"Xiao Shu, when you get to school, send Mom a ssage, okay?"
「Ji City North Station.」
Xu Lizhi kept straightening Jiang Shu’s collar, and for a mont, her eyes were sowhat moist.
University wasn’t like high school. In high school, although it was also boarding, she could still see her son every week. But university... She might have to wait until the holidays to see him again. And considering how busy Xiao Shu was with his martial arts training, it was uncertain whether he could co back at all. A son’s journey always worries his mother. Would he get used to the food there? Would he be comfortable with the accommodation? Becoming a Martial Artist... would there be any risks?
"Mom, Jiangnan City is so close. Just call when you miss , and I’ll co over whenever I have ti."
Jiang Shu smiled but didn’t push away his mother’s hands.
Compared to other martial arts freshn, he was actually the last to go to Jiangnan Academy. Other than initially going to et his ntor Xie Feichen to authenticate as a Martial Artist, the rest of his ti, he had been shuttling between ho and Pingling County. anwhile, so other martial arts freshn had already gone to the academy as early as July or August to begin their training. After all, the atmosphere and resources of the academy were far superior to those at ho. Perhaps several of them had already beco Martial Artists by now.
"Don’t give that, always trying to make happy. You hardly have any ti at ho, and there will be even less when you’re at school."
Xu Lizhi gently slapped Jiang Shu’s shoulder and scolded him teasingly. Then her voice grew a bit somber. "It’s about ti, isn’t it? Call your mom when you get there. That... Blood Flower Pig at, if it really is too expensive, it’s okay for Dad and not to eat it. Give a bit more to Xiao Yan."
"Mom." Jiang Shu wanted to say sothing, but after thinking it over, he swallowed his words and simply said, "Don’t worry."
The journey was silent. The high-speed train from Ji City to Jiangnan City took only about ten minutes. Before his mother had even gotten ho, Jiang Shu had already alighted from the station, taken the subway in Jiangnan City, and headed directly to Jiangnan Academy.
Today was the first day of school. There were many freshn in the academy.
Jiang Shu made his way through the crowd and headed straight to the martial arts teaching building’s classroom. He had already received a ssage from his instructor Xie Feichen saying that the first class would take place here.
By the ti he arrived, about forty people were already seated in the classroom. The male-to-female ratio was roughly seven to three. He quickly glanced around and chose the most secluded seat.
However, the next mont, a figure swiftly moved to his side. "Hehe, buddy, new here? Great minds think alike! I had my eye on this seat too. Didn’t expect you to beat to it."
"Let’s get acquainted. My na is Shou Junming, from Jiangnan City. I got lucky, managing to achieve major circulation of qi and blood throughout the body just before the college entrance exam," Shou Junming said with a chuckle.
Shou Junming chuckled. Taller than the average Southerner, he was quite burly, standing at about 1.85 ters or more. He wore a short-sleeved shirt with a cartoon print, and when he smiled, his face had a rather comical look. Being the forward type, he sat down next to Jiang Shu and began to introduce himself.
"Jiang Shu. From Ji City."
Jiang Shu responded with a smile, terse and to the point.
"Aha, I knew it! I felt a kinship with you the mont I saw you. My grandpa is from Ji City, and I used to go there often as a kid. I couldn’t do much of that in high school with all the studying. Lucky for , the new governnt directive ca out. I was recognized for my innate Talent, which sure gave my family a shock."
"But man, only after arriving at Jiangnan Academy did I realize there’s always soone better, a higher mountain beyond the one you’re on."
Shou Junming lowered his voice. "You must have just arrived at the academy today; I haven’t seen you before. Such a pity! You should have co earlier. The instructors here have given us several special coaching sessions already. We’ve also exchanged for exotic beast at. You wouldn’t believe it, but after eating that at, my martial arts training speed at least doubled."
"Still, I goofed off a bit too long and didn’t get here until early August. So kids from families with insider information ca in June or July. They’re Martial Artists already, see."
He motioned with his chin, indicating for Jiang Shu to look at the front row of students. "The ones in the first row are already Bright-Energy Martial Artists. Each of them earns ten thousand a month. I’m so envious!"
Shou Junming kept talking in a soft voice when suddenly, a series of footsteps sounded from outside the classroom.
The door was pushed open. Xie Feichen entered, straight as a javelin, taking large strides to stand at the lectern. He turned on the classroom projector and clicked the wireless mouse. Instantly, the display changed, showing a page with a long list of nas on a grand leaderboard.
Seeing the sowhat puzzled looks from everyone, Xie Feichen said, "On October 1st this year, Xia Country will organize a collegiate martial arts talent competition for you new students to participate in. The minimum entry requirent is to be a Bright-Energy Martial Artist."
"Specific competition details, rewards, and their form will be announced before the competition."
"This is the Rookie Ranking, compiled from data uploaded by various academies. It’s sorted by the ti each person was certified as a Bright-Energy Martial Artist. There are thirty-six nas in total. You can use it as a reference. Take a look."
After speaking, Xie Feichen moved to the side so as not to obstruct the students’ view.
Rookie Ranking.
First: Shang Jibei. Shengjing Academy. Xuanxing Calendar 2027, April 23rd, certified Bright-Energy Martial Artist.
Second: Zhu Qingyun. Shengjing Academy. Xuanxing Calendar 2027, May 12th, certified Bright-Energy Martial Artist.
Third: Wu Zhiming. Tianshu Academy. Xuanxing Calendar 2027, May 15th, certified Bright-Energy Martial Artist.
Fourth: Qiao Yingchu. Donghai Academy. Xuanxing Calendar 2027, May 18th, certified Bright-Energy Martial Artist.
...
Eighteenth: Lin Ping. Donghai Academy. Xuanxing Calendar 2027, June 18th, certified Bright-Energy Martial Artist.
Nineteenth: Jiang Shu. Jiangnan Academy. Xuanxing Calendar 2027, June 20th, certified Bright-Energy Martial Artist.
The font on the projector wasn’t large. However, the new students below were, at the very least, martial arts practitioners who had achieved major circulation of qi and blood. Their vision was certainly better than an average person’s, so with full attention, they could still read each na clearly.
"Jiang Shu, take a look! These are true geniuses. Those at the top hadn’t even taken the college entrance exam before reaching the Bright-Energy Martial Artist stage. The ones behind are no slouches either; they beca Martial Artists right after the exams."
"You know, those guys in our first row only reached the Bright-Energy stage at the end of July. They were swaggering about not too long ago, but now that this ranking is out, oh boy! They made it in July, but Shang Jibei did it in April! No comparison, no comparison."
"Still, I can’t complain; I’m not even on their level. I’ve been training all this ti, and I feel I’m just one step away. Martial arts practice is so tough!"
"How about you, Jiang Shu?"
Shou Junming spoke at lightning speed, and suddenly, as if realizing sothing, he turned to Jiang Shu with a stunned look. He spoke haltingly, pausing after a few words:
"Wait... Dude, your na’s Jiang Shu? From our... Jiangnan Academy? The Jiang Shu who’s ranked nineteenth on the Rookie Ranking?"
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