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

The selection process for the four universities ended very quickly, in less than half a day.

Aside from Jiang Qin and Li Yunyan, who joined Zhenling Academy without needing to be selected, what surprised Jiang Qin the most was that Zhang Le was actually selected by the admissions teacher of the Border Academy, which made Principal Wang overjoyed.

After all, the fact that two students from each graduating class were able to enter the top four universities is a testament to his achievements as the principal!

After the selection process ended, the students who had been watching dispersed with lingering interest. Later, second- and third-tier universities would also arrive in Tianyun City to recruit students and begin their assessments, so everyone felt somewhat heavy-hearted.

Jiang Qin looked at Zhang Le, who had just finished filling out the registration form, and was quite surprised: "You're pretty good, kid. I didn't expect you, who was last in the class, to actually pull off this comeback."

"Hehe, it's mainly because my family used some connections," Zhang Le explained modestly, touching his nose.

His talent was indeed insufficient to enter the four major universities, but Zhang Le's grandfather had made great contributions on the frontier. He had to return to Tianyun City to develop his career due to a hidden injury. Therefore, the Frontier Academy made an exception and granted Zhang Le an admission qualification because of his grandfather.

Old Lin walked up to Jiang Qin and Li Yunyan and handed them two specially made recorders, each the size of a button.

"According to regulations, you are now trainee investigators with law enforcement powers. You must carry a recording device with you at all times. As long as you do not break the law, the university and the local spirit bureau are your biggest support."

"Now that your recruitment mission is complete, when do you plan to depart? I'll take you all back with me."

Without hesitation, Li Yunyan replied, "Anytime is fine."

She was an orphan, so she didn't have many trivial matters to deal with. She could set off as soon as she packed her things.

The two men turned to Jiang Qin, who thought for a moment and said, "Old Lin, what do you think about tomorrow morning?"

"Haha, of course I have no problem with that."

"Then I'll wait for you at the station tomorrow morning."

The matter concerning the university has come to an end.

To celebrate, Zhang Le dragged Jiang Qin to a restaurant, saying they were going to drink until they were completely drunk. But after only one bottle of wine, he was already slumped over the table.

Jiang Qin called a driver to take Zhang Le away.

He walked alone on the street, feeling the peaceful atmosphere of the streets and alleys. After all, he was leaving the city where he had lived for more than ten years tomorrow, and he didn't know when he would be able to come back again.

As he walked, he came to his senses and found himself outside Tianyun Cemetery.

Jiang Qin strode inside with heavy steps.

Passing by tombstones, I heard weeping coming from somewhere.

He sat down in front of a tombstone, staring blankly at the photo on it, then suddenly laughed:

"Aunt Jiang, you used to always say I was stupid, but now I'm a student at Zhenling Academy. I haven't let you down. I've also met a lot of people, like Li Yunyan, the genius from No. 1 High School. I can tell she's a very stubborn person; once she's made up her mind about something, she won't waver. That's a lot like me..."

A gentle breeze, seemingly from nowhere, ruffled the boy's hair.

The warm sunlight streamed into the cemetery, bathing the boy in its glow. The light felt like an invisible hand gently stroking his head, quietly listening to him recount his experiences over the past few days.

At this moment, he was no longer that SSS-level genius, but simply Jiang Qin.

The boy talked for a long time, and perhaps because he was too relaxed, he leaned against the tombstone, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.

In a corner of the cemetery, two pairs of eyes watched him silently.

After listening to Ji Xue recount Jiang Qin's experiences, Old Lin was also somewhat moved and sighed:

"A boy who rose from humble beginnings, no wonder I felt he was different when I first met him. Li Wei also gave this kid a high evaluation. Perhaps he really can finish that path and bring about a reform for our Zhenling Academy."

Investigators do indeed possess unparalleled power, but power also represents desire.

On the road to eliminating evildoers, too many students from the academy have gone astray and closed their eyes and ears, which is the root cause of the decline of Zhenling Academy today.

Ji Xue placed high hopes on Jiang Qin, hoping he could finish the path she couldn't complete...

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The next morning, Tianhua Street.

Jiang Qin didn't bring anything with him, since he had money now and could buy his daily necessities once he got to the university.

He took one last look at the house before getting into the taxi parked in front of the door.

"Aunt Jiang, wait for me..."

The taxi driver stepped on the gas and headed straight for Tianyun City Station.

Although martial arts are revered in this world, technology has not stagnated but has forged a new path, such as trains and aircraft powered by spiritual energy, which are of course not cheap.

Students carrying their bags walked into the station, seeing off by their families, vowing to make a name for themselves.

Led by Elder Lin, Jiang Qin and Li Yunyan entered the VIP carriage.

After entering the carriage, they did run into acquaintances.

Zhou Lian, an admissions officer at a prestigious university in Shanghai, and Jin Zhan, one of the students he recruited this time.

Seeing Jiang Qin approaching, Jin Zhan's expression was not good. He lowered his head and pretended to be in a daze, which showed that yesterday's move had really left him with psychological trauma.

That bastard really went all out, showing absolutely no regard for the Jin family.

"Oh, you're leaving today too? What a coincidence."

Old Lin chuckled, not at all surprised.

After all, Zhenling Academy and Modu Academy are both located in Modu, so it's perfectly normal for them to run into each other on their way back to school after enrollment.

Jiang Qin and Li Yunyan found a place to sit down.

"I must say, this chair is really comfortable, even softer than my bed."

Li Yunyan nodded in agreement. She took out a bag of potato chips from her bag, opened it, and handed it to Jiang Qin, her meaning quite clear.

"Want some?"

"eat!"

Jiang Qin unceremoniously reached out and grabbed a handful, stuffing it into his mouth. It would take at least three hours by car to get to Shanghai, so eating something to pass the time was a good idea.

The train departed on time and sped up.

Jiang Qin turned to look at Elder Lin and asked:

"Mr. Lin, may I ask you a question?"

"Haha, you're being too polite with me, go ahead and ask."

"I recently obtained two bottles of Spirit Refining Liquid by chance. It's said that only Spirit Sea Realm martial artists can use it to purify their spiritual power. I was wondering, does it have to be a Spirit Sea Realm to use it? Can't a Spirit Guiding Realm martial artist use it?"

After pondering for a moment, Elder Lin said, "It's not that it's impossible, but generally no one would do it. This is because the physical bodies of martial artists at the Spirit Refining Realm are too fragile. If they forcibly refine the spirit, their limbs and bones may not be able to withstand the refined spiritual energy, leading to some irreversible consequences."

The old man shared his knowledge without reservation and taught the child patiently.

"Only scions of great families would undergo spirit refinement at the Spirit Induction Realm, because they can buy enough spiritual herbs and pills to strengthen their bodies. After spirit refinement, their strength far surpasses that of other martial artists at the same level, and they can even fight against ordinary Spirit Sea Realm martial artists."

"However, the Spirit Refinement process can only last a maximum of nine times. After nine times, one must break through; otherwise, at best, one's foundation will be destroyed, and at worst, one's flesh and blood will disintegrate and one will die!"

Afterwards, Li Yunyan also mentioned some difficulties she encountered in her cultivation.

The waiting process was tedious, but with the help of martial arts master Elder Lin to answer questions, it became more enjoyable.