The Strange Old Man and Three Pieces of Trash

Mu Wanqing led Lin Mu through several heavily guarded checkpoints.

Every checkpoint was manned by at least two second-transition or higher professionals, with strict inspections.

Lin Mu sighed inwardly.

No wonder this was Huaxia's top academy—the treasury was guarded this tightly.

Finally.

The two arrived before an ancient building nestled deep within a quiet bamboo grove.

It was less a building.

And more a cave dwelling seamlessly integrated into the mountain.

The cave's gate was forged from bronze, its surface smooth, standing over ten meters tall.

A disheveled old man with messy hair and rumpled clothes.

Looking like he'd just crawled out of bed.

Was dozing against a stone lion by the gate, a glistening thread of drool hanging from the corner of his mouth.

"Elder Sun."

Mu Wanqing bowed slightly to the old man.

Offering a respectful greeting, her voice soft, as if afraid to disturb his sweet dreams.

The old man didn't even lift an eyelid.

He just let out a vague "Mm" from his nose.

Then waved his hand impatiently.

"Another new kid here to claim a reward?"

"You know the rules, girl. Let him go in and pick something quick, then scram—don't bother me while I catch up on sleep."

As he spoke, he rolled over, turning the back of his head to them.

A helpless, wry smile crossed Mu Wanqing's face.

Clearly, she was long used to Elder Sun's temperament.

But Lin Mu's heart tightened.

This seemingly slovenly old man.

In his perception, felt like an unfathomable void.

He couldn't detect any aura.

There was only one explanation.

The other's strength had far exceeded what he could comprehend.

A true hidden master!

Lin Mu stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Elder Sun as well.

"Student Lin Mu greets Elder Sun."

Elder Sun lazily cracked open one eye.

His murky gaze swept over Lin Mu, then landed on Mu Wanqing.

"Oh? The kid who turned the secret realm upside down?"

"The principal's direct order—pick three items, epic grade or below."

Mu Wanqing nodded.

"Got it, got it. Go on in."

Elder Sun yawned and casually slapped the gate.

The heavy bronze door slid silently inward.

She turned aside and said softly to Lin Mu:

"Elder Sun is the guardian of the academy treasury. His temper... is a bit odd. Don't mind him."

"The treasury is divided into four zones: A, B, C, and D, corresponding to legendary, epic, rare, and fine grades."

"The principal has permitted you to choose any three items from Zone B's epic-grade collection."

"Zone A's legendary items... well, those require earth-shattering contributions to the academy."

Lin Mu nodded, indicating he understood.

His attention was already completely drawn by "any three epic-grade items."

Epic grade, orange equipment!

This was the highest tier of gear most professionals on Blue Star could currently access!

Above that, golden legendary equipment was even rarer.

His high-rated clear of [Wailing Cavern] had dropped the [Fear Whisper Ring], which was one such piece.

And the top-tier mythic equipment was so rare it was like phoenix feathers and unicorn horns—even major powers treated it as a heirloom treasure!

His current level was LV.17, and this time his goal was to pick out some orange epic equipment he could equip around level twenty.

Weapons were the top priority.

The [Withered Wood Staff], though modified by him to have nearly 100% mana cost reduction—making it a god-tier item—had an effect that was far too singular.

A staff that could serve as a superior replacement, once refined by his talent, would surely send his combat power soaring again.

Next, he considered armor or accessories that could patch his weaknesses or synergize perfectly with his existing skill system.

"Elder Sun, we're going in."

Mu Wanqing spoke softly once more.

The old man still showed no reaction, only letting out even louder snores, as if his spirit had already wandered beyond the heavens.

Mu Wanqing shook her head helplessly, then made a "please" gesture to Lin Mu.

Lin Mu nodded and stepped through the heavy bronze door.

The world beyond the door opened up before him.

It wasn't the warehouse scene he had imagined, but a vast "starry sky."

Countless items, each radiating its own halo of light, floated silently in the air like stars, slowly drifting.

Weapons, armor, scrolls, orbs... a dazzling array.

"A grand gesture."

Lin Mu praised inwardly. This was the true foundation of a top-tier academy.

"This is Zone B. All epic items are here."

Mu Wanqing's voice sounded beside him, tinged with pride.

"You can sense their basic information, but to see the detailed stats, you'll need to touch them yourself."

"Remember, you only have three chances to choose. Once you pick something up, it can't be exchanged."

Lin Mu nodded, closed his eyes, and extended his perception.

A flood of item information surged into his mind.

[Flame Dragon Breath Staff] (LV.22, Orange): Slightly enhances fire magic power.

[Thunder War Hammer] (LV.25, Orange): Attacks have a 15% chance to summon lightning, causing paralysis.

[Shadow Pierce Dagger] (LV.22, Orange): Attacks ignore a portion of armor.

These were all good pieces of equipment.

But Lin Mu's goal was clear.

He needed a staff of moderate level with enormous potential for modification.

Soon, his gaze was drawn to a staff floating in a corner.

It was crafted entirely from pale white bone.

At its top was set a dull gray orb.

It exuded a faint aura of death, looking utterly unremarkable among the epic gear.

[Bone Staff] (LV.21, Orange)

Lin Mu reached out and grasped it.

A more detailed panel instantly appeared.

[Bone Staff] (LV.21, Orange)

Attack: 120-150

Intelligence: +25

Special Effect 1: Reduces mana cost by 14% when casting skills.

Special Effect 2: Increases the initial health and defense of all your bone-type summons by 10%.

"This one."

Lin Mu didn't hesitate for even a moment.

"Are you sure?"

Mu Wanqing's voice carried a hint of confusion.

"This staff is epic and has two effects, but both are on the low side. The early-game boost isn't obvious. Wouldn't it be more straightforward to pick a staff with a single high-effect bonus?"

She thought Lin Mu was dazzled by the word "Epic" and had picked something flashy but impractical.

"I'm sure."

Lin Mu replied calmly.

What he valued was precisely those so-called "two garbage effects."

This was a modification blank tailor-made for him!

Seeing Lin Mu so insistent, Mu Wanqing said no more, but the confusion in her eyes deepened.

Next, Lin Mu walked over to the skill book section.

He quickly found his second target.

A Necromancer-exclusive skill book.

On the page, a shield rune emitting a faint gray light pulsed slowly.

All skill books on Blue Star only had names, no descriptions.

[Skill Book: Bone Shield] (LV.20, Necromancer only, Requirement: 40 Intelligence.)

Although this skill book's grade was only Rare.

Lin Mu could guess its modified strategic value just by inference.

With defense, you could output better.

He unhesitatingly tucked it into his bag.

"A staff that's not particularly strong, a defensive skill book..."

Mu Wanqing watched Lin Mu's choices, her brow slightly furrowed.

She found herself understanding this young man less and less.

His choices completely defied the "violent aesthetic" of pursuing damage that professionals usually followed.

One last item.

Lin Mu lingered in the accessory section for a long time.

Finally, his gaze landed on a simple silver ring with an antique design.

The ring was set with a cracked blue gemstone, looking somewhat incomplete.

[Damaged Space Ring] (LV.25, Orange)

Agility: +15

Special Effect: [Void Blink]: Consumes 80% of maximum mana to instantly teleport to a designated position within a 12-meter radius. Usable once per day.

"A displacement skill!"

Lin Mu's heart jolted.

This was a life-saving divine technique!

Though the cost was huge and the conditions harsh, at a critical moment, this was a second life!

And with his "simple" modification... tsk tsk!

"Teacher Mu, I'm done."

Lin Mu walked back to Mu Wanqing, holding three items.

Mu Wanqing looked at the three items in his hands, her expression extremely complicated.

A staff with limitless potential but weak in the early stages.

A purely defensive skill.

A costly displacement ring.

Not a single one that could greatly enhance destructive power.

What exactly was he trying to do?

The two walked out of the treasury.

Elder Sun was still leaning against the stone lion, dozing off, as if he had never moved.

"Done choosing?"

He didn't even lift his eyelids, asking lazily.

"Yes, Elder Sun."

Mu Wanqing replied respectfully.

Elder Sun slowly opened his eyes, his murky gaze sweeping over Lin Mu and the three items in his hands.

"Heh..."

He let out an ambiguous chuckle, his voice hoarse.

"An interesting combination."

"Boy, your path stretches farther than any of theirs."

With that, he closed his eyes again, and his snoring resumed.

Lin Mu's heart jolted.

This Elder Sun seemed to know something!

Mu Wanqing was stunned too.

She had never heard Elder Sun give such high praise to any student before.

"We're leaving."

Lin Mu composed himself, bowed once more to Elder Sun, then turned and walked away.

Back at the Cloud Viewing Residence.

Lin Mu saw Mu Wanqing out and immediately shut the courtyard gate.

He couldn't wait to lay the three spoils before him, his eyes flickering with barely contained excitement.

New toys, acquired.

Now, it was time for the moment of miracles!