CHAPTER 1004: CHAPTER 807: THE HEAVENLY PRIDES OF THE NEW GENERATION (EXTENDED CHAPTER)

A deadly threat made his hair stand on end, Source Power surged wildly, forming a cyclone around him, causing the training ground beneath his feet to crack slightly...

The wind howled.

Yet the person remained frozen.

All he could do was watch the spear tip come closer, ever closer.

It stopped right before his throat.

The oppressive aura suddenly dissipated, Vito broke out in cold sweat, his body weakened, and he couldn’t help but stagger back a few steps before taking deep breaths.

But his eyes gleamed, never leaving the spear tip.

He saw the ultimate truth!

When he stood up straight again, a sharp aura burst forth, the Divine Weapon spear in his hand emitted a series of shrill cries.

...

Outside the academy, at a private training field.

Yao Chengwu, also one of the outstanding exchange students, looked solemn.

Before him,

stood a silver-haired middle-aged man, his grandfather, the Guardian God of Beiting, Yao Zhaokong.

Yao Zhaokong pointed with a finger, Yao Chengwu’s heart rang with alarm bells, Source Power surged frantically.

Boom!

He was sent flying far away.

The silver-haired middle-aged man instantly stepped forward, one hand behind his back, and the other hand wielding dozens of fist shadows.

Yao Chengwu maintained his balance in mid-air, his Essence, Qi, and Spirit in Unity, and sent out dozens of palm strikes, weaving an impenetrable defensive array.

Bam bam bam bam—

From mid-air to the ground, the earth and stone cracked and then returned to the sky.

Only the thick Barrier Light Screen outside the training field remained, sealing the fluctuations within.

After a long time,

Yao Chengwu landed on the ground.

His face was bruised and swollen, his clothes turned into rags.

"Not bad." The silver-haired Yao Zhaokong nodded slightly, "Just a bit worse than your grandfather was back in the day."

Wasn’t back then when the Source Qi hadn’t yet revived?

Yao Chengwu felt a headache.

He opened his mouth, looked at his bruised and swollen self, and finally swallowed the words he wanted to say.

"Thief Sun, at the graduation assessment, don’t disgrace the Yao family."

...

At the same time, at different places.

Talents like Gu Tang, Eva at Frostwinter Castle, from the Ancient Spirit Dynasty, are also making their final sprint.

Even those ordinary geniuses who have no hope of reaching the Transcendent Class are striving hard.

Graduation assessments for the ordinary class and elite class proceed as usual, while the Genius Class invites guests from various forces.

Even Green Shadow TV will conduct a live broadcast.

The impact of the assessment battles may be kept by various forces as references.

The true audience is watching.

To lose face not only affects oneself but also the prestige of the backing forces and family.

However, if one wins brilliantly, they receive cheers, becoming heroes of their respective forces. If they manage to win the championship... well, better wash up and sleep, for even in dreams winning the championship doesn’t seem possible.

There are too many monsters.

The academy’s internal consensus holds that the monster, the Great Demon King Duan Qin, is still cultivating.

Student dormitory number one.

An area equating to the size of a football field, furnished with various high-level arrays.

Some are inherent to the area.

Some, however, were added by Duan Qin herself.

She occupied dormitory number one for nearly a year.

In the past year, Duan Qin repelled countless challengers, earning the prestigious title of Great Demon King.

Until now, there were no challenges from any students for three whole months.

Even three months ago, those who challenged her were mostly exchange students unfamiliar with her fame.

Duan Qin is only in the fourth grade this year.

Normally, she only needs to take the fourth-grade final assessment.

But she applied for early graduation.

No one at World Tree Academy would apply for early graduation. Even those confident of passing the assessments with excellent grades wish to stay in the academy for a few more years of cultivation.

Unless they aim to enter the Transcendent Class.

However, like Duan Qin, who graduates early in just the fourth year to prepare for the Transcendent Class, is the first one.

Because she applied for early graduation, her assessment is no longer about defeating a mirror image but involves real combat assessment alongside sixth-grade Genius Class trainees.

Under the gaze of idolized figures such as the City Lord and Captain Nancy.

Duan Qin felt a bit nervous.

What if, what if I make a mistake... what if it’s not a decisive win?

Her dream is to join the Personal Guard after further study in the Transcendent Class... Tomorrow she must leave a good impression on Sister Nancy.

"Come on, just control your strength and be careful to pull back," her sister, sixth-grade student Duan Qin, said helplessly, "I’m different. I really can’t beat those guys in Class One."

"Sister, let’s train specially."

"Come on, you’re just getting back at me for pinching your face when you were little."

"Come on!"

"No."

"Boom, thud, clap, clappity-clap—"

The rhythm of the battle resounded in the distinguished dormitory.

...

Time flew by, and it was graduation assessment day.

A banner with "The Sixth Graduates’ Assessment of World Tree Academy" was hung high, fluttering in the air.

Trees lined both sides of the academy road, with red flags planted here and there.

Occasionally,

A heavyweight figure would walk into the campus.

Not only guests from various Holy Lands and Overlord forces, but also Corps Commanders from Green Shadow City, high-level officials from the Municipal Department, invited renowned adventure groups, and others.

Due to the uniqueness of this session, usually rare to see on ordinary days, prominent figures walked by one after another today.

"That’s Commander Tu of the Fire Phoenix Bird Flying Corps!"

A trainee serving as a volunteer whispered.

Following the line of sight,

A man with a scarred face walked with slow yet powerful steps.

The man’s aura was strong but not unique.

What truly caught attention was the mutant bird following behind him.

The bird had vibrant red feathers, a streamlined body, and tail feathers trailing to the ground, its wings folded, and brown toes hopping behind the scarred man. Its eyes, seemingly burning with flames, observed the surroundings, raising the temperature slightly wherever it passed.

The magnificent, noble Fire Phoenix Bird aroused the aspirations of the trainees.

The thought of riding such a beautiful bird into battle stirred their emotions.

"After I graduate, I must join the Fire Phoenix Bird Flying Corps."

"You must be dreaming, the recruitment criteria of the Fire Phoenix Bird Corps are similar to the Vanguard Corps of the Investigation Army. Without Genius Class grades, you might as well sleep on it."

...

"All of you shallow lovers, why is it that your Fire Phoenix Bird Corps is much more popular than our Heavy Equipment Group, even though our group is also a main combat group and has a larger establishment!"

Beside Scar Tu Commander, a formidable figure stood. Even without wearing heavy armor, every step he took was like a thumping sound, making one worry that the ground might crack open.

...That, of course, was impossible.

"Old Tu, you mustn’t snatch the good seedlings I fancy. That Duan Qin has a violent fighting style, obviously very compatible with our Heavy Equipment Group," said the over two-meter tall Commander Xiong.

"Ha, I’m openly recruiting based on our Corps’ Fire Phoenix Bird’s good looks, how could it not work?"

Tu Commander sneered coldly, "Besides, Duan Qin is bound to enter the Transcendent Class. With such a monstrous talent, the academy wouldn’t directly let her join any corps."

"It’s about building relationships. Once Duan Qin further enhances herself, even giving her a command position isn’t impossible."

"You’re thinking too much. As long as Duan Qin continues to grow, not just top-tier Corps, but also the Intelligence Department, Personal Guard, and others will open their doors for her. What competition does your Heavy Equipment Group have?

If you ask me, you should focus on those second-tier geniuses. Otherwise, by the time you react, all the geniuses will already be divided up... I don’t know how your Corps Commander trusts you with the task."

Commander Xiong pondered for a while.

Feeling that Tu Commander made some sense, maybe this is why the Heavy Equipment Group has failed to recruit good seedlings for two consecutive sessions.

Suddenly he realized, "Wait, what do you mean!!"

As they spoke,

A stage about seven to eight steps high appeared in the distance, rumored to involve Divine Weapon materials, capable of withstanding Transcendent Tier battles.

On the side of the stage, there was a crescent-shaped viewing platform where Green Shadow City’s high-ranking and various guests were seated.

On the other side of the viewing platform, a temporary trapezoidal step was constructed using Earth Magic, allowing interested students from all grades to watch.

No tickets were sold to the public.

Only a few Image Retention Crystals were placed in different locations, ready for live broadcasting.