Chapter 775, Level 20
Steward's Study.
Sheila Grey held the phone, her tone full of seriousness. "Are you crazy? Using Leader Lilith as an advertisement!"
On the other side of the phone came Wu Heng's voice. "I just mentioned the leader settled on the island, didn't say anything else."
"Did you discuss this with Leader Lilith?"
"No."
Sheila Grey covered her forehead. "You're screwed. I can't save you. When your mouth gets sealed, I'll see what you do then."
"No way. Just one vague line in the paper and I'll get my mouth sealed? That's cruel." Wu Heng raised his voice.
"I'll get you a sign language tutor. Shouldn't be hard to learn."
"Damn it, no need to be that thorough. I don't think it's that serious," Wu Heng replied.
Sheila Grey took a deep breath. "It's already done. Let's just see how Leader Lilith reacts."
"If she's really mad, I'll apologize later," Wu Heng continued.
Sheila Grey didn't have any better solution and just said, "Let's wait and see."
The call ended.
Shiyali rested her chin on her palm. "Why so pissed off? I don't think it's a big deal."
Sheila Grey rolled her eyes at her sister. "You've been brainwashed. Anything he does you think is fine."
"Isn't it? He's running Gold-Silver Island better than the elves. Living here is more comfortable." Shiyali laughed.
Sheila Grey pouted and said nothing, returning to her seat.
...…
Island Lord's Mansion.
Wu Heng put down the phone and sat back on the sofa.
Publishing Lilith's move to the island was a plan he had in mind for a while.
The goal was simple: send a signal.
A leader settling somewhere implies they approve of the overall conditions. That's exactly what Gold-Silver Island needs.
It's not just about boosting publicity and selling property to the powerful—it's also about dealing with high-level Professionals and cultists he's at odds with.
Even the church setting up a chapel here helps reduce criminals coming to the island.
A hero settling here would deter even more threats.
That way, he wouldn't have to worry every time he left the island.
Another reason was the church. The tighter Lilith's ties to the island, the more pressure on the church.
When that church leader returns, they'd have to consider Lilith before targeting him.
Damn it, he thought. I've got to guard against cultists and enemies on one side, and now even the church might stab me in the back.
Being a Necromancer is tough.
He sat in the living room for a while. Nothing happened. Lilith didn't send anyone to find him.
Seems like everything's fine.
He stretched and said, "Minnie, I'm heading upstairs. If anyone comes, tell them I'm out."
"Okay, Master," Minnie replied from across the room.
Wu Heng went upstairs and entered the study.
When the three ghosts returned and confirmed everything outside was fine…
He recalled them and opened the portal to the zombie world.
...…
Zombie World.
Exiting the gate, he released the three ghosts.
They walked together, chatting casually.
"Sister Beni, almost level 20?" Xiaoxiao asked.
Beni replied, "According to Wu Heng, probably soon. Maybe just a couple more days."
"Uncle, is she really about to level up?" Xiaoxiao leaned on Wu Heng's shoulder.
Wu Heng glanced at Beni's stats. "Yeah, keep at it. You might hit it today."
"If Sister Beni reaches level 20, our team gets even stronger!" Xiaoxiao cheered.
"Yeah, then it's just you left at 18," Wu Heng said.
Xiaoxiao floated off to the side and said, "You're still level 19 and you're talking?"
The group of one man and three ghosts chatted as they walked.
Wu Heng hopped into the truck's passenger seat. "Keep moving."
The vehicle started up and the skeleton army marched forward.
After some distance…
Another wave of zombies appeared.
Skeleton hounds dashed forward to lure them in, and the tide of corpses slammed into the spear wall.
The sounds of battle echoed across the sky.
One ghost after another rose slowly from the ground.
Beni wasted no time, flying up to devour the lingering souls.
...…
Time passed.
Darkness had fallen completely. The whole area was shrouded in night, only the ghostly blue firelight in the skeletons' eye sockets flickered.
Outside the truck, fighting still raged.
Since Beni was about to level up, everyone picked up the pace. Wu Heng didn't even eat, just kept clearing zombies.
This was the third wave of corpses they'd dealt with today.
Beni hadn't stopped consuming spirits, but still no level-up prompt.
Wu Heng was about to open her panel to check—
When the system chime rang loudly in his ears.
[Ghost has advanced to Level 20. Agility +5, Intelligence +3, Perception +4, Charisma +3.]
[Unlocked Trait: Legendary Wraith.]
[Unlocked Traits: Legendary Invisibility, Legendary Possession.]
[Unlocked Ability: Telekinetic Push.]
Hearing the alert, Wu Heng was delighted.
Looking to the sky ahead, he saw Beni still darting between the spirits, faster than ever.
Beni felt the change too and flew back, voice excited. "Wu Heng, I think I leveled up!"
Wu Heng nodded. "Congrats, Beni. You're level 20 now."
Beni couldn't hide her joy.
Level 20—a rank that only appeared in tavern tales. She'd never imagined reaching it herself.
Now she was on par with those high-ranking leaders at the headquarters.
She was excited but still smiled. "Thank you, Wu Heng. Thank you, Madam Glenda, Xiaoxiao."
"So awesome. I want to be level 20 too," Xiaoxiao muttered.
Beni smiled. "Once you unlock your unfinished business, you'll reach it."
"I still don't even know what that is." Xiaoxiao pouted.
Wu Heng chuckled. "It's fine. Take your time."
"I'm not in a rush. Uncle can't level up either."
"Thanks for keeping me company."
"That's what best friends do."
Wu Heng pointed at the souls above. "Swallow the rest and let's go rest."
The three ghosts flew up to devour the remaining spirits.
Wu Heng opened Beni's attributes panel.
[Wraith]
[Level: 20]
[Attributes: Agility 50, Constitution 34, Intelligence 41, Perception 45, Charisma 38.]
[Traits: Legendary Wraith, Legendary Invisibility, Legendary Possession, Telekinetic Push.]
[Ability: Spirit Vision.]
After reading, he frowned slightly.
He pulled up Glenda's level 20 stats to compare.
At level 20, Glenda had upgraded Telekinetic Push to Legendary Telekinetic Mastery. Beni had just unlocked Push.
And she lacked the Flesh Theft ability.
Seemed like her boost wasn't as big as Glenda's.
But thinking carefully—
It wasn't a big problem. Reaching level 20 was enough to overpower enemies.
For ghosts, the most efficient way to kill was through possession.
With Legendary Possession and Invisibility, she had all she needed.
Now that Beni was level 20, only Xiaoxiao was left.
Time to figure out how to resolve Xiaoxiao's unfinished business.
The three ghosts finished consuming all the souls, and the remaining zombies below were few.
Wu Heng ordered the skeleton army to push forward and clean them up.
Then came the usual cleanup.
Wu Heng collected corpse cores and used [Battlefield of the Dead] to turn the corpses into skeletons.
Once everything was handled—
He found a roadside house and opened the portal to return and rest.
...…
Back on Gold-Silver Island, it was already night.
After a quick wash, he went downstairs and had the skeleton chef prepare some late-night snacks.
He hadn't even eaten lunch while helping Beni level up.
As he ate, his mind wandered.
Now he was level 19, with two level 20 ghosts and one at 18.
That already made him a formidable force in this world.
Only downside—his skeleton retainers were lagging behind in levels.
Kashu was an 18th-level Brawler. Kerenmu had the cursed sword and decent kill power, but was only level 17.
"Need to speed up things on the Corpse King front."
After dinner, Wu Heng carefully returned to his bedroom.
He lay on the bed to rest.
Thanks to 08a for the reward.