17: Double Shadow Kill and Sharp Blade

It was Wednesday.

Only one day remained until the monthly exam.

Today, Shadow Mantis once again brought Lin Shu quite a few surprises.

Beginner — Sharp Blade (Passive) - Novice (12/20)

Intermediate — Dual Shadow Kill - Novice (0/40)

Yes, Shadow Mantis had once again comprehended two skills.

One was the beginner passive, Sharp Blade.

Its effect was quite simple: it could directly increase Shadow Mantis's attack power.

It also enhanced the strength of its forelimbs, akin to wielding two weapons.

The higher the skill level, the greater the natural increase in power.

The second was the intermediate skill, Dual Shadow Kill.

This was a dark-element skill, and it was quite a famous one among Shadow Mantises.

Its effect was also simple: it could summon two duplicates to attack the enemy together.

This would confuse the enemy and achieve an unexpected effect.

Lin Shu was very satisfied with this.

He hadn't even reached level 10 yet, but he already had five skills, which was enough to surpass many Beastmasters his age.

In the past few days, Shadow Mantis's strength had improved significantly.

Assault had already reached the 'Subtle' level.

He didn't expect it could continue to improve.

He wondered what the next stage would be called?

Could it continue to improve?

However, after reaching 'Subtle,' the proficiency required was quite high.

Lin Shu decisively had Shadow Mantis and his duplicates switch to learning another skill.

His attack power was already sufficient; other aspects still needed to be improved.

In the past few days, his level experience had increased by 25 points, which was not bad.

However, the beginner nutrient solution he had was already used up, and even the teacher's Tier 1 spiritual objects had long been consumed.

The improvement, however, was not obvious, far less effective than directly allocating points.

Was it because the beginner nutrient solution was too ineffective, or for some other reason?

Perhaps the next reward could be sold directly?

He could keep the money to buy a new Beastmaster's spiritual objects.

Lin Shu thought this to himself, coming up with such different ideas.

However, the items weren't even in his hands yet, so thinking about this was useless.

He would decide based on the situation when the time came.

Looking at the remaining proficiency points.

(Proficiency: 192)

Good, very abundant.

Yet, the Shadow Mantis's panel still didn't reveal any information about subsequent evolutions.

Perhaps it needed even more.

He directly spent 145 proficiency points, leaving a balance of 47.

This was how Lin Shu was; he couldn't keep good things in his hands.

He always wanted to use them for him first.

He raised Shadow Mantis's level to 10.

Finally, he truly became a qualified Tier 1 Beastmaster.

It actually took him almost half a month to reach Tier 1.

This speed was still a bit slow.

Shadow Mantis felt his level rapidly increasing.

His body immediately became robust, feeling the power surging within him.

My master is amazing (✪ω✪).

It seemed that due to the point allocation, Shadow Mantis's current size was already almost the same as an adult's.

His body length had reached 90 centimeters, and when he stood up, he could reach Lin Shu's waist.

Looking at him, he didn't seem to be stopping his growth.

One should know that an ordinary adult Shadow Mantis only had a body length of 95 centimeters.

"Good, good."

Lin Shu was very confident about tomorrow's monthly exam.

Level 10, coupled with a body far exceeding his peers, and these five skills.

It would be very difficult for him to score poorly.

Then there was Tuyao.

After a few days of getting used to it.

Tuyao could occasionally practice his skills in the room.

It must be said, this was a great improvement.

For this, Lin Shu also praised him.

Tuyao, like an honest person, fidgeted and stood in place, smiling foolishly.

He was still allowed to stay in the house.

Although Tuyao seemed a bit simple-minded, he had no other shortcomings.

He was also very diligent, so Lin Shu was very at ease with him.

Leaving Tuyao and three duplicates at home.

He took Shadow Mantis to school... The classroom was a clamor when he entered.

Hearing everyone's discussion, he realized that starting today.

Registration for the Binzhou Cup began today.

Daxia had a strong athletic culture, with countless competitions.

In addition to the High School Cup and University Cup, there were also regional events that attracted a lot of attention.

After all, students were the future of Daxia and were held in high regard.

The Binzhou Cup was one such regional event, a competition for high school students.

Any school with the conditions would form a school team, and Canglan No. 2 High School also had one.

They had once won the championship in the Binzhou Cup, but unfortunately, that was twenty years ago.

Now, with many high schools, they had lost their competitiveness.

Their best recent achievement was reaching the quarterfinals of the Binzhou Cup.

They had also been eliminated in the round of 32 many times.

However, such a result was still among the top ten in Fengdu City.

In terms of performance, it wasn't bad.

"The Binzhou Cup is about to start, who do you think will win!"

"I don't know who will win, but I know exactly who won't."

"For our Canglan No. 2 High School, reaching the semifinals would be considered a success."

"Semifinals? That would be too successful, the kind where the whole school celebrates."

Everyone understood tacitly, clearly knowing that the school's capabilities made it impossible to win the championship.

After all, how many cities were there in one province, and how many high schools were in each city?

It was very difficult.

They certainly didn't dare to hope for the championship.

"However, the school team selection is coming up soon."

"I wonder if anyone in our class will have a chance to be selected."

Zhang Qi suddenly brought up another topic at this moment.

"The school team, I'm so envious."

"Who isn't envious? Everyone wants to join the school team."

Although Canglan No. 2 High School's school team wasn't particularly strong.

But the treatment, there was no need to say, it was very good.

As long as one could be selected for the school team, there would be cash subsidies and advanced nutrient solutions provided every week.

Over a year, that would be at least hundreds of thousands in hand.

Most people were extremely envious of such conditions.

The reward conditions would change slightly each year, but the amounts were roughly the same.

Moreover, in recent years, due to ranking issues.

The school urgently wanted to improve, so they opened up the opportunities.

The principal also increased the subsidies for the school team, allowing First Year and Second Year students to join the school team early.

Of course, they weren't main players, but reserve team members, but only those with exceptional Talents could join.

The principal also personally selected the members.

Doing this was also to build a good foundation in advance and accumulate more experience for future competitions.

"In my opinion, in our class, it's just Lin Shu and the class monitor."

"Others don't have much of a chance."

When this statement came out, it was not refuted.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

The school team, if one could join.

It would definitely be greatly beneficial for the development of one's spiritual objects.

Such a good opportunity certainly couldn't be missed.

He just didn't know when the specific time would be disclosed.

Lin Shu thought this to himself.

The chat did not continue, as the teacher arrived in the classroom on time.

It suddenly became quiet, and everyone quietly waited for the teacher to begin the lesson...