Gu Yue Jiaying lightly brandished the twin moons in her hands, which shimmered in the sunlight like a pair of butterflies flitting up and down. Seeing this, Qian Jin realized this woman was actually significantly stronger than he was.

After a series of graceful movements, Gu Yue Jiaying tucked the twin moons into her long sleeves and approached Qian Jin. Suddenly, she leaned in slightly, and her cool, red lips pressed against his cheek in a fleeting, butterfly-kiss touch. A faint whisper brushed his ear: "Thank you."

Qian Jin, startled by the sudden kiss, felt his face flush crimson. He stared at the departing Gu Yue Jiaying, momentarily unable to process the situation. He quickly raised a hand to scratch his head to mask his embarrassment, all while wondering if Fabrediss would beat him up because of Gu Yue Jiaying’s kiss.

Qian Jin returned to the main hall. Having spent the day sharpening the blades of two sets of Battle Soldiers, his body was genuinely fatigued. He picked up Fabrediss’s water and drank deeply.

"Qian Jin, I need to tell you something." Fabrediss’s expression turned serious. "From now on, you must absolutely not be the first to 'enter the Battle Spirit Grand Array constructed by the Auckland Academy of Magic and Warriors.'"

"What?" Qian Jin doubted his hearing. The Battle Spirit Grand Array was essential for any Warrior; how could Fabrediss tell him not to enter it?

"If you can't bring yourself to tell the school, then I'll tell them myself!" Fabrediss declared, making the decision unilaterally. "Don't enter the Battle Spirit Grand Array yet. I think you have a chance to break through to the Tenth-Level Warrior rank! The experience of a Sixth-Level Warrior entering the array versus a Tenth-Level Warrior entering is completely different! Many people, eager to advance to higher academies quickly, rush into the Battle Spirit Grand Array the moment they qualify. You must not do that. Above all, do not enter the school’s Battle Spirit Grand Array."

Qian Jin was genuinely happy that Fabrediss told him the truth. This wasn't some hidden secret; many books documented the conditions and reasons for entering the Battle Spirit Array. The problem was that most people simply couldn't wait—it was like seeing a bottle of poison in the desert; some would drink it immediately just to quench their thirst first.

Some Ninth-Level Warriors practiced for ten years and still remained stuck at that rank, forever unable to reach the Tenth Level. Who could afford to wait another decade?

The theory was sound, but not everyone possessed the resolve to adhere to it.

"You must endure, you absolutely must become a Tenth-Level Warrior. When that happens..." Fabrediss lightly tapped the table rhythmically with his fingers. "I will find a way to arrange a private Battle Spirit Array for you. Then, you will truly be a master!"

"What!" Qian Jin leaped up from his chair, staring at Fabrediss in astonishment, speechless for a long moment.

A single-person Battle Spirit Array versus the group Battle Spirit Grand Array! Both were Battle Spirit Arrays, but anyone who had seen even basic documentation on them knew that a single-person array offered exponentially greater benefits to a Warrior.

Of course, the cost of a single-person array was astronomical—to call it expensive would be an understatement. Typically, only the direct heirs of noble houses or pure-blooded Warriors used them, as the consumption was simply too immense.

Qian Jin repeatedly swallowed, wondering if helping to reforge two sets of Battle Soldier weapons was enough to earn a single-person Battle Spirit Array.

"What's wrong?" Fabrediss was startled by Qian Jin's reaction. "You don't like it?"

Qian Jin tentatively sat back down and asked, "Uncle, you're not joking, are you?"

"No joke."

Fabrediss shook his head in denial. He thought to himself: This young man will be my son-in-law someday. What’s wrong with preparing a single-person Battle Spirit Array for my future son-in-law? Even though this array was expensive enough to bankrupt many people, he would find a way to procure one for his son-in-law.

Qian Jin began to believe Fabrediss was serious. He was so excited that he desperately wanted to rush back to the school immediately and shower Teacher Rodriguez with grateful kisses.

A single-person Battle Spirit Array! Even if Qian Jin didn't value many other things, he would never underestimate the significance of a single-person Battle Spirit Array.

"By the way, Uncle," Qian Jin murmured after a moment of thought, "I have one more favor to ask of you."

"Speak!" Fabrediss slapped his thigh heartily. His son-in-law was finally asking for something; whatever he could manage, he would do, and whatever was difficult, he would find a way to achieve.

"It’s about what I did today," Qian Jin grinned slightly. "I ask that you keep it a secret."

Fabrediss smiled. His future son-in-law wasn't only skilled at smithing and possessed good Warrior strength; he could also sharpen Battle Soldiers, and he was smart too! He understood that the matter of forging Battle Soldiers should not be leaked carelessly.

"Rest assured!" Fabrediss said, his fingers tapping a steady rhythm on the table. "This matter stops here."

Qian Jin sensed Fabrediss was not lying, so he stood up again to offer his thanks. Afterward, he discussed some questions regarding Warrior cultivation with Fabrediss, enjoyed a supper, and then finally took his leave.

Having unexpectedly secured the opportunity for a single-person Battle Spirit Array, and receiving guidance on Warrior arts from the City Guardian, Qian Jin whistled a little tune all the way back to school. He saw that Teacher Rodriguez, who had stood at the school gate yesterday, was once again pacing back and forth at the entrance during this twilight hour.

"Good evening, Teacher Rodriguez!"

"Good for you, my foot!" Rodriguez clapped Qian Jin on the shoulder. "I have good news and bad news for you. Which do you want to hear first?"

"The good news first." Qian Jin didn't want to hear the bad news and lose the mood to listen to the good news afterward.

"The good news is your trial is scheduled for half a month from now."

"Wow, that's excellent news." Qian Jin lightly applauded. Good things kept piling up. This time, he could use the trial as an opportunity to scout the location of the secret manuals according to the treasure map, and then prepare for the actual retrieval.

All secret manuals usually had some peculiar guardians protecting them; Qian Jin certainly didn't want to fall victim to an unexpected accident due to carelessness.

"The bad news..." Rodriguez looked at Qian Jin with sympathy. "The difficulty of your trial has been increased. Because of your performance this morning, the Dean of Academic Affairs insisted on assigning you a helper to complete the trial with you. If one of you fails to complete the trial, it means the entire attempt is a failure..."

"A helper? Who got so unlucky?" Qian Jin felt a pang of guilt. Because he had offended the Dean of Academic Affairs, he had dragged a classmate down with him.

"Who else could it be?" Rodriguez sighed towards the sky. "The student deemed the worst in the Magic Department since the founding of the Auckland Academy of Magic and Warriors—the Second-Year, Biluo. If she fails the trial, your trial is also considered failed. You have such a burden dragging you down, so... you're the unlucky one, not her..." :Member clicks, recommendation tickets...F