Chapter 120
Based on the items Xia Zhi had obtained, only Gold quality and above items had properties, increasing with quality.
Gold items had one property, like [Blazing Incense Burner] with "Fusion."
Platinum items had two properties, like [Hourglass of Time] with "Time Stasis" and "Time Reversal."
Diamond items had three properties, like [Radiant Wings] with "Sky Soaring," "Light Healing," and "Void Breaking."
Properties were closely related to item effects. For example, the "Fusion" property of [Blazing Incense Burner] made it easy to combine various incense materials, greatly increasing success rates.
But the system prompt just now made Xia Zhi realize properties weren't as simple as he'd thought.
The combination of "Void Breaking" and "Theft" properties allowed "Theft" to work at range...
Xia Zhi recalled the teleport waypoints. When he first unlocked them, the system gave a similar prompt:
"Host has acquired property: Void Breaking."
"Can forcibly use teleport waypoints, destination random. Use?"
That was also due to the "Void Breaking" property.
It seemed properties and skills had affinities. If their compatibility was good enough to meet certain conditions, skills could be enhanced by properties to gain new special effects.
If true, this gave Xia Zhi a new direction when acquiring supernatural items in the future.
Instead of just looking at an item's effects alone, he could choose properties that would combine well with his current main skills, achieving multiplicative reinforcement.
Xia Zhi raised his hand, "looking" at the Scholar's Ring on his finger.
This item had the "Amplify" property.
Logically, this should be a versatile property that could combine with any skill, but the system gave no response.
This suggested property-skill combinations must have some limitations.
He had too few supernatural items to draw accurate conclusions, so he set this matter aside for now.
Xia Zhi opened his inventory and took out a Gold item he'd obtained earlier but hadn't used.
[Enhancement Crystal]
Quality: Gold
Type: Consumable
Property: Evolution
Effect: When used on other items, has a chance to increase quality by one tier - Iron (100%), Silver (50%), Gold (25%), Platinum (1%).
Hidden Effect: Even if evolution fails, will randomly strengthen the item's existing effects.
A bright diamond-shaped stone appeared in his hand.
Xia Zhi brought the crystal close to the [Hourglass of Time] before him.
"Use [Enhancement Crystal] on [Hourglass of Time]? Note: This is a Platinum item, only 1% chance of successful quality upgrade."
"Yes."
The crystal in his hand suddenly shattered, dissolving into countless light points that merged into the hourglass.
"Evolution failed, gained random enhancement - [Hourglass of Time] effect range increased by 50%."
Xia Zhi wasn't surprised, given the 99% failure rate.
The [Enhancement Crystal]'s hidden effect had triggered, and while it seemed decent, it wasn't the result he wanted.
No matter, he could try again.
Xia Zhi inverted the [Hourglass of Time].
Time reversed.
Countless light points flew out from the hourglass, reforming into a bright diamond-shaped stone.
"Use [Enhancement Crystal] on [Hourglass of Time]? Note: This is a Platinum item, only 1% chance of successful quality upgrade."
"Yes."
"Evolution failed, gained random enhancement - [Hourglass of Time] charging time reduced by 15%."
Try again.
"Evolution failed, gained random enhancement - [Hourglass of Time] effect consumption reduced by 20%."
...
Six consecutive enhancement attempts, all failed.
By now, the time sand in the [Hourglass of Time] was almost depleted, unable to perform another time reversal without recharging.
Xia Zhi put away both the [Enhancement Crystal] and [Hourglass of Time], planning to continue tomorrow.
Though there was only a 1% success rate, with enough attempts, evolution would eventually succeed.
Then he would have his third Diamond item.
The only pity was that the [Shop] didn't sell [Enhancement Crystals], and he didn't know if he'd get such good items again.
Next, he should test the value of the "Poison Grandmaster" effect from [Shadow Hands].
Grandmaster was a level above Master.
Xia Zhi was already an "Incense Master," "Massage Master," and "Culinary Master," achieved using Silver experience books worth 10 points each.
To advance further in these fields, he would need Gold experience books worth 100 points to become an "Incense Grandmaster," "Massage Grandmaster," and "Culinary Grandmaster."
Xia Zhi pondered for a moment, opened the [Shop], spent 3 points to buy [Joy Incense] materials, and another 8 points for several ingredients with special toxins. Then he took out the [Blazing Incense Burner] and began mixing and refining.
Soon after, a beautiful emerald-colored incense emerged from the [Blazing Incense Burner].
[Perfect Euphoria Incense]
Quality: Silver
Type: Consumable
Property: None
Effect: A special incense made by the Blazing Incense Burner. After special refinement of the formula, skillfully eliminates toxicity while greatly enhancing the original joy effect. Can corrupt hearts and confuse both mortals and spirits.
Hidden Effect: Burning duration increased by 60%, euphoric effect increased by 60%.
Recycle Price: 10 points.
Xia Zhi carefully read the item information. From [Joy Incense] it had become [Euphoria Incense]. Though production cost increased from 3 to 11 points, the quality rose from Iron to Silver, making the recycle price ten times higher.
Xia Zhi checked the system log.
"Used [Blazing Incense Burner] once, successfully refined [Euphoria Incense], consumed 20 mental power points."
Mental power consumption had indeed tripled.
However, overall, earning points by making [Euphoria Incense] was still faster than before.
Previously, material cost was 3 points, producing 10-12 [Joy Incense] pieces per day, with daily net profit of 7-9 points.
Now, material cost was 11 points, producing 10-12 [Euphoria Incense] pieces over three days, with daily net profit of 30-36 points.
Great, his basic income had increased again!
Xia Zhi made two more [Perfect Euphoria Incense], then feeling tired, stopped production.
Remembering Yanfei's gift, he opened the small bag to find an elegant glasses case containing black glasses with dark gold frames. The lenses looked like obsidian, much better quality than his current pair, probably quite expensive.
Xia Zhi tried them on, finding them very comfortable.
Miss Yanfei was thoughtful.
He should treat her to tofu more often in the future.
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