Translator: CinderTL
Although Jiang Ye currently had sufficient resources, his monthly expenses would skyrocket to several million after his second breakthrough. He needed to plan ahead.
For instance, he had already noticed that the low-grade profound martial ginseng was no longer as effective as before. Soon, he would need to try mid-grade profound martial ginseng and Martial Spirit Mushrooms, which cost four times as much.
In the ever-advancing realm of cosmic martial arts, the higher one climbed the Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder, the steeper the price for further progress became.
"Teacher," Jiang Ye couldn't help but ask, "what's the typical endorsement fee?"
"At least five million or more," Zhu Honglie replied with a smile. "Each company has its own standards. You'll need to weigh the options yourself."
Jiang Ye pondered briefly. He was indeed tempted, but he also had his concerns.
"If I endorse these companies," Jiang Ye said, "and they later face scandals, wouldn't I become the scapegoat?"
"Exactly. You're very cautious," Zhu Honglie nodded approvingly. "Every benefit comes with risks."
"That's why I said you need to weigh the options yourself."
"You can choose steady development, gradually saving money, or accept others' gifts while bearing the corresponding risks," Zhu Honglie concluded.
Jiang Ye nodded, saying nothing more.
He knew his teacher couldn't offer any further advice on this matter.
The decision was his to make.
"Now, for the second matter," Zhu Honglie continued. "In two weeks, I'll be assigning you an S-Rank mission. Prepare yourself."
"An S-Rank mission?" Jiang Ye held his breath.
He had heard his teacher mention these before the Freshman Competition.
Penglai University's combat missions were classified into S-Rank, A-Rank, B-Rank, C-Rank, and D-Rank.
The higher the rank, the greater the rewards—and the greater the risks.
Of course, the risks would remain within reasonable limits.
An S-Rank mission for a freshman meant it was the highest-level task a freshman could handle.
"You'll be working with Yun Qing'er, Shen Changxi, and Liu Wanxiao on this mission," Zhu Honglie added. "The operation's codename is—Fortress Judgment!"
"Fortress Judgment?!" Jiang Ye held his breath again.
Even the name sounded extraordinary!
"The specifics will be revealed when the time comes," Zhu Honglie said with a mysterious smile.
"Understood," Jiang Ye nodded.
"The university will be evaluating your performance during this mission."
"If you perform exceptionally well," Zhu Honglie chuckled, "the rewards will surpass your wildest imagination."
"If you achieve the highest evaluation, the school will grant you access to extremely rare martial dao resources."
"Remember, some things can't be bought with money, like Penglai's Gift," Zhu Honglie said with a knowing smile.
Jiang Ye nodded emphatically.
Indeed!
Penglai's Gift, Cosmic Blessing—even vast treasures couldn't guarantee obtaining such things.
"By the way, Teacher," Jiang Ye suddenly remembered. "The Upper A-Tier Contract mentions five annual opportunities for advanced training at White Dragon University. When does that happen?"
"White Dragon University?" Zhu Honglie shook his head with a smile. "That's still a long way off. At least until you reach your second breakthrough."
"Advanced training at White Dragon University is indeed crucial for your development."
"As one of the Top Ten Elite Schools, White Dragon University's foundation lies in the White Dragon's Court. You'll experience it firsthand when the time comes."
"But the primary requirement for advanced training is reaching your second breakthrough."
"Otherwise, you won't gain much benefit from it," Zhu Honglie said, shaking his head.
"Understood, Teacher," Jiang Ye replied immediately, nodding.
He suddenly understood why his teacher had never mentioned this before.
It seemed his current strength hadn't yet met the requirements for advanced training.
"Alright," Zhu Honglie said sternly, "enough with the digressions. Now, let's adjust your cultivation plan."
"Yes, sir," Jiang Ye replied, immediately perking up his ears.
"Starting today, your daily cultivation time will be reduced by two hours."
"The time you spend seeking my guidance will increase by one hour, and the time you spend challenging Cosmic Rank matches will also increase by one hour," Zhu Honglie adjusted the plan.
Jiang Ye listened intently.
A cultivation plan must inevitably be adjusted to match his progress.
Zhu Honglie's adjustments were timely.
"Two hours less of cultivation?" Jiang Ye pondered. "Those two hours are being reallocated to guidance and practical combat."
He nodded inwardly.
Perfectly reasonable.
His progress through cultivation alone had slowed considerably.
Conversely, intense battles were proving to be far more effective for rapid advancement.
Take, for example, his duel with Shen Changxi. In just a few minutes, his spearmanship had improved dramatically.
"...Within six months, you must reach Cosmic Rank Tier 2," Zhu Honglie concluded.
Jiang Ye froze, stunned.
Tier 2 within six months?
That's incredibly difficult.
He hasn't even reached Tier 1 yet.
Jiang Ye pondered for a moment, then asked curiously, "Is this because of the Twenty-Five School Genius Cup?"
The Genius Cup was scheduled to begin exactly six months from now.
"Correct," Zhu Honglie replied calmly. "Only by reaching Cosmic Rank Tier 2 will you have a chance to place in the Genius Cup."
"Strive for it. Sprint toward this goal."
"Yes," Jiang Ye nodded solemnly.
He remembered that reaching Cosmic Rank Tier 2 would also earn him a 50 million federal currency reward from the school.
This was a massive opportunity for advancement.
Jiang Ye had no intention of missing it.
Afterward, Zhu Honglie began today's training session.
Whoosh! In the training room, Jiang Ye wielded his spear, sweat flying as he practiced.
Zhu Honglie stood beside him, offering occasional guidance.
Time flowed by.
Four hours later, nearing midnight, Zhu Honglie finally departed.
Jiang Ye washed up, then entered the Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder to begin his nightly mental refinement.
November 1st, morning, in the manor's training room.
Boom!
Boom! Bang! Jiang Ye wielded his spear like a swimming dragon, each thrust carrying the force of thunder, reverberating through the training room.
His speed was blinding, leaving afterimages of the sun blazing from the spear tip.
Any master of the Great Sun Spear Technique witnessing this would be astonished.
For Jiang Ye was executing the twenty-sixth form of the technique—Swimming Dragon Pierces the Sun!
Just days ago, he had only begun practicing this form.
But now?
He had already achieved Perfection.
"Spear like a swimming dragon, piercing the blazing sun!" Jiang Ye roared, his entire body erupting with power as stellar energy shimmered around him.
A phantom image of the sun materialized.
Boom! The spear tip stabbed forward, piercing the phantom sun with explosive force.
A silver Star Ring expanded outward, unleashing a colossal shockwave of energy that swept through the training room.
Rumble! Thunderous roars echoed through the chamber.
"It's taking shape," Jiang Ye said, sheathing his spear.
Forms twenty-six through thirty of the Great Sun Spear Technique were the embryonic stages of his third ultimate move—crucial for its development.
It could unleash a massive burst of destructive force.
Just like Shen Changxi's Moonfall technique, it created a ten-meter-diameter sphere that instantly engulfed the entire arena.
The third ultimate move of the Great Sun Spear Technique, Sun Cascade, was an equally devastating killing strike.
"Spearmanship proficiency," Jiang Ye murmured, glancing at his status panel.
[Great Sun Spear Technique: Small Success (16%) → (20%)]
"A 4% increase in just one day," Jiang Ye grinned.
Previously, he might have gained less than 3%.
This proved Zhu Honglie's adjustments to his training plan were spot-on.
Significant progress had been made on the very first day.
"My current strength..."
"Has increased by at least twenty percent compared to before," Jiang Ye thought to himself. "If I'd had this level of power yesterday, I might have stood a chance against Shen Changxi."
Buzz! Buzz!
Just as he finished this thought, his smart wristband vibrated.
Ding! Jiang Ye activated the wristband's projection.
Dear Student Jiang Ye,
The Ding Sheng Group cordially invites you to discuss a commercial endorsement. If interested, please click the link below.
Buzz! Buzz!
Several more notification tones chimed in quick succession.
Dear Student Jiang Ye, the Three Strong Group invites you to discuss a commercial endorsement.
Dear Student Jiang Ye, the North Trust Group cordially invites you to discuss endorsement matters.
...
"A commercial endorsement invitation?" Jiang Ye's expression shifted.
He quickly scanned through all the messages but didn't make an immediate decision.
"No rush. I'll look at it later," Jiang Ye said, closing his wristband and picking up his spear again.
Cultivation was his priority. Everything else could wait.
That night, Jiang Ye reopened his wristband.
Over a dozen unread messages awaited him.
As he reviewed them one by one, his expression suddenly changed. "The Star Practitioner Center?"
Wasn't that an enterprise under the Federal Unified Examination Bureau?
No, it wasn't even an enterprise. The Star Practitioner Center was part of the Federation's official structure!
Why would they want him as an endorser?
"Link," Jiang Ye muttered after a moment's thought, clicking the link at the bottom of the invitation page.
Buzz!
A projection materialized, revealing a handsome man in black.
"Jiang Ye," the man said with a smile. "I'm Chen Kang, the director of the Star Practitioner Center's Penglai District branch in Tianhai City."
"Director Chen," Jiang Ye nodded.
Chen Kang cut straight to the point. "On behalf of the Star Practitioner Center, I'd like to offer you a preliminary endorsement contract with a 10 million federal currency signing bonus."
"If you reach the top ten in the Genius Cup in six months, you'll receive a total endorsement fee of 30 million federal currency."
(End of the Chapter)
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