Fang Zhou carefully observed the forlorn expression on the female Apprentice's face, knowing he had deeply discouraged her. He quickly said, "It's okay. I can see that your Spiritual Power fluctuates quite frequently, so it shouldn't be long before you break through to the Middle Rank of the Apprentice stage. By then, your Rock Shield will become more solid, and you'll definitely be able to easily withstand the attacks of the Long Spear Skeletons."

Hearing Fang Zhou's words, the female Apprentice felt slightly better. She knew that even if she advanced to the Middle Rank, her Rock Shield might still not be enough to block a Long Spear Skeleton's attack. But at least, his words offered some psychological comfort.

At this moment, Meng Hongzhuang bounced forward. Her gaze shifted curiously between Fang Zhou's summoned Giant Shield Skeletons and Long Spear Skeletons as she asked, "Big Boss Fang Zhou, how much greater is the combat power of these weapon-wielding Skeletons compared to the ordinary ones you summoned before?"

Fang Zhou shook his head. "I only just successfully deduced this Skill, and this is the first time I've summoned such armed Skeletons. To be honest, I'm also very curious about the difference in their combat power."

Meng Hongzhuang rubbed her palms together, her interest piqued. She egged him on, "That's simple! There's a specially partitioned dueling ground in the middle of the Concentration Meditation Room. Let's go there. You can summon an equal number of both types of Skeletons and have them fight each other. Then we'll see everything clearly."

Fang Zhou's eyes lit up as he nodded in agreement. "Good idea! I'll give it a try."

To be honest, neither the Storm Mage Gu Zhiqiu's Chain Wind Energy Missile nor the female Rock Mage Apprentice's Rock Shield had been enough to test the true combat power of the Giant Shield Skeletons and Long Spear Skeletons. He would have to find out for himself.

Surrounded by a group of Seed Students, Fang Zhou arrived at the dueling ground within the Concentration Meditation Room. He took out his Apprentice-level Magic Staff from his Space Storage Capsule and began to cast the [Summon Skeleton] Skill.

Soon, several twisted vortices formed from Death Energy gradually materialized. Twenty Skeletons emerged from them in single file, arranging themselves into a neat formation before Fang Zhou. Their bodies were composed of pure white bones, and eerie phosphorescence flickered within their eye sockets. The grating of bone against bone produced a chilling sound.

A confident smile touched Fang Zhou's lips as he looked upon his familiar Skeleton Army. He focused his mind again, locking his gaze onto ten of the Skeletons. He silently recited the spell for [Skeleton Blade], and with a flick of his fingertips, strands of silvery-white Magic Power wrapped around the chosen Skeletons like fine threads.

Instantly, their appearance transformed. A layer of flowing Shadow Energy now coated their previously dull bones. Weapons had also somehow materialized in their hands.

Three were Giant Shield Skeletons, their frames larger and more robust than ordinary Skeletons, and they wielded enormous, heavy Bone Shields.

Three were Long Spear Skeletons, their frames appearing more agile. They wielded Long Spears crafted from bleached-white bones, the tips of which glinted coldly in the dim light of the meditation room.

The last four were Skeleton Archers. Their construction was more refined, and they held bows and arrows forged from bone in their skeletal fingers. These Arrows emitted a faint blue glow even before being nocked, their tips exceptionally sharp.

These ten Skeletons, enhanced by [Skeleton Blade], not only appeared more formidable than the ten ordinary Skeletons but had also undergone a qualitative leap in combat power.

Under the tense and expectant gazes of the Seed Students, Fang Zhou gently raised a hand and made a gesture.

The group of ordinary Skeletons seemed to receive the command and rapidly assembled. Though their movements were somewhat clumsy, their neatly aligned formation was quite impressive.

CRACK.

CRACK.

They brandished their frail, bony arms and charged forward with silent howls, attempting to overwhelm their enemy with sheer numbers.

On the other side, the Elite Skeletons displayed a completely different combat style. The three Giant Shield Skeletons were like mobile fortresses. Holding their massive Bone Shields, they advanced with slow but incredibly solid steps, as steady as a rock. The three Long Spear Skeletons followed closely behind them, each swing of their Long Spears whistling through the air. Securely guarded by these six melee Skeletons, the four Skeleton Archers took up positions on the flanks. Holding bone Arrows between their fingers, they waited patiently, seeking the perfect moment to shoot.

As the ordinary Skeletons charged toward the armed Skeletons, the first line of defense formed by the Giant Shield Skeletons proved impenetrable. The attacks of the ordinary Skeletons, using their claws and fangs, were like raindrops on stone. They caused showers of bone fragments but failed to shake them in the slightest.

At this time, the Long Spear Skeletons found their opening. Darting from the gaps between the shields like messengers of the Death God, their spears struck like lightning. Each thrust was accompanied by the sound of shattering bones, both precise and elegant. The ordinary Skeletons had their skulls pierced and their Soul Fire shattered, one after another. They fell before the armed legion, collapsing into scattered piles of white bone.

Meanwhile, the Skeleton Archers began their own hunting performance. Their emotionless eyes accurately locked onto each target. The Arrows seemed to possess a will of their own, slicing through the air to strike the vital points of the ordinary Skeletons' skulls. Every Arrow loosed meant the end of at least one ordinary Skeleton.

Throughout the entire battle, Fang Zhou remained standing in place. Yet his consciousness seemed to be merged with each Skeleton, directing their actions. The surrounding students were all stunned by the magnificent yet brutal spectacle.

If ten of us formed a Team and faced ten of Fang Zhou's summoned and enhanced Skeletons, would we even have a chance of victory?

The battle they simulated in their minds sent a shiver down their spines, completely wiping away any lingering arrogance they might have had.

The battle on the field quickly drew to a close. With the final Arrow hitting its mark, all the ordinary Skeletons were thoroughly defeated, leaving nothing but a wreck-strewn battlefield. Among the ten armed Skeletons, only the three Giant Shield Skeletons had suffered severe damage under the fearless assault of their own kind, their Soul Fire flickering precariously. The other three Long Spear Skeletons and four Skeleton Archers were almost unscathed.

Fang Zhou slowly withdrew his Spiritual Power. The armed Skeletons, fresh from their satisfying victory in the internecine struggle, also dissipated.

He turned to face the dumbfounded students, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips. Today's demonstration marked yet another widening of the gap in strength between him and his peers.

At this point, Meng Hongzhuang snapped out of her shock. She tugged at her pigtails with a look of utter grievance, putting on a hopeless expression. "Big Boss Fang Zhou, give us a break, will you? You can work wonders with even Apprentice-level trash Skeletons. How do you expect us to keep up?"

Fang Zhou's expression remained calm and unmoved. "It was just luck. As Undead Creatures of the Skeleton Series, Skeletons have a very low racial Combat Power Coefficient. Despite my efforts to enhance them, today I just happened to successfully deduce a Skill that allows Apprentice-level Skeletons to condense bone armaments in advance.

"However, at the same level, their individual combat power is still very weak. I estimate that once you break through to the Middle Rank, any one of your animal partners could defeat a single Skeleton I summon in a one-on-one duel. This level of strength is simply too weak to be of any real use!"

Hearing this humble-bragging, Meng Hongzhuang's eyes went wide, and her chest heaved as she was left momentarily speechless. Her animal partners—whether Giant Bear Vini, Big Mountain Cat Nidalee, Divine Eagle Quinn, or the two Thorny Porcupines—were all Natural Beasts she had meticulously cultivated, each with immense potential. And yet, Fang Zhou was fantasizing that one of his casually summoned Skeletons could defeat them? That was just too far-fetched!

Seeing Meng Hongzhuang at a loss for words, Fang Zhou coughed lightly. His expression softened as he spoke to the surrounding Seed Students. "Sorry for taking up your valuable meditation time. I'm going to continue my Meditation and Cultivation now."

Taking the hint, the Seed Students silently cleared a path for him. They watched as he returned to his usual spot, sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began to meditate.

Although the Concentration Meditation Room temporarily fell silent, word of Fang Zhou developing a new Undead Mage Profession Skill that greatly enhanced Skeleton combat power had already spread throughout the first year of Sea City Military Academy.

However, aside from the few Seed Students who had personally witnessed the combat power of the enhanced, armed Skeletons, the rest of the first-year students reacted with surprising indifference. After all, Fang Zhou had already deduced an entire, well-developed Apprentice-level Skeleton Series Skill Tree. Some troublemakers had even secretly given him the title of "Skeleton Tutor." To these first-year students, what was so surprising about him deducing one more Beneficial Skill to enhance Skeletons when he'd already developed an entire Skill Tree for them? What was the difference between a monstrous genius and a genius monster?

Regardless of what the other students thought, Fang Zhou had already quieted his mind and focused his attention on his Attribute Panel. After so many days of study and battle, his various Attributes had been greatly enhanced and updated, further bolstering his courage and drive to advance aggressively. The densely packed Skills Bar and Equipment Bar gave him a momentary feeling of satisfaction.

And in the foreseeable future, many more Marvels and Skills are waiting for me to acquire them. This was all the result of my tireless efforts!

Even with his composed nature, Fang Zhou couldn't help but feel a little proud. However, he suppressed his excitement in an instant, sinking his consciousness into his Skeleton Clone in the Undead Realm.

Although I am indeed the most brilliant Undead Mage in history, I've long understood that my true foundation lies in my Skeleton Clone and my Attribute Panel. I must not get lost in past glories or rest on my laurels!

Tonight's carnival of slaughter officially begins!

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