"Student Ye Chen, come to my office. Student Lin Yue, escort him."
The oppressive aura vanished as suddenly as it had appeared.
Students throughout the hall gasped, drawing in desperate lungfuls of air. For a moment, stunned silence filled the room. Then the hall erupted into chaos.
"Did you see that? Fourth Grade physique!"
"Pure Yang Sacred Body? I've only read about those in textbooks!"
"Why does the Professor want him?"
"That weakling has a Fourth Grade physique? How is that even possible?"
The noise swelled to a deafening roar as hundreds of students talked over each other, their voices filled with shock, envy, and confusion.
Lin Yue's cool voice reached Ye Chen's ears. "Follow me."
She stepped out from behind the booth, moving through the crowd with the confidence of someone accustomed to parting seas of people.
Ye Chen hurried after her, acutely aware of hundreds of eyes tracking his every movement.
They quickly exited the orientation hall. Lin Yue walked several paces ahead, her posture perfect, and her stride purposeful.
The silence between them stretched uncomfortably as she led him through the sprawling campus.
Ornate buildings rose on either side, their architecture blending traditional Eastern aesthetics with modern functionality.
Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, Ye Chen spoke up. "Who was that? The professor who called for me?"
Silence. Lin Yue's pace didn't change, and for several long moments, Ye Chen thought she would simply ignore his question. He was about to ask again when she finally responded.
"Professor Wu Tao. He teaches advanced martial arts and combat techniques." Her voice remained cool and professional, offering nothing beyond the basic facts.
Ye Chen frowned, processing this information. "Why would he want to see me? I'm just a freshman, and a weak one at that."
Lin Yue glanced back at him, her eyes unreadable. For a moment, he thought that would be all, then she spoke again, her voice dropping slightly.
"There are rumors that Professor Wu Tao has been seeking a promotion for quite some time. To achieve it this year, he needs to take on an exceptional apprentice. Someone who can bring glory to his name and prove his worth as an instructor."
Understanding dawned on Ye Chen's face. A Fourth Grade physique would definitely qualify as exceptional. Such talent appeared perhaps once in a million people, if that. Any professor who successfully nurtured such a genius would gain tremendous prestige and recognition.
"I see," Ye Chen murmured, his mind already racing with possibilities and concerns.
They walked in silence for a few more minutes, navigating through beautifully landscaped courtyards and past training grounds where senior students practiced their techniques.
Finally, they arrived at a tall building with "Faculty Offices" carved above the entrance.
Lin Yue led him up two flights of stairs, down another corridor, and stopped before a heavy wooden door with a nameplate reading "Professor Wu Tao - Advanced Martial Arts."
She knocked twice, her knuckles rapping against the wood.
"Enter," came the same authoritative voice that had filled the orientation hall.
Lin Yue nodded at Ye Chen, gesturing towards the door. Her message was clear. He would go in alone.
Ye Chen pushed open the door and stepped into the office.
The space was surprisingly spacious. Weapons hung on the walls, with swords, spears, and staffs that radiated faint spiritual energy.
A tall, broad-shouldered man stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, his hands clasped behind his back as he gazed out at the campus below. At the sound of the door closing, he turned to face Ye Chen.
Professor Wu Tao cut an imposing figure. His beard was neatly trimmed, and his short black hair streaked with hints of gray at the temples.
He looked to be in his forties, but in this world, appearances could be deceiving. He could actually be forty, or a hundred years old, depending on his cultivation level.
He smiled as their eyes met, but Ye Chen noticed immediately that the warmth didn't reach his eyes. There was a hardness there, a calculating quality that made Ye Chen instinctively wary.
"Student Ye Chen, welcome. Please, sit." Wu Tao gestured to a chair positioned before his massive wooden desk.
Ye Chen complied, settling into the seat while Wu Tao moved to sit behind the desk.
"I must say, your physique assessment results were quite impressive," Wu Tao began, his voice smooth and measured. "A Fourth Grade Pure Yang Sacred Body. Truly remarkable."
"Tell me, what are your plans during your time here at Tianlong University? What do you hope to achieve after graduation?"
Ye Chen considered his answer carefully. "Honestly, Professor, I simply want to learn and grow stronger. I haven't thought much beyond that yet. I only just arrived today."
Wu Tao's smile widened slightly. "How refreshingly down to earth. So many students these days arrive with their heads full of grand ambitions and empty boasts."
He leaned forward, his fingers steepling beneath his chin. "That's precisely why I wanted to speak with you privately. I'd like to offer you an opportunity, Ye Chen. Become my personal apprentice."
He paused, letting his offer sink in. Any student in Ye Chen's position, poor and desperate, would jump immediately at the offer, Fourth grade Physique or not.
"As my apprentice, you would receive preferential treatment. Additional cultivation resources beyond what ordinary students have access to. Private instruction in advanced martial techniques."
"Protection from those who might seek to exploit or harm a talent like yourself. I have connections throughout the university and the city that could prove... invaluable to your development."
While Wu Tao spoke, his mind raced with calculations. He was still among the few professors in his peer group who hadn't received a promotion.
He needed the prestige and additional resources that came with advancement. His cultivation had stagnated at his current level, and without better resources, he might never break through to the next realm.
He needed to bind Ye Chen to him now, before other professors caught wind of this exceptional student.
Fourth Grade physiques were not exactly common. Most students who possessed them were either scouted and recruited long before the school year began, or they came from powerful families with established relationships with senior faculty members.
But Ye Chen was a wildcard. Poor, unconnected, and seemingly appearing out of nowhere.
It was fortunate that Wu Tao had made it his habit to monitor the freshman orientation personally. This kind of opportunity wouldn't present itself again.
Ye Chen sat in silence, his expression thoughtful. The offer was generous, even he could recognize that. But his mind kept returning to the Perfect Life Sign-in System.
Every day, he would receive random rewards, including techniques, resources, and perhaps even things Wu Tao couldn't provide, like a Sacred Body.
If he tied himself to a professor as an apprentice, he would have to explain where all these mysterious benefits came from. Questions would be asked. Suspicions would arise.
The system was his greatest advantage, but only if it remained secret. Becoming someone's apprentice would mean constant scrutiny and supervision. His freedom would be severely limited.
"Professor Wu," Ye Chen said carefully, "I appreciate the generous offer, but I must respectfully decline."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees. Wu Tao's expression darkened like storm clouds gathering.
His spiritual aura leaked out, pressing down on Ye Chen with invisible weight. The pressure made it difficult to breathe, like the air had suddenly become thick and heavy.
"Are you certain?" Wu Tao's voice was low, dangerous. "Do you truly understand what you're refusing?"
The pressure intensified.
"Your Pure Yang Sacred Body isn't as special as you might think, Student Ye Chen. Yes, it's a Fourth Grade physique, impressive on paper. But it requires dual cultivation to perform at its fullest potential."
"Without suitable dao companions, you're just a mediocre cultivator with a fancy title." His smile turned cold.
"And I have the ability to ensure you receive no dao companions for as long as you remain in this city. One word from me to the right people, and every female cultivator will avoid you like plague."
The threat hung in the air, unmistakable for what it was.
"Choose wisely."
Ye Chen looked up, meeting Wu Tao's hard gaze. His heart pounded, but he kept his voice steady.
"I..."