In Brilliant Academy, the path to graduation was simple yet brutal: once you successfully promoted to a Specialized Class, you could apply for the graduation assessment at any time.

  Passing this assessment earned you the Brilliant Medal—the ultimate proof of strength. Merely reaching the required level wasn't enough; without genuine combat prowess, the assessment was an impassable wall. Consequently, anyone who walked out of the Academy with that medal was an elite talent fought over by every major faction in the empire.

  "If you could actually pass that assessment, I'm sure the Academy wouldn't have forced you to come to this off-site training," Wuji said coldly, glancing sideways at the young man beside her.

  "You—!"

  Her words struck Jing Qingyun right where it hurt. While students could apply for graduation whenever they felt ready, they only got one shot per year. Jing Qingyun had failed three years in a row. Being called out on it now sent him into a silent, frustrated rage.

  "Qingyun Senior, please don't be mad. Sister Wuji wasn't making fun of you," Shuangshuang chirped, trying to play the peacemaker.

  "Forget it. I won't stoop to her level," Jing Qingyun muttered. He shot Wuji a glare but refrained from saying anything harsher, mostly to save face in front of the cute Shuangshuang.

  Wuji and Jing Qingyun were veterans of the same year, both lingering in the 3rd-year bracket for nearly four years. Shuangshuang, however, was a newly promoted 3rd-year, so calling him "Senior" was technically correct.

  Walking ahead of them were the 1st and 2nd-year students: Ying Feng, Ying Xue, and Ke Minglang for the freshmen; and Guimian (Ghost Face), Mo Hei, and Mo Bai for the sophomores.

  Except for Ying Xue, the others were old acquaintances—or rather, rivals whose eyes turned red with animosity the moment they saw each other.

  "Just as I thought. The freshmen representatives are you lot. But it seems you're missing one," Guimian said, staring at Ying Feng with a heavy gaze.

  During the last martial arts tournament, it was this kid who had turned the tide. As a result, Guimian had become the laughingstock of the 2nd year, mockingly nicknamed the "Freshman’s Blessing"—a guy who didn't learn his lesson the first time and rushed back to gift more Academy points to the new kids.

  "Oh? If it isn't the Freshman’s Blessing! Can I help you with something?" Ke Minglang chimed in before Ying Feng could speak.

  The reason Chi Yongqiu hadn't come was simple: Ying Feng and Ying Xue had a closer relationship with Principal Gu Pingchuan. They had been present when the Principal last visited Cloud Mist City, so they were essentially hand-picked for this trip.

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  "Don't get cocky. Last time, we only lost because we were careless," Guimian hissed. If not for his iron mask, everyone would have seen his face turning a dark, stormy shade of purple.

  "Just careless, was it? In that case, do you dare to have another wager with us during this training session?" Ying Feng asked with a smirk, his eyes glinting with mischief.

  He knew exactly where they were going and what the training involved. This was the beauty of an information advantage.

  "Hmph! Why wouldn't I dare? You're just two kids who haven't even cleared the Brave Rank trial yet," Guimian scoffed. In his mind, off-site training was purely a contest of raw levels. He was a Level 32 Brave Rank warrior—how could he possibly lose to two unpromoted freshmen?

  "Good. I hope you don't regret it," Ying Feng replied, his smile widening into something predatory. In his fury, Guimian failed to notice the trap being set.

  "The training site is just ahead in this alley. For the duration of this session, we will be staying in Cloud Mist City until the training concludes," Zhong Lingyun announced, stopping the group as she reached the familiar ice sculptures.

  "In a place like this? Is there really anything worthwhile here for training?" Jing Qingyun grumbled, his disappointment palpable. He had harbored some hope for a grand secret location.

  "Senior Qingyun is right. This is a bit insulting for an official training site," Guimian chimed in. Previous sessions had always been in monster-infested forests, scorching deserts, or mystical ruins. A back alley in a mundane city was a first—and a disappointing one at that.

  "Wow! Those two ice sculptures are so pretty!" Shuangshuang’s focus, as usual, was entirely elsewhere.

  Wuji, however, studied the sculptures with narrowing eyes. "Those aren't just decorations. The people frozen inside appear to be from the Wolf-Hunter Tribe. Judging by their build, they are at least Level 50—standard mid-tier Specialized Class experts."

  "Eh? They're stronger than us?" Shuangshuang gasped, her mouth forming a cute little 'o'.

  "The person who froze them is even stronger," Wuji analyzed calmly. "To flash-freeze two Specialized Class warriors so thoroughly that they couldn't even struggle... whoever did this is at least Grandmaster Rank."

  She glanced at Jing Qingyun and Guimian, who were still busy disparaging the alleyway. She let out a small, mocking huff but didn't bother to correct them. Why waste the energy?

  "A Grandmaster? Does that mean they're stronger than Instructor Zhong?" Shuangshuang asked, wide-eyed. To most, the Grandmaster Rank was the pinnacle of existence. The Hero Rank was something that lived only in legends.

  "Perhaps," Wuji said noncommittally.

  Up ahead, Zhong Lingyun had already entered the alley. A two-story building that looked utterly out of place among the surrounding shacks came into view. Zhong Lingyun hesitated for a second, double-checking the address in her mind before pushing the door open.

  "Welcome! How can I help you?" a sweet voice greeted them from within.

  Upon seeing Shier’s face, Zhong Lingyun breathed a sigh of relief. She was in the right place.

  "So the training site really is just a tiny shop? How pathetic," Jing Qingyun’s complaint followed as the rest of the group filed in.

  Thanks to the System’s recent renovations, the interior was far more spacious than it looked from the outside. Even with the entire group entering at once, it didn't feel crowded.

  "Shier, are there any spots left?" Zhong Lingyun walked to the counter to pay her Spirit Crystals, her eyes scanning the room. She had only been gone for two days, yet the shop looked completely different.

  The students began to wander, looking around with various degrees of skepticism.

  "So it's just an equipment shop?" Guimian glanced at Ying Feng, feeling his confidence swell. If the "training" involved buying gear, his superior funds would guarantee a win.