30-The True Strength of Gold-Rank.

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The golden cloud moved swiftly, arriving above Tianfu High School in mere moments.

At the entrance of Tianfu High School, the golden cloud slowly descended.

Old Man Wang spoke to the other two:

"You two take these kids to arrange their dorms. It's the same few spots every year—you know the drill. I need to have a good talk with this little guy."

Without waiting for their response, Old Man Wang grabbed Su Mo and marched straight into the security office.

With a loud bang, the doors and windows were shut tight.

The two who had wanted to eavesdrop outside shook their heads helplessly and led their noble family youths deeper into the campus.

Inside the small security room, Old Man Wang sat down casually, pulled out a thermos, added a few goji berries, and only then turned to Su Mo:

"Spit it out."

Su Mo blinked, confused. "Spit what out?"

Two veins bulged on Old Man Wang's forehead, and his hand paused mid-motion as he added the goji berries.

[Bang!]

He slammed the thermos onto the table:

"You caused such a huge mess, and you're asking me what?!"

"Are you asking about me soloing the hell-level Wild Boar Forest dungeon or killing that Gold-rank guy?"

Old Man Wang fell silent for a moment. He fished a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, lit one, and exhaled a slow plume of smoke, seemingly calming himself down.

After taking another deep drag, he said:

"We'll get to the Wild Boar Forest later. Tell me how you killed Yin Lianshan—the Gold-rank old man you chopped down."

Su Mo paused, organizing his thoughts briefly before speaking:

"The Silver Wolf Guild folks came looking for trouble, so I killed them. Then this old guy popped out of nowhere, ambushed me from behind.

He hit me with a combo that nearly sent me to the earth's core. I seized an opening, rushed him, and took him out with two slashes."

[Crack!]

Old Man Wang's thermos warped in his grip, and the corner of his mouth twitched, eerily reminiscent of his earlier fake heart attack.

"I want the details!"

Su Mo frowned. "Wasn't that the details?"

"I'm asking how you survived a Gold-rank's attacks! And how you broke through his defenses!

Sure, that guy was a mage, so his defense wasn't top-tier, but his defense attribute was still over 2,000 points. With some defensive gear, it'd be at least 2,500.

And as a mage, his mental attribute broke past 10,000 points! How did you stay alive under his assault?!"

Su Mo was stunned by this. He hadn't realized the old man he'd killed had a single attribute exceeding 10,000 points.

Was Gold-rank really that strong?!

Seeing Su Mo's silence, Old Man Wang pressed on:

"This is serious. If you don't explain clearly, the consequences will be severe. Think it over."

"There's nothing to think about. My awakened ability lets me ignore all damage for a short time. No matter how high his mental attribute was, it didn't affect me!"

Old Man Wang's hand trembled slightly as he held the thermos, though his expression remained stern:

"Then how did you break through his defenses?!"

"I've got a skill I got from killing the Wild Boar Forest boss. It lets me burst out with triple my strength instantly."

Old Man Wang frowned:

"Triple strength? So what? Your strength attribute can't be more than 200 points tops. Triple that is just 600.

With 600 strength, you think you can break through a Gold-rank with over 2,000 defense? Do you take me for a senile old fool?"

"My strength attribute is 1,008 points right now."

Su Mo's tone was calm, but his words hit like a bolt from the blue. Old Man Wang's thermos slipped, spilling hot water all over him.

He didn't even notice his soaked clothes, jumping to his feet in shock:

"What did you say?! 1,000 strength points?! Are you sure you're telling the truth?!"

Su Mo nodded calmly. Old Man Wang stepped closer and said:

"Come on, hit me with a punch—full power!"

Su Mo felt a strange sense of déjà vu. Hadn't someone just said this to him not long ago?

Oh, right—it was Teacher Wang. No wonder—father and son, carved from the same mold.

Seeing Su Mo hesitate, Old Man Wang grew impatient:

"I said hit me, so hit me! Stop dawdling—are you a man or not?

What, you think you can hurt me? I'm a close-combat awakened—my defense attribute's over 8,000!

Even barehanded, even with your skills, you might not scratch me!"

Su Mo was shocked again. This balding Old Man Wang was that tough?!

Over 8,000 defense points—and not even a defensive-type awakened?

"I know you're confused, but first, let me see your strength. Then I'll decide whether to tell you more."

Hearing this, Su Mo didn't hesitate any longer. He swung his arm and threw a fierce punch.

Old Man Wang took it head-on with his body, showing no sign of harm. This old guy was terrifyingly strong.

On the surface, Old Man Wang seemed unfazed, but inside, a storm was raging.

Level 8 with 1,000 strength points and the ability to ignore all damage for a short time.

Even Chu Bawang, the God-rank Chu from back in the day, couldn't have been this monstrous at that level, right?

Could it be that Tianfu City was about to produce a powerhouse surpassing Chu God?!

Despite these thoughts, his face remained composed. He sat back down, chuckling lightly at Su Mo's astonished look:

"You're wondering why there's such a huge gap between Gold-ranks, aren't you?"

Su Mo nodded, staying silent.

"Here's the thing—Gold-rank has the widest power disparity of any tier.

Even the weakest awakened, upon reaching Gold-rank, will have at least one attribute break past 10,000 points.

At the peak of Gold-rank, that attribute could multiply tenfold. But that's still too far off for you.

What I'm telling you is this: don't think that killing one Gold-rank means you truly have Gold-rank strength.

So, if you run into Gold-ranks later, avoid them if you can.

Your defense ability isn't invincible—it's only temporary.

Once that time's up, an enemy could kill you in an instant. Got it?"

Su Mo nodded, though inwardly he didn't care much. Was his ability really just short-term defense?

Seeing Su Mo agree, Old Man Wang smiled with satisfaction:

"This mess you caused is pretty big. Before the college entrance exams, you're not allowed to leave the city again.

Also, I hope you don't break past Level 10 before becoming the top scorer—it'll benefit you greatly!"

As for why he was so sure Su Mo would be the top scorer?

With the strength this kid was showing, if he didn't take first place, Old Man Wang would fight the exam proctors himself.

There'd have to be some damn cheating going on!!!

…

On the way to the Great Xia Chamber of Commerce, Su Mo mulled over what kind of skill he needed while pondering Old Man Wang's parting words.

"Sir, what would you like to purchase?"

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