24: I don't want money for this evolution plan.

After the flag-raising ceremony ended and everyone returned to their classes, Xie Ning arrived at the Principal's Office, where the Principal and General Bian Hu were waiting.

"Sorry, I'm late," Xie Ning said after entering the room.

Bian Hu laughed heartily and replied, "Not late at all, not late at all. Little Xie, come sit down quickly and try your Old Principal's tea. It's a rare delicacy."

"Alright," Xie Ning said, sitting across from Bian Hu.

At that moment, the tea was ready. The three people picked up their teacups to drink, but Xie Ning didn't understand tea; he only used it to quench his thirst. After finishing one cup, he asked, "Principal, General, may I know why you called me here?"

"Little Xie, I heard you participated in the breeder qualification certificate assessment a few days ago, and General Bian Hu came specifically for this matter." When the Principal spoke, there was a hint of surprise in his eyes. He hadn't expected such an unknown student to actually pass the Intermediate Cultivator qualification certificate—something many Breeders couldn't achieve even after exhausting all their efforts.

Hearing the Principal's words, Xie Ning vaguely guessed what was happening.

Bian Hu didn't beat around the bush. He nodded and said solemnly, "That's right. I came here hoping Little Xie could sell the Trapping Vine Tree's Evolution Plan to the Nation, or authorize our Flower City City Defense Force to use it."

Xie Ning did not answer immediately. Instead, he frowned and asked, "General, are the Iron-Eating Ants truly that serious this time?"

As soon as he said this, the Old Principal and Bian Hu paused, exchanged a glance, and saw surprise in each other's eyes.

However, since Xie Ning had guessed it, they saw no need to conceal the truth.

"That's right. The Iron-Eating Ant Swarm is migrating toward Flower City. Before long, Flower City will likely face a fierce battle," Bian Hu said, his expression grave as he mentioned the matter.

After listening, Xie Ning's expression became serious, and he fell into contemplation.

Soon, he made a decision and said to Bian Hu, "I won't sell this Evolution Plan."

"This... Little Xie, this is the city where you live, after all..." Bian Hu frowned, looking troubled.

The Old Principal was also puzzled. He knew Xie Ning's Family Situation well; selling this Evolution Plan would be entirely beneficial to him, so there should be no reason to refuse.

Seeing the change in their expressions, Xie Ning slowly said, "General, don't worry. I said I won't sell it because I want to change the Terms of the Transaction."

"What Terms of the Transaction?"

"If I remember correctly, the City Defense Force's maximum bonus points for the College Entrance Examination for students is 20 points. I have already secured 10 points; I want to obtain the remaining 10 points," Xie Ning said seriously, looking directly into Bian Hu's eyes.

Lingnan Academy is one of the three major First-Class Academies in Southern Guangdong Province. Every year, applicants are as numerous as the fish crossing the river, but very few are actually admitted. If Xie Ning wanted to enter Lingnan Academy, there was no shortcut other than achieving a higher score.

Bian Hu listened to Xie Ning and said sternly, "It's true that the City Defense Force offers 20 bonus points, but they are not given easily. An Elite Level Evolution Plan has very limited value."

"What I am offering is not an Evolution Plan, but a result: saving the People of Flower City and reducing human casualties." Xie Ning paused here, looked at Bian Hu, and seeing his focused expression, continued:

"If Ordinary Demon Tamers Beasts are used against the Iron-Eating Ants, even if we win, it will be a Pyrrhic Victory. But the Trapping Vine Tree I evolved can handle dozens of them at once, and it never tires.

"Furthermore, I also have Excellent Level and Transcendent Level evolutions for the Trapping Vine Tree. They are equally, if not more, effective against the Iron-Eating Ants, and the Materials needed for their evolution are very cheap, enough for Large-Scale Evolution."

Hearing this, Bian Hu fell silent and began to waver.

It must be said that Xie Ning's words moved him. If what Xie Ning said was true, casualties in the battle against the Iron-Eating Ants could be significantly reduced.

After waiting for a moment, Xie Ning saw Bian Hu slap his thigh and say, "Fine! As long as your Evolution Plan truly has this Miraculous Effect, I can give you 20 points."

"Thank you, General! It's a Pleasure Working With You."

Afterward, Xie Ning chatted briefly with the Principal and the General before leaving. He also agreed to find time to visit the City Defense Force and evolve the Excellent Level and Transcendent Level Trapping Vine Trees.

When Xie Ning returned to the Classroom, all his classmates looked over. Except for Li Zhi and the few people surrounding him, the other students greeted Xie Ning warmly, which he found very strange.

It should be noted that Xie Ning was usually just a Nobody in the class. Even after saving people in Hope Forest, they only treated him as someone who had stepped in dog luck.

Returning to his seat, he found a small Booklet on everyone's desk about the Monster Taming College Entrance Examination happening in half a month.

"Old Monitor, why is everyone suddenly so enthusiastic?" Xie Ning asked curiously.

The Class Monitor, Liu Yuan, turned sideways and explained to Xie Ning, who was sitting behind him, "You'll know once you read the Booklet. It's all because of the College Entrance Examination."

"College Entrance Examination?"

Xie Ning opened the Booklet and suddenly understood.

The number of subjects for the College Entrance Examination remained three: Written Exam, Comprehensive, and Practical.

The first two subjects hadn't changed, but the Practical Examination was different from previous years.

Previously, it was an Individual Competition, where points were calculated based on hunting Demon Tamers Beasts and collecting evolution Materials. This year, however, it was an individual plus Team Competition, based on a Mission System.

Each student could accept the mission they wished to choose. The sources of these missions were varied, including those issued by the Monster Taming Alliance, various Academies, and Garrison Commanders from different towns.

In other words, from the moment this Booklet was distributed, the student body activated a 'group-buying' mode, waiting to collectively 'chop a price'—ah, no, waiting to accept missions.

And now, Xie Ning, a Demon Tamer who possessed a Bronze Rank Demon Tamers Beast, naturally became the class's Hot Commodity.

"Xie Ning, are you planning to Go Solo or Form a Team?" the Class Monitor asked.

Xie Ning closed the Booklet, smiled, and replied, "I haven't decided yet. I'll figure it out when the time comes."

He still had half a month. During this time, he had to properly cultivate his two Demon Tamers Beasts. The stronger they were, the higher the score he would achieve.

At that moment, a Male Classmate walked over and said, "Xie Ning, how about we team up for the College Entrance Examination?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a Female Classmate also ran over, blocked his path, and said, "Student Xie Ning, don't listen to him. Join our group, let's fly together."

"Your Demon Tamers Beast just hatched. Is that 'flying together'? You're Looking for a Power Leveler!"

"Didn't your Demon Tamers Beast just hatch too?"

Several more classmates arrived and extended invitations to Xie Ning. In the end, almost everyone except the few people next to Li Zhi came forward to invite him, including a couple of Pretty Girls, which made Li Zhi even more annoyed.

"Brother Zhi, let's ignore him. Look at his smug expression—could he possibly be as powerful as you?"

"That's right. Your Duel with him is about to start. Maintain your focus and don't let yourself be distracted."

Li Zhi took a deep breath and nodded forcefully.

I'll endure this for now.

During the Duel, I'll Settle All the Old Scores and New Ones!

Xie Ning didn't know Li Zhi's thoughts, but even if he did, he wouldn't care much.

Little Mantis, who had evolved into a Supersonic Mantis, was Practically Invincible among the students of Huacheng No. 1 Middle School.

Watching the enthusiastic expressions of the classmates in front of him, many of whom he wasn't very familiar with, Xie Ning was about to say something when the Class Bell rang, 'Ding-a-ling-ling.'

"Thank you all for your kind intentions, but I haven't decided yet. Class is starting, let's head back first."