14: Chapter 14 The Explorers' Association is looked down upon? I'll just turn around and buy a divine skill!

The morning sun was just right when Lin Feng walked out of the Fusion Workshop.

He glanced at the time; it was 9:30 AM.

"Time to head to the Explorer Association and check out the missions."

Although making money from the shop was great, he hadn't forgotten that he was still an Explorer.

According to Association regulations, a newcomer must accept their first mission within fifteen days of registration.

Otherwise, their qualifications would be frozen.

Lin Feng calculated that there weren't many days left.

"Time really flies..."

He rode his bike through the bustling market, heading toward the Explorer Association.

The Association building was located in the city center, a thirty-story black structure.

At the entrance stood a massive stone sword sculpture, with a line of words carved into the blade:

"To those who expand the frontiers for humanity—may you be immortal."

Lin Feng parked his bike and walked into the hall.

Just like his last visit, people were coming and going in the hall.

But the difference was that this time, he noticed many details.

Those Explorers with high-end equipment and powerful auras walked straight to the Advanced mission area.

Meanwhile, newcomers like him, wearing ordinary clothes with bronze badges pinned to their chests, mostly crowded in front of the low-level mission screens.

"This is hierarchy for you..." Lin Feng muttered to himself.

He walked over to the newcomer mission screen.

The screen was scrolling with dense mission information:

[Clear out the mutated rat swarm on the first floor of the Dungeon Instance, Rank 5+ required, Reward: 300 points]

[Collect Blue Silver Grass, 5 points per stalk, unlimited quantity]

[Escort a merchant caravan to Outpost No. 3, Rank 8+ required, team mission, reward negotiable]

Lin Feng browsed quickly.

Most missions either had high level requirements or rewards that were too low.

With his current strength, fighting Level 5 monsters shouldn't be a problem.

But those missions were either too far away or took too long.

"None of these are suitable for soloing..."

He flipped through a dozen pages.

Finally, he saw one that interested him.

[Investigate anomalies in the Abandoned Mine, Rank 5+ required, solo mission]

[Location: Edge area of the Dungeon Instance second floor]

[Reward: 500 points + mission item rewards]

[Warning: Multiple disappearances have occurred in the mine; it is recommended to go in a team]

"500 points, not bad." Lin Feng rubbed his chin. "And for an investigation-type mission, I don't have to fight head-on."

He decided to take this one.

But just as he was about to go register, his eyes caught a line of small print in the mission details.

[Note: The mine is suspected to connect to an unknown area; dark energy fluctuations have been detected recently. Accepting the mission requires passing a basic combat power test.]

"Combat power test?" Lin Feng frowned.

He walked to the service counter.

"Hello, I want to take the investigation mission for the Abandoned Mine."

The girl behind the counter looked up.

She looked to be in her early twenties, wearing exquisite makeup, and her name tag read 'Intern Receptionist - Liu Ruyan'.

Liu Ruyan glanced at Lin Feng's bronze badge and then at his face.

"Newcomer?" she asked coldly.

"Yes, registered for ten days."

"Rank?"

"Rank 4."

Liu Ruyan tapped a few times on the computer and pulled up Lin Feng's profile.

When she saw 'Talent: F-Rank Talent [Fusion]', her lips curled in disdain.

"This mission isn't suitable for you," she said bluntly.

"Why?" Lin Feng asked.

"The requirement is Rank 5+, but the actual difficulty is at least Rank 8," Liu Ruyan said without looking up. "And it requires a combat power test. As a newcomer with an F-Rank Talent, you won't pass."

Lin Feng's gaze turned cold.

"How will I know if I don't try?"

"Trying is just wasting everyone's time." Liu Ruyan finally looked up, her eyes filled with obvious impatience. "Can't you newcomers be more realistic? If you have an F-Rank Talent, just honestly go grind low-level instances. Why take on an investigation mission?"

Her voice wasn't loud, but several people nearby heard her.

They all looked over.

"Another F-Rank Talent newcomer?"

"Tsk, every year there are those who don't know the heights of the heavens."

"An F-Rank dares to take an investigation mission? Looking for death, I suppose."

The murmurs reached his ears.

Lin Feng clenched his fists.

But he quickly relaxed them.

There was no need to argue with someone like this.

"Are there any other missions suitable for me?" he asked calmly.

Liu Ruyan flipped through the screen: "Low-level collection missions, rewards 50 to 1,000 points. Want to take one?"

"No thanks."

Lin Feng turned and left.

Behind him came Liu Ruyan's mutter: "What's with the attitude? An F-Rank Talent being so picky..."

Walking out of the Association building, Lin Feng took a deep breath.

He looked up at the blue sky.

"Academies are universities, expansion teams are colleges, and Explorers are vocational schools..."

"So that's why I should be looked down upon?"

He smiled.

The smile was very cold.

"Just you wait."

"One day, I will let everyone know—"

"Even an F-Rank Talent can turn the world upside down!"

...

At the same time, at Donghai Academy, in the training ground lounge area.

Wang Hao, wearing a brand-new academy uniform, was sitting and drinking tea with three seniors.

These three were all second-year students, and their Ranks were all above Rank 15.

The leader was named Zhao Gang, a burly man with a B-Rank Talent [Rock Skin].

"Junior Wang Hao, we roughly understand what you've told us."

Zhao Gang took a sip of tea and said slowly.

"That classmate of yours, Lin Feng, has an F-Rank Talent and opened an equipment shop. Your two lackeys went to 'chat' with him and then went missing?"

"Exactly!" Wang Hao nodded hurriedly. "Brother Zhao, I suspect that kid Lin Feng used some underhanded tricks! Although Fatty and Skinny have average Talents, they're both Rank 1 and have instance experience. To deal with an F-Rank Talent..."

"Maybe your two lackeys just ran off somewhere to play," a tall, skinny senior interjected.

His name was Li Feng, and he had a C-Rank Talent [Wind Step], specializing in speed.

"No way!" Wang Hao shook his head. "They've been with me for years; they've never done this. And..."

He lowered his voice: "I heard that kid Lin Feng's parents were famous Explorers before they died. Maybe they left him some kind of treasure."

Zhao Gang's eyes narrowed.

"You mean... ?"

"Exactly!" Wang Hao took the opportunity to fan the flames. "Brother Zhao, think about it. How can a newcomer with an F-Rank Talent open an equipment shop? Where did he get the stock? Where did he get the capital?"

Li Feng and the other senior exchanged a glance.

"Interesting." Li Feng rubbed his chin. "Junior Wang Hao, you want us to..."

"Help me investigate that kid!" Wang Hao gritted his teeth. "If Fatty and Skinny were really harmed by him, I want him to pay the price!"

Zhao Gang set down his teacup.

"We can investigate. But Wang Hao, you must understand that the academy has its rules. We cannot openly move against a newcomer Explorer."

"I understand, I understand!" Wang Hao said quickly. "As long as you can 'look after' his shop and make it so he can't do business. As for the person..."

A ruthless look flashed in his eyes: "It would be best if you could 'invite' him over so I can ask him personally."

Zhao Gang smiled.

"That's simple. I know a few friends who 'collect management fees' in the market. I'll just have them go say hello."

"Thank you, Brother Zhao!" Wang Hao was overjoyed.

"Don't be so quick to thank me." Zhao Gang waved his hand. "Wang Hao, we are helping you because we see your potential. A B-Rank combat Talent combined with a compatible Physique—if you're trained well, you can reach at least Rank 4 or higher in the future."

He stared at Wang Hao: "But the premise is that you don't focus all your mind on these trivial matters. The academy's freshman competition is in three months. If you can make it into the top hundred, the resources you get will save you five years of hard work."

"I understand!" Wang Hao nodded heavily. "Don't worry, Brother Zhao, I won't neglect my Cultivation!"

"That's good."

Zhao Gang stood up.

"I'll arrange for that matter regarding Lin Feng. You focus on training these next few days and strive for a Breakthrough to Rank 1 as soon as possible."

"Yes!"

Wang Hao watched the three seniors leave.

Once they were far away, the respect on his face instantly vanished.

It was replaced by a cold, sinister smile.

"Lin Feng, oh Lin Feng..."

"You think you've made a comeback just because you opened a shop?"

"I'll let you know that in this world—"

"Talent is everything! I'll make you pay back the humiliation you brought me a hundredfold, ten thousandfold!"

...

Lin Feng had no idea that a storm was brewing against him.

At this moment, he was standing at the entrance of the skill bookstore.

He looked up at the sign.

"Federal Skill Library (Donghai Branch)"

Last time he came here, he bought six skill books and fused the Blasting Light Flame Technique.

Now, he needed more.

"The power of the Light Bullet Technique is too low; I need to replace it with a better basic skill."

"And defensive skills... I don't have a single one."

"My survival methods are too limited."

Lin Feng pushed the door and went in.

The shop was much busier than last time.

Many newly awakened newcomers were here picking out skill books.

"Boss, is the Fireball Technique still in stock?"

"I want a book on healing!"

"How much for the Ice Arrow Technique?"

Lin Feng walked straight to the light element skill area.

There were a few more books on the shelves.

Besides the previous Light Bullet Technique and Illumination Spell, there were two new ones.

[Skill Book: Blade of Light]

[Quality: Green Excellent]

[Effect: Condenses light elements to form a blade, dealing Spirit × 3 light-attribute slashing damage, consumes 2 mana points]

[Learning Requirement: light element affinity 4% or higher]

[Price: 800 points]

[Skill Book: Holy Light Shield]

[Quality: Green Excellent]

[Effect: Generates a light-attribute shield around yourself or a friendly unit, absorbing Spirit × 1 damage, lasts 30 seconds, consumes 40 mana points]

[Learning Requirement: light element affinity 5% or higher]

[Price: 1,200 points]

"Blade of Light... Holy Light Shield..."

Lin Feng's eyes lit up.

These two were exactly what he needed!

One for offense, one for defense.

Although they were only of Green quality, they could be improved through Fusion.

He picked up the two books without hesitation.

Then he browsed through other areas.

Fire, water, earth...

He mainly looked for skills with low consumption and special effects.

[Skill Book: Flame Impact]

[Quality: White Common]

[Effect: Sprays flames in a fan-shaped area ahead, dealing Spirit × 1.5 fire-attribute damage, consumes 15 mana points]

[Learning Requirement: Fire element affinity 2% or higher]

[Price: 300 points]

[Skill Book: Water Therapy Art]

[Quality: White Common]

[Effect: Condenses water elements to heal a target, restoring Spirit × 2 health points, consumes 2 mana points]

[Learning Requirement: Water element affinity 2.5% or higher]

[Price: 400 points]

Lin Feng took one of each.

Finally, he found a strange book on a shelf in the corner.

[Skill Book: Elemental Sense]

[Quality: Blue Superior]

[Effect: Passive skill, improves perception of all elements, overall element affinity +3%]

[Learning Requirement: Any element affinity 6% or higher]

[Price: 3,000 points]

"A bonus to all element affinities?" Lin Feng was tempted.

Although it was expensive, this skill might be useful for his subsequent Fusion of skill books with different attributes.

"Bought!"

He picked up five books in one go:

Blade of Light (Green), Holy Light Shield (Green), Flame Impact (White), Water Therapy Art (White), and Elemental Sense (Blue).

Total price: 800 + 1,200 + 300 + 400 + 3,000 = 5,700 points.

"Spending money like water..."

Lin Feng felt the sting as he scanned the code to pay.

His account balance dropped from over 300,000 to 250,000.

But at the thought of the effects after fusing these skill books, he got excited again.

"Blade of Light + Flame Impact—could they fuse into a dual-attribute strike of light and fire?"

"Holy Light Shield + Water Therapy Art—could I make a healing shield?"

"And Elemental Sense... if it fuses with my Elemental Perception..."

The more Lin Feng thought about it, the more he looked forward to it.

He walked out of the bookstore carrying the bag.

The sun shone on his face, feeling warm.

"Go home first."

"Tonight, I'll see what kind of monsters these new skills can fuse into."

He got on his bike and rode toward his apartment.

A smile played on his lips.

He was completely unaware that several ill-intentioned people had already set their sights on his shop.

He was even less aware that Wang Hao was in the academy, waiting to see him become a laughingstock.

But even if he knew, Lin Feng wouldn't care.

His mind was now full of one thing—

Becoming stronger.

Using Talent, using wisdom, using every means possible.

Then, he would make everyone who looked down on him shut up.

In the youth's eyes, light flickered.

It was the light belonging to the Glory Corona.

It was also the light... of a counter-attacker.