Chapter 73: The Power that Changes the World
Although the Monstrous Mustache Beast had formidable vitality, Su Hao had collapsed its beast patterns and organs into a mass, depriving it of any residual strength, leading to its swift demise.
After the Monstrous Mustache Beast breathed its last, Hua Hongyi immediately organized manpower to clean up the battlefield. It was at this moment that Mayor Lv Luyun and Dean Xiao Jixuan rushed back from the wilderness.
Hua Hongyi noticed that something was off in their expressions. "Why did you both come back after the battle was over?"
Lv Luyun and Xiao Jixuan exchanged a glance, their faces filled with embarrassment.
They had seen the enormous body of the Monstrous Mustache Beast, and a chill ran down their spines.
They both knew that even if they had returned in time, it would not have made much of a difference. In reality, they had no means to deal with the Monstrous Mustache Beast. At best, three Grandmaster-level experts working together could only drive it away.
Killing the Monstrous Mustache Beast was an impossible task.
After learning about the battle, both of them became extremely interested in the small figure clad in full armor who possessed various runes. They speculated on which Grandmaster-level martial artist happened to pass through Lingyun Town.
Upon learning about the cause of the Monstrous Mustache Beast's death, the two Grandmaster-level martial artists were left speechless, looking at each other in astonishment.
Could a Grandmaster-level martial artist really achieve such a feat?
Hua Hongyi analyzed, "That big brother must be an advanced-level Grandmaster, and in all likelihood, a runemaster!"
Lv Luyun and Xiao Jixuan were startled. "A runemaster?"
While they were capable of creating runes, apart from "extraction" runes, the rest of the runes were of little use to them. During battles, simply striking with a sword was more effective than using runes.
Hua Hongyi nodded. "I saw that big brother use runes at least twice, and he employed various types of runes."
Pointing at the wound on the Monstrous Mustache Beast, he continued, "Look at this area. There are traces of penetration, sharpness, and erosion. I also saw him use barriers and deflections. His use of runes was incredibly smooth. It seems to be his main area of expertise."
Lv Luyun nodded in agreement. "Indeed, very few people can achieve such mastery. The other party must be at the pinnacle."
Suddenly, Xiao Jixuan said, "Do you think this person might be responsible for Jin Datong's death two years ago?"
Hua Hongyi and Lv Luyun were momentarily taken aback, and they fell silent.
After a while, Lv Luyun spoke directly, "There's no need to continue investigating Jin Datong's matter."
Hua Hongyi and Xiao Jixuan nodded in agreement.
Lv Luyun continued, "Hongyi, personally extract the core of the Monstrous Mustache Beast and make a trip to He'an City."
Hua Hongyi nodded. "Alright!"
Following this incident, a story about the "Masked Silver Warrior" began circulating in Lingyun Town.
...
Known as the "Masked Silver Warrior," Su Hao returned to the wilderness and began hunting Grandmaster-level fierce beasts, specifically targeting the weaker ones.
He realized that there was no need to fear Grandmaster-level fierce beasts; he had single-handedly taken down two of them.
The blood strength of Grandmaster-level fierce beasts was generally slightly stronger than Su Hao's, but only slightly. However, with the array of runes he possessed, he could easily bridge this gap.
After hunting five Grandmaster-level fierce beasts, Su Hao noticed a pattern: each of these beasts had a tumor enveloped by runes inside their bodies, containing a pale yellow pearl.
Most of the blood strength of the Grandmaster-level fierce beasts resided within this pearl.
"So, this must be an energy core. No wonder the strength of these Grandmaster-level fierce beasts isn't as formidable as I imagined." Su Hao suddenly understood that his ability to contend against Grandmasters wasn't due to his own strength but rather the weakness of the Grandmaster-level fierce beasts.
Hmm... Su Hao admitted that he might be slightly stronger than the average high-level Grandmaster, but he was still an ordinary Master, after all.
The primary reason lay with the Grandmaster-level.
The difference between Masters and Grandmasters lied in the existence of an organ capable of storing blood energy, allowing the total blood energy in their bodies to undergo a qualitative leap and enhancing their physical strength due to the increased blood energy.
However, Su Hao discovered that while the blood energy output efficiency of Grandmasters far exceeded that of Masters, it couldn't match the immense quantity of blood energy.
If blood energy was compared to water in a pool, output efficiency was determined by the size of the water outlet. The larger the outlet, the stronger the burst of power, but if the outlet was small, the explosive power would be limited.
The same principle applied to Grandmasters. They possessed vast amounts of blood energy, but their blood energy output was limited, resulting in a restricted explosive power.
Comparatively, the blood energy output of Grandmasters was still lower than Su Hao's!
"Does this mean that the key to advancing to the Grandmaster level lies in this pearl?" Su Hao speculated that the method to advance to the Grandmaster level involved implanting an energy core into one's body.
According to Old Liu's words, the limit for humans was the Elite level, and the path of Masters emerged by imitating fierce beasts.
Likewise, humans couldn't generate such cores on their own, so the method to advance to the Grandmaster level involved learning from fierce beasts.
Most likely, it involved hunting a Grandmaster-level fierce beast, seizing its core, and transplanting it into the body of a Master. After a period of adaptation, one would successfully advance to the Grandmaster level.
It wasn't surprising that the path to advancing to the Grandmaster level was heavily restricted since every successful advancement required the killing of a Grandmaster-level fierce beast to obtain its core.
The crucial point was that obtaining the core didn't guarantee a 100% success rate in advancing.
"What about Ancestral Masters? Could it be that in the end, they transform the entire body into a container for energy cores?"
Su Hao had never encountered an Ancestral Master, whether human or fierce beast, so he had no way of knowing. He also had no intention of implanting such a thing into his own body for now.
Thus, he temporarily set aside the research on Master-level advancements.
He decided to return to studying runes and the fundamental blood energy.
The reason was that the living environment for humans was extremely harsh, and runes would be a powerful tool to significantly improve this survival environment.
After experiencing the Monstrous Mustache Beast's attack on Lingyun Town, Su Hao suddenly understood why people in this world viewed life and death so lightly.
Death was a normal occurrence for them, as long as it served the interests of their clan. They could sacrifice themselves at any time without expecting anyone to hail them as heroes or remember them.
Because this sense of responsibility was ingrained in them, as individuals of the clan.
It was this sense of responsibility, placing the clan first, that allowed humans to
survive in this continent overrun by fierce beasts when they were incredibly weak in ancient times.
Of course, this was the spiritual belief of the majority in this world.
There were also individuals who, driven by personal desires, disregarded the greater cause of the clan. They could never understand those who shed blood for their beliefs or comprehend the burning passion in their hearts.
Hence, Su Hao made a decision.
He would thoroughly study runes.
In addition to the existing runes derived from beast patterns, he would also research the principles of combining basic runes, enabling the creation of various rune functions. He aimed to achieve a state where any desired effect could be deduced using corresponding formulas.
Then, he would compile his research findings into a book and make them available to the public, giving everyone a chance to learn the way of runes. He wasn't afraid of the potential consequences.
As for the possibility of being killed for revealing runes, he wasn't overly concerned.
The fact that rulers controlled the path to advancement for Masters and above was evidence enough.
Humans needed strong individuals, and there could be strong individuals, but they must remain within the control of the rulers.
It wasn't difficult to guess how rulers viewed basic runes: humans needed runes, runes could exist, but they must be under control.
In that case, those runes would lose their meaning; that wasn't the effect Su Hao desired.
What he wanted was for many humans to possess even a trace of resistance when facing fierce beasts. Not just relying on a few high-level warriors or waiting for the fierce beasts to leave after they were full.
He had experienced various disasters and deaths, as well as feelings of powerlessness and despair. Therefore, when he witnessed the desperate cries of many ordinary people being devoured, something stirred within him.
Perhaps, when the knowledge of runes became widespread and everyone had the opportunity to learn rune techniques, there would be at least a hint of resistance against fierce beasts, even if it was just 0.01%.
Of course, this was merely a chance or probability. For those who came into contact with runes but didn't treasure the opportunity or didn't study properly, it didn't matter. For Su Hao, if they didn't make good use of the opportunities given to them, it was their own problem.
Su Hao wanted to completely change this world, using the power of runes!
As for whether this would spark a rune revolution and cause countless humans to shed blood, Su Hao didn't care much.
The emergence of a new era would inevitably be accompanied by endless slaughter and bloodshed, and only amidst the bloodshed could a powerful human era be forged.
(translated by begs)