Chapter 29-SS-Level Passive Skill! Huge Gains, Massive Boost!

Two skill books, four pieces of equipment, and a monster material resembling a heart.

The moment the treasure chest opened, Li Yao's attention was immediately drawn to one of the skill books.

The pages were ancient and yellowed, yet they faintly emitted a deep crimson glow.

If he wasn't mistaken, this skill book had come from the 'Rank +1' clearance chest.

A reward for breaking the historical clearance time—each professional could trigger it only once within six months.

It made sense.

If not for this restriction, Li Yao would definitely have slowed down his progress on purpose, repeatedly setting new clearance records to farm the rewards.

Because of this, this chest was, without a doubt, the highest-grade one he had ever obtained.

"This is definitely above S-rank."

Li Yao was certain as he focused on the skill book.

[Goblin Slayer (SS Passive Skill)]: An endless butcher, the nightmare of goblin tribes. Increases damage dealt to goblin-type creatures by 30%; increases damage dealt to non-goblin creatures by 15%.

"A passive skill?!"

Li Yao couldn't help but exclaim.

His reaction was understandable. If it were anyone else, they'd be shouting even louder.

After all—

Skills were divided into active and passive types.

Active skills were like weapons.

They amplified one's strength, unleashing their potential to the fullest.

Passive skills, on the other hand, were a foundation.

Once acquired, they were always in effect.

Enhancing one's foundation was invaluable, and the drop rate for such skills was absurdly low.

Forget SS-rank passive skills—even A-rank or B-rank ones would be enough to drive people into a frenzy anywhere.

This Goblin Slayer skill.

With its simple yet overwhelming power, it showcased what an SS-rank skill truly was.

The first effect wasn't even the most important part, as it only applied in specific scenarios.

The real game-changer was the second effect.

A flat 15% increase in all damage to non-goblin creatures.

No restrictions—any attack that dealt damage would automatically be boosted by 15%.

Unlike equipment, skills never became obsolete. This effect would follow Li Yao forever.

"Now this is the real treasure."

"The kind of thing that separates top-tier professionals from the ordinary ones."

"Something the average professional could chase for a lifetime and never attain…"

Li Yao sighed in admiration.

If someone offered him a full set of [Royal Authority] equipment in exchange for this skill book, he would accept without hesitation.

Speaking of the [Royal Authority] set—

Li Yao quickly turned his attention to the four pieces of equipment lying quietly on the ground.

Two were Gold-grade, two were Platinum-grade.

On Master difficulty, Silver equipment was the most common, with a small chance of Gold.

On Nightmare difficulty, Gold was the standard, with a slight chance of Platinum.

A 50/50 probability between the two—that's why Li Yao had praised Qin Yue's luck earlier.

However,what frustrated Li Yao was that while all four pieces had great stats, none of them belonged to the [Royal Authority] set.

Among them—

Only one piece was even remotely useful to him.

[Summoner's Grandmaster Belt (Waist)]

• Quality: Platinum

• Required Level: 15

• Attribute 1: +40 Stamina, +40 Spirit, +40 Agility

• Attribute 2: Summoning Prodigy (Passive): Summoning-type skills no longer require casting time.

• Durability: 180/180

Li Yao didn't know how to feel about this one.

His summoning ability had been upgraded by the Hextech System into Chesspiece Summoning.

Summoning his chesspieces already didn't require casting time.

The only reason he decided to wear it was for the sheer boost to his stats—it was Platinum-grade, after all.

"I should ask around."

"See what other summoners think about this effect…"

Li Yao made a mental note before turning to the final item.

[Goblin King's Heart (Boss Material)]

• Crafting Requirements: Level 20, Alchemy LV7, Forging LV4, Soul-Melting LV1

• Description: A core crafting material for the General's Sword and the King's Ring. Contains the supreme resentment of the goblin race and is difficult to refine. Can drop from Goblin Nest (Nightmare), Land of Evil (Master), and Feeding Cavern (Master).

"Well, well. Looks like fate is at work."

Li Yao smiled in satisfaction.

He had heard of Land of Evil—it was a massive dungeon on the northern border of Jindu, in the Dragon Kingdom.

It was a level 40+ zone.

In that place, goblins were just bottom-feeders—many other terrifying creatures lurked within.

"But what's this Feeding Cavern dungeon?" Li Yao wondered.

Still, he didn't dwell on it. The world was vast—there were plenty of dungeons he'd never heard of.

After taking inventory of his spoils, Li Yao opened his status panel.

[Name]: Li Yao

[Class]: Cloud Summit Chessmaster (Hidden, Unique)

[Level]: 17 (2.04%)

[HP]: 6580/6580

[Strength]: 70

[Spirit]: 310

[Agility]: 373 (King's Scepter-bound stat)

[Stamina]: 155

[Chesspiece Slots]: 3/3

[Equipment]:

• Bloodthirst Pendant

• Swift Boots

• King's Cloak

• King's Scepter

• Summoner's Grandmaster Belt

• Shadow Walker Mask (6/8)

[Skills]:

• Void Mantis - Summon (SSS)

• Azure Bird - Summon (S)

• Void Predator - Summon (A)

• Hedge Fund (Unknown)

• Combat Training (Unknown)

• Demonic Pact (Unknown)

• Shackles (S)

• Goblin Slayer (SS)

[Equipment Skills]:

• Bloodthirst

• King's Guard

• King's Might

• Sanctuary

• Summoning Prodigy

[Talents]:

• Hextech

• Synergy

• Armament

• Chessmaster

• Star Ascension

[Title]: Abyssal Loner (Unique)

Li Yao was extremely satisfied with his stats.

Strength was meaningless for a summoner unless they planned to physically hit things with a staff.

Stamina was only useful for his chesspieces—not himself.

The Chessmaster talent gave him absolute flexibility!

That's why every piece of equipment he chose was focused on boosting Spirit and Agility.

Both had now surpassed 300—equivalent to 60 levels' worth of free stat points.

With his gear included, he could even challenge level 30 professionals head-on.

That was the terror of Platinum-grade equipment.

His combat power at this stage was nearly unmatched.

"Next, I'll have Qin Yue's team refine the King's Ring using the Goblin King's Heart."

Lying on his bed, Li Yao closed his eyes in thought.

"Then, I need to reach level 20 as soon as possible and complete my Second Awakening Quest."

Every 20 levels marked a turning point.

Once he passed this threshold, his power would undergo a drastic transformation.

At this point, getting into the Four Great Martial Academies was no longer his goal.

His strength had given him unshakable confidence.

Now, his eyes were set solely on the Second Awakening Quest.

A task tailored specifically to him, with rewards based on completion.

"I'll wait until I complete the Royal Authority set before attempting it…"

That was his last thought before he drifted into a deep sleep.

RING RING RING!

About six hours later, the piercing sound of the room's landline jolted him awake.

It was like a school bell—sharp and aggravating.

"Damn it!"

Li Yao picked up the phone.

"Li Shao, wake up! Something big just happened!"

Qin Yue's anxious voice came through the receiver.