Lu Hu nodded slightly, gesturing for them to wait. After all 100 Seed Students were in position, he turned to face them and said in a deep voice, "In the days to come, the 100 of you will form the Seed Company, and I will be your chief instructor. The specific training plan will be sent to your personal terminals later. This afternoon, I will give you your first lesson—the history of the Sea City Military Academy! Follow me!"

With a wave of his hand, Lu Hu led the silent, solemn Seed Students into the exhibition hall of the academy's history museum. As the group moved deeper inside, the initially somewhat cluttered space revealed itself to be meticulously divided into multiple exhibition areas, each revolving around a specific historical period or theme.

In the "Historical Artifacts" exhibition area, the evolution of equipment was on full display, from so-called high-tech weaponry to the gear currently used by Professionals who wielded cold weapons. This included ancient Swords and Shields used by the pioneers, mementos from the First Abyss War, and advanced combat simulators developed in recent years.

The tour lasted about an hour. Under the gravity of Lu Hu's explanations, the initially relaxed atmosphere among the Seed Students grew incredibly solemn. Finally, Instructor Lu Hu led the moderately-sized group to the deepest part of the academy history museum—the Hall of Glory.

The Hall of Glory was the climax of the entire museum. Here hung the medals, awards, and banners that the Sea City Military Academy had earned during various historical periods. At the central circular display stand stood a giant sculpture of the "Die with the Demon" insignia. It was surrounded by victory mementos from the countless battles against the Abyssal Demons over the years.

Among them, the highest position of honor was held by the highest-ranking general to fall in the Defense of Sea City: General Ning Feihu. Although Ning Feihu was only a Golden Upper Rank Berserker at the time of his sacrifice, his brilliant achievements in the early days of the Human-Demon War made him the undisputed number one hero in the hearts of Sea City's military personnel and civilians. Not to mention, the Defense of Sea City was a pivotal battle, a turning point for the Longxia Federation and even the entire Human Alliance.

From a historical perspective, the success of this defense dealt a heavy blow to the main force of the Abyssal Demon invasion of Blue Star. It shifted the decades-long Human-Demon Blood War from a strategy of contraction to one of strategic stalemate. Subsequently, under the protection and guidance of the pioneers, generations of human heroes surged forward, one after another, slowly but surely sounding the horn of counterattack and ultimately driving the vast majority of Abyssal Demons off Blue Star.

Fang Zhou's gaze lingered for a long time on General Ning Feihu's name and deeds before turning to the other fallen heroes below. Over the decades, the warriors who had emerged from Sea City numbered in the tens of thousands, if not more. Among them, even powerhouses at the Legendary Crown level had fallen on the battlefield, leaving their blood-tinted names here in this Hall of Glory. Fallen heroes of the Glory Champion, Gold, and Silver ranks had also played their final swan song here.

Lu Hu paused for a moment in the Hall of Glory, then turned to the assembled Seed Students and said, "Today's tour ends here."

An air of solemnity and reverence filled the Hall of Glory. The Seed Students stood grimly beside the "Die with the Demon" hero insignia. The abyssal demonic clouds looming over human civilization were far from dissipated. For Fang Zhou and these new-generation Awakeners, the sky of their lives was just beginning to break dawn.

At this moment, Lu Hu spoke again. "Today, you will receive a most sacred inheritance."

A giant Crystal Stele slowly rose from the center of the Hall of Glory.

"Next, I will hold the [Rite of the Fated Rival] for you. This is the latest method developed by the Human Alliance Military Department, which can significantly enhance the specialized combat power of us human Professionals against the Abyssal Demons, those dregs of a species. Of course, initiating the Rite of the Fated Rival consumes a massive amount of resources. A Professional can only receive the baptism of the [Rite of the Fated Rival] once in their lifetime. I urge you not to miss this incredibly precious opportunity!"

Following Instructor Lu Hu's guidance, the gazes of Fang Zhou and the other Seed Students focused on the slowly rising Crystal Stele.

"Close your eyes and take a deep breath."

Instructor Lu Hu's voice was perfectly timed to guide the students into Meditation. In the silence, the students felt as if they were traversing time and space, personally witnessing the magnificent battle scenes, feeling the pioneers' fear and perseverance in the face of the demons, and the glory of their final victory.

Just as this emotion reached its peak, an indescribable power surged forth from the Crystal Stele. Like a searing tide, it poured into the body of every student.

Standing at the very front of the Seed Students, Fang Zhou experienced this sensation most distinctly. He deeply felt an unprecedented power awakening within him. It seemed to be an innate, fated power destined to combat the Abyssal Demons.

At the same time, a notification immediately appeared on his attribute panel.

"Received baptism from an unknown power. Acquired new skill [Soul Enemy: Abyssal Demon]."

An unexpected, pleasant surprise, Fang Zhou thought, his heart skipping a beat.

Since his Awakening nearly three months ago, every skill he acquired had cost him painstaking effort. Yet here, in the Hall of Glory, he had gained a brand-new, mysterious skill out of thin air, with no effort on his part, simply by having Instructor Lu Hu activate the mysterious Rite of the Fated Rival.

Fang Zhou calmed his mind, allowing the mysterious power from the rite to infuse his entire body while he examined the skills bar on his attribute panel.

[Soul Enemy] (Apprentice Level, Beginner): The latest research achievement of the Human Civilization Guardian God. Guides the endless Heroic Spirits from the river of time to awaken the boundless, latent hatred for Abyssal Demons hidden within the souls of human Professionals, thereby increasing a human Professional's combat power against Abyssal Demons to a certain degree. The wielder's Affinity with Abyssal Demons is greatly reduced. Deals a minor amount of additional damage to Apprentice-level Abyssal Demons and receives a minor amount of reduced damage from them. The magnitude of the damage increase and reduction is determined by Skill Proficiency, as well as the quantity and quality of Abyssal Demons slain.

A hint of joy flashed in Fang Zhou's eyes as he carefully read the skill description.

The brief skill description for [Soul Enemy] contained many details worth pondering. Human Civilization Guardian God—what kind of title is that? What kind of powerhouse would be worthy of such a title?

His mind raced. He had heard of Principal Su Tiankuo's heroic achievements from Lu Hu, Su Xinyan, and several other Sea City Military Academy instructors. Su Tiankuo was an Iron-blooded War God who had fought on the Mythical World's Human-Demon Battlefield for decades, forging his path to the Legendary Crown amidst the wails and corpses of Abyssal Demons. Yet, no one had ever referred to him as the Human Civilization Guardian God.

What does this imply? Could there be a higher Professional level above Legendary Crown?

After a moment of thought, Fang Zhou temporarily suppressed this flicker of doubt. On an individual basis, the increase in Demon Killing Damage and Demon Damage Reduction each student gained might not seem significant. But if this ritual became more refined and less resource-intensive in the future, and if it were popularized among the tens of millions of Professionals in the Human Alliance, then the boost to the overall combat power of human civilization would be immeasurable.

If one day the [Soul Enemy] skill became an innate racial talent for humans, then completely repelling or even defeating the Abyssal Demons might no longer be a fantasy. If they can invade our lands, then we can invade theirs! The tables of offense and defense will have turned!

As Fang Zhou pondered, the ritual's fluctuations in the Hall of Glory grew more intense. At the same time, Lu Hu's battle intent and vitality were being consumed at a drastic rate. As the students successively awakened the [Soul Enemy] skill, strange patterns faintly appeared beneath their skin. It was an exclusive mark symbolizing their enmity toward Abyssal Demons.

To his shock, Fang Zhou also discovered that the Skill Proficiency of his [Soul Enemy] skill was increasing at an unprecedented speed.

Beginner!

Master!

Skilled!

Mastery!

Fang Zhou held his breath and focused, striving to absorb the last vestiges of power from the Rite of the Fated Rival. A few minutes passed, and Instructor Lu Hu's heavy panting became clearly audible.

Finally, the power fluctuations from the Rite of the Fated Rival reached a crescendo and then came to an abrupt halt.

And the Skill Proficiency of Fang Zhou's [Soul Enemy] successfully reached [Perfection].

At that moment, Instructor Lu Hu took a deep, ragged breath. His powerful frame trembled slightly, but his words carried an unshakeable conviction.

"You should all have awakened the [Soul Enemy] skill. From this moment on, the damage you deal to Abyssal Demons will be greatly increased, while the damage they inflict upon you will be weakened."

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