The news that Zhao Xuan had refused to choose a Logia-type Devil Fruit, instead opting for what was widely considered the weakest class—the Zoan-type fruit—spread through Tongcheng No. 1 High School like wildfire.
In less than an hour, the entire campus was in an uproar.
"That guy's lost his mind!"
"Is he an idiot? Who in their right mind would waste such a chance?"
"Seriously, did a donkey kick that Zhao Xuan guy in the head or what?"
"There's no way that's true. Who would not pick a Logia fruit!?"
"…"
Zhao Xuan was aware of the rumors.
But he didn't care.
He didn't step forward to explain or defend himself either.
Time was precious—
and every second spent worrying about what others said was a second stolen from his training.
Fang Qin was right.
There were barely ten days left before the college entrance examination. Every extra ounce of effort now could mean an extra point during the test—
and sometimes, just one point could change a person's entire future.
After all—
the difference between a top-tier academy and an ordinary one was the difference between heaven and earth.
Fengming High School – Class 2, Grade 12
"Ruqing, did you hear?"
A slightly chubby girl leaned toward the elegant girl beside her. "That guy Zhao Xuan from Tongcheng No. 1—the one with 37 points of spiritual power—he didn't choose a Logia fruit. He picked a Zoan fruit instead… because of some so-called gut feeling!"
Di Ruqing's brows lifted in surprise. Then a faint, disdainful smile curved her lips.
"Hmph. How laughable. I thought he'd be my main rival in the upcoming exam… but it seems I overestimated him."
And it wasn't just Fengming High.
Within a single day, news of Zhao Xuan's "foolish decision" had spread across half of Tongcheng.
The entire city was buzzing with gossip.
But none of it reached—or rather, bothered—the person at the center of it all.
The following days were brutally monotonous for Zhao Xuan—
but also extraordinarily productive.
Aside from six hours of sleep, every remaining hour was devoted to training.
Thanks to his drastically enhanced physique and the assistance of the Heaven Rewards Diligence System, his power grew at an astonishing pace.
[Heaven Rewards Diligence System]
Name: Zhao Xuan
Age: 18
Spirit: 40.86 / 40.86
Physique: 103.85 / 103.85
Abilities:
Shave (Proficient: 55 / 200)
Iron Body (Proficient: 126 / 200)
Finger Drawing (Proficient: 111 / 200)
Moon Step (Proficient: 57 / 200)
Storm Kick (Proficient: 99 / 200)
Finger Gun (Proficient: 49 / 200)
Swordsmanship (Proficient: 25 / 200)
Armament Haki (Beginner: 518 / 1000)
Azure Dragon Fruit (Beginner: 298 / 1000)
Aside from his Armament Haki and Azure Dragon Fruit ability, every other technique had already advanced to the Proficient stage.
Zhao Xuan stared at the glowing panel before him, a satisfied smile curving his lips.
"All that effort… it's finally paying off."
But after a moment, his eyes sharpened with renewed determination.
"No—this still isn't enough. Not nearly enough. I have to keep pushing."
He was about to resume his focused training when—
"Hey! Li Jiangchang's back!"
"No way! No way! He actually pulled it off!"
"This guy must've stepped in a mountain of dog crap today—his luck is unreal!"
"A Logia fruit! Li Jiangchang got a Logia fruit!"
"You're kidding!"
"It's true! The homeroom teacher confirmed it!"
"Which fruit did he get?"
"The Snow-Snow Fruit, I think!"
"You're kidding! That's amazing!"
"So lucky! I'm dying of envy!"
"Where is he now?"
"The principal called him in—probably to congratulate him!"
"Wow… unreal. I think his spiritual power was only 21 points, right? That's like a one in ten thousand chance to awaken a Logia fruit!"
"Too bad it's the Snow-Snow Fruit. If only it were the Ice-Ice Fruit."
"Are you crazy? The Snow-Snow Fruit is already amazing!"
"I wonder how Zhao Xuan's feeling right now…"
"Probably regretting it like hell! You don't even have to ask!"
"…"
"The Snow-Snow Fruit, huh?"
Zhao Xuan's eyes flickered slightly.
"A one-in-ten-thousand chance and he actually hit it. I guess his luck isn't bad."
He chuckled softly, then shook his head.
"But compared to the Azure Dragon Fruit, it's still a world apart."
With that thought, Zhao Xuan closed his eyes, pushing all distractions away—
and once more sank into deep, relentless cultivation.
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