Translator: CinderTL
Inside the circular aircraft, Jiang Ye watched Zhao Qingli approach and smiled. "Class monitor," he said, "thank you for your help this time."
He had never ridden in such an advanced aircraft before. Judging by its speed, it was likely traveling many times faster than the speed of sound.
"It's no trouble," Zhao Qingli replied coolly. "I'm just giving you a ride since we're going the same way. Don't even think about offering money."
"Alright," Jiang Ye agreed with a shake of his head and a wry smile. He had indeed been about to offer payment.
"Hmph," Zhao Qingli scoffed, glancing sideways at Jiang Ye.
This guy always calculates everything so precisely, leaving no room for flexibility. Doesn't he realize that kind of behavior will leave him with no friends?
"Jiang Ye," Zhao Qingli continued without dwelling on it, "the Entrance Heavenly Refinement for Penglai University starts tomorrow."
"I've heard it's incredibly difficult."
She settled beside him, crossing her long, snow-white legs and tilting her head. "How well have you prepared?"
"Not well at all," Jiang Ye admitted with a shake of his head, his expression troubled.
"Tch," Zhao Qingli rolled her eyes. "Still playing the fool? Can't you just be honest for once?"
Jiang Ye sighed helplessly. "This is the entrance trial for Penglai University, after all. I don't have much confidence."
"I heard the pass rate for the Entrance Heavenly Refinement is only 30%."
"Only the most talented students from each province can get into Penglai University," Jiang Ye said, shaking his head. "With such a low acceptance rate, you can imagine how difficult it is."
He had already done extensive research on Penglai University's Entrance Heavenly Refinement.
The more he prepared, the more alarmed he became.
The difficulty was staggering!
But that was to be expected.
Those who excelled in the Entrance Heavenly Refinement had the opportunity to upgrade their contracts—a chance they wouldn't get again after formal enrollment.
Upgrading contracts after formal enrollment was far more complicated.
"Indeed," Zhao Qingli nodded. "The Heaven-Piercing Refinement is incredibly challenging. I've spent over a million this month just preparing for the Entrance Trials."
Jiang Ye glanced at her, startled.
He had thought his monthly expenditure of five hundred thousand was already extravagant.
Could there be someone even more extravagant?
Yet Jiang Ye wasn't entirely surprised.
By now, he knew that Zhao Qingli's mother was the highest-ranking executive at the Ancheng Star Practitioner Center, transferred from the Blue Star Federation headquarters—a position of immense authority.
In short, her family's wealth far exceeded what Jiang Ye had initially imagined.
Still, Jiang Ye couldn't help but marvel, "Class Monitor, you're truly wealthy."
"This is nothing," Zhao Qingli said, shaking her head. "There are plenty of people who spend millions or even tens of millions a month. For them, money is just a number."
"My parents were quite strict with me. They didn't allow me to spend too much before university."
"After all, relying solely on resources in the early stages of cultivation makes it difficult to temper one's Martial Dao Will."
Zhao Qingli scoffed lightly. "Otherwise, I could spend like that too."
It must be nice to have money! Jiang Ye thought to himself.
"Oh, right," Zhao Qingli said suddenly. "Have you chosen a teacher yet? After the Entrance Trials, if you perform well, you can select one yourself."
"A teacher?" Jiang Ye nodded.
He had indeed browsed the official Penglai University website earlier.
Now, a particular candidate flashed through his mind.
"If you haven't decided yet," Zhao Qingli continued, "you could consider Teacher Chen Yuntian. You obtained your Cosmic Divine Path Certification through him."
"Cosmic Divine Path?" Jiang Ye was taken aback. This was the first time he'd heard about this.
"I have a cousin who's also under Teacher Chen Yuntian's guidance."
"If I could choose, I'd pick him too," Zhao Qingli said, looking at Jiang Ye. "Of course, you don't have to listen to me. Choose whoever suits you best."
"Mm," Jiang Ye nodded slightly.
Chen Yuntian? Or the candidate he had in mind earlier?
He wouldn't rush his decision.
I'll participate in the trials after enrolling.
Suddenly, Jiang Ye had an idea. This aircraft is so fast... I wonder if I can glitch the system and unlock a new achievement?
As Jiang Ye flew toward the Eastern Ten Provinces,
in East Sea Province, at Penglai University,
within a floating, glazed pavilion,
in an ancient-style room filled with the scent of sandalwood, an elderly man with snow-white hair sat cross-legged, meditating with his eyes closed.
This white-haired elder was Chen Yuntian, a distinguished professor at Penglai University.
Buzz!
Suddenly, the butterfly-shaped communication device beside him vibrated.
Chen Yuntian opened his eyes and tapped the air.
Beep! A holographic projection materialized.
The projection showed a moon-like, coolly beautiful young woman in a snow-white gown, her chest full and her legs long and fair.
"Teacher, did you call for me?"
The snow-gowned girl's voice was as crisp as an ice spring in winter, yet her face held a hint of confusion.
"Jingxue," Chen Yuntian said hoarsely, looking at the girl. "Several months ago, you used my Cosmic Certification slot to help a young man from Ancheng. Do you remember that?"
The snow-gowned girl's name was Zhao Jingxue.
She was Zhao Qingli's cousin, and it was her allocation of a Cosmic Divine Path Certification slot that had given Jiang Ye the opportunity to obtain it.
Hearing Chen Yuntian's words, Zhao Jingxue immediately recalled the incident.
"Is this about that matter?"
"Could Qingli's classmate have done something wrong?" Zhao Jingxue's delicate features shifted slightly.
Based on her understanding of her teacher, he wouldn't care about a single certification slot.
Unless, of course, it had been given to someone undeserving.
"That is indeed the case," Zhao Jingxue said, cupping her hands in a respectful gesture. "I had some dealings with that person earlier."
She deliberately avoided mentioning Zhao Qingli, fearing it might create a negative impression of her cousin in Chen Yuntian's mind.
"Teacher," Zhao Jingxue asked, her voice tinged with apprehension, "may I ask why you're inquiring about this?"
"Heh," Chen Yuntian chuckled, his voice raspy. "No need to be nervous. That little fellow passed the Entrance Trials for Penglai University and should be on his way here now."
"I'd like you to contact him beforehand."
"And after he enrolls, it would be best if you could bring him to me," Chen Yuntian said with a smile.
"Teacher, do you intend to take him as your disciple?" Zhao Jingxue asked, startled. Her beautiful eyes widened slightly.
She had initially assumed her teacher was here to reprimand her.
To her surprise, Chen Yuntian shook his head again. "It's not up to me to take him as a disciple. He's the one who gets to choose."
"Huh?" Zhao Jingxue was stunned.
Chen Yuntian sighed. "Old Zhu wants to take him as a disciple too. That old coot has been acting strangely confident lately, even showing off in front of me."
"I must take that boy as my disciple!" Chen Yuntian harrumphed angrily.
Zhao Jingxue stared at her teacher in disbelief.
Did I hear that right?
Teacher Zhu also wants to take Jiang Ye as a disciple? And it sounds like they're competing for him!
Is a Second-Tier Reserve Star Professional Position really that coveted?
"Teacher," Zhao Jingxue couldn't help but ask, "are you sure you want to take him as a disciple? As far as I know, he's only a Second-Tier Reserve Star Professional Position."
"You haven't heard the latest news, have you?" Chen Yuntian chuckled. "That boy has already been promoted to a Third-Tier Reserve Star Practitioner."
"A Third-Tier Reserve Star Practitioner?" Zhao Jingxue's delicate features paled slightly, her eyes widening in surprise.
The difference between Second-Tier and Third-Tier Reserve Star Practitioners is like night and day!
Take West Mountain Province, for example.
Each year, dozens of Second-Tier Reserve Star Professional Positions are awarded.
But Third-Tier Reserve Star Practitioners? There are never more than five.
Jiang Ye had actually become one of them?
"In short," Chen Yuntian said hoarsely, "Jiang Ye is exceptional, and I want to take him under my wing. He'll be invaluable to me during the Freshman Competition in October."
"If he achieves a high ranking in the competition, it would fill a gap in my career as a teacher."
Zhao Jingxue listened with growing astonishment.
Was Jiang Ye truly that extraordinary?
"The Freshman Competition..." Zhao Jingxue murmured, understanding its significance.
The Freshman Competition held immense importance.
Every year, the school placed paramount importance on it.
If her teacher spoke so highly of Jiang Ye, it meant he was truly exceptional.
"I understand," Zhao Jingxue nodded immediately. "I'll contact him right away."
"Good. Contact him soon, before the Entrance Trials conclude," Chen Yuntian urged. "We don't know how Jiang Ye will perform in the Entrance Heavenly Refinement."
"If his performance is average, it won't matter."
"But if he excels, he'll become highly sought after. You must contact him beforehand," Chen Yuntian said, his gaze meaningful.
(End of the Chapter)
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