The Fifth Ability

The Fifth Ability

The panel flashed, and brand-new progress appeared! (Unlock Progress 47%)

As the Unlock Progress reached 47%, a notification sounded beside Su Yao's ear.

Ability: Spiritual Light Beam (Unlocked)

Su Yao stared at the panel, feeling somewhat disappointed.

Ability: Spiritual Light Beam (0/100) Level 1

"It's actually Spiritual Light Beam?"

Honestly, he was a little disappointed by this ability. Its function overlapped somewhat with Black Particles; it was merely a bit more concealed.

Su Yao remembered that Spiritual Light Beams could abruptly erupt from the ground, like a laser suddenly shooting up from beneath someone's feet, catching them off guard.

It looked pretty good, but it overlapped somewhat with Black Particles. What he needed were more unusual abilities, like Soul Extraction or Sunshine Pervades! One could draw out souls, while the other seemed to be a full-screen attack and a core move besides! Unfortunately, he had obtained neither.

Levitation Flight would've been fine too! Su Yao thought in disappointment.

After getting over his disappointment, Su Yao turned his gaze to the Unlock Progress.

"I wonder whether I'll awaken a new ability at 50%, or maybe 55% or 60%?"

Glancing at the dazzling sun overhead, Su Yao was filled with anticipation.

Although the energy required for Unlock Progress was steadily increasing, at his current rate of absorbing sunlight, he should still be able to awaken another ability today! After glancing at the three people discussing matters in the distance, Su Yao thought for a moment and decided not to test Spiritual Light Beam. Instead, he began examining Black Particles.

He could not help recalling the moment when, while escaping the Experimental Base, he had used every last bit of his strength to cast Reflection Shield.

He remembered that at the time, he had drained all the energy in his body at once, then cast a Reflection Shield far larger than normal.

"If I consume more energy, can I create larger Black Particles?"

Driven by curiosity, Su Yao began experimenting.

Tiny blue particles appeared on his fingertip, then spread into a mass of pitch-black ripples.

Black Particle Experience +1

The Black Particles lingered in his hand, and under his intense control, they did not fire out.

Su Yao tried increasing the energy.

As the Light Energy within him decreased, the Black Particles truly grew a size larger. But...

"This consumes too much." Su Yao helplessly dispelled the Black Particles.

He discovered that while it was possible, it was somewhat not worth the cost. Not only was the energy consumption high, but the increase was not particularly noticeable.

Rather than consuming energy to increase their power, it would be better to honestly raise the ability's level. That would be more cost-effective when using it.

Of course, it could still be useful at critical moments. It might just be the final straw that broke the camel's back, delivering a decisive blow.

Abandoning the idea of consuming energy to increase power, he shifted his attention to reducing consumption.

"Can I still cast Level 1 Black Particles?"

Su Yao felt doubtful.

Compared to Level 1 Black Particles, Level 2 Black Particles consumed considerably more energy. Sometimes, certain enemies did not warrant using Level 2 Black Particles at all; it felt like using a cannon to kill a mosquito.

Su Yao began experimenting.

Black Particles appeared in his hand again.

Black Particle Experience +1

The egg-sized Black Particles continuously expanded and contracted, occasionally twisting and warping...

As he kept trying, Su Yao frowned.

He found that it was not impossible, merely difficult. It felt as though he would need a long time practicing before he could do it.

"Right..."

He quickly realized something.

He had nearly forgotten that he was still a mutant. Black Particles had been derived from the Mutant Ability, "Imitation"...

And a mutant's abilities inherently represented instability and poor control.

Someone as stable as him, able to use his abilities as he pleased, was already an exception among exceptions.

When other mutants used their abilities, setting aside the issue of whether they worked or failed at random, even a slight surge of emotion could cause their abilities to lose control! And I was actually thinking of using my abilities however I wanted?

Su Yao shook his head. Then, he suddenly thought, I wonder if my abilities might lose control someday too?

At the thought, Su Yao instinctively shuddered.

He felt that it would definitely be terrifying...

He could not imagine what consequences it would bring! Shaking his head, Su Yao threw the thought of losing control from his mind.

Feeling the Light Energy within him gradually filling up, he turned his attention to his other Level 1 abilities.

God Finger, Reflection Shield, Spiritual Light Beam.

He considered whether he should set aside some time to raise these three Level 1 abilities to Level 2 as well.

If all of them reached Level 2, the energy in his body would inevitably increase by a considerable amount, and his combat strength would rise along with it! But...

If he chose to increase his ability levels, then the Unlock Progress would be delayed...

After thinking it over for quite a while, he decided on a compromise: spend the morning raising his ability levels, then gather Energy Points in the afternoon to awaken the next ability.

Su Yao turned his attention to Reflection Shield.

Reflection Shield Experience +1

Reflection Shield Experience +1

Reflection Shield Experience +1

The energy within Su Yao was rapidly depleted, while the sunlight shining down on him continuously replenished the energy he had used.

Time passed quickly, and soon it was noon.

With a notification sound, Su Yao stopped what he was doing.

Ability: Reflection Shield (0/500) Level 2

Reflection Shield Experience +1

After testing it out, Su Yao was surprised to discover that once Reflection Shield reached Level 2, its range had suddenly expanded enough to protect his upper body! This meant that from now on, he would hardly need to worry about the safety of his upper body. "And this is only Level 2. If it reached Level 3, wouldn't it cover my entire body?"

"And at Level 4, maybe it could envelop my whole body?"

Su Yao immediately began looking forward to it.

Besides the qualitative change in Reflection Shield, the Light Energy within his body had also increased considerably.

If he used Level 1 Black Particle, he could now cast it more than fifty times! As for Level 2 Black Particle, he could probably use it more than twenty times. His other Level 2 abilities were about the same.

Just thinking about it made Su Yao feel that his energy was still somewhat scarce. It simply was not enough for him.

Of course, as he unlocked more and more abilities later on, the energy in his body would definitely continue increasing. But for now...

Feeling the Light Energy in his body gradually refill, he did not continue practicing his abilities. Instead, he began gathering Energy Points.

Light Energy +1

Light Energy +1

Light Energy +1

Light Energy +1

The sun gradually set, and before long, evening arrived.

Su Yao impatiently added all the Energy Points to Unlock Progress.

The Unlock Progress blurred for a moment.

(Unlock Progress 69%)

Staring at the Unlock Progress that appeared, Su Yao was at a loss for words.

He had invested six thousand Energy Points, yet it had only risen to 69%? With a sigh, he turned his gaze toward the newly awakened ability.