Exotic Battlefield: I Can Activate Dual Talents
Chapter 42 - 40, Sweetie? Madame Cow!

Chapter 42: 40, Sweetie? Madame Cow!

When Jiang Yueming arrived at the Youth Military School, Lu Lin had already arranged for Zuo Yiming to wait at the entrance.

Walking onto the campus, Jiang Yueming looked at the boxy, uniform buildings. Lu Lin must be trying to fool me, he thought. How could any geniuses emerge from such a rigidly disciplined place?

They made their way to the Principal’s Office, where Zuo Zhenyu was already waiting. As the highest military officer in Tongyuan, it was perfectly reasonable for Zuo Zhenyu to also serve as the principal of the Youth Military School.

"Master Jiang, you’re here! Please, come in," Zuo Zhenyu warmly invited him.

Blue Star had only twenty Guide Masters. Previously, one would have to queue for a long time just to meet one. Yet, within a single week, Zuo Zhenyu had met Master Jiang three times. All thanks to Lu Lin, he mused.

"General Zuo, where is Lu Lin?" Jiang Yueming asked, getting straight to the point.

"Lu Lin and the others are in the training room next door. Master Jiang, come, I’ll take you there."

Tongyuan Juvenile Military Academy’s most important cultivation site, the Star Power + Gravity Room, was located right beside the Principal’s Office. The Star Power concentration here was significantly higher than in the Cultivation Room beside the conference room. It was almost comparable to the Cultivation Room at the Dragon Battle Hotel.

As Jiang Yueming entered, Lu Lin saw him. In front of the others, Lu Lin respectfully walked up and greeted him, "Teacher."

"Hmm, the genius you mentioned... that would be him, right?"

There were two people in military uniforms in the Cultivation Room. Liang Liang, with his dark complexion, clearly wasn’t the one. That left only Cao Xiaoming, who stood off to the side with a cold and stern expression.

"Yes, Teacher. This student is Cao Xiaoming. He has a Wood System Talent. Under my guidance, he has already comprehended two Star Skills: Forest and Spir—"

"Hold on!" Jiang Yueming interrupted Lu Lin before he could finish.

Jiang Yueming stared at Lu Lin, his face full of disbelief. "What did you just say?"

"Under your guidance?"

Lu Lin nodded. Is there anything wrong with that? he thought.

Jiang Yueming felt utterly defeated by Lu Lin’s innocent gaze.

More than just wrong. So much more than wrong!

Lu Lin was an absolute novice. He had become a Star Skill Instructor less than a week ago. His Star Power Domain was still incomplete, the Star Power reserves in his Star Veins were minuscule, and his understanding of Star Skills was rudimentary at best. Given all that, on what grounds could he possibly think there was ’nothing wrong’ with his claim? Jiang Yueming fumed internally. It was the most absurd thing imaginable! Utterly unprecedented!

Jiang Yueming clapped Lu Lin heavily on the shoulder. "Well, not bad."

Indeed, not bad at all, Jiang Yueming thought. This kid’s audacity isn’t just sky-high; his luck is off the charts too! He actually managed to guide a genius with Double Star Skills!

Jiang Yueming shot Lu Lin a look that clearly said: You did very well. Now, don’t ever do it again.

Then, he walked over to Cao Xiaoming, took his hand, and channeled a stream of his own Star Power into him. As the Star Power circulated within Cao Xiaoming’s body, Jiang Yueming finally relaxed a little.

Lu Lin might be audacious, Jiang Yueming mused, but at least he didn’t damage Cao Xiaoming’s Star Core or Star Veins. That’s a stroke of luck in this mess.

"Teacher, we’ve been waiting for you," Lu Lin said.

"So, what do you think? Should we have Student Cao demonstrate his Double Star Skills now?"

Jiang Yueming looked at Zuo Zhenyu, who nodded in agreement.

"Alright, let’s begin."

Everyone else stepped back.

Cao Xiaoming, showing no signs of nervousness, raised his hand to unleash the Star Skill: Forest. As he unleashed the Star Skill this time, Cao Xiaoming felt it wasn’t as smooth as when he was within Lu Lin’s Star Power Domain. Even with considerable effort, he only managed to conjure a small patch of ’forest.’ It spanned merely two meters in diameter, with a few spindly, crooked saplings appearing beside him. A few sprouts also pushed through the vegetation underfoot.

Jiang Yueming’s eyes narrowed. Lu Lin was right, he noted. This Cao Xiaoming really does possess a domain-type Star Skill. For Star Skill Instructors, this is true talent. Compared to this, a talent like Lu Lin’s wouldn’t normally even catch my eye.

After unleashing the Forest skill, Cao Xiaoming’s face turned pale. He hadn’t expected this one Star Skill to consume so much Star Power. His already scarce Star Power was almost depleted. His body wobbled, his vision blurred, and he was on the verge of falling.

Seeing this, Zuo Zhenyu quickly stepped forward, produced a vial of shimmering silver elixir, uncapped it, and brought it to Cao Xiaoming’s lips. After drinking the Star Power Replenishing Potion, Cao Xiaoming’s complexion visibly improved.

"Star Skill: Elf!"

Cao Xiaoming touched one of the small trees with his hand. A soft green light emanated from the sapling, and then, a miniature... elf stepped out from the tree.

Everyone present gasped. It was unbelievable. Incredible. A truly breathtaking sight. They had personally witnessed a student with a Wood System Talent summon an actual elf from a tree.

A living elf—holding a bow and arrow, with delicate features, pointed ears, and clad in a grass skirt—leapt onto Cao Xiaoming’s shoulder.

"Master, Moria is at your service."

"Are those across from us enemies?" Elf Moria asked, pointing towards Jiang Yueming and the others observing from a distance. Her bow was already drawn, awaiting Cao Xiaoming’s command.

"No, Moria, they are my friends."

Cao Xiaoming barely managed to utter the words before he collapsed, unconscious, sinking softly to the ground. Elf Moria’s figure slowly faded away. Only the few small trees still struggled to remain, on the verge of disappearing.

Everything had transpired in just over ten seconds, yet for the onlookers, it was an event that completely overturned their understanding of the world. It felt as if decades had passed in those few moments.

Jiang Yueming, moving with a speed that belied his physical condition, rushed to Cao Xiaoming’s side. He gently lifted the boy’s upper body and slowly infused his own Star Power into him. Seeing Jiang Yueming’s worried expression, it was clear he had already accepted this boy as his disciple in his heart.

"Teacher, I was right, wasn’t I?" Lu Lin casually strolled over to Jiang Yueming’s side, only to be gently pushed back by a wave of soft Wood System Star Power.

Lu Lin was dumbfounded. Teacher, what do you mean by that?

"Everyone, leave the Cultivation Room," Jiang Yueming commanded.

Lu Lin didn’t know whether to cry or laugh. Just the day before, his teacher had considered him a once-in-a-century genius. And now... It felt as though one moment he was his teacher’s ’Little Sweetheart,’ and the next, with a new favorite in the picture, he was just ’yesterday’s news.’

Everyone exited the Cultivation Room.

Zuo Zhenyu was, of course, immensely grateful to Lu Lin. This year, out of the Military Academy’s nineteen Awakening graduates, eighteen had comprehended Star Skills. Two of them even had Double Star Skills. This was something unimaginable for Tongyuan Juvenile Military Academy in years past.

"Uncle Zuo, you’re being too kind."

Lu Lin smiled faintly. "Actually, I feel quite ashamed. That student, Shao Feihong, also has excellent talent. It’s just a pity my skills weren’t refined enough to help him successfully comprehend Star Skills."

"Uncle Zuo, I’d like to practice my Star Skill Guidance techniques more. I was wondering if you might have some students I could work with?"

"A small setback like that is perfectly normal." Zuo Zhenyu sighed. He had been present when Lu Lin established his Star Power Domain only a few days ago. Now, Lu Lin had already become a highly skilled Star Skill Instructor. This younger generation is progressing at an astonishing rate! Zuo Zhenyu marveled.

"Lu Lin, we only have so many Awakening students here at the Military Academy. I can’t find you more candidates on such short notice."

"Hmm..." Zuo Zhenyu mused for a moment. "Ah, that’s right! You could try Secretary Hou."

"Tongyuan City has many Awakening graduates each year, but few schools can afford to hire Star Skill Instructors."

"Quite a few schools with average teaching staff are in dire need of help from Star Skill Instructors. You could contact... No, on second thought, I’ll help you get in touch with them."