"What?" Wang Zhan immediately became agitated.
Unbeknownst to them, they had already arrived outside the classroom. With Wang Zhan's sudden outburst, the entire class looked over.
Wang Zhan's gaze swept across the room. The figure who was sometimes pretentious, sometimes gentle, and most of the time domineering, fiery, and a bit silly wasn't there anymore. Of course, the loving breakfast she made was gone too!
Chen Jun glanced into the classroom and immediately put on a stern face. "What are you all looking at? Don't you need to review? Don't think that you can relax just because the martial arts examination is over. It's true that admissions have expanded this time, but some of you just barely made the cut. Cultural courses are even more important. And the rest of you, don't you have books to read?"
With Chen Jun's reprimand, the students quieted down, and the sound of studying soon filled the room.
Chen Jun looked at Wang Zhan and said sternly, "Wang Zhan, calm down. Why are you so agitated? For three whole years, there were no rumors about you two. So what? Now that she's gone, you're getting worked up? Yao Yao talked to me for a long time. Everyone has their own path in life. No one can accompany another person forever. Even with the best of friends, if one can't keep up, then either you leave them far behind, or they leave you. That's perfectly normal!"
That sounded just like Yao Yao. Wang Zhan fell silent. He had already guessed. This must be what Yao Yao wanted to tell me.
"Alright, I understand," he said.
「Time flew.」
Half a month passed, and finally, the days of the cultural examination arrived—from July 16th to July 18th. The three-day Federal High School Joint Examination began.
In half a month, Wang Zhan's body had undergone enormous changes, but the consumption of resources was also significant. The Grade-9 Essence Pills were long gone. His mother, Yang Cui, hadn't taken a single cent of the one million in cash; Wang Zhan had used it all for his own improvement.
During this time, Wang Zhan had also sparred with Chen Jun and other teachers at the school, but it was no use. Before breaking through to the next realm, increasing attributes could only be done the hard way.
He had completely mastered the Body Refining Technique, and the cultivation method was well-etched in his heart. It could be said that Wang Zhan could enter the Martial Artist realm whenever he wished.
It was rumored that Zhou Tianyu and Shen Dingxin from No. 1 Middle School, who had placed second and third respectively in the competition, had both advanced to the Martial Artist realm.
Wang Zhan, however, was still persisting. In doing so, he also discovered some things. Regarding breaking through one's limits, he realized that the difference in effect between Grade-1 Essence Pills and Grade-9 Essence Pills wasn't significant. With the one million spent, twenty bottles of Grade-1 Essence Pills had also been consumed as nourishment.
Now, looking at his own attributes, Wang Zhan felt somewhat upset.
Host: Wang Zhan
Strength: 250
Agility: 250
Physique: 250
Charm: 26
Wisdom: 11
His charm had increased by one point, but that wasn't important; he'd never been disappointed in that department, always brimming with confidence. His damn Wisdom stat had painstakingly crawled up by one point, reaching 11. Without a benchmark, he couldn't make a direct comparison, but Wang Zhan felt he should be doing quite well. At the very least, his comprehension of the Body Refining Technique and the cultivation guide was now profound. Hmm, better than some, worse than others, I suppose.
But all three of his major attributes had become 250 points. This was outrageous. What an insult!
After the exam, the class had a small gathering. Everyone was sentimental. There were hugs, confessions, tears, and laughter. They left behind laughter and tears. After this farewell, perhaps… perhaps they would never see each other again. In such an era, everyone was busy. Those who couldn't get into a Martial Arts Academy were busy struggling for survival and to make a living. As for those who did get in, perhaps they'd die even sooner!
「Three days later,」
all the graduating students returned to school. The scores were out. Next was deciding which schools to apply to.
"Boss!" Lin Qiang and the others were waiting at the school gate. They greeted Wang Zhan as soon as he walked in.
"Looks like you did well on your exams, Xiao Qiang!" Seeing Lin Qiang's beaming face, Wang Zhan knew this guy must have done well.
Lin Qiang rubbed his hands together, saying modestly, "Oh, I'm certainly far behind you, Boss. My martial arts exam score was a bit low, just barely meeting the standard. My cultural subject scores are decent, though. I should be able to get into Chu State's Second Martial Arts Academy."
"Hmph, listen to you bragging," Deng Chaofan snorted coldly, his disdain and strong dissatisfaction evident.
Wang Zhan immediately looked at him. "Xiao Fanzi, what about you?"
Deng Chaofan said proudly, "Martial arts exam was okay. Cultural subjects were okay too. The four major Martial Arts Academies are out of reach, though. I want to go to Chang'an Martial Arts Academy!"
Damn, one more pretentious than the other. Chang'an Martial Arts Academy... that's a very formidable institution. As a northwestern megalopolis, Chang'an boasts concentrated population and resources. Its Martial Arts Academy is by no means lacking. This isn't just 'okay'; it's bloody brilliant!
Lin Qiang chuckled. "Boss, where are you applying? The Federal Martial Arts Academy or the Federal Military Academy? Or perhaps the Royal Martial Arts Academy or Yanjing Martial Arts Academy?"
"Either Yanjing Martial Arts Academy or the Federal Military Academy, I'd say," Deng Chaofan interjected. "The Federal Martial Arts Academy is across the ocean. And I've heard the Royal Martial Arts Academy is basically a white person's world. They're too far from us!"
Just as they were speaking, Principal Cao and Chen Jun came running over, both looking overjoyed. Upon seeing Wang Zhan, Principal Cao immediately exclaimed, "Wang Zhan, why are you still at the school gate? I've been looking all over for you! Hurry and come with me!"
Chen Jun also said, "You rascal, not even proactive about applying to schools? Hurry up! Representatives from the four major Martial Arts Academies are here. They're all waiting for you."
"Damn it!" Watching Wang Zhan's departing figure, Deng Chaofan cursed fiercely and spat. "Comparing people is infuriating! He's just the Zhaungyuan, so what? Can he actually pick and choose which academy to attend? The four major Martial Arts Academies have no dignity!"
The reception hall of No. 33 Middle School was naturally far inferior to that of No. 1 Middle School.
Looking at the individuals seated within, representatives from the imposing Martial Arts Academies sat calmly. The white ceramic tiled floor made Cao Fugui frown slightly.
It has to be replaced! It must be replaced in the future! Otherwise, how could it be worthy of a Zhaungyuan's status?
As Wang Zhan entered, several gazes turned towards him. Among them, an exquisitely beautiful woman glanced at Wang Zhan and said, "Not bad. Your internal energy is abundant, and your aura is powerful. Student Wang Zhan, you must have broken through your limit already, right?"
"Jiang Bing! Isn't that stating the obvious?" a voice interjected from the side. It was a man with Western features, who snickered. "As the Zhaungyuan of Chu State, and having even ranked third in the Federation, if he couldn't even do that, then the title would truly be inflated."
Third place? Wang Zhan was instantly curious. My strength isn't even number one. I wonder what's so amazing about the two ahead of me.
"Hello, Wang Zhan. I'm Powell from the Royal Martial Arts Academy. This year's Zhaungyuan, Qin Zhen, is at our Royal Martial Arts Academy. I believe geniuses share a common language. If you come to us, we can provide you with vast cultivation resources, along with top-tier martial skills and cultivation methods. Additionally, you'll be enrolled in the Talent Academy and receive no less than ten Essence Pills each month. Once you reach the Martial Artist realm, you'll even have a dedicated teacher to guide you."
Powell was very direct. After mocking Jiang Bing, he laid out his terms.
Nearby, a tall Black man in a military uniform grinned, his pearly white teeth flashing. "Student Wang Zhan, I'm George from the Federal Military Academy. Come to the Military Academy; it's where a man belongs. Mere Essence Pills are nothing. The Military Academy boasts the best and most advanced weaponry and equipment, as well as the latest medicinal resources. These are advantages other Martial Arts Academies cannot match."
These words silenced many. George was right. In the Federal System, Martial Artists were revered, and combat was paramount. As the core fighting force, the Military Academy truly possessed the most impressive resources.
"Hehe, the Military Academy also suffers the highest casualties, doesn't it?" The last man slowly began. Looking at Wang Zhan, he introduced himself, "Student Wang Zhan, Liu Bo from the Federal Martial Arts Academy! If you come to the Federal Martial Arts Academy, I can promise that you can choose your own teacher, including Hong Hui!"
Hong Hui!
Even Wang Zhan was startled for a moment. He was one of the Martial Kings, one of the few within the Martial Arts Academy system. For Liu Bo to dare say such a thing, he must have consulted Hong Hui. Perhaps Hong Hui himself had instructed him. This implied Wang Zhan had also earned Martial King Hong's esteem!
A Martial King as a teacher... This... this is a heaven-sent opportunity!
However, Wang Zhan shook his head at this moment and said, "I'm sorry, Teachers. I've already submitted my school application."
"Haha, is it our Military Academy?" George immediately laughed and asked. "I know you; I've seen your file. Ever since you could walk, you've constantly been squabbling and fighting with others, and you even revel in it. You're a true battle fanatic. The Military Academy is the most suitable place for you."
"That's not necessarily true!" Jiang Bing, who had been silent all this while, spoke up. "Student Wang Zhan, Yanjing Martial Arts Academy welcomes you. I won't say much else, just this: the Federation currently has fifty Giant Cities, overseeing over a thousand smaller cities. Yet, Yanjing Martial Arts Academy supports half of the Federation's entire martial arts domain!"
"Hehe, no wonder your Dean is called Wang 'Half-Sky'! So that's where it comes from," Liu Bo chimed in rudely from the side, his tone thick with ridicule and sarcasm. The atmosphere instantly grew awkward.
Jiang Bing shot to her feet, her imposing aura flaring. It was as if a phantom wind swept through the reception hall.
"Liu Bo!"
The aura of a Grandmaster! Who would have thought Jiang Bing was a Grandmaster? She didn't look that old, thirty-something at most. Then again, appearances could be deceiving. With the flourishing of martial arts, human lifespans were also extending. Never mind Grandmasters; even after reaching the Martial General level, living to be 150 or 160 was quite normal. You couldn't judge by appearances alone.
Cao Fugui and the others retreated repeatedly. At this moment, Wang Zhan also felt a pressure—an aura, the kind that bore down on people with immense weight.
"Teachers!" Wang Zhan managed to call out, though it was a struggle.
Jiang Bing seemed to realize her misstep and instantly retracted her aura. A look of astonishment appeared on her face. "You're... unharmed?" she asked.
Not only Jiang Bing, but the other three also wore expressions of shock. This was a Grandmaster. Even if Jiang Bing hadn't fully unleashed her aura, it shouldn't be something a mere Martial Student could withstand.
"Student Wang Zhan! As long as you come to the Royal Martial Arts Academy, I can personally authorize Special Treatment for you," Powell suddenly interjected.
"Teachers!" Wang Zhan urgently called out. Seeing the others' expressions change as they were about to speak, Wang Zhan quickly interjected; if he didn't speak up now, who knew how long these people would keep bickering.
Facing everyone's gazes—the anticipation from the four major Martial Arts Academies, the anxiety of his school teachers—Wang Zhan slowly said, "Teachers, I'm sorry! I'm not going to any of your academies. I've already submitted my application. I've made up my mind. I'm going to the Chu State Military Academy."