Immortality?

Chapter 36: Immortality?

If any players heard that Zhao Xu could receive the treatment of a Wish Spell, they would definitely protest.

They wouldn't care about the reasons behind Zhao Xu receiving such treatment.

In reality, the TC family had absolutely no influence over Arthur.

This fact was well-known in later generations, and even the higher-ups couldn't explain the origin of the test accounts.

Currently, Arthur maintained balance among players, with only a few players possessing items that severely disrupted this balance.

This was mainly because the great figures of Arthur didn't really consider players to be of much consequence.

Furthermore, the magic items in Arthur could be mass-produced. As for the only non-mass-producible artifact, even the great figures didn't have excess stockpiles at home.

In his previous life, not a single Earth player had obtained an artifact even ten years later.

Magic was terrifying, but within its scope, it was logical.

If something could be penetrated, it could be penetrated; if it could be immune, it could be immune.

Only artifacts could defy logic.

When Zhao Xu heard Antinoa's proposal, the first thought that crossed his mind was to convert it into 25,000 GP for him. Then, he would genuinely use that money to engage in business and production in Arthur.

In his previous life, some players did engage in this business. The main issue was the initial capital, which troubled the vast majority of people; players were poor.

25,000 GP, with just a little more, would be the price of an Intelligence Headband that provided a +6 enhancement bonus to Intelligence—36,000 GP.

A +4 Intelligence Headband only cost 16,000 GP, which would be more than enough, allowing him to exchange for two more +2 attribute equipment pieces.

The proposal Antinoa gave him now, a +1 to Intelligence, was vastly different from +4 and +6.

However, the calculation wasn't that simple.

Items with the same name didn't stack. In the future, even if Zhao Xu wore a +6 Intelligence Headband and found a +6 Intelligence Necklace, it would be useless.

Equipment provided enhancement bonuses, and the highest one would take effect.

But the "+1" Intelligence bonus provided by the Wish Spell could stack because it was an internal bonus.

To obtain internal bonuses, one needed corresponding attribute-increasing books, like the Book of Clear Thinking, and the Wish Spell.

But the price was immortality?

The nine-level spells of Arthur were famous. Even if players never encountered them, they would boast about them upon hearing of them. Over time, this meant they couldn't be kept secret.

However, Zhao Xu had never heard of "Kissed By the Ages," an immortal nine-level spell.

This indicated it was a secret art, with nowhere to copy it from.

Perhaps if he missed this opportunity, he would have to wait until he was seventy or eighty and died of old age.

Antinoa likely wouldn't give him another chance. If she were truly that easygoing, she could have easily cast thirty-six nine-level Wish Spells on all six attributes.

Immortality.

After everyone transmigrated, this matter was undeniably real.

Even the long-lived Elves, around eight hundred years old, were close to meeting their Elven gods.

After transmigrating, he could slack off in the Floating City, claiming to be researching spells, and might indeed stay there until the Floating City was destroyed.

Zhao Xu lowered his head, contemplating the gains and losses.

Immortality.

1 point of Intelligence.

An choice others wouldn't hesitate over, yet it plunged Zhao Xu into deep confusion.

Slowly, under Antinoa's playful gaze, Zhao Xu's eyes gradually brightened.

Being a slacker for a lifetime was still being a slacker.

He would rather burn brilliantly for a moment.

Zhao Xu said, "I choose the second option—"

Zhao Xu, about to make his grand statement, suddenly stopped. With a somewhat awkward expression, he added, "Mentor, if I were to read the Book of Clear Thinking or receive the effect of a Wish Spell in the future, would they stack?"

Antinoa wasn't unaware, but if Zhao Xu didn't mention certain things, she wouldn't bring them up.

Zhao Xu had to clarify this crucial point.

"Neither will stack," Antinoa directly denied.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xu felt half his hope extinguished.

Unless he was content with only having 1 point of internal Intelligence bonus for the rest of his life, he would have to start over if he wanted to improve it later?

Would the 1 point he exchanged for with his immortality be wasted like this?

This 1 point of Intelligence wasn't even worth being forged from platinum.

"To increase internal attribute bonuses, continuous casting of Wish Spells is required, meaning five consecutive Wish Spells. Otherwise, adventurers with 36 points of internal bonuses would be everywhere," Antinoa said, not without a hint of irony.

Zhao Xu's resolve, painstakingly made, was instantly shattered by half.

"That's how it has to be now."

He continued to look at Antinoa. "The second path."

Antinoa raised an eyebrow and looked at Zhao Xu. "Learning the 'Kissed By the Ages' spell is easy, but the slots for those who can receive it are limited. We need permission and approval for anyone we want to cast it on."

"So if you miss this chance now, you might not get another one. Otherwise, you wouldn't see that old man Mokar as decrepit as he is today."

"If he truly greedily wanted the Intelligence boost from aging, he should have received this spell after enjoying it. But he simply doesn't qualify."

"So, you have no regrets?"

Zhao Xu shook his head.

What he needed was to rapidly increase his strength, striving to improve himself within this year of transmigration.

If he were a native of Arthur, he would naturally choose eternal life and take his time with strength.

But he wasn't.

Moreover, Zhao Xu was confident that once he became powerful, he would definitely be able to secure a chance at eternal life for himself.

After a while, Zhao Xu considered his words and said, "Better to die with honor than live in obscurity."

Zhao Xu spoke this sentence directly in Chinese.

He knew that these mages had many perfected spells, usually including 'Charm Person'.

This spell allowed them to understand and communicate in other creatures' languages.

Antinoa would definitely have the words translated quite literally.

But as long as the meaning was conveyed, it was fine.

To live a glorious life, or to die a heroic death.

Zhao Xu's original intention was actually to strengthen himself and protect his family. As for achieving grand accomplishments, that could be discussed later.

Once his level was high enough, if he didn't diligently equip himself with various trigger, protective, resurrection, teleportation, and immunity spells, he absolutely wouldn't go out adventuring.

But he needed to tell Antinoa that he wasn't a slacker and had a strong desire to climb higher.

Give him any awesome abilities or feats you have.

"Then work hard," Antinoa said indifferently.

Zhao Xu felt a bit awkward hearing that.

What if you're not as ambitious, and I give you both options?

Zhao Xu almost slapped his thigh, cursing himself for being a fool.

He hadn't misread the situation, but he had misjudged the person.

Even if a Legendary Mage like Antinoa hadn't invested many skill points into 'Sense Motive,' it wouldn't stop her from casting a spell to raise her skill level.

Her skill level was so high that she could see through his true intentions at a glance.

It seemed he would have to be honest when dealing with these high-level mages of Arthur from now on and not try to play any tricks.

Just as Zhao Xu resolved not to act anymore, he saw Antinoa raise her hand and point directly at him.

There were no incantations, no casting gestures.

Just like last time, a gleam of light flashed.

The world remained calm and peaceful.

But Zhao Xu saw the stats on his character card.

[Intelligence: 17 (+3) = 16 (Natural) + 1 (Innate)]

He had indeed gained one point of Intelligence.

"Also, I lied about the approval for the eternal life slot. When you reach level 17, I will teach you this spell, and you can cast it on whomever you wish."

Damn it, who said female mages don't lie?

Thanks to "Xie Ge" for the reward of Qidian coins, I am deeply grateful.