As she spoke, Meng Hongzhuang lifted her chin, pointing toward the exhausted trainees in the cabin. Some of them even had bandages on. Sighing, she said, "Just look at everyone. What a state they're in!

"Thanks to my animal companion, I could at least catch my breath while being chased by the Cave Demons. Everyone else had to rely on themselves, ready to run at the slightest disturbance. I haven't had a single proper night's sleep in three days!"

She turned to Fang Zhou, pointing at the bandages on her short legs. "Look," she said, her voice still laced with fear. "This leg was bitten by a wolf, and this one was stung by a Fierce Mosquito. It hurt so much! If I wasn't determined to beat you, I don't think I would have made it. These three days have been absolute misery!"

Fang Zhou couldn't truly empathize, so he silently handed her a can of delicious military rations.

The dusty, twin-tailed girl wolfed down the rations, her mouth finally quieting down.

During Fang Zhou and Meng Hongzhuang's conversation, the gazes of the surrounding trainees never left him. Their whispers and occasional looks of reverence seemed to be a silent acknowledgment of his strength and achievements.

Fang Zhou felt their complex gazes on him, yet his heart remained exceptionally calm.

For me, winning the No. 1 Seed is merely the first step to becoming stronger.

As the Magic Energy Airship restarted, a slight tremor transmitted through his seat. Fang Zhou looked around. Huge portholes were set into both sides of the airship. Although only a dark sky was visible outside, the thought of the magnificent scenery they would pass during the flight was enough to fill one with anticipation.

As the airship slowly ascended, Fang Zhou closed his eyes and began to formulate his next plan.

After I exchange my loot for contribution points, I need to go ask Instructors Su Xinyan and Lu Hu for some advice. These past three days of Cave Hunting have left me with too many questions that need answers. What's the effect of the World Will's Attention? How do I enhance my World Rune? Are there other ways to get a Heroic Spirit Mark? And how do I repair a Marvel like the [Sealed Bone Bell]?

As these thoughts raced through his mind, Instructor Wang Tao's voice echoed through the cabin.

"All trainees, the airship will soon proceed at full speed. It will take approximately two hours to reach the Cave Fortress. I'm sure you are all exhausted after three days of hunting. We will guarantee a safe flight, so you can rest easy in the cabin."

Just then, Meng Hongzhuang, having finished her can of rations, seemed to have regained some of her energy.

She nudged Fang Zhou's arm and asked eagerly, "Fang Zhou, I saw on my personal terminal that everyone's talking about how you found the site of General Ning Feihu's sacrifice and recovered his Battle Banner. Can I see General Ning's [Die with the Demon] Battle Banner?"

Fang Zhou nodded and took out the blood-stained, ragged banner.

Meng Hongzhuang took it solemnly and slowly unfolded it.

A soaring battle intent instantly filled the cabin, infecting every trainee. The somber atmosphere, born from extreme fatigue, was completely washed away by this power. The trainees all gazed at the Battle Banner in Meng Hongzhuang's hands, their eyes full of admiration.

After a long moment of reverence, Meng Hongzhuang returned the [Heroic Spirit Battle Banner] to Fang Zhou. "I can't imagine how many people will be thrilled to know that General Ning's relic has been recovered," she exclaimed. "You did a great thing, Fang Zhou! I believe that in your hands, this Battle Banner will surely achieve new glory."

Once Fang Zhou put the Battle Banner away, Meng Hongzhuang's expression reverted to its usual mischievousness.

She asked curiously, "Fang Zhou, I saw you brought back over a dozen bags of loot. Is there anything good inside?"

Fang Zhou thought for a moment, opened his personal terminal, and sent Meng Hongzhuang a picture. "Most of it is just ordinary Demon materials, but there are some good finds. Look, what do you think this is?"

"Evergreen Fruit!" Meng Hongzhuang covered her mouth as she cried out, her delicate face filled with unconcealed desire.

She threw her arms around Fang Zhou's arm, her eyes pleading and hopeful. "My Lord! Lord Fang! Please, for my sake as your research assistant, sell me an Evergreen Fruit. If I get stronger, I can serve you better, right?"

Fang Zhou extended a finger, slowly and firmly pushing her away. "Wishful thinking!" he said with a slight smile. "Even though Xiaochan is a slacker, she at least provided several Skill Materials for my [Skeleton Shield]. You haven't even sorted out your skill ideas for the Enhanced Skeleton yet, and you have the gall to ask me for an Evergreen Fruit?"

Meng Hongzhuang put on a pitiful face, trying to sweet-talk him. "Fang Zhou, the Evergreen Fruit is really important for us Nature Series Apprentices. Even though the price is kept from being too expensive to help out us newcomers, it's always in short supply at the military academy's resource library. If you're willing to sell me one, I'll do anything!"

Fang Zhou chuckled, coldly watching her performance.

For a non-Nature Series Professional like me, the Evergreen Fruit is just a tasty fruit for replenishing stamina and Spiritual Power. Its effects are quite limited. But for a Nature Series Professional like Meng Hongzhuang, it's a heavenly and earthly treasure that can solidify her foundation and help her break through to the Black Iron Tier. Its value is extraordinary. I harvested four Evergreen Fruits in the Thorn Jungle, so selling one to her isn't out of the question. However, she has to offer something of sufficient value in return! Trying to sweet-talk her way into getting something for nothing? I'm not falling for that cute act!

Seeing Fang Zhou was unmoved, Meng Hongzhuang gritted her teeth and pulled an ugly candle from her carry-on bag.

She looked at him with puppy-dog eyes and said, "This is a Slime Candle. I found it in the nest of a small group of Burrower Monsters I was wiping out. The scent it gives off when lit is refreshing and invigorating. For us Magic Professionals, it can also slightly increase our Spiritual Power recovery speed. It's not as good as a Spiritual Recovery Potion, but its effect doesn't conflict with potions and can even stack.

"This big chunk of a candle will last at least a month if you use it for an hour a day. If you were to exchange this at the academy, it would be worth at least 20 contribution points. Besides, since this resource can't be mass-produced, it's very rare. The academy barely has any in stock, so you couldn't buy one even if you wanted to."

Meng Hongzhuang handed the oily, strangely fragrant candle to Fang Zhou, asking with great anticipation, "On top of this, I'll add 30 contribution points as a premium. How about it, Lord Fang? Are you satisfied with these terms?"

Fang Zhou opened his personal terminal to check the description of the Slime Candle. It was just as Meng Hongzhuang had described; the resource had a decent effect on recovering Spiritual Power.

He thought for a moment.

With this wax candle, I'll have another way to recover my Spiritual Power for the next month. That will naturally speed up my Skill Proficiency training. This deal is pure profit for me. Acceptable.

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