Intermediate Limited-Time Dungeon

Mingzhu University, inside the Three Step Tower.

Cheng Xiaoyu sat cross-legged on the platform of the Fifth Floor, dense Dark Aura spreading around him and shrouding the entire area.

In an instant, that Dark Aura vanished, and the diffuse black mist swiftly returned to his body.

At the same time, his previously stagnant aura surged sharply, fully completing the leap in his cultivation.

A long while later, Cheng Xiaoyu slowly opened his pitch-black eyes and exhaled a breath of stale air, sensing the Shadow Element Galaxy within his spiritual world.

Although he did not rely much on magic in most battles anymore, raising his cultivation was necessary—not only to extract shadows of greater strength, but also because the High Level was a watershed. His Combat Strength would be completely different.

The seven days ended, and Cheng Xiaoyu left the Three Step Tower. President Xiao, dressed in a White Robe, had long been waiting outside.

"Xiaoyu, how did it go?"

"Teacher, I successfully broke through to the High Level in the Shadow Element."

"Mm, wonderful."

Hearing this, President Xiao let out a breath, a smile appearing on his face. He had given Cheng Xiaoyu two Star River Veins, and with the cultivation boost from the Three Step Tower on top of that, it was inevitable that he would feel somewhat worried. This was probably the concern an elder had for a junior.

Cheng Xiaoyu smiled slightly. The next time he came, he should be able to break through to the High Level in the Space Element too. It just so happened that he still had one Star River Vein in hand.

"By the way, be careful lately. Modu hasn't been safe during this period."

Seeing President Xiao suddenly turn serious, Cheng Xiaoyu could not help feeling a little puzzled and asked, "Teacher, what happened?"

"We recently discovered traces of the Black Vatican in Modu. According to reliable information, their target is very likely Mo Fan. He may have something those people want."

Mo Fan? It was actually that guy. He had something the Black Vatican wanted to get their hands on?

Cheng Xiaoyu nodded. Naturally, he did not want to provoke the Black Vatican. As for Mo Fan's safety, what did that have to do with him?

"Let's go. The Awakening Room is already prepared. I'll take you to Awaken Magic."

Following President Xiao to the Awakening Room, Cheng Xiaoyu smoothly awakened his third Element.

The Mind Element. Come on, don't do this to me. Am I really this fated to have nothing to do with elemental magic?

Looking at the extra Pink Stardust in his spiritual world, he sighed helplessly and accepted reality.

"Hm? That shouldn't be. I already placed the Guiding Stones for the Lightning Element and Fire Element there. No matter what, you should have awakened one of them..."

President Xiao stared at the Awakening Stone in confusion. He felt that this disciple of his was probably an Element Insulator. Other people found it hard to awaken magic Elements outside the elemental ones.

Shadow Element, Space Element, Mind Element... aside from elemental magic, he had awakened the other three kinds of magic Elements.

"In any case, the Mind Element is pretty good too. Its role on the battlefield is no worse than Destructive Magic."

"Ah, I guess that's all I can do..."

Cheng Xiaoyu had originally wanted to awaken Destructive Magic like the Lightning Element or Fire Element. It just so happened that he had an amplification item, the [Greed Orb], but now it seemed the three Elements he had were not of much use with it.

After leaving Mingzhu University, he picked up his phone and saw that Tang Yue had sent him many messages. They were more or less the same as what his teacher had said, but from the words, he could sense her concern for him.

He called her, but it seemed she was on a mission and her phone was turned off, so he did not disturb her further.

"Xinxia, Older Brother broke through to the High Level, and I awakened the Mind Element too."

"That's great! Congratulations, Older Brother, on becoming a High Level Mage. I'm an Intermediate Level Mind Element Mage now, so if there's anything you don't understand in the future, you can come ask me!"

Far away in Hangcheng, Ye Xinxia's Beautiful Eyes could not stop shining at this moment. She was already looking forward to how she would "teach" Older Brother to cultivate the Mind Element.

Cheng Xiaoyu arrived at Qingtian Hunter's Institute. Leng Qing did not seem to be there today, perhaps because she was investigating the case involving clues about the Black Vatican. In the shop, there was only Little Girl drinking milk tea and Old Man smoking.

"Brother Xiaoyu, you're here. There haven't been any good commissions lately. Why does it feel like business has gotten worse?"

Leng Lingling took a sip of strawberry milk tea and muttered with her Cherry Lips pouted. She had finally gotten a holiday, but in the end, there was not even a decent commission.

Song Qiming glanced at his little granddaughter and shook his head helplessly, then looked at Cheng Xiaoyu.

The Black Vatican had indeed been appearing somewhat frequently recently. He was beginning to suspect they were targeting this boy, or perhaps Ye Chang... but it seemed he was overthinking it.

Putting down the Smoking Pipe in his hand, Song Qiming sighed and said, "How could business be that easy to do? It's normal to have no work once in a while. Lingling, you should put your mind on studying... And you, kid, be more vigilant lately. The Black Vatican likes killing talented mages."

"Okay."

Cheng Xiaoyu nodded. Seeing that Leng Qing was not at the Hunter's Institute and he could not ask about the Black Vatican, and since there were no high-paying commissions, he went home.

When he went to school the next day, he had just stepped out when he ran into the Three Girls, who were also heading to school, so they went to Mingzhu University together.

"Brother Xiaoyu, we're about to take the Main Campus assessment. Do you have any advice for us?"

Hearing this, Cheng Xiaoyu froze. Counting the time, it was indeed about time for that.

"Not really. As long as your cultivation has reached the Intermediate Level, you count as Main Campus students. But afterward, they'll probably assign you tasks. The better you complete them, the greater the rewards. First place can get a cultivation opportunity in the Three Step Tower."

"The Three Step Tower?!"

Hearing that the reward for first place was the Three Step Tower, the Three Girls were all extremely excited. Who would not want to raise their cultivation higher?

Aitutu sighed, lowering her head as she said dejectedly, "Ah, if only Brother Xiaoyu were in the same year as us. Then we'd definitely be first place for sure."

Hearing this, Cheng Xiaoyu shook his head helplessly. He had indeed taken first place last time.

While the freshmen were undergoing the Main Campus assessment, he planned to take the chance to clear the [Intermediate Limited-Time Dungeon] he had obtained earlier. Bitter cultivation alone without real experience would not do.

As usual, it was a silent night. Cheng Xiaoyu came alone to the entrance of the [Intermediate Limited-Time Dungeon] and walked in with practiced ease.

He had originally been in the Other-dimensional Space, but a huge mine suddenly appeared before his eyes. It seemed the dungeon boss this time was inside.

Cheng Xiaoyu stepped inside with his heart full of vigilance. No matter what level the dungeon was, he would maintain this mindset.

Inside the dim mine, a sudden burst of footsteps rang out. Ahead, blood-red eyes lit up one after another, and Magic Wolves bared their fangs as they walked over.

"Hmph. I'll use you to warm up first."

Cheng Xiaoyu took out two Short Blades. The other Short Blade was a Demon-Slaying Tool he had bought in the [Shop]. Dual blades paired with his agile speed would let him perform even better.

He dealt with more than a dozen Magic Wolves in no time. Seeing that they all wore collars around their necks, he could not help frowning.

The next second, Cheng Xiaoyu's brow lifted slightly, and he raised his eyes toward the depths of the cave. Heavy footsteps sounded especially clear in the silent surroundings.

Blood-red Demons walked out side by side, holding all kinds of weapons in their hands as they glared viciously at the human before them.

The Demon at the very front raised its thick arm and hurled the spear in its hand. It traced a streak of Cold Light through the air, like an arrow loosed from the string!

"Thud!"

Cheng Xiaoyu tilted his body slightly, then raised a hand and caught the flying spear. Seeing the group of Demons charging over, he threw the spear back.

It was even faster than before. The spear pierced straight through the Demons in its path, instantly taking down several of them.

[Skill: Stealth]

He activated the skill, and his entire body vanished from where he stood. Even his aura disappeared along with him.

Seeing this, confusion and astonishment appeared on the Demons' faces. They did not understand how a living human could vanish.

"Roar!"

Suddenly, huge wounds inexplicably appeared on several Demons. Fresh Blood kept spraying out as they let out miserable screams one after another.

Before they knew it, several Demons had already fallen to the ground, their bodies covered in all kinds of wounds, yet they had no idea who the culprit behind the scenes was.

After killing the last demon, Cheng Xiaoyu finally revealed himself. He silently looked at the carnage on the ground, the corner of his mouth curling into a chilling smile...