41: Chapter 41

41

She collected her thoughts and pulled her attention back to the podium.

***

On the vacant land in the eastern suburbs, Jiang Haojie surveyed the crowd standing or sitting around him, counting silently in his head.

"It seems not everyone has arrived yet?"

He turned to Liu Jinglong beside him. "The First-Order Awakened seem to be fewer than a hundred."

"There are still a few on the way; let's wait a moment longer."

Liu Jinglong nodded in confirmation, his gaze also casting toward the distant road.

Jiang Haojie looked further east toward the area where mist was faintly swirling and asked, "What's the situation over at the Mystic Realm right now?"

A member of the Guard Department reported, "The situation is fairly stable for now. The military has cordoned off that area, but the specific conditions inside are still unclear."

Jiang Haojie sighed softly.

Unclear information was always unsettling, especially at such a critical moment.

Liu Jinglong pulled him aside and lowered his voice to caution him, "Once you enter the Mystic Realm, you must be careful at every turn."

"If you sense danger, do not hesitate—retreat immediately."

"Even if the investigation mission isn't completed, no one will blame you."

To him, while investigation was important, Jiang Haojie's safety was far more vital.

This was a talent that the Longcheng Bounty Guild cherished like a treasure; there could be no accidents.

Jiang Haojie nodded in agreement.

Even if President Liu hadn't specifically mentioned it, he had already intended to do so.

He suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, President Liu, is there any reward for this Mystic Realm investigation?"

He had been distracted by the two system tasks yesterday and forgot to ask; now was the perfect time.

"Naturally, there are rewards."

Liu Jinglong looked around and lowered his voice to a whisper. "Has Sir ever heard of the 'Holy Academy'?"

Jiang Haojie's eyelashes flickered slightly.

The name of the Holy Academy was likely known to everyone.

It was the world's preeminent and only supreme institution that transcended the scope of conventional academies.

Founded a hundred and eighty years ago, it possessed a massive amount of cultivation resources and top-tier teaching heritage.

Its status was roughly equivalent to what 'postgraduate entrance exams' were to universities

three hundred years ago.

While the Five Great Academies were already top-tier, they only nurtured students at the foundational stage; if one wished to climb to higher realms, the Holy Academy was the only ladder to heaven.

However, the threshold for the Holy Academy was dauntingly high.

Therefore, it was also called the 'Gathering Place of Monsters,'

something far beyond the reach of ordinary geniuses.

A saying circulated among the public: A genius might not necessarily enter the Holy Academy, but those who can enter the Holy Academy must be outliers among geniuses—what the world calls 'Monsters'

.

Jiang Haojie's heart stirred. "What does this have to do with the Holy Academy? Could the reward be direct eligibility for the Holy Academy?"

"Not exactly."

Liu Jinglong shook his head with a bitter smile. "The reward offered by the authorities this time is an invitation letter to the Holy Academy."

His expression turned solemn. "Sir, do not underestimate this invitation letter."

"It is the essential 'stepping stone' to enter the Holy Academy."

"Even with Longcheng's prosperity, there is only one slot per year."

Jiang Haojie frowned slightly. "Only one? With so many people here, how will it be distributed?"

"Exactly."

Liu Jinglong nodded. "So the authorities have clearly stated: whoever can thoroughly investigate the conditions within the Mystic Realm, this invitation letter will belong to them."

This was also why he hadn't mentioned the reward to Jiang Haojie earlier—this prize was by no means easily obtained.

Jiang Haojie understood.

It seemed he would have to go all out this time.

After waiting a while longer, the rest of the personnel arrived one after another.

A person in charge from the Guard Department stepped out of the line and announced solemnly, "Everyone, line up."

"We are about to enter the Fallen Zone; do not relax for even a moment."

His gaze swept over the crowd as he continued, "Furthermore, from this moment on, all of you must follow X's command."

"He will serve as your captain."

As the words fell, all eyes turned toward Jiang Haojie in unison.

X was now a renowned figure; they hadn't expected to be able to travel with him this time.

Thinking about how Jiang Haojie had dared to face a Fourth-Order monster with only First-Order strength and ultimately escaped safely, a deep sense of admiration welled up in everyone's hearts.

With him by their side, perhaps their hopes of survival would increase by a few points.

However, there was no sign of joy on Jiang Haojie's face.

He really didn't want to lead this group—in his eyes, they were nothing but burdens; it would be much cleaner to act alone.

Moreover, he would have to be distracted by looking after them.

Despite his reluctance, Jiang Haojie didn't say much.

He knew that this Mystic Realm investigation indeed required manpower; relying on himself alone might make it difficult to succeed.

"I have no other requirements for you, only that I hope everyone can return safely."

Afterward, Liu Jinglong and the people from the Guard Department said some routine words before escorting Jiang Haojie's group toward the Mystic Realm.

After entering the Fallen Zone, since the periphery had been basically cleared by the military and a path had been specifically formed by two columns of soldiers, they had a smooth journey and encountered no magical creatures.

About an hour later, the entrance to the Mystic Realm appeared before them.

An oval-shaped grey light screen floated in mid-air, exactly the same as what Jiang Haojie had seen during his graduation assessment years ago.

At this moment, a soldier who looked like a general walked over.

After introductions, they learned he was indeed an officer—a colonel from the Longcheng military named Peng Tian.

Peng Tian shook hands with Jiang Haojie. "Mr. X's reputation has been quite loud recently."

"I've seen your battle records online; they're very impressive."

"I didn't expect an Ancient Martial Artist to be able to display such combat power."

Now that Jiang Haojie's basic registration information at the Bounty Guild was public, although no one knew his true identity, everyone knew he was an Ancient Martial Artist.

Initially, everyone was shocked, never imagining an Ancient Martial Artist could be so strong, which also caused many to quietly change their inherent impressions of them.

"Just some small tricks, not worth mentioning."

Jiang Haojie smiled indifferently.

Peng Tian spoke with Jiang Haojie for a while longer before saying seriously, "I'll leave the rest to you all."

"You are heroes of the Dragon Kingdom; we all look forward to your safe return."

"Please rest assured, Colonel Peng."

"There's no time to lose, let's set off immediately."

"Salute!"

Peng Tian shouted loudly.

The surrounding soldiers immediately took on solemn expressions and raised their arms in salute to Jiang Haojie's group.

Jiang Haojie took a deep breath and then led the ninety-nine First-Order Awakened behind him into the swirling light screen.

In the early morning, a piece of news quickly spread among the Five Great Academies and the Top Ten Prestigious Schools.

Someone from Longcheng University had actually signed up for the school competition.

This was the first time such a thing had happened since the establishment of the school competition.

And when everyone saw the applicant's information, they all showed looks of astonishment.

Jiang Haojie—this name, both familiar and unfamiliar, suddenly spread through the Five Great Academies and the Top Ten Prestigious Schools.

Initially, no one had heard of the name Jiang Haojie, but later people gradually found out—it turned out he was the top scorer of this year's College Entrance Examination in Longcheng.

More specifically, he was the first person in history to take the top spot as an Ancient Martial Artist.

Unfortunately, because of this identity, neither the Five Great Academies nor the Top Ten Prestigious Schools had accepted him in the end.

He could only enter an ordinary institution like Longcheng University.

Many thought Jiang Haojie would fade into obscurity from then on, but they didn't expect him to sign up for the school competition.

This move left everyone stunned.

Did he want to prove to everyone that those top academies had made a mistake?

Or was it because he was influenced by 'X'

and felt he could also make a name for himself with ancient martial power like that mysterious figure?

For a time, the focus of discussion in the Five Great Academies and the Top Ten Prestigious Schools fell on this name.

"This is going to be lively."

"When they witness your true strength, their faces will probably be swollen from being slapped."

Su Qingxue flipped through the discussions on the campus forum and shook her head slightly.

She hadn't expected that Jiang Haojie just signing up would cause such a stir.

If those people knew that Jiang Haojie was the 'X' who had been causing a sensation on the internet recently,

what kind of expressions would they have?

Thinking of this, Su Qingxue actually felt a bit impatient for the school competition to be held soon.

She really wanted to see that scene.

By then, everyone's jaws would probably drop in shock.

At the same time, at Beihua University.

Bai Yang also noticed this news, a cold sneer surfacing at the corners of his mouth.

"Hmph, this guy really doesn't give up, actually wanting to use the school competition to stand out... ridiculous."

"What's wrong?"

Xu Qing walked over and sat naturally in his lap.

Since entering Beihua University, the two had been living together.

Bai Yang handed her the phone. "See for yourself."

"Just seeking attention."

Xu Qing scanned it a few times and shook her head dismissively. "This kind of person never recognizes their own place."

She couldn't understand why a piece of trash couldn't just stay a piece of trash quietly, instead of insisting on seeking a sense of existence.

"Say, if Jiang Haojie knew that we've both broken through to the First-Order, what would his reaction be?"

Bai Yang's tone was playful.

Xu Qing gave a contemptuous smile. "He'd probably be so scared his legs would go weak."

The two looked at each other and laughed at the same time.

Longcheng University, Principal's Office.

Zou Wenlin had just pushed the door open when the phone rang.

"Hello, this is Zou Wenlin."

An old friend's laughing voice came from the other end: "Zou Wenlin, you really are composed."

"That Jiang Haojie from your school signing up for the competition—did you authorize it?"

"What do you mean I authorized it? Who from our school signed up?"

Zou Wenlin was stunned.

He was completely unaware, having only just arrived at the school today.

The old friend laughed gloatingly, "You really don't know? Then hurry up and check the competition announcement; someone from your Longcheng University has signed up."

"By the way, that student is also this year's Longcheng College Entrance Exam top scorer."

As the words fell, the call was disconnected.

Zou Wenlin clicked on the screen, his fingertips tapping rapidly on the keyboard.

Not long after, the school's announcement with an electronic seal popped up, followed by Jiang Haojie's registration materials clearly presented before his eyes—on the form, the 'Graduating Institution'

column was strikingly filled with 'Longcheng University'

.

His gaze narrowed, and he immediately grabbed the phone at his side and dialed the Dean of Students' number.

...

The moment they stepped through the light screen, a heavy repulsive force squeezed in from all directions, as if countless invisible hands were pressing against their chests, trying to push them back to where they came from.

The surrounding scenery restructured amidst violent distortion, and when their feet found solid ground again, the group was standing on a low hillside.

The sky was a turbid grey, and even the wind carried a restless aura.

Distant roars of beasts rose and fell, low and violent, vibrating through the air.

Directly ahead, a forest so deep it was almost ink-black stretched toward the horizon.

Jiang Haojie turned around, his gaze scanning the tense faces behind him. "We're inside,"

he said, his voice steady. "Are you planning to follow me, or go on your own?"

Almost without any hesitation, the crowd spoke in unison: "We'll follow you, Mr. X."

They knew in their hearts that in this completely unknown and peril-filled place, their chances of survival relying on their own meager abilities were slim to none.

The man before them known as 'X'

was their only reliance.

"Good."

Jiang Haojie's gaze was calm and sharp. "Since you've chosen to follow me, every action must follow my command."

"I cannot promise to keep every one of you unscathed, but I will do my best to lead you out alive."

"Understood?"

A flurry of hurried nods followed.

Jiang Haojie said no more and turned to walk down the slope.

The crowd followed hastily, their messy footsteps sounding exceptionally clear in the silent, grey world.

Just as they stepped onto the gentle slope at the bottom of the hill, a muffled sound that seemed to come from deep underground suddenly rolled past.

Immediately following, the light dimmed sharply, as if twilight had been extinguished in an instant.

"The... the sky! Look at the sky!"

"What... what kind of monster is that?!"

"It's over... it's all over! I shouldn't have come in! What do we do!"

Panic exploded like a plague.

Looking up, an indescribable giant shadow covered half the sky, moving slowly like a floating mountain, with wing-like limbs on both sides large enough to stir up a storm.

"Quiet!"

Jiang Haojie gave a low shout, suppressing the crowd's commotion.

Fear was still frozen on every face, and they couldn't be blamed—even Jiang Haojie's heart sank when he first clearly saw the creature's outline.

He quietly activated the 'Eye of Truth'.