Knock knock knock…
A gentle hand rapped on the wooden door, producing a low thudding sound.
Xia Zhen responded to the noise and came to open the door.
She saw it was her best friend, Xia Ci.
"You're here?"
"Brought something for you."
"What is it?"
"Here."
Xia Ci took out a small bottle.
Inside, a strange golden liquid shimmered and swirled.
Xia Zhen's eyes lit up.
"How do you have this again?"
"I just went to see my cousin. He gave it to me—for you."
"No need to give me the whole thing. Half is enough. You should keep some for yourself…"
"He gave me two bottles. This one is specifically for you."
"Really?!"
Xia Zhen was both surprised and delighted.
She had been planning to find a way to help her cousin out, so she could justify asking him for more of the essence. But lately, she noticed that there always seemed to be someone assisting him, and she couldn't find an opportunity to contribute. She could only watch from the sidelines.
Her cousin must've sensed her thoughts, which is why he asked Xia Ci to deliver this bottle to her…
Xia Zhen accepted the small bottle, thoughts swirling in her mind as she looked at Xia Ci.
"Wanna sleep over tonight? We can chat a bit."
"Sure."
---
He still had over 2,000 usable points.
Xia Zhi put away the [Universal Syringe] and glanced through the rest of the platinum-tier items.
After some thought, he chose the [Transformation Badge].
The [Giant of Light] that could rival Osial, the [Angel of Interstice] that could tear through space at will, the [Titan] that subdued a berserk dragon king, the [Vampire Progenitor] who mastered blood magic…
Each of these transformation abilities was powerful—far exceeding the item's supposed platinum tier.
The only drawback? The transformation durations were painfully short.
Even with the hidden effect of the [Transformation Badge] doubling the duration, it still wasn't enough.
Xia Zhi placed the [Transformation Badge] into the [Evolution] interface.
Second evolution—success.
[Transformation Badge]
Quality: Diamond
Type: Charged Item
Traits: Transformation, Fusion, Devour
Effect: Must be charged before each use. To charge, inject any material or elemental power into the badge. Once charging is complete, the item will grant the user a time-limited random transformation ability based on the type of material energy used.
Hidden Effect: Elemental power recovery speed +50%, transformation duration +300%.
Recyclable: 10,000 points.
Xia Zhi stared at the description, slightly stunned.
After evolving, it gained a new trait—[Devour]. This trait seemed identical to the one on the [Replication Box] he had drawn from a loot crate the previous day.
Originally, the badge could only be charged with elemental power. Now, like the [Replication Box], it could be charged with any kind of material.
Which meant... it now had the ability to "turn trash into treasure."
He held the badge for a moment, deep in thought, then set it down. From his inventory, he pulled out three [Universal Bottles].
Each bottle contained a different black liquid: [Abyssal Aura], [Demonic God Remnant], and [Forbidden Knowledge].
He picked up the bottle with the most liquid—[Demonic God Remnant]—uncorked it, and poured the thick, black substance onto the badge.
The liquid absorbed into the badge's surface with ease.
As it did, the badge slowly began to glow.
Once most of the bottle had been emptied, the badge lit up completely.
Then came the system's voice in his mind.
"Charging complete. Now extracting random transformation ability. Type restricted to: Demon-type."
"Extracting…"
"Transformation obtained: [Phaseless Heavenly Demon]. Duration: 2 hours."
At the same time, the badge turned a deep, inky black.
It worked.
And that was only using [Demonic God Remnant].
Xia Zhi picked up the badge and then glanced at the bottle labeled [Forbidden Knowledge].
If he used that higher-tier material to charge the [Transformation Badge], the transformation ability it granted would likely be even more powerful.
He reached up, fingers brushing over his blinded eyes, a thoughtful expression on his face.
Once the [Universal Syringe] evolved to the Prismatic tier, he should be able to extract the corrupted fragments of supreme divinity embedded in his eyes.
And if he used those high-tier thing to charge the [Transformation Badge]...
Then the transformation ability might reach the Supreme tier.
Interesting… To think the very thing that once plagued him could become his most powerful trump card in the future...
As for this newly acquired [Phaseless Heavenly Demon] ability—though he was intrigued, Xia Zhi didn't activate it immediately.
Instead, he pulled out the [Temporary Certificate] and tried writing down "Phaseless Heavenly Demon" as an identity.
As soon as he finished, the characters vanished.
That meant this transformation exceeded the certificate's limits—it couldn't simulate or impersonate it.
A transformation ability beyond the Diamond tier. Even if it was Demon-type, it was still a formidable hidden card.
Xia Zhi put the [Transformation Badge] away, then prepared to store the three [Universal Bottles] as well.
But as he looked at the gently shifting black liquids inside, a new idea struck him.
Due to some unknown effect, the [Universal Syringe] always manifested extracted substances in liquid form.
Since they were liquids, they would be affected by the two traits of the [Essence Bottle]:
[Mixing]: Perfectly blends any liquid.
[Contain]: Stores and nurtures liquids within. The longer the liquid is stored, the stronger its effects become.
That meant—even though [Demonic God Remnant] was only a platinum-tier material now, if stored in the [Essence Bottle] long enough, it might eventually reach the diamond tier.
As for [Forbidden Knowledge], it was already diamond. To evolve it further would likely require centuries of containment... maybe even longer.
Xia Zhi walked to the window, picked up the [Essence Bottle] that had been absorbing moonlight, and poured in the contents of the three [Universal Bottles].
The bottle had internal compartments, keeping the liquids separate.
He checked the remaining amount of [Essence of Sun and Moon] inside the bottle. Between his cousins needing it to restore divine power and spirit, plus the essential oil massages and farm planting—it was running low.
If only last night, when he gave the [Tears of the Goddess] to Furina, he'd also let her hold onto the [Essence Bottle] to nurture it for five hundred years… by now, it might've had enough essence to bathe in.
Xia Zhi shook his head with mild regret.
Maybe next time, when he draws another [Intertwined Fate].
A chime rang out from a small cube on the table.
A message had arrived.
Xia Zhi put the [Essence Bottle] back by the window and went to check his phone.
It was from the Dragon King—asking to go online.
He's old, but sure enough, he's got a serious internet addiction.
Xia Zhi chuckled and sent a group message to everyone else:
Sleep time.
Once inside the dream realm, he first went to pick up Furina and Focalors, letting them stay in his room, while the others went to the net café.
But there were twelve people, and only ten were needed per match—two were left out.
Ganyu said she didn't feel like playing today.
So Xia Zhi went out with her for a walk, enjoying the scenery and gathering some rare materials along the way.
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