Chapter 9: Master-Level Dungeon, Goblin Nest!

After quite some time, Zhang Yi finally came back to his senses.

“You say you want to go to the border? Are you aware that the monsters over there are far more dangerous than those in the dungeons...” He stopped mid-sentence and quickly changed his mind.

“Alright, I approve. I’ll issue you a permit to leave the city immediately.”

Though the border was dangerous, it was only relative. As long as one didn’t venture too deeply, the monsters encountered wouldn’t be stronger than that Bloodthirsty Forest Wolf.

But still...

How on earth did this kid manage to kill that creature?

Zhang Yi couldn’t make sense of it.

Could it be...

His gaze shifted to Li Yang, who was also in a daze.

Could the Silver Wolf Guild have secretly granted Li Yao some high-level skill?

No, impossible.

Zhang Yi shook his head in secret.

To achieve such a feat, it would require at least an S-rank skill.

Even if the Silver Wolf Guild sold everything they owned, they couldn’t afford that.

Zhang Yi was puzzled but decided not to dwell on it.

Ye Tao and Guang Haobo, both support class, had been teleported out after encountering the Bloodthirsty Forest Wolf.

Their team must have some knowledge of what happened.

If external assistance was involved, that would be understandable.

Zhang Yi wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

After all, he had submitted the “Application to Cancel Li Yao’s A-Level Subsidy.”

If this was purely due to his own strength...

Then it would be over for him!

After receiving the permit, Li Yao got into the car driven by Li Yang and left the place.

Naturally, along the way, Li Yang grilled him incessantly.

Li Yao had to resort to an excuse he had prepared long ago.

Awakening of talent.

Every professional has a chance to awaken a talent upon changing class.

The odds were about as slim as winning a small lottery prize.

Saying it was one in ten million would not be an exaggeration!

Even if a talent awakened, it might not necessarily align with one’s profession.

For example, a warrior might awaken elemental affinity, or a support class might awaken berserk strength.

Hence,

When Li Yao said he had awakened a talent that could, through some means, strengthen summoned creatures,

Even Li Yang, who was no stranger to hardships, couldn’t help but howl to the heavens, thanking the gods and ancestors.

After this burst of emotion, Li Yang pondered for a moment, then said seriously:

“About your talent, you can tell others you awakened it, but it’s best not to reveal any detailed information.”

“A summoner awakening a talent to enhance summons...”

“It’s fine to show some aptitude, but if you’re too strong compared to others, it’ll attract envy...”

“We humans are not a united front.”

“You’re still too weak now and will inevitably be suppressed by those with ill intentions. As your father, I might be able to protect you here in Jiangzhou, but outside, I’m just a nobody.”

Li Yao nodded thoughtfully.

Li Yang’s meaning was clear, and it matched his own thoughts.

That was why he only mentioned the “weaponized” talent.

Any of the great talents from the Cloudtop Strategist would be an unprecedented boost for a summoner.

And whether anyone could awaken more than one talent was still unknown to Li Yao.

Naturally, he wouldn’t reveal his trump cards easily.

Half an hour later,

Li Yang dropped Li Yao off south of Jiangzhou, gave some final instructions, and drove away.

The towering city walls stood here, separating human habitation from the monster realm.

Beyond the walls lay another world.

Compared to the monsters in beginner dungeons, those here were much stronger.

Likewise, farming monsters here yielded more experience and various monster materials.

With some luck, certain monsters would even drop weapons and equipment.

These could be used personally or sold for resources.

The streets flanking the city gate were lined with many shops.

Weapon shops, armor shops, accessory stores, daily goods, potion shops—everything one could need.

The most famous were the Adventurers’ Guild and the StarNet Trading Post.

Both were established by the Dragon Kingdom government and spread across cities nationwide.

The former issued quests; the latter was the biggest trading platform.

Li Yao’s “Void Mantis: Summon” was purchased through StarNet.

It was Li Yao’s first time seeing StarNet in person.

He couldn’t help but be impressed by this highly technological building.

Its exterior lines were sleek and sharp.

Made entirely of high-hardness alloy, it shimmered with a faint blue glow in the sunlight, flowing with the changing angles.

It was said this material could withstand the strongest blow from a level 40 monster.

If the city walls fell, this would be the last refuge.

Li Yao found an empty spot and placed his hand on the device.

To enter the border, passing through StarNet Trading Post and the Adventurers’ Guild was unavoidable.

[Begin identity verification.]

[Verification successful. Dragon Kingdom professional Li Yao.]

[StarNet access granted.]

[Permission level: One.]

StarNet was only open to Dragon Kingdom professionals.

Li Yao had access rights, though his level was low, limiting his purchasing power.

If he could enter one of the four great military academies, his permission would immediately rise to level three.

This was why the four great academies were so appealing.

It was essentially a root-level change in social class.

Above level three, promotions required special contributions to the Dragon Kingdom.

But that was a matter for the future, unrelated to him for now.

Li Yao glanced casually at the displayed items in the trading post.

Equipment, materials, skills, even unopened treasure chests.

But each was pricey.

With his current funds, he couldn’t even afford the cheapest black iron gear.

Bronze or silver grades were completely out of reach.

Li Yao’s purpose here was to note the value of some low-level materials and get a sense of the market prices.

After jotting down the values of materials dropped by monsters below level 20, Li Yao left StarNet and headed to the Adventurers’ Guild.

Monsters at the Jiangzhou border ranged from level 5 to 20, considered an E-level danger zone.

There weren’t many related quests, mostly repetitive material collection tasks.

[Large purchase of porcupine quills, unit price 400.]

[Large purchase of crescent teeth, unit price 750.]

[Large purchase of large beast bones, price negotiable.]

Most life-profession individuals needed大量 materials to improve skill proficiency.

They would then process and list useful crafted items on StarNet for profit.

Thus, a cycle was formed, and life professions had good development prospects.

“Hm? This quest seems interesting.”

[Slay the level 12 Goblin Nest dungeon and obtain the dungeon boss drop, Goblin General’s Heart.]

[Note: The Goblin General only appears in master-level or higher difficulty dungeons.]

The reward was 14 million Dragon Coins.

At this price, the quest had yet to be completed, indicating its difficulty.

The Goblin Nest was a fairly famous dungeon in Jiangzhou, and Li Yao had heard of it.

Level 12 dungeon, with a minimum entry level of 7 and maximum of 17.

Professionals aiming for higher academies would eventually farm this dungeon.

Li Yao couldn’t enter now, nor did he plan to.

Dungeon difficulties were divided into Normal, Hard, Master, Nightmare, and Hell.

How difficult Master level was, Li Yao did not know.

But he recalled that the Silver Wolf Guild, founded by his father, rose to fame in Jiangzhou by conquering a Master-level dungeon.

So it must not be easy.

Even if Li Yao wanted to go, he would wait until reaching level 10, unlocking the second summon slot, and having two summons before attempting the hunt.

As for difficulties above Master,

Since the Goblin Nest’s opening, no one had ever cleared it.

...