Chapter 17: The Three Top Academies (Request Follows)

A deep voice suddenly echoed throughout the martial arts classroom, and everyone fell silent.

A figure appeared at the doorway, his massive, muscular frame blocking the light from outside.

It cast a huge black shadow.

He walked slowly into the martial arts classroom, an invisible aura radiating from his body.

All eyes turned toward him.

He was a towering man, his body built like stacked boulders, a scar running across his face, and his height exceeding two meters.

Li Zhou, the top student in the grade, looked small beside him, like a raw recruit.

This is a warrior who has walked the battlefield, Lin Qi thought.

The giant strode with the bearing of a dragon and tiger to the center of the crowd.

“Ding ling ling!”

The next second, the class bell rang.

“This guy is strong!” Jiang Tao frowned.

Lin Qi nodded—it was obvious. The aura was overwhelming.

Even Wu Kang, a third-rank martial artist, didn’t possess such power.

Those who met his gaze froze completely, utterly suppressed.

Could he be a fourth-rank martial artist?

The giant scanned the room, taking in every face.

“Hello, everyone!”

He spoke, his voice booming like a bronze bell, ringing in their ears.

“Many of you have probably guessed my identity—yes, I’m your martial arts teacher for this senior year!”

Here, the giant grinned:

“Let me introduce myself—I’m Zhang Cheng, and I’ll be your martial arts instructor from now on.”

“I’m different from other teachers because my teaching style is unusual.”

“Prepare yourselves mentally!”

At this, everyone felt a foreboding chill.

Zhang Cheng continued grinning:

“You are the fifty most talented students in No. 2 High School.”

“Since you’ve entered the elite class, you’ll receive the best teaching resources.”

“And I am No. 2 High’s best martial arts teacher—you’ll realize that soon enough.”

“Since you’re in the elite class, your university goal must be the Three Top Academies of Xia.”

“The Three Top Academies: Cangqiong University, Minghai University, Yushan University.”

Upon hearing the Three Top Academies, the fifty students’ eyes burned with heat.

As Xia nationals, everyone who had walked the martial path since birth and trained for a decade dreamed of entering the Three Top Academies.

The Three Top Academies were the elite training grounds for Xia’s strongest warriors; its graduates would become the nation’s pillars, the main force against calamity beasts.

“The Three Top Academies admit fewer than ten thousand students annually, scattered across all provinces of Xia—only a few hundred in total.”

“And among you, less than half will make it into the Three Top Academies!”

Zhang Cheng crossed his arms and grinned, revealing the cruel truth.

Silence fell. Heavy pressure pressed down on them.

“Of course, my presence is meant to raise your admission rate.”

“So if you want to enter the Three Top Academies, listen to me.”

“And if you want to improve your ranking, you’d better listen to me too.”

Zhang Cheng spoke when he judged the moment right.

“Entering the elite class means you’re no longer ordinary students.”

“You have better teachers, better treatment.”

“One benefit is having your own private martial arts room.”

“A hundred-square-meter space, punching posts, free training weapons, a projector, a private bathroom, a washing machine…”

Many eyes lit up—this was an incredible deal.

“Outside, in any martial arts gym, a hundred-square-meter room costs two or three hundred Xia currency per hour.”

“Yet here at No. 2 High, it’s free—this is an amazing benefit.”

Jiang Tao exclaimed, astonished and excited.

Lin Qi was equally surprised—a free private martial arts room was like a free apartment, incredibly convenient.

He even imagined sleeping in it at noon, undisturbed.

He didn’t mention the other perks.

The students were thrilled—but Zhang Cheng’s next words crushed their joy. “Unfortunately, not everyone will get a private martial arts room.”

“Even though we expanded by ten rooms this year, we only have thirty in total.”

“So only the top thirty students will receive a private martial arts room.”

“If you want one, work hard, fight for it—climb into the top thirty, and you’ll get one too.”

After he spoke, many eyes burned with determination.

An invisible competitive atmosphere had been ignited—countless students now planned to crush others in the next test to enter the top thirty.

Lin Qi felt the same—he wanted a private room too.

He was currently ranked forty-fifth, sixth from the bottom—he still had a long way to go.

“Excellent! You all have spirit!”

Zhang Cheng smiled, satisfied.

“Alright, that’s it for today—free training from now on.”

!

“Students ranked in the top thirty, go to your private martial arts rooms—your fingerprints are already registered in the lock; you can open them anytime.”

“The rest of you, train here in the classroom.”

Zhang Cheng announced loudly.

“Oh, and students who haven’t learned an advanced technique—come see me.”

“Dismissed!”

Zhang Cheng finished speaking, and the students dispersed—some rushed to gather their things and head straight to their rooms.

Soon, only twenty-one remained in the classroom, and among them, only three stood still.

Zhang Cheng looked at the three, surprised:

“I didn’t expect three of you—thought everyone had already learned their new techniques at the martial arts gym.”

Lin Qi and Jiang Tao exchanged glances—Lin Qi knew he was here because he had no money.

Jiang Tao was just stingy, wanting to learn for free.

According to him, even though he had a million Xia currency, if he could learn for free, why pay?

Lin Qi turned to the third person—the boy who had entered the classroom before him.

“Let’s begin!”

Zhang Cheng cleared his throat.

“Humans are a highly intelligent species, with advantages no other animal possesses.”

“Namely, we use tools.”

“Since ancient times, to survive against beasts, we forged sharp weapons from metal.”

“The difference in combat power between bare hands and armed warriors is absolute.”

“Against colossal calamity beasts with claws and fangs, bare hands make you prey.”

“With weapons, you become the hunter!”

“To face calamity beasts, every martial artist must master a weapon.”

Zhang Cheng spoke with solemn intensity.

“Your fist techniques are already perfected, and you have basic weapon skills—learning an advanced weapon technique now will double your progress.”

“Tell me—what weapon do you train?”

Zhang Cheng turned to Jiang Tao.

“Sword!”

“Spear!”

“Sword!”

Lin Qi and the others answered in turn.

“Two swords, one spear—you go first,” Zhang Cheng pointed at Lin Qi.

“Me?”

Lin Qi frowned—this teacher didn’t follow the usual order. Shouldn’t he teach Jiang Tao and the other sword user first?

Zhang Cheng raised his right arm, revealing a black electronic watch on his wrist, and tapped a few commands.

“Beep!”

The next second, a green light shot from the watch, projecting three green figures of different builds in 3D.

The three stepped back, creating distance.

“Speak—what gun technique do you want to learn?”

……

(End of Chapter)