Chapter 153: Waiting for the Highest Bidder

Chapter 153: Chapter 153: Waiting for the Highest Bidder

Dean Liu organized his thoughts, his eyes gleaming as he began his explanation:

"Among the Xia Country’s three top martial arts universities, in terms of overall strength, our Azure Sky Martial Arts Academy is undeniably number one."

"You can think of it as the Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo of the Three Great Martial Arts Dojos."

"We have the best Cultivation Resources, the deepest foundation, the strongest faculty, and the highest caliber of geniuses."

Lin Qi nodded. That much was true.

In the Xia Country, even a three-year-old knew that Azure Sky Martial Arts Academy was the strongest of the top three.

Dean Liu opened an energy drink and took a sip.

"Therefore, for a genius like you, coming to our Azure Sky Martial Arts Academy is the best possible choice."

"Oh, right. I forgot to explain the Martial Arts University system. Little Wei, you can explain."

Lu Wei smiled and began to explain:

"In Xia Country, Martial Arts Universities are different from high schools. Each university divides every incoming class into different academies, which then engage in fierce internal competition."

"To quote the world’s number one expert, Emperor Red: ’The strong are those who distinguish themselves in fierce environments.’"

"That’s why all Martial Arts Universities operate this way now."

"Our Azure Sky Martial Arts Academy is no different; it’s divided into nine competing academies."

"This competition includes academy evaluations and the cumulative results of various tournaments, which primarily affects the annual allocation of resources."

"However, our Azure Sky University actually has ten institutes. Apart from the Tenth Institute—a transcendent academy established for geniuses with Awakened Special Abilities—the other nine institutes must all compete."

"We are from the Sixth Academy of Azure Sky Martial Arts Academy, or the Sixth Institute for short."

"Every year, after the college entrance exams are over and the results are released, you not only have to declare which Martial Arts University you’ll attend, but also which of its academies you wish to enter."

Lin Qi nodded. ’So that’s how it works. No wonder when Nether Sea and Shanyu introduced themselves, they mentioned which institute they were from, not just their university.’

’It’s all about internal competition between the academies.’

Liu Jing continued, "The competition at the university level is all about the rivalry between academies, which is also a clash between top-level geniuses."

"Every tournament and evaluation is ranked. The higher the ranking, the more resources you obtain."

"At the end of each year, the Nine Great Academies are given an overall ranking. Our Sixth Institute’s rankings this year are very poor, so we need a top-level genius."

Lin Qi nodded. ’So, I’m the top-level genius the Sixth Institute needs.’

Just then, Lu Wei added from the side:

"To prevent a few academies from forming a monopoly and to promote fair competition..."

"Lower-ranked academies are given priority to sign geniuses."

"For example: say the First Institute of our Azure Sky Martial Arts Academy finished dead last in this year’s overall rankings."

"This gives them the priority right to contact the national champion. Once they make contact, other academies are not allowed to compete."

"Unless that person is truly unwilling to join the First Institute, only then can other academies approach them, or they can choose to go to a different university entirely."

"Then, the second-to-last-ranked academy gets to choose, and it continues in that order."

Lin Qi nodded. ’That’s a pretty interesting rule.’

’So, the Sixth Institute isn’t in last place, meaning they can’t pick the national champion. They haven’t failed thoroughly enough.’

Liu Jing shook his head and said, "College entrance exam scores only represent your high school performance. After entering university, one’s strength can undergo a heaven-and-earth-shattering transformation."

"Every year, those who start with high rankings don’t necessarily have more potential than those who start lower. Everything depends on your own Ability."

"And we see that potential in you, even if you might not currently be on the same level as the geniuses from the Imperial Capital, Shanghai, or North River Province."

"But I believe in your potential."

Lin Qi nodded. ’The other two academies didn’t tell me any of this. There are quite a few intricacies involved.’

"Finally, there’s the matter of your compensation. We are always very generous with exceptional geniuses."

"Five million Xia Country Coins. As for a private villa and car, there’s no need to include them. As long as you can become the provincial champion, the Martial Arts Education Bureau will gift you a house directly."

"We also promise to provide you with a large amount of Cultivation Resources upon entering the academy, such as training time in the Gravity Room, Spiritual Cultivation Field, and Trial Tower. These are top-level resources that money can’t buy."

Lin Qi nodded. Compared to the offers from the other factions, this was already extremely generous.

"I can’t make a decision right now. I’ll need some time to think it over carefully!"

he said in conclusion.

"The college entrance exams are just over a month away. We’ll be waiting for your answer."

Before leaving, Liu Jing turned his head and said calmly.

Lin Qi nodded earnestly.

...

After leaving the conference room, Lu Wei and Dean Liu were walking back to their lodgings.

Lu Wei couldn’t help but ask, "Dean, are we really going to pin all our hopes on Lin Qi?"

Liu Jing picked up the energy drink he had brought back with him, took a sip, and said nonchalantly:

"Little Wei, that’s where you’re mistaken."

"Each year, there are about thirty S-class geniuses among the graduating high school students nationwide, averaging ten from each of the Three Great Martial Arts Dojos."

"These thirty S-class geniuses are the absolute best, the future leaders of the various academies at the three top martial arts universities."

"Based on previous years, the top three in the nation are practically guaranteed successes. Their Talent and every other aspect are at the absolute peak."

"Recruiting one is a guaranteed win; they are the real deal."

"Those three are perfectly divided among the three top martial arts universities. If we could pick one of them, that would be the safest choice, and I wouldn’t need to bet on Lin Qi."

"But our Sixth Institute, barring any surprises, will probably rank third from the bottom this year."

"Our pick will be from the students ranked between fourth and tenth. That’s too unreliable. Every year, plenty of them get surpassed by late bloomers."

"So, for now, Lin Qi is our best choice. And I truly believe in his Talent."

Lu Wei nodded in sudden realization. "So that’s how it is!"

...

A short while later, Lin Qi returned to Room 301.

Jiangtao wasn’t there. He had most likely been called away for discussions with the three top martial arts universities and the military.

Lin Qi changed into a black Martial Arts Uniform and began his training for the day.

Even though he felt mentally exhausted, he still didn’t stop his Cultivation.

「Two hours later」

After finishing his Source Energy Cultivation, he began practicing his Fist Technique as usual.

He recalled his earlier meetings with the three top martial arts universities, the military, and Tianhai Wuda.

In his mind, he had already eliminated the military and Tianhai Wuda.

Although both factions offered a lot of money, their foundations were too weak, and their Cultivation Resources couldn’t compare to those of the three top martial arts universities.

The resources offered by the three top martial arts universities were also substantial.

But he didn’t plan to agree just yet. He intended to keep waiting, to string the three top martial arts universities along.

He was holding out for a better price, hoping they would raise their offers.

He had the Talent, so he had the confidence to do so.

Which university he would enroll in was a matter for later.

What he needed to consider now was the issue of his S-level Contract.

He and Li Zehao still had a score to settle.

And the second round of voting was in just two days.

At this thought, Lin Qi’s gaze sharpened, like that of a man-eating tiger.

...

That evening, geniuses all across Cang Province received recruitment offers from various factions.

With their futures on the line, everyone had to make a choice.

At the same time, countless geniuses throughout the Xia Country were experiencing the same thing as the college entrance exams drew ever closer.

They all needed to consider where they would go after the exams.

...

「The next day, Tianhai No. 2 Middle School」

On the green athletic field, several people stood looking on in eager anticipation. Principal Jiang Zhiguang was at the very front, with the spectacled Yan Hong, the grade director, and other administrators standing behind him.

Almost all of the school’s top administrators had come.

"I never expected it. Our No. 2 Middle School actually produced three geniuses in a row."

"To think that three of the top ten from the Practical Training Camp are from our No. 2 Middle School," the grade director marveled.

"Especially Lin Qi. He incredibly surpassed everyone to take first place."

"That’s first place among all the geniuses in the entire Cang Province."

"I wouldn’t have dared to dream it," Principal Jiang Zhiguang lamented.

"Well, I did!" Yan Hong joked with a smile.

"HA HA!!" Everyone laughed.

Everyone was in high spirits. After so many years, No. 2 Middle School was finally going to achieve something great, and they were filled with pride.

RUMBLE!!

"They’re here!"

Everyone looked toward the sky. A wind rose from nothing, and a fierce gale swirled around them as a giant steel bird cast its shadow over them all.

The deep green Giant Sparrow transport aircraft slowly descended to the ground.

K-CHUNK!!

The hatch opened, and a series of figures walked out. They were the students from Tianhai No. 2 Middle School.

"Students, welcome back!"

CLAP! CLAP!

Jiang Zhiguang and all the other administrators began to applaud.

Finally, the last person, Lin Qi, stepped out of the aircraft.

All the administrators looked over, and Jiang Zhiguang’s eyes lit up when he saw Lin Qi.

The student before him was tall and handsome, with a cool and stern expression and a unique temperament. His entire being radiated an astonishing Sharpness.

His frame seemed to contain an explosive power.

’This is the aura of a top-level genius.’

"Student Lin Qi, welcome back!" Jiang Zhiguang patted his shoulder enthusiastically.

...

「A few minutes later」

All the students went home. It was Sunday, and with no classes in the afternoon, they were given the day off.

In the principal’s office, Lin Qi sat on the sofa. This was not the first time he had sat here.

His gaze fell upon a potted plant on the desk, which held a single green plant.

"That’s a lucky clover. It’s said to be a plant from the Otherworld, and it’s very difficult to grow successfully here on Blue Star."

"I tried to grow it for three years, and they all failed!"

"It wasn’t until last year that I finally succeeded. When it sprouted, it brought good luck to our No. 2 Middle School."

Jiang Zhiguang said with a smile, lifting the flowerpot.

"That’s quite a miracle," Lin Qi smiled.

"Lin Qi, you are the real miracle for our No. 2 Middle School."

"Who could have imagined that you would take first place in the Practical Training Camp?" Jiang Zhiguang marveled.

"I invited you here today to thank you properly."

"If you can become the provincial champion in the college entrance exams, I will give you a gift," Jiang Zhiguang promised solemnly.

Lin Qi smiled after hearing this. "The provincial champion, huh?"

"I will."

...

Ten minutes later, Lin Qi was riding his bicycle home with Jiangtao beside him. Jiangtao suddenly spoke up:

"Brother Qi, all three top martial arts universities tried to recruit me, and their offers are extremely generous."

"But I haven’t accepted any of them yet."

"Brother Qi, I’ll go to whichever university you go to. I’m just going to follow your lead and learn from you."

Lin Qi turned to look at the earnest Jiangtao and said with a smile:

"Alright!"

...