Chapter 54: The Protoss Doll, Power Surge

Lin Kong eagerly awaited Ning Qing's return. The anticipation of the surprise, the potential of the Protoss Doll, and the upcoming novice assessment made the days seem longer.

As he rested, his thoughts wandered back to his recent training and the upcoming assessment. "I need to maximize my chances," he thought. His gaze shifted to the virtual computer where he had been monitoring his followers and messages.

The next day, Lin Kong woke up early, his mind sharp and ready for whatever was to come. He had planned to train further, but he was interrupted by a message alert.

"Ding! You have a new message."

Lin Kong opened the message. It was from Ning Qing.

Ning Qing: "Xiaokong, I'm on my way back. Get ready for your surprise!"

Excitement surged through him. He couldn't wait to see what Ning Qing had in store.

Soon enough, there was a knock on the door. Lin Kong rushed to open it. Ning Qing stood there, a smile on her face, holding a small, intricately designed box.

"Sister Ning Qing!" Lin Kong greeted her warmly.

"Xiaokong, this is for you," she said, handing him the box. "It's a Protoss Doll. I've named her Astra."

Lin Kong carefully opened the box. Inside lay a small, intricately designed humanoid figure. The craftsmanship was exquisite, and it seemed to pulse with a faint, otherworldly energy.

[Protoss Doll: Astra]

Quality: SSSType: Humanoid mechanical petPotential: SSS level~???Attributes: Strength +50, Agility +50, Intelligence +50, Constitution +50Abilities:Adaptive Evolution: Gains abilities and attributes based on the owner's characteristics and experiences.Celestial Strike: Unleashes a powerful attack based on the owner's primary element.Guardian Shield: Provides a protective barrier that absorbs damage.Mystic Healing: Gradually heals the owner over time.

"This... this is incredible!" Lin Kong exclaimed, unable to hide his excitement.

Ning Qing smiled. "Astra will grow stronger with you, Xiaokong. She's designed to adapt and evolve, just like you."

Lin Kong activated the Protoss Doll. Astra came to life, her eyes glowing with a soft blue light. She floated up and hovered beside Lin Kong, ready to assist him in battle.

"Thank you, Sister Ning Qing," Lin Kong said, his voice filled with gratitude.

"You're welcome, Xiaokong. Use her well, and make sure to win that novice assessment," Ning Qing replied.

With Astra by his side, Lin Kong felt more confident than ever. He was ready to tackle any challenge that came his way.

"Let's see what Astra can do," Lin Kong thought. He activated her abilities and tested her in various scenarios. Her adaptive evolution was truly remarkable. She learned quickly and adjusted her abilities to match Lin Kong's needs.

The next few days were spent training with Astra. They developed a synergy that made them a formidable team. Lin Kong's skills were sharper, his attacks more precise, and his defense stronger with Astra's support.

Finally, the day of the novice assessment arrived. Lin Kong stood at the entrance of the special dungeon world, ready to face the challenge. With Astra by his side and his training complete, he knew he was prepared.

"Let's win this," he thought, stepping into the portal.

Chapter 55: Novice Assessment, The Challenge Begins

The dungeon world was a sprawling landscape of treacherous terrains, hidden traps, and powerful monsters. Each participant was given a specific objective, and the one who completed it the fastest would be the winner.

Lin Kong's objective was to retrieve a rare artifact hidden deep within the heart of the dungeon. As he moved through the challenges, Astra's abilities proved invaluable. She protected him from ambushes, healed his wounds, and struck down foes with precision.

The competition was fierce. Many skilled participants were vying for the top spot, but Lin Kong's training and Astra's support gave him an edge. He moved swiftly, taking down obstacles and enemies with ease.

Finally, after hours of intense battles and navigating treacherous paths, Lin Kong reached the chamber where the artifact was hidden. Guarding it was a colossal beast, the final challenge.

"Astra, let's do this," Lin Kong said, steeling himself for the fight.

The battle was intense. The beast was powerful, but Lin Kong and Astra fought with unmatched coordination. Astra's Guardian Shield absorbed the beast's powerful strikes, while Lin Kong's precise attacks whittled down its health.

With a final, powerful strike, Lin Kong and Astra defeated the beast. The artifact was theirs.

[Ding! Congratulations on completing the novice assessment. Your ranking: 1st place.]

Lin Kong's heart swelled with pride. He had done it. With Astra by his side, he had achieved first place in the novice assessment.

[Rewards: SSS-level skill stone, 1000 denominations, Dragon World Teleportation Scroll]

Holding the scroll, Lin Kong knew his journey was just beginning. With Astra and his new skills, there were no limits to what he could achieve.