43: Su Yuanchen's ambition!

The Rune Reset Stone became dim and lusterless, looking like an ordinary stone.

"The uses are up, Xia Qi, I can't team up with you for now."

Yun Qingyue put away the Reset Stone with some disappointment.

The Rune Reset Stone can be recycled, but it needs to be taken to a Great Master of Runes to re-inject Rune power.

The injection process is extremely complex, requiring a large amount of precious Materials and Advanced energy essence; the recharging value is practically no less than crafting another Rune Reset Stone.

With the financial resources of Yun Family, it could be done, but there isn't much necessity.

After continuously clearing the dungeon six times, Yun Qingyue's Rank was infinitely close to Rank 15, currently at 14.85%.

Xia Qi, at this time, regretfully stopped at 15.95% experience, just one more run to reach Rank 16.

Indeed, six full dungeon runs, each only increasing the experience by 15%, which shows the difficulty of leveling up after Rank 15.

Without the Rune Reset Stone, at the normal dungeon cooldown speed, it would take Xia Qi four days to go from Rank 15 to Rank 16.

Of course, this is the experience ratio for a two-person team, which is less efficient than soloing.

After continuous high-intensity combat, Xia Qi had not yet leveled up, and his stamina and energy had reached their limit, so he simply found a place to rest, waiting for the dungeon's natural cooldown to pass, and after one more run, he would head to other dungeon areas after Rank 16.

Yun Qingyue sat down excitedly, "Xia Qi, I'm almost Rank 15, I'm definitely getting into a higher education institution!"

"Aren't you almost Rank 16?"

Xia Qi drank a cup of energy water and ate a few bites of bread, "Still a little short."

"Oh, right, I haven't asked you yet, which university are you planning to apply to? There are many key universities, like Sulin Academy, Chang'an Academy, and near Jiangcheng there's also Ningzhou Academy..."

"What about you? Which university are you planning to go to?"

Yun Qingyue rested her chin in her hand, asking curiously.

"If nothing unexpected happens, I'll apply to Shengjing University."

"Shengjing University!"

Hearing Xia Qi's answer, Yun Qingyue fell silent.

This is the top university in the country, but also the most difficult to get into.

For other key institutions, Rank 15 and A-Rank Talent or above are generally enough to get in.

Shengjing University, however, is known as a gathering place for Prodigies.

Those who can enter are all Geniuses from all over the country.

Rank 18, this is merely the threshold to participate in the exam, but to truly get into Shengjing University, one must Rank among the top five hundred out of countless examinees.

These five hundred are the top five hundred in the entire country.

The reason only so few are admitted is that other spots are already occupied by powerful Families and conglomerates from major cities.

The spots left for students from humble backgrounds are just these five hundred.

So, even with S-Rank Talent, getting into Shengjing University is an extremely difficult matter.

The Yun Family is already a top Family in Jiangcheng, but it's nothing special when placed in Xijiang Province, let alone nationwide.

Therefore, Yun Qingyue never intended to apply to Shengjing University from the start; she wasn't even sure she could get in.

"I've decided, I'll apply to Shengjing University with you."

Yun Qingyue took a deep breath, clenching her small fists, having made up her mind.

Xia Qi glanced at Yun Qingyue. Apply if you want, but what does "with me" mean?

"Actually, you don't have to; I have my own reasons for applying to Shengjing."

Xia Qi wasn't after any false fame, but rather to explore the secret of his parents' disappearance, so he had to get into Shengjing University.

However, these words made Yun Qingyue fall silent.

She thought her attitude was already very clear, but evidently, Xia Qi didn't understand her thoughts.

"You really are a blockhead..."

Yun Qingyue lowered her head, uttering a sound as faint as a mosquito's buzz, her mood somewhat low.

"What did you say?"

Xia Qi looked up at Yun Qingyue; he seemed to have heard her say something just now.

"Nothing, thank you very much for teaming up with me today. I'm very happy, so I'll head back now."

After speaking, Yun Qingyue puffed out her cheeks and left the dungeon without looking back.

Xia Qi was about to say something more, but he swallowed his words.

That's right, if Yun Qingyue wants to apply to Shengjing, let her. Why did he say those things?

The night was as dark as ink, and in the sky, stars twinkled with faint light.

After Yun Qingyue left, the red glow of the campfire illuminated Xia Qi's stern face. He slowly closed his eyes, recovering his stamina, waiting for the dungeon's cooldown to pass the next day.

The other adventurers around him were doing the same, resting as much as possible in the dead of night, preparing for tomorrow.

The next morning, as the first ray of sunlight scattered across the land, dispelling the cold mist and darkness.

Xia Qi opened his eyes from his seated meditation and got up to stretch his body.

It was his first night outdoors, and it felt very uncomfortable; he should buy a camp tent.

However, sleeping peacefully outdoors wasn't really possible; the deeper the night, the more vigilant one had to be, as anything could happen outdoors.

At six o'clock, the dungeon cooldown refreshed, and Xia Qi directly entered, ending his final trip to the Zombie Mine.

Ten minutes later, Xia Qi emerged, his Rank finally reaching 16.05% experience.

"First, I'll go to the black market to sell the Materials, and then I'll inquire about where to run dungeons next."

With a thought, Xia Qi directly left the Zombie Mine that had accompanied him for three or four days. He figured the Silver-skinned Corpse King must be very happy, never having to encounter Xia Qi again.

Jiangcheng, Su Family residence.

"Dad, is this going to work or not? It's been so many days, why hasn't my Talent been raised to S-Rank yet?"

Su Yuanchen was soaking in a wooden tub filled with precious medicinal herbs.

"Don't worry, son, I specifically spent a fortune to invite an Master Alchemist from Xijiang Province. I guarantee there will be no problem."

Su Yuanchen's father was a pot-bellied middle-aged man named Su Dahai. Although his Talent was not good, only B-Rank, his business acumen was very unusual. After decades of hard work, he had accumulated considerable wealth.

He was considered a wealthy man in Jiangcheng.

However, limited by his Talent and Advanced age, he could only stop at B-Rank Talent in this life, with no possibility of advancing further.

Fortunately, he married a wife with A-Rank Talent, and their son, Su Yuanchen, successfully Awakened to A-Rank, which was already a great blessing.

A few days ago, Su Yuanchen was determined to have Su Dahai help him improve his Talent. With paternal love as vast as a mountain, Su Dahai agreed.

So, these past few days, Su Yuanchen didn't go out to level up. Anyway, the college entrance exam was still twenty-one or twenty-two days away; if his Talent improved, he wouldn't be afraid of not leveling up.

Just as the father and son were talking, an 'Master Alchemist' in a gray robe arrived on the scene.

"Drink it down. This is the Talent Awakening potion that I, your old master, have researched for over a decade. I guarantee you'll successfully advance."

The reputation of the Master Alchemist made the father and son believe him implicitly. Su Yuanchen unhesitatingly took the bottle of greenish potion and drank it all in one gulp.

Immediately after, Su Yuanchen felt his entire body's Qi surge, and a massive amount of energy frantically gathered within him.