Shadow Hack
chapter-425

[The third ability would evolve the system's research capabilities,] the system said. It didn't provide a clear explanation, just gave a rather vague answer.

"Evolve?"

Li Yunmu couldn't understand what it really meant, but he was still able to grasp the main point of the issue. Without wasting a second, he asked the most crucial question, "What will be the scope of the research ability after it is evolved?"

The real good stuff is always hidden at the end!

Both the skill which allowed shadows to congeal shadow devils and the second ability which allowed shadows to reproduce sounded extremely useful and impressive. But when compared to the third choice, they paled in comparison. Actually it would be better to say that they were on different levels.

A shadow skill could only strengthen a single entity while the reproduction ability could expand an entire community. The third ability choice of evolving research, however, wouldn't just include a single community, but could instead expand the background and knowledge of an entire race.

Because of that, the previous two abilities weren't on the same level as the third one. For example, the third one was tantamount to substantial increase in the technology of a country.

Li Yunmu wasn't stupid and was instantly attracted by evolving the system's research capability.

[Roughly five to seven times compared to the fifth level. The specific amount of increase can only be seen after the system evolves formally,] the system replied without the slightest hesitation.

"If the third ability is successfully executed, then would it be possible to research the flux binding pill?" Li Yunmu's heart began to throb loudly.

[Yes,] the system replied with absolute certainty.

While the system was at the fifth level, its analyzing, researching, and calculating ability was extremely formidable, but it could only be considered as its side occupation when assisting the host.

But if Li Yunmu chose to evolve the researching ability, it would be tantamount to giving up on the system's main concern of gradually strengthening the shadows who were host's main assistants.

Would it be worth it? Definitely!

The system's reply just then had made Li Yunmu certain of that. As long as the system could research things like the refinement of flux binding pill, no one could doubt its worth.

After evolution, the research ability would improve by five to seven times, and the auxiliary ability would change into the system's specialty. It would then be far more formidable than a new shadow skill or reproduction capability could ever be.

"Then, could it also figure out how to obtain space elements?" Li Yunmu asked again.

[Under the right circumstances, it could be done.]

This time the system didn't provide him with complete assurance. An indefinite answer naturally meant that it wasn't reliable.

But given that system never boasted, this sort of reply made Li Yunmu feel relieved.

"What are those right circumstances?" he asked, not willing to give up.

System paused, perhaps calculating something, and thus took some time to respond. [Host needs to get control of a dimensional space with higher density and superior quality of flux energy. According to the current conjunction, if host possessed a dimensional space with higher quality of flux energy compared to the one on the island, space elements could be refined.]

When Li Yunmu heard its words, his heart began to throb wildly. "So its like that!"

He understood everything this time.

What was the origin of space elements? The answer was spatial energy.

Then what sort of energy was flux energy? Flux energy was actually a special kind of active energy which wasn't associated with spatial energy. When the activity in the flux energy reached a certain level and concentration, then as long as there was a method to gather it, it could be refined into flux binding pills and used by human cultivators to cultivate.

Then the question which arose was what exactly was the difference between space elements and flux energy?

Li Yunmu had been uncertain about this matter before, but at that moment he understood it. Speaking frankly, space elements were an advanced version of the flux energy, a sort of superior power.

The reason why the system had been able to collect space elements from his opponents of the Virtual Dimension was because flux energy in the fluxers was refined and became more pure with cultivation. Small space elements then formed in their bodies, and a portion of them could be absorbed by the system.

But even the little bit of space elements couldn't be autonomously used or transferred and could only passively purify host's flux energy. Thus, the system's reply was correct.

Since humans could accidentally refine a small amount of space elements by drawing assistance from cultivation, then if he could learn the exact method and get control of a dimensional space with even higher concentration of flux energy, why shouldn't he be able to accomplish the same?

Within a split second, Li Yunmu quickly made his decision. He had decided to choose the third ability to evolve the system's research capability.

It was so he could refine flux binding pills and space elements in the future. Those two things were enough for Li Yunmu to make that choice.

"System, I have decided to choose to evolve your research capability. I want the third option."

Li Yunmu was the type of person who wasn't influenced by the outside factors after making his decision. Since he had chosen, he didn't hesitate and voiced it.

[Host, the system will give you a customary reminder. Although researching the flux binding pill is possible, if you try to touch this secret in your present state, it may instead become a catastrophe for you,] the system gave a timely warning for Li Yunmu.

"Ohh? Seems like you have gathered some data on this. Do you know something?"

Li Yunmu was slightly startled. In truth, he had also considered this matter, but he didn't spend a lot of time on it.

[Yes, according to the information gathered in Whale City, there were four major powers who tried to research the recipe of flux binding pills a hundred years ago, but they all suffered a similar fate. All of them were wiped out in less than three years,] the system stated in a cautious tone.

Li Yunmu couldn't help but take in a deep breath.

He had thought that something might get in his way, but he had underestimated the seriousness of the situation. Greatly so. Trying to obtain flux binding pill recipe was a road which led only to disaster.