Undead Mage: I Have a Skeleton Clone-Chapter 299 - 252: Prototype of the [Horror Aura], Supporting Shen Hongyu

While recording, Instructor Su Xinyan’s eyes glowed with joy, and she nodded repeatedly.

After discussing the Heroic Spirit Battle Banner, Fang Zhou said to Su Xinyan, "Instructor Xinyan, I’ll leave this Battle Banner with you for your research. If you have any ideas, feel free to discuss them with me anytime."

Su Xinyan, somewhat excited, caressed the tattered Battle Banner that carried the will of the Heroic Spirits. She nodded and said, "Don’t worry, Fang Zhou. I think the approach you just suggested is very feasible. I’ll start working on the deductions. Perhaps in just a few days, I might have a preliminary deduction plan."

Now that their business was concluded, Fang Zhou’s hand, which was wrapped around Instructor Su Xinyan’s slender waist, couldn’t help but grow bold and begin to wander, caressing her gently. However, before he could make any further moves, Su Xinyan sprang up from the sofa like a startled rabbit.

SLAP!

She slapped away Fang Zhou’s mischievous hand, glaring with her beautiful, watery eyes. A flash of embarrassment and annoyance crossed her face as she pointed at the laboratory door and snapped, "Are you still at it, Fang Zhou? Our business is done, so hurry up and leave!"

Seeing Su Xinyan’s shy yet indignant demeanor, Fang Zhou chuckled inwardly. I won’t push it, he thought. I’ve made more than enough progress for one night; there’s no need to push my luck.

With these thoughts, a faint, almost imperceptible smile curled Fang Zhou’s lips. He instinctively raised a hand to touch his nose, then straightened his posture and gave Su Xinyan a standard military salute.

"As you command, Instructor Xinyan. I really put in a hard night’s work. Instructor Xinyan, you have personally experienced my massage skills. Next time you’re in need, you can summon me anytime."

Without waiting for Su Xinyan to respond, Fang Zhou utilized his Agility Attribute, which far surpassed that of other Warriors of the same tier, and vanished from the Undead Mage Research Group’s laboratory like a gust of wind.

Humming a light tune, he walked briskly through the dim corridors, brimming with energy as he arrived at the Concentration Meditation Room.

As was his habit, he sat cross-legged on the cushion in the corner, ready to start tonight’s hunt, when he suddenly remembered he had something important left to do. He still hadn’t awarded his little assistant, Bai Xiaochan, the Contribution Point reward for her help with the Skill Deduction.

So, he opened his personal terminal, swiped his finger lightly across the screen, and, in accordance with the research assistant agreement they had signed, transferred 10 Contribution Points to Bai Xiaochan.

Truth be told, Instructor Su Xinyan had been a tremendous help during the Skill Deduction process for Death Ripple. She not only provided invaluable insights but also personally participated in many experiments, which was a massive help to the entire project. In comparison, while Bai Xiaochan did a lot of work, including organizing data and assisting in experiments, she mainly executed predetermined tasks without many groundbreaking results. Therefore, Fang Zhou didn’t grant Bai Xiaochan 20 Contribution Points as an incentive reward, unlike the time Meng Hongzhuang assisted with the Crowned with Death deduction.

After a moment of thought, Fang Zhou sent Bai Xiaochan several messages, reminding her to check for the Contribution Points and expressing his gratitude for her recent efforts.

[Ordinary Apprentice] (Fang Zhou): "Xiaochan, I’ve successfully perfected the Skeleton Arrow Rain Skill. Using Instructor Su Xinyan’s idea of fusing it with the Mental Shock Skill, the new Skill is now called Death Ripple. You did a good job, and I’ve given you credit for it. I’ve already sent 10 Contribution Points to your account as recognition for your hard work and as a small reward."

[Ordinary Apprentice] (Fang Zhou): "Xiaochan, what I told Hongzhuang before also applies to you. Right now, the most important thing is for you to quickly advance to the Middle Rank of the Apprentice Stage. This will qualify you to participate in the grand martial competition for new recruits. You can’t afford to slack off. Of course, in your spare time, if you’re willing to continue helping me with Skill Deductions, I’d be very grateful. I’ve uploaded a copy of the Brutal Aura Skill Book. This is an Undead Mage Beneficial Skill capable of enhancing the Four-dimensional Attributes and attack speed of summoned Undead Creatures. It can also add a certain amount of physical penetration, corrosive toxin, or Death Energy damage. See if there’s any room for improvement at the Apprentice Stage?"

[Ordinary Apprentice] (Fang Zhou): "Additionally, I want to mention that my massage skills have been highly praised by Instructor Su Xinyan. As my little assistant, if you ever feel exhausted, I’d be more than happy to offer my services and help you relax."

After sending these messages and assigning a new Skill Deduction task for Brutal Aura to that little slacker, Bai Xiaochan, Fang Zhou didn’t wait for a reply. He shut down his personal terminal and immersed his consciousness in his Skeleton Clone to begin the day’s monster-hunting and leveling.

...

"On the Human-Demon Battlefield, this blood-drenched arena of smoke and Magic, Professionals typically have several ways to engage in battle."

"The first, most common, and most effective way is to form teams of the same Profession. These teams are under the unified command of grassroots officers, with orders strictly enforced, allowing them to serve as the true foundation of the army. In this model, whether powerful Mages or resilient Warriors, everyone finds their position, cooperating in combat to jointly resist threats from the Abyss. Mages unleash dazzling Magic while Warriors wield heavy weapons, together forming an impregnable line of defense on the battlefield."

"The second method is less common, but its impact should not be underestimated. It places extremely high demands on a Professional’s individual combat strength and personal qualities. This method involves forming flexible and mobile squads that act as scouts and observers for the Human Alliance Army. These squads traverse the battlefield, infiltrating enemy lines to gather military intelligence or engaging Abyssal Demons in skirmishes before a major battle. At critical moments, they might even block an enemy’s retreat, transforming into a wolfpack that tears apart and devours retreating enemy forces. These squads are often composed of elite Professionals. They not only need superb Combat Techniques but also exceptional judgment and adaptability. They frequently infiltrate deep into enemy territory under the cover of darkness, gathering intelligence and sometimes launching a deadly strike on the enemy’s vital positions."

"The third way is..."

「The next morning」

Golden sunlight streamed through the clouds, illuminating a bright and spacious hall in the Hall of Glory. Fang Zhou sat there, surrounded by the other Seed Students he trained with.

On the stage, Instructor Lu Hu was explaining several common battle modes on the current Human-Demon Battlefield to the Seed Students. His explanations were simple yet profound, captivating Fang Zhou and the other students and opening their eyes to new possibilities.

"In the old times, a nation’s military elite would form special forces, airborne divisions, special operations units, and various other elite corps to execute critical, difficult, and dangerous combat missions. Although times have changed, the second mode I mentioned—the elite squad model—is fundamentally similar in nature to the special forces operations of the past."

Instructor Lu Hu’s voice was clear and powerful, each word seemingly carrying the scent of battlefield smoke.

Fang Zhou listened attentively to the lecture, absorbed in contemplation about the future combat modes he might participate in, his heart filled with anticipation. However, just then, a message interrupted his thoughts.

Looking down, he saw that it was a message from his little assistant Shen Ziwei in the Undead Mage Support Team chat group.

[Heaven is on the Left, Warrior is on the Right] (Shen Ziwei): "@[Ordinary Apprentice] Master Fang Zhou, my mom used her personal connections to acquire three Apprentice-level Life Crystals. They’re with me now. If you’re free, I’ll deliver them to the Undead Mage Research Group by noon for safekeeping."

Fang Zhou raised an eyebrow in surprise. Instructor Shen Hongyu really came through!