"Double Deduction? What's that?" Ji Yang wondered aloud. "And can emotional deduction really yield a fourfold return?"
The notes indicated that higher deduction multipliers would result in stronger abilities. What intrigued him even more was the concept of "double deduction," which allowed him to bring one of his own abilities into the process and potentially unlock rare cards.
Staring at the green multiplier icon, Ji Yang tapped it twice.
【This deduction will consume 40 Qi and 20 Spirit. Deduction points required: 20. Continue?】.
(Note: This is a quadruple deduction. During the deduction, you will randomly bring three of your own abilities into the process).
(Note: Higher deduction multipliers increase the chances of unlocking rare cards.)
The revised notes caught Ji Yang's attention. With each additional deduction multiplier, he could add another ability to the deduction process.
These were not supernatural powers, but they still greatly improved his chances of survival.
Ji Yang mentally reviewed the abilities he had gained during the previous deductions:
Root Strength: Good for stability and resilience.
Heat Resistance: Effective in certain environments.
Toughness: A general advantage for his growth.
Despite the special conditions required for heat resistance, the other two abilities would greatly improve his chances.
Ji Yang weighed his options, ready to embark on another deduction with newfound determination.
For instance, during his previous deduction, if Ji Yang had possessed the Root Strength ability, the cliff wouldn't have collapsed.
As for the concept of rare cards mentioned earier, Ji Yang was confused.
What exactly were these rare cards?
He quickly decided to stop thinking about it and instead try it out firsthand.
Experience would reveal the differences more clearly than any amount of contemplation.
Looking at his current deduction points, Ji Yang made up his mind. He tapped the green arrow once more.
【This deduction will consume 50 Vitality, 25 Spiritual Energy, and 25 Deduction Points. Continue?】.
(Note: This is a quintuple deduction. During the deduction, you will randomly bring four of your own abilities into the process).
(Note: The higher the deduction multiplier, the easier it is to unlock rare cards.)
This time, Ji Yang chose the fivefold deduction---go big or go home.
With ample resources and no external threat from the Li family, he could afford to experiment.
Even if he didn't succeed, he would still gain valuable insight into the differences.
After reaching the conditions for a fivefold deduction, Ji Yang noticed that the green symbol turned gray.
He tried to continue deducting, but it seemed that his current deduction points set the limit.
Without hesitation, Ji Yang tapped "Yes".
As he did, the surrounding temple instantly vanished.
However, this extraction felt different from the previous ones.
Instead of immediately entering the mysterious realm, a series of unfamiliar scenes appeared before him like a revolving lantern show.
Grassy plains, snowy landscapes, deserts, forests, and molten lava...
Ji Yang saw countless environments, some of which he had deduced before.
But in the midst of the continuous display, he noticed something extraordinary---scenes unlike any he had encountered before.
Ethereal mists enveloped lush grasslands---a realm akin to a human paradise.
Opulent cities with intricate architecture and bustling streets shimmered into view.
Desolate wastelands, littered with bones and devoid of all signs of life, appeared last.
The fast-paced scenes before Ji Yang's eyes blurred, making it impossible to see details.
However, he remembered the mention of rare cards during the deduction process.
Clearly, if these rare cards were the backdrop for his deduction, perhaps he could reap greater rewards.
Before Ji Yang could think any further, the carousel of landscapes gradually slowed.
After jumping through deserts and valleys, a dark and eerie scene materialized and came to a halt.
Without a chance to examine the details, the scene seemed to come to life and instantly engulfed Ji Yang's consciousness.
When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in an unfamiliar place.
It was a dim expanse---a space without sun or moon.
The black sky above made him instinctively tense, and even the ground below was inky black.
Lifelessness pervaded the surroundings, not a blade of grass or tree in sight.
Ji Yang's heart pounded with unease.
Before he could investigate further, familiar captions appeared before his eyes:
【You were born in the Netherworld Realm! To become a towering ancient tree, you must strive to grow!】
Netherworld Realm? The name startled Ji Yang.
It seemed like he had indeed entered a rare map, and it sounded extraordinary.
However, as Ji Yang surveyed his surroundings once again, he realized that this rare map might be more challenging for him than the deserts he had encountered before.
The growing conditions here were even worse.
As the subtitles disappeared, Ji Yang noticed a change in himself.
Unlike previous simulations where he started as a small sapling, this time he began as a tree trunk the size of a shrine pillar.
Even before he started to grow, he already had two clusters of leaves, and his underground roots extended several meters.
Ji Yang could sense the strength of a powerful root system beneath the ground.
His journey in this mysterious realm had taken an unexpected turn, and he wondered what awaited him as he embarked on the path to becoming an ancient tree.
If all went as expected, this powerful root must be the one he strengthened.
Choosing to strengthen his simulations fivefold should have granted him four abilities to bring into the simulated world.
Currently, he only had three abilities, and it seemed they had all come with him.
His slightly robust form gave Ji Yang a sense of security.
However, as time passed, the sky remained perpetually overcast, and this sense of security began to fade.
The Netherworld Realm lacked both day and night, its unchanging environment surrounding him.
As a tree, how could he survive without the sun?
Time was ticking away, and Ji Yang felt his weakness growing.
Even with time accelerated, growth eluded him. Were it not for his tenacity, he might already be dead. But if he continued , he wouldn't last much longer.
Was this simulation destined to end without progress?
Ji Yang sighed inwardly; this simulation had cost him all his current resources. Just as he was feeling discouraged, a new set of subtitles appeared before his eyes:
【The Netherworld Realm is harsh and inhospitable. In order to adapt to this environment and continue to grow, you must make the following decision:】
【Absorb Yin Qi】【Absorb Earth Qi】【Absorb Soul Qi】.
Seeing these new options, Ji Yang's mind raced.
His survival now depended on this choice.
What bothered him was that there were suddenly three options.
Before, with only two, he had a fifty percent chance. But now, with three, his chances dropped to about thirty percent. Of course, there might not be just one right answer within those three choices. Perhaps all three could work.
Nevertheless, Ji Yang wanted to choose the most suitable one.