Fang Zhou was about to command the Skeleton Army to scavenge for loot on the Ant Queen's body when an unusual sound suddenly echoed from the deep pit.

HISS HISS HISS!

Under Fang Zhou's slightly surprised gaze, the Fierce Ant Queen's huge, corpulent body slowly deflated like a leaking balloon after its death. A few minutes later, the only thing left at the bottom of the pit was a pale black, somewhat transparent outer hide resembling a shrunken balloon.

Fang Zhou commanded the skeletons in the pit to grab the hide and lift it before him. Reaching out to touch it, the skin felt smooth and warm, yet cool to the touch. It was very thin, light, and full of elasticity.

Once he picked the whole thing up, Fang Zhou realized that this hide was huge—truly enormous.

Good stuff. Fang Zhou was secretly delighted.

This was a top-tier material for the Apprentice Stage. It could be used to make gloves, Leather Armor, and other items with astonishingly high Defense Power. Exchanging it at the Military Academy would earn him at least several dozen, if not a hundred, contribution points.

After he put away the soft yet unbelievably tough hide, something lying on the ground was revealed. Fang Zhou looked down.

It was a jet-black crystal, about the size of a ping-pong ball. It was irregularly shaped and appeared to have several cracks.

Fang Zhou's gaze sharpened as he picked up the jet-black crystal and examined it carefully.

Instructor Wang Tao, who had been watching as a spectator and hadn't intervened in the battle, couldn't help but come over. He looked at the black crystal in Fang Zhou's hand and said with some surprise, "Is this a Magic Crystal? This Ant Queen wasn't even a Black Iron-tier Demon, yet it managed to form a Magic Crystal?"

Fang Zhou was also uncertain. Is this a Magic Crystal?

Only the most powerful individuals among Demons, those with great potential, could form such a precious material through accumulation and sublimation. It contained a deep but chaotic energy that could be used as a material for making weapons and equipment to enhance the holder's combat power, or it could be ground into powder for refining precious potions.

However, the best way to utilize a Magic Crystal's power was to have a Light Attribute Professional use the [Purification] skill to cleanse the profane aura within and then directly absorb the pure energy. This [Life Crystal], purified from a Magic Crystal, not only enhanced one's Four-dimensional Attributes but also strengthened the absorber's Life Energy.

As a Golden Tier Undead Mage, Su Xinyan's ability to maintain such a healthy physique despite the erosion of intense Death Qi was largely thanks to the aid of such Life Crystals. One had to understand that Professionals who mastered the [Purification] skill were as rare as pandas. Only a descendant of a Legendary Powerhouse like Su Xinyan could call upon them to serve her at any time.

Thinking of this, Fang Zhou smiled faintly.

Could the [Purification] skill even compare to my attribute panel?

He clenched the Magic Crystal and looked at his attribute panel, where a prompt had indeed appeared.

"Detected purifiable resource. Purification may yield unknown benefits."

"Purification will consume 10 points of Soul Power. Begin purification?"

Since it was merely an Apprentice-level resource requiring only 10 points of Soul Power, Fang Zhou began the purification without hesitation.

As his Soul Power was consumed, the scene of him purifying the Desecration Core replayed. Fang Zhou's fingertips began to emit a faint blue light, which gradually formed fine filaments of light that slowly wound around the Ant Queen's Magic Crystal. Compared to purifying a Black Iron-tier Desecration Core, cleansing this Apprentice-level Magic Crystal seemed much easier.

Soon, under Instructor Wang Tao's incredulous gaze, a gentle white light emanated from the Magic Crystal, and its jet-black color vanished completely.

Seeing this, Instructor Wang Tao naturally understood what had happened. Right under his nose, Fang Zhou had once again successfully purified the profane aura within the Ant Queen's Magic Crystal!

He couldn't help but ask, "Fang Zhou, did you deduce a new Purification skill?"

Fang Zhou snapped back to his senses and shook his head slightly, using his previous excuse. "I just imitated the process from when I purified the Desecration Core. I didn't expect it to actually work. If I try a few more times, maybe I really can deduce the skill."

Wang Tao nodded slowly, looking at the Life Crystal in Fang Zhou's hand with a barely perceptible trace of envy. He himself had rarely had the chance to use such a rare item. He never expected an Apprentice-level kid like Fang Zhou to get one so easily. With its help, Fang Zhou would likely break through to the Upper Apprentice Tier very soon.

Fang Zhou also looked down. The Ant Queen's Magic Crystal in his hand had become completely transparent, emitting an incredibly pure glow. A string of pleasant notifications also came from the attribute panel.

"Successfully purified [Ant Queen Magic Crystal]. Obtained resource: [Life Crystal]."

"Skill Deduction successful. You have learned: [Mental Shock]."

I actually deduced a new skill?

Fang Zhou was so surprised he didn't even look at the Life Crystal in his hand, instead immediately checking the Skills Bar's description.

[Mental Shock] (Apprentice Level, Beginner): A skill obtained by analyzing the Ant Queen's Magic Crystal. Consumes a large amount of Spiritual Power to form an impact wave, dealing spiritual damage to enemies within a certain range. Damage and range are determined by the user's Spirit Attribute, Skill Proficiency, etc.

What an excellent skill!

Fang Zhou's expression grew excited. This [Mental Shock] skill looked very similar to [Telekinesis Shock], a skill from the Telekinesis Master Profession. [Telekinesis Shock] was one of the top lethal skills at the Apprentice Stage. Not only was it powerful, but it was also especially good at dealing with large groups of enemies. Being formless and intangible, it was almost impossible to defend against.

If [Mental Shock] could truly rival or even surpass [Telekinesis Shock], it would undoubtedly compensate for his lack of large-scale Attack Skills. From now on, when facing small flying Demons like Fierce Mosquitoes and Fierce Bees, he would have an absolute counter.

With no enemies around to test it on, Fang Zhou took a deep breath to control his excitement, then turned his attention back to the Life Crystal in his hand. He could feel an abundant life energy slowly but steadily transferring from the Life Crystal into his body. At this rate, it would probably take about a month to fully absorb it.

The good thing was, it didn't require any conscious effort from him. As long as he kept the Life Crystal close to his body, its Life Energy would be absorbed automatically.

Fang Zhou shook his head slightly and carefully tucked the Life Crystal away somewhere close to his body. Regardless, it was a rare treasure capable of enhancing his Four-dimensional Attributes and strengthening his Life Energy. It had always been an item with high demand but no supply in the Sea City Military Academy's repository of Cultivation Resources.

Thank you, Miss Ant Queen!

Compared to the hospitable Kobold Warlock leader, she was a bit reserved, staying deep in her nest and refusing to see guests. But at heart, she was still very generous.

Wiping the smile from his face, Fang Zhou was about to command the Skeleton Army to clean up the wrecked battlefield when a familiar wave of joy rose from the depths of his heart.

Then, enveloped by a warm and embracing power, a large portion of his Spiritual Power and Soul Power was restored.

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