Chapter 26: Viewing the Mountain Scenery

At this moment.

Jiang Jian said: “The talent orbs aren’t something to worry about.”

Song Ling turned her head: “What do you mean?”

Jiang Jian said: “Teacher Zhou Yu sent me a message.”

“Those with a Level 3 talent receive resource support from the prefectural government.”

“After enrollment, you can claim a Level 3 resource package.”

“The package includes a Level 3 talent orb.”

Du Fang couldn’t believe it: “The Linjiang Prefectural Government is this generous? Giving away a Level 3 talent orb like this!?”

“That’s worth millions of Alliance Coins!”

Jiang Jian nodded: “At first, I didn’t believe it either.”

“Later, I checked the records and confirmed it was true.”

“Those who obtain a Level 3 talent are extremely rare.”

“According to big data statistics.”

“Ninety percent of those with a Level 2 talent are trapped forever in the Divine Bestowal Realm.”

“Among those with a Level 3 talent, only ten percent are trapped in the Divine Bestowal Realm!”

“If a Level 3 talent student gains a second talent that is also Level 3,”

“their cultivation speed increases dramatically!”

“Their chance of reaching higher realms skyrockets!”

“Therefore,”

“following the theory of resource concentration and the strong growing stronger,”

“the Linjiang Prefectural Government announced this support policy three hundred years ago.”

“This is the prefecture’s,”

“greatest resource support for Level 3 talent freshmen.”

As Jiang Jian spoke,

Song Ling was also searching through data.

She looked up at Jiang Jian: “I found it.”

“Before claiming the resource package, you must sign the Divine Oath Contract.”

“You must not commit acts that harm the school or the prefectural government.”

“Otherwise, the contract will activate.”

“The Prefectural Government’s Prayer Temple will immediately strip your second talent!”

Jiang Jian smiled: “Such a precious gift, given to you for free, must come with restrictions.”

Song Ling pointed at the screen: “There’s another condition: upon graduation, you must voluntarily sever your second talent and return it to the school.”

Although talent orbs aid cultivation,

they are fundamentally external objects.

Each replacement is troublesome.

You must go to the local Prayer Temple and request the director’s intervention.

As they spoke,

Jiang Jian’s identity device beeped with a notification.

“It’s Nie Zheng’s real-time message—the one who sent me the cultivation materials...”

Jiang Jian pulled up the screen, paused for a moment, then tapped the latest message.

“Senior Jiang Jian, congratulations on obtaining a Level 3 talent and entering Linjiang Academy!”

The girl’s voice was crisp and melodious.

Jiang Jian replied: “Thank you.”

Nie Zheng’s tone carried a smile: “Senior Jiang Jian, I have a detailed talent combination guide that might help you.”

As she finished speaking,

she sent a document: “Senior, I won’t disturb you further.”

The message ended.

Jiang Jian opened the text chat box and sent: “Thank you.”

Then he opened the document and read carefully.

“Linjiang Prefecture, 33rd Century, Latest Talent Combination Guide (Personal Special Edition).”

“Author: Anonymous.”

“Chapter One: Shu.”

Seeing this,

Jiang Jian became interested.

His innate talent was precisely “Shu.”

He continued reading.

“It is widely known that Shu is the best talent.”

“It comes with a dedicated cultivation method and is both offensive and defensive.”

“It is equally top-tier in actual combat.”

“But this talent has one fatal flaw.”

“Its physical foundation is weak.”

“Although most Shu talents,”

“can channel Qi to form unbreakable defenses,”

“in prolonged battles, once Qi is depleted,”

“the once-solid defense collapses instantly.”

“Therefore, the best combination for Shu,”

“is a passive talent that restores Qi.”

“Shu’s defense is immensely powerful.”

“As long as Qi is sufficient, this defense can be maintained indefinitely.”

“If this combination is unattainable,”

“the secondary choice is a passive talent that enhances physical strength.”

Seeing this,

Jiang Jian exited the screen and opened Linjiang’s online trading platform.

He filtered for “Qi Restoration” talent orbs.

“Level 3 Orb, Xin: Qi Abundance, Price: 3,500,000 Alliance Coins.”

“Qi Abundance, passive talent: continuously restores Qi in the acupoints every second.”

“Level 3 Orb, Yi: Clarity of Thought, Price: 2,800,000 Alliance Coins.”

“Clarity of Thought, passive talent: strengthens willpower, accelerating Qi restoration speed.”

“Level 3 Orb, Ti: Meridian Unobstructed, Price: 2,200,000 Alliance Coins.”

“Meridian Unobstructed, passive talent: increases Qi flow through three major acupoints, slightly boosting Qi circulation speed.”

“Level 2 Orb, Shu: Qi Gathering Art, Price: 750,000 Alliance Coins.”

“Qi Gathering Art: allows finer control of Qi, forming blades for offense or shields for defense, slightly increases Qi circulation speed, includes a dedicated cultivation method.”

…

As he browsed the exorbitantly priced talent orbs,

Jiang Jian fell silent.

His citizen account balance was 850,000 Alliance Coins.

These funds,

in Guangling City,

were an unimaginable fortune.

But on Linjiang’s trading platform,

even purchasing a single Level 2 talent orb was barely possible.

“Before enrollment, I have no way to earn Alliance Coins.”

“These funds must be spent wisely.”

Jiang Jian swiped his finger and closed the trading platform.

“It seems now,”

“I must strive for it.”

“The Linjiang Academy branch examination.”

“The ranking in this exam is crucial.”

“It determines the amount of supplementary resources you receive upon enrollment.”

“And the Level 3 resource package from the Linjiang Prefectural Government...”

Jiang Jian was lost in thought.

The massive whale-raft suddenly shuddered!

Boom!

A rumbling sound echoed.

The mountain-sized vessel gradually rose higher.

It left Feiguang Platform and vanished into the horizon.

Like a colossal beast among the clouds.

Auroras surged along its hull, parting thick clouds as it sailed steadily toward Linjiangzhou.

Meanwhile,

Not far away,

Blue light threads wove together, and a cold mechanical voice spoke.

“The vessel has departed.”

“Destination: Linjiang University.”

“Estimated remaining time: 160 minutes.”

Boom!

A muffled sound rang out.

On both sides of the hatch, massive portholes slowly descended.

The particle glass was transparent, as if nonexistent.

The view outside was revealed.

An endless expanse of deep blue sky.

And beneath the vessel, churning, roaring layers of clouds.

In Cabin 1, many students stood up.

They walked to the portholes and gazed out, faces filled with awe.

Du Fang also rose and stood before the porthole, exclaiming in shock: “That mountain is that huge!”

Jiang Jian looked up.

A mountain of indescribable magnitude stretched across the four directions, standing between heaven and earth.

Its peak was invisible, lost to sight.

It seemed to pierce straight into the heavens.

Compared to it, the towering spire of Guangling City

Was like a small house at the base of a skyscraper.

“What mountain is that…?”

Du Fang murmured, stunned.

Shi Xuan walked over, smiling: “That mountain is the fu-mai of Linjiang Prefecture.”

“Its name is Tianzhu Mountain.”

“The Linjiang Academy sits halfway up its slopes.”

The whale-raft’s speed was swift.

Yet that great mountain, in everyone’s eyes,

Still stretched across heaven and earth.

It showed no sign of change.

(End of Chapter)