[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-above-the-mage":3,"chapter-above-the-mage-above-the-mage-chapter-495":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Above the Mage!",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2257499,4404,"Chapter 495: [Identification Technique]","above-the-mage-chapter-495",495,"\u003Cp>Amidst their shock, the crowd continued their actions, controlling the alchemical machine to drag the Blackwing Scale Snake onto the dock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its massive body coiled and piled together, emitting a strong fishy stench.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The huge wound on its head was even more astonishing, clearly indicating how fierce the battle had been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Mage, mighty indeed!” someone couldn’t help but praise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is a second-rank geopulse creature—yet you’re so young and already a second-circle mage,” another marveled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under normal circumstances, only a second-circle mage could slay a second-rank geopulse creature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this understanding was perfectly reasonable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Gao De wouldn’t bother explaining or correcting them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just thinking that he had truly slain a powerful second-rank geopulse creature, Gao De unconsciously brushed his hand against the hilt of Northwind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was no comparison to Aldrich, that “fake second-circle mage”—the Blackwing Scale Snake was a genuine second-rank beast, formidable in combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he had relied on the power of Zhen Ice Magic Weapon, nonetheless, he had now demonstrated the ability to kill a second-rank geopulse creature alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a first-circle mage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the rigid hierarchy of the mage system, achieving such a feat brought no less satisfaction than solving the final, hardest problem on a college entrance math exam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the exhilaration, Gao De was even more awed by Su Nai’s power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a first-circle mage overcoming a second-rank foe was already this difficult, how much harder would it be for a fourth-circle mage to defeat a fifth-rank one?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wondered whether he’d ever attain such an extraordinary power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least for now, it seemed extremely unlikely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But nothing was certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because each time a mage ascends a circle, their newly awakened specialization offers a chance to “leap over the dragon’s gate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps his next ascension would awaken some earth-shattering combat specialization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This monster has appeared repeatedly lately, terrifying everyone—but Master Mage, you slew it on your very first day! You’ve truly removed a great threat for us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sea Sentinel Mages are truly Sea Sentinel Mages—one move and you know their worth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over there, the crowd continued their exclamations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to their chatter, Gao De smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, seeing their stunned expressions and hearing their heartfelt praise felt good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one dislikes compliments, especially sincere ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Help me process its corpse and deliver it to” Gao De spoke, giving his address, then added: “As for the snake meat, each of you take five catties.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was payment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When asking others for help, payment must be given.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing Gao De’s words, everyone’s eyes lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flesh of a second-rank geopulse creature was highly valuable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snake meat, especially, was a potent tonic, worth even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Master Mage!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Leave it to us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rest assured—we’ll handle it perfectly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Gao De now\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He first took out the capybara bag, gently called to the lake water, and retrieved Tuanzi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Go back and sleep like a log!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back at the inn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De removed his blood-stained clothes and unfastened the rune gear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On his chest, a deep bruise, its color nearly black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blackwing Scale Snake’s final, powerful tail strike, carrying the force of a thousand catties, had landed squarely on Gao De’s chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with dual protection from Shield Spell and rune gear, he still suffered serious injury from the second-rank geopulse creature’s overwhelming strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he confirmed the Blackwing Scale Snake was dead, Gao De cast a Healing Spell on himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even so, the bruised skin remained swollen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every breath sent sharp, dull pain through his chest, like a blunt knife slicing flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De knew healing magic alone wasn’t enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He focused inward, channeling his dwindling mana to cast [Gem Berry Shu +].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Gem Berries created by [Gem Berry Shu +] also possessed healing properties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After obtaining the Gem Berries, Gao De swallowed them one after another, consuming eight in total—the maximum limit—then stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A warm energy spread and diffused across his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he channeled more mana to cast [Comfortable Slumber+].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the spell took effect, a warm, soothing sensation enveloped him; his body relaxed, and his tense nerves gradually eased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could no longer hold on—he collapsed onto the bed and fell into deep, snoring sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During Comfortable Slumber, his injury recovery rate doubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, when he had endured frostbite, [Adaptive] had already increased his body’s recovery capability to 79.6%.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That amounted to four stacked buffs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, as Gao De slept, the bruise on his chest visibly faded—from nearly black to deep purple, then purplish-red, until finally regaining some reddish hue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The swelling also slowly receded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De was woken by a knock at the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it had been nearly six hours since he fell asleep; even without disturbance, he would have woken naturally soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the Peacekeeping Office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hours of labor, they had finally processed and dissected the massive corpse of the Blackwing Scale Snake and delivered it to his address as requested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blackwing Scale Snake was six to seven meters long; even just the cut meat weighed over six hundred catties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the most valuable parts were its scales; its gallbladder and blood were also excellent alchemical ingredients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This single Blackwing Scale Snake, due to its abundant edible meat, had a total value exceeding five hundred Jin Quehua coins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Killing monsters was always extremely profitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But most geopulse creatures lived in remote wilderness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if a mage slew them, without legendary space-storage equipment, they could only carry back a few high-value, lightweight parts based on their own carrying capacity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De had always operated this way before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In inland waterways near the city, where water beasts were cleared, boats were commonly used for transport, making it easy to bring back entire corpses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De thanked the delivery crew and gave each of them one catty of snake meat as thanks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he stored the goods in his room and took out a few “samples” to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he wasn’t going out to eat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eight Gem Berries filled his stomach—he wouldn’t be hungry for at least this day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De went out to find buyers for the snake meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scales and other parts he could take back to Duoen and sell slowly at his own Wolma Magic Materials shop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But six hundred catties of meat? Impossible to carry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And unlike scales, which kept well for half a year, snake meat was freshest—and most valuable—when newest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Edible geopulse meat had no shortage of buyers in a big city like Broster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were many wealthy locals who loved this delicacy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Gao De simply visited two upscale restaurants; aside from keeping a small portion for Tuanzi to change his diet, he sold all the rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At an average of five silver dragons per catty, he earned three hundred Jin Quehua coins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Add the military merit soon to be claimed, this mission’s total earnings exceeded eight hundred Jin Quehua coins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the mission complete, Gao De had no reason to linger in Broster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spent half a day walking carefully through the city—and indeed, collected over ten new tree species he hadn’t gathered before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De checked out, packed his belongings, and boarded the earliest airship back to Duoen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abyss White Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Supply Office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Submit mission.” Gao De strode in boldly and placed a bulging cloth sack on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Neil looked up, recognized Gao De, and was slightly surprised: “Back so soon? You finished this mission quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having worked in the Supply Office for years, he knew most water beast clearance missions took seven to eight days from assignment to submission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De had taken this mission on the afternoon of Spring Bud Month 1st—and now it was only the morning of the 4th.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even his previous mission, [Crab Infestation Risk], was still in its observation period.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This extraordinary efficiency made him feel almost incredulous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he marveled, Old Neil expertly untied the sack to inspect the goods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sack opened, revealing a fearsome triangular head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pair of emerald-green vertical pupils sent a chill through the heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The top of the skull was a mess—shattered scales and dried blood intertwined, exposing bone; it was clear the creature had suffered immense injuries and trauma before death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is…” Old Neil’s mouth slightly parted as he stared at the massive triangular head. “A second-rank Blackwing Scale Serpent? You killed it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only did he complete the task within three days—but exceeded it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling how Gao De had previously defeated Second-Ring Aldrich and earned three Second-Class Merits at once, he’d thought luck had played a part.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once might be luck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twice? Then there must be a necessary cause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Neil couldn’t help but scrutinize Gao De from head to toe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could a commoner mage accomplish what noble mages struggled to achieve?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I killed it. You may not know, Master Neil, but the specialty I awakened upon reaching First-Ring is combat-oriented, especially effective against geopaths—so slaying monsters is much easier for me…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De revealed partial truths, attributing his ability to repeatedly defeat higher-ranked foes entirely to his specialty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a universal explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because specialties awaken randomly; no one knows what kind a mage will awaken or what they can achieve with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep down, Old Neil still found it hard to believe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Specialties are important—everyone agrees—but could one specialty truly let Gao De overcome Shen Ming’s level suppression? He still doubted it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Gao De smiled “sheepishly” at Old Neil. “Can this count as a Second-Class Merit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Neil fell silent, flipped through the mission sheet, carefully verified it, then nodded. “According to mission classification, you earn one Second-Class Merit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though not as rewarding as his last haul of three Second-Class Merits, that mission had been far more complex and carried additional rewards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One Second-Class Merit was more than enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the Sea Sentinels’ Second-Class Merit exchange list, apart from the Berry of the Gods, every other rare First-Ring spell formula cost exactly one Second-Class Merit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant another rare spell formula in hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, this too,” he pulled out the brain of the Sawtooth Puffer he’d slain on his first night at Lake Es Mier . Much smaller than the serpent’s head. “Besides the second-rank Blackwing Scale Serpent, I unexpectedly found a first-rank Sawtooth Puffer and took care of it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Neil picked up the Sawtooth Puffer’s brain, examined it carefully, then said: “First-rank Sawtooth Puffer. That’s one Third-Class Merit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De nodded, satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little by little, enough Third-Class Merits could be exchanged for spell formulas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Neil had already taken a parchment from his drawer and began meticulously recording Gao De’s latest military merits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, after finishing the record, Old Neil looked up—and found Gao De still standing there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is there something else?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Neil, I’d like to exchange this Second-Class Merit for the spell formula of [Identification].” Gao De made his exchange request.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During his last review of the exchange list, he’d already planned which spell formula he’d claim next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the moment he received the merits, he made the request without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Neil blinked in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mages who immediately used their merits upon earning them were rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, he quickly recovered, filled out the exchange form, had Gao De sign it, then summoned staff to take both the mission record and exchange request for review.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About half an hour later, the staff returned with the spell formula Gao De requested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you.” Gao De took the formula, bowed, left the supply office, and headed straight for the finance office to claim reimbursement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Neil picked up the approved military merit record and stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He went to the internal archives of the supply office and found Gao De’s merit ledger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ledger was still new.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Neil placed the new merit record inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll earn another Second-Class Merit soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, he suddenly recalled what Gao De had said last time when exchanging a Second-Class Merit for a common First-Ring spell formula.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, he’d wanted to warn Gao De that Second-Class Merits weren’t easy to earn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But seeing those three Second-Class Merits, he’d held his tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now… Gao De had proven his “boast” was no empty words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His momentum is far greater than Jia Deng’s was back then,” Old Neil murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Deng’s sudden rise had made many believe he’d eventually enter the “Light Sentinels.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the outcome far exceeded anyone’s expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, with another “Jia Deng” appearing, Old Neil’s first instinct was unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he couldn’t say exactly what he was worried about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First floor of the Mage Tower lobby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After completing reimbursement, Gao De stood once more before the crystal panel, selecting missions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But luck had run out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, every mission listed on the crystal panel had level restrictions—minimum Second-Ring mage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All tasks above have level restrictions, with the lowest restricted to Second-Ring Mages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among mages, First-Ring mages vastly outnumbered Second-Ring mages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But among Sea Sentinels, it was reversed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, Second-Ring mages were the most numerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under such conditions, it was common for First-Ring mages to find no missions available.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, such low-rank missions were often handled locally by town guards—no need to report to Sea Sentinels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, such missions were rare to begin with, so competition was fierce; few ever remained unclaimed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To ensure mission efficiency and success rates, Sea Sentinels always rated missions beforehand and imposed strict level restrictions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below the required level? No mission could be accepted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Sea Sentinels had considered that some mages might be truly extraordinary, possessing cross-rank combat power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, beyond strict level limits, they added an exception: military rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mage could accept a mission if either their mage rank or military rank met the requirement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, missions restricted to Second-Ring and above could be accepted by anyone with military rank of Warrant Officer or higher, regardless of mage level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, this was irrelevant to Gao De, a mere First-Class Probationary Mage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He maintained good spirits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No missions today? Then return home, reflect, and wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2351,"2026-06-19T14:28:50.414Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","3fd034711181384d3731058015ce98ff657ad88a2762351f7651d8ee9640325d","above-the-mage-chapter-496","above-the-mage-chapter-494",529,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fabove-the-mage-cover.jpg"]