In stark contrast to the Armory's austere atmosphere, the Great Library was a tranquil sanctuary steeped in knowledge and time.
Enclosed within the embrace of a colossal, sky-piercing tree, its canopy spread like a magnificent parasol, veiling the clouds above.
Stepping inside felt like plunging into a starlit river crafted from books.
Endless rows of bookshelves stretched from beneath their feet, vanishing into the halo of light filtering through the canopy's leaves far above.
The air carried the mingled scent of ancient scrolls and the tree's sap, smelling like time itself solidified.
"The first three levels of the Great Library are open to you," Aeldara's voice echoed faintly in the vast, empty space.
"The first level contains continental history, geography, and cultural studies. The second level houses beginner to intermediate skills for various professions. The third level offers advanced skills and rare knowledge inheritances."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the four figures.
"Considering your circumstances, I recommend heading straight to the third level."
Lin Qingyue and her companions exchanged glances before heading straight for the spiral staircase leading to the upper levels.
For them, obtaining equipment was relatively easy. High-tier skills that could directly raise their ability caps and strengthen their fundamental power were the true priceless treasures.
"The third layer is the Sea of Wisdom, the accumulated combat techniques of countless generations of the Elven Race," Aeldara's voice echoed from behind them. "Unlike the Armory, what you gain here depends entirely on your self-awareness."
At the center of the third layer stood not bookshelves, but a small tree only two or three meters tall.
Its trunk was made of translucent crystal, within which countless golden veins flowed slowly, complex and orderly, like the neural network of some higher life form.
It breathed. It thought.
It was the heart and mind of the entire third layer.
"Go," Aeldara instructed, gesturing toward the Tree of Inheritance. "Place your hands on the Tree of Inheritance. It will reflect your souls and reveal the rewards best suited for you."
"Remember, you only have one chance."
The four of them grew solemn, their breaths tinged with anticipation.
This was more than just choosing equipment in the Armory; it felt like a fateful ritual.
Lin Xiyue was the first to step forward.
Her character was the most direct, and her beliefs the purest.
As the team's shield, her sole purpose was to become even more unyielding—so tough she could shield her comrades from the entire world.
She pressed her palm against the cool, crystalline tree trunk.
In the next moment, from deep within the tree's core, eleven thousand golden motes of light surged forth, weaving into vivid silhouettes of battle before her.
In Ash Canyon, she braced her shield against the Stitched Abomination's massive bone club.
In the Silent Grove, she gritted her teeth, her flesh and blood meeting the Death Knight's charging blade head-on.
Finally, the visions shattered.
The light reshaped itself into a golden shield rune as heavy as a mountain.
[Shield of Divinity (Active Skill): Channels the Power of Holy Light to conjure a Shield of Protection. Reduces all incoming damage by 20% for 10 seconds. Cooldown: 30 seconds.]
Lin Xiyue didn't even bother reading the full description.
The indomitable Intent radiating from the rune was all she needed to know.
"This is it!"
She reached out and grasped the rune. In an instant, it transformed into a searing streak of light that branded itself into her forehead.
Empowered by Mountain's Resilience, she now possessed absolute confidence that, should she face that Abomination again, she could shatter its bone club first.
Lin Xiyue excitedly clenched her fist and stepped aside.
The second to approach was Su Wan.
Her expression was complex, reflecting both anticipation for newfound power and an inner struggle.
The moment her palm touched the tree trunk, two distinct paths unfurled before her eyes.
One path led through an endless expanse of ice and snow, where a Frozen Throne hung high in the heavens.
This was the pinnacle of frost, the path to glory her family had paved for her—a solitary and cold road to aloof eminence.
The other path plunged into a realm of magnificent chaos.
Flames roared, storms howled, lightning crackled, and the earth trembled...
All the elements intertwined wildly, teeming with unknown dangers yet brimming with infinite possibilities.
[Elemental Affinity (Passive Skill): Your soul resonates harmoniously with all elements. Increases affinity for all magical elements by 10% and enhances Magic Power control accuracy by 15%.]
This skill wouldn't immediately grant her the power to summon a world-shattering blizzard.
But it would unlock the gateway to all magical disciplines.
Su Wan's breath quickened slightly.
She recalled Lin Qingyue's endless array of dazzling, unique abilities—the effortless freedom and grace with which she wielded her innate talent.
She refused to remain confined by the "Frost" element any longer.
She reached out, her fingertips tracing the phantom image of the Ice Crystal Throne. Without a trace of longing, she resolutely grasped the swirling vortex of chaotic elements.
"I choose this one."
Her voice was soft, yet it seemed to break free from invisible shackles.
The skill rune merged into her body, and Su Wan closed her eyes.
She sensed the fire and wind elements in the air—once alien to her—now circling her like curious children, their movements playful and tentative, filled with a newfound warmth and exploratory intent.
The corners of her lips curved into a faint, involuntary smile.
For the first time, she had made a choice for her own life.
When it was Xia Lian's turn, her fingertips trembled with a hint of fear as she gently placed her hand on the Frozen Throne.
The icy touch of the trunk sent a chill through her, and the surrounding light and shadows instantly transformed into her deepest nightmare.
A fierce alleyway battle erupted. Enemies lunged from the shadows, their razor-sharp claws sealing off every escape route.
Instinctively, she blocked with her short bow, her other hand frantically reaching for the short sword at her hip. This momentary hesitation plunged her into mortal peril.
The scene shifted.
A blurred figure of an Elven Ranger appeared, facing the same predicament. With a flick of the wrist, the bowstring snapped taut in an instant.
An arrow grazed the enemy's face, forcing them to flinch.
In a split second, a brutal knee strike slammed into the enemy's abdomen, followed by a swift sidestep.
The hand that had released the bowstring now gripped the sword hilt. With a reverse grip, she plunged the blade into the enemy's heart with lethal precision.
The entire sequence flowed seamlessly, every movement a lethal strike, embodying a lethal aesthetic of violent grace.
"Is... is that even possible?" Xia Lian stared in stunned disbelief.
A complex rune, fusing archery and martial arts, slowly materialized before her.
[Bow Arts (Passive Skill): You have mastered the synergy of combat. When firing your short bow at close range, damage is increased by 20%. Weapon swap speed is increased by 50%, and melee damage is increased by 20%. You have acquired Basic Elven Ranger Martial Arts.]
Xia Lian immediately recalled the pair of "Fangs of Shadow Strike" given to her by Aeldara.
She finally understood the true meaning behind the Commander's gift.
Without hesitation, she solemnly accepted the skill.
A completely new combat instinct flooded her mind, and she felt her offensive capabilities no longer limited to weapons. Every part of her body could now become a deadly fang at a moment's notice.
Finally, only Lin Qingyue remained.
She strolled leisurely toward the Tree of Inheritance and casually placed her hand upon it.
Let's see what surprises the Elven Race's legacy has in store for me.
Buzz—!
The golden veins within the Tree of Inheritance surged into overdrive, their flow rate skyrocketing!
The entire crystal sapling buzzed under the strain, as if a supercomputer's CPU had instantly maxed out!
What materialized before Lin Qingyue's eyes was neither a radiant Holy Light nor sacred incantations.
Instead, it was... a fiercely burning, battle-cry-echoing Heart of the Berserker!
The vision showed a figure wielding a colossal greatsword, unleashing a whirlwind slash amidst an army of thousands. Blood and flesh flew in every direction!
Then, the scene shifted to another figure clad in full plate armor, charging headlong into the enemy formation, sending foes hurtling into the air!
Immediately afterward, a succession of crimson runes brimming with violent beauty erupted, lining up before her like soldiers awaiting inspection.
[Two-Handed Sword Mastery!]
[Two-Handed Axe Mastery!]
[Bladelite Storm!]
[Berserk Throw!]
[Rampage!]
...
Lin Qingyue: "..."
Lin Xiyue, Su Wan, Xia Lian: "..."
Even Aeldara, who always maintained a stoic expression, couldn't help but twitch at the corner of her eye.
"Sis, is this really how you see yourself...?" Lin Xiyue stared blankly at the long list of menacing skills, muttering to herself. "You... don't look even remotely like a Priest!"