Chapter 218: Learning Dark Knowledge
Putting down the thick magic book, Gu Xi's gaze turned to the remaining four wooden doors, where the spells soldiers could learn were located.
[Mana Extraction (Soldier Learning): Before the battle begins, extract 3 mana points from the enemy.]
Derivable skill: Mana Accumulation.
[Mana Accumulation (Level 1 Magic Tower Researchable, Progress 0%): The mana extracted by the soldiers can be stored and eventually turned into a magic potion that replenishes 100 mana points, available for player use.]
[Blood Loss Curse (Soldier Learning): Cursed enemies automatically lose 3 health points per second.]
Derivable skill: Curse Intensification.
[Curse Intensification (Level 1 Magic Tower Researchable, Progress 0%): The cursed enemy loses health points at double the rate per second.]
[Slow Spell (Soldier Learning): Reduces the enemy's movement speed to only 50% of the original speed.]
Derivable skill: Comprehensive Slowdown.
[Comprehensive Slowdown (Level 1 Magic Tower Researchable, Progress 0%): Reduces the enemy's reaction speed, decreasing their attack speed.]
[Illusion Spell (Soldier Learning): Creates an illusion identical to oneself. The illusion cannot attack and has only 1 health point, but can mimic the caster's actions.]
Derivable skill: Multiple Illusions.
[Multiple Illusions (Level 1 Magic Tower Researchable, Progress 0%): Creates three illusions to draw enemy fire.]
After glancing at the skills available for mage soldiers, Gu Xi made his decision.
No matter who comes, the initial choice will be Mana Extraction.
In addition, Gu Xi also planned to research the derivable skill Mana Accumulation first.
This is a free mana potion. Although it can only replenish 100 mana points each time, the key is that Gu Xi's Death Incarnation can be used as long as there is mana.
This means that Gu Xi essentially has hundreds of mana potions hanging around him.
As for other spells, it would depend on the situation. Valuable mage units could learn Illusion Spell for self-preservation.
If it's a skeletal mage, directly using Slow Spell would suffice.
As for the Blood Loss Curse, it's for fighting bosses.
When it comes to that, wouldn't it be better for skeletal mages to use their spells rather than relying on the Blood Loss Curse?
"Anthony, do we need manpower to research derivable spells?"
"No, the magic tower can now conduct research on its own," Anthony confidently replied.
"Alright, first research Mana Accumulation, then Scatter Shot, Death Despair, and Multiple Illusions," Gu Xi pointed out each of the spells he wanted.
Gu Xi had already figured it out. The three spells that players and heroes can learn, Death Ripple and Magic Arrow, have higher priority, followed by Fire Trap.
As for passive skills, Gu Xi actually encountered Dark Knowledge once. When he leveled up to level 2, one of the three choices was Dark Knowledge.
However, at that time, Gu Xi chose Necromancy, which was more suitable for necromancer skills.
Now that it reappears and can be learned for free, Gu Xi naturally won't miss it.
It should be noted that the curse line in necromancer skills is quite comparable to Dark Knowledge.
In the end, they can even use a skill called "Cursed with the Underworld," which brings great harm to all non-undead beings on the field, turning their life into new undead.
This is almost equivalent to a weaker version of an undead plague.
Even if Gu Xi doesn't follow the curse line, learning this is reasonable.
As for the three derivable skills of Dark Knowledge, Gu Xi temporarily dismisses them.
After all, curses are scarce in his magic arsenal, and his focus is currently on city construction and undead control.
So knowing Dark Knowledge is enough for now without rushing to handle it.
On the other hand, the derivable skills of the other spells are quite beneficial. Starting the research now would be worthwhile.
Upon hearing there was work to be done, Anthony quickly arranged everything.
At this time, Gu Xi also pushed open the door with golden edges.
After entering the small door of Dark Knowledge, Gu Xi saw a dark area with many books floating in the darkness, occasionally flying out from it.
Standing at the door, Gu Xi hesitated for a moment before stepping in.
When Gu Xi stepped through the small door, the darkness behind the door disappeared completely, turning into an ordinary study room. The study had a desk, a crystal ball lamp, and walls lined with thick black leather books.
As Gu Xi sat down at the desk, a string of text suddenly appeared in front of him.
[**Read ten dark books to reach level 1 in Dark Knowledge. Once mastered, the level of Dark Knowledge can be increased through reading and other means.**]
Seeing the information pop up, Gu Xi glanced at the wall of books and knew he had struck gold this time.
Back in the Necromancy Academy, he spent countless efforts attending classes and memorizing books to pile up his knowledge of necromancy and magic.
Now, as long as he reads all the books here, his level of Dark Knowledge will skyrocket.
So Gu Xi didn't delay, reaching for a thick black leather book. Before he opened it, he felt a tingling in his fingers as a black aura from the book seeped into his body.
"Damn it! The book is cursed too."
Gu Xi flipped his hand, injecting mana into his palm to expel the black aura.
Ignoring this, he opened the book and began reading.
The book contained foundational knowledge of the dark arts, similar to how Gu Xi had started learning necromancy from the basics.
These were the most fundamental aspects, which Gu Xi quickly understood and absorbed.
However, Gu Xi also noticed that as he read, his skin began to change.
This was the influence of the magic book, so Gu Xi had to stand up and relax every thirty minutes, taking a five or six-minute break before continuing.
Otherwise, he would be consumed by darkness and never return.
These lessons were learned through blood and tears at the Necromancy Academy.
Back then, Gu Xi had a classmate who was incredibly diligent, reading necromancy books for three days straight to quickly boost his knowledge.
One morning, Gu Xi and his classmates found that this person had turned into a zombie holding a necromancy book, endlessly flipping through its pages.
That classmate is still chained under the big tree near the school building.
Gu Xi didn't want to end up like that, so even though he knew time was tight, he didn't read excessively.
Every so often, he would take a break, sometimes even leaving the room to explore other areas.