Skills with no cooldown? I become the Undead Scourge! - Chapter 19

Aside from Yu Qingcang, the other three guild leaders wore expressions of confusion.

Lei Tai, the most impatient of them, said in a deep voice, “Old Yu, what’s the meaning of this? Spit it out already—I’m dying of curiosity!”

Ye Hongyi, being more level-headed, wasn’t in a hurry. Since they were already here, she might as well wait.

Leaning gracefully against her chair, she spoke unhurriedly, “Is it because of this Lu Ran? Who is he? From what you’re saying, it sounds like he’s still attending the academy’s morning assembly? A newcomer?”

But what kind of newcomer could possibly warrant such an urgent summons from the Celestial Alliance?

All four guild leaders had been called in!

Even the usually shy and reticent Liu Xinxin couldn’t help but ask, “I heard the national emergency response protocol was upgraded last night—the highest level, at that. All international teleportation points across the country have been restricted. Is that also because of Lu Ran?”

Lei Tai, hearing this, was momentarily baffled.

Blunt as ever, he blurted, “What, is this Lu Ran some big-shot’s son? If there’s a fight or something, just say the word—my Guardian Army can mobilize immediately!”

Yu Qingcang chuckled helplessly. “Everyone, calm down. To be honest, I only know part of the situation myself. I haven’t even seen the person in question yet. The morning assembly will be over soon—just wait a little longer.”

…..

On the other side of the academy, Principal Jiang Zhenbei followed his usual routine. After the opening remarks, he began announcing the newcomer rankings.

As with the previous day, the names floated up one by one, starting from the bottom.

Notably, Liang Shaoyu and Wang Yujiao had reached Level 5, but their rankings had actually dropped several places compared to the day before!

Likely, their failed assassination attempt on Lu Ran had delayed their monster-grinding progress, slowing their efficiency.

Liang Shaoyu didn’t seem too bothered.

After all, the Liang family was wealthy and influential. He had little interest in competing for the newcomer rankings—what was the point? He was just a standard-class profession holder.

But Wang Yujiao grew increasingly anxious.

When Liang Shaoyu had first approached her, he’d promised much faster leveling progress than this!

“Shaoyu, we need to hurry up and level!” Wang Yujiao fretted.

She still had to compete for one of the two remaining Celestial Alliance slots—the ones not reserved for Qin Wuyao!

This was everything to her!

For this goal, she had severed ties with Lu Ran, abandoning the boy who had treated her better than anyone else in her life.

If she failed to join the Celestial Alliance in the end, it would be a true tragedy!

Even as a rare-class profession holder, other major guilds would take her—but compared to the Celestial Alliance, those were like comparing heaven and earth.

What she didn’t know, however, was that of the three Celestial Alliance slots, one was already reserved for Qin Wuyao due to her hidden-class profession.

Another had now been assigned to Lu Ran!

That left just one slot remaining—with five rare-class profession holders vying for it. And her current ranking was dead last!

“What’s the rush? We’ve barely started—what’s a couple of slow days gonna do?” Liang Shaoyu snapped, already irritated.

Wang Yujiao’s face darkened, but she didn’t dare argue with him.

Watching her now, Lu Ran couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

From the moment he’d seen through Wang Yujiao, he’d known he would never feel anything for her again.

He wasn’t some hopeless simp with no self-respect.

Still, seeing the girl he’d once cherished and protected now being used by a spoiled young master—tilled at night and scolded by day—was pitiful.

“The newcomer rankings last a month. Anyone serious about competing won’t dare slack off for a second. With your rankings so low, do you really think you can catch up later?” Lu Ran remarked snidely.

Liang Shaoyu and Wang Yujiao’s expressions soured further.

But surprisingly, this time, it was Wang Yujiao who fired back first.

Perhaps driven by wounded pride, she gritted her teeth and said, “Level isn’t everything. After a month, the Celestial Alliance will evaluate us holistically. Don’t celebrate too soon. You might be leveling fast, but you’re still just a Necromancer. There’s no way you’ll qualify for the Celestial Alliance. I’m different—I have a rare-class profession! I believe that in a month, I’ll have a chance!”

Lu Ran glanced at her, amused, but didn’t bother responding.

If she was so confident, let her be.

The rankings continued upward. Quite a few had reached Level 6, and the third-place holder was doing well—already at Level 7!

Unsurprisingly, Qin Wuyao held second place, also at Level 7.

After visiting Lu Ran’s rift dungeon and gaining a massive EXP boost, she’d teamed up with her family’s profession holders for power-leveling. With party contracts and other boosts, her speed was naturally fast.

Now, all eyes turned to the first-place spot.

Yesterday, it was here that Lu Ran had stunned everyone—claiming the top rank at Level 8 and crushing every other newcomer.

The field erupted with chatter:

“It’s coming, it’s coming! First place has to be Lu Ran again, right?”

“No doubt. Even Qin Wuyao, in second place, is only Level 7. Lu Ran was already Level 8 yesterday!”

“How much higher will he be today?”

“Leveling gets harder and requires way more EXP later on. I’m guessing… Level 9?”

“If he hit Level 8 on the first day, I think Level 9 is too low for the second. Probably Level 10!”

Amid the noise, the first-place name finally appeared.

1st Place: Lu Ran – Level 10 Necromancer!

The crowd erupted. Though many had expected it, seeing it with their own eyes still left them reeling!

Wang Yujiao’s body trembled violently.

Lu Ran… was already Level 10!

Just two days ago, she’d dumped him to Liang Shaoyu’s face, throwing herself into the arms of that spoiled heir. And yet, here she was, ranked at the bottom, while Lu Ran stood at the very top—dominating first place with an overwhelming lead!

Compared to yesterday, he’d gained two whole levels!

And everyone knew: the higher the level, the more EXP was needed—exponentially so!

On paper, Wang Yujiao’s Level 5 versus Lu Ran’s Level 10 might seem like just double the level. But in reality, the gap was likely tenfold!

“How… how is he doing this?” Wang Yujiao murmured, her eyes filled with turmoil.

At least she had the Liang family’s support for leveling—though they wouldn’t waste party contracts on her, a mere plaything for Liang Shaoyu. Still, her progress should’ve been decent.

Yet despite that, Lu Ran had left her in the dust—ten times behind!

The way everyone looked at Lu Ran now was familiar.

For three years at the academy, as the student with 130 Spirit Power, this was the gaze he’d grown accustomed to.

But after awakening as a Necromancer two days ago and falling from grace, he’d stopped caring about such things.

Reputation and appearances were fleeting illusions—easily shattered.

Strength was the ultimate truth.

…..

Once the assembly ended, Lu Ran stood. Immediately, students swarmed around him, even those from other classes pushing forward to get closer.

Wang Yujiao glanced at Liang Shaoyu, whose face was dark with anger, and hesitated.

Should she try talking to Lu Ran again? Maybe he’d be willing to help her level—after all, in the past, his eyes had held nothing but her, and he’d never refused her anything.