This is called respecting the autonomous will of our school's students!

That is four whole pieces of Epic-grade equipment—a fortune falling from the heavens!

It is practically a full set.

As for mental-type equipment, it is already difficult to obtain, let alone at the Epic grade.

Therefore, to everyone present, Qin Zhixue had just pulled out two full sets of Epic-grade gear in one go.

And the reason given was actually...

Joining benefits?!

"Morning Light Squad still has one spot left, right? Can you consider me?"

"Let me join Morning Light Squad too, I'll do anything!"

"Sigh, Chen Ming doesn't even look at other S-grade class advancers, we have even less hope."

People stared at the eight pieces of Epic-grade equipment, envious tears streaming down their faces.

On the other side.

Facing this act from Qin Zhixue, which was no different from a "slap in the face," Principal Wang and Principal Wu, no matter how composed they usually were, had rather unsightly expressions at this moment.

Furthermore, this completely extinguished any thoughts they had of inviting Qin Zhixue.

They had originally thought that if Chen Ming was unwilling to join, pulling in Qin Zhixue would also suffice.

One SS-grade plus three S-grades—they didn't believe they couldn't outperform a single Chen Ming.

But looking at it now, the plan had gone straight down the drain.

Qin Zhixue and Chen Ming were completely bound together.

After a moment of silence, Principal Wang finally spoke, unwilling to give up:

"Abyss Squad currently holds two Dungeon Rune Stones; if you join, you can challenge them together."

"I don't need to elaborate on the rewards of wild dungeons."

The words had barely left his mouth when Qin Zhixue spoke up.

"I have 12 Tier 1 Dungeon Rune Stones."

As soon as these words were uttered, the atmosphere fell into silence once again.

What on earth?

12 Dungeon Rune Stones?!

At this moment, not only was the surrounding crowd dumbfounded, but even the two principals were silent, subconsciously feeling it was impossible.

Throughout the entire Cloud Sea City, since the Grand Exam began, news of only two Dungeon Rune Stones had emerged.

Although there might be some hidden ones, there certainly couldn't be many.

12 Dungeon Rune Stones...

Was she running a wholesale business?

This item couldn't be obtained through wealth; you couldn't buy them even if you wanted to.

How could she possibly have obtained so many Dungeon Rune Stones?

Even Chen Ming was stunned for a moment upon hearing Qin Zhixue's words beside him.

He was somewhat amazed by Qin Zhixue's immense "financial resources."

He had killed so many exotic beasts and only obtained one Dungeon Rune Stone.

Where did Qin Zhixue get 12 of them?

However, he did not ask.

Everyone has their little secrets.

Moreover, Qin Zhixue's background seemed quite mysterious.

As a genius who had been in the spotlight even before her class advancement, there wasn't a single rumor about her family background.

"Principal Zhou, what is your opinion?"

At this moment, Principal Wu suddenly turned his head to look at Principal Zhou, who was standing in the back.

They had already discussed this a day ago.

They had reached a consensus to have Chen Ming, Qin Zhixue, and Wang Yan form a team together.

This time, Cloud Sea City would see the three schools merge!

With the strongest lineup, they would aggressively take on this Provincial Selection and ultimately participate in the Special Assessment.

They were determined to make a name for Cloud Sea City.

"Speak up, damn it! What's the meaning of standing back there and watching the show?"

However, a single sentence from Principal Zhou nearly made Principal Wu cough up blood in rage.

"Hmm... since Chen Ming and Qin Zhixue have no intention of joining the Abyss Squad, I see no reason to force them."

Principals Wang and Wu completely lost their composure at this.

Their eyes bulged with fury, their glares sharp enough to devour Principal Zhou whole.

Fine, fine, fine—a backstab at such a critical moment!

Yet, Principal Zhou acted as if he were completely blind to their murderous gazes, instead wearing a leisurely smile.

A day ago, he had indeed agreed to the proposal for Chen Ming and Qin Zhixue to join the Abyss Squad.

The prerequisite was that Chen Ming had to be included.

At first, the other two principals had firmly opposed it.

They believed that even if Chen Ming's leveling speed was fast, he was still only a C-rank, completely incompatible with a team consisting of an SS-rank and three S-ranks.

But now...

After seeing Chen Ming's performance during the test.

Principal Zhou agreed that they were indeed incompatible.

However, it was the three S-rank class-changers who were incompatible with Chen Ming.

You weren't willing to bring Chen Ming along, were you?

Well, this works out perfectly.

Both sides are satisfied now.

So... could he really be accused of going back on his word and backstabbing them?

"Alright, that's enough."

At this moment, a cold, mechanical voice rang out from the rear.

The Inspector had been standing in the back without a word since he arrived, but now, the Mechanical Crow on his shoulder had spoken.

"Since that is the case, let there be fair competition."

As he spoke, the Mechanical Crow's voice rose in volume, ensuring everyone present could hear clearly.

"Based on today's test performance, the Morning Light Squad and the Abyss Squad have qualified. Both teams will undergo a selection process tomorrow."

"Selection method: A team combat duel between the two sides. The winner advances to participate in the Jiangnan Province Provincial Selection."

"A team combat duel?"

Upon hearing the selection method, Principals Wang and Wu frowned in unison.

"Lord Inspector, is there some mistake? How can it be a team combat duel between the two sides?"

The implication of this was that the Morning Light Squad and the Abyss Squad would have to fight each other!

One had to remember that since the era of the exotic beasts began, there had been strict regulations prohibiting combat between class-changers unless absolutely necessary.

Compared to exotic beasts, class-changers were inherently high-attack, low-defense entities.

If they fought each other, a few skills thrown without restraint would result in severe injuries.

This was a rule specifically established by the Alliance to prevent infighting.

Even if there were personal grudges, class-changers only dared to act in secret out in the wild.

So, it went without saying that a battle between teams of class-changers was unheard of...

Shouldn't the proper method of selection involve killing exotic beasts or challenging dungeons?

In truth, what worried Principals Wang and Wu was not that.

It was that with this selection method, the Abyss Squad stood no chance.

Given Chen Ming's performance on the test stage today...

Although they hated to admit it, it was estimated that he alone could handle Wang Yan, Wu Qingyang, and Song Chuan without any trouble.

Not to mention the addition of Qin Zhixue.

The Inspector offered no explanation for the two principals' doubts and objections.

"That is all. Both teams should manage their time accordingly; do not miss the event due to dungeon challenges."

With that, he said nothing more and departed.

"It's settled then. The two teams will actually compete through a duel. Tomorrow will be worth watching."

"Sigh, what a pity. I was hoping to see the Morning Light and Abyss squads merge to dazzle Jiangnan Province."

"What's there to pity? If you ask me, Chen Ming alone is more than enough."

After the Inspector left, the crowd began to discuss the matter heatedly.

Principal Wang and Principal Wu exchanged a glance.

Their gazes were murky, and it was impossible to tell what they were thinking.

Behind the two principals, however.

Wang Yan, Wu Qingyang, and Song Chuan all wore rather colorful expressions.

They were being asked to fight the Morning Light Squad?

At the mere thought of Chen Ming's performance on the testing platform earlier.

The three of them felt inexplicably intimidated...

Fight Chen Ming?

Me?

Song Chuan suddenly felt a twinge of regret for joining the Abyss Squad.