Chapter 189: The Admissions Office Mobilizes, the Treatment of the Top of the Hundred Strong Competition!

The airship cut across the skyline, broke through the cloud layer, and headed toward the Taian Urban Circle.

Qin Shi sat in first class, the Perfect Grade Electric Shock Military Saber placed to one side.

"Sir, here is the lemonade you asked for. We also have meals available here; let me know if you'd like anything."

A slender, beautiful flight attendant bent her knees and squatted down, handing the menu to Qin Shi.

Due to the energy blockade, most civilian aircraft choose hard airships to facilitate applying for flight routes.

"Just give me a serving of nutrient paste."

Qin Shi refused the dazzling array of self-heating foods; although he had gone a month without water or grain, the nutrients provided by the Self-Cultivation Furnace were enough to sustain his consumption.

This was actually a sign of approaching the Professional Realm.

There was no longer a need to rely on daily eating activities to maintain the body's operation.

The demand for absorbing high-level energy instead increased greatly.

"Alright. Let me know if you need anything."

The flight attendant smiled sweetly, twisting her waist as she left.

On the seat across the aisle, Xu Sheng gulped down fragrant rice, then said:

"You're so self-disciplined that I easily suspect you might be a robot."

He guarded the Great Rift Valley for a full thirty days, eating canned food all day until his mouth was tasteless.

After boarding, he immediately ordered a chilled soda and a serving of braised pork with rice.

"I thought experts of the Professional Realm wouldn't care much for food. Theoretically, Xu Ge, even if you ate dirt and tree bark or chewed metal chunks, you could still live."

Qin Shi looked at him with a puzzled gaze; wasn't the improvement from absorbing energy more comfortable than stuffing oneself with food?

"That's what they say, but people need to find some enjoyment in life. From childhood, learning martial arts, climbing the path—what for? Leaving aside power and status, isn't it just those vulgar things: wine, women, wealth, and qi?"

Xu Sheng ate until half full, wiped his mouth, let out a long breath, and then happily sipped his chilled drink.

"Enjoyment! Xiao Qin, you have to learn to enjoy life! Otherwise, where's the motivation to move forward? Listen to Xu Ge's advice: date a beautiful girl, travel when you have nothing to do, relax your mind. You're so young; it's such a pity to waste such wonderful youth."

Qin Shi smiled without speaking; women only slow down the speed of drawing a sword.

"Xu Ge, for those of us on the Limit Breaking Path of the Old Martial Arts, time is never enough to squander. Before twenty-five, if I can complete the Seven Great Limits, I'll have a chance to impact the Grandmaster Level and hope to touch the threshold of the Martial God."

Xu Sheng's expression turned serious, and his gaze toward Qin Shi carried a trace of admiration. A young man's spirit is like a wild horse unbridled, often hard to pull back. A supernova like Xiao Qin, who can stay calm and steady, is indeed rare.

"My teacher used to say the same thing, but back then it was hard to take in, or I didn't understand deeply enough. By the time I woke up and felt I had wasted my years, it was already too late."

Xu Sheng sighed emotionally; he was also one of the heaven's favorites the Martial Association invested resources in and focused on cultivating.

His martial path went smoothly; he touched the Professional Realm before twenty and fully entered it at twenty-six.

But nearing fifty, his physical ability began to decline slightly, and he still couldn't reach the edge of the Grandmaster Level.

This life probably ends here.

"Your thinking is right; seize every possibility of improvement. The conditions for reaching Grandmaster Level, and even the Martial God's ultimate realm, are too strict."

Xu Sheng said approvingly.

He then asked the flight attendant for another chilled drink and a serving of nut snacks.

He couldn't keep pushing anymore; accepting his "mediocrity" and enjoying the rest of his life wasn't bad either.

Qin Shi smiled; everyone has their own aspirations. Every person who steps onto the martial path and joins different schools must choose their own direction and move forward unswervingly.

So the Professional Realm of the martial path produces many obsessives or martial maniacs; their methods mostly differ greatly from common sense.

Upon careful thought, this is probably one of the reasons the Old Martial Arts gradually declined and lost Dongxia's support.

No regime likes unstable natural factors.

"Taian Urban Circle... it's been so long since I've been back; I don't know what changes there are now."

Qin Shi took a sip of lemonade, then immediately closed his eyes, operating the Self-Cultivation Furnace and Meditation Method to absorb energy factors from the outside world.

Compared to the Great Rift Valley and the Void Space that draws in heavenly light, the closer to the city district, the scarcer the energy factors.

"Is it because the space is too stable?"

Qin Shi frowned slightly; the energy factors needed by the spirit and the mortal body come from the tiny dimensions of the Netherworld Rift.

Safe zones like city districts, which are equipped with Iron Curtain Defense Systems, have more stable spatial properties, so they cannot emit dense energy factors.

"No wonder Old Zhang emphasized again and again that bathing in heavenly light is a rare resource. Staying in the metropolitan area or Center City for a long time will also slow down cultivation speed."

Qin Shi felt a sense of disparity in his heart; being in the Great Rift Valley was like using double or even triple experience cards for auto-battling, but returning to the Taian Urban Circle restored things to normal.

He cut away the discomfort so it wouldn't affect his mood, then thought that the Execution Operatives of the Patrol Department probably liked staying outside for this very reason.

……

……

Taian Urban Circle, Black Flame Grand Hotel in the central district.

This was originally the Qin Family's property, but after Qin Lihao and Qin Yixiong died in succession, it was quickly transferred and became the property of other buyers.

Several suites on the top floor had been booked by the Education Bureau Admissions Office stationed in Center City half a month ago.

After the results of the Top Hundred Competition came out, Qin Shi, who showed the posture of a dark horse, rushed into the public eye at rocket speed.

Especially with Outlook Weekly's in-depth investigation, the famous beautiful Editor-in-Chief Kang Yun'er personally wrote several front-page articles.

They analyzed and introduced the previously little-known champion from every aspect, from his background to his experiences, combined with a sharp writing style that was extremely good at rendering emotions and driving readers' feelings, making Qin Shi almost overnight become an inspirational star known to every household.

The public has always loved stories of grassroots counterattacks and ordinary people rising up; Kang Yun'er grasped this point very well.

The only regret was that the Top of the Hundred Strong Competition had not appeared for a long time, and a close-up interview still could not be conducted to this day.

"Finally out! It's the first time this missus wanted to interview someone, and I had to wait a month! Even Governor Tai's interview application only needs seven days of security arrangements!"

Kang Yun'er stood on the terrace, pacing back and forth quickly, her eyebrows raised, her eyes flashing with the excited light of capturing prey.

A news worker active on the frontline like her had long grown tired of cliché reporting and loved even more to uncover existences beyond the public eye.

"If it weren't for the Martial Association's refusal, I'd want to take a passenger boat directly into the Great Rift Valley! Dangerous? Big Brother, did you forget? I started as a war correspondent; I've been to the front lines of the war corps and outpost bases!"

My idol is Gan Qian! He personally accompanied the army and wrote news reports like "The Immortal Heroic Souls of the Steel Seventh Company!" and "Defenders of the Nation!"—detailed, rich in content!

Kang Yun'er paced back and forth while talking on the phone, as if communicating with someone.

She had a lady cigarette between her lips, her hair a mess, showing none of the stunning glamour of Outlook Weekly's beautiful editor-in-chief.

"Boss, please help me! You're on good terms with the Martial Association, and you have connections at the Education Bureau. I've waited a month and turned down all interview invitations for the Star Cup Youth Group's Yu Li! I must be the first to interview him!"

Kang Yun'er's tone was urgent and fast, like a machine gun spitting out bullets.

A few minutes later, she received an affirmative reply, her mood inexplicably lifted, she hung up humming a tune and ran into the bathroom to wash up.

As a result, when she came out wrapped in a bathrobe, drying her wet hair, and saw the message popping up on her mobile terminal, her expression changed abruptly, and she cursed:

"The Four Great National Universities are something else! The Admissions Office is pulling privileges! Snatching my interview report!"

Kang Yun'er was no pushover; not bothering to dry her hair, she quickly put on her underwear and outerwear, took the elevator straight down to the garage.

She mounted a red modified motorcycle, twisted the handle hard, floored the throttle, and shot out like a sharp arrow!

Screech!

Tires rubbed against the ground, emitting a piercing sound.

"Can't you drive! Don't you want to live!"

The official car bearing the Education Bureau Admissions Office sign suddenly stopped, letting the motorcycle fast as an afterimage go first; the driver poked his head out and cursed a couple of times, then turned his head and said:

"Sorry, startled the two committee members."

The middle-aged man in the back seat adjusted his glasses and smiled gently:

"It's fine. People of poor quality are everywhere."

The young man in formal wear sitting beside him frowned, not minding being cut off by the motorcycle, and lowered his voice:

"Teacher Wei, we handle admissions for the Four Great National Universities; usually it's other schools begging to come to our door for quotas. Why would we ever personally visit!"

The Hundred Strong Competition has done this before; to be honest, even if we don't show eagerness, that inheritor of the Nanhuang Dojo would still choose the Four Great National Universities!"

The young man in formal wear felt somewhat uncomfortable; he thought the Admissions Office had no need to be so anxious and rushing.

Besides, after waiting half a month, that student finally appeared.

The stationed personnel of the Four Great National Universities—when had they ever suffered such neglect?

"That said, the attitude must be clear. Qin Shi is not only the champion of the Hundred Strong Competition but also accomplished the feat of shattering the Specialized Field Barrier; such potential, even among the admitted students of the Four Great National Universities, is outstanding."

Teacher Wei laughed hehe:

"Moreover, several reports in Outlook Weekly have made this Qin Classmate famous; his deeds have spread to the Imperial Capital and Haizhou. In recent years, the Four Great National Universities have been widely criticized, seen by the public as a cradle for the powerful and wealthy, a paradise for great clans, with talk that poor families can no longer produce noble children running rampant."

"This kind of public opinion must not stand; we need someone like Qin Classmate with such a background to prove to everyone that the Four Great National Universities are still the brilliant pearls of the education world, still the Holy Lands longed for by countless students."

The young man in formal wear called "Xiao Li" seriously considered it, reluctantly accepting the reasoning.

He muttered in his heart:

"The education received by those of the Bottom Layer—how could it compare to the children of the Academic Clique? Even if they get into the Four Great National Universities, they're nothing more than oxen and horses for the Nine Surnames Direct Line, seeking a future."

……

……

Qin Shi returned to the Taian Urban Circle, walked down the gangway, and saw a line of people picking him up.

He stopped his steps and carefully scanned; those holding long banners were his dead friends Zhou Ning and Xu Mo, with many familiar faces from Xin Yi High School standing behind them, such as Zhao Yunzhu holding flowers, and Class Teacher Qian Feng beaming with joy.

The banner read "Warmly Welcome Hengzhou Hundred Strong Competition Champion Qin Shi Back to School"!

Further in the distance, outside the safety passage, news reporters holding long guns and short cannons were stopped, clicking shutters one by one.

"You can call this returning home in glory, Xiao Qin."

Xu Sheng put on a look of watching a good show.

"To be honest, this kind of scene is a bit embarrassing for me."

Qin Shi felt helpless, glad that he had been in seclusion in the Void Space for a month, letting the limelight pass.

If it were right after winning the championship, the number of people would probably be several times more.

"It's the necessary path of a Martial Prodigy; we've only just arrived. Back when He Lanchan became one of the First Generation Ten Greats and appeared in the Imperial Capital, I tell you, the streets were empty of people; that figure in white hair and white clothes stirred the hearts of countless girls... speaking of which, that was nearly a hundred years ago."

Xu Sheng sighed endlessly.

"Why He Lanchan? I remember Qi Wuxiang's fame was a bit bigger than his, right?"

Qin Shi caught the key point.

"Um, Qi Wuxiang isn't as handsome as He Lanchan, his looks are slightly inferior. Plus, the latter was born with white hair, fashionable enough, you get it. When you compete in the Star Cup later, remember to give yourself a flashy style; more sponsorship, easier to make money."

Xu Sheng instructed.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Qin Shi had already finished walking down the gangway, facing the enthusiastic welcome he was not quite used to.

Only to see Class Teacher Qian Feng wave his hand, and many students selected from the Elite Class and regular classes shouted in unison:

"Warmly welcome our school's student Qin Shi, who bravely won First Place in the Hengzhou Hundred Strong Competition..."

Qin Shi's eye twitched, looking at Zhao Yunzhu stepping forward to present flowers; his expression was very stiff.

If I had known, I might as well have continued seclusion for another while!

"Student Qin Shi! You've really brought honor to our Xin Yi High School this time!"

Class Teacher Qian Feng held his head high and puffed out his chest, striding over to shake hands.

He was very perceptive and said no more, leaving the speaking opportunity to the Education Bureau leaders.

"Student Qin Shi, you represent the Taian Urban Circle and took the Champion title in the Hundred Strong Competition; congratulations..."

The black sedan parked on the tarmac; Fang Butang slowly stepped down.

He looked at Qin Shi with gentle eyes:

"After the Taian Education Bureau, the Patrol Department, and other units held a meeting and unanimously voted, they recommended you as the Supernova of this region to participate in the Star Cup competition."

Qin Shi couldn't help but feel dazed; in the past, he had only seen many participants in the Star Cup in advertisements and promotional videos.

They were all top-tier resumes from the Four Great National Universities, Heaven's Chosen whose various titles and halos could fill several pages of paper.

"Star Cup..."

Seeing Qin Shi somewhat dazed, Fang Butang continued:

"Correct. The Supernova of each region will gain the opportunity to directly enter the Youth Group. This means that from this moment on, you are a part of the Star Cup sequence; your cultivation progress, potential assessment, and competition honors can all be accumulated as points.

Furthermore, you will obtain the status of a 'Star Sea Citizen'; all Thirty-two Administrative Districts will be fully open to you, and you will also gain the qualification to apply for certain trial locations."

Qin Shi's thoughts surged; originally, becoming a Star Cup contestant actually came with so many hidden benefits.

No, it should be said that only the 'top students' who obtain the status of group members can enjoy this kind of treatment!

The Champion of the Top Hundred competition made the Taian Urban Circle recognize his future.

"Supernova..."

Qin Shi's gaze flashed, then turned to Fang Butang, and he said softly:

"Thank you all for your trust; I will continue to work hard."

Fang Butang nodded in satisfaction; the young man was neither arrogant nor impetuous, which was already a rare character trait.

He smiled and said:

"Come with me; I'll give you a ride. Before you go home, you must make a decision, a major decision that concerns your future prospects and determines the direction of your life."

Qin Shi nodded, his heart clear as a mirror, guessing what Fang Butang was referring to.

Was he to walk the broad avenue of the Four Great National Universities, or stay at Qiguang Heng University and silently accumulate his own strength?

For the vast majority of people, this is actually not a difficult choice.

Even, this doesn't even count as a choice question.

(Chapter End)