Evolving My Undead Legion In A Game-Like World

Chapter 495: Chapter 495 Refinement

As several thoughts flashed through his mind, Michael shook his head a few seconds later and redirected his focus fully to his body in the Land of Origin.

By now, he had already digested the massive amount of information Jester had imparted to him.

Putting aside the Memory Infusion skill, Jester had also passed on three refinement arts.

The first was Object Refinement Art, whose purpose was to anchor an item directly to one’s soul.

The second was Self Refinement Art, which focused on refining one’s own soul and mind—sharpening focus, boosting memory retention, and increasing resistance to mental attacks.

With his Intelligence stat already so high that Michael suspected it was no longer within the Rank 2 bracket, he reasoned that if he could actively make use of the aspects related to that stat rather than relying on it passively, then even if he faced another monster like Jester, as long as it was within Rank 2, he would be immune—or at least nearly so.

Of course, he could also rely on equipment, and he wasn’t planning to stop doing that. But one could only be truly confident in their own power. Why rely on one when you could have two?

Together with Object Refinement, Michael valued Self Refinement just as much.

The third was Symbiotic Refinement—something Michael was still trying to fully understand. According to Jester, it was a method of refining the connection between his soul and another’s—living or dead. It was often used for dual cultivation or mutual strengthening.

Michael leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly.

So this... this was Memory Infusion.

It was almost frightening how clean it felt.

He couldn’t help but wonder—was this commonplace in the cultivation world Li Yang came from? Were there organisations where techniques like this, together with knowledge, were handed down with me casually, refined for generations until they were perfect?

If so... then the depth of that world’s knowledge was immense.

Michael thought briefly of the Awakeners’ Academy.

Did they have anything even remotely close to this?

He hoped so.

If the academy’s quality matched even a fraction of what he’d just experienced... he would be very impressed.

For now, though, he would be content with this.

Knowledge had always been valuable—but never had it tasted quite this sweet.

If students back in Aurora could access something like this, there wouldn’t be a single dull child left. In fact, ”dull” might become something terrifying.

The thought made Michael’s lips curve faintly.

Perhaps he really should look for a body with spirit roots for Jester after all.

That way, Jester could focus on gathering the knowledge while he handled the receiving. A perfect cycle.

Curiosity prickled at Michael, and he pulled up his system panel.

The three refinement arts now sat neatly in his skills list, their descriptions glowing faintly.

[Object Refinement Art] – Functions as both an anchor and a storage space. Infuse an item with your soul signature to bind it. This grants the ability to summon or dismiss it at will, regardless of distance, and allows a more comprehensive degree of control and compatibility with the item’s abilities.

[Self Refinement Art] – Refines the user’s soul and mind, sharpening focus, boosting memory retention, and increasing resistance to mental interference or attacks. Repeated refinement improves results, with effects scaling alongside the user’s mental strength.

[Symbiotic Refinement Art] – Refines a connection between your soul and another’s—living or dead. Allows mutual strengthening, energy sharing, and so on.

All three were at Basic Mastery.

And just like with Memory Infusion, Michael could already tell that with enough time and focus, it wouldn’t take long to push them to Intermediate Mastery.

However, Michael’s mind was on something else.

The thought of having yet another way to leverage his talent stirred a spark of excitement in him.

His gaze settled on one of the three arts in particular—Object Refinement.

At Basic Mastery, it only allowed for two bound items.

Quite limiting... but workable.

He sank into thought for a moment before reaching into his storage space and drawing out a weapon.

A spear.

[Venomfang Spear]

[Rank: Rare★]

[Type: Poison Spear]

Inflicts a potent poison on the target, dealing continuous damage over time and weakening their defenses.

This weapon had been with Michael for more than two months, accompanying him through its fair share of battles.

Unfortunately, even back when he was still at the peak of Rank 1, it had already begun to feel like it was holding him back.

And now?

Now that he had not only advanced to Rank 2, but was already well into this rank, the gap was glaring. The spear was no longer suitable for him.

It wasn’t a matter of sentiment—Michael simply had no choice. If he wanted to keep using his physical advantage, it would have to be replaced.

Still...

As his fingers tightened around the shaft, a faint smile touched his lips.

It seemed there was still a chance for this old companion to continue its journey with him.

Not in the same way as before—no.

But if Object Refinement worked the way it was described... then perhaps this spear could yet be reborn.

Michael held the Venomfang Spear across his lap, letting its familiar weight settle into his palms.

He closed his eyes, drawing in a slow, steady breath, and willed the [Object Refinement Art] to activate.

The response was immediate.

A faint warmth stirred in the depths of his soul, rising like a tide and spilling down his arms into his hands. The air around him grew heavy, faint motes of light flickering at the edges of his vision.

The spear reacted.

Its surface shivered—not physically, but in a way that resonated in his mind, as if some invisible thread had been plucked.

Michael focused, letting a strand of his soul signature unravel and flow into the weapon.

It was nothing like channeling mana; this was deeper, more intimate. He could feel the venomous core of the spear.

There was resistance at first.

But Michael persisted, letting his presence seep into every fiber of its being until resistance gave way to recognition.

Michael’s eyes opened slowly.

The connection was immediate and undeniable—he could feel the weapon’s balance as if it were an extension of his own arm, the way one might feel the curl of their fingers.

A faint grin tugged at his lips.