275: Chapter 275 The entry unleashes its power; fusion successful!

In the beginning...

Zhang Jian thought that after decomposing the star cores, it would be fine as long as he didn't lose too much.

He wanted to raise his skill level first.

As it turned out...

After decomposing only about ten 1-star star cores...

He unexpectedly activated a brand-new affix.

[Decomposition Expert] (Heavenly Dao-Grade)

When you decompose any type of Materials, you will be more skilled and more professional.

You are the King of turning waste into treasure!

Although the affix was only Heavenly Dao-Grade and only had half the effect against transcendence-grade star core Materials...

It still provided a bonus, which was enough to make Zhang Jian feel cheerful while decomposing again.

After decomposing another 11 cores...

[Decomposition Expert] (Heavenly Dao-Grade) (+2)

When you decompose any type...

Current Effect:

Additional 100% (+100%) increase in decomposition quantity.

Affix effect upgrade condition: Decompose no less than 0/100 units of Heavenly Dao-Grade Materials.

Having just decomposed a bunch of 1-star cores in a row, Zhang Jian was starting to find it a bit tedious.

Taking advantage of the joy of the affix upgrade, he specifically picked out a 2-star core from his backpack and held it in his hand.

Following the skill's requirements, he squeezed down again.

Only this time, a clear resistance came from his hand; it didn't immediately shatter and disappear.

Zhang Jian increased his strength, his technique becoming more serious.

The second time.

Under his anticipation, the star core finally turned into a heatwave.

After picking up the star core fragments one by one, there were 100 units in total.

Zhang Jian secretly calculated in his heart.

With the bonuses from the +3 [Gift of Courage] and +4 [Universe Synthesis Expert] affixes...

Using his current [Heaven-Chosen Synthesis] method, he had a guaranteed success rate of a full 70%.

And with the affix bonus for the appearance rate of high-quality star cores, there was a 54% chance of producing a 2-star star core.

This was equivalent to 7 successes out of 10 synthesis attempts, with nearly 4 of those resulting in 2-star star cores.

As for consumption, it was originally 10,000 units for 10 attempts.

With the affix reduction, it was only 1,000 units.

1,000 units yielded roughly four 2-star cores and six 1-star cores.

If he decomposed them...

He could get back about 700 units.

Compared to the cost, he would lose around 300 units.

Zhang Jian frowned.

It seemed that decomposing 1-star cores was more cost-effective.

These high-star ones were a real loss.

Furthermore, during this period, there was still a 30% chance of failure.

Which would directly shatter the star core, leaving not even a single fragment behind.

Until he raised his skill level, he didn't plan on decomposing star cores higher than 1-star.

Coincidentally, after decomposing dozens of times in a row, he felt a wave of immense mental fatigue.

So he resumed his Cultivation of the [External Star Core Cultivation Technique].

This time.

He switched to a 2-star one.

Zhang Jian was instantly entranced by the internal structure of the star core.

He marveled at it.

So that was it.

Within its structure, it relied on such changes to enhance its effects and achieve attributes better than those of a 1-star core.

He seemed intoxicated in an ocean of knowledge.

Losing track of time.

Until.

"Ding!"

"You have established a complete connection with the star core. Congratulations, this attempt was successful!"

Zhang Jian opened his eyes, feeling a bit dizzy.

Checking the time, 24 hours had actually passed.

He was suddenly startled.

The mastery time for a 2-star core was actually double that of a 1-star core?

If it were a 3-star, wouldn't it be even higher?

If it was as he thought...

If he wanted to fuse an Advanced star core or even a peak-grade star core...

Wouldn't it easily take days or even dozens of days?

Despite his suspicions, he didn't jump to conclusions.

Instead, he got up to stretch his body, grabbed a quick bite, and then began his attempt.

Until, after what seemed like countless shifts in thought...

He opened his eyes again.

The 3-star star core in his hand had failed to establish a connection, and the light on it had dimmed slightly.

As expected, 48 hours had passed—a full two days.

Having verified his suspicion, Zhang Jian was not happy.

If he continued to Cultivate at this speed, when would he ever be able to raise his skill to the point of being able to absorb Advanced or peak-grade star cores?

Even if his Rank went up, how much more time would it take to successfully fuse one that he actually needed?

Would the Void God Clan, who could attack at any moment, give him that kind of time?

Zhang Jian felt a wave of pressure.

He subconsciously glanced at the skill description.

Only to find...

The progress had changed to (5/10/1000) (Uninitiated).

Zhang Jian blinked.

Confirming he wasn't seeing things.

He remembered very clearly.

Before attempting to fuse these two star cores, he had only succeeded once, and the progress had only risen to 2 points.

How did these two attempts, with only one success, increase the progress by 3 points?

He hurriedly scrolled through the System log.

Only then did he discover...

After successfully fusing the 2-star star core, he had gained 2 growth progress points at once.

And after the failed 3-star Fusion, thanks to the [King of Affixes], another affix had been triggered.

[Failure is the Mother of Success] (Heavenly Dao-Grade)

Daring to attempt the impossible is a display of courage.

Even in failure, there will be corresponding gains.

Whenever you attempt to challenge the maximum difficulty within a corresponding range, even if you fail, you can receive a compensation of 30% of the basic gains.

(Affix upgrade required: 0/1 failed attempt of this type)

Zhang Jian was overjoyed.

This affix is wonderful!

Just failing had given him 1 point of progress.

What if he succeeded?

Furthermore.

This was only the initial stage of the affix.

If it were leveled up, what kind of changes would there be?

He picked up another 3-star star core and began experimenting.

Two days later, he failed again.

The affix successfully upgraded.

After a short rest, Zhang Jian impatiently continued.

After two more consecutive failures, the affix rose to the +1 level.

The compensation percentage had become 30% (+10%).

Although the progress gain was still 1 point.

Zhang Jian guessed that a 3-star core should normally contribute 4 progress points.

A 40% compensation was less than 2 points, so it naturally settled at 1 point.

And the three consecutive failures had actually brought an additional gain.

[Reward of Knowledge] (transcendence-grade)

You have continuously attempted to challenge extreme difficulties beyond your own ability.

You have unceasingly studied the structure of high-level Materials.

Your conviction is stubborn, and your goal is clear.

When you attempt to absorb or fuse Materials at the limit of your own level, you can obtain the following buffs:

Absorption time reduced by 50%

Absorption effect increased by 30%

(Affix upgrade required: 0/1 attempt of this type)

Nicely done!

Zhang Jian excitedly pumped his fist.

The continuous power of the [King of Affixes] filled him with confidence.

When Wang Fei, Xuan Jizi, and the others came again to inform him that the Dungeon had refreshed and it was time for the weekly exploration...

Zhang Jian simply wasn't in the mood.

At the insistence of Xuan Jizi and Wang Fei, they left Instructor Wang Weidong and his wife to look after him before finally feeling at ease to depart.

Zhang Jian had long been entranced by the joy of absorbing star cores.

One day later.

Under Ming Li's worried gaze, Zhang Jian woke up once more.

Looking at the information on his panel, he laughed out loud.

This time.

Not only did the absorption take only one day, but the Fusion was also successfully completed.

He couldn't wait and submerged his consciousness.

He began observing this external star core that he could now use.