The prodigy with a level ten talent looked at the remaining ten Devil Fruits and quickly made his choice.
"The Mythical Zoan Phoenix Fruit, immortality, it must be incredibly powerful. I choose this!"
With his level ten talent, he successfully formed a contract instantly.
Other prodigies wanted to choose but found it was already too late.
"Damn it, the Phoenix Fruit was taken. This Fish-Fish Fruit isn't bad, it's actually in the form of a Azure Dragon. I'll grab it!"
"Damn, that's taken too. Then the Dark-Dark Fruit, it sounds powerful as well."
"The Soul-Soul Fruit, it sounds like it controls souls? I'll take this!"
...
They made their choices rapidly, judging by the names alone, and for a moment, no one rushed to claim the Tremor-Tremor Fruit.
But soon, all ten Devil Fruits were successfully claimed.
Some were satisfied, while others were disappointed.
"Too bad I didn't get the Phoenix Fruit or the Mythical Zoan Azure Dragon. I ended up with the Tremor-Tremor Fruit. I hope its power becomes clearer as my level increases, and I hope its user in the Pirate King world has developed its abilities to their fullest."
...
At this moment, those who had made their choices were in the outer space.
Ye Yu had also completed all his contracts.
Moreover, he could choose to obtain one weapon and one outfit from his contracted individuals.
Without much hesitation, Ye Yu quickly made his decision: Hawkeye Mihawk's weapon, one of the Supreme Grade Blades, the Black Blade Night! As for the outfit, he chose Hawkeye's high-collared robe.
He didn't feel it was a pity to choose only one weapon, since he wasn't a three-sword style user. Naturally, he chose Hawkeye's weapon—not only was it a Supreme Grade Blade, but the main reason was simple: it looked cool!
After making his choice, the Black Blade Night, shaped like a cross, appeared in Ye Yu's hand. He immediately slung it over his back, just like Hawkeye.
"Alright, the selection is over. Time to head out."
In the next moment, information flooded everyone's minds.
"All selections have been completed. Now, everyone will be gradually teleported out, returning to the location they were at before entering. Those who failed to form a contract can choose to remain ordinary, not pursuing cultivation. Their talents will disappear after seven days. If they choose to continue cultivating, they may do so."
In an instant, many people were teleported out, some overjoyed, others worried.
"I didn't manage to form a contract."
"Haha, I succeeded! I got an Artificial Devil Fruit."
"I also succeeded in forming a contract, but it was with a Non-Ability User. After succeeding, I learned his name—Chinjao."
"Ah? Even with your level six talent, that's quite good. But to end up with a Non-Ability User, that's really unfortunate."
"Sigh, out of the six Devil Fruits I tried, none succeeded. Some of them didn't even sound that powerful, like the Gum-Gum Fruit, Tremor-Tremor Fruit, Float-Float Fruit, and String-String Fruit. I tried them all, but failed. When I had my last chance, even the Artificial Devil Fruits were all taken. I had to go to the Non-Ability User space to form a contract. I originally wanted to quickly choose one of those tall giants, but they were gone in the blink of an eye. So, I settled for someone who wasn't as tall but had a small, sunken head—Chinjao. I just hope he has some strength in the Pirate world."
"Don't get your hopes up. Relying on self-cultivation, how strong can you get? Even if you choose the most powerful Non-Ability User, they definitely won't compare to the weakest Artificial Devil Fruit user. So, you're really out of luck."
"Talent is important, but choice is also a matter of luck."
...
After the mix of joy and disappointment, some who failed to contract a Devil Fruit were deep in thought, contemplating whether to continue training to become a Pirate or to give up and return to an ordinary life.
Those who were originally in good condition but had low talent levels chose to give up. After all, being a Pirate and embarking on adventures was dangerous. With the Navy appearing three years later, they would undoubtedly be cannon fodder. It was better to continue living as a commoner.
Some who lived in poverty decided to continue training and become Pirates, hoping to improve through hard work.
"I don't want to go back to my old life, working day after day in a miserable job, tired and frustrated. I choose to train, and as my level keeps rising, perhaps my strength will also improve, like the protagonist in a kung fu movie."
"Give up. To improve through training, you need higher talent. Those with low talent should continue living a hard life. It's better than losing your life later."
...
Many quickly made their choices.
At this moment, on the high school playground where Ye Yu was, some were excited, while others sighed.
A male student curiously asked his three roommates.
"Yang Wei, Bu Ju, Zao Xie, what kind of Devil Fruits did you three get?"
"My talent is only level three. After failing twice with non-artificial Devil Fruits, I had to settle for an Artificial Zoan Pug Fruit."
"My talent is level four. I failed with the Gum-Gum Fruit, which I thought would definitely work. It didn't sound very powerful, and after three failures, I was afraid I'd get nothing, so I also chose an Artificial Devil Fruit. Ugh, so frustrating."
"Those of us with low talent shouldn't aim for real Devil Fruits. Getting an Artificial Devil Fruit is already good. Only after entering did I realize there are only a little over six hundred real Devil Fruits. Naturally, the real ones belong to the top thousand talents in the country. Even with level four talent, you can't make it into the top thousand."
"Now that you've said that, I feel a bit better."
"I wonder what kind of Devil Fruit the school beauty Lin Muxue got."
...
At this moment, Lin Muxue teleported out, and everyone immediately looked over, curious.
Lin Muxue, who had just appeared, looked very happy. Clearly, she had obtained a Devil Fruit she was satisfied with.
Li Cang quickly stepped forward, no longer as subservient or humble. He stood a bit straighter because, with his level eight talent, he had obtained a Devil Fruit he was satisfied with—the Paramecia Might-Might Fruit.
When he saw it, he chose it without hesitation. He originally thought it wouldn't work, but he believed it would grant him pure strength.
Strength is the symbol of a true powerhouse, especially the most representative strength powerhouse, Pangu, who proved his Dao through strength.
So, he thought it might require level ten talent to successfully contract, but to his surprise, it worked. He became a Might-Might Fruit Ability User, which satisfied him greatly. He even felt that he might not be inferior to Ye Yu and now had a chance to pursue Lin Muxue.
Li Cang hurriedly boasted, "Xiao Xue, I've contracted a very powerful Devil Fruit. I'm sure I'll become one of the top powerhouses in this world."
Lin Muxue, slightly curious, raised an eyebrow and asked, "Oh? What is it?"
"It's the Paramecia Might-Might Fruit! How about that? It sounds powerful, doesn't it?"
It had to be admitted that, based on the name alone, it indeed seemed like a powerful Devil Fruit. Lin Muxue's attitude towards Li Cang had slightly improved, not as cold as before, though it still wasn't as warm as her treatment of Ye Yu.
Lin Muxue nodded faintly, "It sounds like a good Devil Fruit."
Li Cang confidently said, "It will definitely be amazing. At level eight, after obtaining the Might Might Fruit, I felt a significant boost in my strength. By level one hundred, it's hard to imagine how powerful I'll be. Moreover, I will diligently train and improve, surpassing those in the Pirate King world who possess this fruit's abilities."
"Then keep it up. The Chosen One Pirate Crew will need you if we aim to dominate in the future."
"Alright!" Li Cang felt that Lin Muxue's attitude towards him had improved and curiously asked, "Xiao Xue, you seem to be in a good mood. With your level nine talent, you must have also chosen a satisfying and powerful Devil Fruit, right? Which one is it?"
Lin Muxue didn't answer but instead looked towards the vortex exit, her tone becoming tender with anticipation, "I want to wait for Brother Yu to come out and tell him."
Li Cang's expression darkened, feeling displeased, but he still smiled and said, "Alright, then we'll wait for him to come out."
All the students and teachers glanced around the field, noticing that only Ye Yu hadn't emerged yet. Their gazes all turned towar
ds the vortex exit.
As the vortex's light flickered, Ye Yu's figure emerged from within.
All eyes focused on him, filled with attention and curiosity.
"Ye Yu is out!"
(End of Chapter)