Hope of Advancement, Junior Mo / I'm Not Jealous at All, Really!

The National Prefecture War is essentially a contest of who has the support of the forces behind them. People like Mu Ningxue and Mo Fan, who are from humble backgrounds, are a minority. Now, he also has the support of 'forces'.

"Come with me."

Buzz buzz buzz! With a thought from Dean Xiao, silvery-white light flashed around them, enveloping the two of them, and they were teleported in the blink of an eye.

Lu Jun felt dizzy and stood in front of the Three Step Tower, surprised that he had been teleported so far, at least several hundred meters in a straight line.

He wondered why Dean Xiao had brought him here.

Dean Xiao remained silent, simply leading the way. Interestingly, this time the two did not take the cultivation corridor, but another path that Lu Jun had never discovered before, which led straight to another space.

Pushing open a heavy, restricted door, one is suddenly struck by the sight of numerous bookshelves and antiques, resembling a museum yet even more solemn, carrying a certain oppressive feeling that makes one's breathing slow and lighten. The displayed items possess a certain imposing aura.

Upon seeing this, Lu Jun's breath hitched. These were all Soul level Magic Tool, possessing their own sentience, meaning they were at least high-level.

Dean Xiao casually explained, "The true strength of the Pearl Academy far surpasses your Mysterious Black Tortoise Shell Shield Azure Cloud Boots."

He vaguely understood, remembering that Mo Fan seemed to have come here once or twice in the original story.

Lu Jun kept a low profile and observed his surroundings. Sure enough, he spotted a mysterious crimson feather, which was undoubtedly the feather of the Totem Phoenix.

Beside them, a weary-looking old man stood guard. Noticing someone approaching, he yawned and said, "Old Xiao, what brings you here... a disciple?"

"Yes," Dean Xiao nodded in response, "Take him to retrieve the things I previously deposited."

Then, he walked to the other side, where a sandalwood box sat on the counter. He took it down and handed it to Lu Jun, saying, "This is Magic Tool I used when I was young. Try it out."

"Thank you, teacher." Lu Jun quickly took the box with both hands, opened it, and found a crystal clear, sky-blue, round bead lying quietly inside. It was about the Size Change of a fist, as deep as the ocean, and carried a thick mist.

Dean Xiao explained, "I call it [Water Droplet]. Its specific effects vary from person to person, but it's best suited to the individual. Who forged it is unknown, but it has a very long history."

"When I was young, I traveled the world and by chance unearthed an Ancient Ruins. With this, I was able to roam freely and defeat many powerful enemies. I no longer need it, but I am certain that there is a vast amount of untapped energy within it."

"Without a doubt, it is a treasure for Water Element mages."

Even without Dean Xiao's prompting, Lu Jun's gaze upon the radiant, azure Beads caused the Water Element Star Nebula to tremble slightly, stirring a powerful desire within him.

He had a strange intuition that it would greatly benefit him, causing an astonishing transformation in the Water Element. The effects would vary from person to person, which indicated that the water droplet was capable of encompassing all branches of the world's Water Element, making it exceptionally significant.

Seeing Lu Jun's longing gaze, Dean Xiao chuckled and shook his head. He had intended to say something, but then thought it unnecessary.

The old man was no longer Pang Lai, the chief of the Palace Magic Association. He had long been tired of the world of fame and fortune and had retired. His old friends were either dead or had died of old age. He had no connections, and only his former students came to his door to take care of him.

Therefore, he lived a simple life. When he took on a disciple, he didn't need to make a big fuss. He just acknowledged the disciple's status and then observed Lu Jun's temperament and talent. He would do his best to teach him his skills.

"Alright, seeing how eager you are, you can't wait any longer. Go back and refine the water droplet first."

Dean Xiao instructed, "From now on, you can come to my place every day and set aside two hours to study formation knowledge. Is that alright?"

"No problem! It's just..."

Lu Jun scratched his head, feeling a little embarrassed. He had just become an apprentice and hadn't done anything yet, but he had received a precious gift for nothing.

Dean Xiao chuckled and said, "Why are you being so polite with me, kid? Where did that petty, competitive attitude you showed when you first entered the school go? Your success in contributing to the country and humanity is the best gift you could give me."

Thank you, teacher.

Lu Jun said gratefully, and without further ado, he carried the wooden box home quickly to inform his sister before going into seclusion to refine it.

Buzz buzz buzz!

Inside the room, he held the azure Beads in his hand, and the surging blue light around him continuously poured in Water Element magical energy.

Suddenly, the water droplets vibrated, trembling and melting into a shimmering mass of condensed water that seeped into his body. A surge of immense energy rushed into the Azure Star Nebula within his Spiritual World.

This sudden situation left Lu Jun completely baffled. Instead of turning into a mark and landing in the spiritual universe like Magic Tool, it was absorbed by the Water Element Star Nebula like a pure energy.

Bang bang bang!

Soon, under the baptism of the azure condensed water, the seven stars in the center of the Water Vortex, which were several times larger than the outermost ones, began to swirl and expand again, condensing into crystal-like Beads, shimmering with light.

Surrounded by seven Beads, the imprints on the pearls rose and fell, much like the Metal Element Nebula sword imprint next door.

A message arrived, Lu Jun realized: Level 5 Water Shield - [Water Repelling Pearl]?!

He discovered that this was not Magic Tool at all, but had clearly transformed into part of Water Element Star Nebula, which could only be separated upon the death of its host. To compare it to Natal Magic Tool? Dark Substance? It was neither quite right nor wrong.

"It's a bit like Wu Ku's Water Buddha Beads. It's clearly Magic Tool, but it has transformed into his own Supernatural Power."

Lu Jun seemed to be deep in thought. This thing, which he tentatively called the "Water Repelling Pearl," had an extremely significant origin and was not simple at all.

Chapter 145 Hope for Promotion, Junior Brother Mo

Lu Jun had no idea what would happen if Dean Xiao refined this water droplet Magic Tool.

But it seems that he completely unleashed the potential of the Azure Beads, revealing not only its true name as the [Water Repelling Pearl], but also various other wondrous uses.

First, the Water Element Primary Magic [Water Shield] was upgraded to the fifth-level Star without undergoing the baptism of seven [General-level] essences.

Level 4 Mystic Python, Level 5 Dragon Lord Water Repelling Pearl!

If level four Water Shield is equivalent to half Intermediate Level, capable of withstanding a single attack from a junior general, then level five is completely equivalent to an Intermediate Level defensive spell.

Earth Element Rock Barrier offer a certain level of defense, as do Water Shield Water Repelling Pearl, capable of blocking the impact of Great General.

It should be noted that this is only Primary Magic. Lu Jun used a negligible amount of magical energy to produce an Intermediate Level effect, which is simply bullying.

However, upgrading Primary Magic to level 5 is the most cost-effective. Upgrading to level 6 or 7 depends on the skill type, and even if you do upgrade, it's often a waste of time and effort.

A level six Star Child requires a [Commander-level] essence. Let alone his current strength, even a fully-fledged Super Rank cultivator might not be able to kill seven hundred Commander-level Great Demon.

And even if you reach level six, your destructive power still won't even reach that of a high-level character.

With that kind of money, the [Elemental Sky Seed] would have been fully equipped long ago, and the High-level Magic under the Heavenly Seed would be far more powerful than the so-called beginner level eight or nine.

Anyway, Lu Jun won't take this path, so level five will be enough for him.

The [Water Repelling Pearl] only served as a bonus for his initial Water Element advancement; his true power lies in the three Magic Tool effects.

Immune to Water Element magic of the same rank, the Water Repelling Pearl can store an additional unit of Water Element magic energy, equivalent to double the magic energy, and its own base Water Element magic power is increased by 50%.

For the first two, he then donned a level 5 Water Shield, which was a natural counter to water-based Water Element. The water flowing over his body from the Intermediate Level Storm Wave was completely absorbed, and the same applied to the water control techniques of the General-level Flood Demon Sea Monster.

Once the Water Repelling Pearl is unleashed, Invincible to All Water, naturally countering water-based Water Element, and its abundant magical energy is a perfect match for the Tide talent.

These two effects are not static; they will continue to improve as Lu Jun's Water Element Cultivation becomes stronger, granting him Intermediate Level immunity to Storm Wave and allowing him to store a portion of Nebula magic energy.

When he unleashes a forbidden spell, perhaps he'll be exempt from Water Element forbidden spells?!

As for the final amplification [base power increased by 50%], the Tidal Spirit Seed is multiplied by 1.5, which means that any Water Element magic can produce a 4.5 times effect.

This is the base power, the same as the [Divine Seal Praise] from the Parthenon Temple, and it can be stacked with subsequent amplification effects from Soul Seed, Magic Tool, etc.

In short, Lu Jun finally felt that there was a glimmer of hope in facing the future Sea Demon Empire. Ordinary Water Element could only protect themselves in the face of the world-shattering waves; to turn the tide, they needed abnormal development.

Buzz buzz buzz!

Lu Jun controlled the Star Track and activated the Water Shield, causing fine, crystalline Illusion Scales to spread across his body, and Water Dragon coiled around him.

Most notably, a sky-blue water droplet floats overhead, illuminating the falling water vapor that further thickens the level 5 Water Shield defense by 50%.

He was experiencing the power of the Water Repelling Pearl and was eager to try it out, not daring to imagine how violent the Storm Wave, Tide, and the Water Repelling Pearl would be.

Seeing this, Lu Jun muttered to himself, "I really should thank Teacher Xiao properly."

As expected of Water Element gem, he felt that his Water Element had stood out, giving him a sense of being the leader. This was no exaggeration. Within his Spiritual World, the azure Nebula surged, causing some of the high-level barriers to be worn away.

Lu Jun glanced at the White Tiger Pendant, his eyes brightening slightly. It contained eight Servant-level Spirit Essence, one General-level Spirit, and one Commander-level Remnant Soul. Together, they seemed capable of unlocking an Intermediate Magic in a magic system.

"With just one more Star River Vein, combined with this power, and the assistance of the Three Step Tower, the Water Element will break through to its full potential immediately, without needing to wait half a year."

He could hardly contain his excitement. He never expected that, in the end, it wasn't the Metal Element that broke through first, but rather the Water Element that came out on top.

There was no way around it; it was a matter of chance. We happened to encounter the White Jade Paste from the Yangtze River and Dean Xiao's Water Repelling Pearl one after another.

Secondly, regarding the frequency of use, it must be admitted that after arriving at the Pearl Academy, the Metal Element was not used at full strength, while the Water Element was used to its fullest extent, engaging in fierce battles and gaining a great deal of training.

Inside the Jinyuan Apartment, Lu Jun refined the Water Repelling Pearl, eager to earn enough to reach a hundred million and break through to the advanced level.

It's normal for Water Element master to be a second-year high-level Water Element student!

When he returned to the school, he went to Dean Xiao's office.

Dean Xiao asked gently, "How was it? Are you satisfied with my gift?"

"The results are fantastic, thank you so much, teacher!"

Lu Jun said sincerely, and told them about his situation without reservation.

This made Dean Xiao ponder, "I've never encountered a phenomenon like yours before. You must have perfectly refined the power of the water... uh, the Water Repelling Pearl. You're quite lucky, kid."

Hearing that there was no problem, Lu Jun breathed a sigh of relief, trusting the Water Forbidden Spell's judgment.

Over the next ten days or so, he gradually adapted to the surge in his Water Element abilities and began attending classes with Dean Xiao every day.

Surprisingly, the teacher didn't give him any extra tutoring. Instead, he told him to first learn some basic formation techniques from the professors at the Main Campus.

They have a good relationship. Later on, Mo Fan would ask Mu Bai for advice whenever he encountered problems. At first glance, his academic qualifications seem fake, as if he hadn't been taught at school.

It turned out that Mo Fan simply didn't study; he devoted all his energy to improving his cultivation.

While maintaining a steady pace of learning, Lu Jun was planning to take on a big order to make up the 20 million shortfall, and that's when he remembered the 'Azure Sky Demon Hunting Agency'!

Before Lu Jun could take any action, the area outside the campus began to bustle with activity as large numbers of young students and their parents came to visit Pearl Academy.

Seeing this, he was slightly taken aback before he came to his senses. Unconsciously, a school year had passed, and after the summer vacation would come the second year of college. Now, the new students were arriving one after another.

Looking back on this year, we have made great strides in progress and have not wasted a single moment.

Lu Jun thought of Mo Fan, who had been silent for a year, and couldn't help but smile. He called his female secretary, Qing Yu, and said, "Hello? Do you have time?"

A pleasant female voice came from the other end of the phone, asking succinctly, "What is it?"

"Drive over, I need to pick someone up. And use the best car in the garage."

"Good!"

A short while later, a low-key yet luxurious black sports car slowly drove up to the entrance of Mingzhu School, the most eye-catching feature being the five-star red flag on the front of the car.

All the freshmen exclaimed in surprise that no matter how understated the sports car was, it still exuded a sense of luxury and nobility, and its aura was different.

The eighteen-year-old freshmen exclaimed excitedly, "Holy crap, a supercar! Judging by the quality, it must be worth at least a million. The rumors were true; even at Mingzhu University, a top-tier institution, we run into luxury cars so easily!"

The girl's eyes sparkled, as if she were fantasizing about a wonderful school life, with luxury cars and handsome guys.

Many people said sourly, "Pshaw! It's just a sports car. It depends on the brand. There are sports cars that cost tens of thousands. You've never seen anything like it. Besides, a mage's cultivation level is the most important thing."

Of course, some knowledgeable parents, seeing the red flag, looked at it with suspicion, pulled their children away from the crowd taking pictures, and whispered a warning:

"Don't go up to these kinds of cars in the future. They may not be as expensive as top-tier supercars from abroad, but you can't buy them even if you have the money."

After some people explained the facts, the public suddenly realized that the domestically produced Hongqi car was actually a limousine used by members of parliament, and couldn't help but be surprised.

Those who were jealous fell silent, quietly hiding to the side, afraid that their earlier remarks might have been overheard by some important figure in the car, who would then make things difficult for them.

Soon, as everyone craned their necks to watch, the driver opened the door and got out. Unexpectedly, it was a woman about the same age as them, with a perfect face, a cool temperament, and a slender figure that was a sight to behold.

Chapter 146 I'm not envious at all, really!

The school gate is already crowded, and everyone gasped when they saw this scene.

Temperatures in the surrounding area have dropped a few degrees.

The freshmen were dumbfounded, and many teenage boys were drooling, their eyes glued to Qing Yu next to the Hongqi car. A beautiful girl with a luxury car—who could resist?

Of course, some people noticed Qing Yu's attire: black stockings, office lady outfit? Female secretary? Which important figure is going down a moral slippery slope?

They secretly suspected they were planning to file a report.

Qing Yu was the center of attention, but she was used to it; she seemed to be getting more and more accustomed to being Lu Jun's secretary.

Soon, amidst everyone's anticipation, the person in question appeared. Lu Jun approached, glanced at the Hongqi car, and nodded in satisfaction. Qing Yu knew how to handle things; picking someone up wasn't a leisurely drive, comfort was the most important thing.

Those luxury cars from foreign brands are all useless, mainly because most of them are only two-seaters. If he and his secretary sit down, how are they supposed to pick up other people?

Among four-seater sports cars, Hongqi is second to none in terms of comfort and class; there are very few that can rival it globally.

The freshmen were filled with envy and jealousy. It would have been fine if the leader had been a portly man, but instead, he was a young man around their age.

Damn! It's inevitable that I'll feel psychologically unbalanced.