So, Fang Zhou said, "I still need a suitable sparring partner."

He glanced at the eager Instructor Su Xinyan and quickly added, "Instructor Xinyan and Instructor Qiuyue are out of the question. You're both far too strong. If you were my sparring partners, I wouldn't be able to demonstrate this skill's true effect."

At this, the three assistants, Bai Xiaochan, Meng Hongzhuang, and Shen Ziwei, exchanged glances. None of them dared to volunteer. Even a battle fanatic like Meng Hongzhuang hid meekly to the side, not daring to speak.

Are you kidding me?!

They were a full minor rank below Fang Zhou; they were no match for him. Now that he had devised a new enhancement skill, the Skeletons he summoned would be even more terrifying. Even if Meng Hongzhuang sent out her strongest summon, Giant Bear Vini, it probably couldn't handle a single one of Fang Zhou's Skeletons.

Fang Zhou glanced at his three assistants but said nothing more. If Instructors Su Xinyan and Huang Qiuyue were too strong, then these three were too weak. They were so weak they couldn't possibly demonstrate the might of the [Crowned with Death] skill.

Just then, seeing Fang Zhou's expectant gaze, Shen Ziwei seemed to recall someone. "Fang Zhou," she said with a hint of hesitation, "I've thought of someone who might be able to help you. I know a second-year senior named Lu Renjia."

Fang Zhou's eyes turned toward her.

Shen Ziwei continued to explain, "Senior Brother Lu is a Warrior Professional at the Upper Apprentice rank, and he has a wealth of combat experience. Although he didn't make the second-year seed student list, his strength is definitely among the top of the regular students. He usually practices his skills around here after class."

At this point, Shen Ziwei turned back to Fang Zhou. "If you don't mind, I can go ask if Senior Brother Lu would be willing to be your sparring partner."

Upon hearing this, Fang Zhou raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Oh, I know Senior Brother Lu Renjia as well. If he's nearby and willing to spar with me, that would be perfect."

Shen Ziwei nodded repeatedly and readily agreed. "Okay, okay, Fang Zhou, I'll contact Senior Brother Lu right now."

Subsequently, Fang Zhou led the group to a spacious field within the Undead Mage Research Division, which was prepared for large-scale experiments. The center of the area was a flat expanse of earth, surrounded by various magical wards to ensure the experiments' safety. Fang Zhou surveyed the area, silently planning the training session ahead.

Before long, Shen Ziwei spoke again, her voice tinged with excitement. "Senior Brother Lu Renjia has accepted my invitation. He'll be here shortly."

Fang Zhou waited in the field, patiently observing his surroundings while envisioning the spar with Lu Renjia. Soon, Shen Ziwei returned, leading Lu Renjia through the entrance.

Senior Brother Lu Renjia stiffly saluted Instructor Su Xinyan and Instructor Huang Qiuyue. Only after the two instructors gave a slight nod did he turn to face Fang Zhou, his words filled with respect. "Fang Zhou, I'm here. Junior Sister Ziwei just told me about your latest feat. To think you've broken through once again, creating a new skill to enhance your Skeleton Army's combat power, and now you need a sparring partner. It would be an immense honor. I'm ready whenever you are!"

Fang Zhou nodded slightly, his eyes shining with gratitude. "Senior Brother Lu, thank you for your help. It's going to be tough on you. It might hurt a little, so you'll have to bear with it."

Hearing this, a faint, composed smile touched Lu Renjia's lips, though his heart remained calm. He knew very well that even as an Upper-rank Apprentice Warrior, the outcome of a one-on-one match with the brilliantly talented Middle-rank Apprentice Undead Mage, Fang Zhou, was uncertain. However, this wasn't a battle to the death. It was an exploration and verification of a new skill still in its infancy. In his view, it was far from life-threatening and was, in fact, a rare learning opportunity.

As one of the top second-year students, Lu Renjia had a clear understanding of his own abilities. Not only did he rank among the best of his peers, but he had also amassed a wealth of experience through countless practical drills.

At the very least, I'm in the first tier of students just below the second-year seed students. My strength is absolutely not to be underestimated! With this in mind, Lu Renjia equipped all his Apprentice-rank Equipment and drew his Apprentice's Greatsword. He swung it a few times with practiced ease. The sharp whistle of the blade cutting through the air sounded like an invigorating battle hymn, filling him with confidence. He secretly admonished himself to strike the right balance. On one hand, he had to display enough strength to avoid giving Fang Zhou an impression of weakness. That could impact their future chances of teaming up for the [Shelter Defense Battle] Simulation Battlefield. After all, strength and trust are the cornerstones of fighting side by side. On the other hand, he couldn't be too brazen. What if the new skill had flaws and was a bit underwhelming? If he performed too fiercely, wouldn't he just embarrass Fang Zhou, causing him to lose face in front of everyone? An act like that could even damage the rapport and friendship they had worked so hard to build.

Opposite him, Fang Zhou was unaware of the tempest of thoughts swirling in the second-year senior's mind.

Fang Zhou lightly gripped his Apprentice Magic Staff. As he waved it gently, a surge of Netherworld Power gathered at its tip, seeming to make the very air tremble. He began to cast Summon Skeleton.

Ten, twenty, thirty…

The number of Skeletons gradually increased, each one's appearance accompanied by a low chant and a slight tremor in the ground.

Forty, fifty…

The onlookers' expressions gradually filled with disbelief. Their eyes widened with shock and curiosity, unable to believe the scene unfolding before them. Even while reserving a portion of his Spiritual Power, Fang Zhou had summoned sixty Middle-rank Apprentice Skeletons in one breath. The hollow eye sockets of these Skeletons flickered with an eerie blue light as they arranged themselves in neat ranks, a gray torrent that filled the entire field.

His opponent, Senior Brother Lu Renjia, whose posture had been confident and steady, now seemed frozen by some invisible pressure. The greatsword that had fit so perfectly in his hand now felt impossibly heavy, almost too difficult to lift.

Sixty Skeletons?! Is Fang Zhou treating me like a boss mob? He's giving me way too much credit! By myself, I wasn't sure I could even survive an assault from twenty, or at most thirty, Skeletons, let alone this endless Sea of Skulls before me.

A wave of helplessness washed over Lu Renjia, his legs trembling so much he almost lost the will to fight.

Fang Zhou noticed Lu Renjia's reaction and quickly explained, "Senior Brother Lu, don't worry. This new skill I devised is called [Crowned with Death]. Its effect is to gather the power of multiple Undead Summoned Creatures and concentrate it onto one or several I designate. Now, I want to test it. If I use the [Crowned with Death] skill to consolidate the power of these sixty Skeletons, I want to see what level of combat power they'll achieve."

Hearing this, Lu Renjia breathed a sigh of relief. Realizing he wouldn't have to face the entire sea of Skeletons alone, a relaxed smile appeared on his face. His taut nerves eased as he prepared for the challenge. He took a deep breath, readjusted his stance, and tightened his grip on his greatsword, a determined look flashing in his eyes.

According to Fang Zhou, I only have to face a single, enhanced Skeleton, Lu Renjia calculated. Skeletons are, after all, the lowest form of Undead creature. Even one summoned by a recognized genius like Fang Zhou and enhanced by some "new skill" of his, just how strong could it possibly be?

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