Chapter 288: New Inherited Skill
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As I finished sponsoring everyone, suddenly…
Ding!
[You have become the Sponsor of [Character: Wuyue Zhiye]!]
[Character: Wuyue Zhiye] has Awakened the Following Skills: [Black Heaven Domain (SSS)] [Destruction (SSS)] [Wolf of the Moonless Night (SSS)] [Primordial Embodiment of Yin (SSS)]
[Character: Wuyue Zhiye] Stats have increased greatly!]
[You have become the Sponsor of [Character: Yaoyan Taiyang]!]
[Character: Yaoyan Taiyang] has Awakened the Following Skills: [White Heaven Domain (SSS)] [Creation (SSS)] [Lioness of the Bright Sun (SSS)] [Primordial Embodiment of Yang (SSS)]
[Character: Yaoyan Taiyang] Stats have increased greatly!]
[You have become the Sponsor of [Character: 0-1]!]
[Character: 0-1] has Awakened the Following Skills: [Electromagnetic Energy Manipulation Arts (SS)] [Mechanical Body Transformation (SS)] [Instant Processing and Learning (SS)] [All-Energy Artificial Vessel Core (SSS)]
[Character: 0-1] Stats have increased greatly!]
[You have fulfilled one of the Skill Copy Conditions: Help Zero One develop a {Heart} of her own!]
[You can now copy one of the following Skills]:
[Electromagnetic Energy Manipulation Arts (SS)]
[Mechanical Body Transformation (SS)]
[Instant Processing and Learning (SS)]
[If you can help her achieve a {Soul}, you will be able to copy another Skill, including Skills at SSS Rank and above.]
This happened out of nowhere!
I know I did talk with Zero One about the Heart and whatnot, and how she was a person now—well, she always was to me.
But she had developed enough to have personality and everything, and I thought she needed someone to tell her so she could reaffirm her identity.
However, was that just enough for this condition to be fulfilled?!
Now the only thing left is the Soul, and I have no idea how’s that even done.
But if I can let her have a Soul somehow, I could obtain that Core Skill too and be able to absorb and become the vessel of any energy, no matter what it could be.
There are many dangerous energies that harm the body, such as chaotic energy, cursed energy, and so on.
I am half-demon, so in a way I can resist their impact to an extent, but they still fuck my body up as I let it rush through my body.
It might even result in sudden changes of personality and how I act, often turning more sadistic and reckless…
If I could obtain a core that let me absorb any energy, that would also mean that I wouldn’t take any damage or side effects from them anymore.
And… and what could happen if I fuse that Skill with something else?
Perhaps something even more insane could happen…
Anyways, for now, as I saw Zero One transform, I had to take my decision, and quickly!
[You can now copy one of the following Skills]:
[Electromagnetic Energy Manipulation Arts (SS)]
[Mechanical Body Transformation (SS)]
[Instant Processing and Learning (SS)]
What Skill? What do I pick?
Wait, I don’t have to do it quickly though, but still, I want it already.
I’m completely Skill-brained today.
Anyway, the ability to wield electricity? I mean, I can already do that…
Mechanical Body Transformation? YESYESYESYESYES.
Instant Processing and Learning? Hm, this one could be pretty crazy if I could instantly copy movements, techniques, and even magic.
But… nah, it just can’t compare.
Ding!
[You have selected [Mechanical Body Transformation (SS)] Skill to copy from [Character: 0-1]!]
[You have learned the [Mechanical Body Transformation (SS): Lv1] Skill!]
[Warning: Your body does not possess mechanical parts; you will be given two options.]
[Option 1: Keep the Skill, you will be able to use it once you can obtain Mechanical Parts in your body. And you can also use it to directly transform and combine mechanical beings when touching them or when they’re within Range.]
[Option 2: Evolve the Skill into something that suits your body; it might lose its Mechanical Properties and be related to something else, although the core mechanic of transformation will remain.]
I already have a transformation Skill, I think, plenty of them. I don’t need any more of those generic ones, but I’ve never had one about robots and machines.
My body is still all flesh except my heart, which is a crystal, but that doesn’t count as Mechanical, and it can’t be helped.
But still, it still gives me some Limited Technomancy, so that’s not so bad!
I do have a lot of Machine Parts stored inside my Inventory, like tens of thousands of them. I also raised several of them as Undead, and I’m carrying them inside my Inventory too.
If I could combine them together and all… yeah, that could make for a sick ability.
[You have chosen the first option; the Skill: [Mechanical Body Transformation (SS): Lv1] has been modified and added the functions stated previously.]
[To Gain Mechanical Parts into your body, you can now use this Skill for easy assimilation.]
So it’s like Cyberpunk now or something? Huh… Nah, I mean, my body’s plenty strong already. Unless I find some sort of god machine to fuse with, I don’t think I would… do this for now.
Let’s see the Skill description for now.
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[Mechanical Body Transformation (SS): Lv1]
[Skill EXP]: [0/15.000]
A Powerful Skill only wielded by mighty Mechanical Lifeforms capable of controlling their bodies and transforming them through the manipulation of their inner workings and electromagnetic energy. It has been modified to allow for the ability to manipulate machines bodies, transform them, reassemble them, or disassemble them through touch, and if they aren’t active, as long as they’re within a range of the user.
When transforming mechanical parts of your body, modifying their shapes, and more, your Transformation Speed, Shapeshifting Accuracy, and Body Functions increase by 300%, while the Physical Stats within those Mechanical Parts increase by 100%.
While doing the same to machines below your authority or that you’re transforming and controlling, they receive half of these effects. Hostile machines can also receive this effect once physically touched by your body; although they may resist using electromagnetic energy, if they fail to defend, they might fall into a {Hacked} State, in which you can control them for 10 Minutes with mental commands. In their {Hacked} State, their Stats decrease by 25%.
Level Bonus (1): Increases All Skill Effects and Bonuses by 25%. Increases {Hacked} Status Durability by 5 Minutes.
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Hmm, it looks pretty interesting, now that I look at it in more detail. It is quite basic though, but that is because it leaves the rest to someone’s imagination more than anything else. The Hacked Status Effect looks very useful though; definitely using it!
And to be honest, it’s an ideal Skill Fusion ingredient… Imagine all the things I could build with this—all sorts of mechanical things and powers.
The Skill Fusion possibilities have only expanded now.
“Hahh… I’m tired out of nowhere!”
Suddenly, Zero One fell to the grass, slowly turning back to normal.
“I think you spent too much of your energies transforming!” I said. “Be more careful, alright? You can recover eating food, right?”
“Yes, I’m hungry now,” she nodded.
“Hmm, drink these,” I said, giving her some Ki Elixirs, Mana Potions, and Angelic Potions. “Drink these; let’s test your new Core Skill.”
“Core?” she wondered, raising an eyebrow as she drank the potions one after another. “Ohh?!”
As she felt more relieved after drinking them, Ki, Mana, and Celestial Energy flowed into her chest, converging together into a rainbow-colored light.
FLUOSH!
“W-What is this?! Why… This energy…”
She was shocked as she felt these energies flowing through her body and then slowly rest within her core, being refined into Electromagnetic Energy.
So she can’t completely use these energies; it just means she can become their vessel, and then her main energy, Electromagnetic Energy, refines them into its own power.
I see, still, this could help her drain the energy of foes and make it her own power too!
“I feel so relieved now, like… these energies, they turned into Electromagnetic Energy!” she said. “Anna! This “Skill” is fantastic! Thank you!”
“No problem!” I said proudly. “You better practice and train with it… Well, let’s do it together. I also got several Skills and Martial Arts I want to practice.”
“Then let me help as well!” she nodded.
“Thanks!”
Time went flying after that, as we trained with Zero One for a couple hours before moving back home to have some lunch and talk with the rest. Everyone had now fully absorbed their rewards and has grown much stronger.
“Master truly thought about everything; I feel so much more at peace,” said Wai Tian. “This unrest within my heart is slowly fading away… I can feel that my body has assimilated the Meditation Techniques, I can do them even when I am not fully concentrating.”
“Oh, so like a Passive Skill effect, huh?” I wondered. “That’s really amazing, Wai Tian! You’ve progressed so much and all on your own; you’re very talented.”
“I wouldn’t be able to get half as strong without your help; that Sponsorship you did to me was able to help me awaken my innate talents,” said Wai Tian. “For that, I am eternally grateful, Anna. I know our journey together has yet to end, but… I wanted to say that these days we’ve been together as friends, companions, and allies, which has been exhilarating and enlightening. You’ve shown me that it doesn’t matter where we come from; what matters is what lies within our hearts.”
“R-Right…”
Did I ever show her that? I think she’s making things up for herself, but well, if that helps her, that’s for the better, right?
“I have yet to completely prove myself, but I think I’ve proved my own strength… to myself, not to others,” she said. “I kind of feel… for once in my life, happy with who I am and happy with what I’ve achieved… I know I can get even further now, but I don’t feel any rush; I know I can get to it eventually. But… I am satisfied with my strength and with what I’ve achieved.”
“Wai Tian…” I smiled. “You’ve learned to love yourself and to accept yourself. That’s wonderful! I know you went through many things in your childhood, from your clan that discriminated against women that fought, and then the entire apocalypse… You’ve endured a lot; you’re someone admirable, right guys?”
“Y-Yeah!” Zero One said. “I can’t even compare to what you’ve experienced, Wai Tian. You’re someone I admire a bit; you’re a woman with a strong heart!”
“I have to admit myself that you’re strong,” said Yin Sheng. “You’ve helped young master Anna best and defeat the Heavenly Empress in the previous trial… For that alone, you’re already impressive.”
“You’re the embodiment of what makes me so proud of Murim!” laughed Fang Shuan. “No matter where you came from, and no matter what your initial talents were, you relentlessly fought, survived, and climbed the ranks with your own strength. You’re a fearless warrior, someone that brings honor to Murim and its legacy!”
“E-Everyone… Y-You didn’t have to go so far…” Wai Tian covered her face with her big, fluffy paws in embarrassment, her tail wrapped around her belly.
Awww, isn’t she cute when embarrassed?
I want to pet her…
“Heheh, anyways, let’s eat and then continue training, shall we?” I said.
“Alright!” Wai Tian nodded, smiling honestly, showing me her sharp tigress fangs.
Ding!
[You have fulfilled the Skill Copy Conditions of [Character: Wai Tian]: Helped her accept herself, regain her self-confidence, and break through her bottleneck in growth and cultivation]
[You can now copy one of the following Skills]:
[Claws Of the Fiery Tigress (S)]
[Roar Of Dominance (S)]
[Tempestuous Blazing Wild Charge (S)]
[Divine White Tiger’s Embodiment (SS)]
Oooh?!
I didn’t know that was what it took to help her…
Damn, Wai Tian, you poor girl.
Was her lack of self-confidence so big that it became the whole requirement for her Skill Copy conditions?
Well, she’s better now, and I have to work towards helping her remain stable, happy, and strong.
Now, it’s quite obvious what I’ll pick, right?
Ding!
[You have selected [Divine White Tiger’s Embodiment (SS)] Skill to copy from [Character: Wai Tian]!]
[You have learned the [Divine White Tiger’s Embodiment (SS): Lv1] Skill!]
[The Divine White Tiger Beast Spirit’s Essence has been infused into your body. You can now call upon its powers to transform your body into their embodiment temporarily.]
FLASH!
I felt a slight surge of divine spiritual ki enter my body out of nowhere, and then the mighty roar of a tiger echoed within my mind.
I saw white and gold runes resembling tigers appear in my arms and then swiftly disappear.
Nobody noticed it though.
So Wai Tian was an Avatar of the White Tiger too, huh? It makes sense why she could channel this broken Skill.
I do wonder if this Essence could be enough for me to break its Chains and free it, though.
Unlikely… Unless I cultivate it alongside leveling the skill.
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