53: Dark Binding

Returning to his room, Lin Shu checked the gains from the past few days.

First, there was the proficiency, which, including the proficiency from the Mirror Practice skill, amounted to over a thousand.

However, during these past few days, Lin Shu made sure to raise Hei Ye's level by one each day, not planning for continuous advancement. Continuous large-scale advancements could lead to significant problems, as such speed was simply too astonishing.

And it was basically all used up.

Most of this was thanks to the strong support of the Wild Forest Rabbit.

Otherwise, how could there be so much?

Hei Ye also lived up to expectations during these days, awakening two more skills.

【Name】: Shadow Mantis

【Level】: lv19 (122/190)

【Level Cap】: lv45

【Status】: Healthy

【Quality】: Elite

【Attributes】: Dark / Space

【Talent】: Void Walk - Beginner (13/200)

【Skills】: Basic — Assault - Subtle (8/200), Fast Movement - Perfect (16/50), Heavy Strike - Beginner (3/20), Sharp Blade (Passive) - Perfect (38/50), Spinning Arm Slash - Subtle (3/200), Space Storage - Beginner (14/20), Shadow Ball - Beginner (0/20)

Intermediate — Dual Shadow Kill - Beginner (6/40), Windbreak Blade - Beginner (4/40), Blade Qi Strike - Mastered (22/80), Dark Restraint - Beginner (0/40)

Two Dark-attribute skills, one offensive and one supportive.

Relatively speaking, Lin Shu preferred the support skill. Hei Ye currently had enough offensive methods, but his support capabilities were still somewhat lacking.

The confinement effect of Dark Restraint could better help Hei Ye secure victory.

After a few days, Hei Ye's level was almost at 20, a truly astonishing speed.

Looking at the remaining proficiency in his hand, there was still room for improvement.

He called out to Hei Ye, who was resting on the ground, beckoning him over.

Hei Ye shook his hand discontentedly, his two antennae swaying. Then, as if remembering something, he immediately showed a fawning gesture, rubbing his head against Lin Shu in an attempt to please him. The contrast in his demeanor was quite significant.

This was for his stat points, Hei Ye understood in his heart.

Lin Shu tapped his small head. This fellow always acted like this, not showing his true colors until there was something to gain.

After a moment of consideration, Lin Shu went all in, pouring all his remaining proficiency into Hei Ye.

Hei Ye's level rapidly increased, directly going from level 19 to lv21 (0/210).

He gained 2 levels, leaving only 25 points in the balance.

The proficiency required for subsequent advancements was also increasing. If he hadn't discovered a new way to gain proficiency, the speed of future level-ups wouldn't be as fast as it was now.

Very good, only four more levels until the minimum requirement for evolution.

Hei Ye closed his eyes, feeling the rapidly increasing energy within his body and the physical strengthening brought by the level-up.

His originally upright posture trembled slightly; it seemed the energy at level 20 was much greater than at level 10.

A few minutes later, he finally stabilized his body, and his aura slowly emanated, a faint sense of sharpness quietly emerging.

Hei Ye raised his hands high and jumped around Lin Shu, cheering, as happy as a forty-pound child.

Suddenly, Lin Shu felt streams of warmth appearing within his body, spreading through his limbs and bones.

A strange sensation emerged, causing Lin Shu to close his eyes and silently receive this energy.

Seeing this, Hei Ye became alert and quickly checked Lin Shu's condition. Only after confirming there were no problems did he relax.

What was this situation?

Lin Shu had the answer in his heart: this was the Beastmaster energy feedback.

When a Beast improves its level, it also feeds back a portion of energy to its Beastmaster.

Otherwise, with the fragile physique of a Beastmaster, any slight fluctuation during later Beast battles could lead to the Beastmaster's death.

Normally, this power would subtly manifest, but Lin Shu could feel it this time because of the significant increase.

After all, the power gained in this stage was much greater than before.

This was also why he hadn't felt this sensation last time.

However, this warm current came and went quickly, disappearing without a trace after a moment.

“Crackle, crackle, crackle.”

Lin Shu twisted his body, emitting sounds like shattering beans.

He felt an unprecedented sense of comfort filling his entire body, and the slight fatigue from the past few days also disappeared.

His whole body was filled with power, a feeling he had never experienced before.

But after a while, this feeling faded, and he returned to normal.

Today was Friday, and tomorrow was Saturday.

The Chu Niao Cup competition was about to begin, which was also why this Otherworld journey lasted four days.

In the teachers' eyes, this competition was quite important to Lin Shu.

“Beep beep!”

His phone, placed to the side, rang, indicating someone was looking for him.

He picked up his phone to check and found a message from Bai Sheng.

“Lin Shu, you're back, right?”

“Just arrived.”

“Okay, by the way, the competition is tomorrow. Why don't you come over tonight?”

“It'll save you from having to rush over tomorrow.”

Lin Shu thought this was a good idea; going early was better.

“Okay, I'll head over now.”

Saying that, he planned to pack up and leave.

“Good, then wait a moment. I've already sent someone to pick you up.”

“A white commercial van has been arranged, and you know the driver. It's the same employee who often picks you up.”

Bai Sheng had considered everything thoroughly, having clearly arranged these matters in advance.

“Alright, I'll wait for your message.”

Lin Shu didn't refuse, as it saved him trouble.

He took out his phone and explained the situation to Xu Lihuang and Gu Zhenbang. Both readily agreed, as they all knew about the competition tomorrow.

Shortly after, Lin Shu received a message from Bai Sheng, saying the car was already parked at the school gate.

Lin Shu then unhurriedly closed his door and walked towards the school gate.

As he stepped out of the school gate, he saw the person already waiting outside the car.

“Mr. Lin, please!”

He then opened the car door for Lin Shu and, after he got in, returned to the driver's seat.

The commercial van drove on the road, heading towards the Central District.

In just an hour and a half, they had already arrived at the entrance of White Cloud Dojo.

A staff member guided Lin Shu to VIP Room “001.”

Bai Sheng was already inside the room, waiting for Lin Shu.

“You're here, quickly sit down.”

“Okay.”

“How was your Otherworld experience these past few days?”

“Our school is also organizing a trip to Yan Province next week.”

With Bai Sheng's strength, he was, of course, a member of Central No. 1 High School's school team.

“It was quite good. If I could, I'd want to stay in there forever.”

Lin Shu said this from the bottom of his heart, as he could continuously grind proficiency inside.

“You're something else for saying that.”

“But the Trial Tower score you told me earlier was too exaggerated.”

“You're truly outrageous, reaching the eighth floor on your first try.”

“I reckon I'd only get to the fifth floor at best.”

Bai Sheng showed an exaggerated expression; Lin Shu's score had indeed shocked him when he first heard it.

Lin Shu waved his hand and said, “Keep it low-key, low-key.”

...