Chapter Fifty-Nine: Independently Creating Skill Combination and Talent Trees

Qing City, China—Mythos Network Technology Corporation conference room.

At this moment, twenty high-ranking representatives of Mythos Network Technology Corporation were seated around the table, several of whom represented top software and gaming conglomerates in partnership with the company.

At the head of the table stood a young man clad in a tailored black suit. His chiseled features and the faint arc at the corner of his lips gave him an air of both elegance and intimidation. Simply by standing there, he cast a suffocating atmosphere over the entire room.

This man had transformed the landscape of gaming; the worlds he created had a global impact.

He was the creator of “Divine Ruin”—President Feng, or Feng Ling.

Feng Ling stood at an impressive six-foot-two, but his perfect posture made him appear even taller. His eyes were as dark as ink, his features cold as ice. The buttons of his black suit were slightly undone, revealing a spotless white shirt beneath. On the left side of his chest was an embroidered insignia—“SS”—which, literally translated, signified Divine Ruin.

Feng Ling settled into the seat of honor. He wore no accessories, yet he exuded a nobility far surpassing anyone present. His aura was undeniably powerful.

Guo Yuan, too, was seated at the table, and as he gazed at Feng Ling, it was as if he were staring up at an insurmountable mountain.

“Regarding the launch of ‘Ancient Realm’ and the progress of the beginner server ‘Xuantian,’ I believe you’re all up to speed. The ‘Ancient Realm’ that I designed independently has already been unlocked by the players. Now, for the next phase of the plan—what are your thoughts?”

At his words, several faces tightened with concern. The stakes were high, and though the balance of gains and losses weighed heavily on their minds, everyone present knew that Feng Ling was not just the leading figure of Mythos Network Technology—he was the final arbiter.

“President Feng, if the next phase proceeds as planned, the game’s structure will change dramatically. The beginner server will become a testing ground, and if the trial proves stable and meets expectations, the entire ‘Divine Ruin’ platform will see this plan implemented.”

“Exactly. This data project is of utmost importance. Now is not the right time.”

“Then tell me, what timing would be ideal? If we launch this year, next year’s national competitions will be able to leverage the new mechanisms and innovations.”

Feng Ling’s voice was cold as steel, leaving no room for negotiation. The representatives of the gaming giants fell silent, their expressions betraying tacit support for his vision.

“What does it mean to truly restore the essence of the martial arts world? Perhaps at first we lacked the capability, but now, with our robust resources, failing to implement this plan would gradually sap the enjoyment for ‘Divine Ruin’ players.”

His voice rose, but no one dared challenge him. Each face was furrowed in thought—even Guo Yuan was deep in contemplation.

The plan was this: to allow players to freely create their own skill combinations and talent trees.

While each class would retain its original skills, no new ones would be released. Instead, players would be empowered to develop their own unique systems and techniques, forging their own paths in combat. In this unpredictable environment, the talent tree would become a mysterious and alluring element.

Players could design their own talent trees, as long as the attributes were compatible with their class. Any abilities beyond the class’s inherent traits would be subject to rigorous AI evaluation to determine their feasibility.

Such a move was a bold challenge—a fresh test for both players and the world of “Divine Ruin.”

“I trust you’ve all watched the video I sent to your inboxes, showcasing the results of my own talent tree experiment. Crafting a one-of-a-kind skill and talent system is no easy feat; achieving the player’s ideal vision will require real effort. Furthermore, players will need to develop entirely new techniques for combat—this is the true challenge.”

When Feng Ling finished, a representative from one of the partner conglomerates spoke up: “So, developing new skills carries a risk of failure and isn’t guaranteed to succeed, correct?”

“That’s right. If martial arts mastery could be created at will, the spirit of the martial world would be lost. I believe everyone here, as a child of China, has read at least one martial arts novel. I don’t need to elaborate further. This will greatly enhance playability. In matches and player-versus-player combat, unpredictability will reign. Understanding your opponent’s class alone will no longer suffice. In this enigmatic, self-developed talent tree system, outcomes become impossible to compare or anticipate.”

Satisfied, the representative nodded, signaling approval of Feng Ling’s proposal.

“However, President Feng, are you certain about using the beginner server as the testbed?”

“Yes, the risk is significant. Our technical department has calculated the potential impact—if issues arise, our company’s reputation could take a major hit.”

“What matters most is the players’ feedback,” Feng Ling replied, shaking his head with a sigh. He glanced at those who had expressed concern and continued, “This project falls under the jurisdiction of Guo Yuan’s Intelligent Gaming Department. Guo Yuan, please present your findings.”

Guo Yuan nodded emphatically and stood. After greeting the room, he projected his data for all to see.

When the results appeared on the screen, even the most skeptical executives were visibly shaken. According to Guo Yuan’s data, the system’s stability was assured. With ten thousand testers in the offline trial, developing a talent tree required a deep understanding of one’s class; otherwise, the failure rate was high. Yet the AI’s recognition accuracy had reached a flawless level.

“I’m curious, President Feng. You’re always cautious, never fighting a battle you’re not sure to win. I doubt this is simply because you personally designed the ‘Ancient Realm,’” said a young man in a gray suit seated at the far end of the table. He crossed his legs and fixed Feng Ling with a razor-sharp gaze, his words quelling any further objections.

Feng Ling met his eyes, the corner of his mouth curling upward.

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