9: What is strong?

"He wants to speed through the secret realm and compete for the provincial ranking!" Zhou Yanwang observed Ling Zhan's ambition in an instant.

As soon as Zhou Yanwang uttered these words, the principals and directors around him were slightly startled.

As we all know, the assessment content released before the college entrance examination, such as beheading a thousand ordinary evil emperor poisonous scorpions, is merely a prerequisite.

Once the candidates pass this stage, it is natural to compete for the speed of clearing the secret realm. The speed at which they clear the secret realm determines their final ranking.

Ordinary candidates are considered to have passed after completing the basic assessment content. They can then choose to continue advancing through the levels or exit the secret realm to obtain their results.

By merely completing the passing content, one can only gain admission to relatively less prestigious universities. However, by securing a spot, they prevent themselves from becoming ordinary individuals once again.

If one wishes to attend excellent universities, they must vie for rankings and grades.

"Having the desire to improve and win is admirable, but isn't it too reckless?" someone questioned. "As an unemployed person, it would be reasonable to aim for a top 500 ranking at the city level. But now, you want to compete for the provincial ranking?"

"With Ling Zhan's demonstrated strength, achieving a high ranking at the municipal level shouldn't be difficult. He could take a break before moving forward. However, if he chooses not to rest, it means he wants to compete for the provincial ranking!"

"But the issue is, he has utilized numerous skills and engaged in numerous battles. He should be in a weakened state. Why would he dare to continue?" others voiced their concerns.

Outside the secret realm, everyone was perplexed and astonished by Ling Zhan's actions.

Zhou Yanwang's words only further deepened their confusion.

Compete for provincial rankings? With him being an unemployed individual?

It seemed comical! Downright hilarious!

Some individuals who resented Ling Zhan's prominence couldn't help but interject at this moment with peculiar remarks.

"In these times, individuals with even a modicum of skill are eager to garner attention and create a sense of presence, but they fail to realize that the college entrance examination can also prove fatal!"

"Under normal circumstances, proctors in the secret realm are not allowed to save students. Even if a student faces death, Ling Zhan enters the secret realm's border without adjusting his state. He is seeking death!"

"No way, no way! Does he genuinely believe that the inner monsters are the same as the outer ones?"

Listening to these sarcastic remarks, many of Ling Zhan's admirers couldn't help but furrow their brows.

Clearly, they had to acknowledge that Ling Zhan's actions were excessively reckless this time.

"It's not surprising that Ling Zhan chose this path. After all, he is competing for the provincial ranking."

"When it comes to the top 100 in the provincial rankings, aren't they all exceptional individuals? Similar to Ling Zhan, they all rely solely on the secret realm!"

"However, the only difference between them and Ling Zhan is that these divinely favored individuals have already undergone their job change! They have obtained extremely high-level profession-specific skills!"

"Their clearance speed is incredibly fast. If Ling Zhan wishes to secure a place in the top 100 provincially, he cannot afford to rest at this moment."

At that moment...

It was the senior teacher who expressed his understanding in a deep voice.

Afterward, he looked at those students who were eccentric with yin and yang indifferently:

"You can dislike Ling Zhan, or you can think that Ling Zhan is arrogant."

"But you shouldn't despise him!"

"What defines a strong man? Is someone with high combat power and strength worthy of being called a strong man?"

"No! The truly strong are those who dare to challenge the gods with the bodies of ants!"

"You label Ling Zhan's behavior as 'arrogant', but in my eyes, I see a strong man who dares to compete with the sun even in his weakness!"

"Would you dare to climb the peak like Ling Zhan?"

This speech from the veteran teacher resonated like a drum strike, weighing heavily on every student's heart, causing them to bow their heads in shame.

Even the headmaster on the rostrum nodded approvingly.

Even Zhou Yanwang's cold face displayed a smile: "This teacher's words are very profound!"

"A truly strong person possesses the fortitude to break through despite all difficulties and obstacles!"

"If everyone retreats in the face of challenges, and if everyone succumbs to intimidation, how can there be a strong person in this world?"

"Ling Zhan's behavior may seem like a quest for quick success, but in reality, he is driven by a deep-seated aspiration."

"You all know that the inner monsters are more formidable than the outer ones. Could it be that Ling Zhan, as a fresh graduate, is unaware of this?"

"But precisely because he does know, yet he continues to move forward, even at the risk of death, to compete for the ranking in his heart!"

"This is the example we must learn from!"

Zhou Yanwang's words carried the final verdict, solidifying the essence of Ling Zhan's actions.

No one dared to express ridicule or eccentricities towards Ling Zhan's behavior.

"Alright, there's no need for heated discussions here."

"Let's observe how far this first unemployed college entrance examination candidate in history can go in the end."

King Yan of Zhou smiled lightly.

...

The secret realm of the Evil Emperor Desert.

Ling Zhan organized his state as he walked forward.

Everyone could view their own information panel.

[Name: Ling Zhan.]

[Health: 1000/1000.]

[Mana: 490/500 (continuously recovering).]

[Talent: 62.]

[Age: eighteen years old.]

[Race: Human.]

[Level: Level 10.]

[Occupation: None.]

[Strength: 35; Physique: 35; Intelligence: 35; Agility: 35.] (without any equipment or bonus)

[Natal Talent: Equipment Controller (F), Magic Power Controller (E), Almighty (F)]

[Possessed professional skills: Fireball (F+), Freezing (F+), Shield Breaker and Sword Sweep (F+)...]

[Allocable four-dimensional points: 20.]

[Available skill points: 980.]

It can be observed that Ling Zhan's four-dimensional attributes are remarkably balanced in their development.

This is one of the characteristics of a jobless Sanren.

Ordinary students have a well-balanced set of four-dimensional attributes before reaching the job transfer level. Generally, when they reach level ten, all four-dimensional panels are at 10.

After the job change, an additional ten four-dimensional points will be obtained.

If one changes to a mage, then these ten four-dimensional points should mainly be allocated to [intelligence].

If one is a swordsman, the focus would be on [strength] allocation.

And if one is a fighter, the priority should be the allocation of [Physique], as the improvement of physique supports maximum health.

As a fighter and the team's meat shield, increasing health is naturally of utmost importance.

Overall, after the job change, everyone allocates the four-dimensional attribute points to the attributes that align with their profession.

Skill points are used to level up skills.

But some skills cannot be upgraded.

For example, the primary skill of a profession is fixed at level F. Regardless of how many skill points are allocated, it cannot break through level F.

Only occupation-specific skills can be upgraded with skill points.

However, there are also some skills that have an upgrade limit.