Undead Mage: I Have a Skeleton Clone-Chapter 556 - 392: Skill Enhancement, Auction House Shopping Spree!
Fang Zhou wanted to test the practical effects of the Corpse Explosion Skill and Rotting Aura. Coincidentally, the Skill Training Ground had recently been stocked with a large batch of live Demon targets, allowing him to cast spells freely and familiarize himself with his skill rotation.
...
Facing a group of defenseless goblins, Fang Zhou waved the Undead Magic Ball in his hand and cast Rotting Aura. A pale green aura quickly enveloped the entire training ground. The foul, corrosive air within the aura spread out, instantly affecting all the goblins in the area.
The goblins’ movements clearly became sluggish, their Defense Power dropped significantly, and they let out occasional pained shrieks, obviously affected by the Rotting Aura.
Fang Zhou nodded in satisfaction. He then casually launched a Skeleton Heart-Piercing Flying Spear, killing one goblin, and immediately cast the Corpse Explosion Skill.
With a dull boom, the goblin’s corpse instantly exploded, transforming into a cloud of green Corrosive Poison mist that spread outwards. The surrounding Demon targets were all caught in the cloud, collapsing in agony as they took continuous Corrosive Poison Damage.
Fang Zhou observed the targets’ reactions, mentally assessing the actual effects of his two new Skills. The Rotting Aura not only successfully weakened the enemies’ defenses but also made them more susceptible to damage from other Corrosive Poison skills. The Corpse Explosion Skill, meanwhile, demonstrated its powerful area-of-effect damage, its effect multiplied exponentially with the aid of Rotting Aura.
To better master the casting rhythm and effects of these two Skills, Fang Zhou began to practice repeatedly in the training ground. He would first cast Rotting Aura to observe the decline in the Demon targets’ Defense Power and the triggering of the Negative State, then he would cast Corpse Explosion Skill to test its lethal efficacy in different situations.
After numerous drills, Fang Zhou gradually familiarized himself with the use and optimal combinations of these two Skills. He started to integrate them with his existing abilities to form a complete combat rotation. For example, he would first use Horror Aura to weaken the enemy’s willpower, then use Rotting Aura to further lower their defenses, and finally use Corpse Explosion Skill to inflict devastating area damage. This combination proved astonishingly powerful in practice, allowing Fang Zhou to deal with groups of enemies with much greater ease.
...
Before he knew it, the sun had set, and a crescent moon climbed high into the sky. At night, moonlight poured down like water, but it was washed out by the brilliant lights of countless shops. Under the cover of darkness, the entire trade district appeared even more prosperous and lively.
The shops were bustling with crowds, and business was still booming. Following the instructions on the identity token given to him by his Senior Brother Li Buyun, Fang Zhou arrived at the massive shop hosting the night’s auction.
It was a magnificent building. Its exterior walls were decorated with exquisite reliefs and Magic Runes, while the interior was spacious, bright, and lavishly decorated. A sparkling crystal chandelier hung from the high ceiling, illuminating the entire hall as if it were daytime. Inside and outside the venue, the air buzzed with the din of an excited crowd. The vast hall was already packed, with not a single empty seat to be found. The private boxes on the upper levels had long since been claimed.
Given Fang Zhou’s status and terrifying potential, he naturally had his own exclusive box. He stepped inside, opened the window a crack, and stood to the side, taking in the feverish atmosphere of the hall below.
The auction had not yet begun, and hundreds of students in the hall were talking amongst themselves, creating a noisy clamor. Some were quietly discussing the precious items about to be auctioned. Others were excitedly talking about the resources they had brought. Still others were exchanging information, looking for opportunities to cooperate. The auction staff bustled through the crowd, ensuring all preparations were in order.
This auction is a true gathering of elites, Fang Zhou mused. There are renowned senior students and the next wave of rising stars. I wonder how many of these people will become my comrades?
He gazed at the bustling crowd in the hall, a surge of excitement rising within him. Among these students were quite a few who had already distinguished themselves at the academy. Their names were well-known, and they were the object of envy for many new students. But even more numerous were rising stars like Fang Zhou himself—those who were just beginning to make their mark but possessed limitless potential.
"Thank you all for waiting. The auction will now officially begin!"
Standing at the center of the auction stage was a young and beautiful female student. She was dressed in an exquisite Mage Robe, the very picture of grace and elegance, and held a microphone in her hand. Knowing everyone was growing impatient, she spoke concisely and, without further delay, moved directly to introducing the first item.
"First, let us appraise today’s first auction item: an ancient Marvel, the Ice Arrow Quiver.
"It is of White Ordinary quality, its entire body as azure as ice, with a luxurious and slender appearance marked by fluid, elegant lines. Once activated by its wielder, the quiver will emanate a thick frost. This frost instantly condenses into razor-sharp Ice Arrows that shoot toward their target at lightning speed, delivering a fatal blow."
The auctioneer surveyed the room before continuing her introduction. "This is a relic from the civilization of the Ice Elf Race. We have unearthed similar relics many times before and have a comprehensive understanding of their mechanisms and methods of use.
"One of its most striking features is its extremely low Energy consumption. Even the most basic Apprentice-level Professional can launch one attack."
