Chapter 167 - 97: Taihang Mountain Range Stronghold
A cold wind swept up a few withered leaves at the school gate, sending them spiraling to the ground.
The Science Academy’s black sedan had long since departed, shrinking to a small black dot on the horizon before vanishing completely.
Yet, Luo Qian’s words still echoed clearly at the school gate.
Reaching everyone’s ears.
Principal Chen Zhenguo looked away from the horizon, his gaze landing on Lin Yi, who stood silently at his side.
The youth stood as straight and tall as a pine, his calm gaze fixed on the direction the car had vanished. His face betrayed no emotion.
Chen Zhenguo gave Lin Yi’s shoulder a gentle pat.
"What is it, kid? Feeling down? Like they looked right through you, completely ignoring you?"
"No, Principal."
Lin Yi slowly shook his head, his voice steady, without a trace of dejection or resentment.
Admittedly.
That high and mighty big shot from the Science Academy, Wei He, had utterly ignored him from start to finish, not even sparing him a sideways glance.
But Lin Yi felt exceptionally calm; he even thought it was perfectly natural.
’He’s a titan standing at the pinnacle of the nation’s research and Martial Dao. The number of astonishingly brilliant people he’s met must be countless.’
’I’m just a high school student from a small place like Yang City who only recently became a Martial Artist. Why would I ever expect someone like that to give me a second glance?’
’Ultimately, this world runs on power.’
"Good, I’m glad you’re not letting it get to you!"
Chen Zhenguo carefully observed Lin Yi’s expression.
After confirming that the cold reception hadn’t cast any shadow of despair over the boy’s features, he finally relaxed, a gratified smile gracing his lips.
His tone shifted, growing more serious:
"Oh, right. I have something important to tell you..."
"In a couple of days, the Nanjiang Elite Training Camp, a camp specifically for the province’s top prospective students, is starting. Get yourself ready. The city will arrange transportation to take you guys over in two days."
"A training camp?"
Hearing this, Lin Yi’s brow furrowed imperceptibly.
He was clearly a bit surprised by the arrangement.
Actually.
He didn’t really want to go.
’It’s a huge waste of time!’
’My Mosquito Avatar has already successfully reached the depths of the Demon Beast-infested Taihang Mountain Range!’
’What does that mean?’
’It means I can lie comfortably on my bed at home, relax with my eyes closed, and with just a thought, I can remotely control my avatar to hunt ferocious Demon Beasts.’
’A steady stream of pure Qi and Blood will flow back to me across space, fueling the Refinement of my body and rapidly increasing my strength!’
’This Cultivation method—lying low in the rear and just grinding Levels like crazy while lying in bed—is the most efficient, the fastest, the absolute best way to go!’
’And now I’m supposed to run off to some damn training camp?’
’Getting bogged down by trivial matters.’
’It’s a complete waste of precious Cultivation time!’
Chen Zhenguo keenly caught the fleeting reluctance in Lin Yi’s expression.
His tone immediately grew heavier as he stressed:
"Don’t you dare underestimate this training camp! This is a top-tier project jointly organized by the Provincial Education Bureau and the Nanjiang Military District. It brings together all of the most brilliant young Martial Dao talents in Nanjiang Province from this year’s class!"
"There are only five precious spots for all of Yang City! Our school fought hard to get just one of them!"
He paused. Seeing Lin Yi’s still-uninterested expression, he couldn’t help but raise his voice, dangling a massive lure:
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! The resources controlled by the Provincial Education Bureau are beyond anything a small place like our Yang City could ever imagine!"
"As long as your talent is formidable enough and your performance in the camp is impressive enough to show your worth—Pills, Spiritual Weapons, advanced combat techniques... the province will spare no expense to develop you! Anything you want, you’ll get!"
At the school gate.
Those students who had been shocked by the arrival of the big shot from the Science Academy and hadn’t completely dispersed yet now listened to the principal’s words to Lin Yi. Seeing his uninterested expression, a whirlwind of emotions churned inside them.
Bitterness, envy, and jealousy all mixed together.
Needless to say, it was a bitter pill to swallow.
As third-year Martial Dao students, the name "Nanjiang Elite Training Camp" was legendary.
It was even known unofficially as the "feeder program for the top universities"!
Of the students who successfully graduated from this Demon training camp...
more than half went on to enter the top ten universities.
As for the rest, even if they couldn’t get into the top ten, admission to other prestigious, first-rate Martial Arts Universities was practically guaranteed!
Every year, countless seniors fought tooth and nail for a single spot, pulling strings, calling in favors, and doing whatever it took to get in.
But the camp, jointly run by the two behemoths—the Provincial Education Bureau and the Nanjiang Military District—was iron-fisted and impartial. Its rules were strict, and there were absolutely no backdoors.
It only recognized one thing—
Absolute talent and strength!
And now this.
This guy, Lin Yi, has a golden opportunity just fall into his lap. Principal Chen himself tells him this news that countless people would kill for, and he actually...
doesn’t even look the least bit excited?
That placid look on his face.
It’s as if...
As if others were begging him, pleading with him to go!
The comparison is just infuriating!
Lin Yi had originally made up his mind to politely decline, but when he heard the two words "combat techniques," he suddenly changed his mind.
’Pills?’
’I have my Mosquito Avatar, a veritable Cultivation cheat. I don’t really need them.’
’Spiritual Weapons?’
’I’m good for now.’
’But combat techniques!’
’High-grade combat techniques, on the other hand... due to copyright issues and the fact that they are secret legacies of major powers and Martial Dao families, they simply can’t be bought on the open market.’