Translator: CinderTL
Penglai University.
Heaven-Tier Zone, Estate No. 42.
Shen Changxi, her silver-white hair flowing like liquid moonlight and her aura radiating an ethereal, aloof grace, stood in the garden.
"Jiang Ye endured ten days in the Primordial-Grade Cleansing Pool?"
"How did he manage that?" The white-haired, crimson-eyed girl stared at the campus news on her phone, momentarily stunned.
Every student admitted to Penglai University possessed an unwavering Martial Dao Will.
Yet even she, with her formidable resolve, could only withstand half a day in the Primordial-Grade Cleansing Pool.
That was the Primordial-Tier Cosmic Cleansing!
Its agony was a hundred times more intense than the standard version.
For Jiang Ye to endure ten days within it? He was no ordinary human.
Buzz! Her phone vibrated.
"It's Teacher," Shen Changxi answered the call.
Beep!
A wizened old man with snow-white hair and a gaunt frame materialized on the screen.
"Teacher Chen," Shen Changxi bowed respectfully.
She had chosen Professor Chen Yuntian as her mentor.
"Have you seen the news I forwarded you?" Chen Yuntian asked calmly.
"Yes, I have."
"Jiang Ye is indeed an opponent not to be underestimated," Shen Changxi nodded solemnly.
She knew her teacher had sent her the news as a warning: Don't underestimate this opponent.
A month had already passed since the start of the semester.
Shen Changxi had long known that Jiang Ye's strength was only at the mid-stage of the first breakthrough.
Initially, a trace of disdain had flickered in her heart, but now that arrogance had completely vanished.
"Jiang Ye underwent cosmic tempering," Chen Yuntian said, his voice hoarse. "His strength will undoubtedly surge. In two months, he'll become even stronger."
Shen Changxi listened intently.
"You are my student, and you achieved the highest score among all freshmen in the College Entrance Examination."
"Therefore, my expectation for you is..."
"In the Freshman Competition two months from now, crush him and claim first place," Chen Yuntian stated flatly. "Can you do it?"
"Yes," Shen Changxi nodded. "I'll give it my all."
Crush Jiang Ye? She had absolute confidence in that.
After all, he was only at the mid-stage of the first breakthrough. Even if he reached the late stage in two months, he wouldn't stand a chance against her.
Because she had already reached the peak of the first breakthrough.
The next two months would be dedicated to consolidating her foundation and pushing her combat prowess to its absolute limit.
What could Jiang Ye possibly use to compete with her?
In the projection, Chen Yuntian nodded. "Report on your cultivation progress."
"Yes," Shen Changxi replied immediately. "The Crimson Moon Sword Art and Starlight Footwork have both reached Small Success. The yellow-tier Cosmic Secret Art is almost there."
Two profound-tier, top-grade cultivation techniques and one yellow-tier Cosmic Secret Art!
She had also nearly achieved Small Success in several mid-to-low-grade profound-tier art techniques.
In two months, all her cultivated techniques would reach Small Success.
This was Shen Changxi's foundation.
"Still not enough," Chen Yuntian frowned. "Starting today, increase your daily training by one hour. You must work even harder to secure the championship."
Shen Changxi's heart trembled, and she quickly nodded. "Yes, Teacher."
The projection slowly faded.
Shen Changxi exhaled in relief and glanced at the neighboring estate.
That was Jiang Ye's residence.
It seems Teacher Chen regrets not being able to get him, which is why he's specifically demanding I crush him, Shen Changxi mused inwardly.
A flicker of defiance flashed in her eyes.
So he just took first place in the Freshman Trials?
Teacher Chen Yuntian, why are you so fixated on Jiang Ye?
Isn't accepting her enough?
"Cultivation," Shen Changxi murmured, taking a deep breath as she headed toward the indoor training room.
Shen Changxi wasn't the only one who received the news.
The other elite students of Penglai University's Class of 2326 also learned of Jiang Ye's achievement.
Heaven-Tier Zone, Estate No. 43.
"Jiang Ye stayed in the Primordial-Grade Cleansing Pool for ten days?" Liu Wanxiao nodded.
He wasn't surprised.
He remembered how Jiang Ye had been riddled with wounds during the Entrance Trials, yet still managed to secure first place.
"This guy... he's not human," Liu Wanxiao muttered to himself.
Ding-ding!
His phone vibrated.
"Teacher Gu?" Liu Wanxiao immediately answered the call.
Beep! A holographic projection of an elderly man in black robes materialized.
This was Gu Xuantong, the legendary blade master Liu Wanxiao had chosen as his teacher!
"Wanxiao," Gu Xuantong began. "How's your preparation for the Freshman Competition in two months coming along?"
Not every teacher, like Chen Yuntian and Zhu Honglie, would create a detailed cultivation training plan for their students.
Gu Xuantong, for instance, was a hands-off mentor who managed his students with remarkable laxity. He would only check in every few days.
"Teacher," Liu Wanxiao said, "I'm confident I can secure a top-three spot."
"Top three?" Gu Xuantong shook his head. "My expectations for you are to secure second place and contend for first!"
"Third place? That would be a crushing defeat for you."
"Among this year's freshmen, besides Shen Changxi, who else poses a threat to you?" Gu Xuantong asked, studying his student.
"Teacher, I believe Jiang Ye is also a formidable opponent who shouldn't be underestimated," Liu Wanxiao replied.
"Jiang Ye?" Gu Xuantong chuckled. "He's certainly unique, but his combat prowess is far inferior to yours."
"Don't be fooled by Jiang Ye's facade. The gap in innate talent between you two is vast."
"At the Freshman Competition in two months, you'll crush him effortlessly."
"Understood," Liu Wanxiao said quickly.
Gu Xuantong said, "Focus on your cultivation. If you encounter any problems, come ask me immediately."
"Yes, sir."
Gu Xuantong's figure slowly dissipated.
"The difference in innate talent?" Liu Wanxiao pondered his teacher's words.
Was the gap between his and Jiang Ye's innate talent truly that vast?
Could it be that Jiang Ye didn't possess the Dao Bone Aptitude after all?
"If not the Dao Bone, could it be the Nascent Aptitude?" Liu Wanxiao mused.
But during the Freshman Trials, he had clearly witnessed Jiang Ye unleash the power of the Dao Bone Aptitude!
How could it possibly be the Nascent Aptitude?
"Never mind."
"I'll test his true strength during the Freshman Competition."
"The Freshman Competition," Liu Wanxiao vowed inwardly. "Secure second place, and contend for first!"
In an office within a white-gold, floating structure, Zhu Honglie watched the campus news and shook his head with a smile.
"That little rascal... he's truly full of surprises."
He wasn't just referring to Jiang Ye's performance in the cosmic tempering.
But also to the astonishing rate of progress Jiang Ye had shown over the past month.
Even by Zhu Honglie's standards, Jiang Ye's growth was nothing short of extraordinary.
"If he keeps improving at this rate, he might surprise everyone at the Freshman Competition," Zhu Honglie couldn't help but smile.
"Mm."
"After the Freshman Competition," Zhu Honglie planned, "we can have Jiang Ye take on that S-Rank combat mission."
As a teacher, he understood the importance of real combat experience.
Jiang Ye had been accumulating foundational knowledge for months.
Only true combat could transform that knowledge into actual strength.
When that happened, Jiang Ye's power would explode with terrifying force.
"Elder Bai," Zhu Honglie dialed Elder Bai's number.
S-Rank combat missions required special approval.
Beep
The call connected, and Zhu Honglie stated his request.
"S-Rank? The Fortress Judgment mission?" Elder Bai's voice was surprised. "Are you sure?"
"Absolutely."
"S-Rank combat missions are specifically designed for Upper A-tier students," Elder Bai reminded him. "Jiang Ye isn't quite at that level yet."
Zhu Honglie chuckled. "That's why I want him to go after the Freshman Competition."
"Oh?" Elder Bai raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. "You seem very confident in that little fellow. Do you really think he can secure an Upper A-Tier Contract?"
"Has he made remarkable progress this month?" Elder Bai asked curiously.
"Elder Bai, stop fishing for information," Zhu Honglie chuckled. "You'll see his true strength during the Freshman Competition."
"You rascal," Elder Bai shook his head, but didn't press further.
It was common for teachers to conceal their students' true abilities before the Freshman Competition. Chen Yuntian and Gu Xuantong were doing the same.
"Old Chen and Old Gu will likely apply for the 'Fortress Judgment' mission as well," Elder Bai said. "You should organize it."
"No problem," Zhu Honglie agreed immediately.
Jiang Ye, of course, remained unaware of these discussions.
By now, he had completed his Primordial-Tier Refinement and returned home.
"So powerful..."
Jiang Ye felt the surging power within him, his heart brimming with joy.
The Primordial-Tier Cosmic Cleansing had yielded benefits far beyond his expectations.
"While the Primordial-Tier Refinement pales in comparison to the Cosmic Blessing or Penglai's Gift..."
"But the benefits are more than ten times greater than ordinary tempering."
Jiang Ye could clearly sense the changes within himself.
For the past month, he had been cultivating relentlessly, accumulating a deep foundation in the martial dao.
This cosmic tempering had completely transformed that accumulated foundation into tangible power.
It was a metamorphosis of his life level!
"Perceptive Insight," Jiang Ye murmured, his eyes flashing with light as he focused inward.
Buzz!
Instantly, a blinding radiance enveloped his vision.
This light represented his Life Force.
"My Life Force has at least doubled since before the Primordial Refinement."
"Compared to a month ago, it's a world-shattering transformation." A faint smile curved Jiang Ye's lips.
Now, even if he wasn't quite at the late stage of the first breakthrough, he was infinitely close!
And all this in just...
A single month.
"Excellent!" Jiang Ye couldn't help but laugh.
This dramatic increase in power only fueled his anticipation for the next two months of cultivation.
"Continue training."
Jiang Ye picked up his spear, strode into the garden, and resumed his rigorous training regimen.
Days passed one by one.
Jiang Ye followed the cultivation plan given by his teacher, Zhu Honglie, spending every moment in relentless training.
In the blink of an eye, another two months had passed.
Late October brought crisp autumn air and clear skies.
Before he knew it, the Penglai University Class of 2326 Freshman Competition had arrived as scheduled.
(End of the Chapter)
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