âSince youâve cleared the opening chapter, I imagine youâve already returned to the Library to solidify a Source of the Apocalypse Fragment into a RelicâŠâ
Under her gentle yet thorough explanation, Lin Xun finally grasped the system.
Just as heâd suspected: Relics came in Types I through IX, corresponding to difficulty levels 1 to 9.
And yes, they could all be equipped simultaneously, as long as they came from different difficulty tiers.
Achieving an interpretation rating of S grants a Source of the Apocalypse Fragment, which can be solidified into a Relic that enhances the soul by 10%.
An SS rating yields a True Source of the Apocalypse, which, once solidified, boosts soul enhancement by 20%. As for even higher ratings and more advanced Relics, even Li Xingyue did not know the details.
Lin Xun recalled some gossip from Ye Xiaoqi, that Team Leader Liâs family member allegedly held a senior position within the Apostle Security Council.
No doubt Li Xingyue knew plenty of insider information. It seemed that within the organization, an SS rating was already considered top-tier, achievable only by major elites.
With that in mind, the fact that heâd achieved an SSS rating in the ultra-high-difficulty Blood Sun World was nothing short of legendary.
Li Xingyue told him there was another way to obtain a Source of the Apocalypse.
In some chapters, there was a chance to acquire hidden items. Turning these in to the Librarian would unlock secret Easter Egg chapters.
Clearing these bonus chapters would allow him to enter fragmentary low-difficulty worlds, which still granted interpretation ratings, therefore, more Sources of the Apocalypse.
Lin Xun was delighted to hear this. It meant he didnât need to worry, so long as there was a path, heâd find it.
With his meticulous, 100%-completion playstyle, he wasnât afraid of missing Easter Egg clues in the future.
âAfter clearing the initial chapter, thereâs no need to rush into the Disciple Sanctum.â
âThe Seat Pass will notify you when the Sanctum is holding its meeting. Entering too early might raise suspicion.â
Li Xingyue explained the infiltration details step by step.
After Lin Xun committed them to memory, the black-stocking beauty rose from her desk and handed him a file.
Printed on the cover were the words: Wen City âThunder Tribulationâ Squad Formation Plan
Lin Xun looked puzzled.
âI promised you, didnât I? Clear the initial chapter, and Iâll get you a promotion and a raise.â
With the air of someone who keeps her word, the sultry office lady explained further.
Heavenly Punishment was the Apostle Councilâs top-tier combat unit stationed in each provincial capital. Thunder Tribulation was a new subdivision branching from that organization.
Thunder Tribulation squads were now being established in various cities, acting as second-tier combat teams tasked with directly opposing hostile groups on the front lines.
As Li Xingyue explained, Lin Xun flipped through the plan.
He saw names both familiar and unfamiliar.
Li Xingyue, Wang Zong, Lu Caiyi, Ye Xiaoqi, and himself, plus a few Apostles he didnât recognize.
Li Xingyue propped her chin on one hand and looked at him with her sultry, alluring eyes.
âOnce you join Thunder Tribulation, your rank will be upgraded from Team Member to Senior Team Member.â
âNot only will your pay double, youâll also gain access to higher-level chapter guides.â
âSo? Are you satisfied?â
Lin Xun had always said heâd repay his superior, not just with words.
He was the kind of person who returned respect with greater respect, and vengeance with overwhelming retaliation.
Even without these perks, if Li Xingyue had asked him to join Thunder Tribulation, he wouldnât have hesitated.
Besides, letâs not forget his innate gift: four manifestable Shells, equivalent to four lives.
And after defeating the Corrupted Ancient Primordial Tree, heâd even obtained a resurrection-like survival item: the Legacy Sapling of the Withered Tree.
When it came to staying alive, he held an overwhelming advantage.
Even Ye Xiaoqi, the squadâs mascot-tier Apostle, had joined Thunder Tribulation. What did he have to hesitate about?
Lin Xun nodded to indicate his agreement.
At the end of the file, after many other Apostle signatures, he added his own name.
Li Xingyue broke into a brilliant smile, her eyes curving charmingly.
âSudden promotion and raise, are you feeling touched?â
âIâm so moved I feel like treating you to dinner.â
Lin Xun smoothly followed her lead.
âOh?â
Li Xingyue raised an elegant brow, her watery peach blossom eyes seeming to say, Then why havenât you asked me out yet?
Lin Xunâs heart skipped a beat. He suddenly remembered⊠he hadnât done his writing today. His buffer chapters had already run dry.
If he agreed to dinner, wouldnât that mean betraying his beloved readers?
With righteous conviction, he informed the black-stocking beauty that it was getting late, he had to go home and continue training in the game.
He had to push forward into the next chapter, to grow stronger, and carve out new frontiers for his superior, to win honor through blood and fireâŠ
Li Xingyue rolled her eyes but waved him off to go train.
Bidding his boss farewell, Lin Xun returned to his rental apartment.
He pulled out his phone and jumped back into the game, full of anticipation for the next chapter.
The Book of Salvation, Activate!
[An ordinary wandering soul awakens in the LibraryâŠ]
Just as he was about to continue playing, Lin Xun paused.
Something felt off.
He looked back at the text. It had always said âfeeble wandering soulâ, when had it changed to âordinary wandering soulâ?
âCould it be that the soul enhancement from the Relics strengthened my soul enough to change the system text?â
Looking at his now 3/3 Soul Strength, he figured that was likely the cause.
After double-checking his current status and confirming nothing was amiss.
Lin Xun stepped forward and tapped the Book of Salvation.
[Do you wish to begin the next chapter and embark on a new salvation journey?]
[You may randomly enter a Level 3 Difficulty Chapter.]
[Due to your C-rank rating in the previous chapter, you are eligible to randomly enter a Level 4 Difficulty Chapter.]
[Due to your A-rank rating in the previous chapter, you are eligible to randomly enter a Level 4 Difficulty Chapter (Nightmare).]
[Due to your SSS-rank rating in the previous chapter, you are eligible to randomly enter a Level 4 Difficulty Chapter (Hell).]
Ordinary Apostles, even with lowly D-rank ratings, could eventually proceed by stacking enough chapter completions.
Some lucky Apostles had randomly entered Nightmare worlds, like the Blood Sun World.
But Hell difficulty? That was a brand-new tier Lin Xun had never even heard of. Just the name alone screamed nightmarish challenge.
And high difficulty meant high rewards.
âShould I give it a shot?â
Lin Xunâs fingers itched. There wasnât really a downside.
If he couldnât clear it, heâd just end the chapter and reroll into another one. No big deal.
[You have chosen Level 4 Difficulty Chapter (Hell)!]
[You have entered an Apocalyptic Chapter.]
[Chapter 82740874]
???
Lin Xun stared blankly at the game text in front of him.
[T/N: New Arc lets go!]