A heart of Indifference!

At that moment, Gabriel noticed the crowd's enthusiastic reaction and added, "Not only do many of you have your doubts, but I too find it hard to believe that he achieved first place in the speed assessment solely through his own abilities. After all, most of you present possess greater talent than he does, and..."

Link's heart sank. Gabriel's relentless rambling was clearly an attempt to confuse the crowd, subtly pushing him into opposition with everyone else!

He could not allow him to continue!

With that thought, Link stood up and stepped directly in front of Gabriel. "Link! What do you think you're doing?" Gabriel exclaimed, startled, and quickly reprimanded him. But Link paid him no mind and addressed the surrounding competitors, saying, "I am Link!"

"Oh? So it's him—the one who unleashed that 'toxic gas spell' and nearly took me down!"

Among the crowd, there were still many competitors who did not know who Link was! However, as Link stepped forward, some of those who had previously obstructed him suddenly realized!

Gabriel's expression hardened as he stepped forward again, blocking Link's path, and declared loudly, "Link, stop trying to deny it! With your talent and experience, it's impossible for you to surpass the 'Three Radiant Ones' and claim first in the 'Speed Assessment.' You clearly achieved this rank through cheating!"

"You shameless old fool! Many of the competitors here have seen me in the 'Thunderstorm Magic Array.' Have your ears grown to your backside?" Link pointed at the murmuring crowd below, mercilessly berating him!

"You bastard! How dare you speak to me like that?" Gabriel's face twitched in disbelief; he never expected Link to insult him so openly in front of everyone, and the harshness of the words nearly sent him into a rage!

But after Link finished his tirade, he turned away, too indifferent to spare Gabriel another glance. Instead, he performed a formal noble bow to the crowd. "Dear friends, I'm sure many of you have seen me in the Thunderstorm Magic Array. Now, this old scoundrel Gabriel is trying to make things difficult for me. I wonder if any of you would be willing to come forward and testify on my behalf? I, Link, promise that there will be generous rewards afterward!"

This time, Link was unusually serious, and there was no hint of jest in his words.

"Link, I am willing to testify for you!" Suddenly, a melodious voice rang out, and it was Erin who stepped forward first, standing firmly by Link's side!

"Erin, thank you!" A gentle glimmer flashed in Link's eyes; for the first time, he addressed Erin without the formal title of "Miss."

However, the rest of the crowd fell silent, the mountaintop so quiet that one could hear a pin drop!

Expressions of amusement, sympathy, disdain, contempt, and schadenfreude filled the faces of the onlookers. Out of over a thousand competitors who had passed the assessment, not a single person besides Erin was willing to testify for Link!

Gabriel laughed! And Link's heart sank to the depths of despair! It was only then that he truly understood what a heart of indifference meant! These people were all waiting to see him make a fool of himself! They were all hoping for his downfall!

The unspoken malice filled the mountaintop, making Link's gaze grow colder and his heart chillier! Finally, Gabriel laughed heartily and could not resist taunting, "Link, do you have anything left to say? Only one person is willing to testify for you, and we agreed on ten! You still need nine more!"

Link fell silent, momentarily at a loss for words! He recalled how, on the mountain path, those people had attacked and obstructed him, and he had merely cast a spell to block them, not resorting to outright violence!

In truth, with his strength, he could have easily dealt with anyone who dared to hinder him! But whether it was the remnants of his past life or an inherent kindness, Link had chosen not to do so! It was only now that he realized how naïve he had been! The people before him were all waiting to see his misfortune, eager to witness his tragic end, as if he were merely a clown, utterly insignificant and unworthy of anyone's sympathy!

"Link, you worthless cheat! At this point, what more can you say?" Gabriel waved his hand, and several instructors from the Imperial Academy of Cultivation emerged from nowhere, stepping forward as if to restrain Link!

"Hmph! Do you really think the gold from our Imperial Academy of Cultivation is so easily obtained?" Even within the depths of the Academy's magic tower, the headmaster Morton and vice-principal Crude wore relieved smiles, believing victory was already in their grasp!

Meanwhile, Link had quietly begun to channel his magic, preparing to unleash his full power and summon all the undead creatures, ready to sever ties with the Imperial Academy of Cultivation!

At that critical moment, a familiar voice suddenly echoed in Link's heart. "Master!"