Chapter 167: Senior Disciple and Choosing Sides
Chapter 167: Senior Disciple and Choosing Sides (Requesting Monthly Vote)
The room boasted an independent bathroom and projection equipment. Light particles shimmered in the air, coalescing into a vivid projection.
A blue-clad figure materialized—Xiaochan, with jet-black hair and delicate features. Her strands danced as if alive, her presence indistinguishable from reality.
"Xiaochan, how's your new home?" Lin Qi asked.
"Master, Xiaochan feels wonderful!" Xiaochan smiled brightly.
Lin Qi nodded, satisfaction evident. Xiaochan was now his custom AI, equipped with her own core module. Portable and projectable, she could awaken wherever the device was installed. He planned to bring her along when entering Azure Firmament Martial Academy.
Crossing his legs into the Five Hearts to Sky Posture, he stilled his mind and began cultivating the Golden Vajra Tiger Evolution Method.
In his consciousness, the Golden Vajra Tiger stirred. A fierce aura erupted from his body as wind swirled spontaneously within the Martial Arts Training Hall, drawing dense particles of Primordial Energy.
To Lin Qi’s perception, the air thickened with energy. He recalled Yue Feng’s words: Crimson Vault Martial Arts Pavilion had special tech that concentrated Primordial Energy particles indoors—akin to a "Primordial Energy Gathering Array" from cultivation novels.
His training hall’s density had skyrocketed. Similarly, Yujing Haoting Residential District (colloquially Crimson Haven) housed residents under Crimson Vault’s umbrella, each villa fitted with energy-harvesting equipment. His long-vacant villa had amassed a staggering reserve.
Boom!!
Under the lights, Lin Qi’s body radiated golden light as torrents of Primordial Energy surged through his pores into blood, muscle, sinew, and bone. Filtering and absorbing, his body began transforming.
Whoosh!
His chest heaved rhythmically, sinews tensing and relaxing. He guided the energy specifically into his tendons, forging them like tempered steel—stronger, more elastic.
Time passed. Two hours later—
Boom!!
Huff!!
A gale erupted as Lin Qi’s eyes snapped open.
[System: You’ve absorbed massive Primordial Energy. Your sinews are fully tempered. Vital Energy Stat +1.0]
[Vital Energy Stat: 27.45 → 28.45]
Crackle!!
Lin Qi stretched, bulging sinews pressing against his skin, veins popping as he clenched his fist. Power surged through him.
"This rivals consuming countless Vital Energy Pills. The energy here exceeds even the United Training Base’s!"
His lips curved. The villa’s reserves had pushed his stat up a full point. His Status Panel now showed Vital Energy Stat: 28.45—closing fast on 40.
From 0–10 took seventeen years. From 10–40, less than a year. Wealth and innate talent accelerated his progress absurdly.
"Yet even with this pace, 11 candidates still surpass me in National College Entrance Exam rankings", he mused. Some likely exceeded 30, nearing 40—on the verge of breaking into the Skin Tempering Stage.
He had ground to cover.
"University competition has already begun. I must make full use of this break. By the start of the semester, I’ll catch up to the top talents."
*
Deep within the Imperial Capital, Azure Firmament Martial University convened in a circular conference room. Ten white-and-crimson chairs encircled the table, occupied by middle-aged figures radiating terrifying, beast-like auras.
A hunched elder sipped tea from a silver flask. "Azure Firmament’s Nine Department Heads Meeting commences. Let’s begin with Department One—the previous bottom-ranked unit."
All eyes turned to a fair-skinned, refined-looking man who grinned, exposing pearly teeth. "I’ve secured Huo Wanyang, the nation’s second-best. Next year’s championship is ours."
A purple-robed woman purred next, her voice smoky. "Ao Feng, ranked fourth, will join Nine Pavilions."
They shifted to Dean Liu in the corner, his ears notably large. Calmly, he announced: "Lin Qi, tenth-ranked, will join Sixth Institute."
A few scoffed. A scar-faced man nearby chuckled. "Grateful for your generosity, Old Liu. Sacrificing sixth-ranked Duan Chuchu for tenth-place Lin Qi is noble indeed."
Dean Liu remained placid. "No great loss. We’ll try again next year."
His quiet words unsettled the room. The refined man and woman exchanged glances, their confidence rattled.
*
Five days after the exam results, on June 20th, three elite academies announced their Senior Disciples and detailed profiles—enticing top talents.
Zhang Cheng joined a video conference explaining university mechanics to Tianhai No.2 High School’s group.
"Martial Arts University has one major—martial arts—focused solely on power enhancement", he explained. "Each year, the Big Three admit ~30,000 talents. Azure Firmament takes the fewest—9,000. Shanyu accepts the most, over 10,000. Each divides into nine departments of ~1,000 students."
"3.6 million candidates sat this year’s exam. Only the top 0.3% enter the Big Three", Zhang Cheng continued. "Admission is just the start. Resources are fiercely contested, and the state encourages competition. Unlike high school, the university offers exclusive public facilities—like the Gravity Chamber, far superior to the Gravity Ring. Your peak growth period begins here. With these resources, four years could transform you."
"Initially, everyone starts equal. But in a month, rankings will determine rewards—individual stats and departmental scores. Departments compete via their top 100 talents. Higher rankings secure better resources. Winning the Senior Disciple—the department’s ace—is crucial. Choosing the right faction matters deeply."
A classmate messaged: "For Azure Firmament, pick Sixth Institute. Follow Brother Qi—he’ll take first!"
Others agreed. Some hesitated, preferring candidates ranked 1–3. Yet Lin Qi’s faction grew.
Jiang Tao sent his confirmed application screenshot. "Brother Qi, I’m all in."
Lin Qi smiled, submitting his choice: Azure Firmament’s Sixth Institute. With Jiang Tao—a future genius—the department’s ranking would soar. Together, they’d dominate.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
