Chapter 45: Enhancements of the North Ice Continent (Part I)

Chen Mo's own enhancements were essentially finalized, so the next order of business was to address the upgrades for the other members of Team North Ice Continent.

The next to speak was Ares.

"I want to redeem the Necromancer bloodline from Diablo 2."

"This Necromancer lineage comes in three tiers: the Double-C rank Primary Summoning Necromancer, which comes with the 'Raise Skeleton' skill, allowing you to summon skeletons from corpses; the Double-B rank Intermediate Summoning Necromancer, which includes 'Raise Skeleton Mage' and 'Summon Golem,' allowing you to raise skeleton mages and summon stone or iron golems from rocks and metal; and finally, the Double-A rank Advanced Summoning Necromancer, which grants the abilities to summon elemental golems, spirits, and... the 'Revive' skill."

"This set of enhancements is quite expensive, but based on what I’ve verified in the God’s space, the higher the price, the greater the potential. I assume this Necromancer enhancement is one with a promising future."

"Indeed, it is a solid choice," Chen Mo nodded in agreement.

The Necromancer is a well-known "wheelchair" build—a path that allows for the rapid accumulation of necromantic energy cycles. By using cheap, powerful corpses available in the God’s space, one can summon effective combat power instantly. As for the drawback of bodily corruption, it was not a concern when faced with the restorative capabilities of the "God."

Chen Mo had also heard rumors that a Necromancer could rapidly accumulate necromantic energy by consuming negative-attribute rare treasures to summon legendary skeletons... He wasn't sure if it was true, but the idea that consuming such treasures could accelerate the accumulation of necromantic energy was likely accurate.

"I am familiar with this enhancement. My ancestors mentioned that the Necromancer path is a good one; it allows for the rapid accumulation of energy cycles and utilizes corpses to summon immediate, potent combat power..."

"I personally recommend you choose this, and I have some elixirs here that can help you accumulate energy, as well as some corpses that can serve as your casting materials."

"That sounds good," Ares nodded, then sighed. "The only downside is that I will be eroded by the curses, toxins, or corpse miasma carried by the Necromancer path, leading to a shortened lifespan and physical strain. The higher the tier of the Necromancer I evolve into, the more severe the backlash becomes."

"Then why not reinforce it with a high-vitality bloodline?" Chen Mo suggested.

Ares shook his head. "I can't. The Necromancer is a bloodline-type enhancement. If I were to add another bloodline, unknown mutations might occur. While I could continue to evolve into a Cursed Necromancer or Poison Necromancer, that would likely only lead to even more severe erosion..."

Ah, it seems this "wheelchair" build has some unexpected flaws.

In the original story, Ares only reached the Double-B rank Necromancer and didn't exhibit many negative effects, but that was likely because he died in *Terminator 2* shortly after, leaving no time for the corruption to manifest.

This was merely Chen Mo’s speculation. He felt that while the Necromancer path offered quick results, it had a fatal flaw: the difficult-to-resolve physical corruption. As one progressed to higher tiers, the erosion would become more extreme. It wouldn't just be low-level negative effects like changes in appearance, shortened lifespan, or physical weakness—it would be far more violent.

Since one cannot reinforce the body by adding other bloodlines, the only solutions would be to unlock the genetic constraints or acquire non-bloodline vitality enhancements.

These were just theories, and Chen Mo wasn't certain of their validity, but even if they were true, he had ways to solve them.

"It doesn't matter. It just means you can't add another bloodline, but the God’s space offers more than just bloodlines," Chen Mo comforted him.

"The corruption caused by the early-stage Necromancer can be cleared by the God's restoration, which doesn't cost many reward points. If the erosion becomes unbearable in the later stages, you can look for cultivation techniques in the God’s space that control corpse miasma or curses, or exchange for non-bloodline vitality enhancements. Either way, you can resolve the issue."

"You have a Double-C and a Double-B rank quest reward, which is enough to reach the Intermediate Necromancer rank. I will write up a cultivation plan for you later that you can use for reference. It should be helpful."

With Ares’s upgrades settled, it was J’s turn.

"I plan to enhance my internal energy (Qi), just like you, Chen Mo!" J stood up excitedly and declared, "I can go straight from primary to advanced internal energy, and use the remaining quest rewards to exchange for a werewolf bloodline or some martial arts manuals."

"What do you think, Chen Mo? Since we both have internal energy, we can complement each other and discuss martial arts in the future!"

*Do you think you and I are the same? I'm using cheats. Even if I can help you with my cheats, you’ll never surpass me...*

"Honestly, my situation is special. In reality, strengthening internal energy early on in the God’s space isn't actually a great choice," Chen Mo shrugged.

"But it's your interest, so I won't say much... though I do have a few suggestions."

"If you want to strengthen your internal energy, you don't need to go straight to the advanced level. Internal energy cycles can be improved through training. I happen to have some related techniques and medicinal herbs here that enhance internal energy."

"So, you only need to exchange for primary internal energy to have the God open your meridians and allow you to sense Qi. Then, you can learn my techniques and take the herbs to increase your energy."

"Actually, I also recommend that you exchange for primary Battle Qi as well. If internal energy lacks corresponding techniques or moves, its raw power is indeed slightly inferior to Battle Qi or other direct-combat enhancements."

"Two D-rank enhancements won't cost much. Then you can focus on the werewolf bloodline—primary, intermediate, advanced... that entire sequence of bloodline enhancements."

"The werewolf bloodline provides good combat power in the early stages, which can bridge the gap while you train your internal energy and Battle Qi. With the remaining B-rank quest reward, you can choose to buy other things, like weapons, equipment, or items."

He had heard others say that one could bypass the prerequisites for the werewolf bloodline and jump straight to the advanced tier, but that didn't seem to be the case with the God. Just like with the vampire bloodline, it had to be evolved step by step.

J nodded, sat down thoughtfully, and pondered Chen Mo's words.

The others seemed to agree with Chen Mo entirely. Judging by their attitudes, even if Chen Mo's suggestions went against their initial desires, they would likely begrudgingly follow his lead.

This was the prestige he had built during the last reincarnation world. As someone with strength, being recognized and trusted was only natural. Perhaps he, Chen Mo, was actually better suited to lead Team North Ice Continent than Chu Hao...

"Me, me, me! It's my turn!"

Jenny, the former veteran, saw that Ares and J had finished their selections and impatiently raised her hand, looking at Chen Mo with eager eyes.