3: Skill sublimation, blazing aura!

Song Ming returned home.

To be precise, this was not his home.

For the past few years, he had been living with his uncle.

His parents' team had unfortunately all perished while entering a dungeon to level up and fight monsters.

Thus, Song Ming, who was not yet an adult, was taken in by his uncle.

Before he even opened the door, his aunt's somewhat sharp voice came from inside.

"Song Ming is graduating today; it's time for him to go out and make a living for himself. He can't keep relying on us and staying in our home!"

His uncle, Song Tao, hesitated before speaking, "Isn't it a bit too early? He's only just had his Awakening. If you kick him out now, where will he live?"

His aunt, Ding Li, sneered, "We've raised him for your brother for several years. Not letting him wander the streets is already showing enough kindness.

Now he's an adult, and he's had his professional Awakening.

He's capable of supporting himself!"

Song Tao still felt a pang of reluctance; after all, this was his brother's child.

Ding Li, however, had long seen through his thoughts and said,

"Our Xiaoyu will be in her third year of high school next year. After she changes her profession, will you need to buy her equipment? Even slightly good green equipment costs tens of thousands!

If we keep this burden around, and it delays our Xiaoyu's future, you'll see if she doesn't resent you, her father!"

Song Tao sighed at her words.

He ultimately said nothing more.

His wife was right.

Ultimately, one's own child is dearer.

Just then, the door opened, and a tall figure walked in from outside.

Seeing this, Song Tao's Face still held a hint of embarrassment.

He forced a smile and said, "Xiaoming, you're back!"

Song Ming nodded.

Just as he was about to return to his room, Song Tao called out to him, having deliberated for a long time but ultimately unable to say what he intended.

"Xiaoming, you… *cough cough*, you must be hungry, right? Shall I get you something to eat?"

Ding Li rolled her eyes at Song Tao's words.

Knowing her husband cared about his Face, such a matter could only come from her own mouth.

"Song Ming, you've graduated today, and it's time for you to go out and make your own way!

You're not unaware of our family's financial situation.

With just your uncle's meager salary, he certainly can't afford to send you to college!"

Song Ming looked at his uncle, whose eyes were somewhat evasive, and calmly nodded.

"Auntie, don't worry, I'll move out tomorrow!"

Ding Li's Face then broke into a kind smile.

"I knew Xiaoming, you're a sensible person. Oh, by the way, what profession did you Awaken?

Do you want your uncle to introduce you to a reliable guild?"

"No need!" Song Ming said, then returned to his room.

During the time he spent going home, his skill points had accumulated to over 1600 points.

He didn't need to think at all.

Just allocate the points and it's done!

[Consume 100 Skill Points]

[Fiery Aura (Yellow Rank 10-Star) → Fiery Aura (Profound Rank 1-Star)]

[Skill Rank has reached Profound Rank 1-Star. Further star upgrades will require 200 Skill Points.]

[Consume 200 Skill Points]

[Fiery Aura (Profound Rank 1-Star) → Fiery Aura (Profound Rank 2-Star)]

...

[Consume 400 Skill Points]

[Skill has sublimated]

[Fiery Aura (Profound Rank 4-Star) → Blazing Flame Aura (Profound Rank 5-Star)]

[Consume 500 Skill Points]

[Blazing Flame Aura (Profound Rank 5-Star) → Blazing Flame Aura (Profound Rank 6-Star)]

[Blazing Flame Aura (Profound Rank 6-Star): Area skill, deals a total of 12000 damage to enemies within a 60-meter diameter range over 4 seconds, with an additional 30% severe injury effect. Consumes 10 Mana, Cooldown 15s.]

With 1600 skill points invested, the initial Yellow Rank skill Fiery Aura sublimated into Blazing Flame Aura.

It transformed from an initial group damage ability to an area damage ability.

This gave his level one self a single skill with nearly ten thousand damage.

Song Ming was quite satisfied with this damage.

However, the current Blazing Flame Aura still had quite a few drawbacks.

One was that the skill duration was a full four seconds.

And he was only level one right now.

His defensive capabilities were practically nonexistent.

If a BOSS monster were to tank the skill damage and get close, he definitely wouldn't be able to defend himself.

Song Ming took out his phone and started searching for Aura Master profession skill books on the largest professional item trading platform in the country.

[Slow Aura: 20500]

[Might Aura: 40000]

...

[Defense Aura: 50000]

Song Ming glanced at the prices of all the skill books for Aura Masters.

Then he silently clicked 'x' and exited the trading platform.

A text message notification popped up in the frame above.

[XX Bank: Your bank card ending in 25xx was automatically debited 500 yuan for college entrance examination registration fees on June 1st. Current balance is 9033 yuan.]

"Hmm, I'll just keep adding points. Skill books can wait!" Song Ming smiled helplessly.

The money in his card was earned from working during winter and summer breaks.

As for pocket money, it was not for him.

After all, he was living with his uncle, and his uncle's family paid for his school tuition.

Song Ming naturally couldn't ask for more.

Fortunately, he could go to the beginner dungeon tomorrow to start grinding monsters and leveling up.

At that time, any dropped items or skill books he couldn't use could be directly traded on the platform.

Then he wouldn't have to worry about money.

The beginner dungeon in Yunhai City was only accessible to Professionals below Rank 10.

Compared to the wilderness, the danger was much lower.

But Song Ming still didn't let his guard down.

Low-Rank Professionals gain +3 to all attributes per level, plus 4 free attribute points.

If all 4 points were added to Physique, a Rank 10 Low-Rank Professional would have nearly 90 Physique points.

If one Physique point translates to one hundred health points, then a Rank 10 Low-Rank Professional would have nearly 9000 health points.

This doesn't even account for their equipment and defense.

Moreover, the attribute points for Intermediate and Advanced Professionals multiply accordingly.

As for professions above Rare Rank, Song Ming wasn't clear, but he imagined they would be even more terrifying.

Coupled with all sorts of powerful equipment, his Blazing Flame Aura skill's ten thousand damage was really a bit insufficient.

And it wasn't an instant kill, which also made him lose some sense of security.

What if the monsters in the dungeon were tough and thick-skinned?

What if they were spread out, and the skill couldn't cover them?

What if a stray monster managed to trade blows with him?

Song Ming always liked to plan for the most extreme scenarios.

Especially now, while he hadn't fully grown, he should be even more cautious.

The beginner dungeon didn't mean absolute safety.

Even the principal had repeatedly emphasized this.

He certainly wouldn't make such a mistake!

Song Ming glanced at the time; it was around 3 PM.

By 8 AM tomorrow, his skill points should reach around 60,000.

Tomorrow should be enough to sublimate the skill to Earth Rank.

At that point, the casting time should be greatly reduced, and the damage would be enough to instantly kill any monster in the dungeon.

Not to mention, after his Rank increases, his Spirit attribute will increase, and his damage will also multiply!

Hmm.

Set a small goal.

Tomorrow, strive to solo the Hell difficulty beginner dungeon quickly.

And maybe get first place again!