High School Student with Immortal Race System

The Innate Realm’s scope was more than double the previous ones, which meant it required a much greater investment.

Basically, it meant you needed more money.

It was easy if your family was loaded, but if you were broke and in debt to the bank, you’d be in a full-blown panic.

They were starting to understand those "ambitious" female upperclassmen at the "stadiums"...

Wu Yi said calmly,

"The school provides a monthly quota of Source Replenishing Potions based on student rankings. As Champion Scholars, you all start at the highest tier. Believe me, if you consistently maintain excellent grades, this supply of potions will be more than generous—enough to support you in reaching the Late-stage Innate realm within four years."

"But if you’re overtaken and your ranking drops, the amount will decrease. So please, do your best."

’By that calculation... it could cost Jiangti and the Yanhua Official tens of millions to cultivate a single top-tier student...’

’You could only say it’s what you’d expect from a top university. The competition is insane, but the resources are just as extravagant!’

A university like Jiangti didn’t make a profit; in fact, it incurred massive losses every year, all to cultivate the Martial Arts talent that Yanhua needed.

Seeing a few of the Champion Scholars below looking nervous, Wu Yi smiled.

"There’s no need to feel too much pressure. If your only goal is to graduate, every one of you is more than capable. Even the Early Innate Stage is sufficient. This is especially true for majors outside the Qiangwu Academy, where your grades and future achievements will be determined by your accomplishments in other fields."

"The Qiangwu Academy, however, is a bit more complex. Our ultimate goal is to cultivate pillars of the nation, experts capable of developing the Exotic Realm. Therefore, your Realm is only one benchmark; actual combat results are what matter most."

At this point, Yang Shen raised his hand and asked a question. "Wu, I’ve heard that the university teaches ’Martial Techniques.’ Could you explain that?"

Wu Yi nodded. He gave this tour to the Champion Scholars every year and wasn’t surprised by the question.

He then wrote two words on the blackboard.

Martial Techniques.

"First, I must emphasize one point: the essence of a Martial Technique is still a Cultivation Technique."

Listening to Wu’s unhurried explanation, Yang Shen fell into thought...

According to Wu Yi:

Martial Arts Techniques were all-encompassing. A Martial Technique was not a separate "category" but a "classification" within Cultivation Techniques. The academic standards for it were: systematization, move-based application, and specialization.

Systematization means that different people who cultivate it in the same way will experience similar patterns and effects.

Move-based application means it can be executed quickly and frequently, for example, triggered with a single punch, kick, or exertion of force.

Specialization means it has a clear, specific purpose—usually, to kill or injure.

Anything that meets these three criteria and uses the mysterious "Source" to produce a powerful effect can be called a Martial Technique.

For example, the shockwave the examiner released during Yang Shen’s college entrance exam, or Wu’s acupoint-pressing seal, are both examples of rapid execution.

However, the ’Initial Realm Body Refining Fist’ is not one, because it doesn’t meet the ’specialization’ requirement. And as a complete, complex Fist Technique, it isn’t ’move-based’ enough.

Many of the Cultivation Techniques taught in high school were primarily aimed at Body Forging, Strengthening Qi and Blood Value, and raising one’s stats.

But Martial Techniques are simpler, at least for the Qiangwu Academy: they’re for real combat, for killing and injuring, for beating people up.

It could be a single Sword Skill, or just a serious, bare-handed punch.

They’re called Martial Techniques instead of just Cultivation Techniques simply to distinguish the boundary between "fighting" and "training."

’By that logic... I already know a "Martial Technique."’

’It’s "Overlapping Waves," something even True Gang Realm experts find difficult to master...’

’Huo Jun was really terrible at explaining. When he taught it, he just kept saying how strong the technique was, how badass it was...’

’It would’ve been much easier to understand if he’d just called it a "Martial Technique."’

Wu Yi continued, "Generally speaking, provided your Realm is stable and you have a solid foundation in combat, you only need two or three Martial Techniques during your undergraduate studies. That’s enough to last you until graduation. Learning too many will drag down your Realm. Students outside the Qiangwu Academy might not even learn any at all."

’Like Chen Beiwang... he doesn’t know any.’

’Director Liu... doesn’t seem to have any either. I wonder if it’s because he’s gotten rusty after being out of school for so long, or if he just never learned them back then...’

’Director Liang... hmm, Director Liang doesn’t need them at all. His "Overstiffness is easily broken" Fist Intent is terrifying enough on its own. It would absolutely crush 99% of all Martial Techniques. Anyone who doubts it can go try and take a hit.’

It came back to the same point: most Martial Artists don’t need to engage in life-or-death combat, and most students just need a Martial Certificate.

Those who could become pillars of the nation and reach the pinnacle of the Martial Dao would always be a small handful of people. But to screen for that small handful, the education system had to cultivate hundreds of millions of "ordinary people."

Within Jiangti, there were quite a few students who were just coasting by, waiting to graduate.

"Let’s end it here for today. I was just giving you an introduction to help you integrate into university life more quickly. As for the specifics of how to study, you can experience that for yourselves after the semester begins."

The Champion Scholars below were listening like they were starving for knowledge, only to be cut off abruptly.

Perhaps some of them would gradually have their edges worn down, but not today. Almost every one of them was eager to continue their own legend in college.

Wu Yi wiped the blackboard clean, but then he suddenly remembered something.

"Oh, right. Yang possesses ’Fist Intent.’ This is an extremely rare advantage. Once your Fist Intent reaches a certain level, it gains the effect of ’Fist Intent Infection,’ which is by no means weaker than any Martial Technique and is far more attuned to the Martial Artist themself."

As he said this, all the Champion Scholars turned to look at Yang Shen, their eyes filled with a mixture of envy and fighting spirit.

Wu Yi smiled. "Keep it up. If you succeed in acquiring ’Fist Intent Infection’ in the future, you’ll quickly become one of the strongest experts in your Realm."

Yang Shen raised an eyebrow and held up a single finger.

The next moment, a tuft of brilliant golden flame appeared on his fingertip.

"Like this?"

The flame was small, but it outshone the incandescent light overhead, as dazzling as the Rising Sun.

Wu Yi was stunned, then said in admiration, "I don’t have Fist Intent myself, but that should be it... You truly are outstanding. This alone is enough to support you in reaching an extremely distant Realm."

’Indeed... Fist Intent is the power most suited to a Martial Artist. An extension of Fist Intent is an extension of one’s Martial Dao Will.’

’A Fist Intent that represents a Martial Artist’s will, and an Overlapping Waves technique with no upper limit. These two alone were enough for me to go very far.’

Beside Yang Shen, Jiang Xin stared at the flame on his fingertip...

His eyes turned green with envy!

* * *

That evening, the dozen or so Champion Scholars ate in the main cafeteria, though it was just the ordinary first-floor dining hall.

After a full day of touring the campus, everyone had gotten somewhat familiar with each other.

Of course, with their deeply ingrained sense of academic rivalry acting up, it wasn’t like they had gotten particularly close.

Jiangti provided students with "Supplements" based on their rankings. As the top students among the freshmen, they were all competitors.

If they were pushed out of the "Top Circle," given the wide span of Qi and Blood Value in the Innate Realm, the financial loss would be incalculable.

Basically, taking someone’s funding was akin to killing their parents.

Yang Shen didn’t mind, though. Even though the Champion Scholars were like hungry wolves on campus, eager to start elbowing each other right away, he believed the overall atmosphere at Jiangti was positive.

’There are still plenty of ordinary students, right?’

’They must all be youthful and energetic, warm and enthusiastic, pleasant to talk to, and capable of normal conversation...’

’Yes, that must be it.’

’But then I remembered that my three disciples were also entering Jiangti... and when I averaged out their level of weirdness...’

...he started to feel a little less confident.

After dinner, Wu Yi began arranging accommodations. The school dorms weren’t open yet, so the Champion Scholars from out of town were put up in nearby hotels.

Since they had been summoned to Jiangti ten days early, the university naturally had to sort out their lodging. In fact, all Champion Scholars received a "10-Day Jianghuai Tour" package, a benefit Jiangti had promised during recruitment.

For the Champion Scholars from more remote areas, this was quite an attractive offer. They would be spending the next few days together.

The locals, naturally, weren’t interested. Or rather, the only locals were Jiang Xin and Yang Shen.

However, Wu Yi asked Yang Shen to stay behind for a moment.

About half an hour later, after taking care of the other students, Wu Yi walked over. "Yang, does your family still live in Jinshui District?"

Yang Shen instinctively wanted to nod, since his aunt and the others hadn’t moved over yet. But then it occurred to him that the school might have some registration matters related to his address, so he shook his head.

"We’ve already moved to the Jianghuai City District, in the Black Tortoise District."

Wu Yi smiled. "That’s even more convenient, then. If you don’t mind, I’ll give you a ride home. It’s not a home visit, so don’t be nervous."

In truth, Wu Yi felt a desire to nurture this promising talent. Yang Shen had become the Champion Scholar by outperforming an Innate-level student in the exams, and he had even grasped Fist Intent.

But from what he’d seen on his last visit to Jinshui District, his family’s financial situation was likely very difficult.

Even if the commercial opportunities that came with being a Champion Scholar could bring in a lot of money, for a poor family to produce a Champion Scholar, they had probably accumulated mountains of debt. It was unlikely they could fill that hole.

Jiangti didn’t lack Champion Scholars, but he personally wanted to see if there was any way he could help.

Yang Shen thought for a moment and didn’t refuse. Perhaps Wu had something to say that wasn’t convenient to discuss in public. He hailed a taxi.

The two chatted a lot on the way, discussing things like Jiangti’s class system and the school’s benefits. Wu Yi also made a point to mention the "work-study program," saying he could save a spot for Yang Shen.

When they got out of the car, Wu Yi stared blankly at the "Cangwu Garden" sign in front of them.

"Isn’t this a park?"

’Where’s your home?’

Yang Shen said, "Er... my home is inside the park. It’s a bit complicated. You’ll understand when you see it."

Wu Yi’s mouth fell open, and his eyes suddenly grew moist.

’Could it be... Yang’s whole family is living in a tent in the park?’

Although he had mentally prepared himself, Wu Yi still felt as if his heart had been struck by a heavy hammer.

He thought of his own difficult student days... how he had scrimped and saved day and night, for countless days and nights, just to secure a position to stay and work at the university...

Wu Yi patted Yang Shen’s shoulder, his eyes slightly moist. "Let’s go. Take me to see it."

Yang Shen led Wu Yi inside. Cangwu Garden was dim at night, with only a few streetlights illuminating a small path. The well-arranged green scenery from the daytime was now hidden in the darkness.

After walking along the path for a full ten minutes, Yang Shen stopped in front of a massive gateway, carved with dragons and phoenixes.

It had solid wood double doors, over ten meters wide, not much smaller than the main gate of Jiangti.

The vermilion-lacquered doors were the color of clotted blood; bronze beasts held rings in their mouths, guarding the residence with an imposing air.

The flying eaves soared like cranes taking flight; the dark gray tiles stacked layer upon layer, as if to receive the light of the heavens.

Wu Yi craned his neck, looking at the "courtyard wall" that stretched out of sight to the side.

He then looked up at the enormous plaque on the lintel.

On the plaque were just two powerful, vigorous words:

Yang Residence!

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