Chapter 41: Direct Admission

Drinking coffee with the principal of one of the Blue Star's top ten academies was a dream no one among Fang Chong and the others had ever dared to imagine.

To ordinary people, sitting together with the principal of one of the Blue Star's top ten academies over coffee was an honor.

Now, it had become reality.

Whether it was Geng Qianxing, Fang Chong, Li Wanran, or Lü Zi, all of them knew clearly: Qin Qiang was here drinking coffee with them solely because of their results.

Three students from one school achieving S-rank in the first two rounds of evaluation had never happened since the founding of the Blue Star's top ten academies.

Not to mention three students—even one student achieving S-rank in both initial rounds was exceedingly rare.

"Don't be so formal—let's just chat casually," Qin Qiang said with a smile, noticing the students' tension.

Sensing Qin Qiang's approachability, Li Wanran relaxed slightly and spoke with respect:

"Principal Qin, I never imagined I'd be drinking coffee with you—Wu Mai Mountain Field was a place I once dreamed of going to."

Geng Qianxing sighed inwardly: students still lacked experience. Why did the principal come here to invite them for coffee? Obviously, she wanted them to join Wu Mai Mountain Field.

And yet, without her saying a word, they'd already spilled their entire bottom line.

This was the result of such a vast disparity in status.

In fact, Geng Qianxing also knew that before the evaluation ended, Qin Qiang, as principal of one of the Blue Star's top ten academies, visiting them here was against regulations.

But no one cared about such rules—before now, which principal would be so bored as to come voluntarily and meet evaluation candidates?

Did the principals of the Blue Star's top ten academies worry their schools lacked geniuses? That was impossible—the Blue Star's top ten academies never lacked geniuses.

"Then I warmly welcome you—if you're willing, I, as principal, still have some authority. You might even skip the remaining exams and enter Wu Mai Mountain Field's Elite Class directly."

Qin Qiang smiled sweetly.

Each of the Blue Star's top ten academies admitted fifty new students per recruitment cycle, but these fifty were divided into three classes.

Even though everyone admitted had already proven themselves geniuses, there was still one Elite Class and two Regular Classes.

"Ah…" Li Wanran was dazed by this enormous cake falling on her head.

Was this a dream?

She immediately turned to Geng Qianxing—Teacher Geng was right here; if he just nodded, she would become a student of the Blue Star's top ten academies.

This was essentially direct admission.

Geng Qianxing smiled but gave no indication.

Li Wanran suddenly snapped out of her overwhelming joy.

Should she accept this enormous gift? She had ranked in the top three after two evaluations.

The third and fourth rounds were her strengths—since training in the Thousand Nerve Gene Scripture and Basic Long Fist, she had absolute confidence in her abilities.

If so, she could still have a chance to enter Zhenyu Academy—why rush to join Wu Mai Mountain Field, ranked eighth?

Besides, entering Wu Mai Mountain Field without taking the remaining exams would invite gossip.

If she couldn't pass the exams, then accepting such an opportunity would be luck—and she wouldn't care about gossip.

In her own heart, others might be envious of her already.

But if she could pass the exams, entering one of the Blue Star's top ten academies this way was not what Li Wanran wanted.

"The same goes for you two," Qin Qiang's gaze shifted to Fang Chong and Lü Zi.

Fang Chong quickly said, "I follow Teacher Geng."

Lü Zi nodded. "Yeah, me too."

Qin Qiang turned her gaze to Geng Qianxing, who said seriously:

"Principal Qin, coming here personally to say this shows great care for our students. On behalf of Yujiang University and these students, I thank you."

In my heart, I hope all of them enter the Blue Star's top ten academies. Wu Mai Mountain Field is a Chinese academy—it aligns perfectly with their future plans.

But first, their parents must agree; second, I still hope they complete all evaluations—it's a matter of personal integrity."

Qin Qiang stood up and handed Geng Qianxing a business card. "Fair enough. Call me anytime—Wu Mai Mountain Field's doors remain open for you."

With that, Qin Qiang turned and left.

As principal of one of the Blue Star's top ten academies, her coming here to say these things had already lowered her status. To say more would be undignified.

After Qin Qiang left, Li Wanran asked, "Teacher Geng, do you think we can do even better?"

Geng Qianxing shook his head. "That's not it. I feel Wu Mai Mountain Field isn't suitable for you."

"Why?" This time it was Fang Chong who asked.

If not for his two S-rank results, entering Wu Mai Mountain Field would have felt like a dream to him.

"I've heard some rumors—that Principal Qin has personal grievances with Teacher Ding." Geng Qianxing hesitated, then spoke.

There was another thing he didn't say: Qin Qiang was a core member of the Gene Alliance.

To be honest, Geng Qianxing had little fondness for the Gene Alliance.

The Gene Alliance was too profit-driven, with grand slogans about Earth's future and human survival.

In reality, as a gene science teacher, Geng Qianxing had heard plenty of scandalous things about the Gene Alliance.

"Then I absolutely won't join Wu Mai Mountain Field," Fang Chong said immediately upon hearing Geng Qianxing's words.

"Yeah, if it were me, I wouldn't join Wu Mai Mountain Field either," a sudden voice interjected, startling the four.

They could speak freely among themselves—but if someone overheard, it wouldn't be good.

Before Geng Qianxing could identify the speaker, a long-haired young man walked over and sat in Qin Qiang's former seat.

"Who are you?" Geng Qianxing asked, puzzled by the stranger.

The man smiled. "I'm just here to give Teacher Geng a few words of warning—then I'll leave."

Before Geng Qianxing could respond, the man continued: "Principal Qin from Wu Mai Mountain Field came here just now, didn't she?"

Geng Geng Qianxing did not answer; he had no idea who this person was.

The man clearly did not expect an answer from Geng Geng Qianxing, and went on himself, "If I'm not mistaken, Qin Qiang came here to persuade you several to enter the Martial Vein Fields."

Geng Qianxing's face was expressionless, but Li Wanran and the others nodded involuntarily.

The man chuckled, "Let me advise you: if you haven't agreed yet, that's best. But if you have, don't actually skip the exams—and don't enter Wu Mai Mountain Field."

"Why?" Li Wanran still had a favorable impression of Wu Mai Mountain Field; it was one of the Top Ten Academies of Blue Star, located on Huaxia soil, and ranked higher than Da Han Yi Academy.

The long-haired man snickered, "Let me tell you a fact: this woman is the most treacherous—she'll abandon anything for her own interests, even moral boundaries."

Although Geng Qianxing didn't like Qin Qiang, he disliked speaking ill of others behind their backs.

The long-haired man clearly had no such qualms: "If you agree to enter Wu Mai Mountain Field—and even give up the next two rounds of exams—I tell you, you'll be ruined."

I guarantee: if you give up the final two rounds, you won't enter Wu Mai Mountain Field. That woman will unhesitatingly revoke her previous promises."

"Then why would she…" Li Wanran asked, but then remembered she was questioning the dean of one of Blue Star's Top Ten Academies, and swallowed the rest.

"Why make promises to you? Because she wants to uncover your teacher's secret."

At the recent examination assembly, this woman claimed Ding Huan killed two members of the Gene Alliance. Then she proposed issuing a warrant for Ding Huan's arrest."

Is Ding Huan your teacher? Do you understand what I've said?"

"Enough. I can't say more. Goodbye." The long-haired man turned and walked away.

"Teacher Geng," Fang Chong's gaze turned to Geng Qianxing.

Geng Qianxing nodded. "I don't know if his words are true, but it was indeed her who proposed the warrant for Ding Teacher. It was also her who claimed Ding Huan killed the two Gene Alliance members."

Geng Qianxing had long received certain information, which is why he was reluctant to let Ding Huan's students enter Wu Mai Mountain Field.

"That Wang Ba woman—clearly no good," Fang Chong said indignantly.

Lü Zi and Li Wanran remained silent; they didn't find it difficult to forgo Wu Mai Mountain Field.

With their scores, they could still enter a better academy without issue.

Geng Qianxing glared at Fang Chong.

"Fang Chong, don't curse casually. For the next two rounds of exams, give it your all. As long as you perform well yourself, you have nothing to fear."

Let me remind you one thing: no matter where you go or what height you reach, remember who trained you."

The most important thing in life is gratitude. Those who lack gratitude are always looked down upon."

Fang Chong shouted, "I am who I am today because of Teacher Ding—I…"

"Lower your voice," Li Wanran reminded Fang Chong.

Too loud here—someone might overhear."

She thought Fang Chong's reaction was excessive. Ding Huan was their instructor; they should respect him, just as she respected every teacher who had taught her since childhood.

Fang Chong's attitude went beyond respect—it resembled the ancient master-disciple bond.

"Why whisper? Without Teacher Ding, I'm nothing." Fang Chong snorted, though his voice unconsciously lowered.