Chapter 24 The Top Scholar Returns Home, Generous System Rewards

Early in the morning, the old residential complex was filled with a long-lost tranquility.

With the Zhao Family no longer lurking in the shadows, even the air seemed a bit fresher.

Jiang Chen was awakened by an enticing aroma; on his nightstand sat the century egg and lean meat porridge his sister had prepared.

"Brother, hurry up and get up to eat! Aren't you going to school to fill out your application today?" Jiang Yu's voice drifted in from the living room.

Jiang Chen stretched, his bones cracking and popping all over his body.

After a whole night of "Nightmare Clone" cultivation (mostly being ordered around like a laborer by the empress in his dreams, moving dream bricks all night), his Mental Energy had surged once again, and his Qi and Blood value had stabilized at the first stage of the Bone Forging Realm.

If those outside who had been bitter-cultivating for ten years and were still lingering in the Qi and Blood Realm knew this, they would probably be so angry they'd vomit blood on the spot.

After breakfast, Jiang Chen changed into clean casual clothes. As soon as he opened the door, he was stunned by the scene before him.

The narrow corridor of the tenement building was currently packed with people in suits and leather shoes.

They held various documents and gift boxes in their hands, and some were even holding up banners that read, "Warmly Welcome Student Jiang Chen."

Seeing Jiang Chen come out, this group of people swarmed forward like sharks smelling blood, thrusting business cards at him like snowflakes.

"Student Jiang Chen! I am the director of the admissions office at Imperial Capital Martial Arts University! As long as you come to our school, your tuition will be fully waived, we'll provide a ten-million scholarship every year! We'll even gift you a seaside villa! And you'll get one-on-one tutoring from beautiful instructors!"

"Get lost! Student Jiang Chen, I'm from the Jiangnan Military Academy! Come to us and we'll grant you the rank of Major! You'll join the special forces immediately upon graduation! You can choose from a full set of S-rank equipment!"

"Vulgar! Student Jiang Chen, I am from the Federal First Research Institute. I see that your Mental Energy is extraordinary; come with us..."

The scene spiraled out of control.

Jiang Chen was squeezed in the doorway, looking helpless. Was this the trouble of being famous? Even leaving the house had become a problem.

"Make way, everyone make way!"

Just then, an authoritative voice rang out.

Principal Li Changfeng pushed his way in with a few security guards, blocking in front of Jiang Chen like a mother hen protecting her chicks.

"Teachers, Student Jiang Chen still needs to return to school to fill out his application. If you have any offers, discuss them at the school! Don't disturb his rest here! Don't you know that Geniuses need plenty of sleep?"

With Li Changfeng's intervention, Jiang Chen finally managed to board the special car sent by the school.

In the car, Li Changfeng handed Jiang Chen a black gold card: "There are six million in here. Aside from the school's one million, the rest is a special reward from the city. Zhao Tianba has already been locked up; no one can touch you this time."

Jiang Chen took the card and finally revealed a genuine smile. Six million was enough to get his sister a big house in a better environment and buy a batch of top-tier calming aromatherapy.

...

Back at school, Jiang Chen received a hero's welcome.

The Geniuses from the First and Second High Schools who had previously looked down on him now had to respectfully call him "Brother Chen" upon seeing him.

In Mu Qingxue's office.

Today, Mu Qingxue was still in her professional attire, but she wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, making her look a little less cold and a little more intellectually beautiful.

But Jiang Chen keenly noticed that her complexion was paler than usual, and even while sitting there, the surrounding air carried a bone-chilling coldness.

"Have you decided where you're going?" Mu Qingxue asked softly, looking at the application form in her hand.

Jiang Chen sat opposite her, his gaze sweeping over the names of the top institutions, until his finger finally stopped on the top line.

"Imperial Capital Martial Arts University."

"Why?" Mu Qingxue didn't seem surprised. "Because it is the number one in the country? Or because it has the best resources?"

"No."

Jiang Chen shook his head and said with a serious face, "I checked. On the top floor of the library at Imperial Capital Martial Arts University, there is a legendary recliner made of ten-thousand-year-old agarwood. It is said that sleeping on it for an hour is equivalent to a full day of deep sleep. I want to try it."

"..."

The fountain pen in Mu Qingxue's hand was almost snapped in two.

She took a deep breath, telling herself not to be angry; this was Jiang Chen's Dao.

"A very sufficient reason," Mu Qingxue said through gritted teeth. "However, you need to know that in a place like the Imperial Capital, the waters run deep. The Zhao Family might be strong in Jianghai City, but in the Imperial Capital, they are just dependents of a third-rate Family. It gathers young masters from aristocratic families from all over the country, and Prodigies run rampant. If you go there, just relying on sleeping... might not be enough."

"Don't worry, Teacher." Jiang Chen stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the blue sky outside. "Although I am lazy, if anyone wants to disturb my sleep... I will make them regret coming into this world."

Sunlight spilled onto him, gilding this seemingly lazy youth with a golden edge.

At that moment, Mu Qingxue felt a bit dazed. She seemed to see a hidden Dragon preparing to soar into the sky.

"Also..."

Jiang Chen suddenly turned around and leaned in close to Mu Qingxue, their noses touching.

【Succubus Touch activated.】

【Detected that the Cold Poison in Mu Qingxue's body is about to erupt.】

"Teacher, your body..." Jiang Chen said in a low voice, "seems to be getting colder and colder."

Mu Qingxue's body trembled, a flash of panic crossing her eyes. She instinctively took a step back. "It's nothing, just an old ailment. By the way, I'm leaving too."

"Where to?"

"The Imperial Capital." Mu Qingxue pushed up her glasses to hide the emotions in her eyes. "There are some matters in the Family that need to be handled. And... I've also received a transfer order; I might go to teach at Imperial Capital Martial Arts University."

Speaking of this, her cheeks flushed slightly.

In truth, there was no transfer order; the Cold Poison in her body had reached a point where only Jiang Chen could resolve it.

If she stayed too far from Jiang Chen, she feared she wouldn't survive the winter.

"That's great." Jiang Chen's eyes lit up. "If I go to the Imperial Capital, I won't have such a good 'body pillow' as a teacher anymore; I was just worrying about where to bum some air conditioning in the future."

"Get out! Hurry up and fill out your application!" Mu Qingxue glared at him in shame and anger, but for some reason, she felt a sense of relief in her heart.

...

After filling out the application, as soon as Jiang Chen walked out of the school gate, he saw Su Qingyue waiting for him next to a red convertible sports car.

A beautiful woman with a luxury car drew frequent glances from passersby.

"I also applied to Imperial Capital Martial Arts University," Su Qingyue said straightforwardly, a trace of tsundere on her face. "Don't misunderstand, I just think their Sword Dao department is the strongest. It's not to be with you."

"Understood, I understand completely." Jiang Chen opened the car door and sat in the passenger seat without hesitation. "Since you're going the same way, give me a ride home. I'm sleepy again."

Su Qingyue stomped her foot in anger but obediently got into the car.

"By the way, Jiang Chen, there's something I need to tell you."

Halfway through the drive, Su Qingyue suddenly became a bit hesitant. "My grandfather... that is, the head of the Su Family, wants to see you."

"See me? Meeting the parents already?" Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow.

"What are you thinking!" Su Qingyue blushed. "It's because you saved me in the restricted area. And... my grandfather has a 'Ten-Thousand-Year Warm Jade'. It is said to be a treasure passed down from ancient times; wearing it has the miraculous effect of nourishing the Soul and letting one fall asleep in seconds. He wants to use it as a thank-you gift."

Hearing "Ten-Thousand-Year Warm Jade," Jiang Chen's half-closed eyes instantly lit up, brighter than a searchlight.

Sleep in seconds? Nourish the Soul?

Isn't this a Divine Artifact tailor-made for him!

"Then what are we waiting for? Make a U-turn at the intersection ahead, let's go to the Su Family!" Jiang Chen immediately sat up straight. "When an elder bestows a gift, one dare not refuse. It wouldn't be good to keep Grandfather waiting!"

Su Qingyue looked at this pragmatic guy and sighed helplessly.

Meanwhile, in a corner the two didn't notice, a black sedan was quietly following behind, keeping a distance that was neither too close nor too far.

Inside the car, a middle-aged man with a sinister face was holding an encrypted walkie-talkie, his voice low: "Target confirmed, heading towards the Su Family. Should we make a move halfway?"

A raspy and vicious voice came from the other end of the walkie-talkie, carrying a heavy Beijing accent: "No rush. Isn't that old immortal Su Zhentian still alive? Don't make a move on Su Family territory. Let him go. Jiang Chen is too prominent right now; we can't touch him. Wait until he comes to the Imperial Capital... that is our home turf."

"The things that bunch of trash from the Zhao Family couldn't do, we will do. Remember, I want him alive. The secrets on him might be even more valuable than that S-rank rift."

"Yes, my lord."

Jiang Chen leaned back against the seat of the sports car, glanced at the elusive black car through the rearview mirror, and a cold smirk curled the corner of his lips.

Although he was resting with his eyes closed, the perception of his 【Nightmare Clone】 had already covered a radius of five hundred meters.

That malice aimed at him was as obvious as a candle flame in the dark night.

"Guests from the Imperial Capital, are you?"

Jiang Chen muttered to himself in his heart, "I hope your pillows are soft enough, otherwise... my nightmare will eat people."

The wheels sped along, kicking up fallen leaves.