49: He transforms freely, the divine elephant suppresses the prison.

The award ceremony ended hastily.

When Lin Fan received the "Golden Dragon Medal," symbolizing first place in the National Examination, from Long Xiaotian's hands.

Thunderous applause filled the venue, but the noble family section in the VIP seats was mostly empty.

Those big shots didn't even bother with pleasantries anymore.

Lin Fan didn't care either, casually stuffing the medal into his pocket as if it were a piece of candy.

Backstage lounge.

As soon as he pushed the door open, he saw Colonel Zhao and Lei Bao waiting inside, standing alongside several middle-aged military officers with general stars on their shoulders and deep, heavy auras.

"Lin Fan!" Colonel Zhao strode forward and gave his shoulder a heavy pat. "Good lad! That was awesome!"

Lin Fan grinned. "Stay low-key, stay low-key."

"Come, let me introduce you." Colonel Zhao stepped aside. "This is the Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern Theater Command, General Lu Qingtian, a Peak Martial King."

The resolute-faced General Lu nodded at Lin Fan, his eyes full of appreciation. "Lin Fan, I saw your performance. Are you interested in joining the Eastern Theater Command?"

"I'll grant you the rank of Senior Colonel, directly assigned to the Special Operations Brigade, with priority resource allocation."

A personal recruitment by a Peak Martial King!

Such treatment would be unprecedented for any previous top scholar of the National Examination.

But before Lin Fan could answer, the lounge door was pushed open again.

An old man in a cyan robe walked in slowly, followed by several middle-aged men with ethereal auras.

"Young friend Lin," the old man smiled, "I am Zhou Weiguo. On behalf of the National Martial Arts Association, I formally invite you to join the Hidden Dragon Project."

The Hidden Dragon Project!

The expressions of the several generals present changed slightly.

That was the nation's highest-level talent cultivation program. It was said that those selected could access the top Cultivation Techniques and resources, and even have the chance to receive personal guidance from Martial Emperor-level experts!

Only one person is recruited every ten years!

"President Zhou," General Lu frowned, "Your Martial Arts Association's reach is getting a bit too long."

Zhou Weiguo's smile remained unchanged. "General Lu must be joking. A Genius like Lin Fan should naturally be cultivated with concentrated national resources."

"The Martial Arts Association can provide him with the best mentors, the most comprehensive manual library, and... a chance to enter an Ancient Secret Realm."

An Ancient Secret Realm!

Even the generals were moved.

That was a legendary treasure land containing ancient legacies, opening only once every fifty years!

However.

"Sorry, let me interrupt for a second."

Lin Fan suddenly spoke up.

Everyone looked at him.

"Thank you all for your kindness." Lin Fan scratched his head. "But for now... I haven't made up my mind yet."

Everyone was stunned.

"Lin Fan," Colonel Zhao said anxiously, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Whether it's the military or the Martial Arts Association, they can both give you..."

"I know," Lin Fan interrupted. "That's why I need to think it over carefully."

He paused, looked at everyone, and gave a sincere smile:

"After all, I'm only eighteen, and I haven't even gone to university yet."

"I should at least... experience campus life, right?"

Everyone: "..."

What the hell is campus life!

You're strong enough to slap away fifty prodigies with one hand, what university are you going to?!

What could a university teacher possibly teach you?!

Teach you how to show off properly?!

But Lin Fan's expression was very serious.

So serious that everyone was rendered speechless.

"Alright." General Lu was the first to react, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes. "Young people should indeed see more of the world."

He handed over a business card. "This is my private contact information. Whenever you've made up your mind, find me anytime."

Zhou Weiguo also took out a jade talisman. "This is the Hidden Dragon Token. With this, you can enter the Martial Arts Association headquarters at any time."

"Young friend Lin, our doors will always be open for you."

Having said their piece, the two didn't stay long and turned to leave.

They knew that a Genius of this level could not be forced.

Once everyone had left, Colonel Zhao sighed. "Lin Fan, you shouldn't have refused so bluntly just now."

"I didn't refuse," Lin Fan blinked. "I just said I'd think about it."

"You!" Colonel Zhao was helpless. "Fine, as long as you know what you're doing."

"But be careful for a while. You've offended so many noble families; they won't let this go easily."

"I know." Lin Fan nodded. "Thanks, Uncle Zhao."

This "Uncle Zhao" made Colonel Zhao's expression soften significantly.

"Alright, get some rest. The military is holding a victory banquet tonight; you must attend."

"Okay."

When Colonel Zhao and Lei Bao also left, Lin Fan was finally the only one left in the lounge.

He locked the door, set up a small Soundproofing Array, and then plopped down on the sofa.

"Phew..."

He let out a long breath.

Acting cool feels great.

But acting cool all the time... that feels even better.

But after the high, one always needs to enter "sage mode" to relax.

"System, pull up the panel."

[Host: Lin Fan]

[Realm: Martial Master Middle-stage]

[blood qi value: 6.8]

[Cultivation Techniques: Muscle (Black-Grade Pagoda), Sacred Heart Art (Heaven Rank Low Grade), Fire Cloud Art (Incomplete Manual - Third Level), Eighty-Nine Arcane Art (First Turn)]

[Martial Skills: Six Meridians Divine Sword, Subtle Steps Across Water, Buddhas Palm (Second Form), Six Maxims of Chilling Cold, Fire Dance Whirlwind Sword Art, Seven Injuries Fist (Fragment), Nine Heavens Thunder Foot Stomp...]

[Special Physique: Ancient Desolate Sacred Body (Initial Awakening)]

[Special Ability: rubber-rubber fruit (Awakening Prototype)]

[prestige value: 74,070 points]

[Advanced Gacha Count: 22 times]

[System Space: purple cloud furnace, earth evasion talisman ×3, snow drinking mad saber, Reverse Scale Sword...]

Looking at his prestige value balance, Lin Fan's eyes lit up.

Over seventy thousand!

Twenty-two Advanced gacha draws!

"System, what's currently the best item in the Advanced gacha pool?"

[Ding! Detected that the Host possesses a large number of gacha draws, triggering a special prompt:]

[10 Advanced Gacha draws can be synthesized into 1 "Diamond Grade Gacha." The diamond prize pool contains top-tier Cultivation Techniques, divine weapons, and Physiques from across the myriad worlds!]

[Synthesize?]

Diamond Grade!

Lin Fan's breathing quickened.

"Is there anything awesome in the diamond prize pool? Give me a sneak peek to open my eyes."

[Since the Host has asked, the System will mercifully inform you.]

[The diamond prize pool includes the Nine Secrets (Perfect World), Heaven-Destroying Earth-Extinguishing Sword 23 (Wind and Cloud world), Three Thousand Lightning Movement, Three Thousand Lightning Movement, Three Thousand Lightning Movement!!! (Are you sick? Why so excited?), Great Desolation Heaven Imprisoning Finger...]

"Holy crap... the prize pool is amazing!"

Lin Fan didn't hesitate.

"Synthesize two diamond gacha draws!"

[Ding! Consumed 20 Advanced Gacha draws to synthesize Diamond Grade Gacha ×2!]

[Remaining Advanced Gacha draws: 2]

[Draw now?]

"Draw!"

[Diamond Grade Gacha, first draw!]

In his mind, the roulette wheel was no longer golden.

Instead, it was a diamond color as brilliant as a sea of stars! The phantom images of items floating on it each emitted an aura capable of destroying heaven and earth!

There were bells, cauldrons, pagodas, swords... scriptures, runes, Bloodlines... the needle began to spin!

Lin Fan held his breath.

One rotation, two rotations, three rotations... the needle slowly decelerated, passing by items that would make anyone envious:

[Pangu Axe (Fragment)], [Eastern Emperor Bell (Replica)], [Four Swords of the Immortal Slaying (A wisp of Sword Qi)]... and finally!

It stopped on a... blurred ancient scripture.

On the cover of the scripture, four characters twisted like dragons and snakes were faintly visible—Transformation Freedom.

[Congratulations to the Host! You have obtained: "Self-Transformation Freedom Technique" (Incomplete Manual - First Chapter)!]

Boom!!!

Lin Fan's mind exploded!

It wasn't a flow of information pouring in.

Instead... a vast river of time unfolded directly within his consciousness!

Within the river, there was his past self, silently training at Yuncheng Third High School.

There was his current self, looking down upon all living beings on the National Examination stage.

And... countless future versions of himself, battling, falling, and being reborn across the myriad worlds!

"He transforms into freedom, freedom transforms into him..."

"One thought of the past, one thought of the future..."

Lin Fan muttered to himself, fragments of time swirling in his eyes.

A moment later, the phenomenon dissipated.

He took a deep breath and looked at the System panel.

[Self-Transformation Freedom Technique (Incomplete Manual - First Chapter): The Supreme Law of the Myriad Heavens]

[Currently able to manifest: past body (within 24 hours), Present Body (the original body), Future Body (phantom image, lasts 3 seconds)]

[Note: This chapter is only for entry-level; the complete version requires subsequent chapters. Manifested bodies possess 70% of the original's strength, and duration extends with the improvement of cultivation.]

"70% strength... that's enough!"

Lin Fan suppressed his excitement and rubbed his hands together like a fly.

"System, second Diamond Grade Gacha!"