"Xiaxue!" Xia Dongyang's voice snapped Xiaxue back to reality.
"Dad, how come you're here?" Xiaxue approached Xia Dongyang and called out obediently.
At this moment, Xiaxue didn't carry any hint of arrogance.
Xia Dongyang's eyes were filled with indulgence, "Let's go, we're heading back."
Xia Dongyang had driven here, so they didn't need to return with the school bus.
Xiaxue followed Xia Dongyang into the car, but her eyes couldn't help but drift towards Lin.
She really wanted to see through Lin, to understand how he had reached level 7.
Xia Dongyang noticed his daughter's gaze, "Are you competing with Lin?"
Xiaxue deflated like a punctured ball, "Yes, and I lost again. That guy is so annoying."
Xia Dongyang laughed heartily, "Do you want your dad to handle him..."
"No!" Before Xia Dongyang could finish, Xiaxue decisively refused.
"I'll handle my own matters. I won't always lose to that dork."
Xiaxue huffed, her fighting spirit burning fiercely.
Xia Dongyang laughed even more joyously, "Okay, then dad won't interfere. But I have to tell you, Lin had already come out by the 10th hour, and he did so by killing all the level 8 monsters in the novice dungeon."
Xiaxue was taken aback again...
Killed all level 8 monsters...
She had just reached the area with level 7 monsters and hadn't even seen what level 8 monsters were like.
She thought being able to solo level 7 monsters at level 5 was already very impressive.
But Lin had gone and killed all level 8 monsters, coming out two hours early.
"So, am I that far behind him?" Even if Xiaxue wasn't ready to give up, she felt a bit disheartened now.
Xia Dongyang said, "Each class has its specialties. Some are strong in the early levels, some become powerful later. A temporary win or loss means nothing. Compared to him, you have your advantages."
Xiaxue understood what Xia Dongyang meant.
Her advantage was her family's wealth and resources. Whether it was items, equipment, skills, she lacked for nothing.
While someone like Lin, without money or influence, would struggle later for lack of funds, equipment, skills, and items.
"Anyway, I won't admit defeat. Even if you're ahead now, I'll surpass you later."
Xiaxue was only disheartened for a moment before reigniting her fighting spirit.
Xia Dongyang was pleased; this was how his daughter should be.
On the school bus, Gao Yang made sure to sit with Xia Dongyang, "I'm already level 4, impressive right? Taking the girls along for monster hunting is quite fun, much more interesting than your solo grinding."
Lin looked at this fool, wondering where he wouldn't find joy.
"Wow, I didn't notice before, you're level 7 now. How did you train?"
"Did you clear all the monsters in the dungeon?"
"I struggled hard just to reach level 4, how did you get to 7, are you a god?"
Gao Yang's voice was particularly loud, the entire bus could hear him.
It was then everyone noticed Lin had indeed reached level 7.
At a time when everyone else was around level 3, and level 4 was considered very impressive, Lin had reached level 7.
Suddenly, the bus became lively.
Even though many were still afraid of Lin and the skeletons he summoned, drawing close to the strong was also a normal psychology for many.
Some thought of talking to Lin to bond over student relationships.
But Lin's silent demeanor, plus the terrifying skeletons, made them hesitate.
"Quiet!"
Lu Yun's low shout immediately quieted down the noisy bus.
Gao Yang rubbed his head, "I got too excited just now. Boss, can you take me leveling with you?"
Lin said, "If there's a chance, we can."
Gao Yang was overjoyed, "Then it's settled."
The next day, Gao Yang couldn't find Lin at the school gate.
"Teacher Lu, where's Lin?"
Lu Yun said, "He's gone to the outskirts of Xi Hai City."
Ah?
Gao Yang then realized he had been played by Lin; no wonder he agreed so readily yesterday.
He couldn't help but scream, "Lin, you tricked me!"
"I once directed my heart towards the bright moon, but alas, the moon illuminates the ditch. I'm not finished with you, I want to duel with you!"
Lin had already arrived at the southern edge of Xi Hai City by car.
The tall city wall stood there, dividing the human residential area from the monster area.
Leaving the city wall meant entering the monster area, where the weakest monsters were level 10.
Compared to the monsters in the novice dungeon, the monsters here were much stronger.
Similarly, hunting monsters here would yield more experience and various materials.
With some luck, some monsters might even drop weapons or equipment.
These items could be used personally or sold for money.
Many shops lined the streets at the exit and entrance of the city wall.
Blacksmith shops, weapon stores, jewelry stores, armor shops, and so on.
Among them, the most important was the Divine Xia Empire Exchange.
The Exchange, officially opened by the Divine Xia Empire, was located in cities big and small across the country.
Inside the Exchange, one could freely buy and sell equipment, materials, and all sorts of items.
You could either sell items directly to the Exchange or consign them there.
Besides trading equipment, the Exchange also offered various missions.
This was Lin's first visit to the Exchange, having only read about it in books before.
In the Divine Xia Empire Exchange, there stood hundreds of half-human-high stone pillars.
Above each pillar was embedded a magic crystal, through which all functions of the Exchange could be accessed.
The Exchange was also known as the highest manifestation of divine alchemy.
Lin found an empty spot and placed his hand on the magic crystal.
"Beginning identity verification."
"Verification successful, citizen of the Divine Xia Empire, Lin."
"Permission to use the Divine Xia Empire Exchange granted."
"Contribution points: 0"
"Access level: 1"