Global Necromantic Specialist

According to Ning Yiyi, the other participant originally set to take part in this trial was Ling Zhen's younger brother.

However, due to Baishen's intervention, Ling Zhen's brother was replaced by Marsh. This naturally made Ling Zhen furious, and his disgust was evident when he saw Marsh.

Ning Yiyi didn't know the exact details of the trial, but she was well aware of its importance. The trial had specific level requirements—one's level couldn't be too high, nor could it be too low.

Everything would be revealed tomorrow.

Marsh, however, didn't take Ling Zhen seriously.

To him, Ling Zhen was nothing more than a clown, someone utterly insignificant.

His confidence wasn't arrogance—it was backed by his strength. He was certain that no professional under level 30 could rival him.

The small dormitory was brightly lit, casting a soft glow over the room.

A Primary Skill Scroll was activated.

A glowing sphere enveloped Marsh, its radiance pulsating gently.

Minutes passed before the light gradually faded away.

Marsh let out a soft sigh.

No new skill had been acquired.

Skill scrolls didn't guarantee the awakening of a new ability. In some cases, even if a skill was awakened, it could be an enhancement of an existing skill rather than an entirely new one.

With more skills already mastered, the chance of awakening something new had significantly decreased.

This was normal.

The more powerful a professional became, the more difficult it was to unlock fresh abilities.

A Primary Skill Scroll cost 100,000 gold coins—not exactly expensive. Even if he used 100 of them, it would only amount to 10 million.

However, the same couldn't be said for Mid-Level Skill Scrolls. Those were exponentially costlier, and using them in large quantities would be a massive drain on his funds.

Marsh had two Primary Skill Scrolls in his possession. Since the first attempt had failed, he decided to use the second one.

Once again, the glowing sphere enveloped him.

This time, he felt his body heating up, and an unusual energy began to surge within him.

He had experienced this sensation before.

A small smirk appeared on his face.

A new skill.

This skill scroll wasn't wasted after all.

> [New Skill Acquired: Slow Curse]

> [Slow Curse (Level 1): Casts a curse on enemies within 5 meters, reducing their speed by 5% for 1 minute.]

Marsh's talent amplification ability immediately enhanced the skill.

The curse range expanded from 5 meters to 100 meters—a staggering 20 times increase.

Likewise, the slow effect multiplied by 20 times, meaning the target's movement speed and attack speed would be cut in half.

Moreover, the curse would last for 20 minutes instead of just one.

This was a divine skill—another incredible addition to his arsenal.

Marsh studied the Slow Curse carefully.

"My skills are now divided into three categories—Summoning, Attack, and Curse," he mused.

"I wonder if other branches will emerge in the future."

Curse-based skills were incredibly useful. They didn't just weaken enemies—they indirectly boosted his own power by making battles safer and more controlled.

Regardless of which path he specialized in, his strength continued to rise.

Satisfied with his new ability, Marsh summoned four Skeleton Warriors, draining a portion of his mental energy in the process.

He then uncorked a bottle of Primary Spiritual Potion and drank it in one gulp.

The potion's effect took hold instantly, replenishing 100 points of mental energy within 10 minutes.

With his total mental energy exceeding 1000 points, this potion accounted for only one-tenth of his reserves.

If he relied solely on potions, he would need 10 hours to fully recover.

Marsh did a quick calculation.

Even if he combined meditation and potions, the overall recovery speed wouldn't improve significantly.

Interrupting meditation just to drink a potion was inefficient and disruptive.

Not to mention, it was a hassle.

Ultimately, it was better to rely on pure meditation for restoration.

Just as he was about to re-enter a meditative state, a cheerful tune echoed from his communicator.

The ringtone was unmistakable—Ning Yiyi had set it herself.

Marsh had only one contact saved on his device: Ning Yiyi.

As soon as he answered, her playful voice came through.

"Get up already! The sun's practically cooking your a**!"

Marsh chuckled softly.

"I'm downstairs," she added. "Come down and have breakfast with me. We're leaving after we eat."

"Alright," Marsh replied.

---

Ning Yiyi had bought a large amount of food.

"I don't know how long this trial will take," she explained. "Better to be overprepared than starve like last time."

She pouted. "Seriously, if it weren't for your sweet potatoes, I would've died of hunger."

Marsh found her antics amusing.

She refused to eat buns, yet she loved sweet potatoes—a contradiction that made him shake his head with a small smile.

Silently, Marsh followed behind and paid for everything.

A month's worth of food for the two of them cost 10,000 gold coins.

Thankfully, their storage space was large enough to accommodate it all.

Life at Xia Jing Academy was ridiculously expensive—money disappeared like water slipping through fingers.

In comparison, 10,000 gold coins in his hometown, Xihai City, would have been enough to live comfortably for years.

---

At the designated meeting spot, the Qianlong Academy team was already waiting.

Jiang Taotao and the others stood in a small group.

But they weren't the only ones—several other teams from the academy had also formed.

Ning Yiyi pulled Marsh along, heading toward Jiang Taotao's group.

Jiang Taotao checked the time and spoke seriously, "After the teleportation, don't wander off."

It was clear she had experience—this wasn't her first trial.

Ling Zhen sneered at Marsh in disgust. "Don't hold us back, kid."

Before Marsh could respond, Ning Yiyi shot back coldly, "Just make sure you don't hold us back."

Jiang Taotao sighed. This was already giving her a headache.

"I don't care what grudges you all have," she said firmly. "Settle them after the trial."

"This is an important mission—focus on working together."

"Now, introduce your occupations."

As the team leader, she needed some level of cooperation, even if it was just for show.

If there was no unity, they might as well forfeit the trial now.

One by one, the team members spoke.

"Duan Gao, level 20, Prophet."

"Miao Yu, level 20, Elf Elder."

The Prophet and Elf Elder were rare support professions.

Prophets could enhance a team's stats, and with the right abilities, their buffs could double the entire squad's combat power.

Elf Elders, on the other hand, were primarily healers, capable of restoring health and controlling monsters with ease.

Under Jiang Taotao's stern gaze, Ling Zhen muttered, "Ling Zhen, level 21, Warlock."

Warlocks were also magic-based like Elemental Mages, but their abilities had both overlaps and differences.

"Ning Yiyi, level 19, Shadow Assassin."

"Marsh, level 17, Necromancer."

"Jiang Taotao, level 23, Elf Knight."

Jiang Taotao glanced at everyone.

"I'll say this one last time," she warned. "This trial requires teamwork."

"If anyone slows us down, don't blame me for being harsh."

Even Ling Zhen fell silent.

Ning Yiyi grinned. "Don't worry, Sister Taozi, we won't cause any trouble."

At that moment, a massive teleportation array appeared in the air.

A voice echoed through the academy:

"Qianlong Academy, teleportation trial—BEGIN!"

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