I Collect Skill Fragments in the Demon World

Chapter 1045: Chapter 673: Frenzied Level-Up

Zhang Chen initially thought the Power of Curse had been eradicated, yet unexpectedly, it regenerated again, manifesting within Zhang Chen’s Primordial Spirit.

Witnessing this scene, Zhang Chen’s expression drastically changed: "What a terrifying curse! Even my True God Golden Light cannot completely remove it; this is the first time I’ve encountered such a situation."

The next moment, the True God Golden Light activated, once more charging at the Power of Curse.

Faced with the True God Golden Light, the Power of Curse indeed was no match, but as soon as the True God Golden Light retreated, the curse power regenerated like wild grass, pervading Zhang Chen’s soul.

"Unbelievable! Where does this curse power come from, that even my upgraded True God Golden Light cannot do anything to it?" Zhang Chen’s eyes were filled with fear; he suddenly realized he had underestimated the power of this curse.

But the more persistent the curse power was, the more determined Zhang Chen became to remove it; otherwise, there would be unforeseen consequences. Many strong individuals have died mysteriously, collapsing inexplicably without knowing why, already dying without a chance to understand.

Looking at that curse power, which was like fire that couldn’t be burnt out and sprang back to life with a breeze, Zhang Chen’s eyes revealed a hint of shock, and he resolved to continue upgrading the True God Golden Light, determined to utterly obliterate the curse power today.

As Zhang Chen made up his mind, the numbers on the Golden Finger Interface fluctuated, and his vast number of Points evaporated:

[Skill 1 (Seventh Tier): True God Golden Light (0/2000000000)] —-> [Skill 1 (Eighth Tier): True God Golden Light (0/20000000000)]

Then the information refreshed:

[Skill 1 (Eighth Tier): True God Golden Light (0/20000000000)]

[Note 1: Wherever the Golden Light passes, Tenth Tier evils will flee thrice.]

[Note 2: Mystical runes derive from your Light of the True God, which can be imprinted on everything, breaking the characteristic of one-day retention]

[Note 3: Your True God Golden Light has acquired a suppression attribute; when added to a sealed container, it can temporarily seal Tenth Tier evils]

[Note 4: Your True God Golden Light possesses the ability to break curses, able to resolve curses as long as their power does not exceed Tenth Tier]

[Note 5: Your Golden Light can be as vast as Mount Xumi or as minute.]

Zhang Chen’s gaze fell upon the vastness and minuteness of the True God Golden Light, revealing a sudden realization: "My True God Golden Light can actually be controlled in size."

Still, the might of the True God Golden Light had not increased significantly to completely eliminate the curse power.

By now, the required Points to upgrade the True God Golden Light had reached two billion; Zhang Chen currently had only around one hundred seventeen billion left, not nearly enough to meet the two billion Point requirement!

This situation made Zhang Chen’s expression turn grim, filled with disbelief—his curse had not been eradicated, and the True God Golden Light couldn’t continue upgrading?

He had realized, this curse power was indeed a significant trouble!

"Back then, I forgot to ask the princess about the origins of this curse." Zhang Chen’s eyes showed a serious look.

The origins of the curse power greatly exceeded Zhang Chen’s expectations; his True God Golden Light could suppress Tenth Tier demons and curses, indicating this curse’s inherent power surpasses the Tenth Tier? It’s merely because it survives parasitically within me, and due to my True God Golden Light constantly emitting power, the curse power can’t be its opponent?

Thinking further about those cursed inside the Empress Tomb, back then everyone who entered the Empress Tomb got tainted with the curse power; what are those people doing now?

"Not good at all! This thing seems to have taken root within my soul, like wild fire that cannot be burned out and springs up with a breeze."

Zhang Chen muttered under his breath: "This curse power is very tenacious, like an indestructible cockroach!"

However, now that he’s upgraded the True God Golden Light to the eighth tier, to reach the ninth tier requires two hundred billion Points. Where could Zhang Chen find so many Points?

"Even knowing it’s trouble, I can’t resolve it for now; it’ll have to wait. Best to check the other skills for now." Zhang Chen could only divert his attention for the time being; two hundred billion is no small number, and he certainly can’t waste Points recklessly.

The second skill, Dragon Qi Skill, could be upgraded, but elevating it from the fifth tier to the sixth tier requires an alarming two billion Points; plus, the second skill is a group control skill, offering no enhancement to single combat power.

But if upgraded, when his Beast Control Technique reaches the sixth tier, in the future, most Demon Beasts in the Wilderness would become slaves at Zhang Chen’s mere glance, their life and death entirely under his control.

A sixth-tier expert is considered a middle-level master, whether among the Human Race or Demon Beasts.

Below sixth-tier Demon Beasts are at Zhang Chen’s mercy, what a terrifying skill that is? It’s simply a natural nemesis of the Demon Race, but its enhancement to single combat power is not high, which Zhang Chen doesn’t need, so he chooses to pass.

Zhang Chen glanced at the third skill: ’Transmuting into the Blood River, wanting to advance from the seventh tier to the eighth requires twenty trillion points. Even if I smashed my bones to dust to exchange for points, I wouldn’t have enough.’

Then he looked at the Authority of Water Element, which was sufficient for the time being, with no need for an upgrade.

He then looked at the Soul Hook Chain, his gaze tightening:

[Skill 5 (Third Tier): Soul Hook Chain (0/100000000)]

[Skill Interpretation: As long as the soul marked by your skill reaches the end of its lifespan, regardless of the other’s cultivation level, regardless of time and space distance, you can hook the other’s soul.]

[Note 1: You can hook the soul of anyone whose lifespan has reached its end.]

[Note 2: You can hook the soul of anyone who uses Secret Techniques to forcefully remain alive and avoid their destined lifespan (those who extend their life with spirit medicine are not included).]

[Note 3: Do not lightly use this Divine Technique; as you mark the other, the other marks you too. If the other kills you before their lifespan ends, it’s a tragedy!]

[Note 4: Even if you hook the other’s soul, you may not have the ability to destroy it. However, if the soul is locked by the chain, they can’t do anything to you; three days later, the skill expires, and the soul is sent back to the body by the Law. You can use the soul hook skill once on the same soul within three days.]

[Note 5: Once marked by you, even if the other extends their life, you can forcefully hook their soul out.]

"Undoubtedly, my Soul Hook Chain must be upgraded; otherwise, it may not be enough to face those old guys! Particularly the Innate Water God, who can resurrect with the help of the Shen Family; its soul level must have already reached the twelfth tier. Should it trace causality back to me, there would be big trouble. Plus, a hundred million points isn’t much; why be stingy?"

Thinking this, Zhang Chen clicked on the soul hook chain skill. The skill’s information twisted, and then it upgraded again:

[Skill 5 (Fourth Tier): Soul Hook Chain (0/1000000000)]

...（Do not waste characters）

...

[Note 6: You can lock the other’s soul permanently, denying them the chance to return to their body.]

Zhang Chen looked at Note Six; this skill introduction was quite interesting. To pull out and lock the other’s soul permanently, if used correctly, it could be very useful. Coupled with Hu Li the Immortal, it could allow for cross-border destruction of the enemy’s body.

Zhang Chen glanced at the numbers after Skill 5, considering them somewhat cumbersome. Continuing the upgrade required ten billion experience points. After some hesitation, he decided to save the experience points for the Sun True Flame, considering his current experience points were limited and should be saved wherever possible.

Though Skill 5 is good, Zhang Chen chose not to continue upgrading. Instead, he bowed his head to continue looking downward. Skill 7, Qi Cultivation Technique, though useful, was currently only at the second tier and could not be upgraded. For his combat power, it would not be helpful to even increase it, as its power might not surpass the tenth tier Sun True Flame.

As for Skill 8, Body-Stabilizing Rune, Zhang Chen hesitated but ultimately chose to abandon it. It’s better to focus on mastering one skill, as his future adversaries will be increasingly stronger, and he needs to put the best steel to the blade.

He chose to ignore the Fixed Rune, Invisibility Rune, and Powerful Warrior Moving Mountain Technique, not wasting points. His gaze shifted to the Devouring Space but, after a brief hesitation, opted out, as his Devouring Space was still adequate. If need be, the Innate Mosquito’s mouthparts could replace some of the Devouring Space’s functions.

Then there’s the Fourteenth Skill, Exorcism, which Zhang Chen hadn’t found any usefulness in, but it required an intimidating amount of points—likely hundreds of billions. At this moment, Zhang Chen did not wish to continue upgrading this function without recognizing its purpose.

Regarding the Fifteenth Skill, Nine Bends Yellow River Talisman Array, Zhang Chen’s eyes lit up. It could be a pivotal reversing weapon at crucial moments.

The most important aspect was that the upgrade of the Nine Bends Yellow River Array was inexpensive, requiring only one billion points.

[Skill 15 (Fourth Tier): Nine Bends Yellow River Talisman Array (0/100000000)]

[Note 1: Coverage range of twelve hundred meters; should a cultivator enter, even immortals would have a hard time surviving]

After looking at the skill points, Zhang Chen directly clicked. He could afford the one billion expenditure.

As it upgraded, the points refreshed:

[Skill 15 (Fifth Tier): Nine Bends Yellow River Talisman Array (0/1000000000)]

[Note 1: Coverage range of twenty-four hundred meters; should a cultivator enter, even immortals would have a hard time surviving]

"That’s quite alright; the range doubled, enhancing operational space considerably. However, the subsequent upgrade requires ten billion points, which is quite a hefty expenditure. I’ll hold off on upgrading for now." After some hesitation, Zhang Chen chose to halt further upgrades of the Nine Bends Yellow River Talisman Array and turned his attention to the remaining skills.

He was left with three choices: Time Acceleration, Sun True Flame, and Cold Qi Origin.

As for other skills like the Five Elements Escape Technique, the required experience points to upgrade was a hundred billion, which was beyond Zhang Chen’s means.