"Xiao Han, you're back." Qin Zhen's voice was unreadable, but the invisible pressure emanating from him, Martial Grandmaster Realm expert, made the surrounding air tense.
"Instructor Qin." Xiao Han nodded slightly, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant.
Qin Zhen walked up to Xiao Han, looked him up and down several times, his gaze seemingly trying to pierce through his skin and see the secrets deep within his soul.
Could you tell me about your experience in the secret realm?
Qin Zhen asked casually, his tone carrying the usual concern of a mentor for a student, "I see from the data on your trial bracelet that during your disappearance, you had several records of abnormal energy fluctuations and absorption, far exceeding what you should be capable of at your level. Did you encounter some special opportunity?"
It's here!
Xiao Han understood. He knew that it was impossible for him to completely hide the academy's monitoring methods when he absorbed the energy of the Shadow Vortex and improved his cultivation.
However, he had already prepared his explanation.
With a perfectly timed expression of exhaustion, relief, and a touch of embarrassment, Xiao Han scratched his head, his tone tinged with a hint of "luck":
"Reporting to Master, I was indeed quite lucky. After getting separated from the team, I panicked and wandered aimlessly into an area with exceptionally dense dark energy. There weren't any powerful beasts there, so I hid there for a few days and took the opportunity to cultivate. Unexpectedly, the results were quite good, and I managed to break through to the Peak Ninth Level of the Warrior Realm."
He calmly released his suppressed aura— the Peak Ninth Level of the Warrior Realm, no more, no less, perfectly confirming his statement.
As for the "energy absorption far exceeding the realm," it can be explained by the environmental enhancement of that special area, as well as the uniqueness of his own "dual SSS+ Martial Souls." After all, no one knows just how abnormal the cultivation efficiency of an SSS+ Martial Soul really is.
This explanation sounds flawless.
This explains the abnormal energy, the advancement in cultivation level, and even why the harvest was so meager—he was too busy hiding and cultivating!
Qin Zhen gave Xiao Han a deep look, his eyes flickering uncertainly.
Xiao Han's answer was flawless, his aura was indeed that of the Peak Ninth Level of the Warrior Realm, and his mental state also matched the description of someone who had "survived a calamity and made some progress."
Could it be... that I'm just overthinking it? Did this kid just get incredibly lucky?
Qin Zhen was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Yes, it's good that you're back safely. Peak Ninth Level of the Warrior Realm... that's quite an improvement. It seems this secret realm wasn't entirely fruitless for you."
His tone remained calm, but the scrutinizing quality had not completely disappeared.
However, just because Qin Zhen can accept this explanation temporarily doesn't mean others can.
Especially Luo Bing.
"Ha, luck?" Luo Bing sneered, straightening up from the wall and walking step by step towards Xiao Han, her eyes almost freezing cold. "Stumbled into a place rich in energy? Just happened to be free of powerful beasts? Just happened to be the perfect opportunity for you to break through? Xiao Han, isn't this story a bit too coincidental?"
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly throughout the rest area.
All eyes were once again focused on Xiao Han.
Luo Bing walked up to Xiao Han, towering over him by half a head, and looked down at him with an arrogant and provocative tone:
"I'm more inclined to believe that you found a safe place to hide for more than ten days. As for that energy fluctuation, it's probably just that your two so-called SSS+ 'useless Martial Souls ' indiscriminately absorbed some scraps, right?"
"What did you say?!" Xia Yubing was a little angry and wanted to retort, but Xiao Han stopped her with a look.
Xiao Han looked at Luo Bing calmly, his eyes as still as a deep well, as if her provocation was nothing more than a gentle breeze brushing across the water.
"So?" Xiao Han asked calmly.
"So?" Luo Bing's lips curled into a mocking smile. "I don't believe that a 'piece of trash' who survived by luck and hiding deserves to be in our Zero Class! And I certainly don't believe that your so-called 'Peak Ninth Level of the Warrior Realm' is worthy of Instructor Qin's earlier comment about 'significant progress'!"
His aura suddenly surged, and the powerful pressure of the peak Fifth Level of the Martial Master Realm surged towards Xiao Han like a tide, making the surrounding temperature seem to drop several degrees.
"I, Luo Bing, the top student of Zero Class, now challenge you!"
Luo Bing's voice was resolute and carried an undeniable force.
"Let's have an 'exchange match' and see what your so-called 'genius' really is! Let everyone see if you're truly qualified to stand here!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire rest area erupted in an uproar!
Luo Bing is actually going to personally challenge Xiao Han!
This is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut!
Everyone knows that although Luo Bing is arrogant, his strength is truly formidable. Ordinary Martial Master Realm masters at the third or fourth level cannot last more than ten moves against him.
Even if Xiao Han really breaks through to the Peak Ninth Level of the Warrior Realm, there is still a huge gap between him and Luo Bing!
This is not communication; it is a one-sided crushing and humiliation!
Xia Yubing's face turned pale as she looked at Xiao Han with worry.
Instructor Qin Zhen frowned slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately remained silent. The competition within Zero Class was already fierce, and he generally wouldn't interfere with such challenges unless someone died.
All eyes were on Xiao Han, waiting for his response.
Is it to humiliatingly refuse and admit one's inadequacy? Or to overestimate oneself and accept the challenge, only to be ruthlessly trampled underfoot?
At this moment when everyone was watching and the atmosphere was extremely tense, Xiao Han heard that familiar yet slightly "cheeky" notification sound in his mind.
[Ding! A critical decision has been detected for the host; the God-Level Choice System has been triggered!]
[Option 1: A moment of patience brings peace, a step back opens up a vast sky. Refuse Luo Bing's challenge, admit your inferiority, and lie low for now. Reward: 10086 points of experience in the "Gou Dao" technique, and your "Tortoise Breath Art" proficiency will be upgraded to perfection (Note: This technique has a certain chance of causing the host to prematurely enter a state of dementia).]
[Option Two: When foes meet on a narrow path, the brave prevail! Genius? We'll fight geniuses! Accept Luo Bing's challenge and defeat her in public to prove who the real 'trash' is! Reward: 30% increase in current mastery of the "Shadow Void Scripture," and a random minor divine ability in either the Shadow or Space element!]
Xiao Han looked at the two options in front of him, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly involuntarily.
This system is still as bad as ever.
Option one's rewards are outrageous: experience points for "surviving the Path of Deception"? A perfect "Tortoise Breath Art"? And it even comes with the risk of Alzheimer's disease? Who would dare choose that?
Now let's look at option two.
Accept the challenge and defeat Luo Bing.
The rewards are incredibly tempting! A 30% increase in proficiency with the "Shadow Void Scripture"! This is a fantastic item that can directly boost his strength! Plus, there are random minor magical abilities!
Risk?