Chapter 233: Illusory Truth
Chapter 233: Illusory Truth
As the off-road vehicle approached the building, it slowed to a stop about five hundred meters away. Old Qi glanced at the heavily armed security personnel of the Wu Yi Academy and said, "I can't get past this point."
Turning back, he added, "Only students of the Wu Yi Academy can go further. I've completed my commission by bringing you this far."
Chen Chuan expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Mr. Qi, for accompanying me all this way."
Old Qi waved it off, "Don't mention it. Remember to leave me a good review later."
Chen Chuan stepped out of the vehicle and closed the door. As he did, Old Qi's voice sounded in his ear, "Student Chen, if you need anything in the future, you can commission me again. I may not have much in the way of other talents, but I know the Central City and its surrounding areas well. Feel free to contact me again."
With that, the call ended, and the off-road vehicle retreated and drove away.
Chen Chuan looked up at the towering building ahead, its brilliance piercing the clouds. He tightened his grip on his luggage and the Xuejun Blade, and strode towards it.
After Old Qi left, he glanced at the items on the passenger seat, and his mood improved slightly. Despite the detour to take care of some business, he had managed to make it on time. Although there were some twists on the return journey, he had successfully brought back the items.
A smile spread across his face; with this transaction completed, Xiaoqi's tuition fees were now secured.
He glanced at the tall building of the Wu Yi Academy in the rearview mirror, feeling a mix of envy and apprehension.
Stepping on the accelerator, the vehicle surged forward, leaving a trail of dazzling light. It seemed to be both an escape and a rush to return to this fantastical world.
Chen Chuan smoothly passed through the square in front of the building. The security personnel merely glanced at him a few times, their visors flashing, but they didn't approach him for any inquiries.
After ascending the first set of wide steps, he encountered a place resembling an interface point. It was a massive emblem, a shield adorned with various weapons like swords, guns, and spears.
Chen Chuan recognized it as the Wu Yi emblem, but it wasn't prominently displayed in Yangzhi City, perhaps due to the difference between the local and central academies.
As he stepped onto the emblem, a sense of unevenness beneath his feet. After a brief wait, a spirited female voice sounded in his ear:
"Hello, Student Chen Chuan. Welcome to the Wu Yi Central Academy in Jinbei Dao Central City. 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 guide you in person. Please wait for a moment."
Chen Chuan noticed a pale light strip on the floor, indicating the direction he needed to go. He thought that this technology indeed made things much more convenient, allowing the school to confirm his identity without him having to enter and go through a cumbersome process.
A few minutes later, he saw a student emerge from the hall and descend the steps towards him.
From the student's gait and rhythm, it was evident that this was a Second Limit Fighter. The interface token on his body was a half-face mask with a painted design.
The student approached and enthusiastically shook Chen Chuan's hand, "Hello, are you Student Chen Chuan? I'm your assigned guide, a fellow student named Tan Zhi. I entered the academy half a year before you."
Chen Chuan shook his hand, and at the same time, a contact request appeared. After Chen Chuan accepted, the contact was added to his list.
"Follow me," Tan Zhi said, leading the way up the steps.
Chen Chuan followed, but after only a few steps, a rainbow light flashed above, encircling the building at high speed. This caught his attention.
Looking up, he saw a woman in red, wearing a conical hat and carrying a wine gourd, standing on the roof. Her sleeves fluttered in the wind as she gazed at the sky, where the moon seemed both real and illusory. Sensing Chen Chuan's gaze, she lowered her eyes, her face covered by a veil but her eyes full of life.
Tan Zhi glanced at her and said, "That's our Bio-Awareness Manifestation, Hong Fu. You just heard her voice. If you have any questions about the academy, you can ask her. But remember to be polite; otherwise, she might ignore you."
Chen Chuan withdrew his gaze and followed Tan Zhi past the steps into the first-floor hall. The space was vast, resembling a grand hall, and even the echoes of their footsteps sounded hollow.
Hanging above them were enormous lotus treasure lamps, casting a reddish glow. At the entrance of the hall stood two twenty-meter-tall golden armored guardians with haughty expressions. As Chen Chuan and Tan Zhi walked past, the guardians glared down at them, their bellies swaying slightly as they took half a step forward, causing their belly ornaments and flowing sashes to flutter.
Tan Zhi paid no attention to the guardians. "It might feel a bit overwhelming the first time here, but you'll get used to it quickly. When you go to other places, you'll find them awkward and uncomfortable."
As they continued walking, they reached a spot on the floor with a pattern of lotuses and celestial maidens. As they stepped on it, the lotuses in the pattern came to life, blooming and rising from the image, floating upwards. Petals occasionally fell, accompanied by the sound of silvery laughter.
A bright light illuminated a statue of a woman ahead, seemingly carved from transparent crystal. It resembled the Hong Fu they had seen outside, but her attire was more akin to a celestial maiden in a painting.
Chen Chuan felt that this was a real scene, not an illusion like the previous ones.
"Your student card, Student Chen," Tan Zhi said.
As Chen Chuan took out his student card, a long scroll appeared in Hong Fu's hand. It floated alongside her scarf, with lines of text flowing across it.
After a while, as the scroll closed, the sounds and the scene gradually quieted.
Chen Chuan heard a voice in his ear: "Student Chen Chuan, you have updated your identity. You have obtained the citizenship of a long-term resident in the Central City. The Citizen's Code and Public Safety Regulations will be sent to your personal interface token. Please pay attention to receiving it."
"During your time at the Academy, please pay attention to the mandatory courses and the fees you need to pay. If you require reminders from the Academy, please grant permission. Wishing you a fruitful study period."
"Alright."
Tan Zhi, standing beside him, said, "Student Chen, Hong Fu has already recorded and updated your information and sent it to Mother Shu. Hmm, do you need a physical card? Some new students aren't used to it and feel more secure with a physical card. If you want one, just apply to Hong Fu, and then go to the designated location to pick it up."
"But all your information is stored in 'Yan Zhou,' oh, that's where Hong Fu's physical body is located. Besides the principal, no one can enter."
"And this proof of identity is only valid for one year. You'll need to update it again after a year. If you don't pass the assessment, it will be canceled, and you'll lose your citizenship as well. So, I don't think it's really necessary."
As he finished speaking, he shrugged his shoulders.
Chen Chuan asked, "Student Tan, how many people fail the assessment each year?"
"Yes, quite a few."
Tan Zhi casually replied, "But in the Central City, everything can be bought with money, including knowledge. Even if you don't pass the assessment, you can still buy citizenship in the city with some cash. Of course, if you want to learn more advanced martial arts and cultivation knowledge, passing the assessment is a must."
Noticing the casual tone regarding money, Chen Chuan asked a few questions. Indeed, Tan Zhi was also a recommended student with a powerful background, having obtained his spot from a local Wu Yi School.
6◇9◇Book◇Bar
However, Tan Zhi had a very easygoing temperament, and he seemed to treat Chen Chuan more casually than the influential young masters 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. I've earned a point for my student evaluation, so it wasn't a waste of time. 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..." He turned back and added, "Oh, and student, one more reminder."
Chen Chuan bid him farewell, and as he stood in the empty hall, he looked at the glowing statue and said, "Hong Fu, can you take me to the dormitory?"
The voice in his ear replied, "Student Chen Chuan, please follow the guidance. Your dormitory is located on the forty-ninth floor, room number one."
Chen Chuan saw a bright light flying in one direction and followed it. Gradually, clouds began to swirl around him as he walked, and after a long walk, the light stopped. He approached it, and as the light seemed to burn out, ashes fell like rain. His feet felt a slight tremor, and his vision rose upwards.
He looked up and suddenly realized that he was standing in the palm of an enormous saguaro cactus.
The cactus carried the sun on its back, with its hair pointing towards the sun. Clouds swirled around its body, and its half-open, half-closed eyes seemed to gaze down at him, as if guiding him. Its hand slowly lifted upwards, and he rose with it.
Although Chen Chuan knew these were illusions, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe, stemming from his admiration and pursuit of such power.
He felt himself rising swiftly, the ground far below, and in an instant, he passed through the sea of clouds and entered the void. Gradually, he reached the same height as the cactus's eyes. Its gaze was calm, as if detached from all worldly emotions. Then, its hand lifted him higher, and he was enveloped in a brilliant light.
When the light dissipated, he found himself inside an elevator. The flashing light above indicated the forty-ninth floor, flickering a few times before the elevator doors slid open.
After exiting, he located dormitory number one, opened the door, and took a quick glance around. He retrieved the key from the niche beside the door.
Once he reached this floor, all the illusions disappeared, as if they didn't want to disturb his personal space.
He placed his suitcase to the side, still holding the Xuejun Sword in his hand, and walked into the room.
After a quick survey, he estimated that the dormitory was over five hundred square meters. The private training room took up four-fifths of the total area, and the bedroom, living room, and bathroom were all well-equipped. The lighting was soft and bright, and the layout was simple and refreshing. Both the living room and the bedside table had a telephone each.
At this moment, the female voice sounded in his ear: "Student Chen Chuan, we have confirmed that you have entered your dormitory. During your time at the Academy, accommodation and dining fees are waived. For specific fee information, please use the consultation interface."
Chen Chuan tried to access the consultation interface, but he couldn't view it directly because his interface token only had audio capabilities, not a visual display. This left him no choice but to replace it.
He contacted Hong Fu to inquire and eventually chose a Jade Enjoy Interface Token produced by Pollen Corporation. With Hong Fu's assistance, he placed an order through the Bosha Platform, commissioning the company to purchase it on his behalf.
He looked at his watch; it was 8:26. He walked into the living room, picked up the phone, and called his aunt's house to inform them of his safe arrival at the Academy. After a brief conversation, he also called Cheng Zitong to deliver the same message.
But just after hanging up, the voice sounded again: "During the student's time at the school, telephone fees will be deducted from the student's account. Students can pay through the platform or at the front desk. This student currently has a credit limit. Do you wish for the school to pay on their behalf?"
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(End)
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