Apocalyptic Flood: Sexy Beauty Neighbor's Midnight Plea for Food Chapter 1105 - 450: Causal Skills

Liang Yuan observed the ongoing discussion, allowed a brief smile to touch his lips, and then slipped away unnoticed.

The remaining logistics would be managed by those skilled professionals.

He had no desire to deplete his mental focus any further on such matters.

"It is time to deliberate on the secondary method for refining Genetic Species."

Liang Yuan’s present goal was to master the process of refining Genetic Species within his very own physique.

"Furthermore, there is another pressing issue that requires a resolution."

"The mutant creatures infestation at the Slaughterhouse cannot be sustained solely by my personal efforts to farm them for Points; otherwise, I shall be perpetually confined to Yangshan without the freedom to depart."

A flicker of realization passed through Liang Yuan’s eyes; he already possessed potential strategies to tackle these two problems.

Upon entering the sanctuary of his secret room, Liang Yuan produced a Rune Bone retrieved from his inventory.

The artifact radiated a subtle violet luminescence, having once been lodged within the chest of Huang Mingkai, the formidable commander of the Red Star Mercenary Corps.

Liang Yuan had drained the life essence from Huang Mingkai by utilizing a Parasite Species, ruthlessly executing the powerful Superpower User to claim this Rune Bone.

Liang Yuan treated this specific Rune Bone with the utmost gravity.

The reason was simple: Huang Mingkai’s particular Superpower was quite extraordinary.

His ability granted him the capability to intercept and absorb any hostile offensive directed at him.

Any kinetic or elemental damage could be captured, then processed and stored within his Dantian as a potent reserves of energy.

He could subsequently unleash this stored manifestation in a concentrated torrent, resulting in a devastating display of destructive output.

To speak plainly, a direct confrontation against such an ability would yield almost no prospect of survival.

Nonetheless, this power was not invulnerable, as it harbored significant vulnerabilities.

It merely requires a Control Class Superpower User to effectively neutralize a defensive absorber of this nature.

Control is distinct from raw attack power; if the adversary does not provide any damage for the user to store, their capacity for resistance naturally vanishes.

Thus, while the ability is arguably potent, it is equally accurate to label it fragile.

Naturally, Liang Yuan did not prize this Rune Bone because he desired the capacity to absorb damage for his own use.

He remained captivated by the mechanics of how such an ability functioned.

One must remember that the Superpowers Liang Yuan had encountered thus far were predominantly tethered to the Four Major Attributes.

This specific mechanism of absorbing damage seemed elusive, and Liang Yuan could not discern which fundamental attribute it belonged to.

Fixating his gaze upon the intricate etchings on the Rune Bone, Liang Yuan descended into a deep state of contemplation.

Hours drifted by as Liang Yuan repeatedly traced the rune’s outline with his inner Spiritual Power.

Following countless failures, and with his Spiritual Power reserves nearing total exhaustion, the complex runic structure was finally finished.

"System, reveal the attribute panel."

Swish!

The system interface shimmered into view, yet to Liang Yuan’s dismay, the skill column—boasting over a dozen entries—did not reflect the inclusion of the new Rune Bone technique!

Liang Yuan’s brow furrowed instantly.

"Did I fail to manifest it?"

After a moment of reflection, Liang Yuan murmured, "Perhaps drafting the rune with Spiritual Power alone is insufficient to internalize this skill. Could it be that it necessitates simulation through Superpower energy circulating in my meridians?"

Liang Yuan grew pensive; he had faced similar hurdles in the past.

From the early days of Stone Armor to the acquisition of Scale Armor, all had demanded a confluence of both Spiritual Power and active Superpower energy to successfully commit the skills to his repertoire.

Acting on this intuition, Liang Yuan immediately began circulating his internal Superpower, guiding it with his Spiritual Power to simulate the pattern within his physical form.

However, by the time evening arrived, he remained unable to comprehend the skill.

"This is incorrect, entirely wrong. According to the energy frequency indicated by the Rune Bone, no matter how I navigate my Superpower, it refuses to pulse toward the heart to complete the circuit."

"Where exactly is the miscalculation?"

Liang Yuan retreated into his own thoughts.

His previous successes with Scale Armor and Stone Armor were somewhat aligned with the Five Elements.

By mirroring the human body’s Five Elements in accordance with his viscera, he had formed a cycle to master the runes.

However, the Rune Bone of Huang Mingkai possessed no clear affinity with the Five Elements.

For a fleeting moment, Liang Yuan remained lost, uncertain of the required genesis or termination point for the energy flow.

"The origin must surely be the heart."

"The heart acts as the furnace of Superpower, the very wellspring where energy manifests."

"If the heart signifies fire within the Five Elements, how does this energy achieve the absorption and redirection of damage?"

Liang Yuan theorized endlessly, yet despite his prolonged analysis, the core secret remained elusive.

With no other options, Liang Yuan once again sought counsel from the system.

"System, is there any mechanism to perform an assessment of the Rune Skill contained within this object?"

"Ding, this entity is a Lottery System and lacks built-in assessment protocols. The host may acquire the functionality to appraise items by rolling for assessment-type skills."

Liang Yuan was taken aback, though a surge of excitement replaced his surprise. "Such a skill actually exists?"

"Present all available assessment skills for my consideration."

Swish!

The system flashed, cataloging a vast array of potential skills.

Initial Tier Recognition: Discern foundational details of an item (designation/material), for 10,000 Lottery Points.

Material Analysis: Evaluate the core composition of an item, for 10,000 Lottery Points.

Flaw Observation: Detect surface-level imperfections, for 10,000 Lottery Points.

Age Perception: Estimate an item's chronological existence (with a 50-year margin of error), for 10,000 Lottery Points.

... Elemental Traces: Detect elemental residues left upon an item, for 100,000 Lottery Points.

Spiritual Resonance: Sense the energetic vibrations within a Superpower artifact, for 100,000 Lottery Points.

... As the system populated the list, dozens of options emerged before Liang Yuan.

The majority were low-tier options priced at 10,000 points.

Most seemed redundant; Liang Yuan was fully aware the bone originated from a Superpower creature.

However, the skills valued at 100,000 points appeared significantly more advanced.

Specific ones could even evaluate Superpower energy and elemental imprints.

Observing these, Liang Yuan felt an unmistakable allure.

He even stumbled upon the 'Eye of Investigation' among the catalog!

It was a skill capable of gauging the rough combat strength of an opponent’s Main Attribute, mimicking the function of an effective Investigation Rune.

It was also priced at 100,000 Points, albeit limited to identifying living entities.

Liang Yuan continued scanning until his focus locked onto a skill priced at 150,000 Points.

Spiritual Ability Assessment: Identify the primary spiritual property of an item (inanimate objects only), set at 150,000 Points.

"This skill might assist in exposing the nature of this Rune Bone, permitting a deeper analysis of its unique characteristics."

Satisfied, Liang Yuan triggered his choice and initiated the purchase.

"System, I wish to specify and acquire the Spiritual Ability Assessment skill!"

"Swish!"

"Acquisition of this specific skill requires an expenditure of 160,000 Points. Confirm the exchange?"

Liang Yuan exhaled in relief. A cost of 160,000 Points, including a 10,000 point premium for specification, was quite reasonable.

"Proceed with the exchange."

The following instant, his meticulously saved balance of over 300,000 Points was cut in half, leaving him with 164,889 remaining.

Though a pang of loss stung, his focus immediately shifted to his newly acquired capability.

[Spiritual Ability Assessment]: Spirit-type Skill

Skill Rarity: Green

Prerequisites: Spirit 15, Constitution 12

Skill Function: Utilize Spiritual Power to decipher basic material makeup and the core spiritual attributes of an artifact.

Caution: Operates exclusively upon inanimate objects.

"Let us put this to the test!"

Channeling the newfound awareness within his mind, Liang Yuan directed his Spiritual Power into his gaze and locked onto the Rune Bone in his palm.

The bone erupted with a violet radiance.

Simultaneously, data flooded his consciousness.

"Spiritual Power Strength tier three, confirmed as a violet rarity artifact... Processing analysis..."

"The fundamental attribute is Spirit-type... The secondary attribute is Physical-type..."

A rapid sequence of conclusions flickered through his brain.

Finally, a singular, startling term appeared.

"Damage Absorption... Energy Storage... This is a Causal Skill!"

Liang Yuan’s spirit reeled; the implication was truly astounding!

A Causal Skill!

It was an ability classification he had never encountered before.

Yet, his [Spiritual Ability Assessment] had navigated him directly to this obscure secret!

Bursting with both shock and excitement, Liang Yuan immediately prompted the system.

"System, delineate all known Causal Skills."

"Ding, presentation of Causal Skills initiated..."

[Lucky Deflection]: Temporarily amplifies luck to produce miraculous outcomes during life-or-death situations, 400,000 Points.

[Cause and Effect Replacement]: Predefine a specific outcome (e.g., weapon fracture) then inversely fulfill the trigger (striking a structural weak point) to force the desired result, 600,000 Points.

[Eye of Omen]: Perceive the target’s projected actions over the next 3 seconds, though the trajectory remains fixed, 700,000 Points.

[Damage Retrospect]: Redirect incoming damage to the attacker as it occurred 3 seconds prior (requires spatial-temporal continuity), 800,000 Points.

... Examining the list, Liang Yuan noted that every single Causal Skill started at a minimum of hundreds of thousands of points per unlock!

Regardless, Liang Yuan’s objective was not to gamble on summoning these skills, but to grasp their inherent nature through the system’s databases.

As he studied them, his perspective gradually clarified.

The power these skills exerted was beyond any doubt.

More importantly, such power felt utterly lacking in logic.

The governing principles of causality were distinct from any other tier of ability.

Causality is an immensely mysterious phenomenon, leaving virtually no trace to decipher.

Upon reviewing the [Damage Retrospect] skill, he deduced that Huang Mingkai’s Rune Bone undoubtedly operated via Causal Superpower.

This variety of superpower functions unlike conventional skills; it is effective, yet defies any logical explanation.

It remains impossible to formalize its operations.

Observers see only the manifestation of cause leading to effect, yet the underlying systemic laws remain invisible.

"No wonder comprehension has been so difficult. One must master the concept of causality itself to interpret such a skill."

"But how does one even begin to master causality? Is it purely through Spiritual Power?"

Liang Yuan frowned. At 57.5, his Spiritual Power was already formidable.

He could safely claim that even among Genetic Species masters, his spiritual reserves were significant.

Yet, he remained unable to penetrate the veil of Causal Skills.

It seemed that unless an individual possesses an innate affinity for such a power, the subsequent path to learning Causal Skills is nearly impassable.

"Wait, 'Causal'..."

Liang Yuan shut his eyes to contemplate, a new perspective blooming in his mind.

"Is there a form of cause and effect that allows the creatures slain by others to be retroactively attributed to the cause and effect of my own kills?"

"And if so, through what mechanism could such causality be grafted?"

Liang Yuan reached a mental stalemate, failing to conceive of a viable solution to the problem.

Observing the horizon, he saw the sky had turned to night. It appeared today would not be the day for a breakthrough.

He emerged from his room and returned to his residence.

The house was empty. By this hour, everyone should typically have returned.

However, since he had disclosed the arrival of the Genetic Species, many high-ranking officials in Yangshan had begun to organize themselves.

In particular, Ding Yan, Yang Mei, and Song Wen had become deeply engrossed in their own cultivation routines.

Everyone realized that the future belonged to those who mastered their own Genetic Species.

It was probable the women were simply lingering at the Yangshan academy, preoccupied with practicing their Genetic Activation Techniques.

Liang Yuan decided to forgo a meal at home and set off for the cafeteria instead.

Following the Inspection Department’s exhaustive investigations into corruption, the cafeteria staff had been entirely replaced.

Upon seeing Liang Yuan, these new personnel immediately bowed in deference.

Liang Yuan ignored the display, gathered his rations, and chose to dine at the Leader’s Mansion instead.

He aimed to dedicate his focus to pondering the dilemma of causal grafting further.

Suddenly, the scent of a light fragrance drifted toward him, followed by a soft, melodic laugh: "Mr. Liang, you have been back for quite some time now, yet you haven't visited the Inspection Department to observe my progress?"