The duel began with the ringing of a bell.

The Blood Spider and Jiangnan University's first competitor, "Dark Blade," entered the field simultaneously.

"Code name Dark Blade, a Level 5 Heroic Profession 'Demon Blade Vanguard.' The professional skill is Passive Demonization Blade, adding dark attribute damage to attacks that cannot be deflected or blocked..."

For the many experts on the Jiangnan University team, the leading teacher Cai Cai had gathered detailed information, showcasing her strong intelligence-gathering abilities.

However, sometimes the difference in strength is such that no amount of intelligence can bridge it.

Jiangnan University is ranked 31st nationwide, significantly stronger than Xili Institute of Technology.

Even with the inclusion of Bai Pu and Blood Spider, both hero professions, they can barely match Jiangnan University's paper combat strength.

In the high school exam stage, among nearly a hundred thousand Awakened, only one or two are Hero Professions. These are geniuses who advance to hero professions ahead of time, often from influential families with resources so abundant that ordinary people cannot fathom it.

But after entering university, many low-level Awakened stuck at the Elite (including Enhanced Elite) level will gather momentum, attempting the S-level class change task to advance to hero professions. Some ordinary profession Awakened also manage it through an opportune combination of luck and intelligence.

When a Level 3 reaches 100% experience, the Spirit Realm Will grants an opportunity for a second class change. At this point, carrying related Spirit Realm Wonders will trigger the class change task, and upon succeeding, there is a generous attribute reward—such as for Bai Pu.

However, the second class change is not limited to Level 3. Some Awakened who have already entered the intermediate stage, in exploring the Spirit Realm, have a small chance of gaining recognition from powerful Spirit Realm Natives, thereby initiating a class change task without needing Spirit Realm Wonders—like Blood Spider.

The successful second class change of Blood Spider comes with no basic attribute rewards, only strengthening professional skills, extending the professional energy slot, and adding 1 point of priority.

To use an analogy, Awakened like Bai Pu, who complete the second class change at Level 3, are like bona fide undergraduates at prestigious universities. In contrast, Awakened like Blood Spider, who completes it at Level 6, are comparable to those who bridge into undergraduate programs.

Some say, the earlier the second class change, the better—an earlier class change means an earlier enjoyment of the high growth of the hero's profession template.

But others differ, because the hero's profession template requires more experience points to level up. At the same efficiency of task discovery and completion, the upgrading speed is not as fast as Elites or ordinary Awakened.

And the level of the Awakened represents strength, with level suppression much more potent than those few basic attributes.

The gap in those few basic attributes indeed doesn't matter much. After becoming hero professions, both sides start on the same playing field.

The high school exam for Awakened tests potential from three aspects—Spirit Realm knowledge, virtual combat, and Spirit Realm exploration—with final scores being relatively accurate. Generally, Awakened who score highly are certainly more potent.

Thus, the overall strength of Awakened from prestigious universities is undoubtedly stronger than those from lower-ranked universities, with a far higher chance of producing hero professions later.

For example, Jiangnan University has three hero professions, with new hero professions emerging almost every year.

Conversely, Xili Institute of Technology hasn't seen any student advance to hero profession for the past two years. The only hero profession, Xuan Pin, is already a senior, almost graduating, rendering a dry spell between generations.

This is also why the university administration committed to agreeing to Bai Pu's request—they hope the top scorer in the high school exam, Gangxin, will advance to a hero profession within a year or two to take over the banner as the main general of the school team.

Of course, the high school exam top scorer, Blood Spider, also joined, which was a pleasant surprise.

To win a decisive victory at home, the Jiangnan University coach sent their "Deputy General," the Demon Blade Vanguard Dark Blade, right in the first match.

Dark Blade first activated the detection skill attached to his equipment.

"Giant Dragon Hunter? Goodness, a Level 6 Hero! Since when did Xili Institute of Technology have such a dark horse..."

Jiangnan University's team didn't focus much on gathering information within the region, because they do not regard advancing to the national competition as difficult—after all, the overall strength of Jiangnan Region is relatively weak, and they are the main and leading institution ranked 31st.

They focus on gathering intelligence on strong teams from other regions in the country.

Blood Spider, expressionless, flipped back into a retreating leap as the sound of the battle drum began, with a small hand crossbow appearing on her arm!

Thunk, thunk, thunk.

The dull sound of piercing the air echoed as bolts shot out one by one.

Each bolt bore an almost imperceptible faint red glow.

"Archer?"

Dark Blade instantly felt confident, thinking he might be able to defeat a level above himself—taking down a higher-level hero profession!

As everyone knows, archers are weak in close combat, and they most fear agile-type assassins or warriors getting up close.

If he gets close, there's much to be gained!

Dark Blade drew a pair of dual weapons, long and short. The long sword swirled in his right hand, forming a circle that struck away the front bolts among them.

Unable to dodge or deflect the last bolt, Dark Blade was indifferent, knowing that the damage of ranged archer attacks is generally low, and taking a few hits wasn't an issue.

Hiss.

His expression suddenly changed upon being hit by this arrow!

[Based on Giant Dragon Hunter: Blood Spider's professional skill: Dragon Slayer, this attack inflicted additional damage and applied Septic Toxin! Your speed is reduced by 5 points (stackable).]

The words "stackable" stung Dark Blade's eyes. His figure suddenly flickered, charging towards Blood Spider, with seven or eight phantoms scattering off his body in a high-speed dash!

It was the shoe's additional skill, Phantom Dash!

However, Blood Spider was also retreating simultaneously, activating the speed-boosting dash skill on her shoes while managing to shoot out two more bolts unexpectedly!

Thunk, thunk.

Dark Blade got hit by another arrow, stacking the speed reduction to 10 points. Blood Spider's shooting specialty was evidently quite high, managing to maintain such precision even while shooting on the move.

Dark Blade gritted his teeth, activating the skill: Shadow Flash!

In the next second, Dark Blade emerged from Blood Spider's shadow, slashing at her with the long and short swords swinging fiercely.

But just as Blood Spider's body flashed with blue light, her speed dramatically increased, swiftly evading far away! She utilized the acceleration escape ability attached to [Hendrick's Pocket Watch], her speed now exceeding a hundred, preventing the slowed Dark Blade from even touching her hem.

Yet, Dark Blade wore a smug smile.

A black, spider-web-like steel cable on Blood Spider's body was somehow fastened tightly to Dark Blade.

The high-speed escape of Blood Spider naturally tightened the steel cable! Using the cable's tension, Dark Blade traced a trajectory in the air like the wind, diving at Blood Spider like a predatory hawk!

"Caught by my 'Dragon-Binding Rope,' you are destined for doom!" Dark Blade roared loudly, as a massive surge of black arc lights exploded from his dual blades upon landing.

Demon Blade Chaos Slash!

However, as the strike commenced, a warrior's phantom wearing a cyan ghost mask appeared behind Blood Spider, letting out a long howl. An invisible ripple spread out.

A great fear surged in Dark Blade's mind, abruptly interrupting his power-up Demon Blade Chaos Slash, forcing him to retreat!

This is the skill attached to Blood Spider's [Ghost Warrior's Hide]: Evil Ghost Roar, a strong skill that directly influences the enemy's mind, compelling the enemy to flee in fear.

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