Chapter 34: Rounding Up is a Second Tier Expert

The six paths corresponded to the following professions: Energy Transformation, bladed and blunt weapons, Constitution or strength-based Mecha warriors, shooting professions, Alchemists, and Qi Cultivators. In the small notebook, there were many scattered and sloppy notes regarding the Qi Path, which must have been left by Ludie during his cultivation. So Ludie was cultivating the Qi Path. He looks like a slacker, but he’s actually a qigong master? And a qigong master who likes guns at that. If I were to cultivate the Qi Path, he should be able to give me some substantial help. It would be even better if I could get a direct energy infusion from him. [The professional definitions of Transcendents in the Wasteland are not that rigid. They often develop ways to use powers across disciplines or in special ways. For example, attaching thought energy to bullets, firing mixed bullets with Dark Energy and thought energy impact, or even adding malleable elemental energy to the mix. The same applies to the weapon path.] Lu Luo did not jump to conclusions at this time. He continued to look through the manual for training methods and found that the most basic aspects of the six paths were the same: to sense Dark Energy, embrace Dark Energy, and absorb Dark Energy. The differences between the six paths lay only in their approaches to self-enhancement and energy usage. One could say that in the Wasteland, Dark Energy is the energy source for all Transcendents, who, whether advancing or fighting, cannot do without Dark Energy. Humanity had suffered tremendous casualties due to the Dark Energy invasion, resulting in all sorts of mutations and the emergence of Exotic Species. However, it was precisely because of Dark Energy that humans now had Transcendents. How to sense Dark Energy is the first step to becoming a Transcendent. With that, Lu Luo began carefully reading about how to sense Dark Energy. The first step was to dive into the conscious world and locate one’s own consciousness-sensing tendrils, followed by many more steps. However, just as Lu Luo was about to give it a try, the Observer chimed in with advice. [Since you already have me, why bother with such foolishness? Am I not good enough, or have you found a new love? Do you think your consciousness-sensing tendrils are stronger than the Observer? The Observer can not only detect Dark Energy but any kind of energy. If the Observer were likened to a giant, then your consciousness-sensing tendrils would be comparable to ants. As the noble S-11 Observer, I find your actions contemptible.] Uh, is that so? But I feel I also need to master some energy-sensing methods myself. What if you go into hibernation? [It seems you still haven’t grasped the meaning of the Talent Sequence. I’ll have to explain it to you in detail then. Each Talent Sequence is formed based on the host’s own traits, and even Talent Sequences of the same sequence number can behave differently in different hosts. To put it plainly, the S-11 Observer Sequence is the extension of all your observational abilities. It is the sum of your vision, smell, taste, hearing, touch, perception, cognitive awareness, object recognition, knowledge recognition, and your sixth sense. The stronger your collective sensory abilities, the stronger the S-11 Observer Sequence becomes. Conversely, with you as you are now, I appear weak.] That makes sense! Lu Luo suddenly felt an epiphany, but he still found it hard to understand why the Observer spoke in such a sarcastic tone and always enjoyed being cryptic and ironic. [First, I must tell you, I exist based on you. It’s not me who likes to be sarcastic and ironic. As for who? I’ll say no more. Those who know, know!] "Nonsense, I’ve never been sarcastic or ironic." Since there was no need to consider the issue of energy sensing anymore, it was time to proceed to the main topic: choosing which Qi Union Path to cultivate. Lu Luo was a practical man. Since Ludie was cultivating the Qi Path, as someone looking to ride his coattails, it only made sense for him to cultivate the Qi Path as well. That way, he would have a free senior instructor, which should be very beneficial for his future cultivation. He looked at the manual for the six paths. "The Qi Path involves channeling Dark Energy into the body and then transforming it into a pure force known as qi. Whether it’s thought energy, fighting energy, or internal energy, all can be called qi. Qi can boost techniques and also strengthen the body. It’s a moderate path. The cultivation of the Qi Path depends on the qi transformed from Dark Energy congregating at one point to form qi points. The more qi points, the stronger the Essence of Life." This Qi Path seemed quite good and appeared to be a type of magic and combat double cultivation. [Stop looking; you can’t learn it for now.] Lu Luo immediately felt unconvinced. He had just killed a Second Tier elite Exotic Species, the hope of the Wasteland—how could he be looked down upon? Why can’t I learn it? [Comprehensive Assessment 2: Completely lacking the qualifications for a Transcendent’s cultivation, tantamount to a waste.] Lu Luo’s expression instantly turned awkward. What’s with this Grade S Sequence enjoying pointing out people’s flaws! [Your advancement method requires the collaborative deduction and fusion of Grade S Sequences S-02 Devourer, S-04 Fusioner, and S-11 Observer to derive the optimal conclusion. So, hurry up and read. The sooner you finish, the faster your Cultivation Technique can be advanced.] I see! With the guidance received, Lu Luo began to read seriously by the light of the only hanging lamp on the rooftop. This so-called serious reading didn’t mean needing to comprehend the text. Lu Luo just had to open the book and carefully look over the content with his eyes, and the Observer would record all the information. The booklet was small but quite thick, and the characters inside were very tiny, seemingly designed for easy portability. The content was very substantial, detailing the progression methods of the Six Paths and Six Unions. Lu Luo treated it like a popular science book. It was only after reading this booklet that he gained a clear understanding of the Transcendent system and rankings. In the Wasteland world, while there were myriad professions, the true mainstream systems were just a few. Barehanded combat, Mecha or exoskeleton combat, shooting, Spiritual Energy, Qi—many Transcendents were hybrids of multiple systems and professions. Take Ludie himself, for instance. Although he was an expert in the Qi Union Path, his ability with firearms was also exceptionally strong—so strong that many people believed Ludie was an actual gunner. The hierarchy of Transcendents was determined during the Dark Energy invasion, consisting of nine tiers. However, the book stated the strongest human ever only reached the Seventh Tier. The reason for the establishment of nine tiers was that many powerful Exotic Species were far stronger than Seventh Tier humans. Humans relied on high walls to survive, so these creatures were considered Eighth Tier. As for the Ninth Tier, it was a power level reserved for a unique Exotic Species, due to the vast gap between this creature and other Eighth Tier Exotic Species. This gap was so wide that they simply couldn’t be accommodated within the same tier, necessitating the creation of a separate Ninth Tier. It was none other than the Leviathan, the colossal beast that soars within the perpetual cloud cover above. Leviathan is a gigantic whale that flies in the sky, reportedly tens of thousands of meters long, like a moving firmament, hence its name. As for how such a massive creature could fly, nobody knew. Thankfully, while this Exotic Species had appeared numerous times, it had never shown any aggression towards humans. Its attitude towards humankind was almost like that of a mascot. Whenever the skies over the Wasteland cleared, the Leviathan would make an appearance, astonishing everyone. Having read this far, Lu Luo analyzed his own strength level. Rounding up, I should currently be considered Second Tier. I wonder what level Ludie is now. [Dream on, Host. You haven’t even entered the threshold; what ’Second Tier’ are you talking about?] Lu Luo read the book attentively. The Observer had already completed the data gathering, but by 6 a.m., he himself had only read about one-third of the content. Glancing at the slightly brightening sky, Lu Luo knew he couldn’t continue here. After all the trouble yesterday, Zhou Kai and Gu Fangyi must be hungry by now. Even he himself needed some rest. Having a high Constitution was one thing, but a lack of moderation in life was still deadly. He found a bag to pack the knife and gun. Then Lu Luo went downstairs and spent two dollars on breakfast for three people, later arriving at Gu Fangyi’s hospital room. "Come on, time to eat!" Gu Fangyi was covered in bandages, but he was awake at this point. The medical standards of this hospital seemed quite good, perhaps specially arranged by Ludie. The three of them ate their breakfast in silence, but when they simultaneously reached for a cereal bar, they laughed together. "What do we do now?" asked Zhou Kai first. "I’m not sure either. Ask Lu Luo." Lu Luo got straight to the point. "The power of Blue Sky Biological Technology is no joke. Though Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals is just its outermost corporation, mutant Exotic Species aren’t a small matter. We’ve now completely fallen out with Blue Sky Biological Technology. We need backing, so I’ve decided to join the Hunters." Gu Fangyi and Zhou Kai frowned deeply. Lu Luo’s decision... was spot on. "Lu bro, I think you’ve made the right choice. So, can you tell me now how to join the Hunters? I’m waiting online, pretty urgent." Hope gleamed in Zhou Kai’s eyes, but it was swiftly extinguished by Lu Luo’s heartless response. "I don’t know. I was guaranteed a spot." Envy made Zhou Kai and Gu Fangyi feel worlds apart! "Get out! Scram!"