Chapter 151: "Quality" and "Quantity" (Weekly Recommendation 2K Bonus)

Do not underestimate the initial stages of an F-rank Transcendent Warrior; advancement is relatively easy, with one level gained every three to five months. As long as one’s natural talent is not so abysmal that their pheromones are too weak to even absorb X-particles, almost anyone can reach around F5 within a year of awakening.

However, starting from F5, the required super-energy level for advancement jumps from tens or hundreds of thousands to millions. By the time one reaches F10, it requires over 26 million units! Although a Transcendent Warrior’s pheromones strengthen as their combat level increases, accelerating their absorption of super-energy particles, this natural intake is a mere drop in the bucket compared to the astronomical figures required for promotion. Therefore, aside from hunting anomalous creatures to plunder extra particles, it is virtually impossible for a Transcendent Warrior to achieve rapid advancement in a short time. The members of the Seventh Squad jumping five levels overnight—even if they had a line of anomalous creatures waiting to be slaughtered—should not have been able to grow that quickly.

"We discovered a path in the D24 sector..."
"So we encountered a battle between high-rank warriors and high-threat creatures in the core area..."

Knowing that the state of her members could not be concealed, Luo Fei repeated the rehearsed explanation. Since the various trainee squads were not well-acquainted, she did not go into detail. She simply claimed that while entering the core area, they had "leached" some experience from the high-rank warriors. Whether they believed it or not was their own business.

"Saturated absorption of super-energy particles in a high-density environment can forcibly push a combat level breakthrough?"

Even Shao Yuxuan, the "golden child" groomed for greatness, could not help but show a trace of jealousy toward the Seventh Squad. As a veteran among the Firebird Squad’s reserves, Shao Yuxuan was no fool; he accurately grasped the core of Luo Fei’s words. He deduced the reason for the Seventh Squad’s overnight jump, and it made him incredibly excited.

If the awakening of anomalous individuals is chaotic and random, the advancement of Transcendent Warriors also seems to carry a similar element of uncertainty. Some F-rank trainees can advance naturally to become E-rank official warriors as soon as their accumulated super-energy particles meet the standard. Others, for unknown reasons, get stuck at the final hurdle—even after their accumulated particles reach or exceed the requirement, they simply cannot break through.

Though unable to advance, this does not stop a warrior from continuing to accumulate particles. However, without advancement, they cannot increase their pheromone concentration or particle density; it is a matter of both "quality" and "quantity." If the pheromone concentration is insufficient, the "gravitational pull" on free X-particles is weak, making absorption slow. If the quantity of X-particles is insufficient, the bodily reinforcement is inadequate, which in turn leads to lower production of super-active particles by the cells. Fewer super-active particles mean weaker biological protection, which translates to a lower survival rate. Furthermore, low particle density means lower combat output, which means less threat to anomalous creatures. Lower threat leads to an inability to hunt high-risk creatures, which leads to lower efficiency in plundering, and thus slower growth. These factors are interdependent; once one link fails, it often triggers a vicious cycle.

Shao Yuxuan was trapped in such a predicament. As an individual who had awakened at the end of the "Chaotic Era," he had been with the Firebird Squad for over two years. His seniority surpassed that of some core members, and his accumulated super-energy levels were even greater than those of some E-rank warriors. Yet, for some reason, he had remained stuck at the peak of F10, unable to cross the threshold into E1. Watching one newcomer after another surpass him, advance to E-rank, and join the main battle team, Shao Yuxuan felt broken inside. Suddenly hearing a method that might resolve his bottleneck, how could he not be ecstatic?

"Alright, don't crowd around! Get back to your duties!" Shao Yuxuan scolded the members who had gathered, then lectured the Seventh Squad: "And you lot! Keep a low profile and stop causing trouble for the squad!"

Chen Dao and Wu Yong, also squad leaders, exchanged knowing looks and left with their teams without further ado. No one was an idiot; it was obvious what Shao Yuxuan was planning. As expected, once the others left, Shao Yuxuan dismissed his own subordinates, telling them to return to their assigned areas. He remained behind, cleared his throat, and asked in a low voice, "Where is the rat path you used to enter the mountain?"

"It’s in the D24 sector, which our squad was responsible for. However, the captain of the LDH Transcendent Squad fought a C-rank dimensional creature earlier. The resulting barrier collapse and tremors likely caused that tunnel to cave in completely. Also, Brother Shao, if you want to attempt 'saturated overflow' to force a breakthrough, you would likely need to enter the sinkhole shaft itself."

Exchanging glances with Su Xiaoke and Bai Yujie, Luo Fei did not hide the truth: "The particle density in other areas probably won't meet the requirements for you to break your bottleneck."

"You guys go back and rest first."

Shao Yuxuan, who had intended to try it secretly, was somewhat disappointed. However, after glancing back at the barrier wall of the core area, a glint appeared in his eyes. He nodded to the group and turned to walk toward the barrier gate. Although the Transcendent Management Department had written regulations forbidding trainee warriors from entering the high-risk core area, the primary purpose was to prevent those with poor self-preservation skills from meeting with accidents. As a veteran of the Firebird Squad, Shao Yuxuan could easily request to be taken in by the leader, Lei, and take his chances.

Watching Shao Yuxuan’s departing back, Bai Yujie shook his head. His attempt to enter the high-risk area would likely fail to force a breakthrough. Luo Fei was correct, but she had omitted the most critical element: he needed someone capable of forcibly channeling massive amounts of super-energy particles into him! Otherwise, even in a high-density environment, he would only be absorbing the small amount his own pheromones allowed, which was far from enough to force a breakthrough.

Still, one never knows what fate holds. Perhaps he was only missing that one "straw" to break the camel's back.