When the Twisted Time Domain collapsed, Jiang He reappeared in the school square and reunited with the other students.
At this moment, only ten short minutes had passed in real time.
Perhaps because he had changed profession to Inspirer, Jiang He's affinity with time had been stimulated, making him more sensitive to changes in the 「concept of time」.
He clearly perceived that at the instant he exited the Twisted Time Domain, a 「difference」 appeared between his 「own time」 and 「real time」, producing 「conflict」 and 「annihilation」…
These complicated changes settled within a blink, while at the same time a 「result」 was born.
Jiang He's own time had been consumed, equivalent to aging a section out of thin air.
The amount consumed was neither more nor less, precisely 「ten days」.
One must know, while Jiang He was inside the Twisted Time Domain, his personal time had flowed normally!
"Was this the price of the Twisted Time Domain?"
"The extra time must be repaid with additional lifespan?"
Jiang He suddenly understood, yet he did not mind.
From the perspective of time, he was practically a billionaire.
A mere ten days of lifespan was nothing more than a drop in the ocean.
If possible, he was even willing to pay decades of lifespan just to instantly max out his profession levels and everything else!
After all, as his energy level increased, his lifespan would also extend. Just like Old Jiang and the other X-rank Transcendents, living tens of thousands of years was no problem at all.
This was not called waste. This was called investment!
The other students clearly shared similar thoughts, their eyes brimming with unfinished desire.
They had only gained two extra days, and before they could feel much, it was already over!
"Seems you are all familiar with the training ground."
Zhong Honglian stood before the crowd, nodding slightly.
Although she had not entered the Twisted Time Domain, she had been observing the situation within.
The students had all worked diligently at cultivation, wasting no time, which pleased her greatly.
At this moment, she also knew the students' thoughts, and said with a smile.
"This time's Twisted Time Domain was merely to let you become familiar with the rhythm."
"From now on, every Thursday, the Twisted Time Domain will open once. By then, everyone will be given seven days of basic time—and those who perform outstandingly shall receive even more."
"And just as now, during the Twisted Time Domain, basic resources will be provided without limit!"
"Until Doomsday arrives!"
At these words, everyone's eyes widened.
Seven extra days of cultivation every week, and with unlimited resources…
Wasn't this just too amazing?!
Wasn't this the true Crazy Thursday?
"In addition, the school's gymnasium has already been transformed into the [Combat Hall]."
"Outside the Twisted Time Domain, you may challenge the Metal Knights at any time to train your combat techniques."
"The dormitories have also been completed. You may choose a room, or find your own place outside."
"If there are any other arrangements, you will be notified."
"Now, the training officially begins."
"You are free to move about."
After Zhong Honglian finished speaking, she picked up her phone and sent a message, then instantly vanished on the spot.
She had clearly been teleported away.
The other instructors had long since disappeared, leaving only the nearly three hundred training students in the school square.
The scene was silent for a few seconds, before suddenly scattering like a tide.
The students either walked in small groups or headed alone toward the dormitories.
Before Jiang He could move his feet, however, he was immediately surrounded.
Chi Zhilei, Shaojun, and several students he did not recognize—ones he had only seen a few times when Zhong Honglian first gathered the students and conducted the initial test—crowded around, speaking all at once.
"Jiang He!"
"Classmate Jiang He!"
"Brother Jiang He, hello…"
Among them, Shaojun's voice was the loudest, his smile the brightest.
"Bro, during that test before, you were just amazing, really gave our Central State a huge boost of face!"
"That Yunyang from Jiang City was still putting on airs, but you and Du Lingwei stepped on him twice in a row, way too satisfying!"
The other students couldn't help but nod in agreement.
Banding together was human instinct.
When students from fourteen cities were gathered together, even without a leader, they would naturally default to being "students of such-and-such city," distinguishing themselves in their hearts from the others.
Especially since the instructors had deliberately emphasized the cities before, further strengthening this element.
Therefore, because Jiang He and Du Lingwei had performed outstandingly earlier, the other students of Central State felt honored as well, strongly identifying with them, and greatly enjoying it.
By the same logic, the students of other cities would feel more defeated, and more prone to develop competitive spirit.
In truth, if not for the Twisted Time Domain's unlimited resources and limited time that could not be wasted,
they would have long since clustered together.
At this moment, though Jiang He had grown far more confident with his increase in strength, his long-ingrained introversion was hard to change so easily.
Surrounded by a crowd being praised, he could only show a shy smile, not knowing what to say.
Just then—
Shaojun and the others paused their voices.
They saw Yunyang stepping forward. Though only one meter fifty in height, he lifted his chin as he looked at Jiang He and the others, his youthful face full of confidence and pride, as if he stood taller than all these high schoolers.
His physique was transcendent, naturally able to hear Shaojun and the others' words. Yet he was not angry, his expression remained confident.
"To defeat me once is indeed worthy of your boasting."
"But there will not be a next time!"
Shaojun and the others instinctively shifted aside, letting him face Jiang He directly.
He raised his head, eyes burning with fighting spirit: "Jiang He, let us battle once more!"
"…I'm E-rank." Jiang He's forehead filled with black lines.
A C-rank Transcendent coming to challenge an E-rank Transcendent—was there no shame?
Thinking for a moment, he added: "Du Lingwei is the second place."
Jiang He had phrased it tactfully, but Shaojun and the others understood, almost bursting out in laughter.
Indeed, in the initial test, Jiang He ranked first, Du Lingwei second, and Yunyang was only third.
If one wanted to challenge, shouldn't he go after Du Lingwei first?
He had no right, absolutely no right.
"She is merely a mediocre A-rank, nothing more than lucky to best me by half a step." Yunyang stared at Jiang He: "In this city, only you and I are true rivals!"
"Did you not hear what the instructor said just now? They placed the Metal Knights in the Combat Hall."
"Let us challenge once more—I will definitely outshine you this time!"
Yunyang's heart surged.
He had successfully changed profession to the S-rank path [Immortal].
This path originated from the Council's S-rank [Undying Body]. He had an extremely poor relationship with the S-rank [Absolute Judgment], never communicating, much less sharing paths.
Therefore, only after Yunyang browsed through the path's information did he realize that the Immortal path and the Judicator path complemented each other quite well.
Most importantly, the Immortal path perfectly suited his professional build, like the final piece of the puzzle!
Within the Twisted Time Domain, Yunyang had spent only four days to advance all the way to an A-rank profession, gaining the key specialties of the system, feeling his strength soar by leaps and bounds—already invincible in the world!
Moreover, during the initial test, he had only performed average, not fully displaying his strength.
This time, he would definitely win!
At this moment, his gaze burned hotly, his eyes fixed solely on Jiang He.
"Come, Jiang He!!"
"Are you afraid?!"
Well now, he was even using provocation tactics.
Jiang He truly did not want to compare strength with Yunyang—
After all, he was already higher. What difference would it make?
No matter how much Yunyang improved, could he improve more than him?
He was already invincible in the world!
However, Jiang He had just learned a pile of new skills and changed into a new profession, and his hands were itching.
Besides, he already intended to absorb Old Jiang's combat techniques fiercely before Old Jiang returned, which inevitably meant he would have to spar with the Metal Knights…
Thinking of this, Jiang He nodded: "Alright."
"Let's go!!" Yunyang's eyes lit up with joy. He immediately grabbed Jiang He's wrist and dragged him running madly toward the Combat Hall.
Shaojun and the others exchanged looks, then couldn't help but follow along.
On the other side, Jiang He and Yunyang were already the only two S-rank gifted individuals, receiving much attention. Their conversation was overheard by many students.
Seeing them going to challenge the Metal Knights again, many students changed their original plans, following along toward the Combat Hall.
In an instant, a mighty procession was formed.
Old Jiang saw this scene, his face full of smiles.
"Youth, ah."