"I'll add another 50,000! Brother, please, take me with you!"
The people around were incredibly agitated, all desperate to obtain a title for breaking a record. The reason for this was that such titles were exceptionally rare; usually, only geniuses from great families or those with rare classes had any hope of obtaining them. For an ordinary person, possessing such a title meant they could interview at any major state-owned enterprise or super-corporation with a very high success rate. In a world of job-changing, the value of such a title was immense.
"Sorry, I’ve already promised these two, so I won't be taking anyone else through the dungeon today."
Bai Ze’s blunt and decisive refusal made the two sweet girls breathe a huge sigh of relief. As for the others, they could only stare in frustration. Given his strength, they couldn't exactly start cursing or mocking him, so they could only seethe on the sidelines.
Sun Tai stood to the side, not daring to utter a word. He clearly understood his role: to run back and forth through the Abyss, picking up all the dropped equipment and items. This was the hidden task Bai Ze had assigned him; otherwise, he wouldn't have been brought along for nothing.
"Alright, if we spend three hours and clear it eight times, I should reach level 10. Are you ready?"
"Ready!" everyone replied in unison.
Then, amidst the envious gazes of countless people, the four of them entered Peach Blossom Grudge once more.
To everyone's surprise, no sooner had they entered than the old man in the black suit appeared again, looking at the four of them speechlessly.
"Why are you back again? I’m just the weakest, most pathetic boss! Is all this really necessary? Why don't you try Apartment 54 next door, or maybe the Human Skin Lantern?"
"Damn it!" the white-bearded old man cursed. Immediately after, the space in front of the four twisted, and they were instantly judged to have cleared the level!
This time, it took less than a minute!
Xia Qiu and the other girl were stunned. Aren't you supposed to be cautious every step of the way in the Abyss? Aren't Abyss monsters supposed to be crazed and insane? Why on earth did he just let them clear it for no reason?
In an instant, the four were teleported back to the Abyss Hall. Under the puzzled gazes of the crowd, they stepped into Peach Blossom Grudge again. Just like that, the gate to the Abyss flickered continuously, and it wasn't until after more than a dozen trips that they finally stopped.
Bai Ze had actually managed to set the fastest clear record at three seconds.
A three-second Abyss clear was simply unimaginable. It wasn't just the people in the Abyss Hall who were stunned; even some high-ranking officials in the Great Xia Country were alarmed. They immediately dispatched people, intending to recruit Bai Ze into a state-affiliated academy.
Bai Ze was unaware of this for the time being. He parted ways with the others and went to the lounge to begin leveling up. The experience accumulated from eight clears was just enough to push him to level 10, but he knew that leveling up beyond level 10 would be much more difficult. The experience required would increase significantly, with each level-up requiring tens of thousands.
With that thought, he began to level up.
【You have leveled up!】
【Name: Bai Ze】
【Level: lv10】
【Class: Divine Artisan of Tian-Gong】
【Overall Combat Power: 220 (+56)】
【Class Skill: Soul-Engraving Life-Summoning】
【Skills: None】
【Equipment/Items: Five Senses Gem, Financial Suit】
【Special: One intermediate Life Sculpting opportunity】
【Five Senses Gem: Enhances the five senses】
【Financial Suit: Bronze-grade equipment】
【Description: Increases combat power by approximately 56 points, slightly improves temperament.】
In an instant, his combat power jumped from 88 to over 200. As for the Great Sage, his combat power increased even more, reaching 6,000! Little Diamond Wind only rose to 8,000, but that was still formidable. Compared to average Professionals, even low-level life forms were absurdly powerful.
Bai Ze calculated silently. A level 30 Professional’s combat power was usually around 70,000, and even stronger ones wouldn't exceed 100,000. Brother Monkey was already approaching 100,000; he essentially had no rivals below level 30. Furthermore, Brother Monkey’s skills were outrageous—some were practically conceptual-level—so they couldn't be compared by combat power alone. Generally speaking, he was invincible below level 35.
However, he still needed to improve his own combat power; otherwise, he would be too vulnerable, and a surprise attack could be his undoing.
As Bai Ze pondered his future path, someone knocked on the door. He frowned slightly but opened it.
The man had crimson hair and bulging muscles that didn't look cumbersome, but rather lean and refined.
"Hello, student Bai Ze. I am Yaohua, a teacher at Longquan Academy, level 72 (Class: Dragon Catcher)."
"I am inviting you to join Longquan Academy. Are you willing?"
Yaohua spoke with crisp efficiency, as if merely asking for his opinion. Bai Ze was taken aback by how direct he was. He reacted quickly, however, thinking to himself, "Longquan Academy is excellent. It’s backed by the state, offers great benefits to students, and requires reaching level 60 to graduate, which is perfect for me. Plus, its state backing can deter my cousin; otherwise, other factions wouldn't hesitate to interfere."
With that thought, Bai Ze accepted immediately, declaring that he would live and die for Longquan Academy! He was a Longquan man in life, and would be a Longquan ghost in death!
Yaohua was slightly caught off guard but issued Bai Ze his student badge, telling him to report within ten days.
Just as everyone was enjoying the moment, a somewhat disheveled figure appeared at the door of the lounge, and his opening line was a bombshell.
"Bai Ze! I’ve come to kill you. You’d better call the police."
Bai Haodong spoke with a complicated look in his eyes, his tone carrying a strange sense of relief.