"Although the consumption is a bit high, the ability of the fire clone is very powerful!"
The fire clone possesses three new abilities: First, immunity to a portion of fire attribute damage; Second, an increase in fire attribute skill power, roughly by one-third; Third, normal attacks inflict fire attribute damage!
The drawbacks are also obvious, being susceptible to water and ice attribute counters.
"The five elements generate and overcome each other, and the fire clone can also counter wood attribute monsters!"
Lin Yu is very satisfied with the current strength of the fire clone. With his power, he can create ten fire clones in one go, greatly increasing his means of response and strength.
"Next, let's try other attribute clones!"
Having already been able to convert energy to fire attribute, converting to other attributes is merely a matter of time.
Lin Yu closed his eyes again, beginning to sense the changes in his internal energy, but after a long while, he gave up. The conversion speed was too slow!
"The reason I was able to convert to fire attribute so quickly is largely due to the Flame Jet skill, which gave me insight into the conversion process!"
"Instead of diligently cultivating myself, it's better to find a skill of another attribute. This will greatly shorten my cultivation time!"
Understanding this, Lin Yu opened his eyes, and with a thought, he dispelled all his clones.
After disguising himself, he walked out and headed to the black market.
The black market was located within an underground bar. It was a place of dazzling lights and loud music, but inside the bar, it was surprisingly quiet.
Because this was the real black market. People moved with hurried steps, never lingering, their identities concealed.
Lin Yu tightened the mask on his face and walked along the path.
On both sides of the road were stalls selling all sorts of goods, from antiques to the horns and claws of fierce beasts.
Suddenly, Lin Yu's eyes lit up as he spotted a vendor selling skill crystals.
"Boss, do you have any attribute-type skill crystals?"
The boss was a person entirely shrouded in a black robe. He spoke in a hoarse voice, "I have one, but it's already been reserved. My apologies!"
Lin Yu's heart soared with joy at this, but it was immediately followed by a sense of frustration.
Skill crystals had a ridiculously low drop rate. If he missed this opportunity, it would be gone forever. So, he pressed on:
"How much did they offer? I can pay more!"
The black-robed person's eyes narrowed slightly, and he remained silent.
He was testing Lin Yu's determination to buy. Seeing his expression, Lin Yu understood the vendor's intention, but desperate for the skill crystal, he could only nod and say:
"May I see what skill it is?"
The black-robed person chuckled and shook his head, "No, I promised that person to keep the contents of this skill crystal confidential!"
Lin Yu cursed him internally.
Wasn't this intentionally making things difficult?
Regarding the supposed buyer, Lin Yu only half-believed him. He knew this was a tactic to extort him.
This was all too common in the black market. Everyone here had hidden their true identities; they cheated whoever they could.
"Then tell me the price?"
Lin Yu's determination delighted the vendor, who said, "Three hundred thousand!"
Lin Yu found the price surprisingly not that expensive.
However, he realized that the person in front of him was clearly not very powerful. Otherwise, after all this maneuvering, he wouldn't have settled for a mere three hundred thousand.
At this point, the vendor said, "The reason I'm selling it to you is, honestly, because you look approachable. Unlike some buyers who, after purchasing something, target the vendor, leaving them with nothing."
Lin Yu finally understood.
So, this person was afraid of being double-crossed. Not being strong himself, he'd rather sell to a small fry than to those powerful individuals who liked to rob others.
Lin Yu nodded, "You're certainly cautious!"
"Those who aren't cautious die quickly. This place is chaotic. If I could sell it at a fair price elsewhere, I wouldn't set foot in the black market even if you beat me to death."
The vendor seemed to harbor some resentment, likely having experienced unfairness or even robbery. But none of that concerned Lin Yu.
Lin Yu said, "Where's the item?"
Seeing that Lin Yu wasn't interested in his ramblings, the vendor took out the skill crystal and said, "Here you go!"
Lin Yu took it in his hand. Knowing the item was correct, he transferred the money.
Then, he placed the skill crystal on his forehead.
"Water Puddle: Consume energy to create a pool of water."
"No wonder it was so cheap. So this skill is useless!" Lin Yu was defeated. This skill had no offensive power at all.
The vendor's attitude changed immediately. "Young man, you need to keep your eyes open when buying in the black market. This is a lesson for you. Be careful in the future!"
Looking at the vendor's smug expression, Lin Yu strongly suspected that his previous amiable demeanor was all an act, intended to elicit sympathy from buyers.
Lin Yu felt annoyed, but he memorized the vendor's appearance.
"Hey, don't do anything rash! Do you know where you are? If you dare to cause trouble, you might get arrested!" the vendor said with a wary look.
Lin Yu smiled, "I won't do anything to you. Alright, I'm leaving!"
Lin Yu said, then got up to leave.
However, as he exited the black market, he left behind a fire clone.
The fire clone, dressed in fiery red and with fiery red hair, was extremely conspicuous. It walked up to the vendor.
The vendor looked up, about to continue his spiel, when a fist the size of a sandbag slammed into his face.
"Ouch, my nose..."
The fire clone unleashed a barrage of punches and kicks, each blow carrying burning damage, causing the vendor immense pain.
"For deceiving people! For ripping me off!"
The commotion quickly drew attention. A patrol team approached menacingly. Seeing them arrive, Lin Yu's true body immediately deactivated the clone.
The fire clone thus vanished from sight under the watchful eyes of many.
The beaten black-robed man revealed a plump face, looking no older than eighteen or nineteen.
He cried out, "Who was that? Don't they know not to hit someone's face?"
Lin Yu returned home again and began to comprehend the water clone.
Following the same procedure, now familiar with the process, he soon created a water clone.
The water clone wore water-blue attire, and its hair was also water-blue, forming a stark contrast with the fire clone.
"Excellent, excellent, I've learned two types of clones!"
"Although my cultivation realm hasn't improved, my strength has increased by more than double."
He now felt an urge to engage in a battle to showcase his strength.
At this moment, his wristband beeped.
The Ji City Third High School student group chat.
"Latest news! Er Gao's SS-class awakened one, Shi Yifeng, has broken through to the third stage! He's vowed to sweep all third-year students in Ji City and has already defeated Yi Gao's SS-class awakened one, Lu Huan!"
"I've heard of this Shi Yifeng. His talent is 'Child of Earth,' allowing him to manipulate earth, stone, and some metals to attack enemies. His strength is formidable!"
"Could his next target be our school's Zhao Ke?"
"It's highly possible. Zhao Ke is recognized as the strongest SS-class awakened one of this generation. I suspect he wants to defeat Zhao Ke to prove his strength to everyone."
"Alas, will Zhao Ke accept the challenge?"