Chapter 383, Special Effects of Tier Four
The sudden level-up caught Wu Heng by surprise.
It was faster than he had anticipated; he had reached level 15 just like that.
He glanced at the battlefield ahead.
More zombies were still rushing out from both sides of the residential complexes.
But their numbers were dwindling.
"Advance, kill all the zombies!" Wu Heng ordered.
The skeletal army that had been on standby immediately moved, wielding spears as they charged at the oncoming horde.
In no time, the sounds of weapons slashing through flesh and the growls of zombies filled the air again.
Wu Heng issued a few more commands.
He directed the mutated skeletons by his side to also attack the horde.
Seeing the horde being cut down in waves, Wu Heng took the opportunity to open his panel and check his attributes.
[Name: Wu Heng]
[Level: 15 (423/195000)]
[Attributes: Strength 40, Agility 30, Constitution 44, Intelligence 39, Perception 25, Charisma 28.]
[Feats: ... One-Handed Sword Specialization (Intermediate), Swordsmanship Specialization (Intermediate), Staff Specialization (Intermediate) ..., Arcane Training, Soul Knowledge, ... Undead Adaptation, Spellcasting Acceleration, Forced Focus, Master Caster, Unfatigued Focus.]
[Abilities: Gray Eagle Swordsmanship (Beginner), Enhanced Willpower, Soul Sense, Spellcasting Acceleration, Breath of the Dead, Divine Descent.]
[Skills: Raise Skeleton, ... Bone Armament, Corpse Cage, Bone Transplantation, Death Aura, Animate Object.]
The experience required to level up from 15 to 16 had reached 195,000.
It was 30,000 more than before.
But it was still reasonable since it had always increased in this way.
Regarding the attribute points, this level-up directly added four points: two to Intelligence, and one each to Constitution and Perception.
Previously, each level-up had only increased two attribute points.
He wasn't sure if this was unique to level 15 or if future levels would also grant four points.
As for the unlocked feats and abilities.
There were more than what Sheila had described as the unique changes.
He had gained four in total.
Wu Heng began to examine each of them.
[Master Caster]: Wield supreme casting abilities. Your spell power, casting speed, and duration are elevated to a master level.
[Unfatigued Focus]: In a focused state, your mind and energy will not tire.
[Breath of the Dead]: Absorb the power of the undead and spirits to quickly restore your own injuries and mental energy.
[Divine Descent]: Descend into the body of a subordinate servant, gaining control over it.
Four in total.
[Master Caster] was an enhancement for the mage profession, increasing spell strength and casting speed to a master level.
This alone distinguished him from ordinary professionals.
All of his magical abilities had now reached a master level.
[Unfatigued Focus] meant that while in a focused state, his mind and energy wouldn't grow weary, which corresponded to the mental exhaustion from studying spells.
Like Master Caster, it enhanced his mage skills.
Next was [Breath of the Dead], which allowed him to absorb the power of the undead and spirits to restore his injuries and mental energy.
This feat seemed to be the reason.
Wu Heng could now feel the surrounding undead energy, ready for him to absorb if he wished.
On the battlefield, this could be used to heal himself.
Even in normal times, it could restore his mental energy.
At least he could save money on potions.
The last one, [Divine Descent], was an unlocked ability.
Based on the description, the effect of Divine Descent was to descend into a subordinate servant's body, taking control of it.
He didn't quite understand what it meant.
He looked at the combat area ahead.
With a thought, he activated [Divine Descent].
The next second, his consciousness was inside the body of a spear-wielding skeleton on the battlefield.
In front of him was a zombie, its chest pierced, clawing at him.
He was startled, but quickly understood.
He kicked the lunging zombie back a few steps, pulled out the spear, and thrust it back into the zombie's mouth.
At the same time, he marveled at the effect of [Divine Descent].
He could use it in this way.
Observing the scene again.
The skeleton's perception differed from that of living beings; it didn't see images and colors the same way.
Everything around was in shades of gray, while zombies and other skeletons appeared as similarly shaped energy forms.
The battle continued.
Wu Heng ended the [Divine Descent] state, returning control to his own body.
"What did you just do?" Glenda flew down and asked.
Wu Heng asked back, "Was there a problem?"
"It seemed like your consciousness disappeared. Xiaoxiao and I came over, and your body was just standing there blankly," Glenda said.
Which meant that while in Divine Descent, his body would remain without consciousness.
Xiaoxiao circled around him and added, "Uncle, you seem different. There's a comforting aura around you."
"Yes, the undead aura around you makes us feel comfortable," Glenda added.
Necromancers naturally emitted undead energy.
After reaching level 15, this aura had become even more intense.
"I've reached level 15, becoming an Archmage. That might be why you feel the undead aura more strongly," Wu Heng explained.
Xiaoxiao didn't understand much but clapped enthusiastically, "Wow, amazing! What's an Archmage?"
"It means I've leveled up and gotten stronger," Wu Heng explained.
"Oh, oh, Uncle is amazing," Xiaoxiao repeated.
"You played a part too."
Glenda's expression was full of surprise.
She understood very well what level 15 represented.
When Wu Heng brought her out, he wasn't even level 10, yet now he had quickly reached level 15.
Had she followed a human genius?
This was even more surprising than Wu Heng owning a unique world.
Hearing the one human and one spirit praise each other.
Glenda asked again, "Was your consciousness disappearing related to this?"
"Yes, it's an ability at level 15."
"Use it again."
Wu Heng used it again, and instantly found himself in a nearby Big-Head Skeleton.
He looked back at his body and saw Glenda directly enter it.
She moved his hands and feet around.
Damn, she possessed me.
Wu Heng ended [Divine Descent] immediately, regaining control of his body. Glenda floated out again.
"When you leave your body, I can control it."
"Uh, so it works like that." Wu Heng asked, "How did it feel to have a body again?"
"It felt strange having a body suddenly. A bit uncomfortable."
"If there's ever a dangerous situation, you two can take over my body to escape."
"Got it!"
They stood there chatting for a while.
The battle ahead was also nearing its end.
The skeletons began to clean up the battlefield, while Qi Hancai and others came over.
They started searching the nearby shops.
...
Wu Heng turned his attention to the bodies of a few evolved zombies.
He activated [Battlefield of the Dead], the gray-white halo almost covering a 20-meter radius.
It was wider than before, and the skeletons no longer needed to gather the bodies.
After the halo passed, the bodies of the evolved zombies stood up.
Wu Heng found two corpse cores among them.
He stored them in his spatial ring and began moving along, continuously activating [Battlefield of the Dead], raising skeletons one by one.
They joined the ranks behind.
As Wu Heng kept using the ability, the death energy around continued to restore his mental power.
This allowed him to keep using spells frequently.
Once all the skeletons were raised.
Qi Hancai and the others returned.
Several survivors behind them were carrying bicycles out of a bike shop.
It seemed like it was a branded shop, with all sorts of cycling gear.
"There aren't many zombies nearby. Tomorrow I'll have people come over for a thorough search," Qi Hancai said.
As she spoke, she looked Wu Heng up and down.
Something seemed different about him.
"Alright, let's head back," Wu Heng nodded.
They got in the truck, and after the others loaded up the bicycles.
The convoy restarted, heading back to the mall.
...
The Mall, Manager's Office.
Qi Hancai delivered a backpack full of gold and 19 first-tier corpse cores.
After Wu Heng stored them, he handed her two potions, saying, "Drink these yourself, and don't tell anyone."
Seeing the potions given to her again.
Qi Hancai's face lit up, "Understood."
Wu Heng said, "Keep an eye on the military side of things. Let me know if there are any movements."
"Okay, if there's nothing else, I'll head back."
"Mm."
Qi Hancai left the room.
After storing his items and tidying up a bit, Wu Heng opened the portal and returned to Golden-Silver Island.
...
Coming out of the study.
He took the corpse cores to the alchemy room.
He asked Minnie to prepare bathwater, and after a comfortable bath.
Andviel returned from outside.
Wu Heng said, "No need to prepare dinner; let's go eat at Shanaila's."
"Master misses Sister Shanaila again!" Minnie said playfully.
Wu Heng lightly patted her on the back, "Don't say nonsense!"
"Hehe!"
After the two maids changed into new clothes, Wu Heng took them next door.
...
Knock, knock, knock!
He gently knocked on the courtyard door, and the housekeeper opened it.
"Deputy Steward Wu Heng, ladies," the housekeeper greeted.
"Is Lady Shanaila in? We're here to see her."
"Please wait a moment."
After a while, the housekeeper opened the door and said softly, "Please come in. The lady is waiting for you in the living room."
They crossed the courtyard and entered the building.
There, Shanaila, dressed in an elegant gown, was sitting on the sofa having tea. When she saw them, her face lit up with a bright smile, "You're here!"
"Mm, has the Starflower Caravan come by recently?" Wu Heng asked casually as he sat beside her.
Shanaila shook her head, "Not so soon. They'll be near the port in a few days."
"Oh, let me know when they arrive."
"Okay!" Shanaila continued, "I heard that pirates have been harassing the routes again. Is the guild doing anything about it?"
"The steward is dealing with it. I think there will be some arrangements." He spoke while admiring her beautiful face.
Shanaila's face flushed slightly, and she rolled her eyes at him, changing the topic, "Dinner is about ready, let's head to the dining room!"
They got up and walked toward the dining room.
Shanaila said as they walked, "I have some rare ingredients here, you should definitely try them."
"Yay! I knew coming to Sister Shanaila's was the right choice," Minnie cheered.
They sat at the dining table, and after the food was served.
They began eating.
Wu Heng asked, "How do you usually verify someone's level?"
Shanaila glanced at him and explained, "Most of the time, it's deduced based on combat ability and information. Your guild's bounty system uses this method.
There's also a magical item called Level Detection, a type of divination spell. It's used by some organizations for recruiting, to verify someone's level."
Individual levels were private information.
In dangerous situations, one's level could determine whether they could win a fight.
The guild wouldn't record specific levels in files.
But everyone could estimate; a steward would be at least level 12, a deputy steward at least above level 10.
Shanaila smiled at him, "Why, have you leveled up?"
"Just asking."
They continued eating and chatting happily.
After dinner, Wu Heng took his leave with the two girls.
...
As night fell.
The two maids went to their rooms to rest.
Wu Heng walked out into the courtyard, folded a paper crane, and sent it into Shanaila's lit room.
Shanaila, her hair loose, peeked out from the window.
Wu Heng pointed to the roof, and she nodded.
He climbed up to the rooftop.
Shanaila hopped over and lightly hit him, "We just parted, why are you looking for me again?"
Wu Heng took her hand and asked, "Did you mean what you said?"
"Huh? Why wouldn't I?" Shanaila asked, slightly puzzled.
Wu Heng whispered, "I'm level 15 now!"
Shanaila frowned.
Her eyes gradually widened.