214: Chapter 214 Facing Zhang Jian's preparations, Wang Donghai's trump card!

As Wang Wei recounted the story, Wang Donghai gradually understood the reason why these two had become so powerful.

It turned out that they had latched onto Professor Zhang's thigh!

However, he still found it hard to believe.

Could Zhang Jian, only at Rank 40, really help them raise their Sword Puppets to Rank 80?

He Zhongtang directly displayed the Sword Puppet's interface to him.

When Wang Donghai saw the experience requirements for the Sword Puppet's upgrade, he was completely speechless.

Current Rank: 80 (424,992,345 / 5,406,700,000)

It takes a full 5.4 billion to upgrade to the next level!

That means... the previous level must have required at least 5 billion!

Based on Wang Donghai's understanding of He Zhongtang, it was impossible for him to grind that much experience in a short time.

Moreover, according to He Zhongtang, the experience consumed would double if Zhang Jian helped them upgrade.

If it required tens of billions to reach Rank 80 on his own, then having Zhang Jian do it would consume hundreds of billions of experience!

And standing before him were two Sword Puppets that had been raised to Rank 80!

Wang Donghai's shock had reached its peak.

At only Rank 40, he could casually consume hundreds of billions of experience.

Just how strong was his true power?

Furthermore, while viewing the Sword Puppet's attributes, he also saw several pieces of equipped weapons.

He glanced over the Rank 70-80 epic-grade equipment.

However, when he saw a shield with the same icon as the one on his own body, he couldn't help but take another look.

The result of that look left him utterly terrified.

"Damn!"

"Old He, where did you get this thing?"

He Zhongtang chuckled, "It's the same as the one you have; they were both crafted by Professor Zhang."

Wang Donghai finally realized.

"Holy crap, Old He, you scammed me!"

"The one you sold me is completely several grades lower than your Sword Puppet's equipment!"

He Zhongtang raised an eyebrow.

"Just tell me, was it worth it or not?"

Although Wang Donghai appeared furious, he was calmly weighing things in his mind.

He remembered that this shield had only been crafted four times.

With Wang Donghai and the Sword Puppet each having one, and one being sold to him, it was highly likely that his was the worst of the four.

And even this "worst" one was enough to drive him crazy.

His heart tightened.

Looking at it this way, Zhang Jian was a blacksmithing Great Master with god-like crafting skills.

No!

He couldn't even be called a Great Master.

He should be a Divine Craftsman!

A God of Crafting!

He could craft Sword Puppets capable of raising a Professional's strength by several grades.

He possessed massive amounts of experience that even those at the Venerable level would covet.

And he actually possessed Divine Craftsman-level crafting skills.

He finally understood why Zhang Jian, a mere freshman, could be promoted consecutively to instructor and even associate professor within the most powerful academy on the Water Blue Planet.

It seemed he really had true talent!

Thinking of this, he suddenly recalled a rumor circulating in the circles of high-level Professionals recently.

It was said that the recent System updates and the consecutive increases in the Professional Rank cap were all caused by a few low-level Professionals clearing a Hell-level Dungeon.

At the time, he had scoffed at this news.

Did people not have common sense when making up rumors nowadays?

A Hell-level Dungeon was more than ten times harder than a Nightmare-level Dungeon.

Low-level or mid-level Professionals basically had to face a BOSS of a higher quality.

A first-job-change Professional, even with a full set of legendary rank equipment and max-level legendary rank skills, would face an epic-grade BOSS.

The sheer suppression of the BOSS's various skill priorities was enough to leave low-level Professionals helpless.

The same applied to Second Job Change Professionals.

When facing a mythical level BOSS, even if wearing epic-grade equipment and possessing epic-grade skills, what use could they possibly be?

Previously, records of Hell-level Dungeons of various Ranks being cleared occasionally were mostly by third job change Professionals.

After wearing mythical level equipment and learning mythical level skills, when facing a BOSS whose highest quality was mythical level, even if there was a gap in strength, at least the skill effects and equipment attributes wouldn't be at a disadvantage.

Theoretically, it was possible to clear them.

But for other Professionals, such hope simply didn't exist!

He had once thought his analysis was flawless.

But now, after equating the peerless Prodigy in the rumor with Zhang Jian, he felt that perhaps nothing was impossible!

Since they could rely on the Sword Puppets he crafted to challenge Nightmare-level Dungeons that they previously dared not even attempt, perhaps the Sword Puppets he crafted for his own use were even more powerful.

Why couldn't he clear a Hell-level Dungeon?

The more Wang Donghai thought about it, the more he felt this was the truth of the matter.

Since Zhang Jian was very likely that legendary mysterious person who caused turmoil in the Professional world, then being able to latch onto his thigh might be something others couldn't even dream of.

Having figured this out, he made up his mind.

First, he bowed deeply to Wang Wei and He Zhongtang.

"Thank you, my two good brothers, for telling me the truth."

"I will immediately prepare suitable skills and go to meet Professor Zhang."

Wang Wei nodded.

"Then you had better be quick. Professor Zhang is very generous; if he's in the mood, he might even help you craft some equipment."

Wang Donghai nodded, indicating he understood.

After letting the two return first to wait for him at the instructor dormitory, he hurried toward the row of buildings in the deepest part of the academy.

Here lived the true core figures of the academy.

The weakest among them were all above Rank 90, third job change.

Even those who hadn't reached it were basically at Rank 88 or 89, third job change—ambitious individuals who wanted to walk the path of the invincible.

The status of these people was naturally not to be underestimated; the lowest level among them was Professor.

Among them were the direct leaders of various departments and branches.

And Wang Donghai's target was none other than the Head of the Support Department, Wang Xuri.

That's right.

Both shared the surname Wang, so they were naturally Family.

Wang Xuri, at Rank 89, third job change, was his own uncle.

He was the person with the highest status and position in the Wang Family.

Even though his Rank was lower than the 92-Rank Clan Chief, his grandfather Wang Yuanping, his strength was superior.

Arriving in front of the other's villa, the gate was already open.

Wang Xuri's assistant, Dong Xiao, nodded at him.

"Director Wang is waiting for you in the study."

Wang Donghai didn't dare to be slow, shaking his hand with both of his.

"Thank you for your trouble, Professor Dong!"

Although the other was just his uncle's assistant, his status was not simple.

Although he was only three years older than him, his strength was much greater than his own.

Not only was he Rank 81, third job change, but he was also the youngest associate professor in the Support Department.

Of course, this was before Zhang Jian appeared.

But he had already been called a leader among the younger generation.

He was one of the most promising candidates in China to become a Venerable-level powerhouse.

Dong Xiao led Wang Donghai all the way to the study before tactfully withdrawing.

Wang Donghai felt nervous for a moment before knocking on the door.

"Come in!"

Pushing open the door, Wang Donghai saw Wang Xuri behind a large desk, dotting and drawing on a piece of paper.

The other's appearance was quite similar to his, only with more white hair at the temples and a more dignified gaze.

Wang Donghai stepped forward, his eyes somewhat complex, and said in a low voice,

"Uncle, I'm here."

Wang Xuri's fingers trembled slightly as he stood up, his eyes filled with concern.

"You child, can't you come to see me when you're free?"

Wang Donghai's eyes were filled with shame, and he couldn't help but lower his head.

Growing up, compared to his father's strict discipline, his uncle Wang Xuri had been much more doting.

Right up until he was admitted to Galaxy Academy, he was hailed as the most outstanding young person in the Wang Family.

At that time, Wang Xuri, who was the youngest professor in the Support Department, wanted Wang Donghai to join his department as an assistant after graduation.

But the young and arrogant Wang Donghai, instigated by a few friends, spoke wildly, claiming he would never use back-door connections and would rely on his own strength.

Furthermore, whenever Wang Xuri tried to help him, he rudely refused, deeply hurting the other's feelings.

As a result, after graduation, Wang Donghai was one of the leaders of that class.

But because he thought too highly of himself and made friends with some bad company, he was accidentally seriously injured while challenging a Dungeon above his level, almost losing his life.

Wang Xuri relied on his own connections to invite Xuan Jizi, who was then the Vice Dean of Galaxy Academy, to take action and save Wang Donghai, even bestowing upon him a permanent blessing.

Moreover, after Wang Donghai reached Second Job Change, he quietly made arrangements so that when Wang Donghai applied to Galaxy Academy, he successfully became an assistant instructor.

At the time, Wang Donghai thought it was due to his own ability.

Later, when he learned that Wang Xuri had helped him in secret, he was filled with shame.

Over the years, he had always felt that he had let down his uncle's care and had no face to come to him.

He wanted to rely on his own efforts to make a name for himself before coming to stand before his uncle with justification.

But there were so many Geniuses in Galaxy Academy.

Without his uncle's care, Wang Donghai was nothing more than an ordinary instructor.

After struggling for nearly ten years, he had only been promoted from an assistant instructor to a formal instructor.

Wang Xuri was afraid that his help would make his nephew have opinions about him again, so he just watched silently and never used his connections again.

The result was that Wang Donghai completely faded into the crowd, trapped in the logistics department for nearly three years.

In fact, if Wang Donghai hadn't come to him, Wang Xuri was prepared to throw away his old face to get Wang Donghai a spot as an associate professor.

But before he could act, he suddenly received a message from him, claiming he had something to ask his uncle for help with.

He was naturally more than happy to oblige.

Furthermore, while Wang Donghai was on his way, he had already started preparing the things the other needed.

Of course, Wang Donghai did not know all of this.

Although he felt a bit ashamed to face his beloved uncle again, having failed to realize the grand words he had promised in the past, thinking of the changes in Wang Wei and the other, and thinking of his own speculation about Zhang Jian's strength, he summoned his courage and began to tell his story.

He finished explaining his guesses and the requirements of Zhang Jian that Wang Wei and the other had mentioned in one breath.

Then he looked at Wang Xuri nervously.

He had thought that when the other heard about strategic materials like epic-grade passive skills and epic-grade crafting recipes, he would consider it carefully.

Unexpectedly, after Wang Xuri finished listening to what he said, he didn't hesitate at all and started taking things out of his bosom.

One by one, they were placed on the table.

"These are four epic-grade skills: two increase base attributes, one increases the chance to ignore defense, and one increases block effect."

"Here are also three epic-grade recipes: two for leg guards, one for armor. According to what you said, you should be able to equip both yourself and the Sword Puppet."

Watching Wang Xuri introduce them one by one, Wang Donghai was moved beyond words.

"Uncle, you..."

Wang Xuri waved his hand.

"Since you've asked, I will definitely support you with all my strength."

"Besides."

A glint of deep meaning flashed in his eyes.

"I know quite a bit about this Zhang Jian's deeds. The Dean has mentioned him to me more than once; I've long wanted to see this young person of excellence for myself."

Wang Donghai's eyes widened in shock.

"Uncle, you know Professor Zhang too?"

Wang Xuri took a deep breath and exclaimed,

"I'm afraid it won't be long before he is a true professor, and it's even possible for him to go a step further..."

Wang Donghai gasped.

A true professor?

That is to say, from the current associate professor, he would be promoted to the level of a full professor at Galaxy Academy?

You have to know, those who could hold the position of professor needed at least the strength of Rank 85, third job change, and had to be the most top-tier existence among Professionals of the same Rank.

Zhang Jian was only Rank 40, Second Job Change, and even a few days ago was still a freshman who had just enrolled.

He was going to be a full professor?

And he even had the opportunity to go a step further?

He knew very well what going a step further meant.

Naturally, it was the level of a department head like his uncle, a core high-level figure of Galaxy Academy!

He wanted to know more, but Wang Xuri was unwilling to say more.

"This is just my guess. When the Dean returns, there may be results."

Wang Donghai didn't ask any more questions and was just about to step forward to pick up these items.

"Wait a moment."

Wang Xuri's expression was a bit conflicted.

Wang Donghai thought his uncle was feeling reluctant, so he said cautiously,

"How about I take a part of them first to test the waters?"

Wang Xuri gave a bitter smile.

"Xiaohai, you've misunderstood."

"I was thinking, since we want to befriend the other, we might as well do it thoroughly."

"He has only just reached Second Job Change, yet he dares to acquire mythical level items on the forum, which shows that he can use them."

"While these epic-grade items are of considerable value, it is very likely that they will not play a critical role for him."

"It would be better to just go all out!"

A glint of ruthlessness flashed in Wang Xuri's eyes, which made Wang Donghai turn pale with shock.

"Uncle, you are thinking of..."

Wang Xuri responded directly with action.

Several dazzling seven-colored lights appeared on the table.

"A mythical level passive skill, a mythical level boot recipe."

"I think these things should be enough to make Zhang Jian look at you with new eyes, right?"

Wang Xuri spoke lightly, seemingly not caring at all about giving away these items.

But Wang Donghai recognized them at a glance from the names of the skills and recipes.

These were the core items Wang Xuri had prepared for his own advancement to Rank 90, to walk the perfect path of the invincible.

Now, he had taken them all out for him.

What kind of affection was this?

Gently caressing these items, Wang Donghai was already streaming with tears.