I started by slashing through the enemy's territory, and I drew so many affixes that my hands w

Jiang Qin and Zhang Le left the military headquarters in the principal's car and drove on the roads of Tianyun City.

The sunset glow on the horizon is being gradually devoured by darkness. Once the last glimmer of light is completely consumed, darkness will descend.

When Principal Wang learned that Li Wei had given Jiang Qin a B-level movement technique, he was not surprised.

Although he was only the principal of Tianyun No. 3 Middle School, he had witnessed the clash of geniuses in Shanghai and Beijing. He knew that movement techniques and martial arts skills were very important in evenly matched battles, and the key to victory or defeat often came down to a single moment.

"Jiang Qin, I know about your family background. With your talent, you will definitely choose one of the four universities."

"I won't interfere with your choices, but there's one thing you need to remember..."

Principal Wang, who was driving, suddenly became very serious and explained:

"As your fame grows, many companies and powerful organizations will likely try to recruit you. They will make you sign a so-called contract, which will guarantee your cultivation resources. In return, you will have to work for these organizations for 30 years after graduation."

The Genius Contract is a very popular type of contract in cities where martial arts flourish.

It is often used to lure in geniuses from remote areas who have never seen the world, for example, by offering them 100 million a month until they graduate.

What you need to give up is to serve this force for 30 years after graduation.

At first glance, it seems like a good fit, since there are many students from poor families in this world.

But in reality, this is a trap.

The country will not miss any talented student. As long as they have the ability, they can obtain the corresponding cultivation resources through various means.

"Remember, no matter who asks you to sign any so-called contract, don't agree!"

The principal's tone was extremely serious; he was genuinely concerned about Jiang Qin's future.

Jiang Qin nodded. "Thank you for reminding me, Principal. I understand."

Although the reminder was of little use, it was ultimately the principal's good intention.

Jiang Qin wouldn't accept even a one-year service offer, let alone 30 years. He believed that with his talent, as long as the country's top leaders weren't fools, they would allocate resources to him.

Furthermore, even if the worst happens, there are still his adoptive parents in the capital.

"Hey Principal, you're being way too biased! Why do you only remind Brother Qin and not me?"

"Am I not your lovely student?!"

Zhang Le complained, feeling that he was being treated differently.

However, Principal Wang simply turned around and rolled his eyes at him, as if to say:

How did you get third place? Don't you have any idea?

They must be out of their mind to waste resources signing a contract with a scoundrel like you.

Moreover, the Zhang family's influence is considerable. At least before reaching the Divine Manifestation Realm, Zhang Le doesn't need to worry about resources and only needs to cultivate step by step.

...

Back at No. 3 Middle School, Zhang Le's father was already waiting at the school gate.

Jiang Qin got off the bus.

After the principal left.

Zhang Kuotian stopped him, smiling as he invited him:

"Xiao Jiang, I know about the practical assessment. I have to thank you for taking care of my Lele, otherwise, with that brat's abilities, he would probably have brought me back last place again."

He pointed to the car parked next to him:

"It's only proper and considerate for your uncle to treat you to a meal as a token of my appreciation. After dinner, I'll have the driver take you straight home, how about that?"

Before Jiang Qin could speak, Zhang Le eagerly pulled him toward the car.

"Hey, get in the car, Qin-ge! Why not take advantage of a free meal? Let's sleep together tonight, since we don't have to go to school tomorrow, we can play games all night!"

"...Let's skip sleeping, I'm a germaphobe."

"..."

Tianyun City at night is a paradise exclusively for the wealthy.

People from all walks of life would emerge from the streets and alleys, with scantily clad women standing under telephone poles soliciting customers, occasionally revealing their fair skin to attract passersby.

They arrived at the Tianyun Hotel.

Because we had booked a private room and dishes in advance, the kitchen started serving the food shortly after the three of us arrived at the hotel and sat down in the private room.

Plates of fragrant meat dishes were served, with not a single vegetable in sight.

"Xiao Jiang, don't be shy, try it and see how it tastes."

Jiang Qin picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of meat, and put it in his mouth to chew. The meat was tender and soft, and it seemed... he even gained a little strength?

Although the increase is imperceptible, it has indeed increased.

Zhang Kuotian then smiled and said, "The meat in this hotel is all cooked with ferocious beasts. Ordinary people can eat it occasionally to strengthen their bodies, and this meat is also effective for low-level martial artists."

"Uncle Zhang is very generous, then I won't stand on ceremony."

"Haha, don't worry, there's more if you're not full."

The three of them got along very well, and the number of plates on the table visibly decreased.

The stronger a martial artist is, the less likely they are to satisfy their body's needs with ordinary meat. Therefore, the meat of ferocious beasts is very popular among martial artists, and its price is naturally not cheap, since ferocious beasts cannot be caught anytime and anywhere.

After finishing rolling up all the dishes on the table, Jiang Qin let out a satisfied burp.

Zhang Le was already too full to eat, and leaned back in her chair, clutching her large belly.

After all, he was only at the mortal stage, and the amount of energy he could absorb was limited.

"Jiang Xiao, I wonder if you know anything about the four universities?" Zhang Kuotian suddenly asked.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Qin shook his head: "I'd like to hear Uncle Zhang's explanation."

A smile appeared on Zhang Kuotian's face, and he immediately began to explain the advantages of each of the four universities to Jiang Qin.

"Let's start with the top-ranked university in Shanghai."

"The academic resources in Shanghai are the best among the four major universities. Most of the students who graduate from them become powerful martial artists who dominate their respective regions."

"The Imperial Capital Academy has slightly fewer resources than the Magic City Academy, but it boasts the richest martial arts skills. However, most of those who can join are heirs of major powers, and students with powerful backgrounds are plentiful. It is very difficult for ordinary students to stand out from the crowd."

"The Frontier Academy, as its name suggests, is located on the frontier, where beast tides are constant. The students here take it upon themselves to kill ferocious beasts and earn contribution points to exchange for cultivation techniques to improve themselves. The conditions are quite harsh."

"Finally, there is the Zhenling Academy, which is dedicated to supplying talent to the Zhenling Bureau. If the Border Academy is responsible for maintaining stability on the frontier, then the Zhenling Academy is responsible for maintaining stability in the city. To uphold justice, one will offend many powerful forces, resulting in very few students willing to join."

In fact, the situation at Zhenling Academy is far more serious than Zhang Kuotian described.

In the past two years, there have even been rumors that Zhenling Academy no longer deserves to be ranked among the top-tier universities, as it has enrolled less than half the number of students as the other three universities.

Zhang Le chuckled and said, "If you ask me, Brother Qin, your best choice is definitely the Shanghai University. You won't have to face ferocious beasts directly, you can cultivate peacefully, and then you can go on a rampage after graduation!"

However, Jiang Qin already had the answer in his heart, and he shook his head and said:

"No, if I really had to choose, I would join..."