Whether in terms of Cultivation questions or resource exchanges, they were no longer on the same level. Once Fang Zhou broke through to Black Iron, this gap would become even more apparent. If he chose to skip a grade, many of the second-year students had already broken through to the Black Iron Tier. At the very least, he would have some common ground with them when it came to resource exchanges.
Fang Zhou sighed softly to himself.
Unfortunately, Bai Xiaochan and Meng Hongzhuang, who worked so hard to ride his coattails, still couldnât keep up with his Cultivation speed. It wasnât their fault, either. The two assistants had only just reached the Apprentice Middle Rank. They were already working very hard, and their Talent was considered quite good among ordinary students. The reality was that Fang Zhouâs Cultivation speed far exceeded anyoneâs comprehension, giving them no chance to even see his shadow.
So Fang Zhou said, "Instructor Lu Hu, I have no objection to skipping a grade, of course. What are the specific requirements?"
When Instructor Lu Hu heard Fang Zhouâs answer, he nodded with satisfaction. "Very good," he said. "To skip a grade, a student must apply proactively and pass both theoretical tests and a practical assessment. Right now, youâre only following the curriculum for the first-year Seed Students, which means youâre still a long way from meeting the educational goals for the entire first year. Iâm not too worried about the practical assessment. Your combat power already exceeds that of most second-year students, so that wonât be a problem. However, you have a significant gap to close when it comes to the theoretical courses. If you want to skip a grade at the end of this semester, youâll have to make up all those missed classes in the next two months. The military academy will arrange special supplementary training for you, but youâll have to invest the time and effort yourself. Your next two months are going to be even busier and more packed than before."
Lu Hu looked at Fang Zhou and continued, "How about this: Iâll give you three days to think it over. You can also discuss it with Su Xinyan. If you decide you want to do this, weâll need to start your specialized lessons right away to get you caught up."
Fang Zhou nodded, his expression firm. "You donât need to give me three days, Instructor Lu Hu. I can give you a definitive answer right now. Iâm willing to apply to skip a grade, and Iâm willing to accept the supplementary lessons. Iâll be in your care, Instructor."
Hearing this, Lu Hu grinned. "Good, thatâs the spirit! Iâll help you with the application. Just make sure you manage your time well and get your priorities straight."
Fang Zhou nodded, his mind already churning as he began to plan his Cultivation schedule for the coming days. The next two months would be extremely tight. He had to maintain his daily Cultivation while also making up for the rest of the first-year theoretical courses.
Looks like Iâll need to ask Instructor Su Xinyan for a little more help.
After chatting a little longer with Instructor Lu Hu about the supplementary classes, Fang Zhou said his goodbyes and returned to the Undead Mage research project group.
...
Previously, Fang Zhou had used the 500-contribution-point privilege he earned from the rookie competitionâthe right to screen and select resources from the libraries of the top ten military academies. He had used it to choose three precious materials for incubating the Undead Attribute Black Gem Young Dragon.
Today, those three materialsâDragon Bone Grass, Netherworld Orchid, and Dragon Soul Crystalâhad finally all arrived.
Although the fourth material, [Pure Life Fire], which was needed to catalyze and accelerate the Dragon Eggâs incubation, hadnât been collected yet, this was enough for Fang Zhou to begin the induction of the Undead Attribute.
When he walked into the laboratory, his two assistants, Bai Xiaochan and Meng Hongzhuang, were already waiting for him.
According to Su Xinyanâs previous instructions, to maximize the effects of these three Undead Attribute incubation materials, they had to be placed around the Black Gem Dragon Egg in a specific Array formation. Only then could the Undead Attribute Energy be properly guided to slowly and continuously transform the life-form within the Black Gem Dragon Egg.
Su Xinyan had already prepared the corresponding Array Module based on the diagram left behind by Major General Ning Danxin. Now that the materials had arrived, Fang Zhou just needed to fill them into the prepared Array Module.
Naturally, the proud Instructor Xinyan wouldnât perform such tedious physical labor herself. The ordinary Skeletons Fang Zhou could currently summon only understood simple combat commands and were incapable of such delicate work. Left with no other choice, Fang Zhou could only continue to squeeze the remaining value from his two assistants.
Although Bai Xiaochan and Meng Hongzhuang couldnât keep up with Fang Zhouâs Cultivation pace, they were extremely diligent in their support work.
Fang Zhou explained the structure of the Array and its importance to them in detail. Bai Xiaochan and Meng Hongzhuang listened intently, afraid of missing a single detail.
After all, according to Instructor Lu Huâs plan, Fang Zhou was supposed to attempt the grade-skipping assessment at the end of the semester. If he successfully passed and skipped a grade, Bai Xiaochan and Meng Hongzhuang would become his juniors. It would be nearly impossible for them to keep up with his rhythm then.
Seeing the two assistantsâ eager expressions and diligent smiles, Fang Zhou initially thought about telling them he was taking the grade-skipping assessment. But the words died on his lips.
Better not to kill their enthusiasm. Iâll tell them after they finish todayâs work.
He led the two assistants to the incubation area in the laboratory, where a gemstone-like Dragon Egg rested peacefully. An Energy vortex was gradually gathering on the eggâs surface.
Looking at the incredibly precious Black Gem Dragon Egg, Bai Xiaochan and Meng Hongzhuang couldnât help the envy and desire that shone in their eyes. During their recent studies, they had learned about many naturally powerful Spirit Beast Species. Among these species, which possessed intelligence rivaling that of humans, the Dragon Sect was the most powerful.
And among all Dragon Sect Spirit Beasts, the Black Gem Dragon was considered a top-tier Spirit Pet. This was due to its unique malleability and its ability to reach the Glory Champion Level upon adulthood.
Although Bai Xiaochan and Meng Hongzhuang deeply admired Fang Zhouâs strength and potential, they were, after all, only Apprentice-level cadets at the military academy. With their limited experience, they never could have imagined that Fang Zhou would receive such an incredibly powerful and rare Black Gem Dragon Egg from Major General Ning Danxin to be his future Spirit Pet.
In reality, the fact that Major General Ning Danxin had gifted Fang Zhou a Black Gem Dragon Egg as thanks for discovering the remains of General Ning Feihu was not common knowledge. Instructors Lu Hu and Su Xinyan had made sure to keep it contained. As the assistants who had been caring for the Black Gem Dragon Egg, Bai Xiaochan and Meng Hongzhuang were among the very few at Sea City Military Academy who knew the truth.
Although they were envious of Fang Zhou, they also knew he deserved it. A true genius was someone who could achieve what others could not.
After admiring the Black Gem Dragon Eggâs increasingly potent aura for another moment, Fang Zhou took the Undead Attribute incubation materials he had acquired from the Sea City Military Academyâs logistics department out of his resource box.
Following Fang Zhouâs instructions, Bai Xiaochan and Meng Hongzhuang diligently placed the Dragon Bone Grass, Netherworld Orchid, and Dragon Soul Crystalâmaterials Fang Zhou had painstakingly gatheredâinto the Array Module that Su Xinyan had prepared.
As the last of the materials was set in place according to Su Xinyanâs meticulously arranged Array Module, the atmosphere in the incubation chamber shifted subtly. The Energy in the air began to fluctuate, forming a visible vortex that swirled around the Dragon Egg. This Energy seemed to have a life of its own, growing stronger and stronger until the entire room was shrouded in a thin mist of pure Undead Attribute Energy.
In Fang Zhouâs Perception, the Black Gem Dragon Egg, which originally had no distinct Energy Attribute, was gradually taking on the hues of the Undead Attribute.
Fang Zhou stood to the side, quietly observing the process. He could sense the life within the Dragon Egg gradually awakening. The process was slow, but it was undoubtedly moving in the right direction.