Kael had no clue who Gu Pingchuan really was, but Nage knew all too well.

  For intelligence officers who spent their lives scouting foreign territories, memorizing the identities of established Hero Rank powerhouses was mandatory. For instance, the two pillars of the Huangyuan Empire: Ling Ao, the Fire Emperor, and Gu Pingchuan, the Dharma God.

  Even the entire Orc Tribe only possessed two Hero Rank figures of their own: the Beast Emperor and the High Priest.

  Nage couldn't help but be shaken. He never expected to run into a legend in a place like this.

  Gulp.

  The sound of swallowing was audible. Nagu turned his trembling head toward Nage, his teeth chattering. "N-Nage... did I hear that right? Or are my eyes playing tricks on me?"

  As a rookie on his first mission, Nagu’s composure was non-existent compared to the veteran Nage.

  "Keep it down," Nage whispered urgently.

  "No, look at the person next to the Dharma God!" Nagu hissed, his voice shaking.

  Nage’s pupils dilated. He felt a wave of relief wash over him—thank the heavens they hadn't started a fight with that young man earlier. To be able to scream at the Dharma God in public... just how powerful was that youth?

  Nage was certain of one thing: although they had suspected a Hero Rank expert lived in Cloud Mist City, it couldn't have been Gu Pingchuan. The Dharma God was supposed to be guarding Brilliant Academy.

  Therefore, the hidden powerhouse of the city must be the young man sitting right next to him.

  The thought made Nage’s head spin. A Hero Rank at such a young age? He couldn't even imagine what level that youth would reach in the future. Powerhouse Rank? Or perhaps even King Rank?

  "We can't stay here. We have to leave immediately and report this to the tribe," Nage muttered, his mouth dry and his heart racing.

  "Wait, why are those two hulking guys staring at us?" Kael asked, catching their gaze out of the corner of his eye.

  Gu Pingchuan glanced over and chuckled. "The pungent smell of a disguise potion. Those two must be Orcs."

  Orcs, huh? Kael checked with the System and got a confirmation.

  "Ignore them. Let’s focus. If you keep ignoring my commands, you’re playing by yourself next time," Kael grumbled, his curiosity satisfied. After finishing his lecture to Gu Pingchuan, he turned his attention to the matter of his rewards.

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  He had seen Shier put the Spirit Crystals from those two men into the cash box.

  [System: Based on the Host’s suggestion, there are two options for the Hidden Mission reward.]

  Kael was pleasantly surprised that the System was actually taking his input. "Let’s hear them."

  [System: Option 1: When the Combat Strength Enhancement training area next upgrades, the Host will have the right to decide the upgrade direction. Additionally, 10 new seats will be added immediately.]

  [System: Option 2: A Soda Vending Machine and two complimentary drink draws.]

  Kael was stumped. The System really was reading his mind—he’d only thought about "snacks and drinks" yesterday, and here it was. But having a say in how the training room evolved was a long-term strategic advantage he had wanted for ages.

  "System, will the Soda Vending Machine be available later?" Kael asked, trying to gauge the rarity.

  [System: Yes, but the mission difficulty will be significantly higher than this one.]

  Kael rubbed his chin, recalling the "difficulty" of this mission. Difficulty? It was basically a participation trophy.

  "I’ll take Option 1," Kael decided.

  [System: Congratulations, Host. You have gained the right to determine one upgrade direction. The remaining rewards will be distributed tonight.]

  "Perfect. Back to the fight!" Kael’s mood lifted instantly. The frustration he felt from carrying Gu Pingchuan was washed away by the promise of the upgrade.

  Meanwhile, Nage and Nagu fled the shop with their new gear, their hearts pounding in their chests.

  Outside, a carriage was waiting. Nage had bought it specifically for their return trip to the tribe so they could drive it themselves and keep a low profile.

  "Thankfully, that powerhouse didn't take offense," Nagu said, glancing back at the two ice sculptures at the end of the street. He felt as if he might be the next one frozen solid if they lingered a second longer.

  "Ice sculptures... of course. That must be that gentleman’s specialty," Nage said with sudden conviction.

  In the Huangyuan Empire, there was already a Fire Emperor and a Dharma God. Now, it seemed, an Ice Emperor had appeared. This news had to be delivered to the tribe at all costs. He cracked the whip, and the carriage sped out of Cloud Mist City.

  "Whoa, look at that carriage go!"

  "Shuangshuang, stop staring and keep up, or Instructor Zhong is going to scold you again."

  "Oh! Coming, Sister Wuji!"

  A girl wearing a wide-brimmed mage's hat watched the carriage fly past before rushing to catch up with her companion. Her friend, Wuji, wore a robe covered in intricate runes and held a magic wand about the length of a forearm. Her narrow eyes gave her an air of seductive charm, and her shapeless robe couldn't quite hide her curves.

  By comparison, the girl called Shuangshuang was... significantly more aerodynamic.

  "Everyone, stay with the group. This off-site training location is quite secluded; you won't find it easily if you wander off," Zhong Lingyun called out from the front of the line after noticing the commotion.

  Wuji raised her wand to show she understood. Next to her, a young man raised his hand lazily.

  "I still can't believe we 3rd-year students have to participate in such a pointless exercise," the young man muttered, cleaning his ear with his pinky.

  Brilliant Academy’s grading system had only three levels, but they weren't based on how many years you’d been there—they were based on power.

  To enter the Academy, you couldn't be over 16 years old or below Level 15. That was the 1st-year standard.

  The 2nd-year standard required Level 20 and proof that you could pass the Trial Space to become a Hero-Rank.

  The 3rd-year standard required Level 40 and the ability to pass the Class Trial to successfully promote to a Specialized Class.