243: Chapter 243 [King of Terms] Unleashes its power! A surprisingly powerful Heavenly Dao-level term!

"You have used a star core fragment for the first time. The 'King of Affixes' effect has activated, and you have obtained the exclusive affix 'Heavenly Dao Reduction'."

"You have successfully used a Heavenly Dao-Grade item for someone else. The 'King of Affixes' effect has activated, and you have obtained the special affix 'Helping Others'."

These were the consecutive prompts that appeared after Zhang Jian just upgraded General Protector Zhang Haotian's Sword Puppet.

The "King of Affixes", which had been silent for a long time, suddenly activated, bringing him two affix effects directly.

They were:

[Heavenly Dao Reduction] (Heavenly Dao-Grade) (+2)

You have received the attention and protection of the Will of the Heavenly Dao. When you use star core fragments, the requirement is reduced by 20% (+20%).

Remaining uses to improve the affix effect: Use star core fragments 9/100 times.

[Helping Others] (Heavenly Dao-Grade) (+2)

When you use specific items for others, the consumption will be reduced by 10% (+10%).

Remaining uses to improve the affix effect: Use specific items for others 9/20 times.

Although the initial effects of these two Heavenly Dao-Grade affixes were not very strong.

However, after using them and activating them, the consumption of 20 star core fragments caused both affixes to upgrade.

Just a +2 increase had already doubled the original effect.

This made Zhang Jian very expectant as to what level they could reach once they were improved further.

Just then, a new wave of monsters arrived.

The planet-level 4 monsters had an effect of Rank suppression when facing the group and the Sword Puppets.

It was no longer as easy as before.

While everyone was fully engaged in the battlefield, Zhang Jian took a moment to check the requirements for upgrading the Sword Puppet.

Unlike the Sword Puppets of Xuan Jizi and the others.

After the Heavenly Dao Sword Puppet Fusion was successful, continuing to increase its Rank required a certain amount of star core fragments in addition to a high amount of experience points.

Furthermore, it also had an option for one-click upgrading.

General Protector Zhang Haotian himself was only Rank 99, so the Sword Puppet could only be upgraded to Rank 109 at most.

Zhang Jian's heart stirred.

"Do you wish to consume 40 trillion, 225 billion, 97 million, 171 thousand, 410 experience points and 110 (-66) star core fragments to upgrade the [Heavenly Dao Sword Puppet] to the maximum Rank limit allowed for the binder?"

Zhang Jian looked at these two numbers and roughly calculated them in his mind.

As for the experience, the increase was not large; it should be the same as the upgrades for Xuan Jizi and the others, only 5% more per Rank.

Given the thousands of trillions of experience points on his panel, it was not worth mentioning at all.

Moreover, after entering the Dungeon, he had farmed another huge wave of experience points. He simply couldn't use it all!

However, the consumption of star core fragments surprised him a bit.

110 units initially? If upgrading by 10 Ranks, that's basically 11 units per Rank?

Zhang Jian narrowed his eyes. No, that wasn't right. It should be increasing sequentially, adding 1 unit each time?

He calculated it again, and sure enough, he arrived at the result of 110 units.

This consumption could not be described as anything other than astonishing.

According to the speed of Xuan Jizi's team before, they could get three to five units if they were lucky each time they entered the Dungeon, or just one or two if they were unlucky.

Averaging at three units, it would take nearly 40 Dungeon runs, which meant 10 months of time, to accumulate 110 units!

Even though Zhang Jian had the drop bonus from Heavenly Dao affixes and the assistance of other affixes, and the amount he obtained was much higher, 110 units was still not a small number.

But now, relying on the effect of the affix, it was directly reduced by more than half! Only 44 units were needed.

Zhang Jian did not hesitate. "Upgrade!"

Several thin rays of golden light merged into one and rose simultaneously from the Heavenly Dao Sword Puppet.

This sudden change caused everyone in the battle to pause for a moment. Seeing Zhang Jian's signal, they then relaxed.

Just then, a planet-level 4 BOSS suddenly appeared from the darkness that everyone had not noticed. It held a long spear in its hand and thrust it directly at the Heavenly Dao Sword Puppet.

General Protector Zhang Haotian's expression changed drastically. Xuan Jizi looked anxious.

Bang! Just as everyone watched with worry, the Heavenly Dao Sword Puppet was not slow; holding its equipped shield, it effortlessly blocked this blow.

It even crouched down, dodging the joint attack of two other newly appeared BOSSes. The sword in its hand shone brightly!

Everyone's eyes changed instantly. How did this Sword Puppet suddenly become so strong?

General Protector Zhang Haotian was the first to discover the reason. He shouted excitedly, "It was Zhang Jian who helped me upgrade the Rank of my Sword Puppet!"

On the System prompt, the consumed experience points and star core fragments shocked General Protector Zhang Haotian. 110 star core fragments! Such help made him feel flattered. His face went stiff, and he looked very unnatural. He didn't know what to say.

Zhang Jian's expression, however, did not change. "Don't overthink it; this is also for the team."

"Consider it a loan for now; just pay me back when you have them."

General Protector Zhang Haotian nodded gratefully. He had already silently noted it down in his heart: 20+110 = 130 units.

Zhang Jian seemed to see through his thoughts and waved his hand. "Just count it as 65 units, based on your normal consumption."

General Protector Zhang Haotian became anxious. "How can that be? Wouldn't that make you suffer a loss? I absolutely cannot be so selfish!"

Seeing his repeated insistence, Zhang Jian had to reveal a little bit of information. "It really doesn't take that much. I have a talent that can reduce a portion, so I can fully afford the normal consumption amount."

General Protector Zhang Haotian was half-believing. But the others' eyes lit up, especially Xuan Jizi.

He grinned, his expression ingratiating, and smilingly hugged Zhang Jian. "If there's a chance, get this old man a Heavenly Dao-Grade Sword Puppet too!"

In the past, the epic-grade Sword Puppet refined by Zhang Jian had amazed him. Relying on its powerful Rank 124 attributes, it had become a rock-solid existence in the team, sharing countless damages for them, and its role was significant.

But as the Dungeon progress deepened, the Sword Puppet found it difficult to slaughter everything, and its potential limit was clear at a glance. Even if its Rank was increased further, it would be unable to cope with higher-tier planet-level monsters.

But this Heavenly Dao-Grade one was different! It could actually break through the conventional limits like a Professional and reach planet-level strength. Coupled with its powerful talent skills and monstrous base attributes, it was simply the best teammate!

Especially for Xuan Jizi, his Rank had now increased to 120. Relying on several recently added mythical level passive skills, his base attributes had also improved. Moreover, relying on the 5% destruction power increase effect that Zhang Jian had added to all planet-level Professionals when he fused their bodies, his own destruction power had directly broken through the 800-point mark. He successfully advanced to planet-level 4, allowing him to contend with and defeat BOSSes of the same tier.

If he could possess such a Heavenly Dao-Grade Sword Puppet and upgrade it to a higher Rank than himself, reaching Rank 130, could its strength reach planet-level 5? At that time, a planet-level 5 BOSS would no longer be an insurmountable chasm!

But all of this had to be built on the consumption of a massive amount of star core fragments. Relying on himself, it might take a long time. But Zhang Jian's generous spending gave him an idea. That was why he shamelessly came over.