Chapter 8 Mission Accomplished

Taking the Black Magic Gem from the pool watchers, Li Mingxing then requested the contract signed by Yin Haitao. The two pool watchers exchanged gentle smiles and said, “Level 0 Reconnaissance, a general passive skill, increases vision by 20% and allows you to detect hidden traps nearby.

Level 0 Dagger Mastery, a melee passive skill, increases attack power by 10% when using short blades or daggers, and accelerates attack speed by 10% with such weapons.

Both are quite good skills. If this time the transformation yields a race with synergistic traits, your follower stands to gain significantly.”

Li Mingxing nodded, ushering Yin Haitao into the magic pool while inquiring if he could learn more about skill icons from the pool watchers. Yet, the pool watchers shook their heads persistently, rejecting his proposal, explaining that such knowledge must be accumulated and guessed through combat, not taught.

There was little more Li Mingxing could say; after all, as Raymond had mentioned, the hundred mentors, the mysterious barmaids, the two pool watchers at the magic pool, and the two gatekeepers of the inner world were all elite members gathered from the Dark Alliance. They were not people a mere apprentice like him could negotiate with.

So, after their refusal, Li Mingxing simply waited for Yin Haitao to emerge from the magic pool.

Soon, he sensed movement within the pool and glanced over. One of the pool watchers shook his head and remarked, “Your luck is average. He hasn’t transformed into the most compatible ethereal form for his physique; he’s merely a male Dark Elf. His future prospects aren’t very promising.”

Having read many fantasy novels, Li Mingxing understood the implications: the society of Dark Elves was matriarchal, dominated by women, and males often lacked advantages in many professions.

Moreover, the passive skills in reconnaissance and dagger mastery deprived Yin Haitao of prerequisites for mastering magic, meaning he could only take up professions akin to a Dark Elf rogue.

While Li Mingxing was reflecting, Yin Haitao climbed out of the pool. Li Mingxing noticed little change in his appearance, except for his hair turning silvery white and his skin becoming a pure shade of black.

Li Mingxing tossed him the clothes lying on the ground and asked, “How are you feeling now?”

“I feel great. My vision is much improved, and my hands are more agile. It’s as if, with a dagger, I could perform all sorts of tricks,” Yin Haitao replied.

“I understand. Return to your original appearance for now; we need to visit the bar again, and I have business to discuss with my mentor,” Li Mingxing instructed.

Yin Haitao dressed and followed Li Mingxing along the previous path. By the time they reached the bar, Yin Haitao had reverted to his original appearance, except his hands were more dexterous and his eyes more spirited.

Seated once more before Raymond, Li Mingxing paused before saying, “I’ve completed my first task.”

“I saw that. Well done.” Raymond reached into the air and pulled out a scroll; Li Mingxing immediately recognized it as the one describing his task.

Before Li Mingxing could figure out how Raymond had obtained it, Raymond signed his name and marked the scroll as completed. Then, the scroll burned before Li Mingxing’s eyes, and through the flames, he seemed to glimpse three items.

Raymond glanced at the three glowing points and explained, “These are your rewards this time, equipment usable by your ethereal form. Since you completed two side missions, the reward level has increased. They are: a golden fang that can clamp onto enemies and not let go, sharp claws that rip through enemy skin causing severe bleeding, and a tail stinger capable of storing three types of venom totaling two liters.”

Li Mingxing hadn’t seen any of these before, but without much deliberation, he chose the tail stinger, capable of holding three types of venom up to two liters.

At the moment of his choice, a copper needle, about the length and thickness of his index finger, landed before him. Li Mingxing examined it closely. The copper needle was crafted using a special technique, adorned with tiny scales and barbs, giving it an aura reminiscent of a dark dragon’s condensed essence.

Li Mingxing was quite satisfied with the copper tail stinger and happily stowed it away.

As he put it away, Raymond asked, “How does it feel to wield power in the real world?”

“It’s wonderful,” Li Mingxing nodded in agreement. “With such power, I earned more money in one night than in all my previous efforts combined. I kept thinking, if I keep strengthening myself, if I become the ruler of Earth, what kind of life would I lead?”

Raymond smiled at Li Mingxing’s infatuation. “I felt the same way at first. But I hope your upcoming missions won’t make you abandon that thought. Next, you’ll start your familiarization task in the inner world: spend ten days in any inner world.”

“Any inner world? Didn’t you say earlier there were three types? If there’s no specific target, what if I end up somewhere unfamiliar?”

“What does it matter? You’re unfamiliar with all of them. This visit is just to get used to the inner world. It doesn’t matter which layer you’re sent to. Besides, before you go, I’ll gift you one thousand spirit coins to recruit troops for your protection.”

“Spirit coins?”

“Yes, they’re our alliance’s currency, used by both Light and Dark. Whether in bars, markets, or for building cities and recruiting troops, it’s all spirit coins,” Raymond explained with a smile.

“How many troops can a thousand spirit coins buy?” Li Mingxing pressed the important question. “And what’s the exchange rate with RMB?”

“I have no idea about exchange rates, since RMB is useless to us,” Raymond replied dismissively. “As for how many troops you can buy, it depends on the unit prices and any current promotions.”

“So, can I bring as many troops as I want?” Li Mingxing asked.

“You can, but your follower’s capacity depends on his profession and leadership skills,” Raymond pointed to Yin Haitao standing behind Li Mingxing.

Li Mingxing glanced back. “His profession? How does he get one?”

“Though it’s not my responsibility, let me give you a tip: your follower must find his opportunity in the inner world to acquire a profession.”

Raymond’s words convinced Li Mingxing further that the inner world was where he could strengthen himself, and he was now growing impatient.

Nevertheless, he restrained his excitement and asked plainly, “Do I have a profession?”

Raymond hesitated for a long moment before smiling. “I didn’t expect you to ask this now. Back then, I realized only when my mentor was about to leave: for apprentice heroes, ethereal form is one thing, profession is another.”

This confirmed that apprentice heroes do have professions, and Li Mingxing’s correct guess filled him with confidence for the future. He believed he had discovered the inner world’s rules, and by following them, he would become invincible.

Raymond wanted to say more, but ultimately remained silent, knowing that speaking now would only harm their relationship.

So, he simply led Li Mingxing to the other end of the bar. “Remember the way here. Next time you’ll come on your own. From now on, I’ll only provide necessary guidance and reward distribution.”

Li Mingxing nodded, observing his surroundings, and soon spotted two men in black standing at a doorway.

As Raymond and Li Mingxing approached, one of the men stepped forward. Raymond spoke a few words to him and then turned to Li Mingxing. “This time, your task is simply to familiarize yourself with the inner world. Stay there for ten days. All resources you obtain, all enemies you defeat, are extra rewards. You can also accept side missions. Do you have any other questions?”

Li Mingxing shook his head, his face alight with excitement at the prospect of entering the inner world.

Raymond sighed, finally saying, “Currently, there are seventy-three discovered inner worlds on Earth. Before you enter, there are sixty-two apprentice heroes of the Dark faction and seventy-six of the Light faction already inside. Though data shows some have died, your chances of encountering other apprentice heroes are quite high, so be cautious.”

This sobered Li Mingxing, who thanked Raymond and walked toward the two gatekeepers.