Civilization Barriers
All the accumulated experience points were wiped out.
My level finally reached 90, and all my passive skills were upgraded to level 90 at once.
Only the new passive skill "Robust Soul" seems to be a special type of passive skill.
Not only does it grant far more experience points per level than other passive skills, but it is also restricted after level 20, meaning it can no longer be improved simply with experience points and requires a special resource called "Soul Crystal".
Lister had never heard of this in his previous life. He was just an ordinary player, and he had no need for such a special high-level resource, so he knew very little about it.
This passive skill boost is indeed powerful, essentially amplifying all soul perception skills. Currently, the boost is 20%, which is quite significant.
As for the so-called determination of class advancement, he couldn't experience that yet; he could only gradually understand it in subsequent battles.
He felt that the improvement from this new passive ability was far more than that, and that there might be even more surprises after the Soul Crystal was used to enhance it.
After a brief period of adjustment, Lister felt somewhat relieved.
It's likely that his advanced passive skills have somewhat compensated for the difference in his base attributes, which is why his overall rating remains at S-level.
He had a premonition that if he were to advance another level and enter the ranks of level 91, which is the tenth tier, he would inevitably lose his Overlord Tier evaluation.
Logically, given his current situation, he should be level 120 by the Third Advancement.
Before accepting the Third Advancement quest, leveling up will not have any impact; it will simply not increase your actual combat power.
The basic attribute barriers only need to be maxed out before accepting the Third Advancement quest.
However, based on his current experience with the Arcane Civilization, S-rank, which is equivalent to the Overlord Tier of the same rank, seems to be a special mark.
Although there was no explicit explanation of privileges, Lister still tried his best to maintain an S-rank rating, which made these mages from the Arcane Civilization look at him differently, including the requirements for civilization registration.
Fortunately, everything went as he predicted. He had just used up all his experience points, and he didn't plan to level up for the time being.
Currently, our primary focus is on acquiring resources to improve basic attributes after the second job advancement.
Experience points will be continuously provided by other players, but improving his basic attributes is the most important thing for him.
Having determined his next objective, just as Lister was about to go out and explore, he seemed to remember something and glanced at the panel again.
That's right, he was so focused on the Knee Strike skill that he found so comfortable to use that he forgot to upgrade it.
"Use 'Radiance of Extreme Transcendence' on the 'Knee Strike' skill?"
"Sure."
"Use 'Crystal of Extreme Transcendence' on the 'Knee Strike' skill?"
"Sure."
After using three Radiance of Extreme Transcendence and one Crystal of Extreme Transcendence in a row, his Knee Strike skill finally reached A-level as he had expected.
[Knee Strike (Grade A) LV60 (1/6,000,000): Deals 1090~1191 damage to the enemy with Knee Strike, with a very high probability of stunning, paralyzing, or knocking the enemy back. (Determined based on the enemy's and ally's strength, stamina, and intelligence attributes)]
Not bad!
The damage potential is indeed a bit low. E-rank skills inherently have low potential, and even if upgraded to A-rank, the damage increase won't be significant.
The effect did not disappoint him; it added two special effects at once, and the trigger probability was extremely high.
In addition, his high base attribute trigger rate means he can trigger the skill 100% of the time, making it one of his few close-range control skills.
Only after everything was ready did Lister actually leave the room and go downstairs.
Although it's just a simple job change, three days have actually passed.
The fat monk who owns the inn downstairs is sitting idly watching entertainment programs, just like the monk Moore.
The program was projected using a special chip, Lister could only see a flickering, blurry image. The actual high-definition picture and sound should only be audible to the fat mage himself.
"Reconnaissance of enemy and friendly forces is underway... Reconnaissance results have been obtained..."
[Target: Unknown (Tier 3 Civilization - Arcane Civilization)]
[Level: Lv107]
[Class: Arcanist (Magic)]
[Health Points: 41519/41519]
[Stamina:5989/5989]
[Attributes: Strength: 70, Stamina: 51, Intelligence: 91, Agility: 61]
[Overall Rating: F]
Finally, we were able to scan the fat mage's basic information.
As expected of a citizen of a Level 3 civilization, their level is so high. It's just a pity that their actual combat strength is trash. No wonder they can only run an inn on the outermost edge of the giant tower.
Based on my previous memory, the battle with the Galactic Expeditionary Army in Act 5 was in the level range of 80-100.
During the sixth act of the Yalan Civilization activities, the level range is 100-120.
As for the Arcane Civilization before them, it is a level higher than the Yalan Civilization, and its true combat strength should be above level 120.
Based on Master Moore's reminder and his own memories from his past life, Lister suspected that the Galactic Federation's civilization level was indeed related to the job transformation of life forms.
S-class life forms before the first transformation correspond to zero-level civilizations.
An S-rank life form after level 20 and first reincarnation corresponds to Tier 1.
An S-rank life form after reaching level 60 and undergoing second job advancement, corresponding to the second tier.
Following this logic, the Third Advancement at level 120 and the Fourth Advancement at level 180 should truly correspond to the third and fourth level civilizations.
If his estimation is correct, the Arcane Civilization, as a Level 3 civilization, has advanced life forms with a combat strength of at least Level 120 or above, and their maximum combat strength even corresponds to Level 180 S-class combat strength before the Fourth Advancement.
Lister should currently be able to advance the Merrick Civilization to the second tier.
Considering the short time frame, and the fact that his level had skyrocketed to 90, he decided to hold off for now, not wanting to attract attention.
In any case, first- and second-tier civilizations are both at the bottom level, and only when they reach the third-tier level do they have a certain advantage in the Galactic Federation.
"Boss?"
Hearing the sound, the fat mage slowly turned off the entertainment program in front of him and lazily looked at Lister.
"Where can I buy a potion? I need one that increases strength."
"I have some level one potions here. Which one do you want?"
Seeing that a real business had come to his door, the fat monk became more serious.
With a wave of his staff, several potions appeared on the table.
[Arcane Civilization Level 1 Power Potion (Grade C): Increases Strength attribute by 3 points. (Note: Only usable by pre-second Class Holder, excluding second Class Holder.)] -- Price: 3380 Credits.
[Arcane Civilization Level 1 Basic Potion (Grade C): Increases each of the four main attributes by 1 point. (Note: Only usable by pre-second Class Holder, excluding second Class Holder.)] -- Price: 5909 Credits.
None of the medicines laid out had any effect on him.
To Lister's further dismay, he also saw "Lucian's Turquoise Solution" in the potion—wasn't that the one he had given to the fat mage a few days ago?
The price is now 5500 credits, when he exchanged it for only 400 credits per bottle.
It's just a matter of passing the buck, yet the profits are so exorbitant!
Fortunately, he didn't exchange too many credits at the time, just enough to cover the cost of staying in hotels.
"Aren't there any level 2 potions?"
The fat mage gave him a strange look, then shook his head.
"Level 2 potions are only sold to citizens of Tier 2 and above; you can't buy them."
It's that damned barrier of civilization again!
Lister discovered that the limitations imposed by so-called advanced civilizations on less advanced civilizations are almost ubiquitous.
This potion that enhances strength is essentially a pathway for powerful individuals from lower-level civilizations to advance, but unexpectedly even this path to advancement is restricted.
After cursing inwardly for a while, he couldn't help but continue to probe.
What if I offer a higher price?
"No way! The Federation Constitution doesn't allow it, and I'm not selling it here."
"If all else fails, why don't you try your luck outside?"
After speaking, the fat mage shook his head and ignored him, as if he had confirmed that Lister was not the target customer, and immediately put away the potion in front of him.
He then turned the entertainment program back on, crossed his legs, and started shaking his leg and swaying his head.