The ninth Professional Mentor was a stunning woman, clad in refreshingly light attire, radiating a formidable aura. She possessed the ability to wield her aura in extraordinary ways, conjuring magical skills with ease.
For instance, she could craft a shield of aura for defense or summon a fearsome beast to assail her foes.
Yet, her signature move involved condensing her aura into a spiraling orb that, upon release, would detonate with explosive might.
"Meet Qi Master Mentor No. 28, entry-level, Level 40, with a combat power of 29,000! You can master the Way of Qi under her guidance."
The final Professional Mentor was a stoic swordsman, dressed in robes as pure as driven snow, with swordsmanship that was second to none. He seemed to merge with the very light of his blade, achieving a seamless unity between swordsman and sword.
"Introducing the entry-level Swordsman Mentor, Dugu Chuxue. Level 40, combat power: 30,000!"
At that moment, the ten Professional Mentors were locked in fierce combat with the Demon Commander, with neither side gaining the upper hand.
In theory, the collective might of the ten Mentors should have been enough to triumph over the Demon Commander, despite each Mentor's individual combat power paling in comparison.
Yet, the chasm between a mythical being and a mere mortal is vast; the prowess of a mythic creature often eclipses any numerical measure of strength.
As a being of myth, the Demon Commander's power dwarfed that of the ten formidable, yet mortal, Mentors.
Together, they managed only to hold their ground in an evenly matched struggle against the Demon Commander.
The unfolding scene made it clear to all that their role was to assist the ten Mentors, aiding them in vanquishing the Demon Commander to fulfill their mission.
"Our reinforcements have arrived, though fewer than anticipated. Brave warriors, join us in this fight!" Yim Chixia called out to Chen Guo and the others.
"Just a moment, elders. We're on our way to join you in subduing this fiend!" Wang Mingze called back.
Wang Mingze then retrieved a steel shield from his storage bag, brandishing it before the group. "I'm the defensive linchpin, the tank. I'll shield you from the Demon Commander's onslaught. Stick with me as we rally to the Mentors' side!"
"Thanks a lot, Brother Wang!"
"Hard work pays off, Brother Wang!"
The group was profoundly thankful.
Chen Guo now understood why Wang Mingze had become the leader of this group.
As it turned out, Wang Mingze was a tank—a rare specialization in defense within the Whole Heaven Battlefield.
The tactical core tank, or MT for short, that Wang Mingze referred to, played the role of absorbing damage within a team and was widely appreciated for it.
However, the personal experience of being a tank was far from pleasant. What joy is there in taking a beating?
Where's the thrill of unleashing powerful offensive skills and decimating your enemies with overwhelming force?
Hence, in the Whole Heaven Battlefield, most trial challengers opted for raw offensive power, aiming to maximize their damage output. They gave some thought to defense but never intended to rely on it to combat monsters or other challengers.
Tank-oriented trial challengers were more than just a rarity—they were one in a hundred thousand.
For Chen Guo, encountering a tank was a first.
A tank required a spirit of self-sacrifice, a willingness to take hits for the team. Wang Mingze's readiness to assume the role of a tank, shielding others from harm, naturally earned him the team's admiration and an uncontested position as their leader.
Nobody would pass up the chance to have a teammate willing to charge into battle first, drawing the monster's attention, allowing others to confidently execute their skills and attack without worry.
Wang Mingze's talents were perfectly suited to his defensive role.
The best defense was evasion, not withstanding the full brunt of an enemy's assault. No matter how strong, anyone who tried to tank every hit would eventually be overwhelmed.
Only by maximizing evasion and maneuverability within the enemy's onslaught could one achieve optimal defense.
Wang Mingze's Fiery Golden Eyes could detect the trajectory of various skills unleashed by allies and foes alike, enabling him to evade with unparalleled precision.
And indeed, that was the case.
The residual effects of the Demon Commander's attacks were either blocked by Wang Mingze's shield, nimbly dodged, or cleverly redirected by him. Under Wang Mingze's guidance, the group smoothly reached the instructor's side.
"Your willingness to sacrifice for your teammates shows you have the makings of a Holy Knight. Should you choose to follow that path, you're destined to become a formidable Holy Knight," Uther said, commending Wang Mingze's selfless actions.
"I've come to believe that the way of the Holy Knight suits me well, Mr. Wuther. If you have a moment, I'd like to learn more about it from you," Wang Mingze offered politely.
But his interest was genuine; he had noticed that while Wuther's Holy Knight skills might lack in offensive power, their defensive and healing abilities were exceptional. Various Holy Shields could envelop him, protecting his physical form from harm. A surge of Holy Light could significantly fortify his body, enhancing his defense and mitigating damage from enemies. And with an array of Holy Heals and other restorative spells, he could mend his wounds.
In essence, the Holy Knight was the perfect shield, the ideal tank. Should Wang Mingze master this path, his tanking prowess would see a significant boost. That's what piqued his interest.
Witnessing the exchange between Wuther and Wang Mingze, everyone else had an epiphany about choosing their career paths. It was a matter of personal compatibility with a class and, equally, whether the class's mentor took a shine to them.
So, they all began to showcase their talents, assisting the instructors in battling the Demon Commander. Chen Guo's performance was solid, if not spectacular, keeping pace with the front-runners. He wielded the techniques of the Mountain Shu Sect, catching the eye of Yim Chixia.
"Young Hero Lee, you're adept with the Mountain Shu Sect's swordsmanship? Have you studied our techniques before?" inquired Yim Chixia.
"By a stroke of luck, I came across some fragmented secret manuals of the Mountain Shu Sect and privately mastered a few techniques. Seeing your moves, senior, I recognized the authentic teachings of the Mountain Shu Sect. You must undoubtedly be a master," Chen Guo replied, unashamed to butter up the NPCs.
After all, it was Lee Xiaoyao who was doing the flattering. What did it have to do with him?
Yim Chixia had a moment of clarity. "During the cosmic catastrophe, countless worlds collided, scattering many of the Mountain Shu Sect's techniques across the universe. Your acquisition of our skills in this Little World means you're destined to be connected with our sect. As for myself, I'm merely an outer disciple of the Mountain Shu Sect, not worthy of being called a master!"