Su Xinyan, for reasons unknown, snorted coldly and said, "Good. You can watch and see the methods of an Alchemist. We're nothing like those oafish blacksmiths who only know how to swing their big hammers all day. They're as clumsy as bears, with no sense of aesthetics whatsoever!"

Fang Zhou obediently handed over his Number One Seed Medal and the box of Star Dew, wisely choosing not to engage with her remarks.

I'm starting to understand what's driving her competitive streak, he thought. Instructor Huang Qiuyue's earlier display of skill must have sparked my interest in taking up the Blacksmith sub-profession, which in turn ignited a sense of rivalry in the highly competitive Su Xinyan.

After all, just yesterday he had told her he wanted to learn Alchemy. He had even made a bet with her that he would break through to the Upper Apprentice level within a month. Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, Fang Zhou had seemingly betrayed the glorious path of the Alchemist and wanted to learn blacksmithing. To Su Xinyan, this was practically turning his back on his master, forsaking the light for darkness. It was an utterly unrefined choice!

Therefore, she was determined to put on a magnificent display of Enchantment to firmly secure the heart of her young apprentice.

Understanding what Su Xinyan was grappling with, Fang Zhou naturally played along with her performance.

Su Xinyan accepted the materials from Fang Zhou, took a light breath, and began the final preparations before commencing the alchemical Enchantment.

Fang Zhou's eyes darted around, casually surveying the somewhat mysterious Alchemy Workshop. In the center of the workshop, a massive workbench made of ancient oak commanded the space, its surface covered with all manner of alchemical tools and materials.

Su Xinyan stood before this workbench, her smooth, long hair tied back with a simple band. Over her slim black dress, she had just donned a specially tailored alchemist's robe, its fabric embroidered with intricate Runes.

Under Fang Zhou's watchful gaze, Instructor Su Xinyan first opened a small obsidian box and poured the liquid Star Dew into it. A faint glow emanated as the liquid slowly condensed and congealed, gradually turning into a gel.

Then, using a pair of tweezers, Su Xinyan gently picked out a single, gel-like bead of Star Dew. It was small and exquisite, emitting a soft silver light.

A gentle blue-white radiance bloomed in her palm—the external manifestation of her Spiritual Power. She enveloped the Star Dew with this radiance, causing it to float in mid-air and rotate slowly. Next, she placed the Number One Seed Medal on the workbench.

Su Xinyan's eyes were locked on the medal and the dew as she silently recited precise alchemical formulas in her mind. Her hands began to trace complex alchemical symbols in the air, each movement precise down to the millimeter. As the symbols took shape, a gossamer thread of energy extended from her fingertips, connecting the Star Dew to the Number One Seed Medal.

Her entire reserve of Spiritual Power surged forth like a flood, flowing along the tether and into the medal. Simultaneously, the Star Dew erupted in a dazzling brilliance. All its silver light was drawn out in an instant, pouring completely into the medal.

As the light receded, the Number One Seed Medal underwent a stunning transformation. Its surface began to emit a faint, almost translucent blue light. The previously static totems seemed to spring to life, flowing slowly before finally forming an intricate, looping pattern.

A sudden realization struck Fang Zhou. This is the mark of a successful Transcendent prefix!

It not only granted the medal the ability to store Spiritual Power but also allowed the wearer to leverage this power in battle, gaining perception and reaction speeds beyond those of an ordinary person.

At this moment, Su Xinyan gazed at her creation, her face beaming with a satisfied smile. After carefully inspecting and confirming that the Transcendent Enchantment effect was stable, she gently placed the Number One Seed Medal into a special velvet box and handed it to Fang Zhou.

"Here, take it," she said, her tone deliberately casual. "I'm completely out of Star Dew now, and the Enchantment has reached the material limit of the medal itself. I imagine this should last you until you reach the Bronze Tier."

Fang Zhou received the shimmering Number One Seed Medal with both hands, and a notification immediately appeared on his attribute panel.

[Transcendent Sea City Military Academy's Number One Seed Medal (Marvel, Excellent - Green)]: This medal is awarded to the most outstanding cadet of Sea City Military Academy. Slightly enhances the main attributes of Professionals at the Bronze Tier and below. The active skill [Follow My Command] can be released once per day, activating the array within the medal to boost the morale of human Professionals within a certain range and temporarily dispel their negative emotions. Enchanted with the Transcendent prefix, it can store a portion of Spiritual Power to be used for releasing skills and can be recharged after use.

Su Xinyan approached Fang Zhou and instructed him, "Activating the power of the Transcendent prefix requires a strong and pure stream of Spiritual Power as a medium. Go ahead and try it. With your talent, you should grasp the technique quickly."

Fang Zhou nodded, sat down cross-legged, and gently held the Number One Seed Medal in both hands. He closed his eyes, centered his mind, and regulated his breathing. He began to guide his Spiritual Power, drawing out one-fifth of his total reserve and channeling it slowly and steadily into the medal. The enchanted patterns on the medal began to spin, becoming more active.

Finally, as the last wisp of Spiritual Power merged into the Number One Seed Medal, the entire item erupted with blinding light, forming a radiant sphere that completely enveloped Fang Zhou. He could clearly sense the immense power contained within the medal, as well as the Transcendent power lying in wait, ready to be awakened at any moment to help him surpass his limits.

The light gradually faded. Fang Zhou slowly stood up, his eyes filled with joy.

Instructor Su Xinyan's simple Enchantment had increased his Spiritual Power reserve by a full fifth. This point alone significantly enhanced his combat sustainability. In other words, I'm more enduring now!

Of course, beyond lasting longer in a fight, Fang Zhou valued the boost to his Skill Training efficiency from the Transcendent prefix even more. A twenty percent increase in his Spiritual Power reserve meant his efficiency in raising Skill Proficiency would also increase by at least twenty percent. At this thought, he was already itching to go to the Skill Training Ground and try it out.

Letting out a soft breath, Fang Zhou solemnly pinned the medal to his chest. He gave Instructor Su Xinyan a formal salute and said, "Thank you, Mentor Xinyan. Alchemy is truly incredible!"

Su Xinyan snorted lightly, her voice laced with pride. "Of course it is!" She couldn't help but shoot a sidelong glance at Fang Zhou, adding indignantly, "And you *still* want to learn blacksmithing? Your greed is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant!"

Fang Zhou chuckled sheepishly and quickly tried to smooth things over. "Instructor Su, Mentor Xinyan, I haven't forgotten our agreement. If I can break through to the Upper Apprentice level within a month, you have to teach me Alchemy!"

Su Xinyan lifted her elegant, swan-like neck and ignored him completely, striding out of the Alchemy Workshop on her own.

Fang Zhou glanced back at the dazzling array of tools in the workshop, his desire for sub-professions like Alchemist and Blacksmith burning anew.

By the time he followed Su Xinyan back to her office, the cold and elegant mentor's anger had mostly dissipated. She slumped into her soft chair and said listlessly to Fang Zhou, "If there's nothing else, you should go back and focus on your cultivation. Bone Regeneration. The Skeleton Series Skill Tree. The Heroic Spirit Mark. And the World Rune! You've only just had your Awakening and you've already stirred up so much trouble. I'm worried for you."

Fang Zhou puffed out his chest. While he felt the immense pressure, he also felt his motivation surge. "Don't worry, Mentor Xinyan. It doesn't matter how many tasks there are. As long as I prioritize and tackle them one by one, every problem can be solved."

Giving Su Xinyan an "all-okay" gesture, Fang Zhou bid her farewell and left the Undead Mage research team's laboratory. In high spirits, he walked briskly back to his dormitory. He flopped onto his bed, rested for a few minutes, and then opened his personal terminal.

After returning to the military academy from the first cave, he had resumed his usual cultivation routine. Today was no exception. However, before he began his cultivation, he had two things to do.

The first was to add Shen Ziwei to the "Undead Mage Support Team" chat group. Earlier, Fang Zhou had sensed that Instructor Su Xinyan was a little jealous for some reason. To de-escalate the situation, he had decisively added her to the support team first, which meant he hadn't had a chance to add Shen Ziwei.

Opening the "Undead Mage Support Team" chat group, Fang Zhou was surprised to find it buzzing with activity. After a quick browse of the chat history, he understood what had happened. Since Instructor Su Xinyan had joined, the two perceptive assistants, Bai Xiaochan and Meng Hongzhuang, had dutifully showered her with compliments. Su Xinyan, for her part, only offered cold and infrequent replies. The atmosphere in the chat group seemed harmonious enough.

So, Fang Zhou scrolled through his contacts and added Shen Ziwei to the group.

[Ordinary Apprentice] (Fang Zhou): "Welcoming our third research assistant, Shen Ziwei, to the group @[Heaven is on the Left, Warrior is on the Right]. The group files contain our current research tasks and team management rules. Please download and review them at your convenience. I will assign you formal work tasks in a couple of days."

[Heaven is on the Left, Warrior is on the Right] (Shen Ziwei): "Received. Thank you, Boss Fang Zhou. Hello, Instructor Su. Hello, Bai. Hello, Meng. I am Shen Ziwei, a first-year cadet from Company Six of Sea City Military Academy, Lower Apprentice Warrior profession. It's a pleasure to be here."

In a female dormitory not far away, Bai Xiaochan, who was lying on her stomach scrolling through the group chat, shot upright when she saw the notification about a new member.

Darn it! How did Fang Zhou find another research assistant?! And it's Shen Ziwei, that overachiever! Is she trying to take my job?

Meanwhile, in another dorm, Meng Hongzhuang had already replied to Shen Ziwei's message.

[Bear Dominating the World] (Meng Hongzhuang): "Welcome, new colleague @[Heaven is on the Left, Warrior is on the Right]! Let's work hard together and do our part to help the Undead Mage profession grow!"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.