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"Alright, hold on—I'll head over right now!"
Hearing the news, Su Mo didn't hesitate for a second. He turned and bolted out the door toward Great Xia Commerce.
After arriving and paying the balance, he gazed at the skill scroll he'd been pining for, his heart brimming with joy.
[Passive Skill - Attack Rebound: 20% of the force from attacks you block is returned to the attacker. Requirement: 3,000 defense attribute (Usable)]
Before grabbing it, he'd worried his MAX defense might lock him out.
But seeing "Usable" tagged on the scroll eased his mind right back into place.
No second thoughts—he squeezed the scroll, shattering it. A golden light instantly engulfed him.
And then… nothing.
No difference from before, not even a clue how to trigger it—because it was passive.
The moment he used it, the skill's properties fused seamlessly into his body.
It'd only kick in when he took a hit.
With that in mind, he thought about heading home to test it on his sister.
But then—wait, it's a damage reflection skill. If Su Yu hit him and got bounced back, what then? He shook his head fast.
Suddenly, an image flashed: Principal Wang, decked out in a crisp suit, his bald head gleaming.
Su Yu was just a regular person—her hitting him could backfire. But Old Man Wang? He was ancient, bald, and Gold-rank. A little reflected damage wouldn't faze him, right?
Thought became action. Su Mo turned into a gust of wind, racing toward the school.
With 1,000 speed, he was a blur—normal folks couldn't catch his shape, just the sonic boom ripping through the air.
In moments, he reached the school gate, spotting Principal Wang still up on the podium, spouting off to the reporters.
Wang clocked him the second he got close.
Before, Wang had valued Su Mo plenty, but now? Totally different ballgame.
This Su Mo was the Blood Slaughter God Tu Hongwu's disciple.
In terms of status, even Wang, as principal, didn't quite measure up.
Seeing Su Mo roll in, Wang flashed a warm smile and said, "Little Mo, back again? Forget something?"
Su Mo paused, thought it over, then replied, "Uh, Principal, I just got a new skill. Mind helping me test it?"
Wang's face flickered with surprise, then he nodded fast. "Sure thing! Head to my office—wait there. I'll be right over."
Su Mo blinked. Where was Wang's office again?
Noticing Su Mo still rooted in place, Wang added, "Just wait at the security booth. I'll be there soon."
Su Mo nodded, parting the sea of reporters as he headed for the booth.
The reporters had stayed quiet earlier, but they'd caught the whole exchange on camera.
Only after Su Mo left did one pipe up to Wang, "Principal Wang, Su Mo's got talent, no doubt—but isn't this a bit much coddling?"
"Principal Wang, is this how Tianfu High's teaching philosophy works?"
"Principal Wang, you've always backed Su Mo so hard—is he your star pupil or something?"
Wang's grin froze, cold sweat beading down his forehead.
What the hell kind of question was that?!
Su Mo's already the Blood Slaughter God's disciple, and you're calling him my star pupil?!
Stealing a disciple from Tu Hongwu? My bald head's shiny enough—want it chopped off for a trophy?!
You might not care about your life, but I do!
"No nonsense! It's our school's philosophy—treat every student like family. That's it for today's interviews. As a principal, I still say education comes first!"
With that, Wang spun on his heel, leaving a pack of baffled reporters behind.
Inside the security booth, Su Mo had just sat down when Wang burst in, all hustle.
"Spill it—what's the skill? Did your master give it to you…?"
Before he finished, Su Mo cut in, "Nah, it's one I bought myself. Ordered it a while back—arrived today. Wanted you to help test it."
Wang grabbed the thermos off the desk, poured Su Mo some tea, then took a sip himself. "Alright, how do I help?"
"Just hit me with a punch."
The tea nearly shot out of Wang's mouth.
If he remembered right, he'd said those exact words to Su Mo not long ago.
Right before the exam started. And now, how much time had passed?
You want me to punch you?!
How do I even start?
The ranking exam's in two days—what if I mess you up? Who's accountable?
Plus, you're that guy's disciple. If I land a bad hit and you tank your exam, my head's on the school gate by morning!
He shook his head hard. "No, no, no—absolutely not!
Little Mo, you've got to understand—Gold-rank's not like Silver.
Break through to Gold, all your stats jump tenfold. 1,000 strength turns into 10,000—no joke.
I told you this before. If it's gotta happen, I'll call your homeroom teacher, Wang Defa…"
"Principal, relax—it'll be fine."
Wang stared at Su Mo's chill vibe, inwardly raging.
You say it's fine, but what about the guy behind you?!
If it's really fine, great—but if something goes wrong, you'll be toasting at my funeral!
No matter how Su Mo coaxed, Wang wouldn't budge. He called in Wang Defa instead.
Su Mo eyed his homeroom teacher—who'd slogged three years molding him—and felt a tiny pang of guilt.
Then he fed that guilt to the dogs.
"Teacher Wang, you do it—just hit me."
Wang Defa had just stumbled into the office, still clueless, when Su Mo told him to swing. Totally lost.
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