Level 30. Advancement Complete.
The system messages hit all at once.
"Ding! You have leveled up. Your attributes have increased. You have gained 5 free attribute points.""Ding! You have reached level 29. [Growth] talent grants 29 bonus attribute points.""Ding! You have reached level 30. [Growth] talent grants 30 bonus attribute points.""Ding! You have reached level 30. Your class [Sacrifice] has automatically advanced. You have gained the skills [Equalization], [Disguise], and [Heaven's Eye].""Ding! For unknown reasons, you have awakened a new talent: [Mana Source]."
Wang Xian stood still for a moment, the system's words echoing in his ears.
Reaching level 30 had once felt like a distant dream.
Now, he was here. And the system had changed.
He opened his attribute panel, then checked the newly acquired talent first.
[Mana Source] (Epic)
In combat: Regenerates 2% of maximum mana every 10 seconds.
Out of combat: Regenerates 10% of maximum mana every 10 seconds.
He frowned.
It was good—practical, even. But it wasn't what he wanted.
He was hoping for another mythical, maybe even a taboo-level skill. Something that could shift the balance of power entirely.
Still, he couldn't deny its usefulness. With this, he'd never face another situation like under the Shanyin Ancient Locust Tree, where they nearly lost everything because no one had any mana left.
Next, he turned to the new skills.
[Equalization]
When dealing damage, uses whichever is higher: physical or magic attack.
When taking damage, uses the higher of physical or magic defense.
Wang Xian froze.
This was absurdly strong.
No longer would he need to choose a single path—melee or magic. With this, he could freely use whatever stat was highest and ignore the rest.
He wouldn't have to commit to a build. He could just focus on getting stronger.
This skill changed everything.
[Disguise]
Allows the user to alter all displayed stats and information on their profile.
Modified values are visible to others during inspection but do not affect combat.
System announcements and ranking boards remain unaffected.
Another strategic tool. Not useful in combat, but perfect for deception. If he needed to lay low—or bait an enemy—this could be his ace.
[Heaven's Eye]
Reveals the basic information of any target up to 10 levels below the user.
Detects hidden enemies, traps, and illusions.
Sees through stealth-based skills of equal or lower level.
A clear utility skill. Less flashy than the others, but valuable—especially when dealing with stealth classes, assassins, or traps. In PvP or dungeon settings, this could be a lifesaver.
Then came something else.
A choice.
Freedom.
In this world, it didn't mean liberation—it meant precision. Control. Responsibility.
For melee users, the system still carried them—auto-corrections, instant abilities, predictable outputs.
But for mages, archers, and other ranged attackers?
Freedom removed the safety net.
No more system "corrections." No more auto-aim. No more "click and cast." Once freedom was unlocked, spellcasters had to hit their targets themselves—and cast spells by actually chanting the incantations.
It made combat faster, deadlier—and more prone to failure.
A top-tier mage wasn't just someone with high damage. They were someone who could chant five lines of an ancient spell under pressure while dodging death.
And if they could?
They became something terrifying.
Wang Xian had no bar-read spells yet. But he would. And when he did, he knew he'd need to master this.
No shortcuts.
He closed his skill tab and opened the Zhongyuan Festival interface. His remaining event points: 2,100.
"Let's see if luck's improved."
He spent all 2,100 points on the event lottery: 21 draws.
"1000 XP.""1 gold coin.""10x Basic Healing Potion.""500 XP.""Low-tier leather gloves.""100 XP.""Blue potion.""100 XP.""Common accessory.""75 XP."…
By the end of the draw, Wang Xian's face was blank.
Garbage.
Experience, potions, common items. Twenty-one draws, and not one rare reward. Just like before.
Luck had never been on his side.
He sighed and closed the interface.
"Guess I'll keep earning power the hard way."
In a world where others hoped to draw strength from chance, he'd forge it himself—stat by stat, kill by kill, step by bloody step.
No miracles.
Just pain, preparation, and persistence.