Chapter 536: Familiar Faces
Early the next morning.
The reserve area of the Hundred Ghosts Fortress was bustling with activity, even though it was not yet seven o'clock.
All the major dining halls were packed, with everyone eagerly chatting.
Moreover…
these people normally wouldn't be up this early.
For class-changers, morning physical training isn't even considered essential.
Many class-changers even skip physical training altogether.
The reason is simple.
This is a world where attributes matter.
Physical training does not increase your attributes.
Your physical abilities are actually determined by your attributes.
Strength, Intelligence, Stamina, Agility.
These are the main four attributes, also known as the Four Dimensions.
Besides these,
there are other, less regarded attributes like Endurance and Tenacity.
With attributes,
a three-year-old could easily overpower an adult with low attributes.
So for class-changers, physical training isn't necessary; even if they get up in the morning, they focus on combat or skill training instead.
Only someone as unique as Ling Zhan would persist in physical training day after day.
To many people, this physical training seems useless.
But those truly wise would still engage in physical training.
Because the goal of physical training isn't to boost attributes, nor is it for fitness.
It's to help one perfectly adapt to and master their body.
In the dining halls at this moment,
people were already eagerly chatting.
When it reached 8:30,
Whoosh!!
everyone in the dining halls stopped their conversations and headed straight to the Hundred Ghosts Fortress's teleportation area.
At 9:00, the top reserve squads from various nations would return here!
Returning with battle honors!!
So naturally, the squads from various countries came over to welcome them.
Ling Zhan was also among them.
At this moment, everyone's eyes were on Ling Zhan, hoping to read something from his expression.
Unfortunately, Ling Zhan remained as expressionless as ever, showing no reaction.
Soon enough…
nine o'clock arrived.
Buzz!!
A massive spatial ripple emerged right on time from the giant teleportation array.
In the next second…
Whoosh!!
thousands of figures appeared in the center of that giant teleportation array!
These people were all top squads from various countries.
The top squads from weaker nations had members whose strength wasn't particularly impressive, but even in these weaker teams, the lowest level was 85.
And the stronger countries…
had everyone above level 90.
Except for a few third-year academy students who joined for training.
For example…
Norton from the Free Federation,
Li Chaoge from the Dragon Kingdom,
and the princesses Saint Luni and Saint Lucy from the Holy Light Empire.
and so on.
Yes…
you read that right.
These two princesses also chose to train here. When they arrived, they immediately joined the missions, so few noticed their presence.
Aside from these renowned prodigies,
the other top squad members from powerful countries were at least level 90.
The elite members were at least level 95.
Their captains were generally around level 99 or 98.
Not a single captain's level was below 98.
As these thousands of squad members appeared en masse…
the waiting squad members from various countries were first hit by an overwhelming aura of bloodlust!
Clearly,
these elites must have slaughtered on the battlefield, leaving an indelible aura of bloodlust that was intimidating.
"Our Dragon Kingdom's fourth squad captain, Li Changshan, graduated a year ago, level 99, third-tier Priest Grand Sage."
"Free Federation's third squad captain, Stein Daniel, also level 99, third-tier Storm Demon King."
"Fusang Nation's first squad captain Gojo Takako, son of Gojo Fumihiro, the vice-captain of the Ghost-Slaying Team, level 99, third-tier Spirit Spell High Priest."
"Second squad captain Ninomiyazaki, level 98, third-tier Sword Saint."
"Holy Light Empire's fifth squad captain, Saint Gore, cousin of princesses Saint Luni and Saint Lucy, level 99, third-tier Holy Spirit Magister."
"…"
Zhou Xue'er, standing beside Ling Zhan, softly introduced these top squad captains to him.
Ling Zhan nodded silently.
He also recognized some familiar faces.
It was unclear what the higher-ups from various countries were thinking.
They had gathered all these old faces who had participated in the global Beast Battle Tournament and sent them to the Hundred Ghosts Fortress.
For example…
Andy from the Dark Empire,
Lorna from the Forest of Elves,
Albert from the Giant Nation,
and so on.
These were all former opponents who had previously suffered crushing defeats at Ling Zhan's hands.
When these familiar faces saw Ling Zhan, after a moment of surprise, they nodded at him as a greeting.
Ling Zhan nodded back calmly.
"So, you're Ling Zhan?"
At this moment,
the Dragon Kingdom's top squad emerged, and their captain, Li Changshan, walked over with a smile.
"I am."
Ling Zhan nodded.
Even in the presence of this level 99 top squad captain, Ling Zhan remained calm.
"Haha! As expected, just like the legend says—always with that cold demeanor."
Li Changshan turned to Li Chaoge, chuckling.
Li Chaoge, from the moment she emerged from the teleportation array, had been watching Ling Zhan intently.
Beside her stood the nine-tailed sky fox who loved wearing qipao.
"He only acts cold to outsiders."
Li Chaoge corrected the captain's remark.
After speaking,
she stepped forward, stood before Ling Zhan, and gently said, "Long time no see, Ling Zhan."
Ling Zhan nodded, "Long time no see."
"Can we stop chatting? Let's get back and rest already."
"We're exhausted."
At this moment,
a boy standing behind Li Changshan voiced his impatience.
Meanwhile, his gaze was fixed intently on Ling Zhan.
Actually…
he wasn't the only one.
When Li Chaoge walked up to Ling Zhan, many of the boys in the squad frowned.
The nine-tailed sky fox just smiled without saying a word, folding her arms as she watched her clanswoman converse with Ling Zhan.
"Indeed, let's rest first. Tonight, there's a banquet at the most expensive hotel in the Hundred Ghosts Fortress city! My treat!"
"Everyone is invited!"
Li Changshan raised his hand, calling out loudly.
"Ohhhh!!"
Upon hearing this, the crowd burst into cheers.
The most expensive hotel in the Hundred Ghosts Fortress is known for its top-quality ingredients, including some that can even boost attributes.
With someone treating for a banquet, that was definitely a cause for excitement.