198: Chapter 198 The Heavenly Court Becomes a Reality, the Academy is Established

Kunlun Mountain foothills.

This is a location with no markings on any map of the real world.

It is located within the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province, deep within a branch of the eastern section of the Kunlun Mountain range.

It takes 7 hours to drive from the nearest small town, and 17 kilometers of hiking from the last village with mobile phone signal.

There are no roads here.

No power lines.

No internet.

There isn't even anyone here.

Only mountains.

Only snow.

Only—Lin Ye.

Lin Ye stood on a protruding rock.

Beneath his feet was a flat area of about 17 mu.

Surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing the sun on one, the midday sunlight slanted down from the southeast, reflecting a blinding white light off the snow.

Behind him stood 9 people.

Su Qingyue.

Shi Potian.

Chen Hao.

Zhou Tieshan.

Chu Yunxi.

Zhao Wuji.

Qin Ruoxue.

Yun Qianxue.

Lu Xinghe.

They had set out from Yanjing.

A 7-hour flight to Xining.

A 17-hour drive by off-road vehicle to the small town.

A 47-hour hike into the mountains.

At this moment, they were standing here.

"This is the place," Lin Ye said.

His voice sounded very light in the thin air at an altitude of 4,700 meters, but everyone heard it clearly.

Zhao Wuji took a tablet computer out of his backpack.

The satellite signal receiver was already set up.

On the screen was a satellite map of this area.

[Kunlun Mountain · Eastern Section · No. 17 Unnamed Valley]

[Coordinates: 35° 47' North Latitude, 94° 17' East Longitude]

[Altitude: 4,713 meters]

[Area: approximately 17 mu (11,300 square meters)]

[Water Source: Seasonal stream at the foot of the mountain]

[Climate: Average annual temperature -7°C, lowest -37°C]

[Transportation: None]

[Network: None]

[Electricity: None]

[Remarks: This is 370 kilometers from the nearest border checkpoint, 47 kilometers from the nearest restricted military zone, and 17 hours of hiking from the nearest human settlement.]

Zhao Wuji looked at the word "None."

3 seconds.

He smiled.

That smile was exactly the same as when he calculated the 3 million bid at the Eternal Star Domain auction.

"None," he said.

"What does that mean?"

"It means the land is cheap."

No one laughed.

Because everyone knew what he was going to say.

"The land is cheap," Zhao Wuji continued.

"It means we can buy the entire mountain for the price of a three-bedroom apartment in Yanjing."

"17 mu, based on permanent property rights—about 17 million."

"If we pool our money together, it's enough."

Chen Hao looked at him.

"17 million," he said.

"Where would we get that much money?"

Zhao Wuji did not answer.

He took another document out of his backpack.

[Heavenly Court Chamber of Commerce · Real Assets List · Version 1]

[Liquid Assets:]

[1. Lin Ye: approx. 3.7 million (Parents' inheritance + game income)]

[2. Su Qingyue: approx. 5 million (Family support + personal savings)]

[3. Shi Potian: approx. 800,000 (Professional player prize money + streaming income)]

[4. Chen Hao: approx. 300,000 (Game boosting + equipment trading)]

[5. Zhou Tieshan: approx. 200,000 (Veteran resettlement fee + work savings)]

[6. Chu Yunxi: approx. 400,000 (Shooting coach + competition prize money)]

[7. Zhao Wuji: approx. 1.2 million (Investment and wealth management + business income)]

[8. Qin Ruoxue: approx. 3 million (Intelligence broker + dark web trading)]

[9. Yun Qianxue: approx. 600,000 (Hospital nurse + part-time income)]

[10. Lu Xinghe: approx. 200,000 (Programmer + outsourcing projects)]

[Total: approx. 15.4 million]

[Gap: 1.6 million]

Zhao Wuji closed the document.

He looked at Lin Ye.

"1.6 million," he said.

"The Dragon Group said they could provide an interest-free loan."

Lin Ye did not speak.

He just looked at the snowy ground.

3 seconds.

He spoke.

"No Dragon Group money," he said.

Zhao Wuji paused for a moment.

"The Dragon Group can tacitly approve," Lin Ye continued.

"But they cannot participate."

"This—is Heavenly Court territory."

Zhao Wuji was silent.

3 seconds.

He nodded.

Su Qingyue walked to Lin Ye's side.

Her left hand grasped his hand.

3 seconds.

She let go.

"1.6 million," she said.

"My Family can provide it."

Lin Ye looked at her.

"It's not a loan," Su Qingyue said.

"It's my own money."

"My mother's... inheritance."

Lin Ye's pupils contracted slightly.

Su Qingyue said nothing more.

She just looked at the snowy ground.

Shi Potian walked over.

He raised his left fist to his chest.

"800,000," he said.

"Take it all."

Chen Hao walked over.

"300,000."

Zhou Tieshan walked over.

"200,000."

Chu Yunxi walked over.

"400,000."

Qin Ruoxue walked over.

"3 million."

Yun Qianxue walked over.

"600,000."

Lu Xinghe walked over.

"200,000."

Zhao Wuji looked at them.

3 seconds.

He smiled.

That smile was exactly the same as when he calculated the 15.4 million.

"15.4 million," he said.

"Plus Su Qingyue's 5 million."

"20.4 million."

"That's enough."

[System Notification: You have initiated an application to create the real-world faction "Heavenly Court Academy"]

[Application Type: Civilian Cultivation Organization]

[Application Location: China · Qinghai · Eastern Section of Kunlun Mountain Range]

[Application Area: 17 mu]

[Estimated Investment: 20.4 million RMB]

[Estimated First Batch of Students: 100 people]

[Estimated Construction Period: 3 months]

[Current Status: Pending Approval (Dragon Group has noted "Tacit Approval")]

Lin Ye looked at the words "Tacit Approval."

3 seconds.

He closed the panel.

He turned around.

Facing the 9 people.

"Three months," he said.

"100 students."

"What do we teach?"

No one spoke.

But everyone was looking at him.

"Teach the Chaos Qi Guiding Technique," Lin Ye said.

"A simplified version I made."

"Ordinary people can practice it too."

[Basic Qi Guiding Technique · Heavenly Court Academy Version]

[Type: Real-world Cultivation Technique]

[Rank: Entry-Level]

[Creator: Lin Ye (Simplified based on the Chaos Scripture)]

[Cultivation Effects:]

[1. Sense "Spiritual Qi" (real-world energy)]

[2. Open the "Sea of Wheels" (Dantian)]

[3. Strengthen Physical Body (Strength + Speed + Stamina)]

[4. Prolong life (Estimated lifespan + 10-20 years)]

[5. Lay the foundation for future "Synchronization Rate Increase"]

[Cultivation Time: 1 hour per day, effective after 3 months of continuous practice]

[Suitable for: Ordinary people (No foundational requirements)]

Shi Potian looked at the line "Ordinary people can practice it too."

3 seconds.

He spoke.

"I've been practicing for five months," he said.

"And I've only reached 11%."

"They are practicing for three months... what level can they reach?"

Lin Ye looked at him.

"I don't know," he said.

"But it's better than practicing nothing at all."

Shi Potian nodded.

Qin Ruoxue stepped forward.

"How do we select the students?" she asked.

Lin Ye was silent.

3 seconds.

He spoke.

"Heavenly Secret Pavilion," he said.

"Screen the whole country."

"18-25 years old."

"No criminal record."

"No major illnesses."

"Voluntary application."

"Those who pass the test—100 people."

Qin Ruoxue nodded.

"How long will it take?" she asked.

"One month," Lin Ye said.

"After one month, the first batch of students will enter the mountains."

"Three months later, they will leave the mountains."

"Then—there will be 4 months left until the Fusion."

No one spoke.

But 9 people, 9 pairs of eyes, were all looking at him.

Chen Hao was the first to speak.

"Boss," he said.

"These 100 people... what will they become?"

Lin Ye did not answer immediately.

He looked at the snowy ground.

Looking at the 17 mu of wasteland that was about to become "Heavenly Court Academy."

Looking at the 9 familiar faces.

3 seconds.

He spoke.

"They will become—the first batch."

"The first batch of people in the real world to become stronger by relying on their own power."

"The first batch—who can Cultivate without needing the game."

"The first batch—who have the power to protect themselves when the Fusion arrives."

He paused.

"And also the first batch—to hold the rear for us."

Chen Hao did not speak.

But his right hand pressed against his chest.

There, there was a small, silver-white badge.

[Heavenly Court - First Generation Crew Badge]

A replica from the real world.

At the 47th minute.

Zhao Wuji's satellite phone rang.

He answered it.

3 seconds.

He hung up.

"Dragon Group," he said.

"Azure Dragon."

"He said—'Do what you want, we won't interfere'."

"He also said—"

He paused.

"If you succeed, the Dragon Group and Heavenly Court Academy can 'communicate' in the future."

"If you fail—"

"They won't be responsible."

Lin Ye did not speak.

He just looked at the snowy ground.

3 seconds.

He smiled.

That smile was the same as when he faced the Blood Prince.

Very faint.

Very cold.

Carrying a hint of... madness.

"They don't need to be responsible," he said.

He turned around.

And walked down the mountain.

Behind him, 9 people.

Stepped forward at the same time.

Step 1.

Step 2.

Step 3.

Step 17.

He stopped.

Without looking back.

"Three months from now," he said.

"There will be 100 students here."

"There will be classrooms, dormitories, a Martial Arts Practice Field, and a cafeteria."

"There will be electricity, water, and internet."

"There will be—the future."

He continued walking.

Behind him, 9 people.

Followed him.

[Chapter 198 · End]