Chapter Forty-Eight: Duplication and Inscription

"System notification: The time-space traversal device has finished cooling, and the host may initiate time-space travel at any moment."

Upon receiving the system's prompt, Lin Lei did not depart immediately. Instead, he took out a Broad Sea Pill and the No. 1 Source Returning Pill. He had already taken two Broad Sea Pills previously—the taste was somewhat like jelly beans—but since there was not a trace of divine power within his body, he could not discern their specific effects. Nevertheless, he persisted in taking one a day, intending to complete a full course of ten days before making any judgments.

This time, as he swallowed the Broad Sea Pill, Lin Lei also took the Source Returning Pill. As soon as the Source Returning Pill touched his tongue, he felt a warm current surge throughout his body, and his already-modified physique saw its strength soar several times over. Now, his attacks were imbued with divine power—this was the true strength he should possess at the initial stage of awakening.

The No. 1 Source Returning Pill, theoretically, could replenish all divine power during the awakening phase in an instant. Lin Lei was only at the very beginning of awakening; thus, filling his divine power reserves was somewhat wasteful. For this reason, he chose to first expend a portion of his divine power to discover what his innate supernatural ability truly was.

Innate supernatural abilities are divided into three categories. The most basic are attribute abilities, such as strength, resistance, and speed, primarily enhancing one's physique. These abilities suit close combat, and those who possess them usually focus their cultivation on body refinement, allowing them to withstand enemy attacks before engaging them.

The second category is the formidable elemental abilities—metal, wood, water, fire, earth, wind, lightning... Harnessing the elemental particles of the world, these abilities unleash devastating power. Suited for ranged combat, practitioners often follow the path of spellcraft, learning or adapting techniques aligned with their elemental affinity, integrating them into their innate abilities, and even creating new forms of magical attacks. This allows them to harm or destroy opponents before the enemy can approach.

The third category is the exceptionally rare special abilities—time, space, curse, illusion, immortality... Such abilities can achieve unparalleled effects in their domain. If mastered, be it close or ranged combat, one would be unmatched by peers.

Of course, with great power comes great cost. The stronger the ability, the more divine power it consumes. If one encounters an ability that counters theirs, or fails to comprehend their own power, reckless use can quickly deplete their reserves, leaving them vulnerable to defeat.

Lin Lei had just activated his innate ability and noticed that a tenth of his divine power had been consumed. Clearly, his ability belonged to the special class. Through reflection, Lin Lei understood its purpose: the power of Replication and Inscription.

He could replicate the supernatural abilities others deployed for his own use. By expending twice the divine power, the replicated ability would retain its original potency. On the surface, this seemed rather lackluster—after all, at equal levels, abilities negate each other, and the contest ultimately comes down to the reserves of divine power. If his replication required twice the energy, he would be at a disadvantage in a direct duel.

But Lin Lei was no ordinary man—a pay-to-win player with Source Returning Pills at his disposal. Even if the cost was triple or quintuple, he could still outlast his foes.

More importantly, the ability included an inscription function. During the awakening phase, he could permanently inscribe one innate ability; during the Divine Refinement phase, another; and so forth. Each time he ascended to a higher realm, he could inscribe one more ability.

Once inscribed, it could not be removed, and the divine power cost returned to normal.

Do not underestimate the limit of one inscribed ability per realm. Each practitioner only ever has a single innate supernatural ability in their lifetime, and it appears randomly. All other spells and skills are derived from this primary ability.

Lin Lei, however, could select multiple abilities based on his preferences. Each inscription was equivalent to gaining another fighter for himself. This might not seem impressive early on, but later, it would be a truly game-breaking advantage.

"Excellent! After spending so many contribution points, my luck finally shines!" Although he was still the weakest among those in the initial awakening stage, Lin Lei was now brimming with confidence, eager to travel to another world and inscribe an ability of his own.

"System, initiate time-space traversal. Target: Primary World!"

"Time-space traversal conditions met. Deducting 100 contribution points. Searching for a Primary World. Searching... Search complete. Compatible time-space found. Initiating traversal..." As the system spoke, a flash of white light enveloped Lin Lei, and he vanished from the room.

Legendary time-space barriers like the one where Yang Xueli resided did not require searching; one only needed sufficient contribution points to traverse. Other barriers, however, could be traversed only by searching for a matching world.

Such worlds were countless, and even the system could not know in advance what kind of world lay beyond.

Once again, Lin Lei appeared—this time on a beach, with the sea breeze carrying a thick, metallic scent of blood. Looking down, he saw the ground strewn with severed limbs and blood staining the nearby ocean red. Had he not already survived a knock-off "Resident Evil" world, Lin Lei would undoubtedly be retching up his breakfast.

Even so, he could not suppress a wave of nausea and momentarily forgot to change his attire.

"Boom!"

The sound of artillery echoed—the battle was far from over. The system urgently warned him that shells were landing all around him. There was no time to change clothes, nor did he possess any heavy armor capable of withstanding the bombardment.

"Damn it! Such a grand entrance—system, are you trying to kill me and inherit my contribution points?" Lin Lei cursed furiously as he activated his divine power for protection and pushed his speed to the limit, dodging shellfire.

"When traversing the time-space barrier, the weakest area is chosen for breakthrough. The landing site is beyond this system's control," the system explained.

"Who cares if you can't control it! Find the area with the weakest artillery fire immediately—I need to break out first!" Lin Lei swore again.

Moments ago, a shell had exploded less than five meters away. The flying debris pierced his protective divine power and left a gaping hole in his arm. If it had struck his chest, he would have met his maker instantly.

The shells were fired from the sea—naval artillery of large caliber. With his initial awakening strength, Lin Lei could not withstand such firepower.

"Southwest, fifty meters away—there is a fortress. The host may enter to seek shelter," the system advised.

Clearly, this was a beachhead landing operation. The naval guns targeted the fortress onshore, and Lin Lei had landed dangerously close, making him a prime target for bombardment.

Truthfully, Lin Lei was reluctant to enter the fortress. As a stranger, he would surely be mistaken for an enemy invader, leaving him the grim choice of either killing those inside or being killed by them.

Having been pummeled by the forces at sea, he now had to risk his life helping the enemy attack a fortress—a truly frustrating predicament.

But he had no choice. If he ran toward the sea, the shells would no longer threaten him, but the open beach offered no cover. The moment he appeared, he would become a target for both sides.