3: 380 million

Chen Luo continued, "Don't get all sentimental on me. If you have the energy for that, you'd better spend it on seizing every moment to Cultivate."

"After the Supernatural Awakening, everyone's fate will undergo earth-shattering changes. Some will soar to the heavens." Chen Luo glanced at Xiao Weiqing and Lin Yuhan.

"But most will vanish into the masses, struggling for basic survival just like ordinary people."

Then.

Chen Luo produced a crate of exquisite boxes from somewhere.

"Two people, come up and hand these boxes out."

"Wow, Teacher Chen, you even prepared gifts!" a student exclaimed in surprise.

Chen Luo said, "You're dreaming. Your teacher only makes a pittance a month; where would I get the money to buy you gifts? I'm counting on you to awaken a Level 3 Talent so I can get my bonus."

Everyone: "..."

Lin Yuhan said, "It's an Identity Bracelet."

"An Identity Bracelet?"

"Can we collect our Identity Bracelets already?"

Chen Luo nodded. "Yes. It contains the location for your theory exam as well as information regarding the Great Supernatural Exam."

The bracelet will also be your only form of identification in the outside world from now on. Do not lose it; getting a replacement is a hassle and very expensive."

Everyone received their bracelets.

Some clearly knew about the Identity Bracelets and hurriedly opened the boxes, taking out the bracelets inside to put them on.

Xiao Weiqing also opened his box. Inside was a very ordinary-looking bracelet, about two fingers wide and very thin—he could barely feel its thickness.

Once put on, it fit snugly against his wrist. If one didn't look closely, it was almost imperceptible.

A moment later.

The bracelet glowed faintly. Xiao Weiqing felt a slight prick on his wrist, and then a palm-sized screen appeared that only he could see.

Why was it only visible to him?

Because Xiao Weiqing saw Zhang Dawei next to him tapping away at the air above his own arm with a burning gaze, yet Xiao Weiqing couldn't see anything there.

"It seems it comes with privacy protection."

Watching everyone enjoying themselves, Chen Luo spoke up: "Let me emphasize this again: if it's lost or damaged, you must report it and get a replacement immediately. Otherwise, you might be arrested as an unidentified cult member."

Everyone: "Understood."

"Add each other as friends." Having said his piece, Chen Luo turned and left.

"Brother Qing, come on, add me!"

Xiao Weiqing nodded and brought his bracelet close to Zhang Dawei's to add him.

"Hey, Xiao Weiqing."

"Hmm?"

Xiao Weiqing turned to see the person approaching; it was Yan Hao.

"Let's add each other."

"Forget it, I was just saying. If you don't want to, then whatever." Yan Hao had just extended his hand and was already about to pull it back.

To his surprise, Xiao Weiqing nodded. "Sure."

Yan Hao was stunned; he hadn't expected Xiao Weiqing to agree so readily.

Xiao Weiqing tapped his bracelet against Yan Hao's wrist.

"Request sent."

Looking at Xiao Weiqing's faintly smiling face, Yan Hao could no longer muster even a hint of jealousy and accepted the request.

After a long moment.

Yan Hao spoke: "About before... I'm sorry."

Xiao Weiqing's expression remained neutral as he looked to the side.

"Keep it up. I heard that stepping onto the Supernatural Path can reshape your body. Don't give up; you might still be salvageable."

Yan Hao: "?"

"Holy crap! Where's the block button? Where's the block button..."

Xiao Weiqing laughed and turned to walk away. At the end of the day, Yan Hao was just a kid.

He hadn't gone two steps before he ran into Lin Yuhan.

Lin Yuhan extended her wrist, revealing her fair, slender arm, and said with a beaming smile:

"Let's add each other, Great Genius Xiao."

Xiao Weiqing smiled and nodded. "Sure, Great Beauty Lin."

Hearing how Xiao Weiqing addressed her, Lin Yuhan was slightly taken aback. This was the first time Xiao Weiqing had ever called her that.

"I feel like you've changed quite a bit."

Xiao Weiqing paused at her words and looked at the girl before him.

She was 1.75 meters tall, with a slender and well-proportioned figure. Her classic oval face was flawless, though her features still held a hint of youthful innocence. Even though she hadn't fully matured, she was already a complete beauty.

Most importantly, she had an excellent temperament, unlike a child from an ordinary family.

"Maybe it's because the Supernatural Awakening is coming up. Some things and some thoughts have changed," Xiao Weiqing said frankly.

Lin Yuhan nodded. "It's good. Before, you hardly paid attention to anyone. It was only when talking about cultivation that I realized you actually knew how to speak."

Xiao Weiqing shook his head helplessly and didn't respond.

"See you around then."

"Yeah, see you."

"Brother Qing, check the bracelet quick! Where's your theory exam?" Zhang Dawei ran over and asked.

Xiao Weiqing carefully went through the information on the bracelet.

There were two emails.

The first: "June 7, 2122. Theory Exam. Time... Location..."

The second: "June 8, 2122. Blue Star Supernatural Awakening Ceremony..."

The Supernatural Awakening was a grand event for the entire Blue Star. All four nations on the planet held their Awakening ceremonies on this day.

This year, nearly 380 million people would obtain an Extraordinary Talent on this day. 380 million people—what a massive scale. Who knew how many geniuses would be born?

He quickly finished browsing the emails.

"Linhai No. 1 Middle School."

"What about you?"

Zhang Dawei grinned. "Hehe... right here at our school."

"That's good luck."

Zhang Dawei laughed. "It's alright. At least I don't have to travel back and forth."

"Brother Qing, the email says that a full 380 million people are participating in the Supernatural Awakening across Blue Star this year. 380 million people, all Awakening their talents on the same day. Do you think..." Zhang Dawei rubbed his chin, looking thoughtful.

"Think what?"

"Do you think the gods get tired?"

Xiao Weiqing: "..."

"Since they're gods, they're supposed to be omnipotent, so they probably don't get tired."

Zhang Dawei nodded solemnly. "Yeah, I thought so too."

As they walked, Xiao Weiqing said, "380 million is too far away for us. We only need to compete with those our age in this county."

Zhang Dawei nodded. "But it's still so hard. There are 9,527 people participating in the Supernatural Awakening in Linhai County this year, but there are only 98 spots for Supernatural University. It's truly one in a hundred."

Of course.

It wasn't that one couldn't continue cultivating if they didn't get into a Supernatural University. There were also comprehensive universities with Supernatural Departments, but their overall resources and teaching couldn't compare to a true Supernatural University.

Even including those ordinary universities, based on past experience, out of these nearly ten thousand people, only a few hundred at most would be able to enter a university for cultivation.

"It's not bad. There are eight more spots than last year," Xiao Weiqing said.

"Da Wei, as long as we get a Level 2 Talent, we should be able to get into a Supernatural University."

Even with Zhang Dawei's spirit energy simulation scores, if he obtained a Level 2 Extraordinary Talent, he would basically be set. A Level 2 talent would almost always be useful somewhere.

Zhang Dawei sighed. "I hope so."

"By the way, Brother Qing, are you still staying at the dorm tonight?"

Xiao Weiqing shook his head and waved his bracelet. "No. I was just assigned a temporary hotel room to stay in for the night. It's near Linhai No. 1 Middle School."

"Alright then, Brother Qing. I'm heading back to the dorm. I need to review the theory curriculum again—last-minute cramming."

"Yeah, good luck!"

"Good luck!"

Xiao Weiqing also left the school, heading to check out the hotel.