience required for each level was staggering, an utterly despairing number.

Han Xiao roughly calculated that, without the experience penalty, ignoring advancement and job change, the experience to level up once was probably enough for a level 1 player to level up all the way to around level 160, maybe even more... Moreover, as the level increased, the upgrade cost also kept multiplying by a certain coefficient, growing all the way.

If there wasn't a long-term stable channel to harvest experience from players, purely based on the current level of mission rewards, just doing missions would take until the Year of the Monkey to reach level 280.

The experience accumulated during this period was enough to reach level 280, which was still due to his political assets. Those political assets experience efficiency boosts added up, the effect was similar to a constant double experience card, boosting any way of obtaining experience.

Terrifying!

After marveling for a while, the duration of the experience penalty finally reached the last second. The icon faded and disappeared from the status bar.

"The side effect of the Evolutionary Cube is finally gone."

A smile appeared on Han Xiao's face. He rubbed his muscles, sensing the activity of the cells in his body. The actual manifestation of this side effect was the cells slowly adapting to the rapid evolution of the genes. The stronger the individual, the more energy the cells carried, the longer the conversion process. And at this moment, the faint discomfort in the body's cells finally dissipated, completely completing the change.

"The effect of the Evolutionary Cube is really powerful. I've only used it once. According to the mechanism displayed on the panel, each time the Qi Strength Boundary is raised by one level, a new level of evolution should be obtained."

Han Xiao nodded secretly. He used the Evolutionary Cube in a hurry last time in order to reach Super A. The side effect came at the wrong time. He didn't plan to use the Evolutionary Cube only once, but he had to choose the timing carefully next time. The best time to use the Evolutionary Cube was after spending all the accumulated experience during the version update.

But that was still early. Han Xiao's attention returned to the attribute panel. He calmed his breathing and let the experience bar start burning, choosing to level up.

[【Overlord Mechanic】 has been raised to Lv2, Qi Strength +360, Strength +5, Dexterity +5, Endurance +12, Intelligence +15, you have obtained 12 free attribute points, 1 potential point!]

…

[【Overlord Mechanic】 has been raised to Lv20, Qi Strength +360, Strength +5, Dexterity +5, Endurance +12, Intelligence +15, you have obtained 12 free attribute points, 1 potential point!]

A surge of heat welled up within him, the energy level gradually climbing.

As the experience bar slowly emptied, the level of his main class soared all the way, finally stopping at level 20.

The advancement threshold every 20 levels arrived as scheduled, and the corresponding prompt popped up on the panel.

[You have reached level 280, you have triggered the advancement mission 【Legendary Start】]

[【Legendary Start】: Obtain 1 point of Universe-level Legendary Score – Only the strong can write their own legends]

As soon as this advancement mission popped up, it was displayed as a "completable" golden state.

Taking a glance, Han Xiao was immediately amused.

Universe-level Legendary Score was the highest level of Legendary Score. The deeds that had been made had to cause a sensation throughout the universe. Players needed to complete very difficult tasks or do extremely outrageous things to have a chance to obtain it. This advancement mission already belonged to the ultra-late stage level. In the World Tree Civilization invasion version, Universe-level Legendary Score had a relatively stable acquisition channel.

Even with Han Xiao's current status, it was not easy to obtain Universe-level Legendary Score.

However, Han Xiao happened to have a Universe-level Legendary Score, and it was none other than "Enemy of the Arcane Church"!

"This is really..." Han Xiao's mouth twitched, "a blessing in disguise?"

He had been around for so many years, and he only had this one Universe-level Legendary Score, which showed how rare this thing was.

Now he didn't have a mission settlement card in his hand. Originally, he thought that he would be temporarily stuck at the level 280 advancement mission, but he didn't expect... he was lucky this time too.

Han Xiao grinned, his heart filled with joy.

Hehe, thanks to the Arcane Church for giving him the Legendary Score.

That's right, he also had to thank Fording... As soon as he thought of Fording, Han Xiao's hands itched a little; he was used to touching it.

This was a surprise that fell from the sky. Han Xiao didn't hesitate and directly chose to advance.

[You have met the mission requirements]

[Level 280 advancement mission completed]

[Endurance bonus +55, 1 Endurance +410 Health Points = 420 Stamina Points]

[Your energy level has exceeded 52,000 Enas]

[You have obtained the feat 【Multivariate Resistance Enhancement】!]

[You have obtained the feat 【Energy Usage Optimization】!]

[You have obtained the feat 【High-Level Life Vitality】!]

[You have comprehended the skill 【High-Level Pressure】!]

[The effect of all your Virtual Technology skills has been increased by 40%]

With a crackling sound, electric light flashed in Han Xiao's eyes, and it took a long time before he spat out a wisp of hazy blue aura.

This time there was no species sublimation, and the degree of evolutionary pain was very low.

He looked down and sized himself up. There was not much change in appearance. His height had increased a little, and his muscles looked more beautiful. His chest muscles were like two iron plates covering his chest, and his abdominal muscles were well-defined.

His head was a little itchy. He raised his hand and grabbed a large handful of hair.

"Hair loss?!"

Han Xiao was shocked and hurriedly summoned a mirror. Only after seeing it clearly did he breathe a sigh of relief.

Advancement catalyzed metabolism and improved the body's cell tissue. The original hair fell off, and new hair grew out. The fallen hair was caught in his hair, so no wonder it was itchy.

"Fortunately, fortunately, my head of dark and thick hair is still there."

Han Xiao breathed a sigh of relief. He almost thought he was walking on the evil path of sacrificing hair for power, the balder the stronger, and finally turning into Bald Qiang.

The Overlord Mechanic's class cap was level 40, requiring level 300 to change class. The next species sublimation was also at level 300. Level 280 was an ordinary intermediate advancement.

However, an energy level of 52,000 seemed to be an implicit threshold. Super As had strengths and weaknesses. Not everyone reached an energy level of 52,000. The several abilities given seemed like the basic abilities possessed when reaching a new realm.

After obtaining 【Endless Material Science】 and 【Virtual Creator】, the energy level had increased, approaching 52,000 points. Now, raising 20 levels plus advancement was enough to break through this limit.

Han Xiao's eyes flickered, and he glanced at the new abilities. The effect confirmed his guess.

Although there was no species evolution, each advancement was a sublimation of the life level. Breaking through 52,000 energy level entered a new life realm. These were all passive abilities inherent in high-level life. Basically, everyone at this level had them.

The effect of 【Multivariate Resistance Enhancement】 was to increase various resistances. It belonged to a total bonus like 【Perfect Mechanical Sense】, with a coefficient of 1.25x.

【Energy Usage Optimization】 reduced the Qi Strength and Stamina consumption of various skills, with a range of 27%, giving him stronger endurance.

【High-Level Life Vitality】 increased the maximum Health Points and recovery speed. The maximum Health Points +17%, basic recovery speed +120%.

These three were all feats that enhanced the basics, mainly improving the quality of resistance to attacks. No matter what profession, they would have stronger vitality.

The only skill, 【High-Level Pressure】, was an on-off aura-type ability. The life level itself had a suppressive effect, but now it was a skill.

The pressure could cover a range of area, and the individuals in that area would be affected, gaining a negative state that reduced attributes. However, it could only take effect on intelligent biological individuals lower than their own level. Some individuals not affected by the spirit were immune to this effect (such as mechanical life). It was useless in same-level combat.

"Isn't this Conqueror's Haki?" Han Xiao scratched his head.

Thinking about it, this ability didn't seem to have any effect other than crushing newbies. And when it came to crushing newbies, what aura did a Mechanic need? A group fight was enough.

The three feats were more reliable.

Although it was just an ordinary advancement, the increase was very considerable. In the later stages, each advancement was not free.

His basic Endurance bonus was 1 Endurance = 410 Health Points. The increases brought about by other abilities were 【Advanced Tough Life】 +60, 【Eternal Body】 +140 (every 2 levels +1%), S-grade rank bonus +50, and 【Extraordinary Physique】 maximum Health Points +10%, 【High-Level Life Vitality】 maximum Health Points +17%, 【Well-Trained】 +100 Health Points.

In terms of Mechanical Force, there were also various feats and skills that transformed the Intelligence attribute into Mechanical Affinity.

He threw the free attribute points into Intelligence and carefully looked at the changes in the attribute panel, satisfied:

[Total Level: 280]

[Main Class: Mechanic]

[Race: Black Star Race]

[Attributes: Strength 3347, Dexterity 4080, Endurance 6129, Intelligence 9029, Mystery 2950, Charm 1163, Luck 1]

[Free Attribute Points: 0]

[Potential Points: 21]

[Health Points: 5,137,427]

[Stamina Points: 4,417,950]

[Qi Strength: 89320 【Lv17】]

[Lv17 Qi Strength Total Bonus: Strength +1206, Dexterity +1488, Endurance +1890, Intelligence +2345, Mystery +1123, Stamina Upper Limit +311520, Mechanical Affinity +1632%]

[Energy Level: 53750]

[Rank: S+ (Super A)]

[S-grade Rank Bonus: Endurance bonus extra +50, All Resistances +25%, Highest Attribute +25%, Remaining Attributes +15%, Extra 750 Free Attribute Points Obtained, 50 Potential Points]

【The future of Super As is a fog. Everyone is groping their way forward. In the process of evolution, they will encounter thresholds. Congratulations on crossing the first one.】

"This remark is actually so formal."

Han Xiao rubbed his chest muscles, not teasing his flesh, but feeling a little uncomfortable.

Once the rank reached S+, the higher ranks were stronger, but they were still collectively called Super A. In terms of destructiveness, it was not as qualitatively transformative as going from Calamity grade to Super A. Since there was no clear reference for Super A battle strength, the ranks inside the Super A were also speculated. The division was like a small realm, belonging to the scope of quantitative change.

Just like how people in the early days of exploration thought that Calamity grade was the upper limit of power, now people also thought that Super A was the limit of personal power. What the Otherworldly Deities wanted was to imitate the Original One, break the limit, and innovate a great realm upwards in the power system, producing fundamental changes. Leaving aside the Otherworldy Deities' character, this pursuit was still very ambitious.

After advancing, the upgrade cost skyrocketed again. After taking a look, Han Xiao knew that he didn't have enough experience to reach level 300 in the short term. After all, he earned players' experience through the array shop. Even if he earned it quickly, it still needed time to accumulate, and the current players had learned a lot of knowledge, and the efficiency of providing experience had fluctuated.

He didn't plan to continue waiting. He had been in seclusion for several months. The sooner the hidden danger of the Otherworldly Deities was eliminated, the better, for fear of complications.

During this time, he had created a lot of targeted equipment. As long as the Empire was willing to provide assistance, he wouldn't dare say that he could definitely kill the Otherworldly Deities, but at least he was confident.

"I haven't contacted the Empire for a while. I don't know how they're getting along with the Arcane Church... If they've reached a consensus, they should be able to spare the time to deal with the Otherworldly Deities."

Han Xiao took out the communicator, ready to contact the Empire personnel to ask about the situation.

Just then, Philip suddenly popped up.

"Master, someone just sent me an encrypted message, buzz."

"Sending an encrypted message in front of me? Sneaky. Decrypt it and see who sent it."

"I, I can't decrypt it alone, so I came to find you, buzz." Philip was aggrieved.

Han Xiao paused, narrowed his eyes. Philip was now his powerful assistant in virtual technology. The fact that Philip couldn't decrypt it alone proved that the other party was not simple, at least a Star Cluster-level or higher force. Secretly contacting him, they must have a plot.

"What did the encrypted message say?"

"They said they were the relics of the Spacetime Lockers and wanted to meet with you in person."

Han Xiao was stunned, his face slightly changed.

When he was looking up the Spacetime Amber's information, he remembered the current situation of the Spacetime Locker race.

So... the Federation of Light is looking for me?

Specially sending the Spacetime Locker race over, is this hinting that they already know the origin of the Spacetime Amber?

A trace of vigilance rose in Han Xiao's heart as he speculated on the meaning of the Federation of Light. After thinking about it, he ordered Philip:

"Reply to him, I agree to meet."

——

(Went out in the afternoon. Wrote until a little late. I got a Great God contract today, very happy. Thank you brothers for your love, mwah mwah ٩(*´︶`*)۶)