Ashen God
Chapter 579 - 578: Activate the Light Golden Set

Chapter 579: Chapter 578: Activate the Light Golden Set

So, the reason why the small Crimson Iron Ant Nest Dalaguli produces various equipment that boosts the Charm attribute actually has nothing to do with the preferences of the Crimson Iron Ants themselves; it’s simply because they consume a lot of Crimson Iron Ore.

Based on this reason, Zhang Yanhang thought that since the monster nest at the bottom of the underground tunnel likely also feeds on Crimson Iron Ore, it should definitely produce related types of equipment. If that were the case, Zhang Yanhang would surely get a significant boost to his Charm attribute from the new equipment.

"But cleaning up the monster nest is next week’s task; for now, the most important thing for me is the issue with the set effect of the Makarov Earring."

Although I’ve already placed the Light Golden Quality Makarov’s Regret +1 and the Dark Purple Quality regular Makarov’s Regret together, I have not been able to trigger the set effect bonus. It seems it’s indeed because of the quality upgrade."

Zhang Yanhang had known this long ago when he fused the White Ten-piece Set and the Green Ten-piece Set; different qualities of sets, even with the same components, are equivalent to two different sets in terms of equipment effects. This time, it has once again verified this theory.

"I’m glad I didn’t immediately fuse the two Makarov’s Regrets when I got them. Otherwise, although upgrading it to Light Golden Quality would increase the attribute bonuses a bit, I would have lost the four points of attribute bonus from the set effect.

This means that after upgrading the quality of the Makarov’s Regret, I actually had a net decrease of three attribute points."

After checking the attribute list of Makarov’s Regret, Zhang Yanhang took out another Makarov’s Regret and the one he had taken off his ear, placed them together, and immediately started the Alchemy Array to begin the fusion.

As it was also his first fusion, the process of fusing Makarov’s Regret was exceptionally smooth, and Zhang Yanhang completed the fusion in less than a minute.

Looking at the Makarov’s Regret +1 in front of him, which looked exactly like the original but whose aura had evolved from Dark Purple to Light Gold, Zhang Yanhang immediately started checking its attribute list.

[Makarov’s Regret +1]

[Quality: Light Gold]

[Type: Equipment]

[Origin: Main World, Qin Island City, East River District Building 6, Unit 3, Room 702, Zhang Yanhang.]

[Durability: 80/80]

[Defensive Power: 45]

[Additional Attributes: Flame Resistance +20% (+2.5%).]

[Additional Attributes: Acid Resistance +20% (+2.5%).]

[Additional Attributes: Strength +1, Constitution +1, Intelligence +1, Charm +1.]

[Usage Requirements: Charm 40 points.]

[Score: 350 (Light Golden Items score range from 261 to 350)]

[Set Effect One: Makarov’s Gift — Strength +1, Agility +2 (+1), Constitution +2 (+1), Intelligence +1.]

[Introduction: As the situation gradually fermented, besides the nearby customers, even the lord who once sought me to forge Crimson Iron Teeth secretly sent his subordinates to demand an explanation from me. Faced with indisputable evidence, I was utterly unable to offer any rebuttal, and had no choice but to meekly accept the punishment...

— From a Nameless Blacksmith who secluded himself deep in the mountains]

"Makarov’s Regret +1 indeed has also increased the score by 40 points, from the original 260 points to a score of 300.

However, unfortunately, due to the limited number of Crimson Iron Ant Kings, not only is it impossible for the Makarov Set to be promoted to the golden quality of +3, but even +2 is unlikely, the current +1 is already the limit."

Since the Makarov Set could only be enhanced to +1, Zhang Yanhang naturally cared more about the growth in the effect of the bonuses than the increase in the score.

"Makarov’s Regrets +1 similarly increased by 2.5% for both flame resistance and acid resistance bonuses, growing from the initial 17.5% to 20%. Thus, the Makarov Set in total now provides me with 40% flame resistance and 40% acid resistance.

By the way, can my flame resistance and acid resistance bonuses finally break through 100% now? Although 100% flame and acid resistance certainly does not mean complete immunity to flame and acid damage, it is still very pleasing overall."

Zhang Yanhang remembered that all his flame resistance and acid resistance bonuses added up to 98.4% originally, but he had just replaced them with two new Crimson Iron Rings +6. The Crimson Iron Ring +6 offered 1.6% more resistance bonus than the Crimson Iron Ring +4, so together they constituted an additional 3.2% in flame resistance and acid resistance.

"A simple calculation shows that my flame and acid resistance bonuses had already reached over 100% previously. Moreover, wearing just one Crimson Iron Ring +6 would result precisely in 100% resistance bonuses, while wearing two would total 101.6% flame and acid resistance bonus.

If I wear the Makarov Set later, the total flame and acid resistance bonuses on me will reach 106.6%, which is an overall increase of 8.2% in flame and acid resistance bonuses."

Zhang Yanhang was quite satisfied with the extent of the flame and acid resistance bonuses on himself, as 106.6% was indeed quite high, and it would likely be very difficult to improve further.

For instance, to increase it to 150% or even 200% would be unachievable unless he could find new equipment that provides related resistance bonuses.

"Apart from the increase in flame and acid resistance bonuses, the addition of strength attribute bonuses after Makarov’s Regret +1 was promoted to light gold color has increased slightly, not bad, a typical growth. Although my strength attribute has already overflowed by six points, strength bonuses are still quite useful."

After briefly checking the additional attributes, Zhang Yanhang quickly turned his attention back to the set effect.

"When both Makarov’s Regret and Makarov’s Remorse were of the same quality, they indeed successfully activated the set effect, and as expected, the light golden set effects are slightly stronger than the previous dark purple set effects, increasing by one point in agility and one point in constitution.

Thus, the Makarov Set now provides a total of three points in strength, three in agility, three in constitution, three in intelligence, and two in charm attribute value bonuses, which is quite good. Rounding up, it’s like getting a +3 in all attributes."

After reviewing the attributes of the Makarov Set, Zhang Yanhang immediately put the two earrings back on his ears and opened his attribute list.

[Strength: 50 (+6[-7])]

[Agility: 50 (+6[-6])]

[Constitution: 50 (+6[-6])]

[Intelligence: 50 (+6[-11])]

[Charm: 46 (+19)]

"After I equipped the Makarov Set, each of my four main attributes increased by one point again. Initially, my Strength attribute had only overflowed by six points, but now it has increased to seven points.

Agility and Constitution, which both originally overflowed by five points, have now increased to six points overflow. However, the most exaggerated is the Intelligence Attribute, which already had ten points overflow, and now it further increased to an overflow of eleven points. That’s utterly ridiculous."

Regarding the Intelligence Attribute Value reaching such an absurd level, Zhang Yanhang could only attribute it to the power of the Scroll Dragon Bloodline alone, especially since the SS-grade "Mature Scroll Dragon [Bloodline Purification]" provided Zhang Yanhang with seven points of Intelligence Attribute, making it really difficult not to overflow.

"However, it’s regrettable that although the current equipment bonuses for these main attributes are indeed substantial, even reaching a total enhancement of +6 for all main attributes, once I promote to the Third Tier, I won’t be able to enjoy this many attribute bonuses.

The White Ten-piece Set and Green Ten-piece Set that provided +1 and +2 to All Attributes will cease to function due to rank limitations once I promote to the Third Tier. So, by then, I should only have the rounded All Attributes +3 provided by the Makarov Set left.

Therefore, although the overflow of the Intelligence Attribute seems extensive now, even reaching double digits, if I subtract the combined +3 from the White and Green Ten-piece Sets, then I’ll be left with only eight points overflow. Although that’s still high, it’s at least within a more normal range."

Zhang Yanhang felt that after promoting to the Third Tier, he should look for other equipment that can enhance attribute values, such as getting himself a new belt or finding some new clothes and pants to replace the White Ten-piece Set.

"Speaking of which, although all four main attributes added one each, the Sub-attribute, Charm attribute, did not gain any bonuses, remaining static at 46 points. Staying stagnant is just that, not a big issue."

Zhang Yanhang planned to address the issue of the Charm attribute when he advanced to the Third Tier, allocating some of his Free Attribute Points to boost his Charm Attribute.

"So, now the question arises, since I’ve already accounted for all the items from the Drop Treasure Box and my Soul Points are depleted, what should I do next? Retrieve that Cat’s Eye Gemstone?

Yes, go and get the Cat’s Eye Gemstone, and then, after retrieving it, I should head home. Although I have plenty of time, I still need to avoid unnecessary waste."

Yet before retrieving the Cat’s Eye Gemstone, Zhang Yanhang first checked his data panel.

[Name: Zhang Yanhang (Second Tier)]

[Race: Human]

[Sex: Male]

[Age: 20]

[Profession: Heavenly Destiny Master]

[Level: LV.17 (0/14000)]

[Soul Points: 6761]

[Shield Value: 5485/5485 (Life Value Limit x 210%, recovery speed: 20% per second.)]

[Life Value: 2612/2612 (Constitution x 21, the current body is formally digitized, Life Value Recovery Speed: 15 points per hour.)]

[Energy Value: 2720/2720 (Intelligence x 21, the current body is formally digitized, Energy Value Recovery Speed: 48 points per hour.)]

[Strength: 50 (+6[-7])]

[Agility: 50 (+6[-6])]

[Constitution: 50 (+6[-6])]

[Intelligence: 50 (+6[-11])]

[Charm: 46 (+19)]

[Luck: ??? (This attribute is hidden)]

[Talent: 1. Multiple Choice (???). 2. Longevity Mountain and Fortune Sea (SS-grade). 3. Bear Power (S-grade). 4. Mature Scroll Dragon [Bloodline Purification] (SS-grade).]

[Skills: 1. Limitless Universe Skill[Second Order]LV.MAX (Passive/Active). 2. Alchemy (Active Skill). 3. Gun Mastery LV.6 (Passive Skill). 4. Fighting Master LV.MAX (Passive Skill). 5. Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil·Original Scripture LV.6 (Passive/Active). 6. Technique Immunity·Original LV.6 (Passive Skill). 7. Death Wave LV.MAX (Passive/Active). 8. Supreme Will LV.MAX (Passive Skill). 9. Indestructible Golden Body LV.MAX (Passive/Active).]

"Although I currently only have four Talents, if things go as planned, I should be able to obtain a new Talent in the forest north of Raccoon City.

Moreover, as long as the number of monsters in the forest is reasonably normal, I should at least gain another S-grade Talent, and if lucky, I might even secure another SS-grade Talent."

Zhang Yanhang was quite excited about the new Talent, so to respond to this anticipation, after reviewing the data panel, Zhang Yanhang immediately turned off the lights, locked the door, and quickly ran towards the stray cat gathering spot next to East River District.

.....

October 25, Sunday, Double Ninth Festival, also the first day Zhang Yanhang left the Ashen World. At 12:30 AM Early Morning, East River District, Stray Cat Spot.

Since the straight-line distance was only a few hundred meters, Zhang Yanhang quickly reached the stray cat gathering spot. Probably, because it was nighttime, he didn’t see any stray cats. Perhaps their nocturnal instincts had them out wandering, or maybe hunting.

But Zhang Yanhang didn’t mind whether the stray cats were around; after all, he wasn’t there to pet cats; he was just there to retrieve the Cat’s Eye Gemstone. He had already located the stone in advance, and it was inside a suspected cat nest made of an old cardboard box.

Zhang Yanhang picked up the old cardboard box with its surface tattered and riddled with cat claw marks, then lifted the ratty, dirty cotton blanket used as a lining inside the box. Underneath the cotton padding, he found the Cat’s Eye Gemstone.

This Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures matched its name perfectly; it was a green, cat-eye gemstone, round in shape. When held, it changed colors with the light, exhibiting a color block in the middle similar to a cat’s vertical pupil.

Usually, the effect in a normal cat’s eye gemstone is likely due to a special material combined with an overly smooth arched surface that concentrates light reflection, thus creating a light band similar to a cat’s pupil.

However, this was clearly not the case because Zhang Yanhang could distinctly feel the block similar to a cat’s vertical pupil encased a kind of mysterious power, which obviously had nothing to do with light reflection.