"..."
In the tactical research room, everyone was silenced by Gan.
"Why? Why?" Black Tiger was stunned, only able to repeat these four words.
"No need to check further; this must be the speedrun record for the shortest time on the second layer," Su Xiaoxiao said.
"That's right. Even mid-level Awakened take no less than twenty minutes to clear the second layer."
Instructor Qiu gave a wry smile, "Last year's strongest newcomer, Li Yufeng, took nearly 7 hours to clear the second layer."
"Bai Pu is only Level 1 now, and without any combat skills, is his strength stronger than a mid-level Awakened?" Black Tiger, finally coming to his senses, said in disbelief.
"You can't compare like that. Maybe this dungeon is just too suitable for Bai Pu to perform in," Instructor Qiu said.
"Why hasn't Bai Pu come out...could he be aiming for the third layer?"
Qilin, who hadn't spoken until now, realized the blind spot, his face turning white with fright.
...
In front of the entrance to the third layer of the White Bone Cave's second layer.
Bai Pu was slightly out of breath, his body covered with shallow cuts, but over time, as his Life Value recovered, the cuts quickly healed.
Bai Pu once again inscribed the Flesh and Blood Spell. During the half-hour spent inscribing the spell, his Life Value also slowly restored to full.
Behind Bai Pu stood two figures, one tall and one short.
The tall figure had sturdy bones, wielding a giant unsheathed sword with a mighty aura—it was the Skeleton Warrior.
The short figure had deep eye sockets, with Soul Fire burning much brighter than that of ordinary Skeleton Soldiers, draped in a tattered Magic Robe—it was the Bone Mage.
Both elite monsters stood with arms lowered, clearly having been converted into slaves by Bai Pu.
"Bearing the siege of so many Level 2 monsters is indeed a bit strained. With monsters generally a level higher than me, they deal 10% more damage to me, while I deal 10% less damage to them! Fortunately, there's the divine skill [Adaptive Evolution].
"The Level 2 Virtual Treasure Chests on the second layer are far more rewarding than the first layer, not only yielding Skill Books but also drastically increasing equipment drop rates, with three pieces already obtained! Unfortunately, they're just standard white equipment."
Standard Equipment generally provides defense like Armor and Magic Resistance, with basic Passive Abilities, but doesn't enhance Four-dimensional Attributes or feature exceptional Active Skills.
Currently, many Awakened Forces have the capability to mass-produce Standard Equipment, so its price is generally stable, merely equivalent to the cost of Spiritual Materials plus modest crafting expenses.
Bai Pu exhaled, summarizing his combat experience.
The 50% reduction against special types of damage provided by [Adaptive Evolution] is indeed powerful. It wasn't obvious when dealing with weaker rotten bone skeletons on the first layer, but facing a slew of Level 2 Skeleton Soldiers and Skeleton Warriors here, the amount of reduced damage is staggering.
Even so, Bai Pu almost overturned.
Two Bone Mages unexpectedly appeared. One used the Disabling Technique, halving Bai Pu's Movement Speed, while the other used the Erosion Technique, greatly weakening Bai Pu's Armor.
Subsequently, both Bone Mages began chanting their magic, and two Ice Shards struck Bai Pu, inflicting severe damage that gave him goosebumps.
Even though [Adaptive Evolution] quickly stored a third form—"Cold Body"—to grant 50% reduction against Frost Magic, Bai Pu couldn't switch to this form and abandon the "Scaly Skin" for sharp damage. He could only endure the Frost Magic from the Bone Mages.
Fortunately, Bai Pu had prepared in advance. Before the one-wave tactic, he spent some time activating [Pure Blood Protection] to enslave an Elite Skeleton Warrior as muscle.
The enslaved Elite Skeleton Warrior, after receiving a 7-point Free Attribute boost from [Pure Blood Protection], became immensely fierce, boasting a Power as high as 27 points! Under Bai Pu's cover, it swung its giant sword to kill one Bone Mage and drove the other to the brink of death.
Though the Bone Mage was a level above Bai Pu, it was merely an Elite Template, making it inferior to Bai Pu. Plus, the dying state improved the enslavement success rate for [Pure Blood Protection], enabling Bai Pu to successfully enslave it after the battle.
Now, Bai Pu could be said to have played all his cards. After inscribing the Flesh and Blood Spell again, his Spiritual Power was nearly exhausted, his temples throbbing, making him just want to lie down and sleep.
In a semi-exhausted state, Spiritual Power recovers very slowly. Bai Pu used up all 60 minutes of rest time, yet his Spiritual Power hardly recovered.
In this round, Bai Pu spent two precious drops of pure blood, enslaving two elite creatures, all to prepare for the third layer.
The monsters on the second layer are mostly Level 2, a level higher than Bai Pu. With the suppression from Bai Pu's Enhanced Elite Template, he can still ensure successful enslavement.
Come the third layer, the monsters should all reach Level 3, two levels higher than Bai Pu! If Bai Pu wants to leverage [Pure Blood Protection]'s enslavement effect, the success rate would be too low, even if he drives the monsters to near death to gain favorable enslavement judgment bonuses, it would still be difficult to succeed.
"Within the scope of my abilities, I've prepared to the utmost for the third layer's strategy." Bai Pu, accompanied by two undead slaves, stepped into the entrance of the third layer, "Let's see how far I can go on the third layer. With a Level 3 Virtual Treasure Chest, the probability of getting good loot should significantly increase... However, my main goal isn't the treasure chest, but to prove my own value!"
Bai Pu sought backing from the Divine Strategy Army, cleared his record at the Police Department, and thwarted the Superpower Group from crushing him with official power, forcing them to turn overt attacks into covert ones!
In such circumstances, Bai Pu needs to prove his value and draw the Divine Strategy Army's attention to himself to protect himself during his weaker stage.
...
Just as he stepped into the third layer, Bai Pu was greeted with an unpleasant surprise.
Rumble——
The sound of hooves echoed as a skeletal warhorse engulfed in demon fire, with scarlet eyes, galloped along the walls of the cave beside it!
Under Bai Pu's command, the Skeleton Warriors bravely met it head-on, swinging a giant sword across.
Clang!
With a loud bang, the Skeleton Warrior was sent flying backward, suffering 35 points of concussion damage!
Concussion damage has a slowing effect, and once the Skeleton Warrior got up, it stumbled, losing its position.
The Skeletal Warhorse charged straight at the Bone Mage. It seemed to have some innate perception, knowing that attacking the Bone Mage was the most cost-effective.
Knowing it's a virtual dungeon where death isn't permanent, Bai Pu stepped forward to cover.
And then he was also sent flying, like a pebble struck by a large truck.
Originally possessing [Heavy Armor Mastery], Bai Pu was relatively hard to knock down or push back while wearing heavy armor, but the power difference between him and the Skeletal Warhorse was too great, and the opponent carried the inertia of its high-speed run!
Fortunately, thanks to the delay caused by Bai Pu and the Skeleton Warriors, the Bone Mage finally cast [Disabling Technique].
The speed of the Skeletal Warhorse dropped suddenly.
Bai Pu called the Skeleton Warriors to surround and attack, but in the next second, a shrill whinny rang out as the Skeletal Warhorse's demonic fire flared, and it raised its hooves, stomping down fiercely!
The Bone Mage's life value plummeted by three-quarters! With a graceful side kick, the Skeletal Warhorse shattered the Bone Mage, scattering bone fragments everywhere.
A Level 2 Elite Bone Mage, in front of this powerful Skeletal Warhorse, was declared dead with just one skill and a single ordinary kick!
Of course, Bai Pu didn't just stand there idle; he suddenly lunged forward, grabbing the flame-wreathed tailbone of the Skeletal Warhorse, attempting to climb onto its back.
The Skeletal Warhorse raised its hooves and galloped, but Bai Pu clung tightly to its tailbone, refusing to let go!
Ordinary people might be dragged away by the sheer power of the Skeletal Warhorse, but Bai Pu, with [Heavy Armor Mastery], was harder to knock down or push back! He clung like a stubborn weight, hindering the Skeletal Warhorse, greatly reducing its speed.
The Skeleton Warriors suddenly whirled around, a black light emanating from around them, and their giant sword, imbued with massive inertia, slashed horizontally! This was the Skeleton Warriors' skilled combat technique, the Helical Strike!
Bang! A loud crash followed as the front leg of the Skeletal Warhorse sustained heavy damage, accompanied by a teeth-grating sound of bone cracking.
----------------------------------
PS: Explanation about the high-stakes exam storyline
A: Why write a high-stakes exam storyline?
1. The high-stakes exam is a global event, and those who excel achieve very lucrative rewards.
2. Bai Pu needs to significantly raise his real-world fame to gain organizational attention, thereby increasing the cost of assassination attempts by the Superpower Group. The societal attention drawn by an average Awakened being assassinated is entirely different from that of a top exam performer.
3. Top-notch talents of the same age as Bai Pu will also participate in this exam, leading to future clashes in Spirit Realm explorations. Writing about the exam allows these geniuses to get familiar with everyone in advance, avoiding abruptness.
B: Is the high-stakes exam storyline a copy of the Eye of Evolution?
Answer: No, 800 years into the Spiritual Era, the exam's system and mode are entirely different from those of the Eye of Evolution period, becoming more comprehensive and competitive.
Finally, one more word: Originally, Old Ya intended to gradually unfold the reasons for the high-stakes exam storyline in future developments. Why am I explaining now instead of silently going with the flow?
Because the story hasn't been featured or recommended yet, those willing to follow it daily are basically old friends from the Eye of Evolution. Old Ya doesn't want to let everyone down, so I'm explaining in advance. I earnestly request everyone to read on patiently, and I believe the future of this book will not disappoint you.
Asher, November 13, 2023