The appraiser lived in a small villa in the far suburbs. The place was deserted, but Han Xiao found it easily and rang the doorbell.
After a while, the gate opened, and an elderly Goddora man walked out, looking at Han Xiao with a puzzled expression.
"Who are you?"
"Hello, Master Angton, I've come here seeking your help. I'd like you to open a magical security item," Han Xiao said, recognizing the other person as his target.
Unexpectedly, Angton looked bewildered. "I only moved here three months ago, and I didn't tell anyone. How did you find me?"
Han Xiao was taken aback, then realized that at this time, players were still playing in the mud on the newbie planet. He was too ahead of his time. Fortunately, Angton had moved here early, otherwise it would have been awkward if he couldn't find anyone.
Angton was puzzled but stopped worrying about it. He invited Han Xiao into the house, saying as they walked, "You are the first guest I've received since moving in. It's quite memorable. I think I should write this day in my diary. What should I call you, uninvited guest?"
Just call me Han Xiao.
"Today is our official opening, and to celebrate our first sale, I'll do everything I can to help you..." Angton laughed heartily.
The villa was very luxurious. The two went to the basement, where many magical items were displayed, and the walls and floor were engraved with many magic circles, as well as various sophisticated instruments for researching and analyzing magic.
After paying the appraisal fee, Angton placed the Whispering Bead in the analysis array, opened the heavy magic tome, and began chanting.
bite...
The sealing array of the Whispering Bead appeared in the air. Angton, wearing reading glasses, squinted as he observed, occasionally drawing magical lines on the array with his finger, breaking it little by little, just like unlocking a lock.
Mage Class and Mechanic Class are considered the two most complex superpower systems. Mechanical systems are diverse, ranging from nanotechnology to warships, from nuclear weapons to Psionic Energy cannons, from network technology to artificial intelligence, encompassing everything and belonging to the technology side. The corresponding mystical side is the Mage Class, which is equally complex in its branches, including elements, arcane arts, protection, time and space, energy manipulation, summoning, curses and blessings, and so on.
Mages can master multiple branches of spells without restriction, and can simultaneously unleash both fire and ice magic. Just like Mechanic Class users who spend experience to gamble for blueprints, Mage Class also consume experience to learn spells. As long as they have enough experience, they can learn as many as they want. Of course, for players, there are differences between the two. A mage's learning of a spell is divided into different "stages." For example, learning Flame Explosion requires three stages, and completing each stage consumes experience, with the amount increasing as you progress. If you fail to learn a stage, you have to spend more experience to try again. Only when all stages are completed do you officially master the spell—that is, you gain a new skill.
The success rate of learning spells depends on intelligence and mystical attributes. The higher the level of the spell, the more stages are required to learn it. It is also a huge drain on experience. It is relatively easy for advanced mages to master low-level spells, but the reverse is very difficult. Moreover, high-level spells often have prerequisites, such as learning a prerequisite low-level spell first, or reaching a certain attribute value.
The differences between branches of magic are like the differences between types of machinery, belonging to the category of skill differences. In terms of career orientation, the Mechanic Class has types such as gunner, mech warrior, and mechanic, while the Mage Class also has different classifications. The differences between Mechanic Class professions are determined after birth, while the differences between Mage Class are often determined innately. The way of awakening determines the path. The first type is the mage who awakens Esper Gene normally, who is born with magical power and activates it through meditation to become a proper mage. This type belongs to the talent type.
The second type involves individuals who cannot activate their magic power, or even lack the talent for mages. By implanting magical circuits within their bodies, they have a chance to generate magic power and gain the qualifications of a mage. This is similar to how some superhumans can awaken their abilities on their own, while others need a gene awakening fluid. The implanted magical circuits form the foundation of their magic power and require continuous improvement and enhancement. The biggest difference between circuit-based mages and naturally gifted mages is that circuit-based mages cannot learn all spells. Circuits usually have a bias, limiting them to a specific specialty. Because the most fundamental element cannot be changed once implanted, there is only one opportunity to choose a circuit.
Of course, as the saying goes, it's better to be a master than a jack of all trades. Specialized mages are not weak; in fact, they are the largest group. After all, an individual's energy is limited. It's better to delve deeply into one thing than to dabble in many things. Some talented mages even have circuits implanted later in life to become specialized mages. This is because circuits are equivalent to amplifying the expertise of a particular spell. By sacrificing versatility, they gain amazing spell power. For example, Goya is a specialized mage, a pure ice mage.
There is another special type of mage, called the Magic Network Mage. They are an anomaly, whose magical power does not belong to them but is "borrowed." They contact magical entities existing in other dimensions (usually with indescribable appearances) through bizarre methods such as religion, prayer, and rituals, and form contracts with them. They cannot learn spells but can only use the spells bestowed by these magical entities. Most of these spells do not consume mana, but only have a daily limit on the number of uses, which is equivalent to having a cooldown but no cost. The way to become stronger is to strengthen the connection with the magical entities or to form contracts with new magical entities to gain more spells and more uses.
Master Han, in his past life, played a Mage Class alt character. His skills were highly specialized, focusing on combining various spells into countless combos—the complete opposite of the brute-force Pugilist Class. His PvP emphasized detail and calculation, possessing a unique charm suitable for intelligent, technically skilled players... Oh, and aside from the Fireball and Summoning styles, these were even more mindless than martial arts. No analysis was needed; just burn through the mana bar, and basically no one could stand a chance. Just go all out!
Holding a cup of magical coconut tea, Han Xiao sat to the side for several hours, almost falling asleep.
Kerala...
In mid-air, the sealing array, like a shattered mirror, was finally broken.
"It's done." Angton took off his glasses.
"Let me see what's inside..." Han Xiao took back the Whispering Bead, took a deep breath, and slowly twisted it.
The unsealed Whispering Bead, like a gashapon toy, easily twisted in two. Each side was fixed with a miniature vacuum glass case. These two items had been shrunk by magic to fit into such a small bead.
[The unknown item has been identified; you have obtained [Whispering Bead] x1]
[You have opened the [Whispering Bead]]
[You have obtained [Seventh-Generation Mutation Source] x1]
[You have obtained [Super Gene Extractor - Experimental Model] x1]
"It's these two things!" Han Xiao's breath hitched, his eyes widened, and he finally understood why DarkStar was pursuing him so relentlessly. These two things were of extraordinary significance; he had practically stolen DarkStar's lifeline!
These two things are related to two major conspiracies on DarkStar, and are the source of two major events! One of them is the main storyline of Planet Aquamarine 2.0: the Mutation Disaster!
A sudden inspiration struck him, and he connected the dots.
"DarkStar purchased these two items from another organization. The seller, located far beyond the Shattered Star Ring, chose one of his subordinates to transport the goods. This subordinate happened to be Silver Spirit People, traveling with a tour group, intending to deliver the goods secretly. However, while the Silver Spirit People was on his journey, he was suddenly robbed by bandits... oops, I mean, by slave traders. The transporter was incredibly unlucky, forcing DarkStar to come and retrieve the items. And coincidentally, the other Silver Spirit People hired us... Initially, they were unaware of the clandestine transaction behind it all. Everything that followed stemmed from that initial accident..."
Han Xiao was amazed. Through a series of coincidences, he had uncovered DarkStar's private deal and stolen the goods they had bought at an exorbitant price!
The secret forces that sell these products are like arms dealers. DarkStar itself doesn't have much scientific research capability to develop new "weapons," so it can only buy them to cause trouble. The Mutation Source has already reached its seventh generation, so it must have been tested in other places as well.
Just as these thoughts flashed through his mind, the panel notified him that new tasks had been triggered, and there was more than one.
[You have triggered the Grade A main quest [The Mutation Disaster]!]
[Mission Brief: You have unexpectedly uncovered a secret deal by DarkStar, discovering the source of the Mutation Disaster. DarkStar has secretly released Mutation Source on multiple homeworlds. As the virus matures, a terrifying catastrophe will sweep across the land, and resisting this disaster will be the responsibility of every living being.]
[Mission Requirements: Eliminate the Mutation Disaster virus and protect the planet from the impending catastrophe]
[Planet Aquamarine - Progress: 0/3000w]
[Planet Barifus - Progress: 0/2100w]
[Planet of Dusk - Progress: 0/1900w]
[Success Condition: Successfully defend any one of the aforementioned planets before the Mutation Virus reaches its complete form]
[Failure Condition: The entire planet falls, and all survivors are forced to evacuate]
[Rewards: Depend on contribution progress (Note: Even if the virus spreads and causes the overall progress to decrease, the individual's previously accumulated progress will still be included in the reward evaluation)]
[Current status of the task: Frozen]
"The main quest for the next version!"
Han Xiao's eyes lit up with surprise; he hadn't expected to trigger the 2.0 main storyline ahead of schedule.
The main quest of Mutation Disaster is not a solo mission, but a mission that all players must undertake together. The progress of Planet Aquamarine needs to be accumulated to 30 million. Every player's actions will contribute to the progress. Mutation Disaster has several stages. The virus will grow, causing the progress to plummet. The mission requires completion before the virus becomes an uncontrollable, fully formed form, which requires the concerted efforts of all players.
"This mission is different from the player's. I remember the player's mission was just to protect Planet Aquamarine, but my goal is to target other planets... Is it because I obtained the Mutation Source?"
Han Xiao was somewhat surprised. This was a good thing, as it gave him more options. Of course, his first priority would be to protect Planet Aquamarine, not only his so-called home planet, but also for the players in the next version.
The mission status is frozen at this moment. The mission will only begin after the timeline reaches version 2.0 and the disaster has fully erupted... He is considering how to make the most of the Mutation Source in his possession.
"The key to solving the Mutation Disaster is Goddora. In our previous life, Goddora spent a very long time developing the antidote, and by then it was too late. If we hand over the Mutation Source to them, we can develop the antidote ahead of time..."
Han Xiao pondered. This should be the best way to maximize the Mutation Source. He needed to think about how to hand it over to Goddora. If he gave it to her too early, the contribution wouldn't be counted in the mission, and it would also arouse suspicion.
He rummaged through his memories and roughly came up with a plan, but the details still needed to be perfected, so he put it aside for the time being and looked at two other new tasks.
[You have triggered the Grade A quest [Alliance of Goddora]!]
[You have triggered the Grade S quest [Bloodline]!]