Chapter 72: Chapter 70: A Hot Commodity in the Eyes of the Knight Students

Furthermore, being bound to a Wizard was equivalent to having a powerful backer.

Throughout history, there had been no shortage of followers who won a Wizard’s favor. Their entire families would benefit, their influence would expand rapidly, and they would become prosperous Knight Clans that thrived for dozens of generations.

It was the perfect example of one person’s success bringing prosperity to their entire family.

For this reason, many Knights flocked at the chance to become a Wizard’s follower.

The students of the major Knight Academies were naturally no exception.

When word spread that this encirclement operation would involve teaming up with Third-level Wizard Apprentices from High Tower Academy, many people took a keen interest.

If they could use this opportunity to build a good relationship with a Third-level Wizard Apprentice of immense potential, they might get priority to become that person’s follower once they were promoted to a full Wizard.

Quite a few Knight Students had this idea. They had already used various channels to inquire about the Third-level Wizard Apprentices participating in this operation beforehand.

Under these circumstances, Pei Ze naturally stood out from the rest.

The top first-year at High Tower Academy, first place in this year’s new student trial, a Third-level Wizard Apprentice at only sixteen, and blessed with an outstanding talent for alchemy. He was even the disciple of Mo Weng, the renowned Tier Five Alchemist of Chenxi City!

His list of accomplishments was simply dazzling!

There might have been other Third-level Wizard Apprentices in the operation who were stronger than Pei Ze, but when it came to potential, he was the undisputed number one.

For a genius like him, becoming a Wizard was practically a foregone conclusion. His future achievements would be limitless.

He was, without a doubt, an excellent choice to follow!

In an instant, Pei Ze became the most sought-after prize in everyone’s eyes.

Long before Pei Ze even arrived, the overt and covert struggles among the Knight Students had already begun. Nearly every student who considered themselves strong enough was straining to become Pei Ze’s companion for the operation.

The dozen or so people now stepping forward to offer their services were the result of that struggle.

As for the students who were only Basic or Middle Grand Knights, they weren’t qualified to step forward. They stayed back, watching the chosen dozen with envious eyes.

Pei Ze finally understood what was going on. He turned and asked Gu Lin in a low voice, "If we form a team, how are the contribution points distributed?"

Gu Lin replied in a low voice, "They have a separate reward system. All contribution points earned during the operation go to the Wizard Apprentice."

Pei Ze nodded, understanding.

’If that’s the case, having two more Senior Grand Knight-level fighters wouldn’t be a bad thing.’

A glint in his eye, Pei Ze discreetly used the Eye of Omniscience to inspect the intelligence on each person’s strength.

With his current spiritual fortitude, inspecting a Senior Grand Knight cost less than a single point of his Spiritual Power.

Inspecting the whole group cost him less than ten points of Spiritual Power in total.

Two of them caught his attention.

One was Su Ya, the first to speak up. Her physique attribute was 58, which barely placed her in the top five of the group—not the most outstanding.

However, her Spirit attribute was a high 17.4, almost reaching the standard for a Second-level Wizard Apprentice.

Even for a Senior Grand Knight, that level of Spiritual Power was abnormally high.

’I’m curious why Su Ya chose the path of a Knight. With her aptitude, she could have at least become a Third-level Wizard Apprentice if she’d enrolled in a Wizard Academy.’

The second person who caught Pei Ze’s eye was a male Knight Student, a veritable iron tower of a man standing over two meters tall, with an incredibly burly and sturdy build.

He exuded a savage aura, yet his face had a simple, honest look to it. His expression and mannerisms were the same, creating a striking contrast.

His physique attribute was also the highest in the group: a full 68 points. This far surpassed the 50-point benchmark for a Senior Grand Knight, putting him just one step away from becoming a Peak Grand Knight.

Thoughts raced through his mind. Pei Ze quickly made his decision and raised a hand.

At this gesture, the dozen or so Knight Students immediately fell silent, their eyes fixed on him with anticipation.

Meeting their gazes, Pei Ze nodded gently toward Su Ya and the big man. "Su Ya, Peng Yan," he said with a smile, "I’d be happy to team up with you."

At his words, the rest of the group looked crestfallen. Only Su Ya and Peng Yan showed expressions of delighted surprise.

"You’re too kind, Sir Pei Ze. The honor is all mine!" Su Ya’s lovely eyes sparkled as she gazed at him, a sweet smile gracing her face.

Peng Yan’s face flushed red. He wrung his hands, and it took him a moment to remember to echo Su Ya’s sentiment.

"Y-Yes, that’s right."

One of the others, unwilling to give up, stepped forward. "Sir Pei Ze—"

But Pei Ze cut him off with a wave of his hand before he could finish.

"Thank you all for the consideration. I hope we’ll have a chance to work together in the future."

Pei Ze’s tone was mild, but his expression held an unmistakable resolve. The others exchanged glances before reluctantly dispersing.

A few of the more astute Knight Students, however, quickly made their way toward Gu Lin.

’The second-ranked first-year at High Tower Academy. He’s also an excellent choice.’

"Sir."

Su Ya and Peng Yan came to stand before Pei Ze.

Pei Ze looked Peng Yan up and down for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Do you have barbarian blood in you?"

Peng Yan froze for a second, then nodded with some embarrassment. "Yes, sir. My mother was a barbarian. I’m half-barbarian."

Pei Ze understood.

’No wonder Peng Yan’s aura feels a bit impure. And no wonder he’s on the verge of becoming a Peak Grand Knight at such a young age.’

Barbarians were known for their powerful physiques. At the same level, a barbarian’s physical prowess completely eclipsed that of a human Knight.

If it weren’t for the combat techniques that came with their Breathing Techniques, human Knights would be no match for barbarians of the same rank.

However, while his barbarian bloodline allowed Peng Yan’s physique to develop rapidly, it also significantly reduced his compatibility with human Breathing Techniques.

He could forget about practicing any Mid-to-High Level Breathing Techniques. He could only manage a Basic Breathing Technique, which lacked any associated combat skills. He likely had no hope of ever becoming a Legendary Knight in his lifetime; Peak Grand Knight was probably his absolute limit.

’No wonder the other Knight Students look at him with a hint of contempt, even though he’s the strongest one here.’

Peng Yan cautiously watched Pei Ze’s expression, a worried look in his eyes. He was terrified that Pei Ze, upon learning of his barbarian heritage, would kick him off the team.

’After all, a follower who’s fated to never become a Legendary Knight is worthless to a genius like Pei Ze.’

But to his surprise, Pei Ze merely gave a slight nod and said nothing more.

In truth, Pei Ze really didn’t care.

’The only thing limiting Peng Yan from becoming a Legendary Knight is the lack of a suitable Breathing Technique.’

’But for me, that’s not a problem at all.’

’The Eye of Omniscience can definitely modify a Breathing Technique to suit Peng Yan’s cultivation and break his current limitations.’

Pei Ze decided to observe Peng Yan for a while. If he proved to have potential, then after Pei Ze became a Wizard and signed a follower contract with him, he would tailor a Breathing Technique specifically for Peng Yan.

"And you?" Pei Ze then turned to Su Ya. "Do you also have a non-human bloodline?"

Su Ya’s face flushed slightly. "I have a one-quarter Succubus Bloodline from my grandmother," she said.

Pei Ze was speechless.

’Some guys really are wild... to think someone actually managed to have children with a succubus?’

’But what’s even more shocking is that they actually succeeded.’

Most succubi, after all, evolved step-by-step from Abyssal Worms. A rare few were transformed from human souls by powerful Demon Lords. He had never heard of a succubus being born through natural reproduction.

’And logically speaking, succubi shouldn’t even have the ability to procreate.’

’Could she be the product of some Wizard’s experiment?’

Pei Ze was both curious and confused.

Still, this explained why Su Ya’s Spiritual Power was so abnormally high.

Succubi were a demonic race skilled in Illusion Techniques. It wasn’t surprising that with one-quarter Succubus Bloodline, Su Ya’s Spirit would naturally develop faster than a pure-blooded human’s.

Of course, this didn’t mean she possessed the aptitude to be a Wizard.

High spiritual growth from one’s bloodline and innate magical aptitude were two entirely different things.

’The two Knight Students I picked both have non-human bloodlines. I’m not sure if I should call that good luck or bad.’

’The Eye of Omniscience’s detection abilities could still use some improvement. It would be a lot more convenient if it could reveal a target’s bloodline, too.’