Watching Phantom run off with the building blueprints in his mouth, Lin Yu couldn't help but feel a bit awkward. Phantom had always been a highly intelligent and clever wolf. Now that he had been promoted to a Hero, he could even speak human language, but his size and habits remained unchanged from before. Normally, this wouldn't be a big deal.
However, Lin Yu had recently decided not to solely pursue the primitive route of natural evolution. Instead, he wanted to take a path where technology and nature coexisted harmoniously, promoting and evolving alongside one another.
As for the concern that developing technology would destroy the natural environment, Lin Yu figured there had to be solutions. After all, the territory possessed a Divine-level Territory Heart, the World Tree, which was the very embodiment of nature itself. Was there any pollution the World Tree couldn't handle? Therefore, as the territory's first Hero and Lin Yu's very first subordinate, Phantom's current image was simply unacceptable.
"What should I do?
"Look for rare treasures? No, that would probably only change Phantom. Its effect on the entire territory would be limited.
"Upgrade the Beast Nest? Let me take a look at the post-upgrade information...
"No good. The next level only increases the resident capacity and various buffs; it doesn't help with the herd's behavior and physical forms.
"Then what should I do?
"Enlightenment?"
By now, Lin Yu already knew that the smaller the number and size of the targets "Enlightenment" was applied to, the more powerful the randomized traits would be. Conversely, the larger the number and size of the targets, the more average the traits would turn out. But regardless, these traits were things that could completely transform a target.
"I remember the briefing stating that in the second stage, Lord levels will be capped at Level 2. The unrestricted leveling of Lords and Territory Hearts won't be unlocked until the third stage.
"In other words, if I use this 'Enlightenment' now, I won't have it available for the second stage.
"But isn't this thing meant to be used anyway?
"If I hadn't used Enlightenment in the Preparation Room back then, I'd probably be lucky to have just rolled a Green Excellent-grade Territory Heart.
"Damn it, I'm using it. I just hope I get a trait that alters beast forms."
Used "Enlightenment". Target: Territory Beast Herd (including avians).
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[Behemoth]: The territory is brimming with natural energy. After absorbing this natural energy, the beast herd has mutated.
Their sizes begin to grow, granting them stronger bodies and much larger frames. At the same time, they require more food to sustain themselves, and their maximum capacity for absorbing natural energy increases.
As the natural energy in the territory increases, they will become even larger, stronger, and more robust.
Selecting this trait increases the size of all beasts by 105%, boosts their strength by 200%, and increases their speed by 30%, while retaining their potential for future growth.
Base grade upgraded to Excellent (Green).
Adds the Primitive Technology Branch.
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[Beastman]: The territory is brimming with natural energy. After absorbing this natural energy, the beast herd has mutated.
Imitating the appearance of the territory's master, the beasts begin to walk upright. Their intelligence improves, and they start forming socialized tribal groups, greatly enhancing their social behaviors.
Selecting this trait alters the form of the beast herd, turning them into humanoid creatures. Attack and defense are reduced by 20%, but intelligence is massively increased.
Base grade upgraded to Excellent (Green).
Adds the Societal Technology Branch.
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[Demon]: The territory is brimming with natural energy. After absorbing this natural energy, the beast herd has mutated.
A bizarre transformation appears among the beasts. Every beast that absorbs natural energy to its absolute limit will face a minor bombardment of heavenly lightning. If they survive this tribulation, they can take human form and become Demons.
Demons are the spiritual essences of heaven and earth. When all living things absorb the essence of the world and transform into Dao bodies, they become Demons. They possess the power to summon wind and rain, and to turn the world upside down.
Selecting this trait means all beasts with physiques strengthened to the limit will face a Celestial Tribulation. Surviving the Celestial Tribulation allows them to take human form as Demons.
By surviving the tribulation to become a Demon, if they were not a Hero before the tribulation, they will be promoted to a Hero, with their grade remaining unchanged. If they were already a Hero before the tribulation and their grade was below the Legendary grade, their grade will increase by one tier. If they were already a Hero before the tribulation and their grade was Legendary or higher, their innate talents, skills, and other abilities will be enhanced.
Grants the innate talent "Demon Core," offering a chance to acquire special skills and talents.
Grants the innate ability "Shapeshifting," allowing them to freely switch between their human and original forms.
Natural energy transforms into Spiritual Qi, adding a special-type Technology Tree. (Black Trait, carries a certain degree of risk)
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(PS: Spiritual Qi is a superior energy to the power of nature, compatible with all the characteristics of natural power.)
"HISS!"
After reading the descriptions of the three traits, Lin Yu drew in a sharp breath. The three traits shared one common cause and effect: the increase of natural energy within the territory.
If it hadn't been for the Little Sprites independently researching and figuring out how to reproduce during the transition period, it would have been impossible for the entire territory to be brimming with natural energy—the territory was simply too massive. Who said logistics were useless? If the Little Sprites hadn't worked so hard to produce natural energy, who knows what kind of options would have appeared when using this trait?
"However, if that's the case, drawing 'Bursting Luck' back then was also because my luck was inherently good. Makes sense. If I didn't have a bit of luck, how could I have transmigrated?
"Hahaha! I truly am the Chosen One.
"Next time I get Enlightenment, I definitely have to use it on the Little Sprites as thanks for their dedication. These Little Sprites push themselves so hard with their research; if they had the blessing of a trait, who knows what kind of changes would occur!
"As for right now, is there even a choice?
"Since I don't plan on taking the primitive route, I can ignore Behemoth.
"The Beastman trait would definitely produce more intelligent lifeforms than Demon, but it's too mediocre, and moreover... it's too ugly!!
"Demon. I absolutely have to choose Demon. Its description is the longest.
"Besides, Demons look good. I'll prepare some pictures of handsome men and beautiful women beforehand, and when they shapeshift, I'll have them copy those appearances.
"When the time comes... Fox Demons, Cat Demons, Rabbit Demons... GULP!"
Lin Yu couldn't help but swallow hard.
The [Demon] trait was selected. A profound and subtle sensation seemed to wash over the entire territory, and the energy in the air also changed in a peculiar way. Lin Yu perceived all of this through the Territory Heart. He watched with profound satisfaction as his subjects ran around in wild celebration, rejoicing at the territory's transformation.
All the natural energy within the World Tree had been converted into Spiritual Qi. Lin Yu felt his mind become clearer and his body grow stronger. Now, all he had to do was wait for the good news and anticipate the birth of the first batch of Demons in the territory.
Afterward, Lin Yu brought out the Trial Treasure Chest (18x Difficulty).
[Name]: Trial Treasure Chest (18x Difficulty)
[Chest Item Quantity]: Upon opening the chest, the number of items will continuously increase. With every additional item added, the chance of acquiring the next item is halved. The current chance of acquiring an item is 1800%. (1800, 900, 450, 225, 112.5, 56.25, 28)
[Item Draw Mechanism]: The chance of drawing items Gold-grade or above is 18%, while the chance of drawing items below Gold-grade is 82%.
This was the Trial Treasure Chest he had obtained by taking massive risks to pass the first stage of the trial. There was nothing more to say—he opened it immediately.
[Congratulations to the player for obtaining Fire Element Core (Purple), Wind Element Core (Purple), Ice Element Core (Red), Earth Element Core (Gold), Water Element Core (Green), Wood Element Core (Gold), Wood Element Core (Blue).]
[Due to unknown reasons, the Wood Element Core (Gold) has automatically upgraded to Wood Element Core (Prismatic).]
[Due to unknown reasons, the Wood Element Core (Blue) has automatically upgraded to Wood Element Core (Gold).]
[Due to the presence of the superior element Ice Element Core (Red), the Water Element Core (Green) has been upgraded to Water Element Core (Gold), and the Ice Element Core (Red) has been downgraded to Ice Element Core (Gold).]
[Elemental Core]: When embedded into the Territory Heart, it increases the territory's Extraordinary elemental attributes, granting the territory elemental energy of the corresponding attribute. Residents have a chance to awaken abilities of the corresponding attribute, thereby increasing their grade.
Adds military units of the corresponding attribute.