Lin Mu took the room card and documents. They felt slightly heavy in his hands.
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The gazes around him burned even brighter, filled with envy, jealousy, awe, and every emotion in between.
Su Xiaoxiao had appeared among the crowd at some point.
Her clear eyes shone with heartfelt happiness for Lin Mu.
Su Zongguo, standing beside her, was also filled with emotion.
For his daughter to have befriended a genius like him was truly a stroke of incredible fortune.
"Everyone, Lin Mu has just finished an intense challenge. I'm sure he needs some rest."
Mu Wanqing spoke at just the right moment, breaking the heated atmosphere.
"I'll send you the details about enrolling at Shengjing Academy shortly."
She looked deeply at Lin Mu, a trace of anticipation in her eyes.
"Once you've taken care of things in Xilin, you can report to the Academy whenever you like. I'll be waiting for you in Shengjing."
With that, Mu Wanqing suppressed her excitement and turned to leave.
The other academies' recruiters wore expressions of shock, but their faces were mostly marked by bitter disappointment and resignation.
"Lin Mu, since you've decided to attend Shengjing Academy, we won't press you any further."
The elderly recruiter from Huaxia Professional University was the first to speak, his tone carrying a hint of relief.
"I only hope you'll stay true to yourself and strive for the rise of Huaxia."
"I'll keep your words in mind."
Lin Mu bowed slightly.
The other recruiters also stepped forward one after another.
After exchanging a few brief pleasantries with Lin Mu and expressing their congratulations and regret, they took their leave.
They knew the battle to recruit the genius Lin Mu was over. The results were final!
Qu Qingfeng and Director Liu pulled Lin Mu aside again to offer a few words of advice and encouragement.
They simply told him not to get arrogant or complacent, and to keep bringing honor to his alma mater at Shengjing Academy.
Lin Mu agreed to everything.
By the time the crowd had finally dispersed, the sun was already high in the sky.
Lin Mu politely declined Su Zongguo and Su Xiaoxiao's invitation to have lunch together.
All he wanted now was to find somewhere quiet and take a good look at what he'd gained.
Especially the golden ring and the Skeleton Archer skill book.
He was currently LV.9, just one step away from learning Resurrect Skeleton Archer at LV.10.
That skill, along with the upcoming level-10 class change, would bring a qualitative leap in his strength!
"I have to reach level 10 as soon as possible!"
Lin Mu made up his mind.
Instead of heading straight home, he took a taxi to Tianlan Mansion.
Now that he had a new home, he naturally wanted to see it.
Tianlan Mansion lived up to its reputation as one of Xilin City's finest residential compounds. The surroundings were elegant, and security was tight.
After showing his room card and identification, Lin Mu was allowed in without a hitch.
Building A, 1801.
A top-floor duplex with sweeping views and luxurious decor.
It came fully furnished, ready for him to move right in.
It was leagues better than his old apartment.
Satisfied, Lin Mu sank into the spacious living room sofa and let out a long breath.
After living two lives,
this was the first time he'd ever owned such a luxurious home.
In his previous life,
he'd shared an apartment with other people ever since graduating and starting work.
Almost every night, he'd fallen asleep listening to the couple next door getting warmed up!
"Having money and a place of my own really does feel different."
He mused to himself, then refocused.
His attention turned to the spoils he'd obtained in Wailing Cavern.
First was the purple Cave Lord's Bone Axe.
[Cave Lord's Bone Axe] (LV.10, Purple, melee classes only)
Attack: 80–90
Strength: +12
Constitution: +6
Special Effect: [Heavy Cleave]: Consumes half of the wielder's stamina. The next attack deals 200% damage to the target, with a 30% chance to inflict [Hamstring] (Hamstring: Movement speed reduced by 30% for 5 seconds).
"Decent stats, but it's an axe, and it's restricted to warrior-type classes."
Lin Mu shook his head. As a mage, he couldn't use the thing anyway.
"But it's purple gear, and the level is right. If I make a few changes later, it should sell for a fortune."
He put the bone axe away for now and looked at the blue skill book.
[Skill Book: Resurrect Skeleton Archer] (LV.10, Necromancer only, learning requirement: 25 Intelligence)
"Skeleton Archer!"
Lin Mu's eyes lit up at once!
This was exactly the long-range attack capability he was missing!
The Steel Skeletons he summoned had incredible defense and melee abilities.
But against certain enemies, such as flying units, or targets like the Cave Lord that needed to be focused down from a distance,
they weren't nearly as effective.
With Skeleton Archers, his Skeleton Legion would be far more well-rounded!
"Twenty-five Intelligence. I already meet that requirement."
"The only issue is my level. I'm still one level short!"
Lin Mu took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to rush outside the city and start grinding.
Finally, his gaze fell on the ring radiating brilliant golden light.
This was the real prize from the haul!
[Fear Whisper Ring] (LV.10, Gold)
Constitution: +5
Intelligence: +5
Special Effect 1: [Fear Aura]: While worn, inflicts [Fear] on all hostile targets within 10 meters (all attributes reduced by 5%).
Special Effect 2: [Despair Scream]: Activate to consume 100 mana and unleash a scream imbued with utter despair, dealing (100 + Intelligence × 0.5) mental damage to all enemies in a cone-shaped area in front of the wearer, with a 50% chance to inflict [Confusion] for 5 seconds (attacks hit friend and foe alike). Cooldown: 60 minutes.
"Hiss—not bad for a piece of gold equipment!"
Lin Mu drew in a sharp breath, his eyes flashing!
Both special effects were incredibly powerful!
The first, Fear Aura, was a passive area-of-effect debuff!
The second, Despair Scream, was an active area-of-effect ability that dealt damage and inflicted crowd control!
"It's just that '60 minutes' is a bit of an eyesore."
Lin Mu's lips curled into that familiar smile.
"A 10-meter radius and a 5% reduction to all attributes? That's way too stingy."
His eyes quickly scanned the description, and he soon settled on what to change.
"Change 'within 10 meters of the wearer' to 'within 90 meters of the wearer'!"
Humm—
The ring's description blurred slightly, then came back into focus.
[Fear Whisper Ring] (LV.10, Gold)
Constitution: +5
Intelligence: +5
Special Effect 1: [Fear Aura]: While worn, inflicts [Fear] on all hostile targets within 90 meters (all attributes reduced by 5%).
Success!
The radius had grown ninefold!
"Tomorrow, I'll change 'all attributes reduced by 5%' to 'all attributes reduced by 9%'!"
"For now, my top priority is reaching LV.10 and completing my class-change quest!"
Lin Mu clenched his fist, his eyes full of longing for greater power.
He stood and walked to the enormous floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the bustling city of Xilin.
But his mind was already turning over where he could go to gain enough experience as quickly and safely as possible.
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