Translator: CinderTL
"You actually broke through?" Liu Wanxiao stared at Jiang Ye in disbelief. He could tell that Jiang Ye's breakthrough represented a significant leap in progress.
"Yeah," Jiang Ye replied. "After unleashing a series of bursts, I suddenly grasped the Thirty-First Form."
Jiang Ye nodded, then looked at the others with a puzzled expression. "None of you broke through?"
"It's not that easy," Liu Wanxiao said with a helpless shake of his head. "Breaking through in the midst of battle is extremely difficult."
Shen Changxi and Yun Qing'er nodded in deep agreement.
During the fierce combat they had just endured, they had indeed made progress. But to call it a breakthrough? They were far from meeting the criteria.
Breakthroughs weren't something easily achieved.
Seeing this, Jiang Ye realized something.
It seems my comprehension is exceptionally high, he thought to himself. Is that why I find it easier to break through during battles compared to others?
His comprehension had been repeatedly enhanced by the system, now far surpassing that of ordinary people.
Yet the comprehension granted by Dao Bone Aptitude also far exceeded the norm.
Jiang Ye had previously assumed he was roughly on par with Shen Changxi and Yun Qing'er.
But now, it seemed he had underestimated himself.
"Still, the improvement gained from this real combat experience is far faster than from tedious cultivation!" Jiang Ye thought to himself, secretly delighted.
How long had it been?
He had already achieved a sudden breakthrough in spearmanship, making significant progress.
This was the true benefit of real combat!
With this realization, Jiang Ye glanced toward the entrance to the third level. "The enemies from the third level haven't appeared yet. Could the entrance be sealed?"
Shen Changxi and the others followed his gaze.
"The school probably sealed it," Yun Qing'er whispered. "The enemies from the third level can't come up."
Jiang Ye nodded.
He had suspected as much.
If the third-level enemies had swarmed out earlier, they might not have survived.
"Makes sense. The school needs to ensure a certain survival rate," Jiang Ye thought. "So they lowered the difficulty."
After all, an S-Rank Mission was still just a mission.
"Forget about that."
"Only the final level remains." Jiang Ye turned to the others. "We might encounter enemies who have achieved their second breakthrough."
Although the intelligence reports stated that the strongest enemy on the third level was only at the first breakthrough peak...
But with the enhancement from the second-tier secret technique,
it's highly likely that we'll encounter a truly strong opponent who has reached the second breakthrough.
"Are you all confident?" Jiang Ye asked, looking at the group.
"We've come this far," Liu Wanxiao said. "What's there to say? Let's just charge in!"
Shen Changxi and Yun Qing'er remained silent, their attitudes speaking volumes.
"Alright, then we'll stick to the original plan," Jiang Ye said. "Pair up in teams of two. Yun Qing'er, you're with me."
"Me?" Yun Qing'er glanced at him in surprise, then nodded timidly.
Shen Changxi frowned slightly. "Why not pair up two men and two women?" she asked.
"Men and women working together makes the job easier," Jiang Ye replied with a grin.
Shen Changxi hesitated, but ultimately said nothing.
If she had her way, she would have preferred to team up with Jiang Ye herself.
But since he had already made his decision, she didn't want to upset Yun Qing'er by arguing.
"Since no one has any objections," Jiang Ye said, gripping his spear, "let's move out!" He took the lead, heading toward the third level.
The others followed closely behind.
Outside the underground fortress, atop Ivory Mountain.
"Jiang Ye actually broke through during the battle?"
"His comprehension is that high?" Chen Yuntian was astonished. "He's made such significant progress even before experiencing a true life-or-death trial?"
Combat experience indeed accelerates students' growth.
After all, that's the very purpose of the academy.
But Jiang Ye's progress was extraordinary, rivaling achievements typically seen only after life-or-death trials.
"Isn't this just the result of accumulated potential finally erupting?" Zhu Honglie beamed, chuckling, "The old man has been guiding him meticulously these past few months. It would be stranger if he hadn't made such a breakthrough."
"You old codger, you really struck gold," Chen Yuntian muttered, glancing at him, his regret deepening.
If he had known Jiang Ye's innate talent was so exceptional, he would have stopped at nothing to secure him back then!
"Hmm, it seems Jiang Ye's gains from this combat exercise will be truly remarkable."
Zhu Honglie's smile remained warm, but his mind was sharp.
He understood precisely the immense benefits an S-Rank Mission could bring.
The more talented the student, the greater the rewards they would reap!
"Elder Bai's insight is truly remarkable," Zhu Honglie thought to himself. "I should really consider sending Jiang Ye to White Dragon University for advanced studies after this mission."
He had already made up his mind.
As soon as this mission concluded, he would arrange for Jiang Ye to attend White Dragon University for further training.
Nearby, Chen Yuntian stared intently at Jiang Ye's projection, his gaze piercing the screen.
"It seems you were right," Chen Yuntian remarked. "That kid is going to secure an A-grade on this operation."
With A-grades in all three evaluation categories, as long as Jiang Ye's performance on the third level didn't drop below B-tier, securing an A-grade for the entire operation was practically guaranteed.
Suddenly, Chen Yuntian's expression shifted. "They've reached the third level."
Zhu Honglie also focused his attention.
The reason this combat operation was classified as S-Rank was precisely because of the third level.
Its difficulty approached that of a 'life-or-death trial'!
In other words, the third level carried a risk of death.
But those who could overcome it would reap immense rewards.
Deep within the underground fortress, on the third level, absolute darkness reigned.
"No lights?" Jiang Ye activated his battle armor's illumination without hesitation.
Buzz!
A beam of light emerged from the top of Jiang Ye's battle armor, dispelling the darkness.
"Huh?" In the next instant, everyone froze in surprise.
The entire third-floor space was filled with a dense fog, reducing visibility to less than three meters.
"Jiang Ye, what do we do now?" Liu Wanxiao asked, instinctively deferring to Jiang Ye's leadership.
"Stick to our original groups and don't stray too far," Jiang Ye instructed.
The others nodded and quickly closed ranks around him.
Under Jiang Ye's guidance, the group cautiously advanced, navigating the fog-shrouded corridors without incident until they reached a vast, mist-filled chamber.
"What is this place?" Jiang Ye scanned the surroundings, noticing rows of massive glass tanks filled with a dark crimson liquid.
Something appeared to be submerged within the purplish-red fluid.
"Are those... human limbs?" Jiang Ye's skin crawled as he realized what he was seeing.
"This place looks like a laboratory," Liu Wanxiao said through the battle armor's comms.
"It's likely a research facility used by the Hidden God Organization to assimilate the Shadow Clan," Shen Changxi added.
Jiang Ye nodded slightly. It did resemble a laboratory.
Suddenly, Jiang Ye's eyes flickered slightly as he slowly walked forward.
On a square table nearby, an electronic screen displayed a scrolling list of names, resembling some kind of roster.
Liu Xiaofeng, Subject #35 of the Talent Research Institute, Failed.
Jiang Hua, Subject #34 of the Talent Research Institute, Failed.
Hai Dong, Subject #33 of the Talent Research Institute, Successful.
...
"Talent Research Institute?" Jiang Ye murmured to himself. Could this be a research facility of the Hidden God Organization?
The list continued to scroll.
Just then, Jiang Ye's pupils contracted sharply.
He recognized a familiar name.
Xia Qing, Subject #12 of the Talent Research Institute, Successful.
(End of the Chapter)
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