144: Chapter 144 Pick-up and Drop-off!!

Her College Entrance Examination results were extremely outstanding, and she was admitted to Kunlun Martial Arts University, known as the "Martial Arts Holy Land"!

Kunlun Martial Arts University was one of the oldest and most profound martial arts universities in Huaxia.

Its comprehensive strength consistently ranked in the top ten nationwide, making it an ideal palace in the hearts of countless martial arts students.

"Qin Yan, I have good news for you! I've already broken through to the late-stage of the first grade!"

"How about that? Pretty impressive speed, right?"

In the projection, Zhao Bin puffed out his sturdy chest, his face wearing an undisguised look of pride.

For him to break through to the late-stage of the first grade in this timeframe, even among his peers at Thunder Martial University—known for its ferocity and explosiveness...

...he could indeed be firmly ranked in the upper-middle tier, which counted as significant progress.

Qin Yan looked at Zhao Bin's expectant "praise me" expression, feeling somewhat caught between laughter and tears.

What could he say?

Should he tell him that he had not only entered the second grade long ago but had even begun tempering the most dangerous part—the skull?

This would be no different from pouring a bucket of ice water onto the other person's enthusiastic flames.

Seeing his friend's smile full of accomplishment, Qin Yan really couldn't bear to dampen his confidence and motivation at this moment.

The path of martial arts was long, and maintaining a positive heart was equally important.

He had no choice but to go along with it, nodding slightly helplessly and praising vaguely, "Yeah, your progress is very fast."

Zhou Nan, who had been quietly observing Qin Yan, keenly caught the flash of calmness and indifference in his eyes.

That was by no means the reaction one should have upon hearing about a peer's decent results.

She already had some suspicions: Qin Yan's true strength was likely above Zhao Bin's.

Her eyes, as clear as lake water, looked toward Qin Yan with deep curiosity.

She asked softly, "Qin Yan, don't just talk about us. What about you?"

"In a place like Modu University of Martial Arts where dragons and tigers crouch, what level has your strength reached now? We're all very curious."

However, deep down, she didn't believe Qin Yan could surpass her.

Under her father's unstinting support...

...combined with the abundant resources provided by Kunlun Martial Arts University, her strength had already reached the peak of the first grade!

She was only one step away from breaking through to the Second Grade Realm.

Such a rate of progress was enough to rank her in the upper tier even at Kunlun Martial Arts University, where geniuses gathered!

She had the capital for confidence.

Hearing this, Qin Yan pondered for a moment.

He didn't want to be too high-profile, but facing the sincere and curious gazes of his close friends, he felt there was no need to hide it completely.

He weighed his words and said in as flat a tone as possible, "I'm... about at the second grade."

The scene suddenly fell silent; one could hear a pin drop.

Even Lin Yang and Zhou Yuan, who were making faces at each other, stopped their bickering, both of them staring straight at Qin Yan's projection!

"Bro... Brother Yan..." Zhou Yuan blinked hard, his voice stuttering.

"You... you're not joking, right? Sec... Second grade?!"

It was no wonder he lost his composure.

After entering Linhai Martial Arts University, although he had also come into contact with martial arts cultivation...

...his aptitude was ordinary, and he was still lingering at the threshold of becoming a martial artist.

He hadn't even managed to master the most basic Body Tempering Martial Art yet.

Yet Qin Yan casually told him that he had already crossed an entire major realm and reached the level of a Second-Rank Martial Artist?

The gap between them was like the difference between clouds and mud; how could he not be shocked?

Lin Yang and Zhao Bin also looked like they had seen a ghost.

They looked at Qin Yan, then at each other, opening their mouths but not knowing what to say.

Believe it? This news was too outrageous, far exceeding their scope of understanding. Disbelieve it?

Based on their understanding of Qin Yan, he was not one to talk nonsense.

Zhou Nan's pupils constricted even more, and a stormy sea rose in her heart.

She stared intently at Qin Yan's expression, trying to find a trace of a joke, but she only saw complete composure and calm.

Qin Yan looked at his friends' ghost-stricken expressions and just smiled, not offering any further explanation.

He knew that in some matters, words were hollow.

When they eventually came to Modu in person and saw him with their own eyes...

...and felt the aura on him that they couldn't fathom, they would naturally understand.

Seeing that Qin Yan had no intention of explaining further, although their hearts were still filled with stormy waves and countless question marks, they tacitly refrained from asking more.

They simply suppressed this massive doubt in their hearts for the time being.

However, when they looked at Qin Yan's projection again, their gazes unconsciously carried a hint of complexity.

Later, Qin Yan also learned from the conversation that Zhou Nan's strength had reached the peak of the first grade.

However, Zhou Nan told him that she practiced an "Exquisite" level Body Tempering Martial Art.

This meant it was almost impossible for her to pursue and reach the legendary "Limit" level in every major realm like he did.

Whether it was the current First-tier Limit, or the future Second-tier Limit and Third-tier Limit, they would all be insurmountable chasms for her.

However, Qin Yan also understood that this was the norm.

Even in a top institution like Modu University of Martial Arts, those who could reach the First-tier Limit while in the First Grade Realm were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

In other martial arts universities, having one or two such geniuses would already be very good.

For Zhou Nan to reach the peak of the first grade at Kunlun Martial Arts University, she was already a standout among her peers.

After catching up, Qin Yan and the others agreed on a time to meet in Modu.

He promised that once they arrived, he would play the host and show them around Modu University of Martial Arts.

Then, he ended the communication.

The bracelet fell silent once more.

Qin Yan thought for a moment, then called his parents back in his hometown and his younger sister, Qin Xiaoxi, who was in her third year of junior high.

He chatted with his family about recent events and let them know he was safe, without mentioning the upcoming National Exchange Competition, which would likely be full of intense confrontations.

He had experienced the cruelty of the martial arts world more than once; situations where opponents were beaten until they spat blood or were seriously injured occurred from time to time.

He didn't want his ordinary parents and young sister to worry or be frightened by this.

The simple small talk was filled with warmth and concern; after it ended, Qin Yan's heart felt even more serene.

The night passed in silence, slipping away amidst cultivation and rest.

December 24th, the eve of the exchange competition.

After the morning's routine training ended, Qin Yan took a shower, changed into clean casual clothes, and drove to the Modu Train Station.

The exit of the train station was crowded with people, but with his far-superior-to-ordinary eyesight, Qin Yan quickly spotted those few familiar figures in the crowd.

"Brother Yan! Over here!"

Zhou Yuan, being sharp-eyed, also saw Qin Yan and immediately waved vigorously with a face full of smiles, pulling his luggage as he walked over quickly.

Beside him were Lin Yang, Zhao Bin, and Zhou Nan.

"Everyone, long time no see."

Qin Yan stepped forward, looking at these friends from before the College Entrance Examination, a sincere smile appearing on his face.

In his heart, he couldn't help but feel some emotion at how time flies.

Zhou Yuan enthusiastically patted Qin Yan's shoulder and was about to say something when he suddenly noticed the atmosphere around them was a bit strange.

(Asking for gifts~ Babies, please send three free "Power for Love" gifts. The more you send, the more extra chapters I'll update tomorrow~)