36: Chapter 36 Special Recruitment Information
Instructor Chen Feng's gaze was like a hawk's, slowly scanning across the face of every student.
His expression was complex.
There was expectation, solemnity, encouragement, and even a faint, barely perceptible hint of... envy.
"I know everyone's hearts are filled with doubt right now."
Instructor Chen Feng finally spoke.
His voice wasn't loud.
Yet it carried a strange penetrative power, clearly reaching everyone's ears.
"I won't keep you in suspense."
"The reason I've summoned you all so urgently today is to announce a major event that could change the fate of every one of you."
"Just half an hour ago."
Instructor Chen Feng's voice paused for a moment.
"I received the highest directive from Galaxy City, the capital of Galaxy Star."
"This year's early Special Recruitment Training Camp for Xuan Yuan Galaxy First Martial Arts University..."
"...is about to officially begin!"
Boom.
Wang Pingan felt his brain buzz.
Xuan Yuan Galaxy First Martial Arts University!
These nine words held a god-like status for every martial arts student living in the Xuan Yuan Galaxy System.
It was a holy land.
It was the highest institution of learning that all martial artists dreamed of.
It was the only springboard to go from the Xuan Yuan Galaxy System to the broader interstellar stage.
Every year, in Galaxy Star alone, tens of millions of examinees would fight tooth and nail just to squeeze into that sacred hall.
But in the end, those admitted often numbered only a few hundred.
Keep in mind that Galaxy Star has hundreds of millions of high school seniors every year. (Note: The setting assumes Galaxy Star has a population of 30 billion.)
The difficulty was hundreds or thousands of times harder than when Wang Pingan tried to test into Tsinghua or Peking University in his previous life.
However, it seemed that besides Wang Pingan, the others weren't that shocked.
Indeed, Wang Pingan had previously only been a Quasi-Martial Artist; his dream was merely to get into a martial arts university on Galaxy Star, and he had never thought about applying to a university for the whole Xuan Yuan Galaxy System.
The remaining seven people had always been top Students in Shen City, so they certainly knew about the annual early selection for the top universities in the Xuan Yuan Galaxy System.
"To participate in this Special Recruitment Training Camp, there is a basic, hard threshold."
"Your cultivation must reach the mid-stage of a Second-Rank Martial Artist."
"Or above."
Instructor Chen Feng finished explaining the requirements for the Xuan Yuan Galaxy First Martial Arts University early selection training camp.
Whoosh.
This sentence was like a bucket of ice water poured over their heads.
The training ground, which had been incredibly noisy just a moment ago, instantly fell silent again.
Only this time, the silence held less expectation and more of a cruel reality.
Gaze after gaze subconsciously converged toward a few people in the group.
Lin Zhan.
Wang Pingan.
And three other genius Students who had similarly reached the mid-stage of the second rank.
As for the others.
The expressions on the faces of those Students who were still stuck at the early stage of the second rank became normal again.
Their eyes changed from fanatical to disappointed, and finally turned into deep resentment and jealousy.
A single step's difference.
Was a world of difference.
The cruelty of the martial path was vividly displayed at this moment.
Instructor Chen Feng saw everyone's expressions but was not moved in the slightest.
He continued to introduce the details of the training camp in that same emotionless tone.
"This training camp will last for four months."
"The location is in Galaxy City, the capital of Galaxy Star."
"You will undergo the most rigorous training and assessment alongside the top geniuses from every city across the entire Galaxy Star."
"After four months, those who pass the final assessment will directly obtain special recruitment admission status for Xuan Yuan Galaxy First Martial Arts University."
"It is direct admission."
No need for the college entrance exam.
No need to squeeze across the single-log bridge with those thousands of troops.
As long as they could walk out of that training camp and pass the assessment.
Then the gates to the martial arts holy land would be completely open to them.
Lin Zhan's breathing became heavier.
He turned his head and looked at Wang Pingan with burning eyes.
There was no provocation in those eyes.
Only a blazing battle intent of having found a worthy opponent.
The meaning was clear.
'You're going, right?'
No expression could be seen on Wang Pingan's face.
But in his heart, a stormy sea had already been stirred up.
Go.
Of course he had to go.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
As the political, economic, and cultural center of the entire Galaxy Star, the cultivation resources and martial arts philosophies in Galaxy City were absolutely incomparable to a third-tier small city like Shen City.
He needed a bigger stage.
From the corner of his eye, he suddenly caught sight of someone who shouldn't have been there.
In the observation area at the edge of the training ground.
A figure wearing a flashy white casual suit with slicked-back hair was leaning against a pillar.
A sickly, twisted smile was on his face.
His gaze, like a venomous snake lurking in a dark corner, was deadlocked on Wang Pingan.
Those eyes were full of malice, jealousy, and a feeling that made Wang Pingan extremely uncomfortable.
Li Moran.
Why was he here?
Wang Pingan's heart tightened.
He quickly noticed that a badge saying "Special Invited Observer" was hanging on Li Moran's chest.
Wang Pingan's brow instantly furrowed.
He remembered.
The Li family seemed to have some background in Shen City.
It seemed that although this guy had been completely trampled under his feet...
...he still hadn't given up.
A flash of cold killing intent passed through the depths of Wang Pingan's heart.
"I have told you about the opportunity."
On the high platform, Instructor Chen Feng's voice continued.
"But I must also warn you."
"This path is not easy to walk."
"It could even be said to be a narrow escape from death."
"What you will face are the top monsters of the entire planet."
"Any hint of slackness or complacency could lead to your eternal damnation."
"It could even affect your future martial path."
"So, to go or not to go."
"Think it over carefully for yourselves."
"The registration deadline is in three days."
"Give me your answer in three days."
"Alright."
"Dismissed!"
After Instructor Chen Feng finished speaking, he turned and walked down from the platform.
He left behind an entire training ground of Students who were either excited, disappointed, jealous, or solemn.
Wang Pingan did not move.
He just quietly looked at Li Moran in the observation area, who was giving him a silent, cold sneer.
He knew.
His trouble had arrived.