Chapter 244: Preliminary Concept of the Monster Path! |
Day and night reversed, upgraded to Night Monster?
Chen Qi blinked and curiously checked.
[You have acquired the passive skill "Night Monster": At night, all your attributes increase while mental resistance decreases. However, your desires become more easily ignited, and your sanity remains locked at a safe threshold, preventing complete madness.]
Mental resistance decreased but sanity locked... Chen Qi closed his eyes, carefully sensing the subtle changes in his body.
"This is a divine skill for the Monster Path—"
Chen Qi couldn't help but marvel.
After reaching the third tier, some powerful players could already activate their second phase, mastering formidable transformation-type skills.
Common examples included the Dawn Knight of Scale Release, Mechanical Heart of Hammer Release, Hundredfold Muscle King of Cup Release, and Sacred Snow Maiden of Ice Release.
These skills were all extremely potent among third-tier abilities.
Cup Affinity's werewolf transformation, Blood Demon, Flower Affinity's succubus transformation, Phantom Affinity's ghost transformation, Cup-Shadow Affinity's ghoul, and Shadow Affinity's shadow demon—all were common Monster Path variants.
However, these paths required massive resources. The werewolf transformation demanded a full 100 points in constitution, numerous mutation potions, and monster wolf blood.
The Flower Affinity's succubus transformation required consuming large quantities of herbs, moderate Flower Affinity comprehension, 60 constitution points, plus extremely high requirements for charm, art, and dance. Finally, one had to complete the fairy trial at the Flower Aspect Rift "Succubus House" in the Goldenfinch Kingdom to master it.
As for the Phantom Affinity's ghost transformation, one needed phantom potion injections and exposure to spatial distortions in rifts to obtain the special "Space Lost" buff before studying it.
Pursuing the Monster Path required strict advancement conditions and rare opportunities.
In summary, the monster transformation path was exceptionally powerful. Once achieved, its strength far surpassed ordinary third-tier Transcendents!
Ten ordinary third-tier Transcendents might not defeat one Monster Path Transcendent!
Against rogue Monster Path practitioners, even third-tier graduate researchers from the White Tower Federation, Black Blood Warriors from the Black Blood Empire, or beast-taming geniuses among Goldenfinch Kingdom nobles would fall.
The term "Monster Path" had another important reason—while maintaining these "special" forms, rationality could easily decline.
A single misstep might permanently turn one into a "monster," where desires would eventually override reason, plunging them into madness, never to return as normal humans.
Take the Lantern's Shadow Chen Qi recently encountered—though not a complete Monster Path practitioner, contact with shadow demons had driven him insane.
Night Monster could lock sanity at a special value, effectively solving the low sanity problem.
"Night Monster—"
This truly was a divine skill... Chen Qi picked up a piece of paper and sat by the window, briefly planning his post-third-tier path.
Hunter Ember's enhancement actually gave him a divine Monster Path skill.
First, I need to test Night Monster's safety threshold. Additionally, I must choose a path... Chen Qi rubbed his chin.
However, pursuing Cup Affinity's werewolf or dragonkin transformations would require numerous mutation potions.
Flower Affinity's succubus and Shadow Affinity's ghost transformations were extremely specialized paths with high opportunity requirements.
Considering various factors, the Sea God Pirates' tentacle monster and shadow demon paths were two excellent options.
Chen Qi had high standards for bodily purity, making twisted shadow demon equipment perfect for him.
Of course, for safety reasons, Chen Qi had zero interest in becoming a shadow demon.
But he was extremely interested in the flesh armor created by shadow demons!
The Shadow Tide presented an exceptional opportunity... Chen Qi couldn't help but swallow.
With enough Wriggling Shadows, forging forbidden equipment wouldn't be a problem.
At that moment, a special notification popped up.
[Your class quest has updated.]
[You have received the Lamp Keeper's class quest.]
Chen Qi opened it to check.
[Lamp Keeper's Night:
Affinities: Lamp, Scale
Requirements: In a dangerous location at night, use "Lighting Technique" to ignite a light that attracts monsters.
Limitations: Twice monthly.
Rewards: Large inspiration points. If the danger level is sufficiently high and enough humans are protected, additional Lamp Inspiration will be awarded.
Note: Lamp Inspiration can be used to learn skill cards, Lamp Release techniques, or special rifts.]
Lamp Keeper's Night...
Chen Qi quickly scanned the quest.
The Lamp Keeper's quest had extremely variable outcomes.
Two factors determined rewards: first, the danger level of the area's monsters; second, the light source's quality and the value of protected humans.
Being a Lamp Keeper protecting a town... Chen Qi imagined the scene.
Guarding a simple village growing radishes, potatoes, and wheat, protecting ungrateful villagers against weak skeleton archers and dumb zombies might only yield 1,000 inspiration points—insufficient to max a basic E-tier rift skill.
But guarding a town at a lighthouse against Coastal Apex Predators from the deep sea could easily net 5,000 inspiration points plus Lamp Inspiration.
Ordinary night watches might offer worse rewards than first-tier quests.
But completing two major night watches could yield enormous inspiration points!
This was also why the Lamp Keeper profession was so dangerous.
Chen Qi wrote down his plans, excited.
The approaching Shadow Tide was undoubtedly the best opportunity to complete his class quest.
If he successfully protected a light source during the Shadow Tide, his inspiration reward might exceed 10,000 points!
Adding monster-hunting inspiration, he could amass over 20,000 points!
After deciding, Chen Qi checked the time and began practicing the Blade Forging Body Technique obtained from the Blood Blade Pirates.
Due to tier and constitution limitations, his progress had been slow.
The 10-point constitution boost from third-tier advancement plus 5 points from body tempering medicine brought his constitution to exactly 60 points.
For a newly advanced third-tier Transcendent, this was quite high, allowing use of most mechanical armor.
However, compared to his formidable constitution, Chen Qi's strength was merely average at 33 points.
True strength came from stats—Chen Qi firmly believed this. Without hesitation, he circulated his energy, letting it burn within to refine his body technique.
As he practiced, Chen Qi's body grew increasingly hot.
Water Spirit Number Three helped cool him down.
After an unknown duration, Chen Qi slowly opened his eyes and stretched.
As expected, post-advancement, body technique practice became much easier, with physical strength increasing rapidly—Chen Qi flexed, joints cracking crisply, arm muscles more defined.
"Refreshing!"
Chen Qi took the towel from Water Spirit Number Three, dried off, and changed into clean clothes.
[You have preliminarily mastered the Blade Forging Body Technique: Strength +10, Constitution +5. Current Constitution: 65, Strength: 43...]
After drying, Chen Qi glanced outside.
Icy winds howled as dark clouds blotted the sky. A pink moon cast strange light while black waves surged—
Occasional shadow beast whispers and fleeting crimson eyes surrounded them.
......
Next day.
Chen Qi visited a Sea God Island clothing store, spending 100,000 Shell Coins to repair his Hunter's Garb from the E-tier hunting grounds.
Compared to its previous tattered state, the repaired black Hunter's Garb had more blade slots, better defense, and enhanced style.
E-tier rift equipment might be weak, but damn was it cool... Chen Qi adjusted his clothes and headed to the Hunter Association bar.
Removing his hunter hat, Chen Qi surveyed the unusually crowded bar. White Pigeon Times newspapers littered the floor.
Post-Smiling Moon, maritime danger had spiked, leaving many hunters' ships landlocked at Sea God Island.
Facing the impending Shadow Tide, many resolved to fight.
This wasn't surprising—with sufficient intel, they'd know Sea God Island's Shadow Tide was the simplest B-tier rift post-Smiling Moon.
Amid discussions about the approaching shadow beasts:
"Party up? I know Light Dance! Can swallow light bulbs and spit them out when needed!"
"Need Flower Affinity doctor—paying with 'Demon Vine Flower' material."
"Seeking arsonist or other Lamp Affinity—no Book Affinity bookworms!"
"Party needed! I'll kiss whoever takes this dancer!"
Gaming guild vibes... Chen Qi pushed through the crowd, telling the bartender:
"A malt beer please... the low-alcohol kind."
Meanwhile, Melanie from the White Tower Federation bit her finger while reading the newspaper's rising stars section:
"Dammit, this person didn't take grad exams? Yet they're out here..."
Chen Qi glanced over.
The paper featured emerging "Rising Star Candidate" Hunter An, who gained minor fame by severely wounding Coastal Apex Predators and beating up Black Pig Sharks.
An's interview stated she'd revitalize naval power, arresting infamous monster Transcendents like the Flower Witch, Black Hunter, and Haige for interrogation!
An's truly arrogant—but justifiably so. Though Melanie's expression suggests she knows An Aotian? Chen Qi accepted his drink.
Melanie and her five subordinates turned to stare at Chen Qi.
Chen Qi preempted:
"How'd you know I reached third tier?"
"Little hunter, of course I know—I made your cards..."
Melanie blinked dazedly, downing rum:
"Congratulations! Third tier! Little... hunter!"
Melanie habitually called second-tiers "little hunter," first-tiers "tiny hunter." Chen Qi suddenly reaching her level left her momentarily flustered.
Whatever, I'll keep calling him little hunter—I'm practically legendary anyway... Melanie said:
"Little hunter, interested in joining us six against the Shadow Tide? Estimated 5,000 inspiration points each.
As seniors, we can properly guide you~"
Guide me? Chen Qi instinctively replied:
"Sorry, not interested."
Regarding the Shadow Tide, Chen Qi had his own plans—leveraging Sea God Island's existing tentacle grass defenses.
Normally, competing for kills near tentacle grass was dangerous.
But for Chen Qi, this was an excellent strategy.
The pirates' painstakingly cultivated tentacle traps would become his allies.
He also wanted to research harvesting these tentacles.
After sipping his beer, Chen Qi frowned.
Sea God Island's brews were unexpectedly strong.
"You rejected us."
Melanie eyed Chen Qi suspiciously:
"Little hunter, reconsider—we're six third-tier hunters, including me, a genius cardmaker who passed Beiguo Royal Academy's graduate exams."
Many hunters sought to join their professional team, only to be rejected.
Melanie produced a transcript from her cleavage, smiling proudly.
Why carry that around?... Chen Qi facepalmed. The White Tower Federation truly worshipped academic achievement.
Melanie teased:
"Impressed? Worried we'll kidnap you mid-quest?"
Chen Qi deadpanned:
"No, I'm worried you'll be worried."
Many Sea God Island tentacle traps could ensnare even third-tier Transcendents.
"Us? Worried?"
Tipsy Melanie flushed with confidence:
"B-tier Shadow Tide's challenging, but nothing for experienced hunters! Sure you won't join?"
My Water Spirit fleet suffices... Chen Qi firmly declined.
"No interest."
Damn it—the Shadow Tide's perfect for kidnapping him into being a mole... Melanie snapped her fingers:
"Another round—your finest tequila! For my friend's promotion."
I'll get him drunk... Melanie gritted her teeth.
BANG!
An elderly, wrinkled lighthouse keeper with bluish-purple complexion burst in, shouting:
"Everyone! Signal tower reports our bishop encountered lanterns in black clouds at sea—no reinforcements!
Moreover, disaster messengers confirm the Shadow Tide has begun dancing—calamity approaches!"
Behind him, wild winds howled as chaotic black waves battered docked ships.
The bar fell silent.
Chen Qi accepted the strong liquor, taking a sip.
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