How to utilize limited energy and resources to create a highly effective and powerful combat system is a question every Professional must consider.

Thinking of the unknown talent skill—derived from the Zombie—that was currently gestating in the Skeleton Clone's attribute bar, Fang Zhou was filled with anticipation. The analysis of this Talent Skill would greatly enhance the combat power of both his clone and his main body, and it could even become the key to victory in future battles.

As this thought settled in his mind, Fang Zhou's mood returned to a state of calm.

What I gain is my luck; what I lose is my fate.

With the support of the Skeleton Clone and his attribute panel, he firmly believed that one day he would climb to the peak of the world of Professionals and achieve something truly great.

He carefully placed the Undead Magic Ball in his hand into his Space Storage Capsule before looking up at Instructor Su Xinyan.

"Instructor Xinyan," Fang Zhou's voice carried a hint of playfulness, "I worked pretty hard just now. And it wasn't just for this Undead Magic Ball."

As he spoke, he raised the two fingers that had brought Su Xinyan both immense pleasure and torment, a meaningful smile flashing in his eyes.

Instructor Su Xinyan's gaze was involuntarily drawn to those two fingers, as if they still held some strange allure that made her heart begin to race. A faint, charming blush crept onto her cheeks, a mix of shyness and captivation.

Clearing her throat lightly to mask her emotions, Su Xinyan opened her personal terminal. While transferring files to Fang Zhou, she grumbled, "You little apprentice, always biting the hand that feeds you. Someday I'll make sure to put you in your place! I've already applied to Sea City Military Academy for the basic skill materials for the Alchemist profession. They're being sent to your personal terminal now."

"I was originally going to teach you this afternoon, but you insisted on teasing me in my lounge. Now, more than an hour has passed, and you've wasted all that time. You can just go to class by yourself."

Hearing this, Fang Zhou replied nonchalantly, "How could any time spent with you be considered a waste, Instructor Xinyan?"

Su Xinyan shot Fang Zhou a captivating sidelong glance. "Hurry up and go to class. Stop being so glib. Remember to come to the lab tonight. I'll give you a proper demonstration of the wonders of Alchemy."

Fang Zhou nodded with a slight smile. "I will follow Instructor Xinyan's orders."

With that, he boldly wrapped his arm around Su Xinyan's slender, supple waist, then, carrying her fragrant scent with him, he hurried off toward the training ground deep underground in the Hall of Glory.

He had to admit, Instructor Su Xinyan's adaptability was getting stronger and stronger. Today, he had actually spent a full hour subduing the little enchantress. If he didn't hurry, he would genuinely be late.

「...」

During a break between classes, a thought suddenly struck Fang Zhou. He immediately opened his personal terminal and sent a message to Senior Brother Lu Renjia, who had helped him out when he was in need.

[Ordinary Apprentice] (Fang Zhou): "Senior Brother Lu, I've successfully advanced to Upper Apprentice, so I'm now eligible to challenge the Upper Level Simulation Battlefield, the Shelter Defense Battle. If you still have any attempts left for today, we could team up and give it a try."

Meanwhile, in a corner of the second-year combat training ground, Lu Renjia had just finished an intense training session, his uniform soaked in sweat. Just as he was about to take a short rest, he noticed the message from Fang Zhou on his personal terminal. His eyes widened, a look of utter disbelief spreading across his face as if he couldn't trust what he was seeing.

Lu Yiyi, who was nearby, noticed his strange reaction and asked with concern, "What's wrong? You look really excited."

Lu Renjia snapped back to his senses and turned to Lu Yiyi, his voice brimming with excitement. "Big Brother Fang Zhou just messaged me! He's already an Upper Apprentice and can challenge the Shelter Defense Battle. He asked if I have any attempts left to team up with him today."

Hearing this, Lu Yiyi also looked shocked and muttered to herself, "Big Brother Fang Zhou is already an Upper Apprentice? How is that possible... he only went through his Awakening less than four months ago."

As a cradle for outstanding Warriors, Sea City Military Academy was famous for its stringent standards. A promotion speed like this was almost unprecedented.

Lu Yiyi couldn't help but exclaim, "That's unbelievable. We've never had a promotion record like that at Sea City Military Academy. Big Brother Fang Zhou's progress is simply astonishing."

Lu Renjia shook his head and sighed, "Ah, comparisons are odious. We're all students at the academy, and who among us isn't ambitious and trying our best to stand out? But now it seems the new generation is leaving the old one in the dust. We've been cultivating diligently for over a year, yet Big Brother Fang Zhou caught up to us with ease."

Lu Yiyi sighed softly, a complex mix of emotions in her eyes. "You're right... We watched the first-year Seed Students in the arena challenges before. Back then, Big Brother Fang Zhou had only just become a Middle Rank Apprentice. But the strength he showed then already made me feel that, even as an Upper Rank Archer, I couldn't possibly contend with him. I wonder how much of a leap his strength has taken now that he's an Upper Apprentice?"

Listening beside her, Lu Renjia's expression grew hesitant, as if there was something he found difficult to say. Finally, he couldn't hold it in any longer. "Actually... a few days ago, before he advanced to Upper Apprentice, I had the honor of sparring with him."

Hearing this, Lu Yiyi's head shot up, her eyes gleaming with admiration. "As expected of you, Lu Renjia! Big Brother Fang Zhou's strength is terrifying, yet you still dared to spar with him? That courage alone puts you ahead of most people."

Lu Renjia shook his head with a bitter smile. "In reality, calling it a 'spar' was just me flattering myself to save face. At the time, I was only facing one of Big Brother Fang Zhou's Skeletons. With all of his skill enhancements, even an ordinary Skeleton becomes exceptionally powerful. And I, an Upper Rank Warrior, was utterly defeated after just a few exchanges with that Elite Double Axe Skeleton."

Lu Yiyi's mouth fell open in shock, and for a moment, she was speechless. After collecting herself, she said incredulously, "How is that possible? You're an Upper Rank Professional! Even if you couldn't beat Fang Zhou, who was still a Middle Rank Undead Mage back then, it's not as if you couldn't even handle one of his summoned Skeletons, is it?"

She paused, then continued, "Do you have a video of the battle? I can hardly believe it. If it's really as you say, and a single Skeleton can defeat a higher-ranked opponent, then Big Brother Fang Zhou's power is just too heaven-defying."

Lu Renjia opened his personal terminal, found the video recording of the intense battle with Fang Zhou's Olaf and a Crowned Greatsword Skeleton, and quickly sent it to Lu Yiyi.

"Yiyi, I never told you about that experience because I found it incredibly embarrassing. It seems Big Brother Fang Zhou recently developed a new Summoning enhancement skill and needed a suitable opponent to help his Summoned Creatures improve their strength. At the time, I thought that even if I wasn't a match for Big Brother Fang Zhou himself, I should at least be able to handle one of his summons. So, I accepted his invitation without a second thought. But I never imagined that the Elite Double Axe Skeleton he summoned would become so terrifyingly powerful after his skill enhancements. I used every trick in the book, but I could only put up a brief resistance before it easily defeated me."

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