The senior student's voice was very loud, instantly drawing attention from many people nearby. Parents who were there to accompany their children flocked over.
"This is the top scholar, huh? He looks pretty normal. Except he's somewhat handsome!" a ripple of discussion went through the crowd.
"Son, it seems you're impressive as well. You're in the same school as the top student. Good job, study hard. Maybe one day, you'll be a Grandmaster too."
"Senior, can I proceed with the registration?" Wang Zhan asked patiently, frowning. He simply ignored the gazes focused on him.
"No problem!" The senior student enthusiastically beckoned him over and handed him several forms. "Junior Wang Zhan, this is the enrollment form, and this is the information form. All new students need to register. In the future, school resources will be allocated through the campus card. Moreover, after graduation, this will also serve as your Martial Artist Identity Card."
After the explanation, Wang Zhan quickly filled out the forms. "Senior Sister, I've finished. Could you take a look?"
"Ah! Okay." The senior sister blushed and quickly regained her composure, then nodded. "Junior Wang Zhan, it's all in order. You can report directly to the Combat Department."
Wang Zhan left, hearing the senior's roar from a distance, "Everyone, all parents, please step back! This is Chu State Military Academy, not some cozy harbor like home. You will all become Martial Artists in the future. What's wrong? Still can't be weaned?"
"Look at Student Wang Zhan! He came to register alone. This is what a future Martial Artist of the Federation should look like! When you go to the battlefield, are your parents going to accompany you then too?"
Wang Zhan chuckled softly and shook his head. There are always plenty of people like that. After all, those who could attend a Martial Arts Academy usually had some family resources. Students like him, who came from the slum area, were indeed rare.
This Chu State Military Academy is strange; they don't even arrange dormitories? Wang Zhan was a bit puzzled. As more and more new students completed their registration, Wang Zhan grew tired of wandering around.
However, quite a few new students had gathered around him, both male and female. Overall, there weren't many female students, perhaps only a dozen or so. Yet, for the entire Chu State Military Academy, this was already considered a high proportion.
Within the entire Federation's Martial Arts Academy system, the ratio of male to female students was generally two to eight. Out of one hundred Martial Arts Academy students, at least eighty would be male.
To put it bluntly, when it comes to combat, males indeed possessed an undeniable advantage.
Most female students would choose ordinary Martial Arts Academies; even fewer would select a military-type one like Chu State Military Academy. For instance, this year, Chu State Military Academy had over a thousand new students, but the number of female students probably wouldn't exceed one hundred.
"Brother Zhan, what were you thinking? Why did you choose Chu State Military Academy? With your scores, you could have easily gotten into any of the four major Military Academies."
"It must be because his cultural course grades weren't great," someone guessed.
Wang Zhan was speechless. Don't even get me started. It's a long, sad story. I can only blame Mom for telling me too late. Otherwise, I would have chosen the Federation Military Academy.
"Haha, that might be true for you, but do you think the third-ranked scorer in the entire Federation's entrance exams needs to worry about cultural courses?"
Wang Zhan waved his hand. "Stop arguing. It's quite simple, really. Chu State is close, and I live in Chu State, so I can go home anytime, right? Plus, my sister is here."
"Brother Zhan, you've convinced me!" A chorus of flattery immediately rose from those nearby.
These Martial Arts Academies were much like the universities of old. Enrolling was like taking half a step into society, and everyone's minds began to churn with ambitions.
Everyone knew Wang Zhan was a powerful connection, a "thick thigh" to hug, so naturally, no one wanted to let him slip away. Yet, Wang Zhan furrowed his brows. This can't go on. They're all starting to treat me as their leader. What's the point of that? More importantly, if there's no conflict, how can I improve? Perhaps I'll have to set my sights on the senior students.
「Chu State Military Academy.」
On the top floor of the central ten-story office building, many Martial Artists stood. Each exuded a powerful aura, with the weakest possessing Martial General level strength. Among them, several even radiated the imposing presence of a Grandmaster.
"Old Liu, are we just going to let them keep waiting?" one of them asked slowly.
"Let them wait! Since the Federation's establishment, we've enjoyed a long era of peace. Many have forgotten the scenes of our first-generation Martial Artists, and even ordinary soldiers, fighting bravely and shedding blood on the battlefield. Now, each generation is worse than the last. Look at Chu State Military Academy—only Wang Qi has emerged from the entire senior class. If this continues, what will become of Chu State Military Academy?" Old Liu said solemnly, his tone laced with deep dissatisfaction regarding the current state of the Military Academy.
"Master Liu, be cautious with your words! You're well aware of the Academy President's situation and the circumstances in Chu State. Given the current climate..." a man of about fifty spoke slowly.
Just as his speech was calm and measured, the man himself exuded a gentle and refined aura. It was impossible to tell he was a Martial Artist of Grandmaster level.
Old Liu snorted coldly, "I, Liu Zhenfeng, am the Vice President of Chu State Military Academy. If I must be cautious even about this, then I might as well not be Vice President! I'd rather die a glorious death on the battlefield; that would be more satisfying."
Pointing below, Liu Zhenfeng sneered, "Look at these freshmen. Do any of them look like Martial Artists? Are they all here just to coast by? Still needing their families to drop them off and pick them up. Haven't they grown up yet?"
As time passed, the light screen of Chu State City began to slowly change with the arrival of night. The lights on the playing field illuminated, and simultaneously, an announcement broadcast throughout the campus: "All freshmen, gather on the playing field!"
Over a thousand freshmen quickly assembled there. Wang Zhan also arrived, and as usual, a number of people gathered around him. Being the top scholar, he was naturally the center of attention, and many students wanted to establish good relations with him early on.
Just as they had gathered, several figures could be seen soaring through the air, and over a dozen Teachers were rapidly approaching from the Teaching Building.
"Walking in the Sky! Is that a Grandmaster? Does our Chu State Military Academy actually have Grandmaster-level Teachers?"
"Isn't that obvious? No matter what, Chu State Military Academy is ranked among the top thirty-something academies in the entire Federation. Among military-focused academies, it's even in the top ten. Do you think we're weak?"
Led by Liu Zhenfeng, the Teachers quickly assembled. At that moment, all of them released their auras.
Instantly, a powerful pressure emanated from them. Students who had been standing casually were caught off guard, their postures becoming awkward. Some students who were sitting were directly crushed by this pressure.
Many hurriedly released their own auras, desperately trying to resist.
"Allow me to introduce myself! I am Liu Zhenfeng of Chu State Military Academy!" Liu Zhenfeng announced, his voice not exceptionally loud, yet it resonated throughout the entire field, reaching every student's ears.
"You have all passed rigorous examinations and stringent selections to enter Chu State Military Academy. However, I am not satisfied. In fact, from the moment you began registering today, all your actions have been under our observation. Some of you were crying while bidding farewell to your parents, others were acting spoiled, and some even approached me, asking me to look after their juniors."
"I also witnessed your subsequent behavior, and I am very disappointed! Chu State Military Academy was founded when fearsome beasts first appeared. If you trace its lineage back to the peace era, the predecessor of Chu State Military Academy was one of the four major Military Academies. But now? You are all trash!"
"Do you all believe that entering a Military Academy marks the beginning of the pinnacle of your lives? That you will automatically become Martial Artists and henceforth be superior to others?"
"Wrong! You are all wrong! What is a Martial Artist? Martial Artists are among those with the highest casualty rates! How do you think the privileges Martial Artists enjoy came to be? They were earned with the blood and flesh of our predecessors, a respect they fought for! But now, you are not worthy of it!"
"Over the next four years, I will make you understand what a Martial Artist truly is, and I will teach you how to become one."
Liu Zhenfeng's aura gradually intensified. Of the thousand-plus students, many had already retreated some distance. It wasn't that they didn't want to stand at the front; they simply couldn't. Remaining there came at a price.
At this moment, only Wang Zhan still stood firm in the very front row of the entire playing field. Behind him were five other students, forming a second tier.
Out of more than a thousand students, only these six are even passable, Liu Zhenfeng felt somewhat helpless. The foundation of Chu State Military Academy is still too weak. It's impossible to expect truly outstanding students. Having even one Wang Zhan is a stroke of luck.
Wang Zhan was also feeling the strain. He had to start circulating the overall outline of his cultivation, coordinating it with his body refining techniques and breathing exercises. Only by doing so could he barely manage to hold on.
"Wang Zhan!" Liu Zhenfeng suddenly called out.
Wang Zhan was startled and immediately responded loudly, "Present!"
Liu Zhenfeng nodded slowly, retracted his immense pressure, and said, "You are very good. To withstand such pressure for so long, and more importantly, to still be able to respond—you truly live up to your title as the top scholar of this year's Chu State Martial Arts Examination. Next, you will give a speech as the representative of the new students!"
Wang Zhan was momentarily stunned. Seeing the looks of admiration and respect from the freshmen behind him, he felt utterly troubled. I'm already conspicuous enough. After this, not just the freshmen, but probably the senior students will know who I am too. This can't go on. How am I supposed to find real combat opportunities in the future? Am I going to have to seek out mentors for sparring all the time?
No! Absolutely not. The mentors don't have that much time. It looks like I have to make a big move.
With this thought, Wang Zhan turned around and said, "Fellow students! As aspiring Martial Artists, we all came here with goals. However, I am disappointed! I even regret it a little. I should have gone to Yanjing Military Academy, or the Federation Military Academy, or even the Royal Martial Academy. Any of those would have been fine. Don't look at me like that. As far as I'm concerned, every single one of you here is trash."
"And don't get angry! I'm not just talking about you. I'm also talking about the senior students watching from the sidelines. Yes, every single one of them! It's truly disappointing. There isn't one among them who can actually fight. All trash!"
Damn it, Wang Zhan thought, If I'd known, I wouldn't have scored so well. Being in the spotlight really isn't a good thing. If I just echo Vice President Liu's words, how will I ever improve in the future?
"Old Liu! How dare he! He's making an enemy of the entire school, isn't he?" a Teacher gasped, whispering.
A one-armed man beside him, whose strength seemed to be at the Martial General-level, suddenly had a bright look in his eyes. "Teacher Wei, I find this rather interesting. Chu State Military Academy doesn't lack talent. What it lacks is precisely this kind of 'I am number one under the heavens' arrogance. If a Martial Artist doesn't even dare to contend, then what's the point of being a Martial Artist? This 'everyone gets along, you're good, I'm good, everything's great' attitude—what's the point of that? President Liu, I, Duan Kun, want this student."