Why the "Academy Ranking Tournament" was being held early was a matter of much speculation, without any unedited explanation.
Zhong Shenxiu leaned back against Kaini, his eyes narrowed, a playful smile playing on his lips, making it impossible to guess what was truly on his mind.
Before heading to the "Dark Guild," Zhong Shenxiu first settled Harriman Fu and Frank, temporarily assigning them duty at the small courtyard used for registering item exchanges, with future arrangements to be made later.
Upon returning to the "Dark Guild," everyone felt a sense of coming home. The stimuli from the past two months had been overwhelming. If they hadn't experienced it firsthand, they never would have believed so many bizarre and strange things existed!
In the morning, everyone had nothing pressing to do and went about their own tasks, but in the afternoon, Zhong Shenxiu summoned them all together.
In the meeting room, Xia Luo and the others were busy speculating about the purpose of the gathering, just as Zhong Shenxiu, Robin, and Kaini walked in.
All eyes were drawn to Kaini, as she was carrying a chest. No one knew what was inside.
Zhong Shenxiu disliked beating around the bush, so he got straight to the point: "This expedition yielded good results, and your performance was commendable. In light of this, I have a gift for each of you!"
His voice remained flat, his expression utterly calm, yet this statement made Xia Luo and the others nearly jump with excitement.
They were all acutely aware that any gift from Zhong Shenxiu would be top-tier, something that could benefit them for a lifetime just by possessing it. Having received his favors before, they certainly knew this to be true!
Zhong Shenxiu surveyed them again, noticing their eager anticipation, and couldn't help but let out a knowing smile.
"One by one, let's go!" Zhong Shenxiu said, glancing at Xia Luo. "Xia Luo!"
Xia Luo shot up instantly, looking at Zhong Shenxiu with palpable excitement, her mind racing to imagine what the gift could possibly be!
Just then, Kaini retrieved an exquisite box from the chest—a box originally meant for packaging merchandise, unexpectedly repurposed for this occasion.
"Xia Luo, this is for you!" Kaini gave Xia Luo a bright smile and handed over the box.
Xia Luo quickly accepted it. With trembling hands, she lifted the lid, revealing a small booklet inside. Inscribed on the cover were the words: "Thirteen Forms of the Raging Blade"!
Xia Luo’s breath hitched. She knew exactly what those characters represented. This booklet was clearly a martial arts manual, and it seemed to be crafted specifically to match her single-edged saber!
Although Zhong Shenxiu had previously taught her some saber techniques, those were merely foundational skills. The truly formidable moves had yet to be introduced—this was the real blade work!
The others looked at Xia Luo with puzzled expressions. From their angle, they could only see a small booklet in the box; they couldn't make out the writing on the cover.
"Angelphia!" Zhong Shenxiu's voice rang out again.
Angelphia quickly rose and looked towards the chest in front of Kaini, as if she knew her gift was inside.
As expected, Kaini pulled out another box of the same size. Inside was another manual—specifically, a sword manual titled, Piao Yu Sword!
After Angelphia sat down, it was the turn of (Lisi) and Gandalf. They too received small booklets, each containing an ultimate skill tailored to their individual characteristics.
"Stanley, Faraday!" Zhong Shenxiu finally called the last two names, and the smile on his face became much more pronounced.
The two old men excitedly accepted the boxes handed to them by Kaini. Inside lay the "Improved Dark Magic"!
As they were about to return to their seats, Zhong Shenxiu's voice sounded again: "Wait a moment, there is something else for you two!"
Stanley and Faraday paused, surprised to receive special attention, and looked back towards the chest in front of Kaini with renewed anticipation.
This time, Kaini didn't move. Robin, standing nearby, stood up instead.
What did that mean?
The two old men were confused but dared not ask further. The others were equally curious, wondering what Robin intended to do.
Under the perplexed gazes of the group, Robin lifted his small arm and released two dark-elemental magical beasts captured from the ancient tomb!
Everyone jumped in surprise, reflexively standing up and watching the two dark beasts warily!
These two beasts were not very large, resembling goats in shape, possessing a pair of jet-black horns. However, their fur, a bizarre mix of black and purple, was unsettling, and moreover, their two-inch-long steel fangs protruded, emitting a sinister gleam under the light.
The group was certainly not unfamiliar with these magical beasts, especially their speed, which was akin to black phantoms. If Robin hadn't been quick-witted, they would have already suffered at the beasts' claws!
In fact, the speed of these two beasts surpassed even Robin's own magical beast, "Black Slaughter Fang," and they were even fiercer!
Seeing the two beasts remain docile, the others let out a collective sigh of relief. If these beasts had suddenly attacked at such close range, they truly would have found it difficult to resist!
Yet, what puzzled everyone was that these were dark-elemental beasts; shouldn't their weakness be exposure to sunlight? Why were these two seemingly unaffected by the sun, even appearing to enjoy it? What was going on?
Dazed, the group was genuinely bewildered at that moment!
However, the explanation was quite simple: the reason these two beasts could defy sunlight was due to modifications made by Zhong Shenxiu. If he could make Necromancers immune to sunlight, surely these two beasts would not pose a problem for him!
Zhong Shenxiu hadn't just modified these two beasts that morning; the manuals they received were all compiled by him during the morning hours! Although time was tight, it did not compromise the quality of these manuals in the slightest. It was no exaggeration to say that as long as everyone mastered the techniques he provided, they would undoubtedly become first-rate experts!
The reason for giving them manuals was not simply because Zhong Shenxiu felt generous. During the tomb exploration, although everyone performed well, their actual strength remained too weak. Without Zhong Shenxiu’s protection, they probably would have died ten thousand times over!
With such weak strength, how could they follow him on future explorations? Not only would they be unhelpful, but they would become a liability—that simply wouldn't do. Therefore, Zhong Shenxiu needed to help them boost their power, elevating each of them into masters capable of fighting a thousand foes. At the very least, they wouldn't perish when he wasn't around!
"These two are Dao Er's contract beasts. You two choose one," Zhong Shenxiu stated calmly. Stanley and Faraday glanced between the beasts and Zhong Shenxiu, clearly still reeling from the shock.
Actually, Zhong Shenxiu gave them the two beasts for two reasons: first, because they were indeed loyal and had made significant contributions; and second, because the two skeletal wolves he had previously given them were too conspicuous in public, making them somewhat inconvenient. Since he hadn't given them any magical artifacts yet, compensating them with these two beasts was a good alternative!
"Give... give to me?" Faraday finally snapped back to reality, though his voice was still slightly slurred.
Zhong Shenxiu nodded, then added, "I have modified these two beasts; they no longer fear sunlight or light-elemental magic. As for what other special traits they possess, you two will have to discover them yourselves."
The two old men nodded rapidly and eagerly selected a beast each, signing the contract without hesitation!
After completing the contract signing, the two old men immediately felt a difference. They now had the sensation that they could control the beast beside them with just a thought, far less troublesome than described in the books. Out of curiosity, they tested it, and indeed it worked! This made them even happier—it was better than finding a wife!
Besides the agility of control, they also discovered that the energy consumption was minimal. As long as they weren't commanding the beasts to fight, this drain was practically negligible!
It was magical, perfect!
The two old men were now too excited to speak, petting and hugging their respective beasts without any regard for their usual demeanor!
"Alright, now for your travel expenses. Kaini will issue them to you every two months from now on," Zhong Shenxiu's voice came again, drawing everyone’s attention.
Kaini had already taken out a bank card and announced, "Alright, I will now transfer this expedition's pay to you."
Five minutes later, the transfers were complete!
Among the group, Angelphia and Lisi showed the most astonishment. Holding the bank cards in their hands, they felt as if the cards weighed a thousand pounds, the sensation being utterly dreamlike!
In just a few minutes, they each had 100,000 diamond coins deposited—one hundred thousand diamond coins! For the two of them, this was an astronomical figure. They had never imagined having so much money at once, and this was only one installment of their expedition pay! Heavens, what would the future bring? They dared not contemplate further!
Xia Luo and the others weren't as dramatically thrilled as the pair, having seen more of the world. They were far more excited about the manuals Zhong Shenxiu gifted them, practically itching to start cultivating immediately to uncover their profound mysteries!
.
As dusk approached, Zhong Shenxiu and Robin made a trip to the "Jia Li Dun Magic and Martial Arts Academy." It had been over two months since they last saw their students, and they wondered how they were doing!
Zhong Shenxiu had promised Leander to teach at least two classes a month, but the expedition in the ancient tomb had prevented him from returning on time. He supposed he needed to compensate them now!
With little time left before the last afternoon class ended, Zhong Shenxiu and Robin headed straight for Class 1000!
Wayne and the others were gathered around a table, seemingly engrossed in studying something.
Just then, the classroom door clicked. Everyone turned towards the entrance in unison.
With just one glance, everyone froze. At that moment, all reason seemed to vanish, their minds going completely blank as they stared fixedly at the two small figures standing at the doorway.
Those two figures were too familiar. Were they not Teacher Zhong and Teacher Robin, whom they had missed day and night?
Zhong Shenxiu ignored their shocked expressions, walked directly to the lectern, pulled up a chair, and sat down, his eyes fixed intently on the students.
"Teacher Zhong!" Wayne was the first to recover, reflexively standing up!
Daisy and the others then stood up with equal excitement, their eyes locked onto Zhong Shenxiu, growing slightly red and beginning to blur.
"Teacher Zhong!" Daisy called out, nearly bursting into tears.
They had thought Teacher Zhong had abandoned them, disappearing suddenly for over two months.
"What are you doing?" Zhong Shenxiu's voice was soft, lacking his usual sternness, perhaps intending not to pressure the students.
"Teacher Zhong, we are studying this year's Academy Ranking Tournament!" Wayne controlled his emotions and replied.
They had just been agonizing over this matter, but seeing Teacher Zhong felt like finding their anchor; it seemed even the most difficult problems could now be solved!
"Oh, tell me about it." Zhong Shenxiu had heard some news about the "Academy Ranking Tournament" on his way over, but the details were vague, and he only grasped the core concepts vaguely!
Wayne smiled; he had been waiting for Zhong Shenxiu to ask. He proceeded to detail the changes and relevant rules for this year's "Academy Ranking Tournament."
"So, the selection trials for seeded players are happening in a month?" Zhong Shenxiu pressed.
From the expressions of Wayne and the others, he could tell they desperately wanted to participate in this year's "Academy Ranking Tournament." However, securing entry required outstanding performance in the "Seeded Player Selection Trials" held by their own academy!
And this was precisely what Wayne and his group were worrying about!
Although they had grown much stronger under Teacher Zhong's tutelage, the "Jia Li Dun Magic and Martial Arts Academy" was filled with countless experts, far beyond what newcomers like them could challenge. Coupled with limited spots, obtaining a chance to participate was anything but easy. In fact, they had just been discussing countermeasures—even if only one of them could qualify, it would bring honor to Class 1000!
Wayne and the others now possessed a strong sense of collective honor, and their ambition was no less than that of other students!
"Teacher Zhong, please train us again. We won't fear any hardship," Daisy said, her cheeks flushed, her fighting spirit soaring!
"Oh, you all want to participate in this 'Academy Ranking Tournament'?" Zhong Shenxiu's lips curled into a smile.
"We do!" the students exclaimed in unison, their eyes radiating resolute light!
They firmly believed that there was nothing Teacher Zhong couldn't achieve, only things he hadn't thought of!
Zhong Shenxiu gave a wicked smile, and the next sentence he spoke made everyone erupt in cheers! For the rest of the story, please visit Xin Mang, where more chapters await, supporting the author and genuine reading!