Fang Zhou handed the [Level 2 Nether Stone] to Lu Hu with a confused expression. "I just got this Desecration Core and was observing it for a long time. I'm not sure what happened, but my Spiritual Power clashed with the desecration aura inside, and it seems I purified it. After that, it felt like I was soaking in a hot spring. My whole body felt warm and cozy.

"Oh, right. It seems I also obtained a World Rune. Instructor, what's going on?"

"A World Rune?!" Seeing the inquisitive look in Fang Zhou's eyes, the three instructors exclaimed in unison.

Su Xinyan's face even twisted slightly, her envy palpable.

Fang Zhou nodded obediently.

HUFF. HUFF.

Su Xinyan's ample chest heaved for a long moment before she finally calmed her breathing.

She gritted her teeth and said, "A World Rune is a gift from the World Will to a very small number of lucky individuals. They have all sorts of effects. Some can enhance attributes, some can enhance skills, and some can even grant a Talent Ability. Fang Zhou, what kind of rune did you get?"

Fang Zhou answered honestly, "It's [Night Watcher I]. I have a feeling it can reduce the Spiritual Power consumption of my skills."

Lu Hu couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "That sounds like a very practical Skill Rune."

He shook his head and said in disbelief, "Since the Era of Myth, there has never been a precedent for an Apprentice-level Professional comprehending a World Rune. Fang Zhou, you've made history once again!"

Wang Tao also stepped forward and patted Fang Zhou on the shoulder, his eyes full of approval. "Fang Zhou, you must have successfully purified the Desecration Core. That's why you captured the World Will's Attention. It's truly incredible! I never would have thought that besides the Light Attribute's [Purification] skill, an Undead Mage could also purify a Desecration Core."

Lu Hu also snapped out of it and hurriedly asked, "Fang Zhou, can you recall the sensation from that moment? Can you deduce a skill to purify Desecration Cores?"

At these words, even Su Xinyan stared at Fang Zhou with an eager gaze.

For humanity, purifying a Desecration Core relied solely on the [Purification] skill of Light Attribute Professionals. However, Light Attribute Professionals were already very rare, and the [Purification] skill was incredibly difficult to learn. Therefore, not many people were capable of undertaking this formidable task.

If Fang Zhou could deduce another skill for purifying Desecration Cores, it would be a momentous occasion for all of human civilization.

However, Fang Zhou could only shake his head helplessly. "Sorry, Instructor. I don't know what happened either. I might need to experiment with a few more Desecration Cores before I can get a handle on it."

He knew his own situation best. Fang Zhou had relied entirely on a bit of help from his attribute panel and Soul Power to purify the Desecration Core. Perhaps he could deduce the corresponding skill in the future, but for now, he had no idea how to replicate it.

Su Xinyan sighed with regret but still offered some comfort. "That's normal. The Light Attribute's [Purification] skill was only developed after several years of experimentation. When you get another chance in the future, Fang Zhou, you should keep working at it. This is, at the very least, a direction to pursue."

Lu Hu nodded in agreement. "That's right. Fang Zhou, what you've accomplished has already far exceeded our expectations." He hefted the [Level 2 Nether Stone] in his hand and smiled. "Just in case, I'll take it back to the military academy for testing. I believe that if the headmaster learns that you can purify a Desecration Core, he'll definitely place more importance on the Undead Mage research group."

Fang Zhou nodded, feeling no reluctance. It was only a Level 2 Nether Stone. While rare on Blue Star, there had to be an abundance of them in the Undead Realm.

Su Xinyan, however, was not pleased. She looked at Lu Hu and said, "Strictly speaking, this gemstone is Fang Zhou's spoil of war and should belong to him. Lu Hu, once the military academy's tests confirm there are no issues, you must return it to Fang Zhou."

Lu Hu grinned and winked at Fang Zhou. "Of course! I'll also report your perfect performance against the Desecration Creation today and recommend you for a commendation. Rest assured, with me around, you'll get everything you've earned and more, never less!"

Su Xinyan turned to Fang Zhou again. "A World Rune not only signifies that you have gained the World Will's Attention but can also greatly enhance your combat power. After I get back, I'll gather some information on the World Will and World Runes for you. Once the Cave Hunting is over, come find me in my research lab."

Fang Zhou's eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly. With Su Xinyan's help, he was certain he could quickly master the power of the World Rune.

Wang Tao listened to the conversation, secretly dumbfounded. This kid, Fang Zhou, is on another level! Not only does he have two Golden Tier powerhouses, Lu Hu and Su Xinyan, watching his back, but he's already come into contact with high-level concepts like Desecration Creations and World Runes. A golden fish is no mere pond-dweller; once it meets the wind and clouds, it transforms into a dragon!

After carefully checking the Town Ruins to ensure no desecration aura remained, Su Xinyan nodded at Fang Zhou. Then, she, Lu Hu, and Wang Tao departed for the Cave Fortress aboard a Stone Golem.

Just before leaving, Wang Tao seemed to think of something and turned back. "Fang Zhou, you're going to explore the Thorn Jungle tomorrow, right? Be careful. There are a lot of Kobolds in the northwest section of the Thorn Jungle, so don't let them ambush you."

He deliberately emphasized the words "northwest section," then smiled and winked at Fang Zhou.

Northwest section? Kobolds? Could the Refining Stone vein I'm looking for be over there?

Fang Zhou immediately understood the implication and said solemnly, "Thank you, Instructor Wang! I'll be extra careful."

Watching the three instructors leave, Fang Zhou breathed a sigh of relief. After working for most of the night, the matter of the Desecration Torch was finally, and perfectly, resolved.

Fang Zhou looked at the town ruins, now utterly deserted save for himself, and shook his head. To be on the safe side, he decided to camp outside the ruins.

Fang Zhou wielded his Magic Staff, preparing to cast [Summon Skeleton], when he suddenly remembered the newly acquired [Night Watcher I] Rune. Since it could be unbound at any time, he focused his thoughts and attempted to bind the [Summon Skeleton] skill with the [Night Watcher I] Rune.

The attribute panel immediately sent a prompt, and the Skills Bar changed accordingly.

[Summon Skeleton · Night Watcher I] (Apprentice Level, Innate): Summons skeletons for combat. Their number, strength, and duration depend on the Spirit Attribute and Skill Proficiency. Enhanced by the World Rune, Spiritual Power consumption is slightly reduced.

Fang Zhou summoned a skeleton and quietly gauged the difference.

Before binding the [Night Watcher I] Rune, his current Spiritual Power allowed him to summon a maximum of 70 Middle-Rank Apprentice skeletons at once. But now, he could summon a total of 80 skeletons, a very significant increase.

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