novelraw Chapter 148-1: Entering the Abyss, the Subterranean Skeletal Demon (1)
Chapter 148-1: Entering the Abyss, the Subterranean Skeletal Demon (1)
At the moment, Lin Xun was still possessing the Dancer shell.
The Dancer was perfect for these kinds of assassination-based zero-cost looting operations.
He opened his panel and directly selected the Hidden Blade.
[The Knowledge-Seeking Multivision Association Scholar urged you to quickly pay the fee. You reached into your pocket and handed over a sum of Spirit Essence…]
[Just as it was about to take the Spirit Essence, a sharp blade suddenly extended from under your wrist, slicing cleanly across its throat…]
[The Knowledge-Seeking Multivision Association Scholar clutched its throat with both hands, staring at you in disbelief as it slowly collapsed to the ground…]
[You have defeated the Knowledge-Seeking Multivision Association Scholar. Experience slightly increased!]
[You have obtained Scholar Badge (Item).]
[You have obtained Book Containing Illusion – Grand Scholar Rona’s Bathing Recording (Special Item).]
The Scholar Badge was the most basic badge, offering only a slight boost to the power of knowledge-related skills.It was identical to the badge he already had, and the effects of two Special Items couldn’t be stacked.
As for the Book Containing Illusion…
[You looked at the scholar’s shell before you…]
[Knowledge-Seeking Multivision Association Scholar: An elderly scholar who worked for the Multivision School Association. His primary job was to provide free access to the illusions for the Association’s scholars within the Knowledge Illusion Hall. He died from a clean and decisive throat-slitting attack. Compatibility: 116% (+45%).]
[Do you wish to possess this shell?]
Free access to the illusions?
Lin Xun raised an eyebrow.
Reviewing the previous game text again, he noticed that the Spirit Essence costs listed after the illusion books had vanished.
This old man wasn’t a trading NPC at all. He had simply taken advantage of Lin Xun being a newcomer Scholar, hoping to fleece him for some extra Spirit Essence.
Lin Xun immediately suspected that entry to the Ancient Book Archive was also supposed to be free.
It was just that both the gatekeeper and this now-deceased scholar had the same idea, trying to milk some easy profit out of him.
He discarded the Watcher shell and chose to possess.
[You have possessed the shell of the Knowledge-Seeking Multivision Association Scholar!]
He opened the panel to review its stats.
[Shell: Knowledge-Seeking Multivision Association Scholar]
[True Name: Unknown]
[Compatibility: 116% (+45%) – Compatibility exceeded critical threshold, shell quality upgraded!]
[Shell Quality: Fine-Grade]
[Shell Level: 37 (+12)]
[Shell Equipment: Spellcasting Ring (Fine-Grade Equipment) – A mysterious ring made of an unknown metal, engraved with faintly glowing characters. Wearing this equipment allows you to use it as a medium to cast spell-type skills.]
[Shell Equipment: Association Scholar Robe (Fine-Grade Equipment) – A finely tailored ceremonial robe made of special silk, embroidered with numerous eye symbols unique to the Multivision School. Wearing this equipment provides slight resistance to knowledge-type skills.]
[Shell Skill: Knowledge Barrier (Common+ Grade) – Utilizing a lifetime’s worth of learned knowledge, you condense tiny pure-white characters, forming a solid barrier from these characters. Activating this skill creates an extremely durable character barrier around you that blocks all incoming damage until shattered. This skill requires a brief chant to cast.]
[Shell Skill: Knowledge Radiance (Common+ Grade) – Utilizing a lifetime’s worth of learned knowledge, you condense tiny pure-white characters, then annihilate them in a burst of intense light. Activating this skill releases complex characters that explode in a blinding flash, dealing heavy damage to enemies. This skill requires a brief chant to cast.]
“Even though ordinary Scholars are basically spellcasters, these stats are still pretty weak.”
The Scholar had one other skill besides Knowledge Barrier, called Knowledge Radiance.
However, both skills were only at Common+ grade, practically the bottom of the barrel.
Lin Xun sighed, closed the panel, and continued playing.
The books on the counter could now be accessed for free.
He directly selected the illusion book he most wanted to enter: An Expedition Into the Abyss.
[You opened the book and focused intently on its text. In a daze, you felt the surroundings begin to shift…]
[You have entered the Residual Illusion of Knowledge…]
[Inside a dim cavern, everything appeared hazy, as though seen through faded, yellowed memories.]
[A Scholar dressed in a robe with golden trim surveyed the cave, the many eyes on his face glowing faintly…]
[The Knowledge-Seeking Multivision School Grand Scholar noticed your appearance. With an indifferent gaze, he ordered you to keep up. You, a mere assistant assigned to him by the Association, would only make his journey into the abyss smoother if you died.]
[You followed the Knowledge-Seeking Multivision School Grand Scholar deeper into the cave…]
[The cave branched out like an anthill. The dim surroundings made it hard to see the silhouette ahead, which was moving faster and faster.]
[You strained your eyes, trying to follow, but he showed no sign of slowing. His figure seemed to merge into the darkness, about to disappear completely…]
[You were falling farther and farther behind the Knowledge-Seeking Multivision School Grand Scholar. The illusion around you began to tremble, and the yellowed memory began to fade…]
[You felt yourself being rejected by this world, on the verge of being ejected from the Residual Illusion of Knowledge…]
The Scholar shell he was possessing couldn’t see clearly in the dark and was about to lose sight of the Grand Scholar.
The consequence of losing him would be being forcibly ejected from the illusion.
Lin Xun frowned and quickly opened the shell panel to switch shells.
[You have possessed the Corrupted Yellow-Robed Bishop of the White Moon Church shell!]
This shell had the Eyeball of the Subterranean Oculomass Demon transplanted into it, allowing him to see clearly in darkness.
[The cave before you was no longer dark but bright as day. You could even clearly see the fine moss growing along the rock walls.]
[The figure ahead became fully visible again. You strode forward and followed closely behind the Grand Scholar…]
[The Grand Scholar glanced back at you. Seeing your new form, which looked much more intellectual, he nodded in approval.]
[At a fork in the cave ahead, a hideous monster suddenly lunged at the Grand Scholar, swinging its sharp claws!]
[A flash of light sparkled from the ring on the Grand Scholar’s hand, and a solid Knowledge Barrier rose up, completely shielding him…]
[The monster’s claws struck the Knowledge Barrier but could not harm the Grand Scholar in the slightest.]
[The Grand Scholar looked at the monster and began chanting a spell…]
[Complex characters appeared in the air and then collapsed into nothingness, erupting into a blinding flash of light!]
[The monster instantly disintegrated under the intense light!]
[The Grand Scholar dismissed the Knowledge Barrier and continued deeper into the cave, with you following closely behind…]
“That spell the Grand Scholar just used seems like Knowledge Radiance.”
Judging from its power, the version of Knowledge Radiance the Grand Scholar cast was far superior to the one Lin Xun had just acquired.
This made Lin Xun start eyeing the Grand Scholar’s shell.