Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Faster and Faster Upgrade Speed
David waved at the approaching man. "Patriarch Xia, come and join us."
It was Xia Dongyang, the head of the Xia family in Xihai City and Jeny's father.
With a polite nod, Xia Dongyang approached and took a seat at the table. "Good day, principals," he greeted them.
Xia Dongyang's presence was commanding. He exuded an air of authority that demanded respect.
David poured him a cup of tea. "Patriarch Xia is here to check on Jeny, I assume."
Xia Dongyang smiled faintly. "That's right. Over the years, Jeny has benefited greatly from your guidance, Principal David."
David waved his hand modestly. "I merely provided the environment. Jeny is an exceptionally talented girl, and she's done very well on her own. Her job transfer was smooth, and her progress has been impressive."
Xia Dongyang nodded. "I heard about her successful job transfer. I just returned to Xihai City today, but unfortunately, I missed the ceremony."
David, aware of Xia Dongyang's demanding schedule, responded sympathetically. "We were just discussing her progress. We're hoping Jeny can reach Level 5 by the end of today's 12-hour dungeon session. But getting into Xia Jing Academy is no easy feat."
"I think she can make it," Xia Dongyang replied confidently. "And if she's just short, I can always ask someone for a favor."
David shook his head. "I wouldn't recommend that. Jeny has a strong sense of pride. If you interfere, she'll likely resent you for it."
Xia Dongyang sighed. "You're right. I know her personality too well."
Shifting the topic, Xia Dongyang asked, "I heard there's a hidden profession among your students this year. Congratulations. What kind of profession is it?"
David's eyes lit up. "The profession is called Necromancer. It's unlike anything I've ever seen. It allows the user to summon skeletons, though I'm not sure how powerful it truly is."
Xia Dongyang's expression turned curious yet cautious. Hidden professions could be hit or miss—some were extraordinary, while others were utterly useless. A profession involving skeletons sounded ominous, and the name Necromancer didn't help its reputation.
Sensing Xia Dongyang's hesitation, David quickly added, "Don't worry about the boy, Marsh. He's quiet but diligent and highly capable. His sister, Lin Mohan, was admitted to Xia Jing Academy last year. If Jeny goes there, perhaps Lin Mohan could look out for her."
Reassured by David's words, Xia Dongyang nodded, feeling more at ease.
---
Inside the novice dungeon, Marsh received a notification from his skeleton warriors.
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[Notification: Maximum distance reached. Cannot proceed further.]
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The farthest skeleton warrior had reached 500 meters from Marsh. He realized this was the maximum range for his summons. As the other skeleton warriors approached the limit, Marsh recalled them and began moving deeper into the dungeon himself.
He maintained a formation with his 10 skeleton warriors spread out in front, fanning out to cover a distance of 100 meters. Any monster in their path was swiftly and efficiently eliminated.
In the fourth hour of the dungeon, Marsh achieved his third level-up.
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[Name: Marsh]
[Profession: Necromancer (Unique)]
[Level: 4 (0.00%)]
[Attributes: Strength 40 | Agility 40 | Spirit 80]
[Summon Space: 10/40 | Skeleton Warriors: 10]
[Skills: Soul Flame (Level 4) | Summon Skeleton Warrior (Level 4)]
[Talent: Comprehensive Amplification (Level 1, Unique)]
---
Marsh immediately used his increased summoning space to call forth more skeleton warriors. At Level 4, each summon required 25 points of spiritual power. Despite this, his upgrade speed remained steady—and perhaps even faster—with more skeletons in his army.
With his growing force, Marsh ventured into the second half of the novice dungeon, where the monsters became stronger. Level 5 and Level 6 monsters appeared frequently, but against his skeleton warriors, even these formidable beasts stood no chance.
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[Kill Level 5 Blue Wolf, Experience +50]
[Kill Level 6 Black Panther, Experience +60]
---
The skeleton warriors, now boasting strength attributes of 450, cut through the monsters like blades through paper. Marsh knew the higher the level and density of monsters, the faster his progress would be.
Summoning three more skeleton warriors, he brought his total to 13. The dungeon was no longer just a battlefield—it was a playground for his unstoppable undead army.
Marsh calculated his progress and estimated, "At this rate, I'll level up again in under an hour. If this continues, I could reach Level 8 by the end of the 12-hour session."
This pace far exceeded his expectations. Originally, he had only hoped to reach Level 6 on the first day. Now, he was on track to double that. Level 8 would also grant him access to the outskirts of Xihai City, where higher-level monsters awaited.
"Once I reach Level 8, I can hunt stronger monsters outside the city," Marsh mused. "But I'll need the school's approval first. The guards won't let me leave otherwise."
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[Kill Level 7 Brown Bear, Experience +70]
---
As Marsh pushed deeper into the dungeon, Level 7 monsters began to appear. Yet even these creatures couldn't withstand a single strike from his skeleton warriors.
The novice dungeon, designed for beginners, posed no real challenge to Marsh's unique abilities. The monsters were weak, the environment simple, and the risks minimal. Still, Marsh maintained his focus, remembering a lesson his sister, Lin Mohan, had taught him: Never underestimate the enemy.
He recalled how Lin Mohan had once returned from the outskirts of Xihai City, bloodied and battered. She had told him solemnly, "Even a lion goes all out when hunting a rabbit. Never let your guard down."
Marsh had taken her advice to heart. Though his progress was smooth, he remained vigilant, ready for any surprises the dungeon might throw his way.
---
Back at the academy, David and the other principals continued their conversation.
"How far do you think Marsh has progressed by now?" one principal asked.
David smiled knowingly. "If I had to guess, I'd say he's already far ahead of everyone else. His potential is unmatched."
The principals exchanged looks of amazement. A hidden profession like Necromancer, combined with Marsh's work ethic, was a recipe for greatness.
Xia Dongyang, sipping his tea, couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration. "If Marsh continues at this rate, he might set a new record," he said.
David nodded. "Indeed. Marsh isn't just talented—he's relentless. I wouldn't be surprised if he surpasses all expectations."
As the discussion continued, Marsh pressed onward in the dungeon, his skeleton army paving the way for an unprecedented ascent in power.
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