103: Universities vie for them, their hearts set on Kyoto.

The next morning.

Lu Yuan had just finished a night of Source Power meditation, expelling the last of the alcohol from his body, when he heard the Yao Family's butler softly report from outside the door.

"Young Master Lu Yuan, there are several visitors at the door, claiming to be admissions officers from some of the top Card Master academies in the country."

Lu Yuan was slightly surprised. So early?

He quickly washed up, changed into clean casual clothes, and, led by the butler, arrived at the Yao Family's reception hall.

Inside the spacious and bright reception hall, three figures were already waiting.

Seated in the middle was a refined-looking old man with a receding hairline, his brow exuding the wisdom of a scholar. This was Sun Qiming, the current Headmaster of Canglan University.

To his left was a tall, burly, and resolute man, stern-faced, with a steely, military-like aura about him.

To his right was an elegant and intellectual young woman, around thirty years old, dressed in a tasteful business suit, whose every gesture made one feel as if bathed in a spring breeze.

Yao Tianbi was sitting beside them, chatting with the three.

As for the Old Master, he had gone fishing and hadn't returned overnight; no one knew where he had gone.

Seeing Lu Yuan enter, he smiled and waved: "Lu Yuan, come here quickly. These are all the admissions directors from top academies in the country, and they've come specifically for you."

Sun Qiming was the first to stand up, a warm smile on his face, and extended his hand to Lu Yuan:

"Student Lu Yuan, I've heard much about you! I am Sun Qiming, the Headmaster of Canglan University. First and foremost, congratulations on winning this year's Prodigy Competition, bringing immense honor to our Canglan Province!"

Lu Yuan shook his hand: "Headmaster Sun, you flatter me."

"No, no, no, it's well-deserved!"

Sun Qiming waved his hand, his tone sincere,

"Student Lu Yuan, on behalf of Canglan University, I officially invite you to join us! As long as you are willing, we will provide you with a top-tier training contract, with a dean-level Card Master personally serving as your mentor! Training resources will be prioritized for you! This includes various rare cards, high-quality beast cores, and Source Crystals—everything you could need! In the future, I can even recommend you to join the Provincial Card Master Association, where you can hold an important position with boundless prospects!"

These conditions were undoubtedly generous. For Canglan University, as the highest academy in the Region, to offer such terms showed their sincerity.

Before Lu Yuan could respond, the man on the left spoke:

"Student Lu Yuan, I am Lei Xiao, the Director of Admissions for Mobei Nine Heavens Academy. Our academy's conditions are simple and direct."

"First, qualification for cultivation in our academy's core secret land, the Nine Heavens Secret Realm, for three months each year. Second, we will assign you a dean-level mentor, a peak Sixth-tier Card Master! Third, an annual special scholarship of ten million star coins. Fourth, upon graduation, if you are willing, you can directly join the Mobei Military Region Card Master Special Forces, be granted the rank of major, and enjoy corresponding benefits."

Lei Xiao's conditions were incredibly generous, no less than those of Canglan.

Lu Yuan had heard of the Nine Heavens Secret Realm; it was a renowned cultivation sanctuary in the Alliance, even more precious in some aspects. A peak Sixth-tier mentor, a ten-million-star-coin scholarship, and a military background after graduation—each condition was enough to make any Card Master's heart pound.

Yao Tianbi listened from the side, his heart also stirring. The conditions offered by these two academies were far more favorable than those given to any previous champion. It seemed Lu Yuan's displayed potential had made these top academies willing to spare no expense.

At this moment, the beautiful female teacher also spoke with a smile:

"Student Lu Yuan, hello, I am Lan Xi, the Deputy Director of Admissions for Southeast Ocean Academy."

She gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her beautiful eyes captivating:

"Our Ocean Academy can be said to be the leader in the entire Alliance in the fields of beast taming card cultivation and water-element card research! Your Raging Waves Sea Soul is exceptionally outstanding. We are willing to tailor an exclusive cultivation plan for you to maximize your talent."

"At the same time, our academy has exclusive access to the Deep Sea Ruins, which contain countless opportunities related to water-element and marine creatures." Lan Xi blinked, a hint of playfulness in her tone, "And... our Ocean Academy is renowned for being full of beauties, of all types. Perhaps Student Lu Yuan might have an unexpected harvest?"

At these words, even Lei Xiao next to her couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

Well, well, well, a honey trap.

Yao Tianbi cleared his throat and said to Lu Yuan with a smile: "Lu Yuan, all three teachers are very sincere. The choice is entirely up to you; our Yao Family will support you."

Lu Yuan stood up and bowed slightly to the three teachers.

His attitude had to be respectful.

"Thank you very much, Headmaster Sun, Director Lei, Teacher Lan, and your esteemed academies for your high regard and kindness."

He looked up, a hint of apology in his tone, "The conditions offered by each academy have deeply moved me. But..."

"But I have had a wish since I was young: to further my studies at Kyoto University, located in the capital. That has always been my goal."

Kyoto University!

As these words were spoken, Sun Qiming, Lei Xiao, and Lan Xi all simultaneously showed clear expressions of regret.

Kyoto University was not only the leader among the Alliance's Card Master academies but also a renowned top academy throughout the entire Eastern Continent and even the Card Continent. Its threshold was high, and the competition fierce, far beyond what other academies could compare to.

Every year, countless prodigies desperately tried to get in, but ultimately, only a handful succeeded.

Sun Qiming sighed, though reluctant, he understood: "Kyoto University... is indeed the dream destination for all Card Masters. Student Lu Yuan has such aspirations, and we should support him."

He smiled again, "Our Canglan University's offer remains permanently valid until you change your mind. I wish you success in being admitted to Kyoto University and creating new glories!"

Lei Xiao also nodded, his appreciation for talent evident: "Kyoto University's assessment is even more brutal than the Prodigy Competition. Should there be any unforeseen circumstances, the doors of Nine Heavens Academy are always open for you."

Both gentlemen showed ample grace.

Lan Xi looked at Lu Yuan, a peculiar glint in her beautiful eyes. She did not leave immediately but took out a card from her handbag, exuding a faint scent of sea breeze, and handed it to Lu Yuan.

The card was aquamarine, with her name and a string of numbers printed in gold foil.

"Student Lu Yuan," she smiled sweetly, her voice soft, "Your Raging Waves Sea Soul is very special. I can sense that it seems to contain a very ancient and powerful bloodline aura, completely different from ordinary water-element giant beasts."

Lu Yuan's heart stirred slightly.

Lan Xi continued: "Our Ocean Academy has in-depth research on beast taming cards that contain such special bloodlines. If you encounter any difficulties in cultivation or subsequent evolution and star-up, you can contact me at any time. Perhaps I can offer a little help."

She gently placed the business card on the coffee table in front of Lu Yuan, leaving behind a faint, elusive oceanic fragrance.

"Well then, I won't disturb you any further. I look forward to seeing Student Lu Yuan on a higher stage in the future."

With that, Lan Xi also elegantly bid farewell and left.

Lu Yuan picked up the aquamarine business card, his nostrils filled with the faint scent of sea breeze mixed with orchids.

Taking a light sniff,

It was indeed fragrant, no less than De Xiner's...