Chapter 89: Striving to the End

"My roommate is a boy. However, my dormitory is separated by a wooden board, so this can be considered as protecting my privacy!"

When mentioning that her roommate was a boy, Li Jingyi's pretty face flushed with a bit of shyness; although there was a wooden board in between, there was only one bathroom, so it was inevitably a bit embarrassing.

Li Tianyu expressed envy; he was also in a double room, but unfortunately, his roommate was also male.

However, double rooms and quad rooms did not mean there were only downsides; usually, they could communicate with each other, get to know more friends, and it would be more convenient in the future.

But is co-ed living really reliable?

Before Li Zhangsheng could speak, Li Runfeng, who was to the side, pursed his lips and interjected: "It's just separated by a wooden board, what privacy is there to speak of? If it can't block Mental Power, then you're going to be at a huge disadvantage!"

"That is not an ordinary wooden board; it can isolate Mental Power detection. At least with my current Mental Power, I can't penetrate it at all!"

"As expected of Yuanling Academy, truly wealthy and imposing!" Hearing Li Jingyi's reply, this was the only thought in Li Zhangsheng's mind.

Mental Power insulation material, although the unit price is not very expensive, Yuanling Academy has a huge quantity; the double rooms and quad rooms for the four grades add up to at least over a thousand, so the cost incurred can be imagined.

"Alright, just pretend I didn't say anything. But if he bullies you, remember to come find us; we are still very willing to help with that!"

It is no wonder Li Runfeng said this; for one, there are fewer female students at Yuanling Academy, and for another, Li Jingyi has a sweet appearance and a quiet temperament. In a situation where there are many monks and little gruel, she is undoubtedly prey for many boys, especially the senior students!

"Mm, definitely!" Li Jingyi did not refuse; she remained full of vigilance toward her male roommate.

While the four were chatting, more and more freshmen began to gather at the Training Ground.

This year, the number of freshmen exceeded one thousand, including some who were there through connections.

These connected individuals either had deep backgrounds, with their fathers holding high positions in Langya Kingdom, or they were the descendants of the Academy's upper management or Instructors.

Under the maintenance of the Instructors, the freshmen with excellent assessment results came to the high platform, while the others stood below, arranged in queues, only able to watch the freshmen on the high platform with eyes full of envy, jealousy, and hatred, wishing they could take their place.

As long as one was not a fool, one could guess that the freshmen qualified to stand on the high platform must possess some advantages.

Soon, the time reached 9 o'clock sharp.

Suddenly, on the rostrum not far away, several figures appeared without warning. Their momentum was magnificent; compared to them, the other Instructors present were like the difference between fireflies and Moonlight.

They were all high-level members of Yuanling Academy!

At this moment, the old man located in the middle shouted softly: "Everyone, quiet!"

The high-level members of Yuanling Academy possess at least the standard of a Sixth-tier Beastmaster; their Mental Power is extremely Vigorous, and their control is even more meticulous.

Although the voice was soft, everyone present heard the old man's voice, as if it were whispering right in their ears. All the freshmen hurriedly shut their mouths, the originally noisy scene suddenly became silent, and everyone looked at the old man with eyes full of awe.

The freshmen furthest from the old man were hundreds of meters away, yet even across such a distance, over a thousand freshmen could hear clearly, and there was no harsh feeling at all. This application of Mental Power was truly shocking.

It was also at this time that several Instructors sealed off the Multi-functional Training Ground.

Soon, several late-arriving freshmen arrived, and they patted the gates one after another, wanting to enter the Training Ground.

Watching their actions, the old man began to scold: "The assembly time has passed, no entry allowed!"

Accompanied by the old man's scolding, the freshmen present were all silent as cicadas in winter, suppressed by a Mental Power so Vigorous it was suffocating; the old man was simply unimaginably strong.

The Mental Power Pressure alone made over a thousand freshmen afraid to move, not even daring to breathe, as if moving even a little would result in being smashed to pieces.

Those who felt it most deeply were naturally the few late freshmen. Under this Pressure that was like a prison, their legs trembled, and they couldn't even lift their heads; they were almost about to kneel.

A Sixth-tier Beastmaster inherently possesses extremely powerful combat strength; compared to the First or Second Rank freshmen, they are terrifyingly strong.

A Sixth-rank Beastmaster, terrifying to this extent!

On the high platform, Li Zhangsheng was secretly shocked; without a doubt, the old man was absolutely the Stronger individual he had ever seen.

Compared to the old man, the Li Clan Leader could only be described as a firefly's light competing with the bright moon; they were completely not on the same level.

"The 298th Freshman Ceremony will be presided over by this old man! Let me introduce myself first; this old man is Xu Wenhua, Vice Principal of Yuanling Academy, and concurrently the Dean of the Combat Academy!"

Judging from Xu Wenhua's position, apart from the Principal, his status was the highest, and it was very likely that his strength was as well.

"As a member of Yuanling Academy, you must abide by the Academy's rules and regulations. Considering you are all first-time offenders, all latecomers will have 30 Academic Credits deducted, and those who did not arrive will have their student status revoked and be expelled from the Academy!"

Hearing that the punishment was so severe, all the freshmen were silent as cicadas in winter, silently feeling pity for these students, especially those who did not arrive.

Having finally become a student of Yuanling Academy, only to have their status revoked on the first day—such a punishment could not be called light. If there really were any who did not arrive, they would probably feel like dying.

Compared to having their student status revoked, deducting 30 Academic Credits was naturally much lighter, but the cost was equally high. One must know that after becoming a student of Yuanling Academy, every freshman automatically receives 30 Academic Credits. These credits are linked to resources and can be used to exchange for Spirit Beasts, Beastmaster Arts, Secret Techniques, treasures, and so on.

Of course, one can also use Soul Crystals to exchange for Academic Credits; one Low-grade Soul Crystal can be exchanged for one Academic Credit. 30 Academic Credits are almost equivalent to 30 Low-grade Soul Crystals. Unless it is a freshman with a deep background, otherwise, they would lose a step to others right at the starting line.

"Killing the chicken to warn the monkey!" Li Zhangsheng could not help but feel moved. Even though Li Sheng had revealed this to him, he had not thought that Yuanling Academy would be strict to this extent.

Li Zhangsheng was not wrong; Xu Wenhua was indeed killing the chicken to warn the monkey, to restrain the behavior of the freshmen and prevent them from being too jumpy, thinking that once they entered Yuanling Academy, they could do whatever they wanted and put too much thought into external things, thereby neglecting their efforts.

"Alright, you may come in now!"

As Xu Wenhua's voice fell, the gates of the Training Ground opened, and the few late freshmen hung their heads and, under the arrangement of the Instructors, stood at the back of the queue.

At this time, Xu Wenhua said loudly: "Our Yuanling Academy has a long history, with 298 years since its founding, and has cultivated countless Stronger individuals. From the year 282 until now, it has always ranked among the Four Great Academies of Langya Kingdom.

Even if you have been admitted to Yuanling Academy, it does not mean you can enjoy superior treatment; you could even be said to be at the bottom of the Academy. I hope you will guard against arrogance and rashness and adjust your mindset as soon as possible.

In the Academy, strength is linked to status, and this is also the only way for you to improve your treatment. Yuanling Academy emphasizes the word 'strive'; we will also give you many opportunities. When it is time to perform, do not hide or hold back; you must learn to show yourself. Only with one part of hard work can one have one part of harvest..."

Xu Wenhua had a draft ready long ago and continued without a pause: "Next is the Academy assignment. You only have one chance to choose, so I hope you consider it carefully and choose the Academy that suits you best! Alright, you have ten minutes to choose!"

(End of chapter)