The Skill Only He Could Cultivate

Yang Yu's gaze fell on the Skill Book titled Myriad Swords Return to Origin.

Epic-level quality, Warrior class, required 200 Strength and 100 Spirit.

He met all those requirements.

But the most crucial skill effects were a string of question marks.

They could not be viewed before learning it.

It was like opening a blind box, full of uncertainty.

Yang Yu looked at the manager beside him and asked directly, "What's wrong with this Skill Book?"

He knew perfectly well.

When merchants called something "special," ninety-nine times out of a hundred, it was another word for defective.

The fact that it had been displayed separately, yet the manager described it as cost-effective, was a contradiction in itself.

Only an idiot would believe that.

The smile on the manager's face stiffened for a moment before returning to professional enthusiasm.

"This student truly has sharp eyes."

He cleared his throat before explaining, "In terms of damage, Myriad Swords Return to Origin is absolutely no weaker than any Epic-level skill of the same tier. Under certain conditions, its power is even greater."

"However, it has a very... well, very special mechanism."

"When cast, it deducts Skill Proficiency."

The manager's tone was somewhat subtle.

"So almost no one has been able to cultivate this skill beyond Level 2."

Jiang Shuyue's eyes widened as she listened.

There was a skill like that?

Using it not only failed to increase proficiency, but actually deducted it?

What was the point of buying such a precious skill if it could not grow alongside its level?

Was it meant to be used as a one-time leveling aid?

Yang Yu raised an eyebrow as well and pressed, "How much does it deduct?"

The manager raised one finger.

"Based on tests conducted by high-level Professionals we invited, every use deducts a fixed 10 points of proficiency, until the proficiency returns to zero."

"However," he added, "when this skill's proficiency exceeds 10 points, the damage it deals is more than double that of other Epic-level AoE skills!"

After hearing that, Yang Yu began cursing wildly in his heart.

Was this even a proper skill?

An ordinary Professional had to work painstakingly to use a skill once, and if they were lucky, they only gained 1 point of proficiency.

Yet this skill deducted 10 points the moment it was used.

How the hell was anyone supposed to cultivate that?

How exactly had that so-called high-level Professional tested it?

They must have been wearing a full set of equipment that increased Skill Proficiency gains, just to barely reach the threshold where the skill's damage doubled.

Still, complaints aside—

He definitely had to buy it.

Because this skill happened to perfectly suit his passive.

It only required 10 proficiency points per use.

What was that supposed to be?

Even if it increased tenfold, he could afford it.

Yet his expression remained calm, and he even frowned at just the right moment.

"So, this is an Epic-level skill that has no way of growing?"

"And if its proficiency is insufficient, its damage might even be worse than other Epic-level skills?"

There was a trace of dissatisfaction in Yang Yu's voice.

"Manager, that's not very honest of you. You're trying to pass off a defective product like this to me."

The manager immediately put on a bitter smile.

"Student, you can't put it that way. It's cheap precisely because it has that flaw! Otherwise, which Epic-level AoE skill doesn't start at ten million, with no supply even at that price?"

Yang Yu curled his lip, wearing an expression that plainly said he did not believe a word.

"How much?"

Seeing that Yang Yu seemed genuinely interested, the manager perked up and quoted what he considered a conscientious price.

"Ten million! Since you're one of our honored customers, I've even given you a discount!"

Without another word, Yang Yu grabbed Jiang Shuyue's wrist and turned to leave.

His movements were crisp and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

This time, the manager was dumbfounded.

"Hey, hey, hey! Student, don't go! The price is negotiable! Name your price!"

He rushed after them in a few quick strides, his face full of anxiety.

This Skill Book had been sitting in his hands for almost two years. Plenty of people had asked about it, but the moment they heard its godawful attributes, they all turned around and left.

A buyer who actually seemed interested had finally appeared. He could not let him get away!

Yang Yu stopped, glanced back at him, and calmly held up three fingers.

"Three million."

"Deal!"

The manager practically shouted it, afraid Yang Yu would change his mind.

"???"

This time, Yang Yu was the one who froze.

Looking at the manager's relieved expression, which even carried a hint of ecstasy, Yang Yu's heart skipped a beat.

Damn it, he had acted too hastily!

He was still too young. He had only considered how equipment prices had risen during the college entrance examination season, forgetting that this kind of unsellable trash would only depreciate wildly!

Judging by the manager's reaction, he probably would have sold it while crying tears of joy even if Yang Yu had offered two million, or perhaps one million.

He had lost out. Big time!

Although his heart was bleeding, Yang Yu's face remained calm.

Fine, three million it was.

Yang Yu consoled himself inwardly.

Spending three million on a Divine Skill tailored specifically for him was already an incredible bargain. There was no need to fuss over such details.

After all, this skill had immeasurable value to him.

After swiping his card and receiving the Skill Book, Yang Yu immediately chose to learn it.

Golden light merged into his body, and a massive stream of information flooded into his mind.

[Congratulations, you have learned the Epic-level skill: Myriad Swords Return to Origin!]

[Myriad Swords Return to Origin]

[Quality: Epic]

[Level: 1 (0/100)]

[Effect: Summon countless Sword Qi to unleash a devastating strike against all enemies within a 50-meter-radius fan-shaped area ahead, dealing 2000% physical damage. Each use deducts 10 Skill Proficiency points. If proficiency is sufficient, damage increases to 4000% and range expands by 100%. Cooldown: 5 minutes.]

After reading the skill description, Yang Yu could no longer suppress the upward curve of his lips.

For him, this skill would be worth it even at thirty million, let alone three million!

It was powerful—truly powerful.

"Yang Yu, why did you buy this?"

Jiang Shuyue leaned closer and asked softly, her beautiful eyes filled with worry.

"This skill has a flaw. If you don't have enough money, I... I still have some."

As she spoke, she prepared to open her Personal Terminal.

"No need." Yang Yu shook his head. Seeing her earnest expression, a trace of warmth flowed through his heart.

Jiang Shuyue did not press him further.

Having obtained the most crucial Skill Book, Yang Yu was in a great mood.

He took Jiang Shuyue on another sweep through the Trading Center, spending several hundred thousand Dragon Kingdom Currency on a large supply of high-quality instant recovery potions and some buff scrolls for emergencies.

Elsewhere, inside an upscale café in the mall.

A tall man with a warm smile lounged against a bench.

Beside him sat the cool and aloof Leng Yuan.

"I'm not trying to criticize you, my dear little sister."

The man was Leng Yuan's older brother, Leng Feng, a high-ranking member of the Jiangdong Province Military Command and a Gold-rank Mage Professional. He spoke with a pained expression.

"How did you nearly get yourself killed in some tiny place like the newbie zone?"

"Was that World BOSS something you could touch?"

He gestured exaggeratedly.

"Even your own big brother wouldn't dare say he could casually solo one of the same level!"

"Be good. If you run into something like that again, remember one word immediately."

"Run!"

Leng Yuan looked into the distance expressionlessly.

"Brother, please allow me to refuse."

"Look at you. This is exactly what you're like!"

Leng Feng spread his hands helplessly.

"You won't even call me 'brother.' It's always 'Brother this, Brother that.' My ears are getting calluses."

Seeing the icy expression on his sister's face, he immediately raised his hands in surrender.

"Fine, fine, I won't talk about you anymore. If I do, you'll probably draw your sword."

Then his tone shifted, and a teasing glint flashed through his eyes.

"But speaking of which, that student named Yang Yu is really impressive."

"On the first day after awakening, he killed a Level 20 World BOSS."

Leng Feng clicked his tongue in amazement.

"I really don't know what those old men in the Imperial Capital are thinking."

"That SS-rank little girl named Ye Tinglan—if you threw her in front of a Level 20 World BOSS right now, what could she do? Offer herself up as a kill?"

"And what happened? Imperial Capital University eagerly admitted her early, while there was nothing for Student Yang. Do you think those old geezers have water in their brains?"

Leng Yuan spoke calmly.

"I think they value her possibility of obtaining that inheritance."

"Ha, inheritance again."

Leng Feng curled his lip, then slyly leaned closer to Leng Yuan.

"Hey, I see that Student Yang."

Leng Yuan's eyes instantly shifted.

"Where?"

"Oh?"

Leng Feng drew out the word as if he had discovered a new continent.

"Why do you get so excited the moment this Student Yang is mentioned?"

"Y-you don't actually have a crush on him, do you?!"

An almost imperceptible blush flashed across Leng Yuan's cheeks, but her voice became even colder.

"Brother, what nonsense are you saying?"

"How could I possibly like a... little brat?"

"Hahahahaha!"

Leng Feng laughed so hard that he rocked back and forth.

"It's fine, it's fine! Little brats are great! Young and full of vigor!"

"Want your brother to abuse his authority just a little, put some pressure on him, and make him take the initiative to like you?"

Leng Yuan's gaze instantly turned dangerous.

"You!"

"What? Is my sister, Leng Feng's sister, somehow not worthy of a D-Rank Warrior?"

Leng Feng raised an eyebrow, wearing an expression as if it were perfectly natural.

"Being able to embrace two gold bricks is something many people cannot find even if they search for it."

Leng Yuan snorted coldly and turned her head away.

"Hmph!"

"Alright, alright, I'm done teasing you."

Leng Feng put away his smile and turned his gaze toward the Trading Hall.

He shook his head.

"Still, Student Yang is too young."

"Does he think wearing a mask means everything will be fine?"

"Our Dragon Country isn't as safe as he imagines."

He sighed.

"Forget it. Since he saved your life, I'll lend him a hand."

As soon as he finished speaking.

Leng Feng casually raised his right hand and lightly snapped his fingers at the bustling hall below.

"Oblivion."

A faint blue ripple, nearly invisible to the naked eye, instantly spread out like ripples on water.

Every Professional in the Trading Hall froze strangely for a full second.

The next moment.

Everything returned to normal.

The cries of vendors and the sounds of haggling rose again as people came and went through the bustling crowd.

As if nothing had happened.

Only, a piece of information regarding "Legendary-grade materials" and a youth wearing a Wild Boar mask had quietly been erased from all their memories.

And Yang Yu knew nothing of any of it.

Holding Jiang Shuyue's hand, he walked out of the Trading Center.

Jiang Shuyue returned home.

Yang Yu also returned to his little cottage.

Although his body could move freely again, the aftereffects of his battle with the World BOSS remained, and he was still somewhat mentally exhausted.

He did not rush off to farm monsters and level up. Instead, he prepared to get a good night's rest and restore himself to peak condition.