211: Chapter 210 Revisiting Old Mo

When Lin Fan walked into the office,

President Ye Wenyuan was sitting behind his desk with several documents spread out in front of him.

"You're here. Have a seat."

President Ye Wenyuan pointed to the chair opposite him.

Lin Fan sat down and crossed his legs.

President Ye Wenyuan took a sip from his teacup, his gaze sweeping over Lin Fan's face.

"How is it? Did you achieve a Breakthrough?"

Lin Fan nodded. "Yeah, I just broke through."

Hearing this, President Ye Wenyuan pulled open a drawer, took out a document, flipped through a few pages, then closed it and put it back.

"Have you thought about the College Entrance Examination?"

President Ye Wenyuan didn't look up at Lin Fan, but instead picked up a document on the desk and opened it.

"The Four Great Universities—Dongchen, Nanshu University, Xiyao University, and Beique University—which one do you plan to apply for?"

Lin Fan leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on his knee twice, and then he smiled, grinning mischievously.

"Why don't you give me a suggestion? The Four Great Universities all sound impressive, but I don't know which one suits me."

President Ye Wenyuan glanced at him, closed the document in his hand, and set it aside. "You certainly aren't being polite."

"The Four Great Universities are all in the Central District. The Federation's Central District is a hub of first-tier cities, and each of the cities where the Four Great Universities are located is more than ten times larger than Dongyun City. Dongchen University is in Longjiang City, Nanshu University is in Chengchuan City, Xiyao University is in Kunqing City, and Beique University is in Zhongjing City."

He paused.

"You need to understand one thing first—choosing a university isn't about choosing fame; it's about choosing resources. Different universities control different resources, and the powers behind them are also different."

He stood up with his teacup and walked to the window to refill it with hot water.

"Dongchen University is the oldest among the Four Great Universities. Its campus is in Longjiang City, near the Federation's border. Dongchen's Armor Beast Combat major is the strongest in the entire Federation. The school has its own Secret Realm training grounds and organizes students to participate in Secret Realm reclamation and clearing missions every year. More than half of Dongchen's graduates enter the military."

He took a sip of tea.

"The biggest supporter behind Dongchen is the Qin Family. Most of the Qin Family's descendants come from Dongchen, and a long list of alumni can be found among the mid-level generals of the military's combat department. The Xiao Family is also one of the supporters; they provide the most systematic physical arts education, though they are somewhat weaker compared to the Qin Family."

"So, by going to Dongchen, you'll have access to the most cutting-edge practical training and top-tier combat instructors, but you'll have to accept the Qin Family's System—Dongchen's rules, Dongchen's resource allocation, and Dongchen's promotion paths are all inextricably linked to the Qin Family."

Lin Fan didn't respond.

The Qin Family.

Patriarch of the Qin Family's Qin Family.

President Ye Wenyuan glanced at him, said nothing more, and continued.

"Nanshu University is in Chengchuan City, where the climate is warm and it feels like spring all year round. Nanshu University's strongest major isn't combat, but Armor Beast breeding and Secret Realm research."

"Nanshu University's Armor Beast breeding department has its own Spirit Plant Garden and Armor Beast Breeding Base, which is the largest in the Federation. Nearly half of the Advanced Breeders in the Federation Association come from Nanshu University. Most of the people from the Lin Family in the field of Armor Beast breeding either teach or hold positions at Nanshu University. At Nanshu University, you won't get the strongest combat training, but you'll have access to the top Armor Beast breeding resources."

He paused.

"Xiyao University is in Kunqing City. It's the newest of the schools but has developed the fastest. Xiyao University's specialty is Armor Equipment forging research, and it houses the most Advanced Armor Equipment R&D center in the Federation. People from the Bai Family lead the Armor Equipment forging major at Xiyao University, while the Luo Family provides technical support for the Formation and technology majors. However, you can just pass on this university."

Lin Fan knew nothing about things like Armor Equipment forging, so naturally, he wouldn't consider that university.

President Ye Wenyuan continued.

"Beique University is in the Federation's capital, Zhongjing City. It's the most comprehensive of the Four Great Universities, with no obvious weaknesses in combat, breeding, forging, or Formations. Beique University's location is in the Federation's political center, and the resource allocation within the school is most evenly influenced by the Five Great Families, unlike the other three universities which have clear Family leanings."

"At Beique University, you'll have access to the most comprehensive resources, but you'll also face the most problems—people from all Five Great Families are at Beique University, and the competition between factions is more intense than at the other three universities."

He picked up his teacup and took a sip; the tea was still hot, so he blew on the floating leaves.

"Four universities, four different paths. Dongchen focuses on combat, Nanshu University on breeding, Xiyao University on manufacturing, and Beique University on everything. What are your thoughts?"

Lin Fan fell into thought.

Dongchen was the territory of the Qin Family and Xiao Family, Nanshu University was the Lin Family's territory, Xiyao University was the Bai Family and Luo Family's territory, and Beique University was the main battlefield where the Five Great Families clashed.

Choosing a university was, in a sense, choosing which side to take.

"Master, which one did you attend back then?" Lin Fan withdrew his gaze and looked at President Ye Wenyuan.

President Ye Wenyuan's hand holding the teacup paused for a moment. "Nanshu University. Armor Beast Breeding Department."

Lin Fan nodded, asked no more questions, and stood up from his chair.

"Master, I'll go back and think about it."

President Ye Wenyuan nodded and picked up his teacup, not asking him to stay.

When he got home, Old Mo was in the kitchen stir-frying.

The roar of the range hood and the sound of the iron wok stir-frying mixed together, pouring out from the kitchen doorway along with the smell of minced garlic and soy sauce.

Lin Fan changed his shoes, walked into the kitchen, and leaned against the doorframe.

"Old Mo, I want to discuss the College Entrance Examination with you."

Old Mo didn't even look back, the spatula in his hand moving even faster.

"Discuss what? Just take the exam. You can decide for yourself."

The food in the oil-filled wok was tossed up, flashing for a moment in the firelight.

"I want to apply for the Four Great Universities."

Old Mo's hand paused for a moment, the spatula suspended in mid-air. Then he poured the food onto a plate, turned off the stove, and turned around holding the plate.

"Which one?" Old Mo's voice was very flat.

"Dongchen, Nanshu University, Xiyao University, or Beique University. I haven't decided yet."

Lin Fan listed them one by one.

Old Mo was silent for a moment.

He turned around, opened a cabinet, took out a bottle of liquor, unscrewed the cap, and poured a small glass.

"Any of the other three are fine, except for Dongchen."

Lin Fan leaned against the doorframe, hands in his pockets. "Why?"

Old Mo picked up the glass and drained it in one gulp.

"Why do there have to be so many whys? If I tell you not to go, then don't go."

Lin Fan straightened up from the doorframe, walked to the dining table, sat down, took the bottle of liquor from in front of Old Mo, and poured himself a glass.

"Old Mo, are you hiding something from me?"

Old Mo was slightly stunned, then suddenly roared.

"If I tell you not to go, then don't go! I've raised you for twenty years; can't I make even this one decision for you?"

Lin Fan dropped his usual mischievous grin. "Is it related to the Five Great Families?"

"The Qin Family?"

Old Mo's hand holding the glass hung in mid-air.

"What Qin Family or Li Family? I'm just an old man, how would I know about that? I just don't like the name 'Dongchen'!"

Lin Fan picked up the glass in front of him and took a sip. The liquor was cheap grain alcohol, pungent on the palate and burning his throat.

"I've met Patriarch of the Qin Family of the Qin Family."