After receiving the coordinates sent by Gadelia, Zhou Ming left the building of the Lantern Bearers and hurried to Gadelia’s residence.
“The landscaping is nice.”
Several Chinese-style bridges spanned the residential area, surrounded by greenery in a fresh environment. Zhou Ming followed the characters carved on the stone slabs, peering through the railings to see the scenery inside: tall, straight trees, and a river that divided the community in two.
‘It feels different from what I imagined… These should be individual villas, right? I remember the TV dramas my parents watch are always like that.’
After entering the community, Zhou Ming quickly ran to the building marked by the address Gadelia had sent, and pressed the doorbell.
The door opened, and Zhou Ming proceeded unimpeded, soon arriving at Gadelia’s floor.
Pushing the door open, the interior furnishings resembled an exhibition hall, with decorative items of various styles placed in each compartment. Zhou Ming glanced at them and walked straight into the living room.
Gadelia was sitting on the sofa, waving at him.
“Zhou Ming, come here, sit.”
Gadelia was only wearing a gray off-the-shoulder sweater that reached just to the top of her thighs. She wasn’t even wearing shoes, her bare feet resting on the carpet.
Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, Zhou Ming sat on the sofa, accepted the water Gadelia poured for him, and asked:
“So, how is this experience calculated?”
“No one knows. Currently, no one can clearly calculate how much experience is gained from each defeated Energy Beast. However, it’s certain that as you defeat more and more Energy Beasts, the experience gain will gradually decrease until you reach the limit of the Micro-level. After breaking through to the Dust-level, the cycle starts anew.”
“I don’t understand why something like this isn’t in the textbooks. It’s clearly a virtuous cycle.”
Gadelia shook her finger and asked with a smile:
“What do you think this ‘experience’ is?”
“Primordial Source that dissipates after an Energy Beast disappears, right?” Zhou Ming gave the answer almost without thinking.
“Wait… Primordial Source! When people die, Primordial Source also dissipates, so then…”
Zhou Ming suddenly reacted, looking at Gadelia as if to confirm something.
“Just as you thought, humans can also provide experience.” Gadelia nodded. “And humans aren’t as dangerous as Energy Beasts. Although they provide less Primordial Source, it’s safer. As long as the numbers are sufficient, there’s always a chance to improve one’s abilities.”
She poured herself a glass of water, took a small sip, and continued:
“Of course, killing Energy Beasts works too, but the risk is higher. A single misstep could cost you your life.”
Zhou Ming fell silent for a moment. He remembered Gadelia was from some powerful noble family. Since she knew about this, but hadn’t done it…
“But I do have an ability.” Gadelia spread her hands. “Many nobles gain power this way. But I didn’t, and I don’t need to.”
“You can understand it as, ability users are divided into two categories: those who awaken naturally and those who awaken later. The proportion of natural awakenings is smaller, while late awakeners like you make up the majority.”
Zhou Ming nodded.
Gadelia sighed softly. She knew that telling Zhou Ming these things meant exposing part of her secrets, but he would find out this information sooner or later.
“My ability is to read the inner thoughts of others, with a very large range. Even hiding deep in the mountains is useless.” She looked at Zhou Ming, her tone suddenly softening. “But as long as you are by my side, I can only read your thoughts.”
“So, I need you, Zhou Ming.”
‘Oh no.’
‘Complaining about someone in my mind right in front of them, and being heard!’
Zhou Ming’s scalp instantly went numb.
“You know my ability, and you still complain about me to my face?” Gadelia gently tapped the table, tilting her head to look at him.
“No! Let me explain!” Zhou Ming hurriedly waved his hands.
Gadelia didn’t press the issue, instead changing the topic:
“Just like in games, reaching a certain stage requires a breakthrough to continue leveling up. It’s the same with abilities.”
“So how do you break through?”
“First, obtain Primordial Source of the same type but of a higher level than yourself, whether from an ability user or an Energy Beast. Through hunting or bestowal, fuse it into yourself to complete the advancement. Your ability will also change.”
“Second, wait for your own Primordial Source to mutate. As long as its quality improves, you’ll naturally break through.”
“Third, the ability’s own upper limit is high enough to allow for continuous growth.”
“For example, an ability like Wind Blade can only grow to the Dust-level at most. To go further, it must rely on mutation or external Primordial Source. But an ability like Atmospheric Pressure Control has the chance to grow all the way to higher levels.”
“So, if I want to reach Dust-level, I just need enough Primordial Source?” Zhou Ming’s eyes lit up.
“Theoretically, yes.” Gadelia nodded. “But the prerequisite is that you must personally kill the target. Because group combat splits the experience.”
“Experience can be split?” Zhou Ming was stunned.
“Of course.”
‘No wonder I didn’t feel much improvement even though I participated in so many battles.’ Zhou Ming couldn’t help but complain internally.
He had clearly contributed a lot, but the gains were diluted.
“So, from now on, I’ll have to stick with you too.” Gadelia smiled.
“Mhm… I’ll be in your care from now on.” Zhou Ming subconsciously responded in his mind.
‘This is already the second time I’ve said this today…’
He suddenly covered his mouth and shouted:
“I didn’t say anything just now!”
At that moment, his phone suddenly rang.
Zhou Ming hurriedly answered. It was his childhood friend, Jiang Jiaxi.
“Hello—”
Before he could finish, a rough voice came from the other end of the line:
“You’re Zhou Ming, right? Your friend is with me. If you want her to live, bring one million in cash. Don’t try anything funny!”
“If I don’t see you by eight tonight, you’ll never see her again. If you call the police, I guarantee she’ll wish she were dead!”
Jiang Jiaxi’s faint crying could be heard in the call. Before Zhou Ming could say anything, the call was disconnected.
Zhou Ming’s face instantly darkened. He glanced at the location on his phone and rushed out, leaving Gadelia behind.
“I have something to do, I’m leaving!”
“Hey—!”