12: Beginner four-piece set

Warm Neighborhood.

Wang Chen's family of three sat neatly on the sofa, watching TV.

The Dongling City evening news was playing on TV, and the beautiful anchor's expression was solemn and grave at this moment:

"According to information obtained by our reporter, the large-scale celestial phenomenon and the Dragon that previously appeared in the sky above our city were caused by a natural anomaly triggered by a Beast Pet's mutated talent."

"Please do not panic, citizens. The red crisis alert was merely a false alarm and will not affect Dongling City. To compensate for the fright caused to all citizens this time, the City Mayor and Guardian have decided..."

"..."

Listening to the broadcast on TV, Wang Chen's mouth twitched slightly.

He never expected that using his Beast Pet Fusion talent would cause such a huge commotion.

Good heavens!

It caused a celestial anomaly across the entire Dongling City.

Should it be said that it truly is an Ancestral Divine Beast, the Extreme Cold Dragon?

Thinking silently to himself, he looked at the TV screen.

The camera footage was a bit blurry; an incredibly huge, ferocious creature was circling in the sky, occasionally roaring upwards, while on the ground, countless people collapsed in fear, their faces filled with terror.

In a fleeting glimpse, he saw his father Wang Jianguo and mother Li Xiufen by a bus stop in one of the quickly passing scenes.

In the footage, his honest and dependable father was holding his mother in his arms, his body seemingly trembling...

Before Wang Chen could examine it closely.

The screen went black.

Old Wang, whose face was a little pale, quickly grabbed the remote control.

"Don't watch anymore. The City Mayor and Guardian have said it's fine; this matter is over."

"Xiao Chen, how did your Awakener transfer ceremony go today?"

Old Wang pretended nothing was wrong as he turned off the TV, pursing his lips as he asked.

"..."

Wang Chen opened his mouth, intending to tell his parents about the Extreme Cold Dragon to make them happy, but seeing his father's expression, he feared it would remind him of some experiences he wanted to erase.

"It was alright, a 1st Rank Beast Master Awakener!"

"I've already handled the Beast Pet myself, so there will definitely be no problem with the college entrance exam in a month."

After some thought, Wang Chen did not reveal that he was a Giant-Beast Master Awakener to avoid worrying his parents.

After all, they were both Beast Masters, and if he didn't say anything, others wouldn't be able to tell.

Upon hearing their son's words, Wang Father and Wang Mother, even though they hadn't fully recovered from their previous experience, couldn't help but be overjoyed.

"Good, good, good! As expected of my son, Wang Jianguo! A 1st Rank Beast Master, and considering your past performance in school, you little rascal, you can at least get into a Tier 1 university."

Wang Father beamed, patting his chest with a look of profound relief.

Wang Mother didn't speak beside him, but the smile in her eyes showed the pleasant surprise in her heart.

Since the Dragon Country established the Awakener college entrance examination, it has divided the nation's Awakener universities into four tiers:

Four top-tier universities, twenty Tier 1 universities, eighty Tier 2 universities, and over two hundred Tier 3 universities.

Universities varied greatly in teaching strength and resources based on their respective Ranks.

It's no exaggeration to say that the difference in resources between each Rank is at least tenfold.

In the simple understanding of Wang Father and Wang Mother, a Tier 1 university was already the limit of their expectations for Wang Chen. The number of people in Dongling City who could get in each year was less than a handful.

For Wang Chen to have a chance at getting into a Tier 1 university, it was already a great honor that would bring glory to their ancestors.

However...

To his father's earnest expectations, Wang Chen merely smiled without speaking.

A Tier 1 university?

If it were his former self, he would have been excited about it.

But now...

Having obtained three top-tier talents and skills, and having contracted the Ancestral Divine Beast—Ancient Overlord. Extremely Cold Dragon, Wang Chen's vision had already broadened.

His goal had long since become those four top-tier universities at the pinnacle of the Dragon Country.

Only by getting into a top-tier university could his talents be maximized and could he obtain more resources.

It's important to know...

The resource gap between Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 universities was tenfold.

And the four top-tier universities at the pinnacle, their combined resources were the sum of all other universities.

Every year, outstanding graduates from top-tier universities would at least reach Rank 4 or above in strength. In a third-rate city like Dongling City, they could directly obtain the position of Guardian.

On par with the City Mayor, controlling the power of life and death over hundreds of thousands of people!

Of course, Wang Chen didn't plan to tell his parents about this goal yet. He would wait until everything settled down to surprise them.

"You little rascal, are you brewing some bad idea again?"

Wang Jianguo saw his son smiling without speaking and reached out to pat Wang Chen's shoulder.

However, he didn't ask further. He knew his son best; Wang Chen had always been very opinionated since childhood and could handle everything methodically, so he didn't need to worry much.

"Come, to celebrate your successful 1st Rank combat Awakener transfer, your old man has prepared a gift for you."

As he spoke, Wang Father pushed the box he had been holding in his hand since returning towards Wang Chen.

"There's a gift too?"

Hearing this, Wang Chen was a little surprised.

No wonder his parents came home so late today; it turned out they were preparing a surprise.

"Of course, hurry and open it to see!"

Wang Jianguo said with a hint of pride.

Wang Chen didn't hesitate, readily opening the box. After seeing what was inside, he pursed his lips.

Sharp Longsword.

Agility Boots.

Courage Necklace.

Tough Cloth Armor.

Inside the box, four pieces of equipment were neatly arranged.

Under the light, they reflected a lustrous black iron sheen, making Wang Chen's eyes moisten slightly.

These four pieces of equipment were the famous high school graduation set, also known as the Novice Four-Piece Set.

Although the name was unremarkable, it could provide significant assistance to newly transferred Awakeners.

"Dad, Mom."

Wang Chen looked at his parents with emotion, his voice a little hoarse.

In today's Blue Star, anything that could have an effect on Awakeners was expensive.

The Novice Four-Piece Set was no exception; its combined price reached one hundred thousand gold coins.

Wang Chen knew that his parents had probably used all their savings over the years to buy this equipment.

"You little rascal, you're about to graduate from high school, why are you still acting like a child?"

Wang Mother put her arm around her son's shoulder, saying with a beaming smile:

"Although our family lives simply, we can't let you lack what others have."

"Hurry and take this back to your room to try on; make sure the equipment fits."

Beside them, Wang Father, though silent, also looked at Wang Chen with a face full of relief.

"Mm!"

Hearing his mother's words, Wang Chen nodded heavily, gripping the four pieces of equipment tightly in his hand, the thought in his heart growing stronger.

His parents had toiled for him for most of their lives; from now on, it was time for him to show them filial piety.