"Power itself is neither good nor evil. What matters is how the person wielding it uses it," Lynch cut in, his tone calm. "For Necromancers like us who are still on our journey, it’s better to focus on improving ourselves than to complain about our circumstances. How the outside world sees us largely depends on the kind of power we choose to display."

He suddenly smiled, speaking half-jokingly, half-seriously, "In short, you just have to be strong enough. If I could one day form a pact with a Legendary Level bone dragon to be my mount, I bet even His Majesty would have to greet me politely with a... hmm, ’Brother Lynch’?"

His words, tinged with both banter and ambition, instantly dispelled the somewhat serious and heavy atmosphere.

Ophelia was stunned for a moment, then gave him a thumbs-up. "Such ambition, Senior! When that day comes, you have to let me touch the bone dragon’s claw!"

Lilith’s face was full of adoration, her eyes sparkling as if she could already picture her senior riding majestically on a Legendary bone dragon.

Even Avril’s tense little face relaxed, and a faint smile appeared at the corners of her mouth.

’If Senior really can form a pact with a Legendary bone dragon, maybe he could break...’

At the thought, her face began to grow warm again.

Only Instructor Annabella shot him an exasperated glare. "A Legendary bone dragon? You should focus on cultivating this zombie of yours into a Black Corpse first. Don’t get ahead of yourself!" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Though she said that, her eyes clearly held a trace of pride.

’This is my student, Annabella’s student. Not only is his talent strong enough, but his understanding of the bigger picture is also so clear.’

"Yes, yes, you’re right, Instructor," Lynch immediately complied, quickly seizing the opportunity. "Um, Instructor... I’ve only just started learning the Black Zombie Skill, and there are still some details I’m not sure about. Could you perhaps offer a little more guidance?"

Annabella could easily see through his little scheme, but she didn’t refuse and began to patiently instruct him.

"Cultivating a Black Corpse is a slow, grinding process. The most ideal and economical method is to create a [Sleeping Tomb]."

"However, creating a Sleeping Tomb isn’t something that can be done overnight. For a quick fix right now, using a Negative Energy Array to consume crystals is faster, though naturally, it’s also much more expensive."

With that, Annabella began her detailed explanation.

She had Lynch reactivate the Negative Energy Array and place the remaining Negative Energy Crystals on several nodes.

Then, she personally demonstrated how to guide the death energy with Spiritual Power, coordinating with the special techniques and incantations recorded in the Black Zombie Skill. She showed him how to "hammer" this pure Negative Energy, bit by bit, strand by strand, into Zombie Blood Fang’s flesh, bones, and even its Soul Fire, as if "forging" it.

During this process, strengthening materials also had to be applied evenly.

Lynch observed with rapt attention, asked about a few details he didn’t understand, and then chugged a bottle of Awakening Potion before starting the practical application.

「A moment later.」

Zombie Blood Fang’s body gradually began to change.

Its originally somewhat "fresh," dark-brown skin slowly deepened in color.

A little over an hour later, Lynch’s Mana was depleted, but he had successfully completed the first round of basic strengthening.

Annabella nodded in satisfaction. "The results aren’t bad. Its body has now undergone the initial stage of becoming a Black Corpse. Its surface defense has improved, and most importantly, you won’t have to worry about it rotting for a short while."

Lynch looked at the faint bluish-black sheen on Zombie Blood Fang’s skin, feeling quite satisfied himself.

He bowed respectfully to his instructor. "Thank you for your guidance, Instructor."

「Afterward.」

He noticed there were still some Negative Energy Crystals left, and with a thought, he summoned Black Corpse Bro from his skeletal bracelet.

Lynch chugged another Awakening Potion and repeated the process, letting it get in on the strengthening as well.

Come to think of it, Black Corpse Bro had been with him for quite some time, but this was the first time it had ever received any strengthening.

It was already at Tier One Peak, just a step away from a breakthrough.

Unexpectedly,

as it was getting its share, it actually advanced.

ROAR~

As the Black Corpse let out a furious roar, its body swelled by a size, and its skin turned a purplish-black color. A dark light seemed to flow faintly beneath the surface, giving it an incredibly tough appearance.

Even the Soul Fire in its eyes was much more vigorous and lively than before.

"A pleasant surprise," Annabella remarked, a hint of astonishment in her eyes.

Lynch was overjoyed.

Black Corpse Bro had been a "hard and uncomplaining worker" all this time, contributing a great deal of effort and merit, yet it had never received any resources. He never expected it would break through in one go just by getting a taste of the "leftovers."

Lynch glanced at Zombie Blood Fang, then at Black Corpse Bro.

Both of them could now be considered Tier Two combatants.

These were now the two strongest fighters under Lynch’s command. If he were to face a boss of Zombie Blood Fang’s original level again, the situation would be completely different.

And now, with his instructor present and three "powerful allies" to help out, Lynch could resume the operation that had been previously delayed.

* * * *

「Half a day later.」

About twenty to thirty kilometers from the Fishing Port, there was a treacherous stretch of coastline known as "Storm Bay."

The area was jagged with rocks and riddled with hidden reefs. The waves were perpetually turbulent, and even the most experienced old fishermen would never dare to sail their boats near.

On the far side of Storm Bay, hidden by towering cliffs, was a rather secluded mountain hollow.

Inside the hollow was the "rendezvous point" the bearded man had spoken of.

It was now dusk.

The bearded man led five or six of his "brothers," dressed as adventurers, as they drove two simple flatbed carts pulled by workhorses, struggling to reach the depths of the hollow.