SSS Grade Saint Knight - Chapter 112

Chapter 112: First Stage Ends! Zhou Yi is First!

TL: Etude Translations

On Blue Star, the equipment tiers for professionals were commonly divided into Bronze, Silver, Gold, Epic, and Legendary.

However, beneath Bronze, there was actually another tier—equipment that wasn’t even qualified for ranking, commonly known as White-grade equipment.

White-grade equipment had attributes so negligible that they were almost nonexistent. Even the lowest Bronze-tier equipment could completely outclass it in terms of attribute boosts.

The New Student Competition was tied to future ranking sequences and resource allocation.

Even the slightest attribute boost seemed immensely important, and everyone was desperate to equip their best gear in hopes of achieving better results.

Yet Zhou Yi participated in the competition wearing nothing but White-grade equipment.

If this had happened before the competition began, people would have dismissed it as arrogance.

But now, seeing his extraordinarily short clearance time and recalling the terrifying strength he displayed in the dungeon…

Entering the dungeon wearing White-grade equipment could only mean one thing—an immense confidence in his own strength.

“That may be true, but isn’t this a bit too exaggerated?”

“The other freshmen are all wearing full sets of Silver-tier equipment, with some heirs of noble families even boasting full sets of Gold-tier gear. Their most important weapons are even Epic- or Legendary-tier!”

“In other words, just in terms of equipment, Zhou Yi is lagging behind other freshmen by several dozen attribute points!”

“Yet even so, he still crushed everyone, clearing the dungeon first. Just how high must his four-dimensional attributes be…”

The crowd was in awe.

In the 28 years of the New Student Competition, there had never been a freshman so audacious as to compete in White-grade equipment.

Now, not only had Zhou Yi done just that, but he also became the first to clear the dungeon!

This truly was… unbelievable.

“Wait, something’s not right about his level either… He’s actually level 19?!”

At this moment, someone else used an appraisal technique to uncover Zhou Yi’s level.

“Level 19? That’s impossible. During the college entrance exams in Suhang Province, Zhou Yi was only level 13. Even clearing an Abyss-level dungeon wouldn’t raise him by six levels!”

“Shit, but he really is level 19!”

The crowd, after confirming Zhou Yi’s level through appraisal, looked as if they had seen a ghost.

What did level 19 signify?

Some sophomores still hadn’t reached level 19!

“By the way, when he claimed the clearance reward in the dungeon earlier, there was only one flash of upgrade light.”

“This means he was already level 18 before entering the dungeon…”

“I heard he left the school immediately after registering. Could he have been hunting magical beasts?”

“Damn! That’s actually possible! But leveling up five times in just a month through hunting? That’s insane!”

Looking at the tall figure standing straight and calm, waiting for the remaining freshmen to return, the crowd was utterly stunned.

…

…

“He’s wearing White-grade equipment? I didn’t notice earlier.”

“Heh, taking first place while wearing White-grade gear—this has never happened in the history of Suhang University, has it?”

On the ceremonial platform, many instructors were also discussing this.

Equipment was undeniably important for a professional.

A good set of equipment could even turn the tide in critical moments.

Taking first place with only White-grade equipment demonstrated that Zhou Yi was undeniably powerful.

Of course…

This was based on his results.

Had Zhou Yi not claimed first place but instead taken second or third, he would’ve been labeled as arrogant.

“The default reward for the top-ranked freshman after registration is 1,000 credits. He couldn’t possibly be unable to afford a set of Gold-tier equipment,” Wu Mang said, frowning.

Gold-tier equipment was expensive, but 1,000 credits were more than enough to purchase a full set, with some to spare.

“Not only that,” Su Mei added. “He also earned 300 credits for defeating Liu Jing at the Special Admissions Meeting. Zhou Yi should have had 1,300 credits.”

Her clear and bright phoenix eyes revealed a trace of doubt.

In her impression, Zhou Yi was very steady. It was unlikely he wouldn’t purchase equipment when he had sufficient credits.

“I know something about this,” Principal Wang Hui said unexpectedly.

“His previous set of equipment was likely completely destroyed in battle. Repairing it would’ve cost as much as buying a new set.”

“Moreover, he was already level 18 before entering the dungeon. With the remaining credits, it would’ve been impossible to buy a full set of Gold-tier equipment suitable for level 18.”

“So, he only chose to purchase a weapon.”

Zhou Yi was undeniably bold.

And his confidence in his strength was remarkable.

But that was understandable. For someone who had single-handedly annihilated the entire Flame Demon Legion, the New Student Competition was nothing more than child’s play.

Had it not been for the necessity of securing resource allocations through the competition, it was uncertain if he would’ve participated at all.

Thinking of this, Wang Hui’s gaze flickered.

Just based on the “God’s Hand” unleashed in the additional stage, it was clear—this Zhou Yi was indeed an extraordinary talent.

“Equipment completely destroyed?”

Dean of the War College, Wu Mang, couldn’t help but pause in surprise.

Gold-grade equipment was incredibly durable. It was nearly impossible for same-tier enemies to destroy same-tier equipment.

To destroy such gear, it had to involve exceptionally brutal, cross-tier battles.

Exceptionally brutal battles…

It seemed Zhou Yi had experienced far more in this past month than anyone had imagined.

Wu Mang pondered, his expression briefly showing doubt.

But why did the principal know such detailed information about Zhou Yi?

As if reading his confusion, Wang Hui smiled and said:

“This matter concerns us as well. After the New Student Competition concludes, I will convene a meeting to discuss it thoroughly.”

Convene a meeting?

Could Zhou Yi’s situation really have such far-reaching implications?

…

…

Time passed slowly.

On Training Ground No. 1, the thirty projected screens continually shifted between scenes.

At this point, whether they had chosen Nightmare difficulty or Abyss difficulty, all the freshmen had entered the additional stage, confronting the resurrecting Bear Monster Wraiths.

These were geniuses from across the country.

Although the wraiths were immune to physical damage, everyone had ways to launch effective attacks.

For instance, Sharpshooters loaded enchanted bullets, each shot stripping away a significant amount of black mist from the Bear Monster Wraiths.

Or Zhongxia-exclusive professions like Spirit Masters, who pulled out numerous talismans and flung them around as if they cost nothing.

The results were evident. The Bear Monster Wraiths were subdued and pressed to the ground.

Although the battles were exciting, over time, they began to feel repetitive.

“So slow! It’s just the same tactics over and over! That Sharpshooter has been sliding back and forth for several minutes and has only managed to eliminate the wraith’s first life. By the time he gets to the second life, he might run out of mana!”

“Exactly! The performances of the top freshmen are still worth watching, but the others are downright unbearable!”

“Agreed! Zhou Yi’s battles are so much more thrilling.”

At this moment, many turned their attention to the tall, solitary figure standing on the field.

His swift and fierce combat style in the dungeon had left a deep impression on them.

And, of course…

That final, earth-shaking “Giant Hand” was indescribably satisfying!

…

…

Because of the monstrous Bear Monster Wraiths, some of the lower-ranked freshmen couldn’t endure and withdrew first.

Upon seeing Zhou Yi standing alone on the field, they weren’t surprised.

They assumed he was another freshman who had exited early, just like them.

Gradually, more and more freshmen abandoned the additional stage and exited the dungeon.

The number of people gathered on the field continued to grow.

Buzz~~~

At that moment, a fiery red-haired figure appeared through the teleportation array at the entrance to the Silver Secret Realm.

“7 minutes, 12 seconds! Well done, Young Master Shen!” a male freshman who had been waiting nearby exclaimed excitedly.

Shen Lingfeng nodded, his eyes scanning the crowd. He quickly spotted Zhou Yi among them.

It seemed the latter had been standing near the area for some time already.

“Did he fail to clear the additional stage and exit early?”

That would make sense. Wasting an entire month, there was no way he could have cleared the Abyss-level additional stage.

Shen Lingfeng shook his head, withdrew his gaze, and returned to his original position.

Not long after…

A slender figure carrying an ancient longsword on her back also appeared at the Silver Secret Realm gate.

Her delicate face and graceful figure drew envy from some girls and caused the blood of some male students to surge, prompting them to quickly avert their gazes.

Upon exiting the dungeon, Jiang Churan quickly noticed Zhou Yi in the distance.

Unlike Shen Lingfeng, she had witnessed Zhou Yi’s strength firsthand and knew he had cleared the stage faster than herself.

“Brother Zhou Yi cleared the stage even faster than me, as expected.”

With a charming smile, Jiang Churan strode toward him with long, confident steps.

Time passed quickly. Soon, all the students participating in the New Student Competition had exited the Bear Monster dungeon and gathered on the training field.

Some, severely injured, were taken away by the waiting medical team for treatment.

For those injured, the second phase of the New Student Competition was essentially out of reach.

With all the freshmen present, Wu Mang stood up from his seat on the ceremonial platform.

He stepped to the front and announced:

“The first stage of the New Student Competition is officially over. Next, the clearance times and rankings will be announced!”

Buzz~~~

Under the projection of the drones, a massive leaderboard listing the clearance times and rankings of all the freshmen slowly materialized in the air:

[First Place: Zhou Yi, dungeon clearance time: 12 minutes 16 seconds, additional stage clearance time: 1 minute 12 seconds]

[Second Place: Jiang Churan, dungeon clearance time: 13 minutes 35 seconds, additional stage clearance time: 6 minutes 42 seconds]

[Third Place: Shen Lingfeng, dungeon clearance time: 14 minutes 23 seconds, additional stage clearance time: 7 minutes 12 seconds]

…