Fang Zhou was eager to test the effects of the two new skills he had acquired tonight: [Block and Counterattack] and [Iron Wall Aura].

He first projected his consciousness into his skeleton Clone. Looking at Tidamia awaiting his command, Fang Zhou's Soul Fire flickered slightly as he ordered the skeleton to spar with him.

Tidamia executed the command flawlessly. He raised his Beheading Giant Sword high, bowed slightly, and then charged toward Fang Zhou.

Holding the Corpse Long Spear, Fang Zhou's powerful Corpse Body stood motionless, like an ancient mountain peak, unafraid of any enemy's charge.

CLANG!

When Tidamia reached him, the Beheading Giant Sword slashed down in a dazzling arc, carrying the force of a thunderclap.

Fang Zhou decisively activated [Block and Counterattack], his newly acquired universal skill for Black Iron-rank Combat Professionals. His movements were as smooth as flowing water. The Corpse Long Spear spun gently, perfectly intercepting the Giant Sword's trajectory and elegantly parrying the incoming slash. The Corpse Long Spear then tilted slightly to the right, forcing the heavy Beheading Giant Sword in Tidamia's grasp to deflect rightward as well.

Tidamia's body staggered from Fang Zhou's masterful block, causing him to falter.

Fang Zhou's Soul Fire flashed as he keenly seized the fleeting opportunity created by the [Block and Counterattack] skill. Then, the Skeleton Long Spear in his hand thrust forward like a silver flood dragon. Seizing the instant Tidamia's Beheading Giant Sword was blocked and he was unable to recover, it thrust directly toward the skeleton's sternum.

CRUNCH.

The Refinement +2, incredibly sharp Corpse Long Spear pierced through Tidamia's sternum, knocking him back several meters. Tidamia could no longer maintain his balance and was sent tumbling to the ground by the tremendous impact of Fang Zhou's casual strike. The Corpse Long Spear's thrust left a bowl-sized hole in his sternum.

If Fang Zhou had aimed for Tidamia's skull, the vital point containing his Soul Fire, this skilled Mutated Skeleton Warrior would have had his soul scattered in an instant.

After commanding Tidamia to hunt some prey to repair his injuries, Fang Zhou gave the Corpse Long Spear in his hand a satisfied swing.

Though it was just a small test, Fang Zhou could clearly perceive the enormous boost in combat power from the [Block and Counterattack] skill. Previously, with the passive bonus from [High-level Weapon Specialization] and the attack power boost from [Heroic Charge] and [Brutal Strike], he was already considered a top-tier combatant among Undead Creatures of the same rank, unrivaled by his peers.

Now, the addition of the [Block and Counterattack] skill was like the final piece of a puzzle, perfectly filling the skeleton Clone's only defensive gap. This made Fang Zhou not only unstoppable on offense but also impervious on defense, a truly versatile warrior. His offense and defense were both impeccable.

Gazing up at the dazzling blood moon, Fang Zhou felt an uncontrollable fatigue welling up from the depths of his soul. Knowing he had reached his limit, he didn't force himself to continue. Under the heavy guard of dozens of Skeleton Servants, he slowly retreated to a safe haven and logged out of his skeleton Clone.

「In the Concentration Meditation Room」

Fang Zhou, sitting cross-legged on a meditation cushion in the corner, opened his eyes. It was nearly dawn. The other Seed Students had long since departed, each returning to the warmth of their beds to be embraced by dreams. The night was as dark as ink, the moonlight like a silken ribbon. The skylight in the ceiling channeled starlight and moonlight, which cascaded down upon Fang Zhou.

He slowly got up, his body swaying slightly—a natural reaction of his muscles and bones after a long period of Meditation. He moved his stiff body, his joints making faint clicking sounds. Then, he lightly snapped his fingers.

An invisible current seemed to crackle through the air as a gray vortex materialized from nothing, briefly connecting two different worlds. Two Skeletons emerged dexterously from it and stood before Fang Zhou, quietly awaiting their master's command.

Fang Zhou's gaze moved between them, his eyes flashing with anticipation and excitement.

He murmured a spell and cast [Skeleton Blade] on the Skeletons, fashioning a pair of bone greatswords for them and transforming them into Great Sword Skeletons.

Then, Fang Zhou focused, gathering his invisible Spiritual Power into a tangible form before releasing [Iron Wall Aura] toward the Skeleton on the left. Under his focused gaze, a grayish-white light bloomed around the Skeleton for a moment before quickly fading. Although there was no visible change, the Skeleton now seemed infused with endless tenacity and strength, becoming a true Iron Wall Skeleton.

With a mental command, Fang Zhou ordered the two Skeletons to fight to the death before him.

Upon receiving their Summoner's explicit command, the two Skeletons immediately assumed a battle-ready stance. The ordinary Great Sword Skeleton on the right, unbuffed by [Iron Wall Aura], launched the first attack. Empowered by the [Skeleton Blade] skill, it skillfully swung the greatsword in its grasp and launched a fierce charge at the opposing Iron Wall Skeleton.

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