"Excuse me, has exam room number four really finished?"
"It's indeed finished," said the security at the door.
Zhang Xinglie was puzzled and took out his phone to call Zhou Leng.
The call couldn't get through, indicating that Zhou Leng was still in the exam room, and phones were not allowed inside, plus signals were blocked.
Zhang Xinglie stood there, continuing to wait.
"Senior brother, waiting for someone?"
"Then I'll leave first, see you at the award ceremony."
Zhang Xinglie waited for a while and took out his phone to play around.
Zhang Xinglie heard a familiar voice, looked up, and smiled: "Principal Lu, why are you here?"
Principal Lu and Sun Xiong walked over.
Principal Lu looked around and said, "Zhou Leng might have done too well and was held back for a re-examination. I came to see what's going on. Our Eighth Middle School's students cannot be bullied by outsiders."
Zhang Xinglie's expression turned cold and he said, "I'm just waiting for Zhou Leng. Wherever you go, I'll go too."
Principal Lu said, "We can't just barge in; we only know Zhou Leng is in exam room number four, so we can only wait here. Let's wait for him to come out first."
"Alright." Zhang Xinglie nodded and frowned, looking towards the fourth passage.
"How did you do on the exam?"
"Performed normally, but the bubble shooting score was a bit low..."
"Hey, no one is perfect in everything, you're already excellent enough..."
The three of them chatted for a while but suddenly stopped together, looking towards the passage.
A team of people approached, with examiners in suits and Martial Guards in camouflage outfits.
Zhou Leng in the Eighth Middle School uniform stood out glaringly.
"Zhou Leng!" Zhang Xinglie shouted.
Seeing Zhang Xinglie outside, Zhou Leng nodded.
"Oh, are you very familiar with Zhang Xinglie?" Lu Qiming looked ahead.
Zhang Xinglie was somewhat famous in the education department, after all, there weren't many with skills in both literature and martial arts in the whole city, and both Yunhua and Jinjing Martial Arts Academies were competing for him.
"We grew up together," said Zhou Leng.
Lu Qiming smiled and said, "No wonder you have such excellent results, seems like you're motivating each other. Zhou Leng, I'm really sorry for delaying you so long."
"You were just doing your job, it's nothing," said Zhou Leng.
Lu Qiming glanced at Principal Lu not far away; this old principal had a straightforward temperament, had taught many good students, and his connections reached all the way to National Capital Xiong City, which was far beyond what a regular principal could compare to.
Zhou Leng walked out of the passage, and Principal Lu glanced around again before walking up to Lu Qiming.
Principal Lu had a smile on his face and his eyes firmly fixed on Lu Qiming.
"Director Lu, why was our student Zhou Leng from Eighth Middle School re-examined?"
Lu Qiming smiled broadly and said, "Principal Lu, I must congratulate you. Not only did you have a great talent like Zhang Xinglie, but we also discovered a small genius like Zhou Leng. Although his final ranking is not yet certain, he can definitely break into the top 20,000, breaking Rucheng's historical record."
"Ah?" Principal Lu slowly turned his head towards Zhou Leng.
Inner Power Teacher Sun Xiong was also dumbfounded. He knew Zhou Leng's martial arts exam results would surely be good, but he never expected him to break into the top 20,000.
That means Zhou Leng's pure martial arts exam results could rank in the top 1,000 in the city, or even higher.
"You're something, Zhou Leng!" Zhang Xinglie laughed out loud.
Principal Lu coughed lightly, quickly withdrew his smile, and looked directly at Lu Qiming.
"So, the re-examination proves that there was no problem with Zhou Leng?"
Lu Qiming smiled and said, "Of course, it's well-deserved."
Principal Lu's expression turned stern and he said, "Zhou Leng is actually a top student we've deliberately concealed at Eighth Middle School, our trump card for the Martial Arts University slots. But you randomly re-examined him without solid evidence, as the principal of Eighth Middle School, I must express a serious protest! I will take this matter to the Ministry of Education."
The examiners were stunned, and some of the older examiners began to ponder.
Lu Qiming remained calm, looked at Principal Lu seriously, and took a step forward with a smile, slightly bowing in a salute.
"Principal Lu, Teacher Lu, I sincerely apologize to you. I did misjudge this matter; if you want to scold or hit, I will not say a word."
Principal Lu gave a cold snort and slowly raised his right hand, spreading his fingers apart.
"To be straightforward, you need to compensate Zhou Leng for his mental distress, 50 Qi Nourishing Pills."
Everyone was stunned, and Lu Qiming said with a wry smile, "Principal Lu, you can't ask for too much, my annual salary isn't even enough. How about you take a little less, two pills?"
"Are you shooing a beggar? Twenty pills."
The examiners smiled knowingly, thoroughly understanding Principal Lu's intent.
Zhang Xinglie immediately straightened up and said seriously, "I also think the Rucheng education department was over the line. When I get to National Capital Xiong City, I'll have a good talk about this matter with Uncle Chen from Yunhua Admissions Office."
Lu Qiming felt troubled; Principal Lu knew where to draw the line, but Zhang Xinglie, this bold kid, might not.
Prodigies like Zhang Xinglie had already been contacted by Yunhua or Jinjing beforehand with arrangements made, even offering substantial scholarships and promises.
If Zhang Xinglie spreads this talk to Yunhua Martial Arts Academy and it reaches back to Rucheng, it would become too passive.
Lu Qiming helplessly said, "Five pills, I only have five Qi Nourishing Pills vouchers left."
Principal Lu said, "Eight pills, non-negotiable."
"Seven pills, I'll pay right now."
"Deal." For more chapters visΔ±t π«π¬π³π’π©Β·π£π¦π―π’Β·π«π’π±
Lu Qiming reached into his briefcase, took out seven Qi Nourishing Pills vouchers, handed them to Zhou Leng, and turned to leave.
The examiners followed him out.
Wang Boxiong glanced at Zhou Leng, then left with his group.
Zhou Leng looked at Principal Lu and said, "Thank you, Principal Lu."
"No need for thanks. You might very well be the most improved champion, a pride of the Eighth Middle School alongside Zhang Xinglie! Don't be late for the opening commendation ceremony."
Happiness arrived so suddenly that Zhou Leng was momentarily speechless.
Principal Lu pondered, "You need pills for cultivation now. Hmm... rather than waiting for the commendation ceremony, when the results are out, and you're filling in your applications, just come to my office to claim the pills."
"Nothing's set in stone yet." Zhou Leng remained level-headed.
Principal Lu gave a few words of advice and left with Sun Xiong.
Zhou Leng looked at a distant car and said, "Do we still need to head to the Martial Arts Mall?"
"Eating is more important." Zhang Xinglie rubbed his belly and started walking.
Once in the car, the four found a restaurant, and the driver left.
After the meal, the four walked home together, chatting along the way.
The two adults were in front, the two kids behind.
Zhou Leng and Zhang Xinglie exchanged martial arts insights along the way, occasionally making simple gestures.
Entering the neighborhood, the four stopped at the entrance of Zhou Leng's apartment building.
Zhang Meiqin sighed softly, "Xinglie will head to Xiong City in a few days to attend Yunhua's Genius Training Camp and then directly enroll. He might not be back until New Year's."
Zhou Leng looked at Zhang Xinglie and said, "When I see you next, you might already have reached the Innate level."
"Not quite, it would be challenging within six months." Zhang Xinglie half-joked.
Zhou Leng shook his head; this guy was always so confident.
Li Linhan said, "The waters in Xiong City run deep, unlike Rucheng. At Yunhua University, you must be cautious and avoid offending others."
"Don't worry, Uncle Li. I don't look for trouble, nor am I afraid of it."
"In the National Capital, you must learn to be cautious. It's a place full of hidden talents. Have you heard of Li Shenkong?"
Zhang Xinglie gathered himself and said, "Uncle Chen from Yunhua's admissions office mentioned him. We're in the same year, both applying to Yunhua. He's said to be the greatest talent since the inception of Martial Arts Civilization, a legend in martial arts."
"Good that you know." Li Linhan said.
Zhang Xinglie looked at Zhou Leng and said, "Don't train alone all the time. If you face martial arts challenges, seek Uncle Li nearby or me if I'm far away. Yunhua University's educational resources are beyond imagination. Our exchange won't be considered a breach."
"Thank you," said Zhou Leng.
"Which university are you planning to apply to? From what that deputy director mentioned, your grades should meet the supplementary admission criteria of West Sea University. It ranks first in Rucheng and tenth among national martial arts universities, truly in the Top Ten. Give it a shot, you can definitely make it." Zhang Xinglie said.
Zhou Leng frowned and said, "West Sea Martial Arts University is prestigious. If I participate in its supplementary admission, it means competing with college entrance exam candidates nationwide, and my chances are slim. But Rucheng Martial Arts Academy is different; it's unknown nationally, making supplementary admission easier. Besides, I've liked Rucheng Martial Arts Academy since childhood."
Zhou Leng didn't mention another reason: Rucheng Martial Arts Academy was close to Xiaoru Village.
Supplementary admission is when the state leaves aside some spots to ensure no special martial arts talent is overlooked, allowing them to take a second exam.
The scope for recommended and specially recruited students is broad, but supplementary admission is solely for martial arts talents.
Zhang Meiqin said, "Xiao Leng, you're still young. One is in the national top ten, the other in the top hundred. Even I, an old lady, know that they're worlds apart. For the sake of your future career, it's worth pushing yourself. You're just one step away, it would be a shame to back down now."
The three looked at Zhou Leng.
Zhou Leng remained silent.
Zhang Xinglie smiled and said, "You, outwardly indifferent yet inherently stubborn. This kind of choice shouldn't be forced. If you're aiming for the top, West Sea Martial Arts University is the best choice. But if you're choosing based on preference, Rucheng Martial Arts Academy isn't bad either."
Zhou Leng said, "Don't be too optimistic. My grades might not even qualify for supplementary admission. If that's the case, I'll go straight to Ruda's Affiliated Martial Arts Hall. Honestly, I'd rather go to the Martial Arts Hall."
The three exchanged glances, momentarily at a loss.
After all, in everyone's mind, a martial arts university was the best choice, followed by military schools, and the last resort being an affiliated martial arts hall.
Li Linhan said, "Actually, an affiliated martial arts hall isn't bad, specializing in martial arts. Now it falls under the Martial Guard Department, counting as a smaller military school. In recent years, the Martial Guard Department directly recruits from these halls. The job is stable, income is above average, and it's not as dangerous as being stationed in Demon City."
"Being able to directly join the Martial Guard? That's pretty good," Zhang Meiqin chimed in.
The four continued chatting for a while before Zhou Leng and Li Linhan headed upstairs.
Reaching the seventh floor, Li Linhan said, "Come sit at home, let's discuss your upcoming direction."
"Yes, I also wanted to consult with you."
Inside Li Linhan's home, Zhou Leng prepared tea and sat on the sofa.
"Before, you were young, so we only had brief chats. Now, with the college entrance exam over, choosing your path is crucial. It's incredibly important."
"Tell me your thoughts."
Zhou Leng remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Aspiring not for nobility, but for peace on the vast seas."
"Are you set on pursuing martial arts alone?"
"Great. In that case, the difference between a martial arts university and an affiliated martial arts hall isn't significant."
"I heard the affiliated martial arts halls are day schools and only have classes in the mornings?" Zhou Leng inquired.
"Yes, unless there's a special situation, classes are typically only in the morning, and they only teach martial arts. But don't forget, a martial artist cannot solely learn martial arts; they need to study other languages and related knowledge. Otherwise, if you enter Demon City or other worlds, you'll achieve nothing."
"I'm fairly good at languages. I can communicate in Demon Spirit Language, Dwarf Language, and Tree-man Language, and understand a bit of Demon Language. In the future, making money to buy a high-level demonized computer, they'll all have built-in translation functions."
"Have you heard of martial arts research?"