16: Chapter 16

16

The Dean of Students nodded to the representatives of each school and then led the teachers of the school to the sidelines.

The messengers from the various universities began to read the list in order, starting from the ordinary institutions, their voices echoing steadily in the auditorium.

“Zhao Xiaohua.”

...

“Sun Lin.”

...

Those students with average talent and ordinary abilities stepped out one after another in response and walked toward the area for ordinary universities.

Their expressions were calm, as if they had long ago accepted this predetermined path.

Once the admissions for ordinary institutions were completed, the Top Ten Prestigious Schools followed immediately.

All those whose Awakening level reached Grade C could step through the gates of these institutions.

“Xu Qing, Beihua University welcomes you.”

The representative of Beihua, ranked first among the Top Ten, looked down at the stage.

“I am willing.”

Xu Qing nodded gently.

She was clear about her limits—the Five Great Academies were out of reach, but the Top Ten Prestigious Schools were already enough to pave her way forward.

Even among the Top Ten, there were differences in rank, and Beihua was exactly where her heart desired to go.

This was also why she chose to stand by Bai Yang's side: it would be difficult to reach Beihua on her own strength alone, but by borrowing the momentum of his family, everything would fall into place naturally.

Xu Qing raised her chin like a composed peacock and walked toward Beihua's queue.

Even if she failed to enter the Five Great Academies, she still believed her future achievements would not be inferior to the students there.

Bai Yang also followed her into the Beihua ranks.

As the roster neared its end, the crowd in front of the rostrum became increasingly sparse.

In the end, only Jiang Haojie and Su Qingxue remained on the field.

Among the university representative seats, only the Five Great Academies had yet to make a move.

All eyes converged here.

No one worried about Su Qingxue's destination—the Five Great Academies would surely compete to recruit her.

But Jiang Haojie had become a source of suspense: as the top scorer with extraordinary talent, his Awakened ability was unfortunately seen as a useless thing.

Everyone held their breath, curious which academy would take on this “flawed piece of jade.”

.

The messengers from the Five Great Academies were in no hurry to speak, but instead gathered again to whisper among themselves.

Jiang Haojie stood still in place, his face showing no ripples, as if the undercurrents around him had nothing to do with him.

After a moment, the five representatives seemed to have reached a consensus and all looked toward Su Qingxue together.

Jiang Haojie was completely left to the side, with no one casting him a single glance.

“Student Su Qingxue, which academy do you wish to choose?”

A slight stir went through the hall.

The Five Great Academies extending olive branches to her simultaneously was surprising, but upon reflection, it was within reason—while support-type Awakened were not rare, support-types with SS-grade potential were few in the world.

“I...”

Su Qingxue's lips hesitated.

By common logic, the most suitable for her was Qingshan Academy; though its foundation wasn't the strongest, it was fertile ground for support-type practitioners.

But as her peripheral vision swept over that lonely figure, her heart suddenly tightened.

The girl suddenly raised her head, her words clear like jade falling on the ground:

“Whichever academy is willing to accept Jiang Haojie, I will go to that one.”

The entire hall fell into a dead silence.

“...What is she saying?”

“Has Su Qingxue gone mad? Why is she suddenly standing up for Jiang Haojie?”

Su Qingxue's words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up layers of ripples in the auditorium.

Astonishment and incomprehension spread through the crowd, mixed with an irrepressible envy—who didn't know that Su Qingxue was the recognized pearl of this high school? Just what right did that guy named Jiang Haojie have to receive such protection from her?

Jiang Haojie himself was stunned, looking at that slender but straight back, his heart full of confusion: what play was she acting out?

Even the representatives of the Five Great Academies sitting on the stage showed expressions of surprise at this moment.

The teacher from Qingshan Academy cleared his throat, breaking the brief silence: “Student Su, Jiang Haojie's situation... is rather special and does not meet our recruitment standards.”

The other representatives did not speak, but the silence itself was a form of stance.

True, Jiang Haojie had taken the top spot in the written exam and his innate talent assessment could be called excellent, but that unavoidable “ability defect” made all the academies hesitate.

Investing resources to cultivate someone destined to have difficulty making even an inch of progress was not a wise move.

“My attitude will not change.”

Su Qingxue's voice was clear and firm, her gaze sweeping across the people on the stage, “Whichever academy is willing to accept Jiang Haojie, I will go to that one.”

The Dean of Students couldn't help but step forward, lowering his voice to advise: “Student Su, do not act on impulse, do not make it difficult for the teachers.”

Her homeroom teacher was even more anxious, sweat appearing on his forehead, truly unable to understand why this consistently calm and outstanding student was suddenly so stubborn about standing up for a recognized “trash.”

If she annoyed the Five Great Academies, he feared even her own future would be compromised.

Su Qingxue pursed her lips and did not explain.

She didn't have any special romantic feelings for Jiang Haojie; this move was purely to repay a deep-seated kindness—one that carried the weight of a life.

Just as the atmosphere stagnated, the representative of Nanyu Academy pondered for a moment and turned his gaze toward Jiang Haojie, who had remained silent: “Student Jiang Haojie, if you don't mind, my Nanyu Academy can provide a 'Non-resident Student' slot.

What do you think?”

Almost at the very instant Jiang Haojie was prepared to open his mouth to respond, a series of clear and cold mechanical prompt tones exploded deep in his mind without warning:

[Selective Quest triggered.]

[Option One: Accept the Non-resident Student status at Nanyu Academy.

Quest Reward: God-grade Martial Art Golden Bell Shield.]

[Option Two: Refuse the special invitation and enter an ordinary university.

Quest Reward: God-grade Internal Art Dragon God Art.]

[Option Three: Publicly display your true strength.

Quest Reward: God-grade Talent “Martial God Domain”.]

Jiang Haojie's pupils contracted imperceptibly.

A Selective Quest? And three appeared at once.

To be fair, the reward for the third option was the most enticing; he had long heard of the power of a “God-grade Talent,” which was far beyond what ordinary martial arts or internal arts could compare to.

But the price was exposing his strength, placing himself under the watchful eyes of the public... this went completely against his deep-seated principle of “hiding one's sharpness and growing in secret.”

In a flash, he had made his decision.

He raised his head, meeting Su Qingxue's concerned gaze and feeling the various gazes converging from all around, and spoke in a calm but clear tone: “Student Su, thank you for your kindness.

But I already have my own choice. Please, by all means, prioritize your own future and choose the academy that suits you best.”

As his voice fell, the entire hall went silent.

Everyone looked at him in shock, as if they had heard something unbelievable.

Even the representative of Nanyu Academy raised an eyebrow in slight surprise—he actually refused? Even if it was just as a Non-resident Student, that was still the threshold of the Five Great Academies, an opportunity many people could only dream of.

Did this Jiang Haojie really intend to give up just like that and resign himself to sinking?

Su Qingxue was also frozen in place, her lips slightly parted as if wanting to say something, but she was stopped by a silent shake of Jiang Haojie's head.

Jiang Haojie didn't care about the various looks being cast from around him; his gaze passed through the crowd and landed directly on the Nanyu Academy representative on the rostrum.

“Thank you for your kindness, teacher,”

His voice was steady and clear, “but I have already made my decision.”

After speaking, he turned toward the area where the ordinary universities were located.

To him, these institutions had no fundamental difference; they were all on the fringes of power.

His gaze settled randomly on one of them—on the sign for Longcheng University.

A faint, non-existent smile appeared at the corner of Jiang Haojie's mouth.

It seemed his fate with this city named Longcheng had not yet ended.

“Teacher from Longcheng University,”

He asked aloud, “if I choose your school, I wonder if you would be willing to accept me?”

In the crowd, Xu Qing gently shook her head, the last bit of hesitation in her heart dissipating.

Leaving Jiang Haojie was indeed the wisest choice.

If she were still walking with him, she would only be dragged down.

More importantly, the current Jiang Haojie was already no longer on the same level as her.

An undisguised look of contempt also flickered across Bai Yang's face.

Jiang Haojie, do you see clearly now? This is the chasm that lies between us.

And this chasm will only grow deeper with time.

The representative of Longcheng University was clearly stunned for a moment, not expecting this year's top scorer to point toward him.

But he quickly recovered, a sincere smile blooming on his face: “Longcheng University welcomes you wholeheartedly.”

As an ordinary institution, they had always broadly accepted students, let alone a top scorer whose talent rating reached SSS-grade.

Even if his Awakened ability was considered to have a bleak future, that SSS-grade talent mark was real.

In the future, Longcheng University would also be able to claim that they had once nurtured an Awakened with top-tier talent.

At that moment, a crisp prompt tone that only Jiang Haojie could hear rang in his mind.

[Quest completion confirmed.

Rewards have been delivered to the system space, please check.]

The curve of Jiang Haojie's lips deepened, and under the focus of countless gazes, he calmly walked toward the seat where the Longcheng University representative was located.

“Student Su Qingxue,”

The representatives of the Five Great Academies once again cast inquiring gazes toward her, “what is your choice?”

Su Qingxue gave a solemn salute to the representative of Nanyu Academy: “Teacher, I am willing to join Nanyu Academy.”

Just now, only Nanyu Academy was willing to accept Jiang Haojie for her sake; this sentiment, she now chose to repay with her choice.

“Welcome to our ranks, Student Su Qingxue.”

The representative of Nanyu Academy smiled and nodded.

The representatives of the other four Great Academies showed regret, but had nothing more to say.

The subsequent process became simple and clear.

The representatives of each school began to issue admission notices to the selected students, explaining matters regarding the start of school and the location of the campuses.

Once everything had settled, the crowd gradually dispersed, and the students, including Jiang Haojie, left the venue one after another.

Just as he stepped out of the school gate and was preparing to head home, Su Qingxue's voice came from behind him.

“Jiang Haojie,”

She quickly caught up and blocked his path, her brow slightly furrowed, “Why did you choose Longcheng University? It can't give you any help at all.”

She truly couldn't understand; she had clearly secured a better path for him, so why did he have to give it up with his own hands?

Jiang Haojie just shrugged indifferently. “Longcheng University certainly can't compare to the Five Great Academies,”

His tone was flat, but carried a clear-sighted sobriety, “but even if I entered the Five Great Academies, they wouldn't tilt resources toward someone like me... an Ancient Martial Artist who has been deemed to have no future.

The result would be no different.”

After hearing this, Su Qingxue was silent for a moment, then understood.

She had previously speculated privately, thinking Jiang Haojie was the type of man who didn't want to depend on a woman and was stubborn about his pride; only now did she know it wasn't like that.

“Your path, you choose it yourself.”

She finally said softly, a look of trust showing in her eyes, “I believe you can walk out a path of your own and let everyone see.”

Jiang Haojie smiled slightly and nodded in response.

The two exchanged a few more idle words before each turning to leave.

Jiang Haojie didn't stop, heading straight for the hospital.

It had been settled yesterday that his father would be discharged today, and he needed to go back to handle the procedures together.

Walking on the road, his mind moved slightly, and he quietly opened the system space that only he could perceive.

A mysterious piece of information flooded into his consciousness—the Dragon God Art, introductory chapter.

[Ding.

Host has successfully learned the God-grade Internal Art: Dragon God Art (Initial Stage).]

The system's prompt tone rang clearly in his mind.

The corners of Jiang Haojie's mouth turned up unconsciously, and his steps lightened a bit.

The hospital entrance was near.

Before even stepping in, Jiang Haojie keenly noticed something unusual: the normally empty parking area in front of the courtyard was now filled with several expensive luxury cars with cold, hard lines.

A chill ran up his spine without warning; his heart tightened, and he almost ran toward the inpatient building.

The elevator was too slow, so he turned directly to the stairs, taking several steps as one, and quickly arrived at the corridor where his parents' ward was located.

From a distance, he saw that outside that familiar ward door, several black figures stood as tall as iron towers, all in suits and sunglasses, with a murderous atmosphere.

Jiang Haojie's face instantly darkened.

His worst premonition had come true—Xu Jing had actually found this place and reached out her hand toward his parents.

Anger surged through his chest like lava, scorching his reason.

He almost wanted to rush in regardless of everything.

But his remaining calm held him back firmly: he couldn't be reckless.

The other party had many people and was clearly prepared; acting rashly would not only fail to save them but might instead put his parents in a more dangerous position.

He took a deep breath, and the cold air suppressed his churning anger.