103: Chapter 103 These people really have nothing better to do.

At night, the six of them gathered together again.

There was a shop in the academy's commercial district that specialized in high-energy beast meat and medicinal hot pot, and the key was that the soundproofing was good.

Lu Cheng, Su Wan, Qian Shuying, Xia Xi, Zhou Jinan, and Tao Jiansheng sat around a large round table. The table was filled with swirling steam, the grilled meat sizzled, and a layer of bright red oil floated in the soup pot.

Zhou Jinan spoke first, his tone tinged with emotion and lingering fear.

"I had only heard that Navigator Academy was formidable before, but I didn't expect even the teaching staff to be so terrifying..."

As he spoke, he put down his chopsticks and tapped the tabletop with his hand.

"I specifically went to check the academy's public information this afternoon, and I really found quite a few things. We are divided into three institutes: the Mechanical Institute, the Martial Dao Institute, and the Heavenly Crafts Institute."

"The Mechanical Institute focuses on mechanical armaments, intelligent weapons, combat vehicles, prosthetic modifications, and fire support coordination. Simply put, it combines technology with Source Power, following the path of equipment, firepower, and engineering. Some people over there might not be the best in martial arts themselves, but as long as you give them time and materials, the things they come up with can be so disgusting they'll keep you up at night."

Tao Jiansheng added from the side, "Yeah... I passed by the Mechanical Institute's training area this afternoon and saw a training mech over three meters tall hitting a wood... no, alloy target... The power was at least at the level of the Hua Hai Realm..."

Zhou Jinan nodded, "However, this institute has a major problem. The cost of machinery is extremely high, so even many children from wealthy families can't afford to play with it..."

After finishing, he looked at the others.

"The Martial Dao Institute is our normal martial arts path: cultivating blood energy, practicing martial techniques, polishing the physical body, opening meridians, and actual combat. At least two-thirds of the students in the academy are in the Martial Dao Institute."

Zhou Jinan continued, "The Heavenly Crafts Institute is even more complex, covering artifact refining, alchemy, talisman drawing, Source Power formations, and many other aspects. These people may not have the top combat power, but... they cover a vast amount of content and have a rich variety of methods. Almost everyone will have a time when they need to ask for their help."

Qian Shuying nodded gently, "This kind of system relies heavily on heritage and foundation. Anyone who can get in won't be simple."

"Right." Zhou Jinan picked up some food and chewed while saying, "Among the one thousand people who entered, there is no shortage of experts in mechanics and heavenly crafts. Many people have been trained in those directions since childhood. With family resources poured in, they know more things than we think."

Lu Cheng listened, and he gained a better understanding.

Zhou Jinan continued, "And each institute has its own way of obtaining credits. The three institutes have a total of 24 mentors and 48 assistants."

Xia Xi was stunned for a moment, "They only have 24 fixed students per grade... Doesn't that mean there are more teachers than students??"

"The exaggerated part is yet to come." Zhou Jinan lowered his voice, "Every mentor is at the level of the War King Realm, and every assistant is at the War General Realm."

Once these words were spoken, everyone at the table fell silent for two seconds.

For example, Xia Yunchi is only at the War General Realm, and although that is because he primarily focuses on politics, that level of strength is already the highest combat power in Rong City.

Not to mention the War King Realm... each district might only have a handful of War Kings.

Yet here at Navigator Academy... War Kings are mentors, and War Generals are assistants...

Zhou Jinan took a deep breath and continued, "And... besides the Dean of the Mechanical Institute who is at the peak of the War King Realm, the deans of the other two institutes are all at the War Emperor Realm!"

"War Emperor..."

Tao Jiansheng then took over the conversation, his tone dropping even lower. "It's more than just that; the Principal is rumored to be in the Saint Realm!"

Saint Realm! That is a group of people standing at the very top of Blue Star...

People of this level are rarely seen in the news, so it was unexpected that the Navigator Academy Principal was such an existence...

However, it is not surprising, after all, it is a school that stands above Jingwu and Mowu... Without some strength, how could the Principal uphold the school's reputation...

Tao Jiansheng picked up his cup and took a sip of water, then looked at the others, stopping the discussion on these matters. "According to past practice, the academy will give us a show of force tomorrow. This thing is different every year, so everyone needs to be prepared."

"A show of force?" Lu Cheng became interested. "A practical combat assessment?"

"It's possible." Tao Jiansheng shook his head. "Anyway, Navigator Academy likes to come up with new tricks every year to beat down the arrogance of us freshmen first."

Zhou Jinan sighed, "I already felt the pressure just after entering the school today."

Xia Xi clenched her fists, feeling a bit excited instead. "Bring it on, who's afraid of whom."

Qian Shuying said calmly, "Having some psychological preparation in advance is always a good thing."

The atmosphere at the table had just become a bit serious when Tao Jiansheng suddenly coughed, his expression becoming a bit strange. "By the way, Lu Cheng..."

Lu Cheng was looking down, scooping up meat, and looked up upon hearing this... "What? Why do you look like you're constipated?"

"..."

Tao Jiansheng's mouth twitched, and he spoke with an unnatural expression, "Half of the posts on the campus network today are about you and that person from the Ji Family appearing on screen together. Did something happen?"

Lu Cheng was stunned for a moment and said casually, "Nothing happened. He invited me to join the club he founded, and Xia Xi and Shuying have already joined."

Tao Jiansheng's eyes immediately became complex. "It's... that simple?"

Lu Cheng looked puzzled. "Otherwise what?"

He had been busy all day and really didn't have time to look at any campus forums.

Tao Jiansheng took a deep breath and silently handed over his terminal. "See for yourself."

Lu Cheng took it and scanned it. The next second, he froze completely.

On the forum's homepage, rows of post titles were extremely eye-catching. "The Story Between the Domineering CEO ♦♦" "Who understands, I'm going crazy shipping these two standing together" "Guess who is the top and who is the bottom" "Latest fan art is out, come in quickly!"

Lu Cheng stared at the screen, his eye twitching. "..."

He scrolled down twice more. Even the cover sketch for a doujinshi was already out.

Lu Cheng was dumbfounded. He and President Ji Guyan had only known each other for... five hours, and there was already a doujinshi???

How idle are these people exactly?!

Xia Xi had been holding it in, but after leaning over and taking a look, she burst out laughing. "Hahahahaha... Lu Cheng, look at this title, 'The Fated Encounter Between the Aloof Aristocratic Young Master and the Rogue Handsome New King'..."

Qian Shuying took the terminal and glanced at it, unable to suppress the corners of her lips, and her shoulders shook slightly.

Even Su Wan, after taking a look, had a faint smile appear in her eyes.

Lu Cheng had a face full of black lines and slapped the terminal back onto the table. "What kind of nonsense do these people have in their heads all day long? Are they too idle from cultivation?"

Tao Jiansheng spread his hands. "That's why I asked you what exactly happened."

"I already told you, he pulled me into the club." Lu Cheng said irritably. "It's just this little thing, but it got spread like this. It's ridiculous."

Zhou Jinan held back his laughter. "Both of you are very good-looking; standing together is indeed quite eye-catching."

"Get lost."

After laughing and joking for a while, Lu Cheng suddenly remembered the important matter and knocked on the table. "Speaking of which, do you guys want to join the club? With the Ji Family pulling strings, the variety of tasks and rewards the club receives in the future should be much richer."

Zhou Jinan nodded first. "Join, of course. It would be a waste not to take such resource channels."

Tao Jiansheng was also very straightforward. "I have no opinion."

Su Wan looked at Lu Cheng and finally nodded gently. "Sure."

Joining such a ready-made organization could save them a lot of trouble.

Seeing that everyone agreed, Lu Cheng opened his terminal and sent a message to President Ji Guyan.

Not long after the message was sent, the other side replied. [Since they are friends of Brother Lu, they are very welcome to join our club. I will arrange the procedures tomorrow.]

After reading it, Lu Cheng casually showed the message to the others. "It's done."

Zhou Jinan laughed. "This guy from the Ji Family really gives you face."

"Heh... I am, after all, one of the male leads in this hot forum post."

When the group dispersed and went back, the night in the academy had deepened quite a bit. The sensor lights along the road were lit one by one, and the hilltop villa area had also quieted down.

Lu Cheng swiped open the villa door, and as soon as he entered, his footsteps paused.

The sofa in the living room had soft cushions, the coffee table had a few small green plants, a warm-colored floor lamp had been added by the wall, the dining table was covered with a tablecloth, and even the spice rack in the open kitchen was organized neatly.

A small wind chime hung at the entrance of the stairs, and as the door opened, it chimed softly.

The whole house suddenly had warmth, giving it the feeling of a place where people actually lived.

Xia Xi and Qian Shuying were sitting in the living room. Seeing him enter, the two looked at each other and smiled.

"Not bad, right!" Xia Xi stood up, her tone full of a little pride. "We spent quite a bit of time decorating it later."

Qian Shuying also raised her chin slightly. "The basic living area is almost done; we'll add whatever is missing later."

Lu Cheng stood at the door for a few seconds, and the indescribable feeling of emptiness in his heart suddenly dissipated quite a bit.

He smiled, his voice softening. "Thank you for your hard work..."

Xia Xi waved her hand. "It's a small matter."

Lu Cheng walked into the living room, his gaze sweeping over the brand-new villa, and his heart settled slightly.

At least for the sake of the current villa... he could not afford to be eliminated from this position.