Thunder Valley, here I come

30,000 gold coins, and a 10% discount at Mystic Market. 

This is the entire reward Mike received for reporting Jacob, equivalent to $30 million. As for the 10% discount, that's a privilege only Battle Generals get to enjoy!

"Here are 30,000 anonymous gold coin cards and this VIP card, with Battle General level access. Make sure to keep them safe," Foreskin explained. "This VIP card can be used both online and offline. Just present it at any auction or market hosted by Mystic Market, and you'll enjoy Battle General level perks!"

"Got it." Mike pocketed the two cards and stated his purpose for the visit, "Do you have any suitable low-level mage teleportation skills or equipment?"

"Yes!" Foreskin was quick to respond, pulling out several items. 

"Here's the 'Gale Step' skill book. It increases your movement speed, and as you level up, it allows you to enter a brief state of invisibility, making your first attack deal critical damage. It's priced at 500 gold coins!"

That's $500,000—a steep price indeed.

"Next," Mike said, dismissing the Gale Step. He was a mage and didn't need that type of skill.

Foreskin continued, "Wind Spirit Boots, which include a movement skill that allows you to briefly gain wings of wind after running continuously..."

"Flame Jump, blink in a designated direction for about 6.5 feet, dealing fire element damage to surrounding enemies..."

Listening to Foreskin's explanations, Mike frowned slightly. These items didn't really suit him or meet his preferences.

Foreskin was at a loss; there wasn't much available for low-tier mages, as most had been snapped up by major families. What was left was just these items.

"There's one more, a skill book for all classes, but usually only warriors learn it. 

'Windstride Slash'—rush to an enemy at high speed and instantly deal 65% damage with a basic attack, no mana cost, with a cooldown of 0.5 seconds."

Foreskin himself struggled to continue. Windstride Slash was indeed a teleportation skill, but it was for close combat! 

What's most crucial for a mage in battle? Distance control! 

Keeping as much distance as possible from the enemy and continuously wearing them down—this was a tactic distilled from countless predecessors' experiences, and the nature of 'Windstride Slash' was completely contrary to this.

A mage rushing up to an enemy to strike a basic attack? That was almost laughable.

Yet, to Foreskin's surprise, Mike seemed interested. "How much for this one?"

"8,000 gold coins, but with your discount, it's 7,200 gold coins. You're not seriously considering buying this, are you?" Foreskin furrowed his brow, sensing that there was more to Mike's decision than met the eye.

Without hesitation, Mike pulled out 7,200 gold coins and said calmly, "I'll take it."

Foreskin was speechless.

Money exchanged hands, and the deal was done. "Transaction successful!"

"Skill acquisition successful, [Windstride Slash] learned!" Mike looked at his newly acquired movement skill and nodded in satisfaction.

For other mages, Windstride Slash might not seem like a wise choice. But for Mike, with his [Charge Up] and [Blessing of Lightning] skills stacking, whether it was a basic attack or a skill, he could deal massive damage! 

With Windstride Slash in his arsenal, Mike could ensure both mobility and damage were covered.

Still as a mountain, swift as thunder, a strike to kill, a dash to escape miles away. Indeed, this was the true way of combat for a mage, and Mike felt his avant-garde understanding was spot on.

"Sir, how should I address you?" Foreskin asked after the transaction was completed.

After a moment's thought, Mike responded, "Uh... call me Yasuo."

"Alright, see you around, Yasuo."

After exiting the Trade Secret Realm, the clock struck midnight, and Mike once again embarked on his journey in the Tower of Truth!

"Welcome to the Core City of Truth!"

The pleasant voice rang in his ears, ethereal and seemingly otherworldly.

"The Core City of Truth is a hub and resting place for those venturing through the Tower of Truth. To enter a specific level of the tower, simply input the desired floor number on the core. 

If you die while challenging the Tower of Truth, you will automatically return to the Core City of Truth and enter a period of weakness. After this period, you can choose to continue your challenge. Once you break through the current level of the Tower of Truth, you will automatically return to the Core City of Truth. 

The Tower of Truth is open for 6 hours each day. Please plan your time in the Core City of Truth wisely, and we wish you the best of luck in conquering the Tower of Truth."

When Mike opened his eyes next, he found himself in a massive city bustling with activity. This was the Core City of Truth! Whether weak or strong, from level 1 novices to Battle Lords, everyone had to pass through the Core City of Truth to enter the Tower of Truth.

For the general public, the Core City of Truth was their version of the Trade Secret Realm. Without the supervision, there tended to be more deception and trickery.

As soon as Mike entered the city, he was bombarded with shouts from vendors.

"Special map for the first level, only 50 cents! Don't miss out as you pass by!"

"3 bucks to guide you through the first level, guaranteed learning, no refunds!"

"Supreme Viagra potion, 5 bucks a bottle!"

"..."

Over the past century, the Core City of Truth had been continuously developed and divided into different zones:

[Trade Zone], [Class Zone], [Combat Power Test Zone], [Team-Up Zone]

The Trade Zone was self-explanatory, dedicated to transactions.

In the Class Zone, you could find the respective Class associations where members of the same Class could exchange knowledge and tips, speeding up their skill improvement.

The [Combat Power Test Zone] was specifically established by the Defense Headquarters for power assessments of Battle Soldiers, Battle Generals, Battle Chiefs, and Battle Lords!

After all, getting injured inside the Tower of Truth doesn't affect reality.

During the Combat Power Tests, even if severe injuries or death occur, there would be no real-world consequences.

Starting from [Battle General], the evaluation also requires consideration of one's record in the Abyssal Plane, not just raw power metrics.

The three supreme beings established the [Combat Power Tiers] to cultivate true warriors capable of slaying enemies on the battlefield, not just dimwits who mindlessly cast spells.

With limited time, Mike had a clear plan, "First, I'll challenge the Tower of Truth, then head to the [Combat Power Test Zone] to try out the Battle Soldiers test!"

Saying this, he placed his palm on a crystal by the roadside. A flash of light passed, and he officially entered the first level of the Tower of Truth.

Shortly after Mike disappeared, Cain and Jessica entered the Core City of Truth, not far from each other.

"Cain?" Jessica asked with a hint of anticipation, "Is Mike with you?"

"No, but Mike mailed me some stuff."

Cain was checking his mailbox, finding several scrolls and puppets of unclear tier.

Mike left a message for Cain, advising him not to use these items unless absolutely necessary. Using high-tier items for leveling could actually lower one's upgrade rating, indirectly weakening one's strength and potential!

Mike had given these items to Cain merely as a precaution for self-defense.

"Oh," Jessica's face fell when she learned Mike wasn't around.

Then she remembered something important. "Oh, right!"

"You have to tell Mike not to go to [Thunder Valley] today, no matter what!"

"Why?" Cain asked, puzzled by her urgency.

Jessica's expression turned grave as she explained, "The Battle Lords who specialize in prophecy have predicted today's monster spawn conditions in the first level of the Tower of Truth."

"There's a special boss spawning deep in Thunder Valley, super strong. Anyone who goes in recklessly is just asking to get wiped out!"

"Holy smokes, is it that scary?" Cain was taken aback.

Without wasting another second, he tried to send a message, but then his face fell.

"Shoot, Mike won't get the message; he's already entered the Tower of Truth!"

Once inside the Tower of Truth, the messaging function is temporarily disabled, and Cain couldn't connect with Mike.

Jessica, biting her lip in frustration, pressed her hand against the crystal, silently praying, "Mike, you better not head to Thunder Valley!"

...

Tower of Truth.

First Level.

Mike stretched lazily, ready to start his journey to achieve a 100% Exploration Rate.

"First stop, Thunder Valley."

"Here I come!"