Chapter 20 Strategy

Level 1 Macro Tactics is a command-class passive skill. It provides a broad layout for overall campaigns, though it offers limited control over finer details. However, through this skill, one can observe whether the progress of the ongoing warfare aligns with one's envisioned direction. This is an intelligence-type skill; the more details one knows, and the higher one's intelligence, the clearer one's grasp of the grand strategy becomes.

Looking at the explanation, which appeared identical to its Level 0 version, Li Mingxing nonetheless understood the distinction between Level 1 and Level 0 Macro Tactics. Back at Level 0, Li Mingxing had to supply a sufficient amount of intelligence before a calculated result could be generated and presented to him.

Now that his skill had reached Level 1, the situation was no longer the same. Aside from the final presentation of two different routes and outcomes, Li Mingxing could directly utilize whatever he observed as intelligence. Although intelligence gathered in this manner was not entirely accurate, it nonetheless spared Li Mingxing a fair amount of effort.

Additionally, there was another crucial difference between Level 1 and Level 0: a translucent ice mirror, invisible to others, materialized right before Li Mingxing's eyes. The data that previously flashed within Li Mingxing's mind now appeared upon the surface of this ice mirror. Although this required Li Mingxing to divide his attention to read the information, it freed him from having to calculate such figures inside his own head, significantly easing his burden. At the very least, Li Mingxing no longer needed to let these numbers interfere with his judgment and combat performance.

Once the upgrade of Level 1 Macro Tactics was complete, Li Mingxing had Zheng assist him in upgrading his Level 0 Equilibrium Skill as well. Much like Macro Tactics, upon reaching Level 1, the Equilibrium Skill also projected an ice-mirror-like apparatus before Li Mingxing's eyes to record and analyze the relevant data. To Li Mingxing's surprise, the ice mirror of this Equilibrium Skill fused with the ice mirror of the Macro Tactics within a short span of time.

Following the fusion, the resulting ice mirror expanded to about one and a half times the size of the original mirrors. Countless diverse numbers flickered restlessly across its surface. Li Mingxing merely glanced at it, and his eyes instantly grew dizzy beyond description.

After a single fleeting sweep, Li Mingxing averted his gaze. At that moment, a single thought echoed in his mind: how wonderful it would be if the numbers on this ice mirror could be rendered pictorially or cartographically.

No sooner had this thought arisen in his mind than the numbers on the ice mirror churned frantically. After fluttering four or five times, a line of text crystallized across the face of the mirror: "Insufficient level, insufficient intelligence, insufficient skill. Unable to render cartographically or pictorially."

Upon seeing these words, Li Mingxing was momentarily stunned. He then experimented by asking aloud, "What level and what proficiency are required to achieve data cartography and pictorially rendered data?"

The data on the ice mirror resumed its chaotic flickering. After roughly five minutes, the ice mirror finally spat out a set of figures: "Level 0: manual operation; Level 1: ice mirror records numbers; Level 2: pictorially rendered data; Level 3: cartographically rendered data; Level 4: tactical demonstration simulation; levels 5 and above: unable to analyze due to insufficient data."

Had an ordinary person beheld such an explanation, they might have heaved a sigh of relief. Yet when Li Mingxing saw this, a sharp glint flashed through his eyes. He was beginning to comprehend why the requirements for the Sacrifice Skill were universally set above Level 3. Presumably, without strength at or above Level 3, numerous underlying truths simply could not be perceived at all.

With this realization, Li Mingxing attached even greater importance to this combination skill. In his view, it mattered little even if this trial were to fail; so long as he could master this combination skill, lingering at the First Tier for the rest of his life would pose no problem whatsoever.

Harboring such thoughts, Li Mingxing shifted his gaze back toward the Sea Thunder Dragon once more. He continuously voiced various figures he had observed. As his words fell, the data upon the ice mirror shifted ceaselessly. Once Li Mingxing articulated his plan and his thoughts as well, a sentence materialized upon the ice mirror.

"Warning: Plan success rate is approximately 35%. Due to the absence of personality and strength data regarding the Sea Thunder Dragon, the success rate is reduced by an additional 10%. The plan success rate will fall below 25%. Please formulate an alternative attack plan."

Such data gave Li Mingxing quite a start. Back when he was at Level 0, Li Mingxing had utilized similar data, yet in the end, he had gleaned nothing from it. He had previously assumed that was simply due to faulty calculation methods on his part, but he had never expected that this impending battle would prove so perilously hazardous. This realization involuntarily stirred a sense of retreat within Li Mingxing's heart.

Just as Li Mingxing contemplated withdrawing, his good fortune intervened once more. At the very instant he made up his mind, the Sea Thunder Dragon happened to emerge from the deep sea in search of sustenance. As a potent aura radiated outward from the depths of the ocean, Li Mingxing, standing in the distance, instantly lost his capacity for movement.

Following that, Li Mingxing beheld a creature resembling a giant eel, spanning roughly seven meters in diameter and wreathed entirely in crackling lightning, surging up from the briny deep. This bizarre creature possessed a body exceeding a thousand meters in length, entirely devoid of scales. Its sleek hide was as pristine and white as jade, capable of mirroring the surrounding scenery much like a polished glass surface.

Although the Sea Thunder Dragon's upward momentum was not exceptionally rapid, its ascent carried it to a tremendous height. Li Mingxing saw its entire body clear the water's surface by a staggering two hundred meters and more. After snapping up a flock of passing birds in mid-air with a gaping maw reminiscent of a deep-sea fish, the Sea Thunder Dragon executed a mid-air pivot and plunged back into the sea.

This display of movement allowed Li Mingxing to ascertain the Sea Thunder Dragon's true strength. To Li Mingxing's discernment, at least four or five points within the intelligence he had previously acquired starkly contradicted this creature's actual might.

First, it was certain that this Sea Thunder Dragon had attained the Sixth Tier. However, it possessed at most the strength of a Lower Sixth Tier. Having witnessed a multitude of Upper Sixth and Seventh Tier experts within the mythological stratum, Li Mingxing understood that among Sixth Tier beings serving as Sanctuary or Saint-level entities across various planes, the gap between the upper and lower tiers remained substantial.

Take the Sword Saint whom Li Mingxing had persuaded to become a hired hero, for instance. As an Upper Sixth Tier expert, he exercised absolute control over his own domain, freely manipulating the dimensions within it. Such absolute mastery was something a creature that had only just crossed the threshold into the Lower Sixth Tier could never accomplish.

From the uncontrollable Dragon Might and lightning aura emanating from this Sea Thunder Dragon, Li Mingxing could deduce that while the creature had indeed mastered Level 6 lightning power, it had not yet reached the stage of absolute control.

In stark contrast to this point was another piece of information: aside from mastering dragon power and lightning power to Level 6, the creature also possessed Level 6 mastery over water. Li Mingxing deduced this from the fleeting moment when the Sea Thunder Dragon burst forth from the sea and subsequently submerged.

Throughout both the upward surge and the downward plunge of the Sea Thunder Dragon, Li Mingxing failed to detect the slightest ripple upon the water's surface; even the direction of the ocean currents and waves remained completely unaltered. While many could accomplish feats of water manipulation, achieving one so flawlessly required a mastery of water that reached Level 6 proficiency.

With these opposing factors weighed against the strength at Li Mingxing's disposal, his success rate for dealing with the Sea Thunder Dragon hovered stubbornly around 25%. To elevate the mission's probability of success, Li Mingxing had no choice but to shift his focus toward the personality profile of the Sea Thunder Dragon.

From the earlier spectacle, Li Mingxing observed that this Sea Thunder Dragon harbored at least three distinct skills that had reached Level 6. Such a feat was relatively rare within the Netherworld, as most individuals concentrated their efforts upon a single skill, driving it to its absolute peak before considering others. This trait immediately gave Li Mingxing the impression that the Sea Thunder Dragon was cautious. Dealing with an adversary of such prudence demanded the most meticulous layout possible.

Beyond caution, Li Mingxing weighed another factor: the Sea Thunder Dragon's physical appearance bore little resemblance to a true dragon. It lacked the slightest trace of either Eastern or Western draconic traits. Had it not been for the remarkably pure draconic aura emanating from it, Li Mingxing might have mistaken it for a colossal moray eel.

Consequently, Li Mingxing deduced another probable facet of the Sea Thunder Dragon's personality: an inferiority complex masking arrogance. It would undoubtedly feel pride in its draconic identity, yet deep down, it knew it lacked pure draconic blood. Upon encountering a genuine dragon, a profound sense of inferiority would likely take root in its heart, potentially driving it to seek the destruction of that enemy.

Conversely, upon encountering creatures that were likewise pseudodragons or possessed draconic bloodlines, it would exhibit a certain probability of withholding its attacks or scaling down its aggression.

This insight represented Li Mingxing's sole window for escape should he provoke the Sea Thunder Dragon without managing to slay it. Once this factor was factored into his calculations, the victory rate displayed upon the ice mirror before Li Mingxing shifted upward from the initial 25% to 31%.

This favorable shift left Li Mingxing feeling even more exhilarated. He strived to recall and extrapolate further regarding the Sea Thunder Dragon's behavioral quirks. After a long moment, Li Mingxing spoke aloud once more: "There are numerous species of fish inhabiting these waters. Although they dare not approach the deep sea, they tend to cruise near its periphery. Clearly, this is a long-standing habit, indicating that the Sea Thunder Dragon disdains eating fish; instead, it preys upon birds soaring through the skies. Such a diet affords us an opportunity to deal with it. If we drive away the flocks of flying birds in the vicinity, the ravenous Sea Thunder Dragon will be compelled to consume the poisoned avian bait we have prepared."

As these words left his mouth, the success rate displayed upon the ice mirror before Li Mingxing finally breached the 50% threshold, settling at 57%—a figure that firmly solidified Li Mingxing's resolve.