At once, a small blob of dark green acid shot from his fingertips and landed on the thick stone slabs covering the ground ahead, giving off a sizzling sound.
A wisp of white smoke rose from the slab, leaving behind a shallow pit and corroded marks.
[Spell: Acid Spray (Not Initiated)]
Its power was not particularly great, its range only two or three meters, and its accuracy terrible, but he had succeeded at least.
Luo Lin estimated that reaching a level of proficiency suitable for actual combat would require extensive practice, as well as a suitable and safe place to train.
Practicing inside the stone house was clearly not an option.
By comparison, learning [Weak Force-Field Armor] went more smoothly.
This spell model placed greater emphasis on the stable output and maintenance of spiritual power. Although it was not easy to construct, its requirements for simulating energy properties were not as demanding as [Acid Spray].
With the aid of [Efficient Scholar], Luo Lin successfully constructed it after two days and more than a dozen failures.
With a thought, a nearly invisible translucent force field rippling faintly covered his entire body, continuously consuming his mana.
[Spell: Weak Force-Field Armor (Not Initiated)]
He tried lightly slashing his arm with the bone dagger. The force field pulsed slightly and dispersed most of the force, leaving only a faint white mark on his skin.
The defensive effect did exist, but it was very weak. It could probably only block ordinary punches and kicks, or strikes from less-sharp weapons, and it consumed mana at no slow rate.
Successfully learning the two new spells brought a qualitative leap in Luo Lin's combat ability, even though both were still at the most basic stage.
Every day, he set aside a fixed period to practice constructing and maintaining [Weak Force-Field Armor] inside the stone house.
As for [Acid Spray], he could only practice constructing its model and did not dare fire it casually.
Besides cultivating spells, Luo Lin had not neglected potion-making either.
He tried further optimizing the [Stamina Recovery Potion], hoping to raise its quality to good, or to research other practical low-level potions.
But progress was slow. Improving potions was no easy task; it required a great accumulation of knowledge and inspiration. [Efficient Scholar] alone could not accelerate it without limit.
In addition, Luo Lin used his ample contribution points to begin systematically studying [Basic Rune Identification].
Runes were the foundation for constructing spell models, crafting enchanted items, and even setting up magic arrays. Their importance was self-evident.
He purchased more detailed introductory rune textbooks and set aside time every day to memorize and understand those complex, mysterious symbols and their meanings.
The progress of [Basic Rune Identification] began to increase slowly but steadily.
During this time, he made several more trips to Grey Tower General Store for transactions.
Mason was very satisfied with the sales of his [Stamina Recovery Potion], and even subtly asked whether he could increase the supply. However, Luo Lin politely declined on the grounds that his energy was limited.
He knew that the identity of "Lin" could not draw too much attention. Maintaining the current supply was the safest choice.
He had also spotted Frack's group from a distance once. They seemed to still be monopolizing the Moonlight Moss task and had not come to trouble him.
Luo Lin was happy to have some peace and focused on improving himself.
One day, while browsing the task hall, Luo Lin noticed a newly posted long-term commission:
[Long-Term Purchase: Live Glowmoss Bugs. Their glowing cores must be intact, and their bodies undamaged. Purchase price: 15 contribution points each. Issuer: Insect School Laboratory.]
Glowmoss Bugs?
Luo Lin recalled the knowledge from [Basic Magical Botany].
They were tiny insects that lived in specific damp, dark environments and fed on certain mosses. They had little value themselves and were extremely fragile, easily dying during capture.
Thus, though the purchase price was not low, few people accepted the task.
Luo Lin's heart stirred.
Capturing living creatures required patience and delicate handling, not great strength.
It suited him perfectly.
Moreover, the Insect School Laboratory sounded like a formal, practical laboratory. If he could establish contact with them, there might be more opportunities in the future.
He accepted the commission and collected a ventilated crystal vial specifically meant for holding live insects.
Following the location given in the task prompt, Luo Lin arrived at a shaded ravine on the academy's back mountain.
The place was thick with moisture, and all kinds of moss covered the rock walls.
He searched carefully and soon discovered several tiny bugs beneath a patch of faintly glowing moss. They were only the size of rice grains, slowly wriggling, with translucent bodies through which luminous material flowed.
They truly were extremely fragile. At the slightest fright, they would curl up, and applying even a little too much force could crush them to death.
Luo Lin held his breath and quietly activated [Mage Hand].
Under his precise control, the translucent energy hand became extraordinarily gentle, like a pair of invisible tweezers, cautiously approaching one of the Glowmoss Bugs.
Then, with extreme steadiness, he "pinched" the bug up from the moss. The entire process was gentle and swift, without causing the bug to struggle violently.
He steadily placed the bug into the crystal vial.
He had successfully caught the first one!
The precise control granted by [Efficient Scholar] proved useful once again.
He captured the bugs far more efficiently than ordinary people, while ensuring their vitality to the greatest extent possible.
In one afternoon, he successfully captured five intact Glowmoss Bugs.
After turning in the task, he received 75 contribution points.
The income was decent, and the process was relatively safe.
Successfully completing the Glowmoss Bug capture task brought Luo Lin a stable additional income and further improved his fine control over [Mage Hand].
He continued supplying Grey Tower General Store with twenty [Stamina Recovery Potions] each week, while alternating between other obscure material-processing tasks and Glowmoss Bug capture tasks. His contribution point reserves steadily increased, surpassing 2,000 points.
That day, he once again went to the Insect School Laboratory to turn in five Glowmoss Bugs he had captured.
The one who received him was no longer the expressionless assistant from before, but a middle-aged man in a dark gray robe, with sharp eyes and a deep, unfathomable aura.
Luo Lin could sense spiritual power fluctuations from him that far exceeded those of an apprentice.
This was an Official Wizard!
"So you're the apprentice who has been frequently submitting intact Glowmoss Bugs recently? Your name is Luo Lin?"
The gray-robed wizard spoke in an even tone, yet his voice carried an invisible pressure.
"Yes, Wizard."
Luo Lin answered respectfully, his heart tightening slightly.
"Mm. Your capture technique is good, and your control over spiritual power is very precise."
The gray-robed wizard examined him, his gaze seeming capable of piercing through appearances.
"I am Wizard Eric, the person in charge of the Insect School."
"I noticed that the bugs you submitted have retained their vitality exceptionally well, far beyond the standard of ordinary apprentices."
"You have considerable experience handling such fragile living creatures?"
"This student is merely rather patient and skilled at delicate work." Luo Lin answered cautiously, not mentioning [Efficient Scholar].
Wizard Eric neither confirmed nor denied it, continuing, "How proficient are you in [Basic Magical Botany] and [Basic Potion Material Processing]?"
Luo Lin considered his response before answering truthfully, "I have some familiarity with [Basic Magical Botany]. As for [Basic Potion Material Processing]... I consider myself fairly capable."
He did not directly say that he had reached a professional level.
"My laboratory recently needs to process a batch of Dream Spider silk glands. They must be removed intact, without damaging their internal structure, and the considerable workload must be completed within a certain time."
"The task reward is 500 contribution points, or resources of equivalent value."
"Are you interested in trying?"
Wizard Eric looked at Luo Lin.
"Of course, if you cannot handle it or damage too many, you will need to compensate us at full value."
Dream Spider silk glands?
Luo Lin recalled that Dream Spiders were extremely rare enchanted spiders. Their silk glands were important materials for brewing certain spiritual potions, but they were exceptionally fragile and very difficult to remove. The slightest carelessness could rupture the glands, causing their essence to leak away and rendering them worthless.
This was a challenge, but also an opportunity.
If he could complete it, it would mean he might win the favor of an Official Wizard.
"This student is willing to try."
Luo Lin did not hesitate for long before decisively accepting.
High risk, high reward.
"Very good."
A trace of appreciation flashed through Wizard Eric's eyes.
"Follow me."
Before you continue