After arriving at the Lightning Territory, Tang Miao went straight to find the two teachers.
After being absent for so long, he only showed up when it was time to collect resources. And they still hadn't given him a demerit. These two teachers were pretty good!
When Tang Miao entered their office, he found them both there. Without wasting time, he said, "Teacher Sun Yuan, Teacher Qian Kun, I'm here to join tomorrow's new Challenge Tournament."
At that, both of them set down their work and looked up.
When they saw it was Tang Miao, Sun Yuan said with an annoyed look, "You little rascal, do you think the academy is a resource depot?"
Qian Kun didn't say anything, but he also looked somewhat resentful.
Tang Miao knew he was in the wrong, so he smiled awkwardly. "Come on, teachers. I was in seclusion for a while. Don't be mad, don't be mad... Under your wise guidance, I've already broken through to Intermediate Level One. I can now cast Intermediate Level One Lightning Magic."
Although neither of them had taught him a thing, he still had to get along at the academy. Naturally, he had to say something nice.
And whether it was Sun Yuan or Qian Kun, both seemed quite pleased to hear that.
They hadn't really given him any guidance, but they liked the credit!
Seeing how well-behaved Tang Miao was, they stopped blaming him.
Qian Kun asked curiously, "Kid, how high are you planning to challenge this time?"
Tang Miao smiled. "The Top Twenty, of course. I need a chance to enter the Three-Step Tower. I'm counting on it to help me break through again."
"Uh..."
Qian Kun hesitated for a moment before saying, "Tang Miao, did you even read the academy rules?"
"Hm?"
Tang Miao looked at Qian Kun in confusion. "What rules?"
"You can only get a chance to cultivate in the Three-Step Tower if you're in the Top Twenty for Fire Element. For the other elements... only the top three in Lightning Element get that opportunity." Qian Kun shrugged.
"Holy crap!"
Hearing that, Tang Miao let out a curse.
"Teacher Qian, you're not joking, right?"
Qian Kun shook his head. He didn't look like he was joking at all. Then he added, "As for Dark Magic, White Magic, and Dimensional Magic, they don't get this opportunity. Those are all supplementary courses, anyway. Water Element, Light Element, Rock Element, Plant Element, and Wind Element don't get a chance either."
Below the Super Tier, the strongest combat elements were Lightning, Fire, and Ice.
Lightning Element was rare, with one mage in a thousand, so there weren't many students who studied it. Naturally, there weren't many places for them in the Three-Step Tower either.
Ice Element was even worse. Only the top-ranked student could get a single day of cultivation.
Fire Element was the second-strongest element, and it was also common, so naturally, things were different for it.
After hearing Qian Kun's explanation, Tang Miao suddenly felt awful. Pearl Academy was practically made for Mo Fan, damn it!
He'd been worrying that if several elements had this opportunity, the Three-Step Tower wouldn't be able to accommodate them all.
Of course, it was also because that damn Uncle Ran hadn't explained it back then... Anyway, this wasn't the author's fault.
Tang Miao fell silent for a moment before asking, "If I make the top three in Lightning Element, how many days do I get?"
Sun Yuan spoke up this time. "The first-place student gets five days. Second place gets three days, and third place gets one."
Tang Miao hesitated for a moment before saying, "In that case, I'll challenge the number one this time."
He'd originally wanted to keep a low profile and hide some of his strength. But if he was going to be exposed sooner or later, why bother hiding? Improving his strength was the most important thing now.
Although he could only cast Intermediate Magic in one element, he still had three other elements at his disposal. And it wasn't as if he couldn't try out his Lightning-Ice Dual Domain. Besides, he really wanted to know just how strong he was now!
The instant Tang Miao finished speaking, Sun Yuan and Qian Kun both froze...
Last time, the kid had challenged the hundredth-ranked student right away. This time, he was going straight for first place?
So much for taking things one step at a time, huh?
Qian Kun couldn't help advising him. "I know you can cast spells with a Thought Star Track, and I know your magic hits hard. But you need to understand that your talent has already been discovered. Right now, it won't do you much good at the academy. Ouyang Yuan, the number one, comes from the Ouyang Family, which specializes in Lightning Element.
"They may not be all that powerful nationally, but in the Magic Capital, they're still a family of some standing. And Ouyang Yuan hasn't just reached Intermediate Level Three in his primary Lightning Element—his secondary Rock Element is Intermediate Level Three too."
Ouyang Yuan was practically on the verge of graduating.
There was no need to challenge him. After all, he was about to become an Advanced Mage.
Tang Miao nodded and said, "I know. I'm choosing him!"
His Lightning Territory could reduce damage from the same element, and what kind of power could intermediate Earth Element have? He had nothing to fear. He was determined to take first place!
After all, five days of cultivation in the Three-Step Tower would save him a lot of resources.
Qian Kun's mouth twitched. "Did you even understand what I just said...? He has a Spirit Seed!"
Tang Miao still nodded nonchalantly, the corners of his mouth lifting. "I understand, Teacher. This time, I'll show you all my strength too."
Now that he'd reached the Intermediate Level, he had a certain ability to protect himself. And hadn't that kid Mo Fan revealed that he had Innate Dual Element after reaching the Intermediate Level? Once Tang Miao entered the Three-Step Tower, breaking through would be a piece of cake.
At worst, that lunatic Lu Nian would set his sights on him. But Tang Miao had no intention of turning down the Demon Element. With four elements and his powerful mental strength, he was no weaker than Mo Fan. How could he fail to control it?
At worst, he'd have to live like a Savage for a while and rough it in the wild!
As for some major power killing him to cover their tracks, that simply wasn't going to happen. The only organization he had ties to was the Judgment Society.
With his future wife there, what was there to worry about?
Besides, he had no connections to any of the other great families. Who would target him under those circumstances?
And the Black Vatican?
They were busy conducting experiments and waiting for the Conferring Gods Tournament in the Ancient Capital. That was all the more reason he needed to grow stronger! He had to get involved in the disaster that would strike the Ancient Capital. It was the one thing that could get him a green light.
With that pass in hand, he could stomp on anyone who put on airs. He'd been forced to keep a low profile for eighteen years; carrying on like this would be an insult to all the talent he'd been born with.
Sun Yuan and Qian Kun both froze, not understanding what he meant. But since Tang Miao was so determined, they had nothing more to say. Some things were best left at that.
Before you continue