Over 120,000 Worth of Elite Talent!

"Congratulations, sir."

Jiang Xiaoci slightly raised the teacup in his hand, as if celebrating with tea in place of wine. "Your efforts were well-placed. You've fought for survival, for the people, and finally received the reward you deserve."

"You guessed it!" Mike was visibly surprised. "I haven't even told you how I managed to get such a high score!"

"Sir, the mechanism had already told us the answer during the first round of evaluations." Jiang Xiaoci gently swirled the tea in his cup and spoke softly, "To achieve something beyond one's limits, that's when the mechanism gives higher praise. It aligns perfectly with what Commander Wang said about the 'test.' It's not about killing us, but about pushing us to transcend."

"Not only did you survive, but you also saved many others who would have perished by the end of the second round. You defied fate and altered destiny. Clearly, that's beyond the limits."

"Though the SS-grade rating..." Jiang Xiaoci paused, a hint of regret in his voice. "It's lower than I expected. It seems we didn't do enough."

"SS grade, and you're still not satisfied?" Mike was dumbfounded. "Are you trying to push me for an SSS-level reward?"

He was stunned. He hadn't expected Jiang Xiaoci's ambitions to surpass even his own. In the second round of the apocalypse, Mike had essentially seized control of Jinling and Xinchang, completing the transformation from an ordinary person to the leader of two cities in the apocalypse. This was a monumental shift in his life, a feat he could scarcely believe he had accomplished.

But even with that, his performance wasn't considered the absolute top-tier in the system's evaluation.

"Seriously, you all are so demanding." Mike shook his head and smiled bitterly. Whether it was Jiang Xiaoci or the system itself, the standards they held were exceptionally high.

"Well, let's use those rewards quickly and get stronger!" Mike was about to activate his rewards when a sudden thought struck him. He paused, noticing the third round apocalypse prompt hadn't appeared yet.

He glanced at the time. It wasn't quite the right moment, and it seemed the evaluation rewards had come earlier than expected.

"Forget it, better to act fast!" Mike shook off the hesitation and prepared to activate his rewards.

Initially, he thought about using the SS-grade grand prize directly, but after a moment's consideration, he changed his mind. "I'll use something else to cushion it first. Not sure if the apocalypse game mechanism has the concept of a 'cushion,' but it at least has the word 'game' in it."

"Let's try to soften the pool a bit first." Mike raised his hand and waved to Lin Yue. "Come over and sit next to me!"

"Me?" Lin Yue was stunned, then looked at Mike, then at Jiang Xiaoci, hesitating.

"Lin Yue, hurry!" Mike urged impatiently, needing Lin Yue's luck-based talent right now.

"Go ahead," Jiang Xiaoci said with a smile and a nod. "The sir is calling you, how can you not listen?"

"Alright..." Lin Yue lowered her head, unwilling to meet Jiang Xiaoci's eyes, as she walked quickly to Mike's side and sat down, her body tense, her fingers nervously entwined.

"Why so nervous today?" Mike couldn't help but notice Lin Yue's unease, but he didn't dwell on it, instead beginning to use his first and second-tier survival points rewards.

The first-tier reward produced a B-grade production item for water generation.

The second-tier reward gave him an A-grade flashlight-like tool that could dispel curses.

"Both rewards are at the highest tier. The luck is working!" Mike thought, though his brows furrowed. "But if the luck is used up now, what if there's no luck left later?"

He was hoping for C and B-grade rewards, at least to build up his luck.

"If I'm aiming for SS-level rewards in talent, then the remaining 12 top-tier rewards must not be specific talent units."

"Right... let's make them all equipment-type rewards. It'll help bolster the gear for my top-tier talents, like Chen Qiuren and Wang Shi, who still lack decent weapons."

Taking a deep breath, Mike immediately used all 12 of the top-tier rewards and specified that they would be equipment-type.

A burst of golden light filled the air, and a series of notifications flooded Mike's screen. As he glanced at them, he couldn't help but break into a grin.

All 12 rewards were B-grade items, with not a single A-grade piece among them! From tech gear to martial arts and magic equipment, there was a wide range.

Upon closer inspection, Mike realized the 12 items were mostly independent; none of them formed a set with enhanced synergies.

This meant... he had essentially "wasted" his luck.

"This is like having all 12 draws go into the pool... now surely the big prize will show up, right?" Mike rubbed his hands together in anticipation. Just as he was about to use his SS-grade reward, he paused.

"Wait, I better prepare first."

Like a man possessed, Mike murmured, grabbing Lin Yue's hand and vigorously rubbing it in his own.

"Sir!" Lin Yue gasped, instinctively trying to pull her hand away.

"Don't pull back! Let me soak up some of your luck!" Mike held on, not letting her go.

Her face turned bright red, and she lowered her head, too embarrassed to look at Jiang Xiaoci. But she could feel his gaze upon her.

Mike didn't stop rubbing Lin Yue's hand until it turned pink. Taking a deep breath, he finally released her hand and solemnly activated the last of his rewards.

"Using the SS-level comprehensive rating reward!"

[You have successfully used the SS-level Comprehensive Rating Reward!]

[Congratulations! You have received an SS-level Talent Unit: The Everlasting Light Sage – Dongfang Zhiyuan!]

With the notification, Mike jumped up in sheer joy.

"It's here! It's here!"

"Finally! This is a talent, I nailed it!"

Mike was ecstatic, and in his excitement, he grabbed Lin Yue and started patting her back in pure joy.

Then he froze.

He noticed Jiang Xiaoci's amused smile, and his eyes widened in realization.

"Oh crap!"

In his excitement, he had accidentally grabbed the wrong person!

Blushing in embarrassment, Mike quickly ran to Jiang Xiaoci's side, planted a kiss on her smooth, soft cheek, and grinned awkwardly.

"Sir, what are you doing?" Jiang Xiaoci asked with a smile, not resisting.

Mike blinked, his grin widening. "Sharing my joy!"

Jiang Xiaoci's lips curved into a satisfied smile. "I can feel it."

Mike chuckled and naturally wrapped his arms around Jiang Xiaoci, before turning his attention to the living room.

A golden light swirled in the center, slowly undulating. It wasn't as radiant and overwhelming as when Wang Shi appeared, but there was something captivating about it, like a golden-black hole drawing in everything around it. The light didn't seem eager to change, yet Mike felt entranced by its pull.

It was only when Jiang Xiaoci gently tapped his arm that Mike snapped out of his trance.

"How long is this recruitment process going to take?"

He muttered to himself, frowning, as he opened the information panel for his newly acquired SS-level talent.

Mike's eyes widened in shock as he read through Dongfang Zhiyuan's data.

"Is this... is this even real?"

"Is this some kind of ultra-legendary powerhouse?!"

The talent had a mind-boggling rating of over 120,000! Even though he possessed immense wisdom, his combat prowess was off the charts.

Mike shook his head in disbelief. This wasn't just a scholar—it was a god-tier warrior.

And he was holding a lamp!