Translator: CinderTL
The circular aircraft landed smoothly at Penglai University's private airfield.
Whirr whirr!
The hatch opened, and Jiang Ye stepped out.
"Holy shit!"
The moment his feet touched the ground, Jiang Ye's eyes widened as if he felt an immense pressure.
Within Penglai University's boundaries, gravity is 1.3 times stronger than in other areas, Jiang Ye thought to himself. It seems the rumors were true.
The entire university complex floated above the ground.
Inside, it felt like a vast, otherworldly space where gravity differed slightly from the outside world.
Fortunately, both Jiang Ye and Zhao Qingli had already achieved their first breakthroughs and quickly adapted to the increased gravity.
"Jiang Ye," Zhao Qingli said, "come with me. I know this place well."
"You've been here before?" Jiang Ye asked, surprised.
"Of course. My sister cultivates here," Zhao Qingli replied haughtily. "I visit every summer vacation. I'm thoroughly familiar with the environment."
"Alright," Jiang Ye smiled, quickly catching up.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Jiang Ye followed Zhao Qingli, occasionally spotting figures clad in ornate battle armor streaking across the sky.
"Everyone has their own battle armor?" Jiang Ye asked, his voice tinged with envy.
Such elaborate armor must be incredibly expensive.
"The university has custom-made ones," Zhao Qingli explained. "You can exchange merit points from Penglai University for them."
"Merit points?" Jiang Ye looked at her.
"All internal transactions at Penglai University are settled with merit points. One merit point is equivalent to ten federal currency units," Zhao Qingli said. "Merit points can't be exchanged for federal currency; they can only be earned through university rewards."
Jiang Ye nodded in understanding.
He recalled the notice he had seen earlier.
"Passing the Entrance Trials rewards between 100,000 and 500,000 merit points," Jiang Ye thought to himself. "That's equivalent to 1 million to 5 million federal currency units?"
He couldn't help but take a deep breath.
He had to conquer the Entrance Heavenly Refinement!
Half an hour later, Jiang Ye entered a massive open-air structure resembling an exhibition hall.
He completed his enrollment registration.
The moment he finished registering, a notification appeared:
Detected: You have joined a new sect!
[System is currently detecting...]
"A new achievement?" Jiang Ye thought, his heart leaping with anticipation. "I wonder what it will be."
To his surprise, however, the system seemed to freeze, remaining stuck in the 'detecting' state.
Jiang Ye waited several minutes, but no further response came.
"What's going on? Did it crash?" he frowned, his brow furrowing.
Just then, a voice called out: "2326th-grade freshman Jiang Ye."
Jiang Ye snapped out of his thoughts and turned to the guide in front of him.
The guide smiled. "As a B Class student, you're eligible to reside in the 'Earth' District."
Whoosh!
She projected a holographic display, pointing to a cluster of magnificent villas suspended in mid-air.
Jiang Ye's eyes widened.
This is truly luxurious!
"Where do the Class A students live?" he couldn't help but ask.
"Class A students reside in the 'Heaven' District," the guide replied, gesturing to an even more grandiose complex of floating structures.
Jiang Ye gasped inwardly.
These weren't merely villas; they were more like lavish estates, each student enjoying exclusive access to hundreds of thousands of square meters of private territory.
"This is outrageous!" Jiang Ye exclaimed in astonishment.
Meanwhile, Zhao Qingli, who was standing nearby, had just completed her enrollment registration.
As a D-grade student—her College Entrance Examination score barely met the minimum requirement—she was assigned to a double room in the "Yellow" zone.
Seeing Jiang Ye's "Earth" zone villa, Zhao Qingli couldn't help but declare, "I'm definitely upgrading my contract!"
"Go for it!" Jiang Ye encouraged her. "I believe in you."
Let those Penglai University folks see what a million-dollar monthly sales record is really worth!
"Jiang Ye," Zhao Qingli suddenly asked, "after the Entrance Trials, you won't immediately get promoted to the 'Heaven' zone, will you?"
"How could that be?" Jiang Ye shook his head. "It's definitely not that simple."
Zhao Qingli rolled her eyes. Here he goes again.
"Jiang Ye!"
A voice suddenly called out.
Jiang Ye turned to see a strikingly ugly young man with an oversized head and a face covered in pockmarks approaching.
It was Lin Yushu.
"Brother Jiang!" Lin Yushu laughed heartily as he walked over. "My College Entrance Examination score would have placed me at the bottom even among the ten great schools. Coming to Penglai offers much better treatment."
"Brother Jiang, we're classmates now!" Lin Yushu grinned.
Jiang Ye smiled.
Being a stranger in a foreign land, having a fellow countryman as a companion was indeed fortunate.
"Oh, right!" Lin Yushu suddenly grabbed his arm. "Come with me. I'll introduce you to some new classmates—they're all from West Mountain Province too."
Jiang Ye nodded, turning to Zhao Qingli. "Class monitor, let's go together."
"Okay," Zhao Qingli agreed, following them.
The trio arrived at another section of the hall, where a dozen or so men and women stood, each radiating an extraordinary aura.
These individuals subtly clustered around a tall young man in white robes.
"Brother Xu!" Lin Yushu called out. "These two are also from West Mountain Province. Jiang Ye and Zhao Qingli."
Before Lin Yushu could finish the introductions, the white-robed youth's eyes lit up. "Jiang Ye? You're here!"
"Brother Haoran, it's been a while," Jiang Ye replied with a smile and a nod.
The white-robed youth was none other than Xu Haoran, whom Jiang Ye had met during the "Reinforce Ancheng" Star Profession Mission. Xu Haoran hailed from Yuncheng Middle School, the provincial capital of West Mountain Province, and had scored over 930 points on the College Entrance Examination.
"Jiang Ye!" another voice called out.
A white-robed girl with a sword slung across her back stepped forward from the crowd, smiling at Jiang Ye. "Do you remember me?"
"Song Wanbai?" Jiang Ye recognized her, surprised. "You're at Penglai University too?"
"You two know each other?" Lin Yushu asked, his face a mask of astonishment.
Song Wanbai smiled. "We met a few times during the Reserve Star Professional Assessment. Jiang Ye is a Second-Tier Reserve Star Practitioner."
Before she could finish, Xu Haoran shook his head with a smile.
"Brother Jiang isn't second-tier anymore."
"He was promoted during the last Star Profession Mission," Xu Haoran explained, still smiling. "He's now a Third-Tier Reserve Star Practitioner."
The announcement sent a ripple of excitement through the crowd.
"Third-Tier Reserve Star Practitioner?"
"Excellent! West Mountain Province has another top talent!"
"With two Third-Tier Reserve Star Practitioners, we're guaranteed to ace tomorrow's Entrance Trials!" The young men and women from West Mountain Province were visibly energized.
A Third-Tier Reserve Star Practitioner was a completely different caliber than a Second-Tier one.
The former typically represented the top students from the province's key high schools.
Song Wanbai was equally astonished. "Jiang Ye, you reached third-tier so quickly?"
"Just lucky," Jiang Ye replied with a grin.
"Luck has nothing to do with it," Song Wanbai countered, shaking her head. She knew how incredibly difficult it was to advance in Reserve Star Rank.
It required potential certification from the Federal Unified Examination Bureau!
Jiang Ye's status as a Third-Tier Reserve Star Practitioner already demonstrated his immense potential.
"With you and Xu Haoran here," Song Wanbai said with a smile, "West Mountain Province's ranking in tomorrow's Entrance Trials will be much higher."
"West Mountain Province's ranking?" Jiang Ye asked, slightly surprised.
Song Wanbai pointed to the electronic screen beside them. "You haven't read the Entrance Trial rules yet, have you? They're right here."
Jiang Ye finally noticed the detailed rules displayed on the screen.
He and Zhao Qingli quickly moved closer to examine them.
Penglai University's Heaven-Piercing Refinement - Trial Rules
Rankings will be determined by province, with both provincial and individual rankings.
The top individual in each province will receive a maximum reward of 300,000 merit points.
The top freshman overall will receive a maximum reward of 500,000 merit points.
Provincial rankings will be finalized after the trial concludes.
...
Jiang Ye rapidly scanned the rules, his mind racing with astonishment.
A maximum reward of 300,000 merit points for being the top individual in one's province?
This was remarkably fair!
After all, the disparities between provinces were vast.
Especially the ten provinces of the Eastern Region, which held an overwhelming advantage over the ten provinces of the Western Region.
But...
"Why are they still ranking the provinces?" Jiang Ye asked, puzzled. "It seems like just a simple ranking with no additional rewards."
"Probably to boost our collective sense of provincial pride," Zhao Qingli replied, shaking her head.
West Mountain Province consistently ranked near the bottom among the Western Ten Provinces, let alone competing with the prosperous provinces of the Eastern and Southern Regions. Zhao Qingli held little hope for West Mountain Province's ranking.
"Brother Jiang," Xu Haoran said, approaching them. "Let's give it our all in tomorrow's Entrance Trials and aim to push West Mountain Province into the top twenty!"
His words sent a ripple of shock through the group.
"Top twenty? That's a bit ambitious, don't you think?"
"I'd be happy if we could just crack the top thirty."
"Out of the Federation's forty provinces, West Mountain Province ranks thirty-eighth," the West Mountain Province students muttered, shaking their heads.
With two Third-Tier Reserve Star Practitioners among them, climbing a few spots wouldn't be difficult. But breaking into the top twenty? That seemed nearly impossible.
The top twenty spots were typically contested by the Eastern and Southern Regions, leaving little room for other provinces to compete.
"Top twenty?" Jiang Ye nodded. "I'll do my best!"
"Alright."
"Jiang Ye, I'll be aiming for the top spot in the province too," Xu Haoran said with a smile. "May the best man win."
"Agreed," Jiang Ye replied with a grin.
Beside them, Zhao Qingli gave Jiang Ye a strange look.
He's only just arrived at university, and he's already planning to compete for first place?
What happened to playing the fool to catch the tiger?!
The registration process concluded quickly.
Jiang Ye parted ways with Zhao Qingli, Lin Yushu, and the others, then headed to the "Earth" district villa area.
The entire villa complex floated in mid-air, with massive waterfalls of mist cascading down its edges, resembling a magnificent aerial garden.
He entered the district via a rising platform.
After finding his villa number, Jiang Ye stepped inside.
"So this is the residence for B Class students?" Jiang Ye murmured, gazing at the sprawling villa that covered over ten thousand square meters.
He walked to a balcony overlooking the river, where he could see the bustling cityscape along the riverbank.
"If B-tier is this luxurious, what must A-grade be like?" he wondered aloud.
He entered a room and sat down cross-legged.
"Penglai University Encyclopedia," Jiang Ye said, activating the projection from his wristband.
Beep. A document appeared.
This was the basic information Penglai University had provided him after registration, detailing his contract tier, assigned school mentor, various branch academies, and other miscellaneous matters.
"Contract tier," Jiang Ye murmured, flipping to the relevant page.
Penglai University, Seven-Year Contract
A-Grade Contract:
- Residence in the Heavenly Zone
- Annual allocation of 3.6 million cultivation resources
- Upon enrollment, select one high-grade profound tier cultivation technique
- Ten annual entries to the Penglai Nine Refinements
- Two annual opportunities for advanced studies at White Dragon University
- Free customization of a high-grade yellow tier star weapon
...
Mid A-Tier Contract:
- Residence in the Heavenly Zone
- Annual allocation of 6 million cultivation resources
- Upon enrollment, select three high-grade profound tier cultivation techniques
- Unlimited entries to the Penglai Nine Refinements
- Three annual opportunities for advanced studies at White Dragon University
- Free customization of a high-grade yellow tier star weapon and a Cosmic Battle Armor
...
Upper A-Tier Contract:
- Residence in the Heavenly Zone
- Annual allocation of 10 million cultivation resources
- Upon enrollment, select any number of profound tier cultivation techniques
- Unlimited entries to the Penglai Nine Refinements
- Five annual opportunities for advanced studies at White Dragon University
- Free customization of a profound tier star weapon and a Cosmic Battle Armor
"Mid A-Tier Contract: Free customization of a Cosmic Battle Armor?" Jiang Ye's eyes flickered with interest.
Cosmic Battle Armor?
Is this the magnificent battle armor I saw earlier?
If so, this is an incredible reward!
A martial artist at the first breakthrough, wearing the Cosmic Battle Armor, could even fly!
"Tomorrow's Entrance Trials..."
"I'll aim for the highest possible ranking."
"I'll secure an A-grade contract in one fell swoop, or even..." Jiang Ye's eyes gleamed with ambition. "...Mid A-Tier, or even Upper A-tier!"
The difficulty of reaching Upper A-tier would undoubtedly be unimaginable.
After all, Penglai Martial Arts University attracted countless students with Dao Bone Aptitude.
Standing out among such a crowd would be an extraordinary challenge.
For Jiang Ye, securing an A-grade contract would be considered a victory.
As for anything higher? He would give it his all.
"System," Jiang Ye said, glancing at the system panel.
[System is currently undergoing diagnostics.]
"Still undergoing diagnostics?" Jiang Ye's expression turned peculiar.
Could it have actually crashed?
"Never mind."
"Time to cultivate." Jiang Ye closed his eyes and began circulating the Star Martial Advancement Method.
The next morning at seven o'clock, Jiang Ye arrived early at Penglai University's central plaza, beneath the towering white-gold structure that pierced the clouds.
The Penglai Heavenly Tower.
Its shape resembled a colossal sword thrusting skyward, its blade incomparably sharp, radiating an overwhelming aura of sharpness.
Over a hundred people were already waiting in the plaza.
Jiang Ye scanned the crowd.
Physique: Mortal Body (Upper A-tier)
Innate Talent: Nascent
Physique: Profound Physique (Lower D-tier)
Innate Talent: Dao Bone
Physique: Profound Physique (Mid D-tier)
Innate Talent: Dao Bone
At Penglai University, Dao Bone Aptitude was not uncommon.
Even freshmen with Upper A-tier Nascent Aptitude could only rank among the lower tiers in this elite group.
Conversely, some individuals with Low A-Tier Mortal Bodies were surrounded by adoring fans, clearly possessing extraordinary backgrounds.
For a Low A-Tier Mortal Body to gain admission to Penglai University, they must have the backing of a formidable family lineage.
Of course, individuals like Zhao Qingli, with a B-tier Mortal Physique, were even rarer.
Those who managed to secure a place invariably came from families of unparalleled prestige.
Time flowed onward.
As eight o'clock approached, the plaza grew increasingly crowded.
Jiang Ye was soon joined by Lin Yushu, Zhao Qingli, Xu Haoran, and others.
Boom!
Suddenly, a deafening roar echoed across the sky.
A figure clad in obsidian battle armor descended from the heavens, streaking across the sky like a brilliant star before landing gracefully on a raised platform.
Click! The helmet opened, revealing a dazzling Star Ring that radiated light across the entire plaza.
It was a handsome young man, his presence as radiant as starlight.
His arrival instantly eclipsed the entire plaza. Whether freshmen or those with Dao Bone Aptitude, all paled in comparison to his brilliance.
"That's Liu Wanxiao from Tianhai High School."
"A College Entrance Examination score of 949 points! An Upper A-tier student!"
"He's definitely the top scorer in East Sea Province!" A wave of murmurs swept through the plaza.
"What kind of battle armor is that? It even has special effects?" Jiang Ye exclaimed in astonishment.
Under the radiant glow of the Star Ring, the armor exuded an overwhelming sense of majesty.
"It's a Cosmic Battle Armor," Xu Haoran whispered. "It can fuse with stellar energy to create dazzling visual phenomena—a kind of imitation."
"Imitation?" Jiang Ye looked at him, puzzled.
Xu Haoran explained, "True peerless prodigies naturally manifest extraordinary phenomena with every movement."
"The phenomena generated by these Cosmic Battle Armors are similar, but they pale in comparison to the real thing."
"Even so, they far surpass what ordinary people can imagine," Xu Haoran added, his voice filled with envy.
Jiang Ye felt a chill run down his spine. Peerless prodigies? Manifesting phenomena with every movement? Are they even human anymore?
Just then, another whistling sound pierced the air.
Whoosh!
A crimson figure crashed to the ground, a pair of magnificent, gilded wings unfolding behind him.
Whoosh!
As the wings spread wide, a colossal wave of energy surged outward, like a tidal wave building higher and higher.
Everyone fell silent, even the handsome young man from earlier had his radiance dimmed.
"Another heavyweight arrives: Shen Changxi from Nanyang Province."
"Her College Entrance Examination score must have been over 950. Why would she choose Penglai University?"
"She's too strong... utterly terrifying."
Even at Penglai University, a place teeming with geniuses, most people felt awe in the presence of such extraordinary talents.
Meanwhile, Jiang Ye was carefully observing the newcomers.
Without a doubt, they all possessed Dao Bone Aptitude.
C-Grade Profound Physique!
Compared to Su Tong'er, whom he had encountered in West Mountain Province, these individuals exuded an overwhelming sense of pressure. Their mere presence seemed to erect an impenetrable barrier around them, as if separated by an insurmountable chasm.
I wonder how their strength compares to Su Tong'er's? Jiang Ye mused inwardly.
Just then, he spotted a familiar figure.
A delicate girl dressed in a bunny girl outfit stood alone in a corner, timidly glancing around.
"Yun Qing'er?" Jiang Ye exclaimed in surprise. "She's here too?"
He couldn't resist taking another look at her innate talent.
Dao Bone Aptitude.
C-Grade Profound Physique.
Even though we both have dao bones, why is there such a vast difference between us? Jiang Ye thought, gazing at Yun Qing'er's timid expression with a sigh.
Time passed.
Eight o'clock in the morning.
Over a thousand freshmen had already gathered in the plaza.
Boom!
With a deafening roar, the massive white-gold gates of the towering structure ahead slowly swung open.
"The Penglai University Entrance Heavenly Refinement begins now!"
"All freshmen, enter the Penglai Heavenly Tower immediately!"
(End of the Chapter)
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