Qu Yi heard Du Sina’s question and nodded proudly—as if this brought her even more joy than being praised herself!

The other students assumed she was just showing off her instructor. Only Lai Yingxin and Han Xiangxue knew why that smug grin spread across her face.

The two sisters could only roll their eyes—a gesture of pure “sincerity.”

Other trainees overheard the exchange and slowly pieced it together.

A wave of murmurs rippled through them: *So this is the adult world—pragmatic to a fault. Even among High-tier Demonhunters, the hierarchy is this rigid?*

Every trainee, male or female, clenched their fists tightly and vowed: *I will become an Entry-Rank Demonhunter!*

Only then could they earn the same respect Ye Thirteen received today.

Hmm… truth was, it was one massive misunderstanding. Both instructors and students vastly overestimated Ye Thirteen’s strength.

But… in outcome? Not entirely wrong.

Ye Thirteen gently declined another offer—from a thirty-something senior brother eager to massage his legs. Seeing his genuine discomfort, the instructors finally calmed their fervor.

Not their fault.

A living General Rank Demon Hunter was already a rare legend.

Across the vast Southgate Garrison, only a handful existed—and they remained elusive, rarely seen.

Outside Alliance elite teams, spotting one in daily life was near impossible.

At that rank, responsibilities weighed heavy; visibility was scarce.

Even fellow Demonhunters usually only encountered Soldier-Class Demonhunters—like Huang Ying.

Even the Patrol Headquarters’ captain and deputy only met higher-ups during official duties.

No wonder these veteran Ace Demon Hunters revered Ye Thirteen so deeply.

Once composed, the instructors relayed Director Huang’s verbal orders and asked Ye Thirteen’s plans.

Learning he’d been unofficially named their leader, Ye Thirteen didn’t mind.

But meeting six pairs of hopeful eyes, he cooled their excitement instantly:

“No need for high hopes. This Sky Rift incident likely won’t involve us.

Three elite Soldier-Class Demonhunter squads handling a Medium Sky Rift? It’s practically secured.

They’re within the system—slaying demons earns merit points. They’ll claim it themselves.

We draw salaries but aren’t part of the system.

Snatching credit would only annoy the support squads.”

The six exchanged glances. Reality sank in.

Their pay came from students—not the official roster. No merit points awaited them.

Still, no regret.

This was their chosen path: freelance Demonhunters, free from bureaucracy.

Idle days? Pick up Alliance channel missions.

Complete one equivalent-rank task weekly, then slack off guilt-free.

Being Patrol Squad instructors wasn’t burdensome.

For ages, it’d been mostly a nominal title.

Who predicted Sky Rifts would swarm the city? Minor ones, sure—but a Medium Sky Rift too?

Minor Rifts? They could handle. Medium? Specialized departments would step in.

Idle? High salary. Busy? They coped.

Unsolvable? Authorities took over—no forced risks.

In today’s Dragon Realm, conscription only struck during true catastrophes.

*No trouble? Perfect.*

Relieved, the six gathered around Ye Thirteen, asking earnestly about Entry-Rank advancement.

Ye Thirteen held nothing back. Every question met a clear answer.

Silently confirming his own Entry-Rank status.

With each clarification, their respect deepened.

To watching trainees, it felt exactly like standing before a revered schoolteacher.

Age meant nothing. In this world, capability defined the master.

A single casual remark from Ye Thirteen sparked sudden clarity—and a fragile, thrilling hope: *Could I… reach Entry-Rank too?*

A feeling they’d never known.

Even if talent limited success to one in ten… hope itself was priceless.

This guidance felt like rebirth. A debt of gratitude.

In their hearts, they now truly revered Ye Thirteen.

This wave of earnest admiration? Absolutely worth it.

Just as Ye Thirteen wrapped up this pivotal lesson, movement stirred from People’s Park.

He checked the time—nearly an hour had passed.

Even artificially accelerated, the Medium Sky Rift followed natural formation rules. Not instantaneous.

Good. Still within control.

With Dragon Realm’s response speed, timely detection meant readiness.

After all, hadn’t Lian Zhengzhi, Shang Tiancheng, and Xu Hanhe’s three squads sat calmly in the park for a full hour?

Now, they encircled the slowly expanding Sky Rift in a tight triangular formation.

Like Minor Sky Rifts, Medium ones grew gradually.

And this process? Unstoppable.

Not even a ninth-rank Saint-tier Demonhunter’s full-power strike could halt it.

So Lian Zhengzhi’s team held position—conserving strength, waiting silently for the demons within to emerge.