The moment Noah revealed his S-rank combat talent, Jiangnan High School No.2 erupted into a frenzy unlike anything it had seen in two centuries.
Outside the school gates, eighteen ceremonial cannons fired in unison, each deafening blast echoing across the entire city. The thunderous celebration startled every passerby in Jiangnan. Within minutes, the city's Demon-Hunting Institute, the municipal government, and countless officials were sending congratulatory messages. Television stations rushed reporters to the school, and rival principals from Jiangnan No.1 and No.3 high schools openly voiced their envy.
In an instant, Jiangnan No.2 had become a shining star, basking in the kind of prestige no school in the city had ever dared dream of.
And Jacob Jiang's death? Ethan Jiang's outburst? Those matters had already faded into irrelevance. Nobody cared anymore. The entire city was talking about one thing and one thing only—Noah.
By noon, the old principal of No.2 could no longer contain his elation. He pulled Noah into his office, fussing over him with exaggerated warmth as though Noah were a national treasure that had to be protected at all costs.
For half an hour, the old man hovered around him, pouring tea, offering snacks, even adjusting the cushions on the sofa. He looked like he wanted to worship Noah on the spot. Finally, when his emotions steadied, he leaned forward with eager anticipation.
"Noah," the principal said, eyes sparkling behind his glasses, "with a single strike, you killed—well, defeated—Jacob Jiang. Your level in the Land of Divine Punishment must be incredibly high, isn't it?"
Noah leaned lazily against the sofa, sipping from a porcelain cup of precious Dafushan tea. His lips curved into a faint smile. "Not bad. I just hit Level 28 last night."
"Level twenty-eight?!"
The old man nearly dropped his teacup. Shock flashed across his wrinkled face before it bloomed into pure ecstasy. He had been principal for decades; he knew every student's growth curve like the back of his hand. He knew exactly how far anyone could push themselves in the opening days of the Divine Punishment era.
From his records, the highest level among his students had been Jacob's—Level 20. Even that had been enough to place him among the top three in school history. Ethan Jiang himself had only reached Level 22 at the same stage last year.
But Noah? Noah had crushed every record with Level 28.
"This… this is the true terror of an S-rank talent…" The old man adjusted his glasses with trembling fingers, his whole body trembling with excitement. A bold thought struck him—if Noah's pace continued, perhaps this year's Imperial Capital University entrance exams might see Jiangnan No.2 High produce the top provincial champion for the first time in its entire history!
Of course, Noah had no idea what was running through the principal's mind. Watching the old man tremble like a child who had just won the lottery, Noah chuckled softly.
"Honestly, it's not just me. If it weren't for my homeroom teacher, Mr. Wang, guiding me when I was at my lowest… I wouldn't be sitting here today. He gave me the courage to stand up again."
It was Noah's way of paying back Mr. Wang for standing up for him earlier that morning.
The principal's expression softened with admiration. "So it was Teacher Wang, huh? Good, very good! He'll be rewarded. I'll promote him immediately—such a man deserves recognition!"
He nodded repeatedly, then leaned closer. "Now Noah, tell me, do you have any needs? Any request, no matter how costly—this school will spare no effort to support you!"
Noah set down his teacup, thought for a moment, and said casually, "I'm short one thing… a full set of SSS-rank equipment."
The principal blinked. Then sighed. "…We'll see what we can do."
Their conversation was cut short by a sudden knock.
The office door creaked open. To Noah's mild surprise, Ethan Jiang stepped inside. Both he and the principal rose to their feet, startled that Ethan hadn't stormed off already. After all, the Jiang family's face had been dragged through the mud earlier; logic dictated he should've left long ago in fury.
"Ethan," the principal frowned, "what brings you here?"
To their shock, Ethan's face carried not anger but a warm smile. His tone was unusually soft as he walked toward Noah.
"I owe you an apology, Noah," he said smoothly. "I lost my temper earlier. I've already heard about what happened between you and my brother—it was his fault. To think he tried to strike a killing blow during a spar… his death was his own doing."
He even extended his hand as if in peace.
Noah raised a brow. This guy? Playing friendly? What are you up to?
Without acknowledging the handshake, Noah activated his SSS skill—Skill Replica.
"Let's see what your real cards are."
Ripples spread through the air as the ability activated. Honestly, Noah hadn't expected much. He simply used it because the cooldown was sitting there—better to use than waste.
Then, the system chimed.
[Congratulations! You have successfully replicated an SSS-rank skill: Doom of Talent (Permanent)!]
Noah's eyes flickered with shock—and interest. So he was hiding something this nasty…
Ethan, unaware, awkwardly lowered his hand when Noah didn't respond. The principal, quick on his feet, forced a laugh.
"Well! Clearly this was all a misunderstanding. Ethan, Noah—you are both pride of Jiangnan. Unity will only make you stronger."
"Of course, Principal," Ethan said smoothly, lowering his gaze. "That's exactly my intention. Noah, please believe me, it was nothing but a mistake earlier. To show my sincerity, my family is willing to offer you a full set of Level 50 S-rank gear as compensation. What do you say?"
The principal inwardly sighed in relief. It looked like the Jiang family had chosen to compromise. Better to bow their heads than clash with an S-rank prodigy.
But Noah didn't reply. His silence forced Ethan to add hastily, "And of course, if you have any other request, no matter what it is, the Jiang family will fulfill it—even if it breaks us!"
At last, Noah looked up, voice calm but firm.
"I already told you. I want SSS-rank equipment."
The office went dead silent. The smile on Ethan's face froze, then cracked. Negotiations collapsed on the spot.
That afternoon, despite the chaos of the morning, the school's guidance activity resumed as if nothing had happened.
Ethan Jiang sat alone in a guest room, his expression as dark as storm clouds.
The air before him rippled. A voice, low and mocking, slithered out.
"Ohhh, don't tell me you're really letting the boy live? What a shame. Well, I suppose it's not your fault. After all, your poor little brother only followed your orders like a good dog…"
"Shut your mouth!" Ethan snarled, his face twisting. He strode to the window, fists trembling with rage.
"Who told you I'd spare him? Playing nice was just to lower his guard. An S-rank talent with top-level protection? Sure, I can't kill him. But I can cripple him. Watch closely—once we're back in the Land of Divine Punishment this afternoon, I'll make him nothing but a useless wreck!"
The eerie voice cackled in delight. "This Noah boy… what an unexpected delight he is."
Meanwhile, Noah left the principal's office. Failing to find Tang Xia in class, he made his way toward the cafeteria alone, planning to eat before the afternoon's real combat training inside the Land of Divine Punishment.
With a thought, a translucent system interface appeared before his eyes.
[Doom of Talent (SSS)]
Type: Active Skill
Effect: Launches a direct assault on the target's talent. Depending on the difference in strength, may severely damage or completely abolish the target's talent.
Cooldown: 2 hours
Mana Cost: 1000
Noah's lips curled into a grin as he read the details.
The system appended another warning.
[Caution: This skill originates from the Demon Race. It has been classified as a Forbidden Art by the Demon-Hunting Institute.]
Noah narrowed his eyes, his grin widening. His thoughts turned sharp, calculating.
So that's the kind of snake Ethan really is… and this power he carries. Now I think… I finally understand what's going on here.