Legendary Person: I brought my skills back to reality!

"Brother Hao, look!" Zi Yu exclaimed excitedly, pointing at the two books.

Xu Hao walked over quickly and carefully picked up the books. He gently brushed the dust off the cover, revealing the clearly visible gold lettering: "Soul Fire Talisman" and "Lightning Spell".

"Hehe! Great!!" Xu Hao laughed heartily, "Isn't this exactly the skill we're about to learn?"

Zi Yu was overjoyed and skipped over to Xu Hao. "That's great! We don't even need to go to the bookstore!"

Xu Hao handed the "Lightning Spell" to Zi Yu, while he took the "Soul Fire Talisman" for himself. The two packed the skill books into their backpacks. Their excited laughter echoed through the cave, accompanied by the clinking of gold coins.

Laughter echoed through the dark, damp Skull Cave, creating a somewhat different atmosphere.

"Brother Hao, we've run out of mana potions. Should we head back to town to resupply?" Zi Yu suggested, her voice tinged with weariness.

Xu Hao hesitated for a moment, his eyes flickering. He looked at his experience bar; he was still a little short of level 17.

"You go back first, I'll play a little longer," Xu Hao said. "I want to try to reach level 17, I'll be there soon."

Zi Yu nodded without giving it much thought. "Alright then, I'll go back to the city to rest first. Be careful, don't push yourself too hard."

Watching Zi Yu's figure disappear into the teleportation array, Xu Hao breathed a sigh of relief. He actually didn't dare return to the city with Zi Yu. He was afraid he would give himself away once back in the real world.

Xu Hao continued killing the surrounding skeletons, absentmindedly thinking of an excuse. Once Zi Yu had rested, he said he was going back too, and then logged off.

Zi Yu used a dungeon escape scroll to leave the Skull Cave. Actually, they both had return scrolls on them, which had a high drop rate from the bats in the Skull Cave. However, they had agreed that they would use Bichon City as their base from now on, and using return scrolls would take them directly back to the starting village.

Not long after, the system sent a message from Ziyu, saying that she had arrived in Bichon City and was ready to get some rest.

Xu Hao mechanically brandished his weapon in the cave, waiting for the game time to end.

Resting in the game world is essentially the same as logging off; players enter a dormant state, and messages sent won't be seen until they wake up. The reason for renting an inn is because it's safe and comfortable. However, you can rest just as easily in the safe zone of a large city.

The constant high-intensity monster-slaying and leveling up is mentally exhausting.

Xu Hao practiced in the Skull Cave for a while longer. When he reached level seventeen, he checked the countdown on the system, tore open a return scroll, and returned to the newbie village.

This should be Xu Hao's last visit to the beginner village.

Time's up, logging off!

He took a deep breath and slowly opened his eyes. The scene before him gradually transformed from the virtual game world into a familiar room. He blinked, adjusting to the light of the real world.

His body felt like it had gone through a marathon, his muscles slightly sore. Xu Hao stretched his stiff neck, hearing a soft clicking sound from his joints. He stretched, feeling every muscle in his body relax.

"Phew... I'm finally level 17." Xu Hao muttered to himself, a smile unconsciously creeping onto his face.

Although he hadn't reached level 18 and learned the Taoist's first ranged skill, "Soul Fire Talisman," Xu Hao could clearly feel himself becoming stronger. He stood up and was surprised to find that his movements were more agile and fluid than before.

Xu Hao walked to the mirror and carefully examined himself. Although his appearance hadn't changed much, his eyes were sharper and his posture more upright. He clenched his fist, feeling the power surging within him.

“Unbelievable…” Xu Hao said in a low voice, “It’s changing every day. If this continues, I’ll be invincible sooner or later, hahaha!”

Xu Hao was lost in his fantasy when the doorbell rang, pulling him back to reality. He walked to the door in confusion, and as soon as he opened it, a fragrant breeze wafted out.

"Sister Lin?" Xu Hao looked at the beautiful landlady standing at the door in surprise.

Lin Ya wore a form-fitting red dress that accentuated her curves, her long hair cascading over her shoulders, and her makeup was exquisite. She smiled at Xu Hao, her eyes sparkling with concern.

"Xu Hao, which day did you meet...that Shi Shaowei...?" Lin Ya asked softly, her voice as melodious as a clear spring. But she seemed a little hesitant to speak. "What did you talk about?"

Xu Hao paused for a moment, then stepped aside to let Lin Ya into the house, secretly pondering how to explain Shi Shaowei's matter.

It's best to keep Lin Ya away from these strange and superstitious things. On one hand, it worries her; on the other hand, it might bring her danger and trouble in the future.

Lin Ya sat gracefully on the sofa, her gaze sweeping across the room. Xu Hao brought her a glass of water and handed it to her. Lin Ya hesitated for a moment, then said seriously, "Brother, to be honest, this is all your fault. If he makes any unreasonable demands or says anything unpleasant, don't take it to heart. If it really comes down to it, I'll go talk to him!"

Xu Hao suddenly realized, "Oh, they were talking about that! Oh..."

Lin Ya frowned slightly and asked with concern, "Did he harass you? Did he touch you? And then you tried to resist and ran away?"

Xu Hao broke out in a cold sweat: "Stop! Stop! Stop! It's baseless! Brother Shi is straight. It's not what you're thinking! He really does have a job for me!"

Lin Ya looked doubtful and continued.

“Um… Xu Hao, it’s like this… I heard that people who have a hobby in that area are particularly good at… disguising themselves… You mustn’t…” Lin Ya stammered, hesitating to finish her sentence.

Xu Hao immediately understood Lin Ya's concerns. He was both amused and exasperated, and quickly explained, "Sister Lin, don't misunderstand. Brother Shi really isn't gay; he just wants to hire me into the company."

Lin Ya breathed a sigh of relief, a blush rising to her cheeks. "Brother Shi? Okay, that's good... I was worried you'd be scammed..."

Xu Hao felt a warmth in his heart, sensing Lin Ya's concern. He smiled and said, "Sis, I know you're worried about me. But Brother Shi really took a liking to me...some special talent? And decided to hire me into their company..."

Lin Ya immediately raised her voice, "Xu Hao! What kind of spell did that guy surnamed Shi cast on you? He saw your special talent as soon as we met? The more you talk, the more unreliable it becomes! Let me tell you, this is a road of no return, you can't…!"

Xu Hao felt a sudden toothache. How...how could he explain this to her? Sister Lin Ya wasn't like a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl who was easily fooled and wouldn't believe everything she was told. She quickly pointed out the flaws in his explanation.

Come to think of it, a beautiful widow who is newly married and widowed, with considerable wealth, would have been devoured long ago if she were so easily fooled.

A hint of worry flashed in Lin Ya's eyes as she stared intently at Xu Hao.

In the end, Xu Hao used his excellent salesmanship and persuasive words to temporarily dispel Lin Ya's doubts. However, as Lin Ya left, she still glared fiercely at Xu Hao.

"Tell me immediately if anything happens! If that guy surnamed Shi dares to bully you, I'll stand up for you!"

Xu Hao looked at Lin Ya with emotion, a warm feeling welling up in his heart.