Gao Wu: If this BOSS isn't nerfed, is it even playable?

Chapter 140 Taotie upgrades, Shadow Scale reaches max level!
Not long after.

Lin Ye followed Shi Ruifeng to an office with extremely simple furnishings.

A dark gray desk, a few chairs, and a huge military map of the occupied area hanging on the wall—that's all there is.

Wang Lingchuan was already waiting there.

When he saw Lin Ye enter, his previously stern and unsmiling demeanor vanished, replaced by a genuine smile.

Wang Lingchuan looked Lin Ye up and down a few times, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration.

"Indeed, heroes have always emerged from among the young."

"I must admit, we really underestimated you before."

Wang Lingchuan's voice was steady and powerful, every word resounding.

"Lin Ye, you have won me and all my men over with your strength and your solid achievements."

“I don’t know how you were treated at school before.”

"But this is the military area."

"We are on the front line of the Great Xia Dynasty, facing the abyss directly. In the military, there aren't so many fancy rules!"

"As long as you can kill the enemy and make contributions, no one will look down on you!"

Lin Ye could sense the sincerity in the other person's words.

He also noticed that the atmosphere here was indeed vastly different from the environment in Dongjiang where family background was highly valued.

Here, everyone acts decisively; one is one, two is two, there are no complicated rules.

Strength is the only passport.

Lin Ye offered a few words of modesty, and Wang Lingchuan waved his hand, gesturing for him to sit down, and the conversation officially got down to business.

"I called you here today to talk to you in advance about the Qiming General Training Camp you will be attending."

Wang Lingchuan's expression turned serious again.

"Normally, these things would be told to you by your teacher or your family elders."

“But after looking at your information, Dongjiang City is just a third-tier city, and you don’t come from any martial arts family.”

"So, let me tell you in advance so you can be mentally prepared."

Upon hearing this, Lin Ye sat up straighter and listened attentively.

This is exactly the information he wants to know.

"The Qiming General Training Camp is a top talent training and selection program directly coordinated by the Supreme Command of the Great Xia Dynasty, covering more than 20 provinces across the country."

It is held only once a year.

"Each time, only fifty people are allowed to enter the camp."

"The training camp aims to provide every new martial artist with the best training methods, the most professional martial arts instructors, and martial arts cultivation resources that far exceed what the outside world can imagine."

"You are undoubtedly the number one in this selection."

"Upon entering the training camp, barring any unforeseen circumstances, your initial ranking will be forty-first."

"As for how the training camp will compete for rankings and what activities will be carried out, these are all confidential and I cannot disclose them. Moreover, the head instructors are different every year, and the training content will vary greatly."

"I can only tell you that the entire training camp will last for thirty days."

"Furthermore... the head instructors of your training camp are also somewhat special."

"Although the strength you demonstrated in this selection was enough to crush everyone else, once you enter the training camp, you will face those true geniuses who can enter the camp directly without any selection!"

"I hope you can persevere and graduate from the training camp successfully!"

At this point, Wang Lingchuan paused, his gaze becoming intense.

"There's a saying that's always been circulating in our army."

"Any piece of scrap iron, once thrown into the Qiming General Training Camp, will become a piece of refined steel as long as it survives!"

"Looking back over the years, anyone who successfully graduates from the Qiming General Training Camp will receive the rank of Second Lieutenant on their very first day out of the camp!"

Lin Ye's eyes narrowed slightly.

second lieutenant!

In the military rank system still in use by the Great Xia army today, this is the starting point of the officer sequence!

Under normal circumstances, the only way to become a second lieutenant is to pass the entrance exam for a military academy, undergo several years of study and rigorous examinations, and only after graduation can one be awarded a rank.

And his current status is that of a high school graduate.

They were directly awarded ranks!

"Lieutenant, this is just the beginning."

"According to internal military statistics, all the geniuses who participated in the Qiming General Training Camp and successfully graduated have now achieved at least the rank of lieutenant colonel."

Wang Lingchuan's words were resounding and powerful.

"For any martial artist who aspires to make a name for themselves in the military, this is a true path to success!"

"Your worst performance may very well be the end point for many military academy students who strive their whole lives."

There was a hint of envy in Wang Lingchuan's tone.

He looked at Lin Ye and said with utmost solemnity.

"Lin Ye, keep going! Persevere and graduate successfully. I hope to hear news of you becoming a Martial Saint someday. Then I'll have something to talk about with people, haha!"

Wang Lingchuan patted Lin Ye on the shoulder and laughed heartily.

Lin Ye sensed the other party's expectations and understood the weight of those words.

In the Great Xia Army of this world, military rank is almost equivalent to strength and status.

No matter how strong your background is, without real power, you can't gain a foothold in the military.

Wang Lingchuan was telling him that the Qiming General Training Camp offered him numerous opportunities to rapidly become stronger.

Hold on tight!

"Alright, that's all for the training camp. You can explore the details once you get there."

"Now tell me about your plans for the future."

"Normally, on the last day of the selection competition, after the list of ten who will advance is determined, we will escort you directly to the designated location of the training camp to report for duty."

Wang Lingchuan glanced at the time.

"But there's still more than a day left before the selection process ends."

"You've already secured first place with an overwhelming advantage, so there's not much point in staying here any longer."

He changed the subject and continued to ask.

Do you want to go home?

"If you wish, I can arrange a private jet right now to take you back to Dongjiang City. I'll send someone to pick you up the day after tomorrow morning so you can go directly to the training camp to report for duty."

Come back home?

Lin Ye pondered for a moment.

Then he shook his head.

"If possible," Lin Ye looked up to meet Wang Lingchuan's gaze, "could you take me to that forest on the west side of the occupied area?"

"I want to continue gaining practical experience."

Lin Ye's thinking was simple: for him, there was no need to go home in just one day.

With no certainty about the true nature of the other monsters in the Qiming General Training Camp, all he could do was seize every opportunity to become stronger.

Even if it's not for experience points.

Throughout the occupied zone, a vast amount of Source Crystals are scattered, which are essential materials for enhancing the newly acquired temporary skill, Shadow Scale.

In addition, there is still a portion of the body's qi and blood that has not been tempered.

Lin Ye's current need for source crystals is still too great.

More importantly, the map Lin Ye obtained from Cheng Tianhao clearly marked that the strange black forest to the west also contained traces of the Tianyuan alien race.

The existence of other races means there's a possibility of gaining racial traits and temporary skills again, and he doesn't want to miss that opportunity.

Lin Ye set himself a small goal.

Complete the Black Silk Forest in a single day!
Upon hearing Lin Ye's answer, the air in the office seemed to freeze for a moment.

Wang Lingchuan and Shi Ruifeng, who was standing next to him, were both stunned.

They had considered all sorts of reactions from Lin Ye, but this was the one they hadn't anticipated.

Having experienced the insect swarm and the great battle with the Shadowscale Clan, and having already secured first place, this young man not only did not think of resting, but instead took the initiative to ask to enter another, more unknown and dangerous place.

After a brief moment of surprise, a smile more radiant than ever before bloomed on Wang Lingchuan's face.

"it is good!"

"it is good!"

He said "good" twice in a row, his appreciation almost overflowing.

"It's truly admirable that you have the will to constantly hone your skills!"

He turned his head and said.

"Xiao Shi!"

"To!"

Shi Ruifeng immediately straightened his posture.

"You personally lead the team, arrange for a plane, and send him to the Black Silk Forest in the western part of the occupied area!"

"During this time, you will provide support from the sidelines and make sure his safety is guaranteed!"

"Yes!"

Shi Ruifeng accepted the order.

Lin Ye was finding it difficult to remain calm.

He felt an extremely strong urge to criticize the name "Black Silk Forest".

What the hell is this name?

But in such a serious and solemn atmosphere, he could only force himself to remain composed and not let himself show any unusual expression.

……

With the escort of Shi Ruifeng and others' private plane, Lin Ye saved a lot of time traveling.

Military helicopters flew at high speed over the vast wilderness. Just over ten minutes later, a vast forest, like an inky shadow, appeared on the distant horizon.

As they closed the distance, Shi Ruifeng began to introduce Lin Ye to information about the area.

“Lin Ye, now that you are no longer participating in the selection, I can tell you some inside information about this forest without reservation.”

Shi Ruifeng pointed to the increasingly clear forest ahead.

"Look, that forest is always shrouded in a strange black, thread-like substance. We still haven't been able to figure out what it is."

"These black threads cause the forest to be perpetually dark and damp, where the sun never shines."

"Therefore, mutated beasts are extremely rare in the forest."

"According to our detection, there is a high concentration of source crystal radiation inside the forest. Coupled with the extremely complex environment and low visibility, large-scale human exploration is extremely difficult."

"So far, our instruments have only detected the presence of alien life energy fluctuations, but we cannot pinpoint their exact number and type."

Shi Ruifeng's expression became more serious.

"In my personal opinion, the danger level of the entire forest may be no less than that of the Northern Rift Valley you explored before. You should be careful."

As they were talking, the helicopter slowly came to a stop above the edge of the forest.

The helicopter landed and the cabin door opened.

Lin Ye, holding the Piercing Star Spear, leaped down.

A cold, damp wind, carrying the smell of decaying vegetation, blew in my face.

He looked up.

The sight before him caused his pupils to shrink slightly.

The entire forest seemed to be shrouded in an enormous black spider web.

Countless black threads, finer than a strand of hair, hang down from the branches of the deformed and twisted giant trees, intertwining and forming an impenetrable barrier that blocks out most of the sunlight.

Inside the forest, there was a deep, dark place where you could hardly see your hand in front of your face, like the gaping maw of a giant beast ready to devour you.

Standing at the edge of the forest.

Lin Ye sensed no signs of life in the forest; he couldn't even hear the chirping of insects or the calls of birds.

Deathly silence.

"We are on standby outside the forest at any time."

Shi Ruifeng's voice came from behind.

"If you encounter an insurmountable danger, immediately call for help through the bracelet, and we will provide support as soon as possible."

"Good luck to you."

Lin Ye nodded.

He strode forward, his figure stepping into the dark forest without hesitation.

The moment he was completely swallowed by darkness.

A cold system notification suddenly rang in his mind.

[Ding! Host detected actively exploring a high-risk, unknown area. A one-time side quest has been issued!]

[Task Name: The Mystery of Black Stockings]

[Mission Objective: Investigate the ecological anomalies in the Black Silk Forest and defeat the culprit behind them.]

[Mission Rewards: 30000 Experience Points, 3 Skill Points!] [Special Reward: Your Taotie Mechanism will be optimized! Your probability of gaining alien traits and skills through Taotie will be permanently increased, and subsequently, after defeating any Tianyuan alien, you will directly trigger the Taotie mechanism without needing to devour the core!]

Lin Ye's steps suddenly stopped.

An irrepressible look of joy appeared on his face.

He had originally requested to explore this forest simply to level up and enhance his new skills, and had never expected any extra rewards.

But he couldn't resist the system forcing it on him directly.

Thirty thousand experience points and three skill points are already a considerable gain.

But what truly moved him was that special reward at the end!
Increase the probability of capturing Taotie traits and skills!

Furthermore, the Taotie mechanic will be automatically triggered as soon as the monster is killed!
This means that he no longer has to suppress his nausea and come into contact with or even devour the bizarre body tissues of the Tianyuan alien race!
The value of this reward is immeasurable!

The moment Lin Ye stepped into the forest, the light was completely cut off.

The whole world was utterly silent.

The cold, damp air, mixed with a strong smell of decay, filled his nostrils.

That was the unique smell produced by countless withered branches, fallen leaves, and biological remains layered upon each other in the darkness, decaying over the years.

The towering trees twisted and grew upwards, their branches deformed, as if they were struggling silently.

But they are long dead.

The tree canopy, which should have been a lush green canopy, was now completely wrapped and entangled by layers upon layers of dense, impenetrable black filaments, forming a giant net that covered the entire sky.

Inside the forest, it was as dark as an eternal night.

Visibility is extremely low.

Besides the stench of decay, the air was also filled with another scent that Lin Ye was extremely familiar with.

That was the unique scent emanating from the source crystal.

He continued walking deeper into the forest.

The surroundings were eerily quiet, and the soundproofing effect was excellent when stepping on the humus layer.

There were no insects chirping, no birds singing, and not even the sound of wind.

This extreme silence, in a sense, is also a form of immense oppression.

After traveling about ten kilometers, Lin Ye stopped.

Ahead of him, a winding vein of minerals lay exposed on the earth's surface like an ugly scar.

On the mineral vein, a ghostly blue light flickered on and off; this was one of his targets on this trip: the Source Crystal.

However, the entire vein was covered by a massive amount of black filaments.

These fine threads, like greedy parasitic vines, completely enveloped the source crystal.

Lin Ye stepped forward, a thought forming in his mind.

On the back of his right hand, patches of jet-black scales rapidly grew, intertwining and completely covering his entire hand.

He reached out his hand, which was covered in shadow scales, and brushed away the black threads wrapped around the source crystal.

The touch from my fingertips was firm and cold, like iron wire.

Even with his current strength, it took him quite a bit of effort to tear it apart.

Lin Ye couldn't determine what kind of plant or organism's tissue it was.

He noticed that the ends of many of the filaments had taken deep root inside the source crystal.

The source crystals that were eroded by the fine threads had their surface blue light dimmed considerably, and the energy contained within them was being continuously absorbed.

These filaments are alive.

Furthermore, they feed on the energy of the source crystal.

Lin Ye had a guess in his mind.

In this forest, there may exist a colossal creature with these fine threads as its body, a terrifying being that uses the entire forest as its lair and hunting ground.

He hesitated no more.

The Piercing Star Spear gathers its sharpness.

Chi Chi Chi!
Gunfire flashed, and the tough filaments wrapped around the ore vein were cut off and stripped away in large pieces.

Soon, the entire source crystal vein was cleared away and exposed to the dim air once again.

Lin Ye showed no mercy, transforming the tip of his spear into the sharpest pickaxe, plunging it deep into the ore vein.

He pried open the gun barrel and dug out several pieces of source crystal, each about the size of a human head, of excellent quality and purity.

The deep source crystals were not eroded by the fine filaments and were full of energy.

Lin Ye grabbed a piece and began extracting its source energy.

A violent and primal torrent of energy instantly washed over his limbs and bones.

The surging energy and blood boiled once more, becoming increasingly condensed through repeated washing and compression.

At the same time, another completely different energy, like a stream that has found its home, silently merged into his body and disappeared.

Lin Ye knew that this energy had been used to strengthen [Shadow Scale].

He could clearly feel that the invisible scales on his body were undergoing a qualitative change.

More than ten minutes later.

The entire source crystal vein was completely devoured by Lin Ye.

He closed his eyes and carefully felt the changes in his body.

The skill 【Shadow Scale】 has been greatly enhanced.

Lin Ye himself felt that it was almost reaching its limit, almost reaching the same level of strength as [Crystallization].

It was at this time.

thump...

thump...

Heavy footsteps approached from the depths of the forest.

The sound was like a heavy hammer striking the earth, and each time it rang out, the ground trembled slightly.

The footsteps grew increasingly hurried and aggressive.

Lin Ye's eyes narrowed, and his body reacted almost the instant he heard the sound.

【Shadow Scale】!
The next moment, dense, dark scales surged wildly from under his skin.

In the blink of an eye, it completely covered him from head to toe.

Even his clothes were completely covered by this living-like scale armor, without revealing the slightest flaw.

Lin Ye placed the Piercing Star Spear behind him.

Immediately afterwards, the color and texture of the jet-black scales covering his body began to change rapidly.

It blends perfectly with its surroundings.

Lin Ye looked down at his body.

He discovered that he could no longer see himself.

His body seemed to turn into a transparent outline, completely disappearing into the dark environment.

The perfect disguise surprised even Lin Ye himself.

At the same time, he was certain that the layer of shadow scales covering his body was now just as defensive as the sturdy scale armor of Garasha.

Their ability to disguise themselves is even better than their predecessors!
thump...

thump...

The footsteps are getting closer.

Before long, two enormous mutated beasts that looked like giant bears appeared in Lin Ye's field of vision.

They were large and robust, covered in grayish-brown manes, and their scarlet eyes gleamed with a ferocious light in the darkness.

【LV26】

Both mutated beasts are of a high level.

They were clearly attracted by the noise Lin Ye made while mining the source crystal.

However, when they ran to this clearing, their two scarlet bear eyes revealed obvious confusion and bewilderment.

The enormous head turned around and its nostrils twitched as if searching for something.

Just now, I vaguely saw a human figure in the distance.

There are clear signs that the source crystals here have been mined by humans.

But why... is there nothing there?

Lin Ye stood still, motionless.

He was more satisfied than ever with the camouflage effect of [Shadow Scale].

These mutated beasts have far more acute senses than humans; their vision, hearing, and smell have all been honed by the harsh environment.

Even so, despite being so close, they still ignored him.

Lin Ye began to try, moving his feet slowly.

He controlled his body, not making a sound.

The distance between him and the two mutated giant bears was gradually decreasing.

The two giant bears became increasingly agitated.

They let out low growls as they paced back and forth in the open forest, seemingly sensing some kind of threat, yet unable to pinpoint its source.

The dim environment became Lin Ye's best camouflage.

As he moves, the shadow scales on his body spontaneously mimic the changes in light and shadow, keeping him always within the background of the environment.

As they got closer, Lin Ye could see clearly.

The two mutated giant bears were also covered with a layer of strange black filaments.

Those fine threads had even penetrated under their skin, intertwining with their flesh and blood, as if they had become part of their bodies.

Lin Ye became even bolder.

He no longer deliberately slowed down, but continued forward at his normal walking pace.

The two giant bears are still blind!
In the dim environment, Shadow Scale's camouflage effect...

unbelievable!

A cold smile curved at the corners of Lin Ye's lips.

He had moved to within three meters of one of the giant bears.

At this distance, there was no possibility of him missing.

It's now!

The moment Lin Ye decided to make his move, the perfectly concealed killing intent emanating from him erupted like a volcano!

Almost the instant the murderous intent was revealed.

The two giant bears, like cats whose tails had been stepped on, bristled with fur and belatedly let out a deafening roar!

One of them suddenly turned around, its huge paws bringing a fierce gust of wind that tore through the air, and slammed down hard in the direction from which the killing intent was sensed!
But it was too late.

Moreover, it's too remote.

Lin Ye's gaze sharpened.

He discovered that although the bear's counterattack was swift, the position of its claws was a full half-body length different from its actual position!
Its senses are still being deceived by the Shadow Scale, making it unable to make the most accurate judgment.

The claws missed their mark, and the resulting gust of wind ruffled the hair on Lin Ye's forehead.

A hint of confusion even flashed in the eyes of that giant bear.

Unfortunately, it never had the chance to think anymore.

next second.

The black spear, silent yet swift as lightning, pierced straight into its hard skull.

puff!

The gun tip emerged from the back of his head, bringing with it a handful of hot brain matter and blood.

boom!
Just as Lin Ye instantly killed a giant bear.

The attack from the other giant bear finally arrived.

Its heavy claws, powerful enough to smash the roof of an armored vehicle, landed squarely on Lin Ye's side!

however……

The expected excruciating pain and impact did not materialize.

Lin Ye didn't even feel much force!

The dense black scales on his body seemed to undulate slightly as if they were alive the moment they touched the bear's paw.

The terrifying force, enough to flatten a car, was quickly dispersed and dissipated the moment it came into contact with the scales by the layered structure of the scales!

In the end, all that reached Lin Ye was a slight force, as if he had been pushed.

A hint of shock flashed in Lin Ye's eyes.

He instantly understood the difference in defense between [Shadow Scale] and [Crystallization].

【Crystallization】The condensed crystal armor is hard and powerful, providing the ultimate rigid defense against the cutting and penetration of sharp weapons.

The scales formed by [Shadow Scales] are flexible and continuous, possessing an unparalleled force-absorbing effect against blunt attacks!
　First update, 6K words.

　　There's still one 6K ticket left at noon, please vote with monthly tickets!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)