After the entrance competition and the combat assessment… Li Yuan’s name and appearance were known to every freshman in their first year, no one was unaware of who he was.
Even if some people didn’t like Li Yuan, they still had to admit that he was indeed strong.
When one is powerful enough, at least on the surface, everyone must show respect.
“The eldest apprentice-brother has arrived.”
“Eldest apprentice-brother.” As soon as he arrived at the gathering place for the Sixth Institute’s freshmen, the area instantly became lively.
In the combat assessment, Li Yuan’s final heroic effort had already established his unshakable prestige among the freshmen of the Sixth Institute.
“Brother Yuan.” Gu Qianghan walked up.
“Everyone, line up in order.” An Nong was calling out to the students before he walked up and said, “Eldest apprentice-brother.”
The freshmen of the Sixth Institute.
Had already started getting used to Gu Qianghan and An Nong organizing some activities.
“For the memorial service, let’s all be a bit quieter,” Li Yuan said, looking at the queue of Sixth Institute freshmen, “Even though these teachers don’t teach us, we should still show some respect.”
“Understood, I’ll take care of it.” An Nong nodded and immediately went to organize the students.
Today, Kunlun Martial University would hold a grand memorial service for ‘eleven teachers’ who had passed away.
Not far away, the Xuanwu Building was already filled with various wreaths and a huge black and white banner, somber and dignified.
Because of this.
Students from all institutes had arrived on time at the location, ready to enter the memorial service together.
Li Yuan stood at the very front of the Sixth Institute’s freshmen.
“There are quite a number of reporters, and many teachers; President Li is also over there,” Gu Qianghan pointed towards the distance.
“Hmm.” Li Yuan also looked over.
As Prime Warriors, they were very important military forces, and those who died in battle were considered ‘martyrs’.
Not to mention the loss of so many powerful Prime Warriors at once; it was definitely a ‘major casualty’.
Today, it’s likely that every channel in Longxi Province will cover it extensively, and the Xia Country’s Central Television will probably also dedicate some time to report on it.
“Sigh.”
“I don’t even know what kind of rescue operation it was; there was no news at all,” Gu Qianghan sighed lightly, “Although they weren’t our teachers, the death of so many teachers truly feels distressing.”
“Logically, school teachers are all high-level Prime Warriors… what kind of powerful enemies did they encounter? Could it be Flying Heaven Warriors?” Gu Qianghan said.
Li Yuan silently nodded, not saying a word.
One of the teachers who died in battle had once taught him.
…
The memorial service proceeded in an orderly fashion. Because of the vast number of people, first the second-year students entered the memorial venue, followed by the first-year students.
Until ten o’clock in the morning.
Li Yuan, standing at the front of the queue of Sixth Institute freshmen, then led more than two hundred students from the institute into the venue.
There were only photographs and wreaths.
But the atmosphere was still extremely somber.
“Mourn deeply…” looking at some of the wreaths labeled ‘Teacher Fan Jin,’ Li Yuan’s heart grew even heavier.
On both sides of the venue, many screens continuously displayed the meritorious deeds of the teachers who had died in battle.
Each high-level Prime Warrior.
In their youth, most of them had been martial path prodigies who caught the public eye.
Some with outstanding achievements, others in the prime of their youth.
Li Yuan watched every teacher’s screen one by one, apart from Teacher Fan Jin.
The one who left the deepest impression on him was a 27-year-old teacher.
27 years old, a level 27 Prime Warrior.
From the photos and videos, he still looked young, with unlimited potential. There was even hope for him to become a Flying Heaven Warrior in the future.
But now, he had died in battle.
Dead, and so talk of genius and strength was pointless.
Time passed.
Behind Li Yuan, many first-year freshmen who initially didn’t pay much attention seemed to gradually be affected by the ambiance of the entire venue, becoming increasingly quiet.
The entire memorial service had no speeches from important figures.
Only music, words, wreaths, and the martyrs’ portraits… Such a memorial service was clearly touching for every student.
It was akin to a baptism of the soul.
As the procession finally exited the memorial venue, Li Yuan subconsciously glanced at the two lines of text hanging near the entrance.
“Green hills bury loyal bones, rivers and mountains remember the heroes.”
“To not betray the grand ambitions of youth, become a heroic spirit to guard the starry frontiers.”
…
When Li Yuan led the freshmen of the Sixth Institute out of the memorial service,
he didn’t notice that on the fourth floor of the venue, two figures had been silently watching him.
“Dean Hai, what do you think?” Dean Xu asked respectfully.
“His spiritual power is quite good, but I am not sure about his will.” a gentle voice sounded, “During the event, no one supervised or observed him, but he was always very serious. Together with his past record and having achieved the title of ‘Youth Hero’,”
“I also took the time to watch his program yesterday.”
“All in all, his talent is not bad, and his moral character should also be decent,” the gentle voice spoke indifferently, “The college did a competent job in attracting such a student.”
“This afternoon, have him come to see me.”
“Yes.” Dean Xu felt a surge of joy inside, knowing she had passed the first hurdle.
For Xia Country, or even for human civilization,
having high talent does not necessarily guarantee full cultivation; character is extremely important… For some people, the stronger their power, the greater the harm to the entire civilization.
However, the observation and judgment of character are never recorded openly.
…
After the memorial service ended, Li Yuan returned to his villa to continue his training for the day.
With each repetition of spear practice, the discomfort and oppression in his heart gradually subsided.
Two o’clock in the afternoon.
“Teacher.” Li Yuan looked at Li Yang, who had suddenly arrived at his villa.
“Get on my flyer, Dean Hai is waiting for you at the Heilong Building,” Li Yang said with a slight smile, “You did well this morning, Dean Hai is very pleased with you.”
“This morning’s performance?” Li Yuan was immediately confused.
What did he do this morning?
… On the flyer.
“Reaching the Bright Moon Stage and not even telling me?” Li Yang glanced at Li Yuan, “I only found out after receiving a message from the Starry Skies Fighting Network.”
“Heh, I haven’t had the chance,” Li Yuan chuckled, “I was afraid if I told you directly, Teacher, you might think I was showing off.”
“If you have strength and talent, show it off all you want, what’s there to fear?” Li Yang shook his head with a chuckle, “For things like this, tell me immediately next time.”
“Yes.”
Soon, the flyer reached the Heilong Building, and the two hurried to the twelfth floor.
When they arrived outside an office, the door was open, and Dean Xu stood at the doorway.
“Dean Xu.” Li Yuan initiated the conversation.
“Go in, Dean Hai is right here.” Dean Xu directed, “Don’t be rude, just have a normal conversation.”
Li Yuan nodded, still feeling a bit nervous inside.
A normal conversation? That was with a Flying Heaven Warrior.
Upon entering, this was a not-so-large Martial Arts Room, just over a hundred square meters.
The decor was very simple; it lacked extra furniture, there wasn’t even a rack for weapons.
In the center of the Martial Arts Room, two meditation cushions were placed.
A lean young man, who appeared to be in his early twenties and was wearing a blue Martial Path uniform, was sitting cross-legged on one of the cushions, looking very relaxed.
“You’re here.” The young man smiled faintly, his gaze making Li Yuan’s spirit ripple slightly, and he was thoroughly intimidated.
It wasn’t simple oppression, but a rather mysterious sensation.
In that moment, Li Yuan felt as though he had no control over his own life and death.
For a full three seconds, Li Yuan’s strong will and spirit freed themselves from this sensation.
“Dean Hai.” Li Yuan suppressed the shock inside and bowed slightly as a greeting.
“Not bad.”
“Under level 13 and yet able to break free from the cocoon of my spirit’s influence,” the young man in blue said with a smile, “President Li praised you as our college’s first-ever ‘Spiritual Genius’, and she wasn’t wrong.”
“First Spiritual Genius?” Li Yuan was inwardly shocked.
“Take a seat, let’s talk slowly,” the young man in blue gestured towards the cushion in front of him.
Li Yuan stepped forward, imitating the other’s posture, and obediently sat down cross-legged.
“Don’t be nervous, it’s just an ordinary conversation,” the young man in blue said with a smile, “Let me introduce myself first, I’m ‘Hai Yi’, the dean of the Sixth Institute… but I don’t really manage affairs, this is my first time back at the college this year.”
Li Yuan was speechless.
What an unconventional self-introduction from Dean Hai.
“Seeing you because you are outstanding,” Dean Hai said with a smile, “Your not yet awakened Martial Spirit is not a bad thing.”
“If I am not mistaken, there is likely a higher Spiritual Nature hidden within you.”
——
ps: Dizzy, I forgot to delete some notes at the end of the chapter, a rookie mistake, sorry! The total word count is still over 4000, apologies!