But now, seeing the explanation of the "Root Engraving," a guess arose in Qiji's mind—
Perhaps it's not "impossible," but rather that the conditions are too harsh, so harsh as to be despairing!
"Perfect Advancement", "Root Engraving"...
These are clearly all key to the path to becoming a "king".
Just as Qiji was overwhelmed with emotion upon learning this astonishing information, the system popped up a notification at that very moment:
[Bite!]
[Detected upgradeable material "Dream Lineage Fragment - Power (Legendary)"], would you like to use it to upgrade Echo Core?
Without hesitation, Qiji immediately clicked "Yes".
This is when the system's reliability becomes apparent.
If Qiji were to refine the fragments himself, given that he hasn't even officially entered the first tier yet, who knows how long it would take?
Furthermore, if the fragments are not completely refined before the next entry into the Sea of Consciousness...
If his spirit "dies" in the Sea of Consciousness, this unrefined Legend Fragment will be "exploded"...
A short while later—
[Enhancement complete!]
[Slots filled: 1/3]
Upon hearing the prompt, Qiji immediately used the system's perspective to look at his Echo again.
On the originally blurry outline, three faintly visible ring-shaped grooves had appeared at some point.
They revolve slowly around the still-unawakened core, like a ring of stars.
One of the grooves has been lit up, and the legendary fragment is firmly embedded in it, with a faint golden light flowing around it.
This added a touch of majesty to the already mysterious Echo of the Qiji.
Qiji taken aback at first, then suddenly realized—
So, the so-called enhancement is actually just embedding additional Echo Fragment into the core itself?
That makes sense; many games that Qiji has played have this kind of setup.
But the next second, new doubts welled up in my mind.
Since it's a slot, it should be replaceable at any time.
Why did the system indicate that the white and green fragments were of insufficient quality, preventing them from being inlaid?
Just as Qiji was pondering this, the system's prompt appeared in his field of vision again.
This explanation is more detailed:
[A question has been detected from the host regarding the "enhancement" mechanism. This is to clarify:]
[After a regular Echo Core awakens, it will generate a stable slot that can be compatible with and replace fragments of the same lineage of different qualities.]
[However, the host's Echo Core is currently in the "unawakened embryonic stage." The fragments refined during this stage will lay the "growth benchmark" for your embryonic core.]
[Low-quality fragments, containing excessive "Echo Noise," will contaminate your core essence and permanently lower your growth potential when used as "baseline material."]
[The system has automatically set security thresholds based on your core characteristics.]
[Current minimum allowed gem quality: Epic (Purple)]
[Note: This limitation applies only to the "embryonic period".]
[After the first awakening is completed, subsequent slots will follow the general replacement rules.]
[You have successfully socketed a "Legendary" quality fragment, greatly enhancing your core potential and future possibilities!]
After reading the system's explanation, Qiji nodded, a look of understanding on his face.
I see.
It's not that its core is delicate, but rather that its starting point and potential are too high!
A path to great heights must be built upon the purest and most powerful foundation; otherwise, it would be a waste of resources and a self-destructive endeavor!
Qiji decided that until he awakened the Echo, he would only inlay fragments of gold quality or higher.
Since we're all betting on the highest possible limit anyway, let's go for the absolute maximum!
Meanwhile, the Thousand Faces Family.
Quiet room.
Having safely evacuated from the Sea of Consciousness, Suyo suddenly opened his eyes.
She clutched her chest, and it took a long time for her violent heartbeat to finally subside.
In her final moments, when she and her brother were locked onto by that terrifying crimson arrow of blood, she thought she was going to die...
Fortunately, my older brother was there!
To be honest, she didn't even understand what was happening at the time.
All I remember is my brother holding me tightly, followed by a huge explosion and blast wave, and then...
They left in a daze...
Back to reality, unharmed!
I absorbed two high-quality fragments in a row, a very rewarding experience!
Looking back on his first "journey to the sea," Suyo couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions—
My brother and I were so awesome together!
The Sea of Consciousness doesn't seem so difficult after all!
Which idiot said the Sea of Consciousness was hell?
Nonsense!
She felt that this was clearly heaven!
The girl was already envisioning a future where she and her Guardian Spirit brother would reign supreme in the Sea of Consciousness...
Hey-hey!
Hehehe!
Just as he was getting into his daydreams, the door to the quiet room was suddenly pushed open.
But it was her mother, who had been waiting outside, who rushed in with tears in her eyes upon hearing the noise.
After confirming that her daughter was safe and sound, Xiangyun rushed forward and hugged Suyo tightly.
"Tell me, Suyo, Mom thought you were never coming back!"
"I'm so glad you came back alive!!!"
Beneath the Suyo, her brows furrowed slightly; it was the first time her mother had held her so tightly.
But this hug felt completely different from the one her brother had given her in the Sea of Consciousness!
She felt no warmth, only suffocation.
So she pushed her mother away, patted her wrinkled clothes, stood up, and looked down at her, saying:
"Call Thousand Faces Zhengxing here."
She has an older brother now!
Upon thinking of this, Suyo's back straightened instantly.
P. S.: Seven chapters, over 19,500 words in total! It really got the brothers fired up!
Since releasing the book, I haven't asked for votes yet. This time, I'm finally standing up for myself and can shout out my voice with confidence!
Requesting votes? (?ˉ?ˉ?)
Also, please subscribe again tomorrow! We're having a "strong recommendation" competition tomorrow, and whether I win or not depends on tomorrow's vote. Please!
Chapter Ninety: What was the true nature of the Suyo back then? What a tangled web of relationships!
Thousand Faces Zhengxing learning that Suyo had actually returned alive from the Sea of Consciousness, Senmyoji Masayuki excitedly rushed over, muttering to himself:
"I knew it! I knew she could do it!"
She is Suyo, she is Suyo!
However, the instant that Thousand Faces Zhengxing stepped into the quiet room where Suyo was located—
Several fireballs suddenly flew towards us.
Thousand Faces Zhengxing was slightly taken aback, then laughed in exasperation.
He sidestepped, dodging all the fireballs.
However, this move by the Suyo was merely a feint!
The next instant, the ground beneath Thousand Faces Zhengxing's feet suddenly softened, turning into a pile of quicksand that sank downwards!
At the same time, sharp ice spikes suddenly shot out from the surrounding pillars and walls, piercing towards him from all directions!
Outside, a fierce wind was blowing!
The fireball he had dodged earlier turned around with the help of the wind and came hurtling towards him again.
The wind even fanned the flames, causing the fireball's size and temperature to increase several times over!
Wind, fire, ice, earth —
The four Mimicry forces Suyo combined at this moment, forming a wonderful synergy!
At this moment, Thousand Faces Zhengxing to avoid it!
Seeing that his sneak attack was about to succeed, Suyo clenched his fist, feeling extremely excited!
Upon Sea of Consciousness, she felt like a completely different person!
Because she saw her brother, because she knew her brother was still protecting her, because from now on, she finally had a brother she could rely on again!
It's like a child who was prepared to face the whole world alone, only to have the person who had left, who would have been unconditionally good to you, and whom you considered everything, suddenly reappear!
Suddenly, she had the confidence to do anything!
Just as Suyo thought he could finally vent his long-held pent-up anger—
Click.
A crisp sound, like a mirror shattering, rang in my ears.
Suyo felt a blur before her eyes, and then an irresistible force slammed into her back!
Unbeknownst to her, Thousand Faces Zhengxing had appeared behind her at some point and kicked her out of the quiet room.
Suyo fell to the ground in the courtyard, plowing a long furrow before finally coming to a stop.
"Cough... cough cough..."
Damn it...
Suyo, having finally figured out what had happened, angrily pounded the ground.
She was just making assumptions!
She should have been more patient.
There's still a long road ahead!
From then on, she would continue to grow stronger every day.
And this guy will only grow old and weaker day by day, until he even needs a cane to walk!
She has a long time to get revenge for herself and for her brother.