Translator: CinderTL
Buzz!
Jiang Ye activated the projection.
Immediately, a stream of messages flooded the screen.
"It's admission invitations from martial dao universities!" Jiang Ye's face lit up with excitement as he read the messages.
He stopped his cultivation session and hurried back from the rooftop terrace to his home.
Even as he moved, over a dozen more messages arrived.
Feeling the constant vibrations of his wristband, Jiang Ye's anticipation soared.
Compared to the early contract offers, these invitations carried far greater weight.
When he returned home, Jiang Dahai and his wife rushed over upon hearing the news.
"Quick, let's see which universities are offering!" Jiang Dahai exclaimed eagerly.
"Alright!" Jiang Ye nodded.
He activated the projection.
West Mountain University Admission Invitation
Extreme Sea University Admission Invitation
North Sea University Admission Invitation
"The entire twenty-five school alliance sent invitations?" Jiang Dahai's eyes widened in astonishment.
But that wasn't all.
Several ordinary martial dao universities had also extended invitations.
"Hahaha!" Jiang Dahai burst into laughter. "My son is so sought after! Even the twenty-five school alliance is fighting over him!"
"Aiya, be more reserved," Li Anping chided, though she couldn't suppress her smile.
They were genuinely proud of their son's achievements.
Jiang Ye shook his head with a smile, his own heart brimming with joy.
He began opening the invitation letters one by one.
West Mountain University—Dear Jiang Ye, West Mountain University is a historic institution with deep cultural roots...
We sincerely invite you to sign an Upper A-tier contract with our university.
This contract guarantees 1.8 million units of free cultivation resources annually and the freedom to choose any yellow-tier cultivation technique.
"West Mountain University," Jiang Ye murmured, glancing at the screen. "An Upper A-tier contract?"
West Mountain University was the sole member of the twenty-five school alliance in West Mountain Province, a sacred institution in the eyes of countless students across the province.
Unfortunately, it ranked last among the alliance schools and was therefore not under consideration by Jiang Ye.
He continued opening the remaining invitations one by one.
Most schools offered Mid A-tier or Upper A-tier contracts.
A few top-ranked institutions offered full A-tier contracts.
After a few minutes, Jiang Ye's gaze settled on the final invitation.
"Penglai University," he murmured, taking a deep breath.
He clicked to open it.
A brilliant light erupted.
The holographic projection revealed a magnificent university standing on the shores of the East Sea. Countless floating structures, resembling floating islands, drifted around a towering white-gold stone monument that pierced the clouds, rotating endlessly.
"No wonder Penglai University is the top institution," Jiang Dahai exclaimed beside him. "Even opening the invitation comes with a cinematic intro!"
The projection then displayed several lines of text, briefly introducing the university's history, glorious past, and other details.
"Penglai University is in Tianhai City, East Sea Province?" Jiang Ye noticed a line of text, his expression shifting slightly.
He remembered that Chen Zilu's White Dragon University was also located in Tianhai City.
Ignoring this, he quickly focused on the invitation's contents.
"A B-tier contract?" Jiang Ye's eyebrows arched.
This was a significant upgrade from the previous early-signing offer, moving up an entire tier.
Jiang Dahai, however, seemed dissatisfied. "Penglai University didn't offer my son an A-tier contract?"
"Dad," Jiang Ye said with a shake of his head and a smile, "Penglai University's admission cutoff this year was over 890 points."
"Contract tiers are based on raw scores, and I barely made the cut," Jiang Ye explained, far from disappointed; he was actually pleasantly surprised.
His raw score was 895, so even a C-Grade Contract from Penglai University would have been reasonable. A B-tier contract? That far exceeded his expectations.
He continued reading:
"Annual allocation of 2.4 million units of free cultivation resources, plus the choice of one mid-tier profound tier cultivation technique."
"Five annual opportunities to enter the 'Penglai Nine Refinements'."
"Customizable star weapon upon enrollment, free of charge."
"One annual spot for advanced studies at White Dragon University."
"Upon entering the 'Heaven-Piercing Refinement' program, contract tier upgrades are possible based on performance standards."
Jiang Ye carefully reviewed the entire contract, took a deep breath, and exclaimed, "Impressive! No wonder it's Penglai University!" He couldn't help but clench his fist in excitement.
These benefits far surpassed even the Upper A-tier contracts offered by Extreme Sea University and West Mountain University.
"Dad, I've decided on Penglai University," Jiang Ye said, turning to Jiang Dahai.
"Already settled?" Jiang Dahai cautioned. "Shouldn't we wait and see? I noticed messages from other universities too."
"No need," Jiang Ye said, shaking his head.
Waiting longer wouldn't magically bring invitations from the ten great schools.
"Alright then," Jiang Dahai nodded. "Penglai University it is!"
With Jiang Dahai and Li Anping as witnesses, Jiang Ye directly submitted his application through his wristband.
Afterward, Jiang Dahai didn't linger at home and left for his night shift as usual.
Late at night, Jiang Ye returned to the rooftop terrace.
He diligently practiced the Star Martial Advancement Method and the Nine Luminaries Star-Treading technique.
In the two days since the College Entrance Examination ended, he hadn't rested for a single moment.
During that time, the Star Martial Advancement Method had improved by 10%, while the Nine Luminaries Star-Treading technique had advanced by 2%.
The Nine Luminaries Star-Treading technique was, after all, an earth-rank cultivation technique.
Moreover, without a teacher to guide him, progress was particularly challenging.
"Once I enter Penglai University," Jiang Ye thought to himself, "I'll strive to secure an A-tier contract as soon as possible, or even an Upper A-tier one. The higher the contract tier I obtain early on, the greater the benefits for my own development."
Although a B-tier contract was already a pleasant surprise, he couldn't help but feel somewhat dissatisfied with not achieving A-tier.
Fortunately, contract tiers weren't fixed.
As long as he demonstrated exceptional performance at the university, he would still have opportunities to upgrade his contract.
Of course, the challenge would be immense.
"My best chance lies in the 'Heaven-Piercing Refinement' after enrollment," Jiang Ye said, activating the wristband's holographic projection.
A document materialized in the air.
This was detailed information sent by Penglai University after he submitted his application, primarily covering essential knowledge for new students.
The foundation of Penglai University rested upon the white-gold Heaven-Piercing Stone Stele at the heart of the campus, known as the 'Penglai Nine Refinements'!
Legend held that the stele contained nine trials.
Each successful completion of a trial granted extraordinary rewards and elevated one's status within the university.
The first trial was the 'Heaven-Piercing Refinement'.
"The Heaven-Piercing Refinement is a practical combat assessment," Jiang Ye read from the document. "I need to maximize my combat prowess."
A trial deemed foundational by an institution like Penglai University couldn't be easily overcome.
It was designed to filter out true geniuses.
Only absolute strength could secure victory.
Jiang Ye never forgot his ultimate goal.
Penglai University was merely the starting point.
He would eventually set his sights on the entire world, and even the vast expanse of the cosmos.
Until one day, the name of Ancheng would resonate throughout the Blue Star Federation.
"Cultivate."
Jiang Ye transformed into a blur, flickering across the rooftop terrace.
While Jiang Ye was immersed in his cultivation,
In Ancheng, at the Shadow Hunting Bureau's Shadow Disaster Prevention Center, stood several colossal monitoring devices, shaped like satellite dishes. These instruments were designed to monitor the Cosmic Void Passages, providing early warning of Shadow Calamity outbreaks.
In the past, this region had been peaceful.
But on this day,
Hum!
One of the monitoring devices suddenly vibrated slightly.
Hum! Hum!
Hum hum hum!
Immediately, all the monitoring devices began vibrating in unison.
The next moment,
Wail—
Wail—
A low, dense alarm blared through the Shadow Hunting Bureau, piercing the endless night.
Instantly, the entire bureau seemed to come alive.
Powerful qi prowess erupted from every corner.
"What's happening?"
Duty officers emerged from their rooms, their faces a mixture of shock and suspicion.
The Ancheng Hunter Bureau hadn't sounded an alarm in decades.
Such a dense alarm could only mean one thing: the Shadow Calamity had descended!
(End of the Chapter)