Stunned, Xue Xia looked at Lin with a face of pure astonishment, "You actually don't know?"
Then, she burst into a fit of laughter, "You actually don't know? So, there's something you're clueless about." Lin remained silent, just watching Xue Xia. Was it really that funny? He wasn't an encyclopedia; of course, there were things he didn't know.
Xue Xia seemed to have found something amusing, her face alight with mischief, "Speak nicely to me, and maybe I'll tell you." Lin turned his head away and closed his eyes. If she didn't want to say, so be it. Coaxing her with sweet talk was out of the question.
Seeing Lin's indifferent reaction, Xue Xia's interest waned, "Such a blockhead, can't even take a joke. They say mages have the most agile and flexible minds, but you're just rigid. I seriously doubt you're a real mage."
"I'll tell you then, it's because I used a Cooldown Amulet," she declared as if revealing a great secret. Lin pondered over the Cooldown Amulet, realizing he had no knowledge of such a thing. Not even what an amulet was, something they hadn't covered in school.
Xue Xia explained, "A Cooldown Amulet can nullify the dungeon's cooldown period, allowing you to enter it repeatedly." She showed Lin a palm-sized object, sparkling like a gem with intricate, mystical runes etched upon it.
Under the glow of a detection spell, Lin learned about the item. [Junior Cooldown Amulet]with [Usage: 7/10]and an introduction stating it could negate dungeon cooldowns for dungeons level 20 and below.
So, such a thing existed. Lin felt like he had been living under a rock. Xue Xia boasted, "I've been using this amulet to enter dungeons consecutively. Now you understand, right?"
If he had such an item, he could grind dungeons non-stop, shooting up in levels. Lin murmured, "Is it expensive?" Xue Xia replied, "I don't know, my dad gave it to me to use. But it must be pricey. He seemed quite reluctant to part with it."
Given Xue Xia's wealthy background and her family's prominence in Jiangning Province, anything even her well-to-do father considered expensive was bound to be valuable.
After some thought, Lin abandoned any notion of acquiring an amulet for himself. Xue Xia had plans, "I have two days left and seven dungeon resets to use up. Plus, my natural cooldowns. I'll run nine more dungeons, ensuring I reach level 15."
"Oh my, I'll be dead tired," Xue Xia complained, though she looked more her age now, not so much the aloof heiress she usually was.
Lin offered, "I can take you through the dungeon. You'll level up to 15, and you won't have to lift a finger." Xue Xia's eyes lit up, having momentarily forgotten about her capable classmate. Teaming up with Lin meant she wouldn't have to exert herself, and they'd earn more experience as a duo.
It was a win-win, except she wouldn't be able to surpass him in levels. But was that even feasible on her own? Xue Xia was uncertain. Eventually, she decided to prioritize getting into XIA Jing University over outleveling Lin. "Okay, I agree. You take me through the dungeons, and we'll share the amulet."
Lin had expected her agreement. It was an obvious choice for anyone not too stubborn to see. This way, he could run the dungeons more often too. Although they'd earn less experience per run, the increased frequency would ultimately yield greater gains—a win-win situation.
"Let's not waste time then. Let's go," Xue Xia urged. Lin remained seated, "Wait two more hours. My cooldown ends then." It wasn't worth using an amulet reset for just two hours.
Xue Xia, pragmatic as ever, agreed to wait. She promptly fell asleep, fully at ease despite the potential dangers of the wilderness. But with Lin by her side, she felt safe. Regardless of their rivalry, she trusted him completely.
Two hours later, Lin woke Xue Xia as his cooldown ended. "Time to get up." Groggy and stretching, Xue Xia readied herself, momentarily revealing her slender waist. Side by side, they made a striking pair, only slightly marred by the presence of the skeleton warriors.
Refreshed from her nap, Xue Xia was eager to begin. As team leader, Lin selected the nightmare difficulty for the dungeon. Xue Xia's face paled, "Did you choose the wrong setting?" Before she could get an answer, they vanished into the dungeon portal.