A Light Element Spirit Seed!?
If Old Man Bao hadn't mentioned it, Song Jie would've completely forgotten about it!
It had been over half a year since Teacher Tang Yue had promised to find him one, and now, she'd finally delivered.
Inside the magical artifact lay a golden orb — unmistakably a Light Element Spirit Seed.
Song Jie asked curiously, "How many times can this one enhance my Light Element?"
"About twofold," Old Man Bao replied calmly.
"Two times?"
Although it wasn't the best 2.5x Spirit Seed, it was still excellent. At least now, his Light Element had a Spirit Seed to amplify it.
With that boost, his Exploding Golden Rain could possibly reach a power comparable to an Advanced Spell!
Without hesitation, Song Jie accepted the Light Element Spirit Seed and began refining it into his magic system.
As they wrapped up, Lingling turned to him with her usual bright smile. "Song Jie, listen up — this time it's a big job!"
The two of them had developed a natural rhythm in their cooperation. Song Jie trusted Lingling's sharp mind, and she appreciated how he always followed her lead without unnecessary questions.
Still, Song Jie occasionally thought through the plans himself — even the cleverest people could overlook details.
After going over the mission details with Lingling, he left the Azure Sky Hunter Union. It was already late, so they agreed to begin their operation tomorrow.
Returning to his apartment, Song Jie wasted no time absorbing the Light Element Spirit Seed.
Four months flashed by in an instant.
During this time, Song Jie's strength skyrocketed — and he awakened four new, utterly outrageous skills!
[Intermediate Light Element - First Level: Light Blessing · Holy Shield → Double Holy Shield → Elemental Holy Shield → Holy Shield Imprisonment → Mental Holy Shield (New)]
"Mental Holy Shield" can completely block any mental attack below the Advanced level!
[Intermediate Light Element - Second Level: Light Protection · Painting Wall → Painting Wall Impact → Painting Wall Rebound (New)]
As the name suggests, "Painting Wall Rebound" reflects an enemy's magic back at them!
A perfect counterattack skill — pure madness!
[Light Blessing · Guardian → Imprisonment Guardian (New)]
"Imprisonment Guardian" was an enhanced form of Holy Shield Imprisonment — it could restrain not just one enemy, but multiple targets at once!
[Intermediate Summoning Element: Contract Summoning → Contract Plunder (New)]
"Contract Plunder" allowed Song Jie to directly extract any skill from his Contracted Beast without restriction — so long as he had enough Summoning energy.
Unlike his Initial Level "Skill Steal," this one had no cooldown limits!
Each of these new abilities was game-breaking in its own right, and combined, they made him a walking arsenal.
At that moment, Song Jie was sitting in class when the dismissal bell rang. As he walked out, a familiar voice called out —
"Song Jie!"
It was Mu Lei, smiling broadly as he approached.
"What brings you here today?" Song Jie asked. They rarely met these days since he'd moved out.
"I've got a secret — a big one. You'll definitely want to hear this." Mu Lei leaned in mysteriously.
Song Jie eyed him. "Didn't sleep well? Those dark circles could pass for panda eyes."
Mu Lei rubbed his face sheepishly. "Been… exercising too much lately. My body's worn out."
"Exercising, huh? The group kind?" Song Jie teased.
Mu Lei coughed twice. "Ahem! Don't change the subject. Let's talk business."
"What's this big secret?"
Mu Lei looked around cautiously, then whispered, "I know what the Main Campus Assessment Project is this year!"
Song Jie's interest was piqued immediately.
Every year, Mingzhu Academy held a Main Campus assessment. Anyone who passed could transfer from the Outer Campus to the Main Campus — and the top ten participants would receive rich rewards.
First place: an opportunity to cultivate in the Three-Step Pagoda.
Second and third: high-grade magic artifacts.
The rest: generous resource packs.
"So what's the project?" Song Jie asked eagerly.
Mu Lei grinned. "It's a Team Score Battle!"
From the name alone, Song Jie could guess — a team-based competition emphasizing cooperation and tactics.
"So, you're here to invite me onto your team?" he said with a knowing smile.
Mu Lei shrugged. "Hey, it's mutually beneficial. You've been hogging all the cultivation resources lately — who else would team up with you?"
Song Jie had to admit, he had a point.
"I'll bring one person," Mu Lei continued. "You can find the other two. Without a five-member team, we can't register."
Song Jie nodded. Even though the Three-Step Pagoda's effectiveness had decreased for him, he'd be a fool to pass up the rewards.
Still… he had a problem.
Who would team up with him? He was practically the academy's public enemy number one — envied by every Elemental class.
If he joined the competition, there was a real chance every team would target him at once.
The thought alone made his blood stir with excitement.
A week later, the Main Campus Assessment finally began.
Tens of thousands of students filled the academy's massive training grounds, though only half of it was occupied — the other half held two enormous raised platforms.
Dean Xiao stood before them on the podium, his gaze sweeping across the crowd.
"Every Main Campus assessment," he began, "is where your hard work is tested — and rewarded."
"Although competition is cruel, remember this: everyone here at Pearl Institute possesses talent. Yet talent without effort leads only to stagnation."
His sharp voice carried across the grounds. "Do you see those platforms?"
Everyone turned. Two towering stages stood to their right — one high, one low.
"Students who have cultivated two Elements to the Intermediate Level, step onto the higher platform!"
The field erupted in murmurs.
Only a handful among the tens of thousands could meet that requirement.
Still, one after another, upperclassmen and a few exceptional new students stepped forward.
Song Jie joined them, climbing onto the top platform. From this height, he could see the rest of the students below — a sea of faces gazing up.
Dean Xiao nodded approvingly. "These are the elite among you — the pride of this year's assessment. Learn from them."
Then, he continued, "Students with only one Element at the Intermediate Level, please step onto the lower platform!"
And so, the competition for entry into the Main Campus officially began…
...
Author's Note:
The first half (completed version) of Versatile Mage: My Magic Has Gone Beyond Limits! is now available on Patreon!
🔗 patreon.com/Shadow_demon_007
Thank you all for your continued support! 💙