Sky-cracking Rider

Two metal plates disappeared from Chen Fei's hands simultaneously, and then reappeared just as quickly, as if they had never been gone.

Magic Array Evolution Database (7).

Li Shaoyu took the two metal plates back and compared them side by side. The surfaces of both plates were engraved with identical magic arrays.

The next second, both magic arrays lit up, and a fist-sized light orb emerged from the center of each array, emitting a soft white glow.

"As expected!"

Li Xinyu's face showed clear comprehension as he nodded to Chen Fei.

Industrial-grade Ability is really overbearing; it can replicate magic arrays without even needing to understand the principles.

Chen Fei, on the other hand, looked displeased. The two metal plates had been swallowed and spat out without any benefit; on the contrary, he had even lost a magic array's worth of titanium material, resulting in a slight loss.

"Chirp?"

Little Bird stood on Chen Fei's shoulder, curiously observing the two light-based spells that did not belong to it. With a peck of its delicate beak, a light orb of the same size took form and drifted toward the two metal plates.

The three light orbs were almost indistinguishable from one another, making it difficult to tell which came from the magic arrays and which one came from Xiao Jiu.

Magic arrays can accept not only crystal energy but also magic power and spiritual power.

In a sense, crystal energy is also a form of magic power, just that its energy state is more stable and just as easy to utilize.

"You little rascal!"

Major Li gave the little one a small smile and withdrew his spiritual power and magic power.

Little Bird was mostly well-behaved, but when it was not, it was truly mischievous.

Chen Fei roughly guessed the other's ability.

A spellcaster, and most probably from the Light Series.

Only spellcasters would activate magic arrays of the same series with such nonchalance.

After confirming his speculation, Major Li asked again, "How complex a magic array can you replicate?"

"Don't know, too few samples!"

Chen Fei spread his hands and sat down on another sofa nearby.

His "Magic Array Evolution Database" had, at best, only seven samples of magic arrays, nowhere near enough to compare with the "Physical Evolution Database," not even close enough to be considered a fraction.

"I might ask for your help in the future, we can talk more when there's a chance."

Major Li stood up and walked towards the door.

As Chen Fei stood up to see him off, he said matter-of-factly, "Not a dime less."

He was not on public grain, guaranteed his livelihood regardless of the weather; why would he work voluntarily?

"Of course, you won't miss out on the benefits, hmm, what do you want this time?"

Major Li Xinyu was not surprised in the slightest; people in the military contracting business are very pragmatic—why work for someone without benefit? That's the industry norm.

Those who selflessly give without wanting anything in return should go eat public grain instead of mixing in the private military contracting business.

Without hesitation, Chen Fei said, "Elemental Affinity Enhancement Potion!"

"A Metal Series Elemental Affinity Potion? Those are quite rare and have significant side effects."

Major Li slightly furrowed his brow.

Chen Fei asked with confusion, "Is there a difference among the Elemental Series?"

The Elemental Affinity Potion he had received from the Blue Star Global United Defense Committee before hadn't mentioned any such distinctions.

Major Li said seriously, "If your Elemental Affinity is above Six Stars, you can't use a generic Affinity Enhancement Potion anymore; you must use a potion specific to your element for it to be effective. Since you are Eight Stars, you can only use a Metal Series Elemental Affinity Potion. The side effects include localized metalization of the skin, stiffness and numbness in certain muscles, loss of pain sensation, emotional detachment, and in severe cases, a change in personality. Do you really want it?"

Chen Fei's Metal Elemental Affinity was at Eight Stars, already very high. Since abilities are fixed upon awakening and don't have any space for growth or upgrades, magic potions were of little help. Enhancing his Elemental Affinity further would be pointless; he would still remain a Class B Metal Ability User until death. Find adventures on My Virtual Library Empire

Moreover, possessing an Industrial-grade Skill was more than enough; at least he didn't have to worry about finding work.

"It's not for me! It's for..."

Chen Fei pointed at Little Bird perched on his shoulder.

"That one!"

He was well aware his Elemental Affinity didn't need any further enhancement.

But as a Magical Beast, Xiao Jiu should not settle on being a Third Rank Human Order; perhaps it still had room to grow.

"Pure Light Sparrow..."

Li Xinyu struggled to comprehend Chen Fei's unique request.

Nurturing an ordinary Pure Light Sparrow to Third Rank human level was at best considered a peculiar hobby!

Perhaps he felt that as a supernatural power user who had lost the potential for future growth, it was better to let go and immerse himself in this eccentricity. Such odd individuals were not uncommon.

Chen Fei hesitantly asked, "Can it be done?"

"I can get it for you, but are you sure you want the Light Series Elemental Affinity Potion? Don't you want something else?"

Major Li felt it was a pity for Chen Fei to waste this opportunity on just that. He could have asked for something more powerful, like a stronger magic array, a higher-grade alchemical artifact, magic potion, or combat mobility armor, and it wouldn't be out of the question.

That night, the giantized "Dragon King" assault-type heavy armor slammed the extraordinary entity onto the Gobi Desert like swatting a fly, leaving a very deep impression. When supernatural power skills reached this level, one wouldn't cling to external objects, and the difference with or without combat mobility armor seemed negligible.

Of course, Crystal Jets, those sovereignty-customized National Treasure Artifacts, were still out of reach. How could national armaments be lightly given to others?

Although some resources were precious, at the level of sovereignty, they weren't so scarce. Moreover, Blue Star was a Richie in trade quotas with Cangqiong Star, taking up at least forty percent of the annual trade quota. There were quite a lot of good things.

This time, Chen Fei's contributions were not small, and as the saying goes, great rewards beckon the brave. It would be a pity to use the open rewards list only to exchange for an Elemental Affinity Enhancement Potion.

"No need for anything else! Just this one!"

Chen Fei confirmed again.

He still had five Bloodline Inducing Potions obtained from elsewhere at the Aircrew Base. With the accumulation from the Affinity Enhancement Potion, he should be able to awaken the dominant genes in Xiao Jiu's bloodline.

If the Pure Light Sparrow bloodline had managed to survive consistently, even if they were weak now, their ancestors must have been strong once.

Using a Bloodline Inducing Potion could possibly awaken inferior genes, but since Pure Light Sparrows were already the weakest among magical beasts and were no different from ordinary birds, lacking even innate magic, any degeneration probably couldn't make the situation worse than it already was.

"What is Xiao Jiu's Elemental Affinity rank?"

Major Li assessed the little bird hopping non-stop on Chen Fei's shoulder.

It looked almost identical to a regular Pure Light Sparrow, but if one looked closely, they could see that Xiao Jiu had a tiny tuft of slightly raised feathers on its head and was slightly larger than other Pure Light Sparrows.

"Hmm, four stars!"

Chen Fei had registered Xiao Jiu at the Urban Monster Management Center and had its rank and Elemental Affinity tested.

Pure Light Sparrows typically had a one-star Elemental Affinity. Xiao Jiu's four stars were due to the Elemental Affinity Enhancement Potion, and since it was starting from a low base, the potion's effect was significant.

However, as Elemental Affinity increased, the potion's effectiveness would gradually decrease.

Just like Major Li had said, once reaching six stars, a specialized Light Element Affinity Enhancement Potion was needed; otherwise, a general potion, not differentiated by element, would have no effect.

"Got it!"

Major Li nodded and walked away briskly.

-

Two days later, Chen Fei received a delicately crafted small box.

The person he met again was still Li Xinyu, the Special Warfare Group Major he had encountered before.

"Five Elemental Affinity Enhancement Potions, four general and one Light Series-specific. The demand for exclusive potions has always been high, so they're hard to come by. One specialized potion can be worth at least ten general ones, especially Light Series potions, which are even more valuable."

Major Li introduced the magic potion varieties inside the small box to Chen Fei.

What he didn't say was that one Light Series-specific Elemental Affinity Enhancement Potion was temporarily borrowed from his own personal quota.

General potions could be used for Elemental Affinity up to and including six stars. The production on Cangqiong Star was relatively higher for these.

Among the exclusive potions, the Light, Dark, Psychic, and Space Series had the lowest production, constrained by scarce materials and difficult alchemy, resulting in higher costs. Especially the Psychic and Space Series, neither would exceed a production of ten a year, they were virtually priceless.

"Thank you!"

Chen Fei immediately opened the small box; inside, four transparent potion bottles lay quietly alongside one bottle with floating golden particles emitting a faint golden glow.

He took out one and unscrewed the cap.

"Xiao Jiu, it's time for your medicine!"

Last time, after a deadly struggle with Boss Hana to complete the Blue Star Global United Defense Committee's task—and considering Xiao Jiu's contributions—they managed to exchange for two general Elemental Affinity Enhancement Potions.

Indeed, Blue Star was more generous. For the same deadly struggle, these five potions were equivalent to fourteen general Elemental Affinity Enhancement Potions, almost seven times what the Global United Defense Committee offered.

This round, it was worth it!

"Jiu?"

Little Bird hopped onto Chen Fei's hand, curiously stuck its beak into the bottle, sampled it suspiciously, then hopped away without hesitation.

Full of disdain, not giving any face at all.

Conning Xiao Jiu into taking two Elemental Affinity Enhancement Potions last time involved mixing in alcohol and juice, and it seemed he would have to employ the same tactics this time too.

"Heh, what a little rascal!"

The image of Xiao Jiu as a mischievous imp was solidified in Major Li's mind, and a smile spread across his otherwise serious and earnest expression.

If it were any other magical beast, it would never disdain a beneficial magic potion for its taste, even if it was bitter, smelly, spicy, or fishy—they would drink it down without hesitation.

This little bird was just too innocent.

"Hey, no rush, I'll mix it with something else, then it will drink it!"

Chen Fei, somewhat helplessly, screwed the cap back on and put the potion that Little Bird had tasted back into the box. Indeed, this couldn't be rushed.

-