Lu Hu contentedly patted Fang Zhou on the shoulder. "You're a good kid," he said. After a moment's thought, he added a reminder, "Major Su has a somewhat flighty personality and is quite proud of her Talent, so you'll need to be humble with her."

Fang Zhou nodded slightly, indicating he understood.

As they spoke, they arrived in front of the office building. Following Lu Hu into an office, Fang Zhou's eyes were immediately drawn to a woman sitting at a desk.

She had a cascade of silver hair that contrasted sharply with her black dress, like a symphony woven from the night sky and the bright moon. Her figure was curvaceous, and glimpses of fair skin occasionally peeked through the folds of her skirt. Her stunning beauty was like a rose from the World of the Dead—blooming in darkness, yet exuding an irresistible and dangerous allure.

Bai Xiaochan was also very beautiful, a campus belle by any standard. But compared to this silver-haired woman in the black dress, she seemed a bit more childish and lacked a certain sophisticated charm.

Lu Hu called out, "Major Su, I've brought Fang Zhou."

Su Xinyan looked up at Fang Zhou, her expression cold and distant on her fair face. She stood up and, on silver stiletto heels, slowly strolled toward him. Her delicate nostrils flared as she suddenly placed a cool hand on his neck. Then, she leaned in to take a sniff, her eyes holding a trace of intoxication.

"Ah, the sweet scent of Death."

Lu Hu shivered at the sight and hastily turned to leave. "I'll let you two talk. I won't be a bother," he said, making a quick exit.

That Instructor Lu is so unreliable, Fang Zhou cursed inwardly. However, he couldn't very well say anything to Su Xinyan, whom he had just met, so he could only let her circle and sniff at him.

Fortunately, Su Xinyan soon returned to normal. She gestured for Fang Zhou to sit, her expression mysterious as she said, "I seem to see endless shadows of Death upon you. No Undead Mage in this world is closer to Death than you are... not even me."

Fang Zhou's expression darkened. Su Xinyan's words sounded like a Curse proclaiming his imminent demise.

After thinking about it for a moment, however, he marveled at her keen perception. With his skeleton clone in the Undead Realm, he was naturally closer to Death than anyone else. Could she have really sensed my Talent as an Undead Mage?

Afterwards, Su Xinyan asked Fang Zhou a few questions regarding the deduction process for three Skeleton Series magics, and he answered fluently.

Fang Zhou also took the opportunity to ask Su Xinyan about many long-held questions, such as the thought process behind deducing Displacement Skills for an Undead Mage and methods for enhancing the power of Summoned Creatures. She answered each of his questions in detail.

The sparks of inspiration in his words made Su Xinyan's beautiful eyes light up, and her expression was no longer so icy.

She looked at Fang Zhou with a hollow, lonely gaze. Her words were tinged with solitude. "I have walked this dark path alone for far too long. At last, I've found a fellow traveler."

Then, she tilted her head, seemingly nonchalant, and asked, "Fang Zhou, do you like my hair color?"

Fang Zhou was taken aback; the change in topic was too sudden. He quickly composed himself and complimented her, "Instructor Su, your silver hair is absolutely stunning."

Su Xinyan smiled faintly. "It's been this color ever since my Awakening," she said softly. "My father says it is the physical manifestation of my undead Mana.

"Sigh... outsiders have such high expectations of me. They're always saying things like, 'If the heavens hadn't created Su Xinyan, the world of the Undead would have remained in eternal night.' But no one understands the pressure and loneliness I feel."

Fang Zhou's lips twitched as he slowly began to understand. This Instructor Su... she's a bit like an adult version of Ye Fan.

He carefully controlled his features to show an expression of sincere amazement.

Seeing his reaction, Su Xinyan was inwardly pleased. That was a perfect performance. I'd give myself full marks.

Ever since learning that the developer of the Skeleton Series Skill Tree was a young man who had just turned eighteen, Su Xinyan had felt a thread of resentment and a little jealousy alongside her initial admiration. The new generation always surpasses the old. Am I, the old guard, about to be washed ashore by a newcomer like Fang Zhou?

That was why she had prepared this entire routine for their first meeting, determined to craft the persona of an aloof master in front of Fang Zhou. It seemed her plan was a success.

Once the small talk was over, Su Xinyan steered the conversation back to the main topic. "Fang Zhou, you broke through to Middle Rank Apprentice in just one month. That speed is unprecedented in the history of Sea City Military Academy. Even looking at the entire Human Alliance, only a few Innate Awakeners managed that during the first two years of the Era of Myth. Ahem, even I took a month and a few days back then. Besides your extraordinary Talent, are there any other techniques you used?"

Fang Zhou knew his breakthrough speed was absurdly fast and had long anticipated Su Xinyan's question. He already had an answer prepared. He looked at her and said calmly, "Instructor Su, I made a slight improvement to the Skeleton Meditation Method, which increased its efficiency a little."

Su Xinyan let out a soft "Oh?" Her expression was calm, as she wasn't particularly surprised. The Skeleton Meditation Method was the product of improvements made by generations of Undead Mages. She herself had even personally modified it before.

"Then why haven't you uploaded it to the Human Alliance Skill Library?" she asked.

Fang Zhou smiled, a bit embarrassed, and answered honestly, "I uploaded four new Skills before, and I still have plenty of contribution points left to spend, so the matter slipped my mind."

Her chest tightened upon hearing his words, and she almost lost her composure. Is that something a human would even say?!

Fang Zhou conscientiously opened his personal terminal. "Instructor Su, let me send you a copy. I'd appreciate it if you could take a look and give me your opinion."

Su Xinyan barely managed to suppress the urge to punch Fang Zhou, keeping her expression nonchalant. "No problem."

As a Skill developer, Fang Zhou had the authority to share his Skills with others for free.

Soon, Su Xinyan received the Skill Book for the Skeleton King Meditation Method.

Seeing the name, she complained inwardly. A skeleton is just a skeleton; why bother calling it a Skeleton Monarch? This Fang Zhou looks humble and polite, but his audacity is even greater than mine.

Su Xinyan opened her personal terminal and casually browsed through the improved meditation imagery, feeling somewhat dismissive. The latest version of the Skeleton Meditation Method was the result of her own modifications, and she was confident that she had already perfected it.

Su Xinyan was confident that even if Fang Zhou's Talent in the Undead Mage Profession truly surpassed hers, any improvements he could make to an Apprentice-level Meditation Method would be minimal.

But as she continued to look, her dismissive expression gradually gave way to shock. The meditation image for the Skeleton King Meditation Method seemed to be imbued with a profound magic power that completely drew her Spirit in.

Before she knew it, an imposing figure had emerged in her spiritual world. It wore a skeletal crown and majestic bone armor, and it wielded a skeletal Long Spear.

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