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Chapter 223: Crafting Arrays, Sub-Profession Class Change
Chapter 223: Crafting Arrays, Sub-Profession Class Change
Sterl took the materials from the NPC known as "Valkyrie" and stored them all in his inventory.
Then, Sterl left his estate and began his first round of array crafting. He sat cross-legged on the ground, sensing the fluctuations in the surrounding space.
An Array Master is someone who senses the operation of space, refines various materials, and finally uses mental power to lay out arrays, thereby transforming the world.
For a Spirit Gathering Array, different locations, varying amounts of ambient energy, and different times all cause different spatial fluctuations, which means the material placement nodes also vary.
Therefore, being an Array Master requires a high spatial aptitude. Fortunately, with the blessing of the Dimensional Heart, Sterl easily captured the spatial nodes suitable for setting up the Spirit Gathering Array.
He quickly formed a few hand seals and used Ignition Flame to refine the materials into thick, viscous liquids with precise control.
He then flicked his fingers, sending the liquids flying into the air. As the liquids settled into their designated spots, the surroundings subtly changed, as if an invisible framework was being constructed.
This framework was like a house of cards, layer upon layer, where even the slightest mistake could cause it to collapse completely.
Sterl operated with extreme caution.
The "house of cards" was built bit by bit.
The foundation was laid, the steel beams were poured, the earth and stones were piled on...
Just as the Spirit Gathering Array was about to take shape, Sterl felt a slight tremor. A surge of joy rose in his heart, causing a minor fluctuation in his mental power.
This led to—
Crack! Crack!
A series of explosive sounds echoed in the air. The refined liquids fell to the ground, emitting a burnt smell, and the spatial changes gradually subsided.
Sterl exhaled a deep breath, slightly covering his forehead as his mental power felt somewhat damaged. It was clear he had failed in constructing the array on his first attempt.
Fortunately, Sterl had anticipated this outcome and knew it was unlikely to succeed on the first try. He had specifically bought four sets of materials.
After resting for a short while, Sterl began his second attempt.
For other players, the difficulty in constructing arrays lay in their lack of spatial aptitude, making it hard to pinpoint the critical material placement nodes.
For Sterl, however, the challenge was in his lack of proficiency and his control over mental power.
But these two issues were relatively easy to overcome!
Sterl was simply inexperienced at the start.
As expected, the second time he attempted to construct the Spirit Gathering Array, Sterl almost completed it in one go!
It took him less than 30 seconds.
Sterl quickly refined the materials, placed them into the spatial nodes, and skillfully layered the mental power structures. The properties of the various materials were fully activated!
Finally...
The array was fully constructed!
The Spirit Gathering Array was complete!
Sterl felt the flow of energy in the air... No, it wasn't air; it was the ambient energy of the world, rapidly gathering with a strange power!
"It's a success," Sterl's heart remained calm as still water until the array was completely formed. Only then did he relax his vigilance and allow himself a moment of joy.
A notification appeared before him—
[Congratulations, you have mastered the Spirit Gathering Array.]
[Your class change ceremony progress has been updated. Remaining arrays needed: Four.]
Sterl smiled, clearly in a good mood. Previously, in the "Myriad Arts of Heaven Curriculum," the basic knowledge of arrays he had learned indicated that even the simplest array would require considerable effort and time to construct. Unexpectedly, Sterl had completed the Spirit Gathering Array in less than half an hour.
"Besides the spatial aptitude boost from the Dimensional Heart, the Arcane Soul talent must have also played a role," he thought, feeling quite encouraged. He then proceeded with another round of purchases.
Sterl selected five new arrays, ordering two sets of materials for each. The reason for this choice was that, despite his success with the Spirit Gathering Array, he was concerned that two sets of materials might not be enough for the subsequent arrays. However, ordering an extra set for each array seemed wasteful.
So, he opted to add one more type of array to increase the margin for error in his class change ceremony and potentially gain mastery over an additional array.
Soon, the materials were delivered again, this time by a black-haired, black-eyed NPC girl. Sterl received the materials in the wild and began crafting on the spot.
Using the same method of melting materials and placing them in spatial nodes with mental power constructs:
- Iron Armor Array — Provides a protective shield. Successfully crafted on the first attempt.
- Sharp Gold Array — Launches piercing attacks on intruding enemies. Successfully crafted on the second attempt.
- Listening Array — Slightly enhances the perception of genuine players. Successfully crafted on the first attempt.
- Concealment Array — Hides all units within the array. Failed to craft.
- Improved Spirit Gathering Array — Compared to the original, it has a stronger effect over a greater distance. Successfully crafted on the second attempt.
Snap!
Sterl clapped his hands sharply.
In an instant, the ambient energy of the world rapidly surged and gathered around him. Even some wild monsters in the forest were drawn by the dense energy and slowly approached, hoping to bask in its richness.
However, upon noticing Sterl, these creatures became extremely cautious, letting out low growls and showing signs of unease.
Seeing this, Sterl, in a good mood, swiftly flickered out of the forest, leaving the Spirit Gathering Array for the beasts. He hurried back to his estate and entered his dedicated retreat chamber.
"Excellent!"
Before Sterl, the system prompts flashed.
[You have completed all the rituals for becoming an Array Master. Do you wish to proceed with the class change?]
[Upon completing the class change, your class talent will be generated based on your performance during the rituals.]
[Warning: This class change will occupy one of your Sub-Profession slots, and you will need a specific item to switch Sub-Professions. Please choose carefully.]
"Yes!" Sterl replied without hesitation. The potential of spatial laws and divine authority that an Array Master could bring was what he valued most. None of the other related arts could compare to "space"!
[Class Change Ceremony Initiated!]
As the [Transcendence] system prompt appeared, Sterl felt a beam of golden light pour into the top of his head. Immediately, a vast amount of knowledge surged into his mind.
In an instant, he realized that his previous operations when crafting the five arrays were full of flaws! They were almost painful to recall!
Now, Sterl had an instinctive ability to optimize and learn various arrays.
Additionally, under the influence of the Dimensional Heart, he vaguely sensed a flow of the power of space entering his body.
Sterl understood clearly that as he continuously honed his professional skills as an Array Master, he would eventually comprehend the laws of space!
"It's done!" He didn't know how much time had passed. When he reopened his eyes, a new Sub-Profession panel appeared before him.
[Profession: Array Master]
[Authority Heart: None] +
[Class Talent: Quick Learner (A): You will master various arrays at a faster pace, increasing your array construction speed by 100%.] +
[Class Skills: [Array: Improved Spirit Gathering Array (Proficiency: 3/500 [Beginner])]
[Array: Iron Armor Array (Proficiency: 11/500 [Beginner])]
[Array...]
...]
[Insight Level: 0/5000]
"All the arrays now have proficiency levels??"
"No wonder the corresponding Sub-Profession provides such a significant boost to skills!"
Sterl looked at the Sub-Profession panel with delight.
First, all the arrays he had learned could now be displayed with a proficiency panel, meaning that practicing them would definitely improve their effectiveness.
Additionally, after the class change, Sterl had acquired considerable information about his profession. He could confirm that even god-level arrays would still have proficiency levels.
This meant that with the added proficiency, Sterl's learning speed for those extremely difficult top-tier arrays would be far faster than an ordinary Array Master trying to figure it out on their own.
Moreover, what excited Sterl even more was that the proficiency system meant he could finally put his vast reserves of blood force to good use!
He could quickly elevate certain arrays to mastery or even grandmaster levels...
He was practically winning big time!
Additionally, the insight level on the profession panel indicated that Sterl needed to complete specific events using arrays, such as killing or defending on the battlefield, or simply using arrays to win battles. These actions would grant him insight points.
Accumulating enough insight experience would allow him to level up his insight level. Each level-up would grant Sterl a free opportunity to experience the Law corresponding to his profession!
This was something he couldn't achieve even in the Hall of Valor using contribution points—experiencing the spatial Law!
After becoming an Array Master, Sterl felt like he had received several pleasant surprises in a row!
Of course, the biggest surprise was the unranked authority heart, which he could forcibly enhance once!
Moreover, the profession talent displayed a standard upgrade marker.
Sterl suspected that, like his other talents, he could possibly upgrade it to a triple-S level!
Thus, the following days were quite leisurely for Sterl.
He strolled around his estate, enjoying the pastoral scenery. Occasionally, he would leave the Hall of Valor to visit Teresa, Linna, and Rayna.
After much deliberation, Sterl decided to hand over two books of the [Blood Sacrifice Technique] to Teresa. This technique was incredibly suitable for the mass-production mode of the human race on Earth.
Sterl felt that giving these two skill books was a way to repay the human race on Earth for raising him to the age of 18.
Afterward, he returned to the Hall of Valor to reunite with Faye and have a small gathering with other players from the Dark Moon Alliance.
When Sterl met the sisters Sonis and Sosia again, they couldn't help but remark,
"Master, it seems like you've changed a lot compared to before..."
Indeed, as the sisters noted, Sterl had undergone a transformation. He finally took the time to upgrade everything on his body that could be enhanced in one satisfying session.