The audience missed Anos''s sly move, their attention captivated by his blistering pace as he charged toward his next opponent.


    Sofia''s curiosity shifted from Anos''s cultivation level to the mysterious method behind his extraordinary strength and speed.


    "How did he achieve such an immense boost at the Qi Building Stage nine-star or even ten-star level?" she wondered.


    Was it a martial technique? If so, it would be astounding. Such a significant enhancement would require at least a Mystic five-star martial technique.


    The oue was utterly unexpected. The crowd anticipated a crushing defeat for Anos, but instead, he single-handedly annihted his eleven opponents.


    It wasn''t that theycked opportunities to unleash their martial arts techniques, spiritual power, or elemental abilities. However, Anos proved unstoppable, shattering free from the vines like an unbridled force.


    The number one expert, Ethan, unleashed his full strength through his martial arts techniques, only to be sent flying instantaneously.


    The disparity was staggering. Anos operated on apletely different level, rendering his opponents'' efforts futile.


    The audience was stunned, not only by Anos''s formidablebat strength but also by his remarkable realm. How could a neer to the Sky Martial Court already possess Qi Building Realm ten-star prowess?


    This was the benchmark for advancing to the elite ss! Was Anos truly a genius?


    But why had he participated in the assessment at such an advanced level? This contradictory fact had earned him thebel of "trash" from his peers.


    Yet, could someone dubbed "trash" single-handedly defeat the top ten intermediate-ss students?n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    As Anos and Amelia stood alone in the arena, the crowd fell silent, struggling to process their emotions.


    "Ding... Detected adoration from 41dies. Scumbag Value + 57,000."


    Anos turned to Amelia, shing a captivating smile that hinted at his mischievous intentions. His eyes sparkled with amusement, and his voice dripped with charm.


    "Amelia, I couldn''t possibly harm you," he said, his voice low and gentle,ced with a hint of yful teasing. "Hit me down, and you''ll win! Even if I conquer the world, I''ll never conquer you."


    "Ding... The host''s sweet words have an effect on the little sister. Scumbag Value + 10,000."


    Amelia''s face remained flushed, still reeling from Anos''s daring pinch earlier. She shook her head, her long hair swaying gently, as she whispered, "I''m not your opponent!" The admission of defeat was clear in her voice.


    With that, she turned and departed the stage, leaving Anos victorious and the audience in awe. The crowd buzzed with excitement, whispering among themselves about the unexpected turn of events.


    Anos scanned the crowd, his gaze challenging anyone to step forward. "Is there anyone else?" he asked, his voice echoing through the silence.


    The crowd remained still, their faces pale and awestruck. The top ten expert, once formidable, nowy defeated and humiliated.


    "Is anyone elseing?" Anos''s tone dripped with sarcasm. "Do you think anyone else would dare?"


    The silence stretched, oppressive and heavy.


    Finally, Anos turned to Sofia. "Miss Sofia, can we announce the results now?"


    Sofia nodded slightly, a hint of a smile on her lips.


    "Then, I hereby announce that the first ce of this Intermediate ss Grand Competition is Anos," she dered, her voice clear and authoritative. "The rankings of the others remain unchanged."


    ....


    Suddenly, the Beginner ss erupted in thunderous apuse! Despite their reservations about Anos, his triumph as a Beginner ss student in the Intermediate ss Grand Competition brought unprecedented pride to their ranks.


    For too long, Beginner ss students had endured condescension and bullying from their Intermediate ss counterparts. Now, Anos''s victory had flipped the script.


    In an instant, he became the most celebrated figure in Orchid Flower Academy, his name on everyone''s lips.


    In the distance, two mysterious figures, one d in white and the other in ck, withdrew their gaze. "Did you notice anything?" the ravishing girl in ck asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.


    "Noticed what?" the girl in white replied, her expression unreadable. "It''s clearly a martial arts technique that enhances attributes. Its rank is considerable."


    The girl in ck chuckled, her voice husky. "How boring. Such an attention-grabbing young man, and yet you''re not intrigued." She shook her head, tsking softly.


    Her gaze drifted toward Anos, and she murmured to herself, "Anos, an unknown talent once deemed trash, now a Qi Building Stage martial artist of at least ten stars. He defeated over ten arrogant Young Masters from the Intermediate ss. Did he venture into the Monstrous Beast Territory and y a powerful beast to achieve this rapid growth, or was he hiding his true strength all along?


    But if he was concealing his abilities, why?"


    ...


    As Anos left the stage, the crowd''s gaze followed him, awestruck by his unprecedented victory. With an air of confidence, he strode toward Sofia.


    "Miss Sofia, my mission is aplished. You must keep your promise," Anos said, his eyes sparkling with triumph.


    Sofia tucked a stray lock behind her ear, a hint of a smile on her lips. "Of course, I''ll grant you a spot in the Martial Assembly."


    Anos shook his head, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "That''s not what I''m referring to."


    Sofia''s curiosity was piqued. "Then what is it?"


    Anos''s eyes twinkled. "You promised that if I won, I''d get a photo of you. Hehe."


    Sofia''s cheeks flushed, and she yfully rolled her eyes.


    Then,Sofia remained silent for a moment before producing a thick stack of photos from her bag. They appeared to be printed long ago. She tossed the first photo at Anos.


    "I said there''d be a photo, but I didn''t say it would be a recent one," she said with a sly smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief.


    With that, Sofia sashayed away, leaving Anos stunned.


    Anos examined the photo, now disheveled from the wind. His eyes widened in surprise.


    The photo depicted an anime character with a striking resemnce to Sofia - same piercing emerald eyes and raven-ck hair. However, this illustration showcased Sofia''s namesake in a sultry pose:


    - The anime Sofia wore a fitted, red leather jacket, entuating her curves.


    - Her ck mini-skirt hugged her thighs, revealing toned legs.


    - A pair of knee-high boots added to her allure.


    - Her hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall of night.


    A ck marker scribble read "Sofia" with an arrow pointing to the character, apanied by a winking face.


    Anos''s thoughts raced. "This is the reward she promised the top ten students?"


    He nced around, noticing the crowd''s envious gazes.


    "Sofia''s photo... damn!" Anos eximed, shaking his head in amusement.


    ..


    Anos waved the photo and shouted, "Selling a rare, first-hand photo of Sky Martial Court''s stunning teacher, Miss Sofia! Only twenty photos exist among the beginner and intermediate sses, and I''m selling one. Firste, first served!"


    Sofia, who hadn''t gone far, stumbled upon hearing Anos''s words. "This bastard!" she muttered.


    The hormone-fueled students were momentarily stunned, then rushed over like a swarm of bees.


    "I''ll buy it!" one yelled.


    "I want it!" another chimed in.


    "Don''t push! It''s mine! Mine!" they mored.


    These students saw the photo as a status symbol. They''d unt it to their friends, pretending Sofia was their girlfriend. How pretentious!


    Anos sold the photo to a wealthy intermediate-ss student for three thousand yuan. As he handed over the photo, the buyer''s expression changed.


    "Brother, what''s this?" he asked, confusion etched on his face.


    Anos smiled calmly. "Miss Sofia, of course. Don''t you see her signature?"


    The buyer''s eyes widened. "Damn!" He erupted intoughter. "Hahaha..."


    Anos pocketed the three thousand yuan, grinning. "Sofia''s a sly one," he thought. "She manipted the students, but didn''t expect the photo to be fake – just a printed copy of her signature."


    Later that afternoon, Anos continued training in the virtualbat chamber. Before school ended, Sofia appeared, a hint of amusement in her eyes.


    "As thepetition champion, this is your reward," she said, handing Anos a exquisite jade pendant.


    "What is this?" Anos asked, his eyes widening as he epted the jade pendant.


    "Take it with you," Sofia instructed, her expression serious. "It''s for self-defense. This pendant can block an eight-star Spirit Focus attack, potentially saving your life in a critical moment."


    Anos''s gaze locked onto the pendant, awe and gratitude swelling within him. "Thank you, Sofia. This is an incredible gift."


    Sofia''s lips curved into a subtle smile. "You''ve earned it, champion. Remember, stay vignt. The martial world can be treacherous."