"Every year he makes these True Intent Inheritance skill crystals, though no one knows why, it's certain that there's an intent to support commoner Spirit Masters."

Lin Guang nodded, silently taking note of President Rote's goodwill.

This might sound arrogant, what sort of return could a little One-Star Spirit Master even bring to Rote by remembering this?

But regarding this particular point, about him eventually reaching the peak, Lin Guang had not a shred of doubt.

...

Time flew by, and another Monday came.

There were four days left until the exchange competition.

Experimental School, Integrated Research Center cafeteria.

Hearing his name called, Lin Guang turned and saw his homeroom teacher Ouyang Wei also holding a tray. He greeted him and sat down with Vishdair at an empty table.

While eating, Ouyang Wei asked, "How's the training going lately?"

"Not bad." Lin Guang thought for a moment and answered honestly, "I should reach level 14 before the competition."

"That's good." Ouyang Wei coughed a few times, adjusted his slipping glasses, and said softly, "So... the match between you and Wu Jie, as Principal Liu suggested, will be at the volcano?"

Both are public schools, and it's an exchange competition, so neither side would use any Tian Ji horse racing strategy, with students going from weak to strong in order. So Lin Guang's opponent was confirmed to be Wu Jie.

Lin Guang nodded, maintaining his expression as he continued to eat calmly, "I have no objections."

Ouyang Wei's worried look finally relaxed, and he let out a small sigh of relief.

He was actually afraid Lin Guang would get stubborn and make a fuss.

Because Principal Liu didn't actually expect Lin Guang to win this choice of venue seriously.

The Experimental School's volcanic arena was designed to simulate potential dangers in the Secret Realm, covering nearly ten thousand square meters. At its center was a miniature artificial volcano that occasionally spewed hot lava and was accompanied by a lot of toxic gases. Except for specific Spirit Beasts, even Tier Two Spirit Beasts couldn't perform at their full strength here.

But evidently, the Molten Dragon Lizard was one of those "specific Spirit Beasts." Not only could it move freely in the volcano, but its Fire Attribute Skills could also potentially reach twice their usual power.

Although Vishdair could be considered similar, her body was frail by nature. Being hit directly by the Molten Dragon Lizard in the volcanic arena might just crush Lin Guang's hopes of a conventional victory over the opponent's Spirit Beast.

But conversely, in the eyes of the world, it was precisely in the volcanic arena where Lin Guang might find that slim chance of victory.

Because in exchange competitions, Spirit Masters had to appear alongside their Spirit Beasts.

This wasn't a special case; as long as the competition was somewhat formal, this was how it was, whether in exchange competitions or leagues. After all, the Demon Race and the dangers of the Wilderness don't care about any "two armies facing each other, don't attack the Spirit Master" kind of rule.

As long as Lin Guang could seize the opportunity for Vishdair to use the "volcano-enhanced" [Explosive Shot] to attack Wu Jie and trigger the school's distributed protective Spiritual Artifact, he could win the match.

"Lin Guang, I don't know what you think, but I hope you can understand Principal Liu."

Ouyang Wei spoke very slowly, as if afraid of provoking Lin Guang, "He has to be responsible for the school's future. An 'Evil Dao' victory is better than a failure."

Attacking the Spirit Master is a regular winning method written into the rules, and it's allowed for contestants.

But at the same time, many believe that those who exploit this rule are not true powerhouses, finding it despicable. After all, there's no such "weakness" as weak Spirit Masters among wild Spirit Beasts or the Demon Race in the Wilderness Secret Realm.

Thus, not many Spirit Masters actively exploit this rule.

"The volcanic area is large, and Spirit Masters need some ability to resist. Thus, the school will provide you with the Tier Two Spiritual Artifact, 'Running Shoes,' which can briefly unleash speed that doesn't lose out to Tier One Spirit Beasts. It should be delivered to Doctor Kaiwen by now, and the opponent will have the same."

"Whether you win or not, the Running Shoes and Protective Spiritual Artifacts will not be taken back."

"If you have any other thoughts, feel free to talk to me."

Upon hearing this, Lin Guang shook his head. His delicate face remained calm, as if he had long accepted this matter, and he said softly, "That's enough. I can understand Principal Liu's difficulties."

"It's all for the best if you can accept it."

Ouyang Wei looked at him, seeming resigned, with a bit of sighing and heartache—he naturally wished to believe that given enough time, Lin Guang could defeat the opponent head-on.

But with both on equal blue settings, starting half a year behind in cultivation made it difficult to imagine how Lin Guang could possibly win head-on against his opponent.

Then he chatted with Lin Guang a bit, first praising Lin Guang's diligence and progress. However, his tone shifted and he began gently consoling him, similar to what Miaomiao had said in the training center before, urging him to do his best without being too concerned about immediate win or loss. This show of concern warmed Lin Guang's heart, making him want to explain a bit but unsure how to start.

After all, even the well-informed Doctor Kaiwen was amazed by his progress during this time, let alone Ouyang Wei. Instead, he found it better to keep everything to himself and calmly await the exchange competition in four days.

Victory will be the best explanation.

...

Friday.

The day of the exchange competition between Experimental School and First Middle School.

Today, neither school held classes, and students could watch the competition's live broadcast for free, similar in nature to a school sports event.

The exchange competition venue, as expected, was at the Experimental School's second largest Spirit Beast battle arena, located within the largest building on campus, the [Battle Facility], spanning thousands of square meters.

The battle arena at Experimental School was designed by professionals, with great expense laid out to set up a large multi-attribute Spirit Pattern Array and movable block structures, along with five Tier Two and above Mechanical Element Spirit Beasts "Gear Flying Disc" contracted by the resident field teachers. These could rapidly change the arena's layout and Ether inclination, simulating outdoor environments to the greatest extent possible. This excellent battle environment had always been one of Experimental School's proud boasts to the outside world.

And importantly...

The spectator seats could also be moved, saving students and leaders from having to run around to watch a match.

The soil and stones around the battle arena were also processed, raised by specially contracted Earth Attribute Spirit Beasts to form a sufficiently sturdy temporary stand, allowing the entire arena to be captured in sight.

Staff had placed seats in advance on the elevated areas, with a podium to the north where a long table covered with a red cloth was set up, adorned with nameplates in black-lettering on a red background and vases filled with flowers.

At ten in the morning.

Students from the Experimental School entered early to find good vantage points to sit, while many from First Middle School also arrived, though noticeably fewer in number. Although all the school uniforms looked the same, several rows of seats in the middle had been left empty, showing a clear demarcation. This was a lesson learned from thirty-six previous exchanges, preventing young and hot-headed students from quarreling, which could be troublesome.

The competition order began with the second year, followed by the first year.

Thus, second-year contestants from both Experimental School and First Middle School emerged from the lounge, ready at the sidelines, split into eastern and western sections, with three students each either doing warm-up exercises or having last-minute instructions from teachers or coaches to adjust their mindset.

TV reporters' "Strong Eagles" flew overhead, clutching camera equipment in their claws, with four "Projection Insects" perched on the equipment using Spiritual Skills to project the footage high into the sky in full color and high-definition, with size and angle allowing the entire audience to see.

Lastly, the school and education bureau leaders, as well as the invited celebrities, entered.

The two principals posed a harmonious smile for the cameras under flashing lights, but if mind reading were possible, it would reveal a significant discrepancy.

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