Chapter 40: Seven Skills
Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations
Editor: Karai
Eighteen test dummies entered Level 5 mode. As Jin Taichu infused more energy into the source weapon, the attack values grew stronger, and eventually, the first skill’s sword aura reached a peak attack of around 30. Even though it was an area-of-effect skill, at Level 4, it achieved a single-target attack value of 30 in Level 5 mode.
If this value were applied to a standardized weapon, even the area-of-effect skills of a Level 5 source weapon might not be able to reach it. Of course, Jin Taichu could achieve this mainly because, as an eighth-level esper soldier, he had abundant internal energy. Any other Level 4 esper soldier would definitely not reach such test results.
After the first skill test concluded, Jin Taichu began testing the second skill. The second skill test was a movement test. The staff added mobility devices to the test dummies. When the test began, all eighteen dummies moved unpredictably. Jin Taichu activated the second skill.
A pleasant voice came through to the audience, “We have temporarily named the second skill of this source weapon Accompanying Sword. Its attack method is to designate a target. As long as sufficient energy is supplied to the source weapon, the esper soldier can ignore the target to do other things, because until the Accompanying Sword hits its target, the skill will not dissipate. Once it successfully strikes, a large amount of energy is instantly released, delivering a deadly blow.” The commentator paused, then continued, “The Accompanying Sword has strong obstacle avoidance. Among the eighteen test dummies, it consciously avoids the others and attacks only a single target, preventing energy waste.”
As the explanation continued, the audience saw a golden sword aura chase a test dummy. During this, the other seventeen dummies, under manual control, tried to interfere, but every time, the Accompanying Sword precisely avoided them and struck its designated target.
The commentator’s voice continued, “The strongest point of this skill is that after activation, you no longer need to worry about a single target.”
Following the commentary, the second skill finally bypassed multiple obstacles and struck the target dummy. The struck dummy reported its attack value in a mechanical voice.
-68.
A Level 4 source weapon, second skill Accompanying Sword, casually struck with an attack value of 68 in Level 5 mode—clearly higher than the first area-of-effect skill.
The chat exploded.
“So basically, as long as this skill exists, I only need to supply the energy; it will pursue the target on its own!”
“I imagined, if this esper could release it multiple times simultaneously, then in a one-versus-ten scenario, could I just deploy the ability and calmly do my homework?”
“I think theoretically, that’s possible?”
Amid the flurry of comments, Jin Taichu released the second skill two more times. These two attacks scored 70 and 72 in Level 5 mode. There was no denying it: this was an extremely attractive skill. According to the live chat, it was a divine skill requiring no management, with self-awareness.
Next, he began testing the third skill.
The commentator explained, “We have temporarily named the third skill Chain Sword. Chain Sword is a single-target skill. Once the imprint is activated, it generates multiple sword auras in a short time, launching them instantly, with attack values stacking.”
Following the explanation, Jin Taichu activated the third skill. True to its design, the skill stacked damage quickly. When the first sword aura hit the dummy, it scored only 17 in Level 5. But instantly, the second, third… A large number of sword auras overlapped in a short time, and the value shot up to the Level 5 maximum of 99.
The commentator said, “The second skill, Accompanying Sword, has self-awareness but consumes more energy. Chain Sword doesn’t have self-awareness like the second skill, but its output surpasses the second skill. In our tests, its attack occasionally reached Level 6. Most importantly, it consumes less than half the energy of the second skill while maintaining very high attack power.”
The chat was flooded again. During this, Jin Taichu tested the third skill twice more, with values surpassing Level 6. As these test results were shared widely, more viewers entered the live stream, and the audience grew rapidly.
Jin Taichu then began testing the fourth skill. The commentator explained, “Compared with most source weapons, this one’s design is exceptionally ingenious. According to the source weapon association’s makers, this method maximizes material efficiency. We have temporarily named the fourth skill Accompanying Chain Sword. It combines the second skill Accompanying Sword and the third skill Chain Sword. The effect is that the Chain Sword’s auras disperse and are triggered in the Accompanying Sword style, allowing attacks on multiple targets at once. It is an area-of-effect skill.”
As the commentator spoke, Jin Taichu had already activated the fourth skill, targeting all eighteen high-speed moving test dummies.
The commentator continued, “This skill is cleverly designed. As an area-of-effect skill, each sword aura targets the nearest dummy consciously.” Sword auras launched at the dummies. The dummies reported attack values.
The commentator said, “Compared with the single-target skills of the second and third skills, the fourth skill’s output is slightly lower, between Level 4 and Level 5. But there is no doubt that with this skill, in cases of significant strength disparity, as some chat members have said, one could completely ignore combat and do homework. Also, remember the previously assessed Unadorned? Unadorned had a passive skill, making all attacks avoid teammates. While this source weapon has no passive skill, its second and fourth skills attack only the designated target, avoiding friendly fire!”
After the fourth skill test ended, it was time for the fifth skill. The fifth skill, also an area-of-effect skill, was temporarily named Ten Thousand Swords. It was named for the moment the imprint ignited. With sufficient energy from the esper soldier, sword auras could be limitless—truly forming ten thousand, even surpassing ten thousand sword auras. Most source weapons with similar large-area attacks risked short circuits, but Ten Thousand Swords maintained stability unless the imprint was damaged.
After testing the fifth skill, the commentator said, “Now we move to the sixth skill, the final skill of this source weapon.
“As expected, the final skill is the weapon’s strongest. This one is no exception. The sixth skill is a single-target skill and its most powerful attack! We have temporarily named it Sky-Splitting Sword. The name is a little dramatic, but there’s a reason. As you see, this source weapon focuses solely on offense—no defense, no amplification, no escape. Its final skill…”
The audience saw Jin Taichu activate the sixth skill, Sky-Splitting Sword. At first, they saw a white-and-gold sword aura, then watched it grow bigger and bigger… Big, bigger, biggest…
The commentator’s voice echoed, “According to multiple source weapon makers, this imprint should not be Level 4, but due to material limits, it remains Level 4. Using higher-grade materials, its level would significantly rise. Its uniqueness lies in its capacity. As the esper soldier channels energy into the imprint, energy circulates through all imprints, forming a large reservoir, ultimately powering the final skill, Sky-Splitting Sword. Look at its size—growing from a single light point to tens of meters tall.”
Many live-stream cameras captured the enormous sword, dwarfing the test dummies and even the tester himself.
The commentator continued, “In our tests, the Sky-Splitting Sword reached peak Level 6 output. Yes, you heard correctly. While the second and third single-target skills only reached Level 5, the sixth skill hit the Level 6 peak!” She paused, then added, “Because of its size, the destructive range is vast, essentially making it a wide-area destructive skill. Now you can understand why among the many preliminary source weapons, only this Level 4 weapon broke through and was selected as one of the ten highest-quality source weapons. Its attack power is truly extraordinary.”
Its drawback was clear: all skills required massive energy. If this weapon consumed less energy, it might have been the strongest in the preliminaries.
Following the commentator, Jin Taichu executed the ultimate strike. Instantly, the light sword slashed down— Jin Taichu, as an eighth-level esper soldier, had purer internal energy than ordinary Level 4 soldiers. This explained why Yun Yingzhi wanted Yun Yinghui and friends to test the source weapon: compared with others, they could push its skills beyond limits.
As the light sword descended, the energy from Jin Taichu’s body channeled through the source weapon, and the attack value of Sky-Splitting Sword hit the critical point.
Test dummies, pre-set to Level 6, issued a warning.
—Exceeded Level 6 limit, please enter next-level test mode.
Silence fell across the arena. Even the live chat froze.
Normally, a Level 4 esper soldier with a Level 4 source weapon could only reach Level 4 power. Some exceptional weapons might hit Level 5… Crossing two tiers was rare. Jumping from Level 4 to 7 was unheard of.
Time passed. Eventually, the commentator stammered, “N-no, previously, our assessment showed this source weapon couldn’t…” Realizing the slip, she immediately stopped speaking.
Shocked viewers snapped back to reality, and the chat flooded again.
“Amazing! That winter-gear source weapon maker is incredible!”
“And that’s only Level 4! Imagine Level 5, 7, or 8—what attack power would that have?”
Some noted that the weapon’s strength depended on both the source weapon and the esper soldier controlling it. Otherwise, such power would be impossible. Switching operators would have likely drained the energy entirely.
The assessment continued, and the dummies entered Level 7 mode. Jin Taichu activated the source weapon, lit the imprint, and almost instantly, a gigantic sword appeared, slashing at the dummy. The dummy reported the output value.
—33.
This could almost be called the strongest Level 4 source weapon they had ever seen.
The commentator’s voice trembled slightly. “Truly astonishing test data. As you know, prior tests only reached Level 6, but unexpectedly, it reached Level 7!” She continued praising the source weapon, then said, “After nearly an hour of testing, all six skills of A13167’s source weapon have been evaluated. Now we’ll have a short break, after which…” Before she could finish, Jin Taichu said, “Wait.” The commentator froze, glancing at him.
His magnetic voice came through the speakers: “Before this test, I contacted its creator. He told me this source weapon has seven skills.”
The commentator paused, “…” The live chat froze again, followed by a flood of question marks.
“The competition organizers must have conducted comprehensive tests when evaluating the source weapon, especially since this one was the only Level 4 source weapon among the ten. They surely ran every possible check, so how could a skill still slip through? What kind of skill was it?”
“As a source weapon creator, I just want to see the imprint in this weapon.”
“I admit, this source weapon was outrageously powerful, but I have to say, I watched Red Peony’s entire process of creating the source weapons. If I’m correct, no matter how strong this weapon is, it’s probably the least carefully crafted of the ten he made that day. Think about it—when he submitted this one, what did he say? He straightforwardly said he couldn’t bear to give away the others, the many Level 5 and 6 weapons. He only handed this one over. So, what could the other nine source weapons he made possibly be like?”
The commentator looked at Jin Taichu, eyelids twitching. “Wait… there’s a seventh skill?”
Jin Taichu hummed in agreement. “Its creator told me that time ran too short, so the final imprint wasn’t refined. It wasn’t organized, and without the creator pointing it out, it would be hard to discover. Only a precisely controlled esper soldier could activate it.”
The commentator said, “I’m really curious… the seventh imprint in this source weapon is…”
Before she could finish, Jin Taichu had already activated the seventh imprint according to Yun Yingzhi’s instructions. Jin Taichu recalled what Yun Yingzhi had told him earlier. The seventh imprint was difficult to activate, highly dependent on the esper soldier’s control. Optimizing it later might compensate for this flaw, but it wasn’t really necessary.
Only an esper soldier with abundant internal energy could unleash the seventh skill, and most capable esper soldiers wouldn’t need optimization; their skill alone would allow precise activation. In truth, it was simple: activate all imprints in the source weapon simultaneously, and a large-scale virtual sword domain would form. An area-of-effect skill, dripping with lethal intent.
The moment Jin Taichu activated the skill, the entire evaluation arena was engulfed. The live chat froze again. Shock, awe, disbelief.
After an unknown amount of time, someone posted in the chat: “I remember that Red Peony guy, wearing a hat and mask, face hidden, but he seemed to blush easily. When people said he was stingy or trying to grab benefits, all exposed skin turned red. I thought he was a shy, timid guy. But I was wrong—those were just appearances. A guy who can create this kind of source weapon is either thinking about how to destroy enemies or running full speed toward killing more enemies. He is absolutely a ruthless guy!”
Following that long comment, the chat tone shifted instantly.
“I love ruthless Red Peony!”
“Red Peony seems to be a Fansa Academy student. My love! Sir! Tell me, how can I commission a source weapon from you?”
“Wait, am I the only one who thinks this ranking is weird? This is only a Level 4 source weapon, but judging by its skills, I think it’s the strongest among all preliminary weapons! I can’t imagine another source weapon being stronger.”
…
Among the flood of comments, the evaluation of Yun Yingzhi’s unnamed Level 4 source weapon—whose skills had all been named by the organizers—finally concluded. StarNet buzzed with heated discussion over this single-purpose offensive source weapon.
Meanwhile, at Fansa Academy, Yun Yingzhi walked with a light, floating feeling. After the source weapon evaluation ended, Yun Yinghui sent him a private message, praising him. Soon, Jin Taichu, Nangong Qing, and others also reached out one by one, giving their compliments.
Yun Yingzhi walked along the campus streets, hearing nothing but praise for A13167 from the Fansa Academy students. He also heard that students from the source weapon creation department were trying to find A13167. They had nearly searched all the top figures in the department, but came up empty.
Hearing this, Yun Yingzhi’s eyes curved, and he covered his mouth to giggle like a mischievous little cat, feeling proud. He thought even if they searched the entire source weapon department, they definitely wouldn’t find him. Because he was a combat department student.
Listening to all the compliments, Yun Yingzhi finally understood why so many source weapon creators participated in the Starshine Competition. Had he known that a single competition could earn him so much praise, he would have competed every year!
As if sensing Yun Yingzhi’s joy, the little kit in his stomach bounced restlessly several times. Yun Yingzhi placed his hand on his belly. The little kit moved around inside, and he found it a little strange. He hoped he could give birth to the two little ones soon; these little jumps were a bit exhausting.
Then, something particularly frustrating happened. A movement came from his belly. After a spatial ripple, he was suddenly transported through space, leaving Fansa Academy.
Yun Yingzhi froze for a moment. He didn’t know which Little Bun’s spatial ability this was—it was far too restless. He thought that after giving birth to this Little Bun, he would need to set up protections for spatial abilities. Otherwise, it would be a disaster if one little kit lost the other.
Thinking this, he found a student with spatial esper abilities, paid a sum of money, and returned to Fansa Academy. Not long after returning, another spatial ripple transported him away from the academy again.
Yun Yingzhi took a deep breath, heart aching, and paid again to return to Fansa Academy. Then, a third time, another spatial ripple whisked him away. Yun Yingzhi’s eyelids twitched. He thought that the little kit inside hadn’t been disciplined for days. But under the circumstances, there was nothing he could do.
Thinking it through, to prevent the little kit from repeatedly using spatial abilities to escape, he decided not to return to the academy for the time being. Considering that the two little ones would soon be born, Yun Yingzhi thought he should at least buy essential supplies.
One was a second-form Little Bun, and the other was still an unconfirmed egg-form Little Bun. What should he buy in advance?
Yun Yingzhi went to the store. Because both little ones would likely be premature, and their genders were unknown, baby clothes couldn’t be bought yet. But he could buy other things. Milk powder, bottles, and an incubator for the egg Bun. Although he had originally decided not to buy small clothes, Yun Yingzhi couldn’t resist. When he saw the pretty children’s clothes, he bought a big pile.
This Title is available for faster chapter releases through paid Patreon membership. Any proceeds go to keeping the website running. Check it out HERE.
