After a Professional deduces a new skill, they will continuously update it as their strength and knowledge grow. The Human Alliance greatly encourages such updates, rewarding contribution points based on the specific improvements made to the skill.

The updated versions of Fang Zhou's Skeleton Flying Spear and Skeleton Shield were far more powerful than their predecessors, so each skill earned the highest Apprentice-level reward of 100 contribution points. With the additional 50% bonus provided by the Undead Mage research group's fund, Fang Zhou netted another 300 contribution points, completely making up for his recent expenses.

Opening his personal terminal, Fang Zhou found Bai Xiaochan's account and generously transferred 5 contribution points to her as a performance bonus. The other 5 contribution points were, of course, paid from the project fund.

Tsk, tsk, tsk, the feeling of fleecing the military academy is just so satisfying!

Meanwhile, in the research lab, Bai Xiaochan was working herself to the bone, searching for powerful Control Skills for Fang Zhou. Suddenly, she received a notification for a 10-point performance bonus.

"Ah, I'm rich! I'm rich!" Bai Xiaochan jumped up in excitement.

She had never received so many contribution points at once and, for a moment, had no idea how to spend them. After some thought, she gritted her teeth and made a decision.

Good steel must be used on the blade's edge!

She decided to use all 10 contribution points to exchange for the Skill Insights for Song of Triumph. This way, she should be able to master the Song of Triumph skill quickly. With Lullaby and Song of Triumph at her command, she could better cling to Fang Zhou's powerful coattails.

As long as I stick with Fang Zhou, will I ever be short on contribution points?

Lost in her wonderful fantasy, Bai Xiaochan cupped her face in her hands and giggled foolishly.

Nearby, Meng Hongzhuang watched Bai Xiaochan's antics with a cold gaze, silently sneering. Stupid little sheep!

However, an unwitting sense of urgency began to rise in her heart, and she began to sift through the data even faster.

「Several more days passed.」

Deep within the Burial Wilderness, a white whirlwind tore through the landscape and took down a Great Shield Skeleton Warrior with a single thrust of its spear.

"Detected that Charge Skill Proficiency has reached Instinct. You may consume Soul Power to deduce its upper-tier skill."

"Estimated cost: 100 Soul Power. Begin deduction?"

Looking at the prompt on his attribute panel, Fang Zhou's Soul Fire pulsed violently, his mind filled with anticipation. After so many days of relentless practice, the skeleton clone's second Instinct-level combat skill had finally emerged, following Brutal Strike.

I wonder what kind of Black Iron-tier skill I can deduce this time?

As the 100 points of Soul Power were consumed, Fang Zhou's Soul Fire grew even brighter. Scenes of using the Charge skill over a thousand times in the past month flashed through his mind. Suddenly, he had a flash of insight.

"Skill deduction of Heroic Charge successful."

[Heroic Charge] (Black Iron-tier, Skilled): Removes all control effects on oneself and unleashes an extremely fast dash in a single direction. It inflicts collision damage to all enemies along the path, with a chance to knock them into the air. The distance, speed, and power of the dash are determined by the Agility Attribute and Skill Proficiency.

Fang Zhou tightly gripped the Skeleton Long Spear in his hand, carefully reading the description of the Heroic Charge skill. Compared to the previous Charge, this Black Iron-tier skill was significantly stronger. Not only did it grant control immunity, but it also had a chance to knock enemies into the air. Not to mention, its movement speed and distance were a massive improvement over Charge.

Fang Zhou randomly chose a direction and activated Heroic Charge. As he sprinted forward, the bleached bones littering the ground were crushed into powder under his feet. This exhilarating sensation made his destructive desires burn even brighter.

Soon, he found a suitable target: a very rare Skeleton Archer.

Compared to common Skeleton Warriors like Giant Axe Skeletons, Great Shield Skeletons, and Long Spear Skeletons, the Skeleton Archer, capable of ranged attacks, was undoubtedly more difficult to deal with. But in the face of Fang Zhou's Heroic Charge, the Skeleton Archer's vaunted attack range was nothing but a joke.

Upon seeing Fang Zhou, it had just begun to draw its bow when Fang Zhou was already upon it.

The Skeleton Archer stared blankly at the clone, which towered a full head over it. In its long existence, it had never seen one of its kind move so quickly. Unfortunately, this first meeting would also be its last.

The Refined Skeleton Long Spear +1 in Fang Zhou's hand shot out like a bolt of lightning, shattering the Skeleton Archer's skull before it could react. As its Soul Fire flickered out, its skeletal body scattered across the ground, becoming fuel for Fang Zhou's growth.

Feeling a long, steady stream of warmth surging into his body, Fang Zhou raised his Skeleton Long Spear. He looked up at the blood-red moon hanging overhead and laughed silently.

This feeling of bullying the weak and crushing them with sheer force is truly addictive!

Once he calmed down, Fang Zhou looked at the substantial amount of Soul Power he had accumulated on his attribute panel, then glanced at the Skeleton Long Spear in his hand.

"Refineable resources detected. Can consume 200 Soul Power for Refinement."

"Begin Refinement?"

I've saved up enough Soul Power and Skeleton Essence. Attribute panel, enhance!

The 200 points of Soul Power were consumed rapidly. The Skeleton Essence accumulated in the clone's body began to trickle into the bony texture of the Skeleton Long Spear, like streams converging into an ocean. A deep, netherworldly glow began to emanate from the spear's surface. The previously dull bone fragments were revitalized by the nourishing Soul Power. The once-coarse bone grew harder, shining brilliantly like gleaming black iron.

Soon, the Skeleton Long Spear that had accompanied the skeleton clone for nearly two months was successfully upgraded to +2.

Fang Zhou checked the skeleton clone's attribute panel.

[Clone] Skeleton Warrior

[Tier] Black Iron - Lower

[Attributes] Strength 38, Constitution 36, Agility 36, Spirit 32

[Equipment] Skeleton Long Spear +2 (Level 1 Nether Stone x1), Skeleton Armor

[Skills] Skeleton Chosen One (Black Iron, Instinct), Skeleton Armament (Black Iron, Instinct), Brutal Strike (Black Iron, Skilled), Heroic Charge (Black Iron, Skilled), Weapon Specialization (Apprentice, Perfection), Block (Apprentice, Perfection), Battle Cry (Apprentice, Perfection)

[Apostle] 1

Next, Fang Zhou needed to accumulate more Soul Power to refine his Skeleton Armor to +2 as well. At the same time, he also had to raise the proficiency of Weapon Specialization, Block, and Battle Cry to the Instinct level so they could be advanced to Black Iron.

Swinging the now-heavier Skeleton Long Spear a few times, Fang Zhou's killing intent burned even fiercer.

Kill. Devour. Evolve.

Another dirge of the undead began to play across the Burial Wilderness.

In the early hours of the morning, after several hours of continuous slaughter, a weary Fang Zhou shifted his consciousness back to his main body. He casually drank a bottle of Soul Calming Potion and looked at his attribute panel with anticipation.

What kind of growth will the clone's Instinct-level Charge skill bring to my main body?

"Detected clone skill has reached Instinct proficiency. It can be used as a Skill Material to perfect a skill for the main body. Estimated cost: 10 Soul Power."

"Begin?"

Fang Zhou, of course, confirmed.

Another 10 points of his remaining Soul Power were consumed, and the countless times the skeleton clone had used Charge flashed through his mind.

Charge is a universal displacement skill for Combat Professionals. Can I absorb its advantages to perfect my Skeleton Wings?

As the flash of inspiration struck, the attribute panel immediately responded.

"Perfection of skill [Skeleton Wings] successful!"

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