A Change of Face

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Who could have imagined that this 1v1 spar would end with Fang Bo's defeat?

Even more surprising, Ling Zhan had crippled one of Fang Bo's arms.

On the arena, Ling Zhan stood proudly, spear in hand.

On the other side, Fang Bo cried and wailed, needing the gentle comfort of the female priest.

The stark contrast left everyone present feeling as if their heads were buzzing.

"Don't rush to scream and wail. I told you, this is just me collecting a little interest in advance. When the Academy League comes around, don't let me see you there. Otherwise..."

Ling Zhan's icy words rang across the arena.

Before this,

plenty of people would probably have mocked him for overestimating himself.

But now,

no one dared accuse Ling Zhan of "challenging his betters"!

"That kid... he really knows how to keep people on their toes!"

Zhong Wenshan shook his head with a laugh.

But the smile on his face was one of relief and pride!

Qi Mu, standing nearby, would have jumped up and shouted "Great!" three times if he hadn't been mindful of Mu Yutian's feelings.

"Holy crap! Senior Ling Zhan just won a challenge against someone much higher-level!"

"A senior from Key Combat Academy? Ha! Nothing special!"

"Who was just mocking us for being ignorant country bumpkins? Step forward!"

The younger students had finally gotten a huge weight off their chests.

Meanwhile,

hearing those remarks,

the college students hurriedly lowered their heads, their faces filled with shame and embarrassment. They had no way to argue back!

What a disgrace!

A total disgrace!

They'd been slapped in the face again and again!

The college students cursed inwardly: "Damn it, this is all Fang Bo's fault, the idiot!"

The admissions teachers who had once looked down on Ling Zhan now stared at him with burning eyes.

The battle had finally made them realize they'd been wrong!

A Level 14 Jobless Freelancer had effortlessly defeated Fang Bo, who was Level 21!

This...

He had limitless potential!

Absolutely limitless potential!

"Fake Shadow, Earth Prison Technique, Freeze, Binding Vine... four skills chained together perfectly!"

"By rights, Earth Prison Technique is a beginner skill. It should only be able to restrain a Level 21 Fang Bo for one second at most, but it held him for a full three..."

"We can infer that there's definitely something unusual about his innate talent!"

"You mean he lied about his innate talent?"

"That's very possible. Which top expert from past generations has ever fully revealed their innate talent? This kid's clever!"

"Exactly. Beginner-class skills can't be raised in level, unless... his innate talent is at work!"

"And he cast his skills without any chants or casting bars! A Jobless Freelancer managed what only an Elemental Mage could do!"

The teachers from the top academies were experienced and knowledgeable.

At a glance, they could tell what made Ling Zhan's beginner skills different.

They actually had detailed records on Ling Zhan, Su Rou, and Sun Ze.

After all, they had come here to recruit students, so they naturally needed to learn everything they could about the few with outstanding grades.

Ling Zhan's file listed his talent as [Equipment Controller].

But now, it seemed... the kid was cunning and had concealed his innate talent!

In other words, he possessed two innate talents!

As for Ling Zhan concealing his innate talent,

none of the teachers thought there was anything wrong with that.

It concerned his personal secrets.

Even after a school learned a student's innate talent, the student had to sign a confidentiality agreement, and the records had to be uploaded to the Dragon Kingdom's Security Information Center.

The center would then manage the information under strict confidentiality.

The purpose was to keep foreign enemies from stealing these crucial records.

After all, the Dragon Kingdom's enemies weren't just the monsters from the secret-realm rifts.

There were also other countries watching them like hawks.

For example, the Freedom Federation.

For example, the Fusang Kingdom.

For example, the Sun Never Sets Empire.

And others.

Peace was only a surface appearance.

Underneath, the waters were turbulent.

Combat-class professionals were the backbone of the Dragon Kingdom. Their information certainly couldn't be leaked casually.

Of course, some prodigies didn't care if their innate talents were exposed.

Zhu Yaoguang, that proud white Phoenix, was one example.

Even if others learned her two innate talents, so what?

There was no way to counter them.

They were both talents that enhanced her own abilities.

At most, people would know never to fight Zhu Yaoguang at night.

Her [King of the Night] innate talent made her much stronger in the darkness.

Of course, Zhu Yaoguang was an exception.

The Dragon Kingdom kept the information of most prodigies strictly confidential.

Now, it was clear why the admissions teachers had immediately realized Ling Zhan had dual talents when they saw his file.

His innate talent was listed as nothing but [Equipment Controller].

"This little brat even kept it from me!"

Qi Mu sighed, his face full of emotion.

But he didn't blame Ling Zhan at all.

On the contrary, he was glad Ling Zhan had kept it secret.

It was better to keep it hidden!

Only he knew about it, so there was no risk of it leaking!

Once the admissions teachers realized Ling Zhan's immense potential,

they immediately threw all shame aside.

"Ling Zhan, I was wrong earlier. Tiandong Academy is now formally inviting you to join us. If you're willing to study at our academy, we'll give you a Level 20 Gold-grade weapon!"

"Ha! Is Tiandong Academy trying to give him a handout? Cangying Academy will match that and throw in a full set of Level 20 Gold-grade armor!"

"Cangying Academy comes in last in the Academy League every year, and you still have the nerve to invite him? Haowu Academy is the best choice for Ling Zhan!"

"Qixing Academy is willing to give Ling Zhan an A-rank skill book!"

Now that was a change of face.

And the teachers had no shame at all.

They'd looked down on Ling Zhan earlier, as if he were garbage.

Now they were practically groveling, begging him to enroll.

It was all because they'd discovered Ling Zhan's potential and his dual talents.

Every admissions teacher had changed their tune.

Only Mu Yutian hadn't.

It wasn't that he didn't want to change his tune.

He was too embarrassed to!

He had been the harshest in mocking Ling Zhan earlier.

And he had also told his student to fight Ling Zhan to the death.

Even a fool could see that no matter how shamelessly he lowered his head and invited Ling Zhan, Ling Zhan would never choose Huaqing Academy.

He couldn't recruit Ling Zhan anymore.

But he could still try for Sun Ze.

Mu Yutian let out a breath and turned to Sun Ze and Su Rou. "Sun Ze, Su Rou, what have you decided?"

"Of course I'd be happy to study at your academy!" Sun Ze replied excitedly.

Then he turned to Su Rou.

He hoped Su Rou would go to Huaqing Academy with him.

He and Su Rou had often studied together in the past.

Many classmates had gossiped that Sun Ze and Su Rou were already dating.

Only Sun Ze knew that Su Rou saw him as nothing more than a study partner.

Now, he hoped Su Rou would go with him to Huaqing Academy.