Chapter 137: Code Name: Demon King Castle

At the same time.

Kyoto University, General Campus.

Compared to the relaxed atmosphere on Long Xu Ban's side, the mood here appeared exceptionally Serious and tense.

All classes and clubs of the second-year students were now in motion.

Because this was the first time the entire second-year cohort participated, fighting against Long Xu Ban.

This was an unprecedented event in Kyoto University's history.

Inside a large conference room.

Shen Jun stood on the podium, looking at dozens of elite captains below with varied expressions, his brows furrowed.

"Everyone should have received the notice."

"The reward this time is a Thunder Element Fragment."

Shen Jun spoke slowly, his voice low.

Immediately, a murmur of discussion rose from below.

"Yeah, this is too strange; there were no rewards in previous years, why so generous all of a sudden this year?"

"And it's a Thunder Element Fragment; even if we get it, we can't use it for now anyway."

"Exactly, Principal Guhe needs it himself, right? How could he release this thing as a reward?"

At this moment,

a student wearing glasses stood up and analyzed calmly:

"Shen Ge, I think there's something fishy about this; why specifically a Thunder Element Fragment?"

"And why suddenly change the rules to make everyone participate?"

Everyone turned to look at him.

The man with glasses continued:

"Do you think there's a possibility..."

"That mysterious top-ranked Lin Mo is actually a powerful Thunder-element mage, powerful enough... that there's a high probability he can comprehend the Elemental Body at this level."

"That's why Principal Guhe is offering such an important Thunder Element Fragment as a reward."

"The so-called trial, the so-called full participation, is just a smokescreen."

"It's actually just to find a seemingly 'fair' reason to give this Thunder Element Fragment to that Lin Mo legitimately?"

Upon hearing this, the entire room erupted in shock.

"Holy crap? Can you do that?"

"Using us two thousand as sparring partners? As stepping stones? Just to give something to that Lin Mo?"

"This is too disrespectful!"

"So we're just there to run alongside, huh."

Angry emotions spread through the conference room.

This feeling of being treated as a tool was simply too unpleasant.

After hearing the analysis, Shen Jun let out a cold sneer.

"What you said isn't without reason, but regardless of whether it is or not, we must win this time!"

He scanned the room and incited them, saying:

"In the past, our senior brothers and sisters, two hundred against twenty, never lost."

"This time, we are two thousand, a hundredfold numerical advantage; if we lose even then, we'll probably be nailed to Kyoto University's pillar of shame!"

"In the future, whenever anyone mentions us, they'll say, look, those are the bunch of losers, two thousand couldn't beat twenty freshmen!"

"I, Shen Jun, can't afford to lose face like that; can you?"

These words struck a deep chord in everyone's hearts.

Indeed.

No matter how strong that Lin Mo is.

Two thousand against twenty; if we lose, then we really can't continue.

"Shen Ge is right!"

"Damn it, let's go for it! We absolutely cannot lose!"

"Whatever Lin Mo or not, even if he's incredibly powerful, at this level his skills are limited; with so many of us, we'll definitely find an opportunity to take him down!"

"This time we must not only win! We must win brilliantly! Let the school see that our General Class isn't to be trifled with!"

"Crush Long Xu Ban!"

In an instant, everyone's emotions were stirred up.

At this moment, the representatives of the second-year General Class, for the sake of dignity and to avoid becoming a laughingstock in the school's history, were poised and ready.

Kyoto University Principal's Office.

Principal Guhe was holding a cup of hot tea, gazing absentmindedly at the campus scenery outside the window.

"Knock, knock, knock."

The sound of knocking on the door rang out.

Hearing the sound, he turned around and gently set down the teacup.

The door was pushed open, and Xu Wenchang walked in.

"Old Xu, you're here."

Principal Guhe pointed to the chair opposite, "Sit, that's freshly brewed Dahongpao, have a taste."

Xu Wenchang didn't stand on ceremony, dropping into the seat with a thud.

He lifted his teacup, took a sip, and sighed in admiration:

"Fine tea."

Principal Guhe watched him with a beaming smile and asked:

"How about it? Have the little ones chosen a class monitor yet? Who won?"

Xu Wenchang set down his teacup and shrugged:

"For the position of class monitor, who else could it be but Lin Mo?"

"Ye Kong is strong too, but alas... he's in the same cohort as Lin Mo."

Hearing this, Guhe chuckled:

"True enough. Although Lin Mo's profession isn't great, he makes up for it with sheer number of skills. With him around, no one else truly qualifies for the class monitor position."

Xu Wenchang nodded, then revealed a mysterious smile:

"However, Principal, while the result was expected, the process held a few small surprises."

"Oh?"

Guhe raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What do you mean? Could Ye Kong have caused Lin Mo any trouble?"

"Not at all. Ye Kong was crushed, losing two matches in a humiliating defeat."

Xu Wenchang let out a bitter laugh.

"What surprised me was Lin Mo."

"During the battle, this kid actually comprehended a new skill on the spot."

"And... it was a skill even I had never heard of."

Guhe paused, stunned.

"Old Xu, a skill even you haven't heard of? Could it be a self-created skill?"

Xu Wenchang hesitated for a moment, then nodded:

"Yes. Lin Mo modified the Dead Thorn Rock Spear, splitting it into countless tiny rock spears, turning it into an area-of-effect damage skill with an incredibly wide coverage."

"I asked the kid, and he calls this move 【Dead Thorn Rock Spear: Scatter Version】."

Hearing this,

a flicker of surprise passed through Guhe's eyes.

In this world, almost all skills come from skill books dropped by Team Fubens or wild BOSSes.

Self-created skills... do exist, after all.

However, that is something only top-tier powerhouses standing at the peak of the pyramid can achieve, after their affinity and control over a certain element reach an unimaginable height.

And what level is Lin Mo?

"This kid..."

Guhe took a deep breath and sighed, "Truly a monster who never ceases to surprise."

Xu Wenchang nodded in deep agreement:

"Indeed. I am growing increasingly eager to see his performance in the Battle of Ten Thousand Nations."

Speaking of which,

Xu Wenchang seemed to recall something and asked:

"By the way, Principal, have you decided on tomorrow's trial map?"

Hearing this, Guhe smiled mysteriously. "Not finalized yet. That's why I called you over to discuss it."

Saying this, he sat before his desk and beckoned Xu Wenchang over:

"Come, Old Xu, take a look at this."

Xu Wenchang stood up, walked around the desk, and came to stand behind Guhe.

Guhe said with a beaming smile:

"This trial map was designed thirty years ago."

"It just never got activated."

"I dug through archives for a long time today and found it. It feels quite fitting."

Hearing this, Xu Wenchang's curiosity was strongly aroused.

He leaned in close to the computer screen.

Displayed on the screen was a trial map file titled 【Codename: Demon King's Castle】.

"Demon King's Castle?"

Xu Wenchang unconsciously voiced the name.