Chapter 233: Illusion and Reality
Chapter 233: Illusion and Reality
The off-road vehicle gradually approached the building and came to a stop about five hundred meters away, where Old Qi looked at the fully-armed security personnel of the academy ahead and said, "I can't get through from here."
He turned back and said, "Only students of Wu Yi Academy can pass through. I've brought you here, and my commission is complete."
Chen Chuan expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Mr. Qi, for accompanying me all the way."
Old Qi replied, "You're welcome. Remember to give me a good review later."
Chen Chuan got out of the car and pushed the door shut. Old Qi's voice rang in his ear, "Student Chen, if you need anything in the future, you can give me a commission. Old Qi has his specialties, and I'm quite familiar with Central City and the surrounding areas. Feel free to contact me again."
"Goodbye!"
As the call ended, the off-road vehicle backed up and turned around, driving away.
Chen Chuan looked up at the tall building ahead, its dazzling lights blending into the clouds. He tightened his grip on his luggage and the Snow Lady Sword, and strode towards it.
After Old Qi left, he glanced at the items placed on the passenger seat, feeling a little better. Although he had taken care of some business along the way, he managed to make up for the lost time. Despite some setbacks on the return journey, he had successfully brought the items back.
A smile appeared on his face; with this transaction concluded, he had secured the tuition for Xiaoqi.
He looked at the tall building of Wu Yi Academy in the rearview mirror, feeling both envious and apprehensive.
Stepping on the accelerator, the vehicle suddenly sped up, leaving a trail of dazzling light. It seemed to be both an attempt to escape and a desire to return to this fantastical world more quickly.
Chen Chuan smoothly passed through the square in front of the building. The security personnel merely glanced at him a few times, their protective glasses flashing, but they did not approach him for questioning.
After climbing the first set of wide steps, he reached a spot resembling a boundary point, where a large emblem was displayed—a shield adorned with various weapons like spears and guns.
He recognized it as the Wu Yi emblem, but it was not prominently displayed in Yangzhi City, perhaps due to the difference between the local branch and the main campus.
As he stepped onto it, he felt an uneven sensation beneath his feet. After a moment, a spirited female voice sounded in his ear:
"Hello, Student Chen Chuan. Welcome to the Wu Yi Main Campus in Central City of Jinbeidao. You can report and update your student status in the first-floor hall ahead."
The voice paused briefly before continuing, "According to the academy's guidance program, a student will be assigned to guide you in person. Please wait a moment."
Chen Chuan noticed a pale light strip at his feet, indicating the direction he needed to go. He thought that this technology indeed made things much more convenient; without even entering the building, the school could confirm his identity, eliminating the need for complicated procedures.
A few minutes later, he saw a student emerge from the hall and descend the steps towards him.
From the student's walking posture and stride, it was evident that he was a second-limit combatant. The boundary token on his body was a mask covering half of his face, adorned with a painted face design.
The student approached and enthusiastically extended his hand, "Hello, are you Student Chen Chuan? I'm Tan Zhi, your assigned guide at the academy. I enrolled half a year before you."
Chen Chuan shook his hand, and at the same time, a voice informed him that he had a new contact request. After accepting, the person was added to his contact list.
"Follow me."
Tan Zhi waved and led the way up the steps.
Chen Chuan followed, but after only a few steps, a flash of light suddenly appeared above, encircling the building at high speed and drawing his attention.
Looking up, he saw a woman wearing a conical hat, standing on the flying eaves. Her red clothes fluttered in the wind as she gazed at the moon, which seemed both real and illusory. Sensing Chen Chuan's gaze, she lowered her eyes, her face veiled but with lively eyes.
Tan Zhi glanced at her and said, "That's our academy's bio-consciousness external manifestation, 'Red Flicker.' The voice you heard just now was hers. If you have any questions about the academy, you can directly consult her." He lowered his voice, "But be polite; otherwise, she might ignore you sometimes."
Chen Chuan withdrew his gaze and followed Tan Zhi past the steps into the first-floor hall. The place was spacious, resembling a deep and vast palace, with even the echoes of their footsteps sounding hollow.
Hanging above was a giant lotus-shaped lamp, casting shadows and light. Crimson necklaces hung down, and at the entrance stood two twenty-meter-tall armored deities with haughty expressions. As they passed by, the deities glared down, their round bellies swaying slightly, and the ornaments hanging below their bellies and the ribbons on their bodies moved in response.
Tan Zhi paid no attention to them. "You might feel a bit overwhelmed the first time here. I felt the same when I first arrived, but you'll get used to it soon. When you go elsewhere, you'll find it awkward and uncomfortable."
As he spoke, they continued walking, eventually reaching a spot on the floor where a lotus and heavenly maiden pattern was projected. As Chen Chuan stepped on it, the lotuses in the pattern suddenly came to life.
They slowly bloomed, rising one by one from the painting and floating upwards, with petals occasionally falling. A light, bell-like laughter echoed around them.
A bright light illuminated the area, and a statue of a woman appeared ahead. It seemed to be carved from transparent crystal, resembling the Red Flicker he had seen outside, but with a more heavenly maiden-like appearance.
Chen Chuan sensed that this was a tangible reality, unlike the previous illusions.
"Student Chen, here's your student card," Tan Zhi said.
Upon hearing this, Chen Chuan took out his student card, and a long scroll appeared in the Red Flicker statue's hand. As it unfurled, both ends floated away, swaying alongside her scarf. Lines of text rapidly flowed across the scroll.
After a while, as the scroll closed, the voices and images gradually faded into silence.
Chen Chuan heard a voice in his ear, "Student Chen Chuan, you have updated your identity and obtained the citizen status for long-term residence in Central City. The Citizen Code and Public Safety Regulations will be sent to your personal Boundary Vessel. Please pay attention to receiving them."
The voice continued, "During your studies at the academy, please pay attention to the required courses and the corresponding fees. If you need a reminder from the academy, please grant permission. Wishing you a pleasant learning experience."
"Alright," Tan Zhi said beside him. "Student Chen Chuan, Hong Fu has already updated your information and sent it to Spider Mother. Well, do you need a physical card? Some new students aren't used to it and feel more secure with a physical card. If you need one, just apply to Hong Fu, and then go to the designated location to pick it up."
"However, all your information is stored with Yan Zhou, oh, that's where Hong Fu's physical body is located. Besides the Chancellor, no one else can enter."
"This proof is only valid for one year. After that, you'll need to update it again. If you fail the assessment, it will be canceled, and your citizen status will also be revoked. So, I don't think it's really necessary."
As he finished speaking, he shrugged his shoulders.
Chen Chuan asked, "Student Tan Zhi, how many people fail the assessment each year?"
"Yes, quite a few," Tan Zhi replied nonchalantly. "But in Central City, everything can be bought with money, including knowledge. Even if you don't pass the assessment, you can still purchase citizen status in the city with money. Of course, if you want to learn more advanced combat cultivation knowledge, passing the assessment is a must."
Noticing the casual tone Tan Zhi used when mentioning money, Chen Chuan asked a few more questions. Indeed, Tan Zhi was from a well-connected family and had obtained his admission through a recommendation from a local Wu Yi School.
However, Tan Zhi had a good temperament and seemed to treat him more casually than the influential offspring Chen Chuan had encountered in Yangzhi City. Of course, this could also be because their current identities appeared to be the same.
At this moment, Tan Zhi smiled and said, "Alright, my introduction is done, and I've earned a point for my student evaluation. It wasn't a wasted effort. I have to go now; it's still the holiday season, and I need to attend a gathering. As for the way to your dormitory, just ask Hong Fu... Oh, and one more thing, Student Chen Chuan."
He was about to leave but turned back to remind him again.
"The Boundary Vessel you're using is the old model provided to students. I suggest you change it. If you're not used to using the platform for transactions, you can use your Boundary Vessel to commission someone outside to make the purchase for you.
After you've chosen one, have them deliver it directly to you. You can even ask them not to charge you first, as you have citizen status and are a student of Wu Yi Academy, with a certain borrowing limit. Farewell, and I wish you a happy new year!"
Tan Zhi waved goodbye and left with a carefree attitude.
After Chen Chuan and Tan Zhi parted ways, Chen Chuan stood in the empty hall, looking at the jade statue in front of him. He said, "Hong Fu, can you take me to the dormitory?"
The voice in his ear replied, "Student Chen Chuan, please follow the guidance and walk. Your dormitory is on the forty-ninth floor, room number one."
Chen Chuan saw a bright lamp flying in one direction, so he followed it. Gradually, clouds and mist rose around him, and he walked for a long time. The lamp stopped and extinguished, turning into ash that fell to the ground. As he stepped forward, he felt a slight vibration beneath his feet, and his line of sight rose upward.
He looked up and suddenly realized that he was standing inside an enormous giant cactus!
The immortal stood tall in the sky, with his hair tied in a bun and his eyes gazing towards the sun. Clouds and mist surrounded him, and his half-open, half-closed eyes seemed to transcend all worldly emotions. He gently raised his palm, and Chen Chuan rose with it.
Although Chen Chuan knew these were illusions, his heart couldn't help but stir with a certain awe, stemming from his admiration and yearning for such mighty power.
He felt himself rising rapidly, leaving the earth far below, instantly passing through the sea of clouds and entering the void. Gradually, he reached the same height as the immortal's eyes, which remained calm, as if detached from all worldly emotions. The immortal raised his palm again, and Chen Chuan was enveloped in a brilliant light.
When the light dissipated, Chen Chuan found himself inside an elevator. The flashing light above indicated the forty-ninth floor, and after a few flashes, the elevator doors opened.
He stepped out and found dormitory number one. He pushed the door open, took the key from the niche next to the door, and entered the room.
As he entered this floor, all the illusions disappeared, as if they didn't want to disturb his private space.
Chen Chuan placed his luggage to the side, still holding Snow Lady Sword in his hand, and walked into the room.
After looking around, he estimated that the dormitory was about five hundred square meters. The private training room occupied four-fifths of the total area, and the bedroom, living room, and bathroom were all present. The lighting was soft and bright, and the layout was simple and elegant. Both the living room and the bedside table had a telephone each.
At this moment, the female voice in his ear said, "Student Chen Chuan, it has been recorded that you have entered your dormitory. During your studies, accommodation and meal fees are waived. For specific charging items, please use the consulting interface for inquiries."
Chen Chuan tried to access the consulting interface but couldn't view it directly because his Boundary Vessel only had audio capabilities and couldn't display the interface. So, he contacted Hong Fu to inquire.
Chen Chuan looked at his watch; it was 8:26. He went to the living room, picked up the phone, and called his aunt's home to inform her of his safe arrival at the academy. After a brief conversation, he hung up and called Cheng Zotong to deliver a similar message.
But just after hanging up, the voice spoke again, "During the student's studies, the accommodation and meal fees are waived. However, students are responsible for other expenses. Students can pay through the platform account or at the front desk. This student currently has a certain borrowing limit. Would you like the school to pay on your behalf?"
...
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(End of Chapter)
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