123 This is... the Oryn Rune (4000)

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He opened the bottle stopper. In an instant, a faint white smoke rose. Xiunan absorbed the energy inside, and his evolution points steadily increased, finally stopping at forty-six points. This bottle of liquid was much larger in volume than the last one he had consumed, yet the evolution points gained were less than half. It was obvious that this bottle had been diluted.

Adding these forty-six points to the five leftover evolution points from before, the total came to fifty-one points. It seemed like a decent amount, but it was far from enough.

First, the heavily reinforced armor, which had already undergone five evolutions, could no longer evolve. At the fifth evolution, it required fifty-one points. The sixth evolution likely demanded more than sixty points.

Next was the Blood-Red Knight ability, which had been enhanced once before. Xiunan tried to evolve it now, but there was no response. The initial evolution of Blood-Red Knight required forty points, and its enhancement effect was significant. The second evolution would certainly require many more points, hopefully not doubling in requirement.

Xiunan pondered and analyzed his own stats.

Speed: base cost ten points, with a 95% success rate requiring an extra point, totaling eleven points.

Strength: base cost ten points, 95% success rate requiring an extra point, totaling eleven points.

Defense: base cost twelve points, 90% success rate requiring two extra points, totaling fourteen points.

Mastery of Extraordinary Tools: base cost fifteen points, 90% success rate requiring three extra points, totaling eighteen points.

Gliding Ability: base cost fifteen points, 93% success rate requiring four extra points, totaling nineteen points.

A choice had to be made.

Xiunan intended to set aside the already evolved abilities for now, wanting to study the cost-effectiveness of evolving various abilities and attributes. Therefore, physical attributes could be temporarily excluded.

His thinking was clear: first evolve two abilities, as they had the most significant impact on combat. That totaled thirty-seven points.

Fifty-one minus thirty-seven left fourteen points.

The remaining points could only evolve either speed or strength, and he ultimately chose strength.

The reason was simple: the effect of meditation time.

Since adopting biological rune culture, Xiunan felt the effect of his meditation strengthening day by day. It seemed meditation was gradually adapting to the Pale Knight’s robust physique. Thus, speed could be set aside for now.

He spent forty-eight points out of fifty-one.

Remaining evolution points: 3.

Xiunan proceeded with evolution.

First, strength. He distinctly felt a warm current flowing through his body, like a winding little snake slithering through every inch of his strong muscles and bones.

Wherever it passed, tendons and bones creaked.

This current seemed to be making his body more adept at exerting force, continuously strengthening his muscle definition.

He exhaled heavily, a stream of scorching air blasting from his nostrils.

Opening his eyes, he felt his hands had become more powerful. Looking down, most of the bruises and wounds covering his body had faded significantly.

Could evolving three basic attributes also heal wounds? Xiunan instantly had a new idea: before a major battle, stockpile a large amount of evolution points, then fight fiercely against many enemies, trading blows. When both sides were severely injured and weak, unleash a batch of evolution points to heal most wounds instantly, even enhancing strength beyond previous levels.

If executed properly, this would be a game-changer in battle.

Next, Xiunan evolved his mastery of extraordinary tools. A strong sense of proficiency spread from his mind down to his arms. He lightly drew his lightsaber, swinging it casually with a strange feeling of ease.

The ring’s power activated, and a black glow appeared in an instant.

The secret chamber soon filled with a sizzling sound.

The air was burned, emitting a distinct acrid smell.

In Xiunan’s hand, the slender, solid lightsaber extended straight upward, its length increased by about one-fifth, while its diameter shrank to four-fifths of the original.

In short, the Guardian lightsaber's attack range had grown longer. Energy had become more condensed, increasing its single-target destructive and cutting power.

This was the main effect of extraordinary tool mastery: more skilled, more effective use of such tools.

Finally, Xiunan evolved his gliding ability.

In the tub, a pair of steel-like wings suddenly spread open, potion trickling down from the wing tips.

The fierce wings became broader and more massive.

Looking at their outline gave a sense of strength.

The gliding ability’s effect had changed: from a previously useless ability that only allowed gliding from high places, it now enabled short bursts of low-altitude flight. In other words, the Pale Knight could flap his wings and fly briefly.

His toes would not rise more than three meters from the ground.

After weighing gains and losses, Xiunan was clear on his choices.

Splash! Water scattered.

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A strong body rose from the potion.

Black droplets slid down his solid pectoral muscles; Xiunan’s eight-pack abs resembled stacked rocks. His arm muscles were streamlined.

Overall, he did not have an exaggerated bodybuilder’s physique, rather the kind that looked muscular when shirtless but slim when clothed.

Five minutes later, Xiunan glanced at himself in the mirror. After a brief silence, he picked up a razor.

He put on a trench coat, pinned a golden badge on his chest, and hung a teardrop-shaped pendant around his neck.

This symbolized Xiunan’s status as the eighth member of the council.

He adjusted his attire and left the laboratory.

Xiunan was heading back to the Golden Spiral Organization headquarters. The Mask’s injuries had improved, and he planned to visit him.

He also intended to stop by the Fire Deer Antique Company with Mask.

Two minutes later, a black sedan sped onto the highway.

**************

At midday, the sky was a pale gold.

Soft white clouds swayed gently in the breeze; half the sun peeked through the clouds, casting its light.

“The weather’s nice today...” Mask murmured, sitting on a stone bench by the hospital wall.

“Yes, it’s quite nice,” Xiunan replied, glancing into the distance.

A dozen neatly planted ornamental trees swayed in the breeze, their leaves shimmering greener in the sunlight.

“Give me a cigarette,” Mask said, raising an eyebrow from the stone bench.

“...” Xiunan smiled faintly and ignored him.

Mask’s lung injury wasn’t healed yet, and here he was already thinking about smoking. Even for a secret ring master with an extraordinary body, this was reckless. The doctor had said no smoking for at least a month.

No alcohol, no spicy food, no seafood either.

“Ah, I’m really unlucky,” Mask slapped his forehead and suddenly grinned awkwardly.

He forgot his right hand was still bandaged.

“Forget it, forget it. Come on, I’ll take you to the company to meet the other board members. You drive...” After a pause, Mask stood up.

Half an hour later, on the bustling streets of Nan City, the two slowly entered the Fire Deer Antique Company.

Immediately, a chubby man with a simple, amiable face approached and warmly hugged Mask.

“Welcome back, my friend. Looks like no missing limbs, still as healthy as ever...” The man patted Mask’s back heartily.

“Heh, I’m tough. A mere car explosion is nothing,” Mask said casually.

“By the way, let me introduce you—this is Knight.” Mask suddenly turned and introduced Xiunan.

He mentioned the Golden Spiral Organization’s eighth-highest ranking official and a runic expert certified by the Ice Thorn Rune Guild.

Upon hearing the latter, the chubby man’s eyes brightened considerably as he appraised Xiunan from head to toe.

“Hello, Mr. Knight.”

The man in a suit smiled and extended his hand.

“Uh... hello.” Xiunan reached out and shook it.

“Also, haven’t introduced you yet. This is Crow, one of the four directors of Fire Deer Antique Company. His family’s influence is considerable. If you ever have trouble or need help, you can count on him...” Mask placed a hand on Crow’s shoulder.

“Yes, if you have problems, just find me. As long as it’s near Nilodo, even murder cases I can handle with ease...” Crow smiled slightly.

Xiunan nodded, realizing Crow wielded substantial government influence, or that his family held significant power in official circles.

The three chatted amiably, walking along the cobblestone path. Staff members passed by and greeted them warmly.

“The company has many new faces,” Mask remarked, watching some new employees walk by.

“Yes, some old staff were replaced,” Crow nodded, then said, “By the way, since you’ve been recovering, we haven’t had a chance to tell you...”

“Our warehouse in Nan City was broken into.”

Crow’s expression darkened.

“Is it serious?” Mask frowned.

“Most of the antiques weren’t stolen, but...”

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Crow ran his hand through his hair.

“But the Death Mask was stolen, as well as some counterfeit replicas of the Death Mask...”

When the Fire Deer Antique Company searched the ancient Kalenta Forest for ancient relics, they found a mask remarkably similar to the mythic Death Mask from the ancient Baikaren legends. Along with it were eight rough Death Mask replicas.

These items were kept in a highly secure warehouse. Yet, surprisingly, they were still stolen.

Other board members were gathering personnel to handle the matter, hoping to recover the items.

Two other directors had hired a famous detective who found some clues.

That was the current situation.

Mask, Crow, and Xiunan exchanged glances.

The senior runic expert had been found, but the Death Mask was gone. Fortunately, two replicas remained in the warehouse.

They were stored separately due to severe damage.

This prevented the thieves from taking them all.

Minutes later, the three arrived at a spacious, comfortable hall furnished with brown leather sofas, a light-colored tea table, and a red stag head mounted on the wall.

Sunlight streamed warmly through floor-to-ceiling windows.

“Mr. Knight, please wait here. Mask and I will fetch the warehouse keys. Please enjoy some tea...” Crow instructed two nearby maids.

Then he and Mask left briskly.

Xiunan sat back on the sofa, tilting his neck slightly.

Suddenly, a soft touch came from behind his head.

Turning around, he saw one of the pretty maids Crow had mentioned earlier, about nineteen or twenty years old, with snow-white, delicate skin and a charming face.

Her pink lips resembled translucent jelly tinged with crimson.

Long brown hair fell smoothly to one side.

She smiled gently and said, “Mr. Knight, please relax. I will give you a massage...”

Xiunan couldn’t refuse such kindness, so he lay back again. Her slender hands pressed slowly on his shoulders, her massage skilled and firm.

It was genuinely soothing, not merely superficial. Xiunan felt some relaxation, narrowing his eyes slightly as he gazed ahead.

A beautiful girl dressed in a black-and-white dress was preparing tea. A tight black band accentuated her slender waist, outlining the elegant curve between waist and hips.

The outfit appeared specially designed...

Seven or eight minutes later, Mask and Crow returned. Xiunan sipped his tea lightly and stood.

The three left the company building, and Xiunan saw the warehouse a few hundred meters away.

With a click, Crow switched on all the lights.

A faint scent filled the air, mingling ink, dust, and rotting wood.

It was not particularly pleasant.

Xiunan looked up, somewhat stunned.

The vast space was neatly filled with shelves resembling racks. Each shelf bore a metal nameplate with a serial number, and large sections of the walls displayed prominent antique classifications.

The three walked through the maze-like aisles.

Finally, they stopped.

Ahead, a single row of shelves stood.

Only a few scattered antiques were enclosed under glass covers. The metal nameplates clearly read: Baikaren Myths (Needs Restoration).

These antiques were all damaged.

Xiunan followed Crow as they walked by.

At the far left, under a glass case, was a fragmented stone mural. Though incomplete, its details were still discernible.

It depicted a wide river with a motionless figure lying in the water. At the man’s chest bloomed a flower many times larger than his body.

It was impressive but carried an eerie feeling.

Xiunan glanced right.

There lay a pale yellow parchment.

On it was a painting of a clearing in a forest. Five deer-headed, human-bodied creatures lay prostrate, motionless. From the top, moving clockwise, were infant, child, youth, elder, and death.

Each face displayed a different expression.

The five heads formed a ring.

“Myth worship... or simple philosophy...” Xiunan shook his head and approached Crow.

“These are the two counterfeit Death Masks that weren’t stolen,” Crow said quickly, removing the glass case.

Xiunan looked closely and was unable to look away.

“This is... the Aoyin Rune!!!”