Chapter 97: A Difficult Choice

Li Mengxi made a decision, and Li Yuanqing was completely left without any chance, unable to describe the feeling in his heart. There was both the loss of a missed opportunity and the relief of not having to face a threat.

The three slots have been fixed: Ye Liuyun, Song Yi, and Li Mengxi. He is by no means a match for those three.

Heavenly Luck King watched their performances closely. He can understand the young people's unwillingness to lose. Yet there was no approval in his eyes, only great inner conflict.

Because he knows what difficulties these youths will face in the academy. He does not have confidence in their future, merely unwilling to crush their morale.

He knows that the senior officials in the academy value bloodline aptitude above all. Since bloodline accelerates cultivation realms, its effect becomes more pronounced in later stages.

Those with weak bloodlines have almost no chance of becoming a Saint. So even though Ye Liuyun has decent talent, he does not think Ye Liuyun can replace Wei Zhen.

Probably these kids will never make it into the Main Institute of the Holy Martial Academy. But that's for the best; they won't have to face the Xuan Tian Saint directly. The Xuan Tian Saint belongs to the Main Institute.

Finally he nodded slowly. "Since this is your own choice, I won't stand in your way. I have three Tokens and maps for the test; you can rush to the branch institute of the Holy Martial Academy to take the test. I can't escort you there now. As for the road ahead, it depends on your own luck!"

Ye Liuyun, Song Yi, and Li Mengxi each secured a Token, noted the map, and then took their leave from Heavenly Luck King.

"Ye Liuyun, come with me!"

Heavenly Luck King dismissed the others and led Ye Liuyun alone to his study.

"For today's matter, truly thank you! The entire Golden Armor Guard and I owe you a life!"

Heavenly Luck King thanked Ye Liuyun solemnly.

Ye Liuyun hurriedly replied, "Prince, whatever you say, I am also a member of the Royal Mansion, and I happen to have ties with Tianbao Pavilion, so I should serve the Royal Mansion. It's just a pity they arrived a bit late!"

Heavenly Luck King nodded appreciatively and then explained to Ye Liuyun, "You probably already know the feud I have with the Great Zhou royal family. No need for me to elaborate. The Great Zhou King took away the woman I love; I'm unwilling to accept it, yet I have no chance for revenge, so I place all my hope in my disciple."

Through his conversation with Kong Wei, Ye Liuyun had already guessed why he expended so much effort cultivating talent.

"Prince, you kept me alone and mentioned these; I wonder what the purpose is?" Ye Liuyun asked.

He knows that Heavenly Luck King's sudden talk isn't merely for him to listen.

Heavenly Luck King did not conceal anything and said directly, "Because I think your cultivation talent is stronger than Wei Zhen's. Though your aptitude is considerably lower, perhaps there's a one‑percent chance you could someday rival the Xuan Tian Saint!"

A one‑percent chance? Or perhaps?

Ye Liuyun gave a dumbfounded smile.

Even though the Xuan Tian Saint's realm is higher than his now, Heavenly Luck King's words are still too exaggerated!

Seems he still underestimated him! There's nothing he can do; after all, he hid the power of his bloodline.

Heavenly Luck King casually took the spherical crystal for testing bloodline from the shelf and handed it to Ye Liuyun. At the same time he produced several bloodline pills he had previously bought from Wanbaoge and gave them to Ye Liuyun.

"There's still some time on the way to the branch institute; if you take these bloodline pills, you might improve a bit. This testing crystal sphere is yours for any time you need to test."

Ye Liuyun remained unexcited, took the testing crystal sphere with a flat expression, and immediately employed his bloodline power, adding a faint thread of bloodline force compared to last time.

"A bluish‑green!" Heavenly Luck King exclaimed, overjoyed, his voice trembling with excitement.

"I concealed a bit in the last test," Ye Liuyun explained.

In fact, his bloodline had awakened beyond twenty‑five percent.

Heavenly Luck King nodded happily and asked, "Do you know what bloodline this is?"

Ye Liuyun shook his head. "I don't know what bloodline it is! No one in my family has ever shown this bloodline."

His bloodline is the War God bloodline, but he cannot reveal it. Even if he did, he doubts Heavenly Luck King would believe it.

Heavenly Luck King didn't probe further. "Hmm, it's normal for bloodline awakening or mutation to have special causes. Though I don't know what bloodline yours is, at least your bloodline aptitude isn't far behind Wei Zhen's!"

He now regretted having previously looked down on Ye Liuyun. Had he known, he would have given him more resources.

Heavenly Luck King, amid disappointment, suddenly saw hope, feeling a flood of emotions.

But he quickly steadied himself and cautioned Ye Liuyun carefully: "Your aptitude is already average in the academy. If the Xuan Tian Saint discovers you, it could be detrimental."

After entering the branch institute there will be a test; you must hide yourself as best as you can. When you find a powerful Elder to take you as master, only then can you reveal your bloodline power. By then the Xuan Tian Saint will know, and won't trouble you at the branch institute."

Ye Liuyun nodded repeatedly and took the chance to ask many questions about the academy.

Heavenly Luck King answered every query patiently, explaining everything.

After listening, Ye Liuyun felt an even stronger yearning for this Sect world.

It is an entirely different world, with superior cultivation resources, techniques, and environment. Numerous geniuses compete, and there are many missions that can earn merit points. There are dedicated halls for pills, formations, alchemy, and Elders.

In short, it is a relatively complete martial cultivation realm; just hearing about it is enough to excite Ye Liuyun.

Ye Liuyun was grateful he hadn't chosen to retreat.

"After entering the branch institute, you must quickly become an inner‑gate disciple. Outer‑gate disciples mostly handle menial tasks, receive no attention, and are never cultivated by the academy. Sometimes a one or two outer‑gate disciples die, and the academy won't even inquire."

Hearing this, Ye Liuyun felt a chill. This martial world is truly cruel; it seems the same everywhere.

Become an inner‑gate disciple! Ye Liuyun firmly memorized this goal.

Heavenly Luck King continued, "If one day you reach the Main Institute, you must secure a patron early. Obtain protection from an Elder stronger than the Xuan Tian Saint. Then even if he schemes to harm you covertly, it will be exceedingly difficult."

Ye Liuyun took each of Heavenly Luck King's earnest admonitions to heart. They are the way to survive in the academy.

"Unfortunately there's no time left, you must leave quickly! I will take the Golden Armor Guard to the eastern border between Great Zhou and the Qi Tian Dynasty for repairs; if you need anything, you can come find me."

Heavenly Luck King said to Ye Liuyun with some regret.

Ye Liuyun also knew that Heavenly Luck King was placing his final hope on him.

So he gave his assent and took his leave from the Prince.