I'll replace him myself

After putting away the cash card, Yang Yu wasted no more time.

He first went to a large supermarket and bought wilderness survival supplies such as compressed biscuits, high-energy beef jerky, and purified water.

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Afterward, he headed straight for the city's Professionals supply store.

"Boss, five Basic Recovery Potions."

"Sure thing. Ten thousand."

Yang Yu swiped his card without the slightest hesitation.

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

He carefully stored the five potions glowing with a red aura in the storage space of his Professionals panel.

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

Everything was ready.

Fierce fighting spirit burned in Yang Yu's eyes.

Wild Boar Forest, here I come!

Meanwhile, at the other end of Linhai City, inside an extravagant villa that covered an astonishing amount of land.

Jiang Shuyue returned home in a daze.

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

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

"Young Miss, you're back."

An elderly butler with graying hair and a well-tailored suit came forward. Seeing Jiang Shuyue's swollen red eyes, he asked with concern, "Young Miss, what happened? Were you wronged at school?"

Jiang Shuyue shook her head without saying anything. She walked straight into the spacious, somewhat chilly living room and threw herself onto the soft sofa.

She said nothing, but her beautiful eyes remained red, like those of a rabbit that had been wronged.

Her lips still unconsciously muttered 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 worked so hard, yet still lost to him?

Just as her thoughts were running wild, a tall middle-aged man with a cold expression walked over.

He wore an impeccably pressed suit, his hair combed without a strand out of place, and his face utterly expressionless.

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

He was also a powerful Silver-rank Professional.

"Dad."

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

Jiang Zhenshan walked to the bedside. Seeing his daughter's reddened eyes, a rare flicker appeared on his usually icy, unchanging face.

But he did not offer any comfort. He merely asked calmly, "Did the Awakening Ceremony not 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 gloomily.

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

"Then why are you crying?"

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

From how confidently she entered the Dungeon, to how she fought monsters with all her strength, to how miserably she defeated the BOSS, and finally to the despair that felt as though the sky had collapsed 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 scold her upon hearing that she had lost to a D-Rank Warrior.

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

Then, in his calm, unruffled voice, he said one thing.

"That Yang Yu is definitely not simple."

Jiang Shuyue froze.

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

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

"Being able to clear the Novice Dungeon solo in nineteen minutes on the day of his Awakening, someone like that either possesses some extraordinary treasure or has awakened an exceptionally powerful talent."

"It is no disgrace that you lost to him."

Rather than making her feel better, her father's words only made Jiang Shuyue feel even more stifled.

Even her father said so...

Could it be that I really will never measure up to him?

Seeing his daughter look as though she were about to lose her fighting spirit, a change finally appeared on Jiang Zhenshan's impassive face.

He sighed.

"I'll find you a War Band. I'll have several experienced Professionals guide you, lure monsters for you, and help you clear them until their health is low. You only need to deal damage."

"Raise your level as quickly as possible."

"As long as your level and equipment are ahead of his, then no matter how talented Yang Yu is, he will not be able to catch up to you."

This was the most direct and effective method.

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

However, Jiang Shuyue suddenly shook her head.

"No!"

She sat up from the bed, and a spark of flame reignited in her reddened eyes.

"I don't want that!"

"That bastard farmed monsters all by himself! I'll do it by myself too!"

"If I can 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 that had returned to his daughter's eyes, somewhat surprised.

He silently watched her for several seconds. Then, a barely visible curve appeared at the corner of his lips.

"Good."

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

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

Warmth filled her heart, and her eyes grew moist again.

"Since you've made your decision, then I'll give you a hand."

Jiang Zhenshan took out a token that emitted a faint silver glow from his storage ring.

"This is an Access 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 slot for a promising newcomer in the Association."

"Now, it is yours."

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

"Do you dare to go?"

Jiang Zhenshan held the token out before Jiang Shuyue.

Looking at the token, Jiang Shuyue reached out without the slightest hesitation and tightly gripped it.

"I'll go!"

Her voice was resolute.

Yang Yu, just you wait!

I will definitely, definitely surpass you!

Inside the Principal's office.

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

"President, that's the situation."

After a moment of contemplation, a voice from the communicator said, "A D-Rank Warrior clearing the Novice Dungeon solo in nineteen minutes."

"That truly is inconceivable."

"I will personally follow up on this matter. All the school needs to do is fully cooperate and satisfy all of his reasonable needs. We absolutely cannot let such an outstanding prospect grow disheartened."

"Also, add his name to Linhai City's pre-examination group training. That youngster from Fourth Middle School is only B-Rank. I'll make the decision to replace him and have Student Yang participate."

"Understood, Bureau Chief. I'll make sure it's done!"

The Principal promised excitedly.

After hanging up.

A voice came from beside him.

"Old Zhang, looks like you're about to make a great contribution this time."

Shi Wei's tone carried a hint of emotion.

"If Student Yang can achieve good results in the College Entrance Examination Competition, you, his guide, will deserve much of the credit."