I'll Decide to Replace Him

After putting away the cash card, Yang Yu did not waste any more time.

He first went to a large supermarket and bought field survival supplies such as Compressed Biscuits, High-Energy Beef Jerky, and purified water.

Then, he headed straight for the city's Professioner supply store.

"Boss, five bottles of Novice Recovery Potion."

"Sure, ten thousand."

Yang Yu swiped his card without the slightest hesitation.

The expense pained him a little, but these were lifesaving items. This was not something he could skimp on.

He carefully stored the five potions, each giving off a red glow, in the Storage Space of his Professioner Panel.

The space was not large, only one cubic meter, but it was more than enough to store these vital supplies.

Everything was ready.

Yang Yu's eyes burned with fighting spirit.

Wild Boar Forest, here I come!

At the same time, at the other end of Linhai City, inside a luxurious villa occupying an astonishing amount of land.

Jiang Shuyue returned home in a daze.

The villa's lawn was trimmed to perfection, large enough to park a small helicopter.

Dozens of servants were busy at their respective posts. Upon seeing her return, they all bowed respectfully.

"Welcome back, Miss."

An elderly butler with graying hair and a neatly tailored suit came forward. Seeing Jiang Shuyue's swollen red eyes, he asked with concern, "Miss, what happened? Did someone wrong you at school?"

Jiang Shuyue shook her head and said nothing. She walked straight into the spacious, somewhat cold living room and threw herself onto the soft sofa.

She remained silent, but her beautiful eyes were still red, like those of a wronged rabbit.

Her lips continued unconsciously muttering the name that made her grit her teeth in hatred.

"Damn Yang Yu... bastard Yang Yu..."

She did not understand.

She truly did not understand.

Why?

Why had she still lost to him despite working so hard?

Just as her thoughts were running wild, a tall, stern-looking middle-aged man walked over.

He wore a crisp suit, his hair meticulously combed, his face completely expressionless.

He was Jiang Shuyue's father, Jiang Zhenshan, the vice president of the Linhai City Professioner Association.

He was also a powerful Silver Rank Professioner.

"Dad."

Jiang Shuyue poked her head out from beneath the blanket, her voice somewhat hoarse.

Jiang Zhenshan walked to the bedside. Looking at his daughter's reddened eyes, a rare flicker of emotion appeared on his eternally icy face.

But he did not comfort her. He merely asked calmly, "The Awakening Ceremony didn't go well?"

In his memory, his daughter had always been competitive and proud. He had never seen her like this before.

"I awakened as an A-rank Frost Mage," Jiang Shuyue said sullenly.

"Mm." Jiang Zhenshan nodded. This result was within his expectations.

"Then why are you crying?"

"I..." Jiang Shuyue bit her lip. After hesitating for a moment, she told him everything that had happened in the Novice Dungeon.

She told him how she had entered the Dungeon full of confidence, how she had fought monsters with all her strength, how she had defeated the boss in a miserable state, and finally, the despair that felt as though the sky had fallen when she saw Yang Yu's name on the Stone Tablet.

She told him all of it.

She had thought that her father, who had always been strict with her, would be disappointed or even reprimand her after learning that she had lost to a D-rank Warrior.

But after Jiang Zhenshan finished listening, he merely fell silent for a moment.

Then, in his utterly calm voice, he said one sentence.

"That Yang Yu is definitely not ordinary."

Jiang Shuyue froze.

"Dad, he's only D-rank..."

"Profession rank does not represent everything," Jiang Zhenshan interrupted.

"To clear the Novice Dungeon alone in nineteen minutes on the day of awakening, such a person either possesses some extraordinary treasure or has awakened an extremely powerful talent."

"It was no injustice for you to lose to him."

Hearing her father's words did not make Jiang Shuyue feel any better. Instead, her heart felt even more stifled.

Even her father said so...

Did that mean she would truly never be able to surpass him?

Seeing his daughter on the verge of losing her fighting spirit, Jiang Zhenshan's expressionless face finally changed slightly.

He sighed.

"I'll find you a party and have several experienced professionals guide you. They can lure monsters, lower their health, and you can focus on dealing damage."

"Raise your level as quickly as possible."

"As long as your level and equipment stay ahead, even if Yang Yu's talent is greater, he will not be able to catch up to you."

This was the most direct and effective method.

Use resources to forcefully pave a Heaven-Reaching Great Path.

However, Jiang Shuyue suddenly shook her head.

"No!"

She sat up from the bed, and a flame rekindled in her reddened eyes.

"I don't want that!"

"That bastard fought monsters by himself! I'll fight them by myself too!"

"If I only surpass him with someone else's help, then how is that any different from losing?"

Jiang Shuyue had her own pride!

She wanted to rely on her own strength and crush Yang Yu beneath her feet fair and square!

Jiang Zhenshan looked at the light returning to his daughter's eyes, somewhat surprised.

He silently watched her for several seconds. Then, the corners of his mouth rarely lifted into an almost imperceptible curve.

"Good."

"As expected of my daughter, Jiang Zhenshan's daughter."

This was the first time Jiang Shuyue could remember hearing such direct praise from her father.

Her heart warmed, and her eyes became moist again.

"Since you've made up your mind, I'll give you a hand."

Jiang Zhenshan took out a token giving off a faint silver glow from his Storage Ring.

"This is a pass token for the Misty Forest Secret Realm."

"The monsters in this Secret Realm grant three times the experience of those outside, and there is also a high chance of Rare Materials and equipment dropping."

"I originally intended to save this spot for a very promising newcomer in the association."

"Now, it's yours."

"It is dangerous inside, but the opportunities are greater as well."

"Do you dare go?"

Jiang Zhenshan held the token out before Jiang Shuyue.

Jiang Shuyue looked at the token, then reached out without hesitation and gripped it tightly.

"I'll go!"

Her voice was firm and resolute.

Yang Yu, just wait!

I will definitely, definitely surpass you!

Inside the Principal's Office.

The Principal held a communicator in his hand, his face overflowing with barely contained joy.

"President, that's what happened."

After a moment of contemplation, a voice came from the communicator. "A D-rank Warrior clearing the Novice Dungeon alone in nineteen minutes."

"That truly is unbelievable."

"I will personally follow up on this matter. The school's job is to cooperate fully, meet all his reasonable needs, and make sure a promising talent like him does not lose heart."

"Also, add his name to Linhai City's Pre-Exam Collective Training. That boy from Fourth Middle School is only B-rank anyway. I'll decide to replace him and let classmate Yang participate."

"Understood, Director. I'll make sure it's handled properly!"

The Principal promised excitedly.

After he put down the call.

A voice came from beside him.

"Old Zhang, it looks like you're going to earn a great merit this time."

Shi Wei's tone carried a hint of emotion.

"If classmate Yang Yu achieves good results in the College Entrance Examination Competition, you, as the one who guided him, will deserve much of the credit."