Chapter 46: The Northwestern Military Academy
Some of the resources listed on the sheet made Fang Qingyun’s heart pound with alarm. Was he really worth this much? Even if he chopped himself up and sold his flesh, he wouldn’t fetch such a price!
“That person truly appreciates you!” Principal Sun said seriously. “This offer was made when your spiritual power was only around thirty.”
“Thirty? Are you kidding me!” Zhao Junhong’s jaw nearly hit the floor.
“What does he want?”
“How should I know!” Principal Sun spread his hands, hesitated, then said, “Maybe it has something to do with your father.”
Fang Qingyun’s eyebrows twitched. He didn’t know much about that father—because he was a transmigrant. By the time he arrived, Fang Zhiheng had already died in battle. He’d heard that Fang Zhiheng’s background wasn’t simple either. Of course, that had nothing to do with him. He’d grown up this way and had no intention of changing.
He stared at the sheet in his hand. If he considered just the offer, there was nothing to hesitate about. But it was so generous that he began to feel uncertain.
It was said that humanity’s situation grew ever more dire. Every school and even the great families were desperately recruiting the strong and those with potential, sending them to defend their own regions.
But this offer made Fang Qingyun feel as if his spiritual power wasn’t eighty-three, but a hundred and three.
He glanced at the system.
After the third tidal transformation, his spiritual power had leapt again, reaching eighty. Then came the secret realm’s blessing, which increased all his attributes by three points.
[Host: Fang Qingyun]
[Strength: 16 (+)]
[Speed: 22 (+)]
[Constitution: 17 (+)]
[Mental Power: 18 (+)]
[Spiritual Power: 83 (+)]
[Shooting: Intermediate]
[Blade Technique: Beginner]
[Summoned Beast: Dragon-Blooded Lion (+)]
[Origin Points: 2179]
These were Fang Qingyun’s current stats. Besides the three points from the blessing, he’d assigned an extra point each to strength, speed, and constitution. As his spiritual power grew, so did the pressure during the tidal transformations—eventually, he couldn’t withstand it anymore.
Now, his overall attributes were so powerful that he believed no ordinary martial artist could be his match. And he wasn’t even officially a martial artist yet.
If these stats were shown to any admissions office, Fang Qingyun was sure they’d go mad fighting over him. They already seemed desperate enough as it was.
But if no one knew his real stats, why was someone still willing to pay such a steep price? It was strange.
Fang Qingyun stared at the offer sheet in silence. The situation was truly perilous. Sometimes, being too sought after was not a good thing.
“Is he here?”
Just then, an aged voice sounded.
An old man, leaning on a cane, pushed open the door and entered the room, calmly surveying everyone.
“And you are…?” Principal Sun’s eyes widened. This man looked so familiar—he resembled that person. But would that person show up here? Principal Sun began to tremble.
The old man looked about sixty-seven, his hair and beard white, a faint smile on his lips but his gaze icy cold—merciless! It was a look that disregarded life itself.
“My name is Liu Hen. I’ve come to speak with Fang Qingyun,” the old man said, his gaze instantly locking onto Fang Qingyun.
A chill rose in Fang Qingyun’s heart, as if a venomous snake had him in its sights. His body stiffened. In that instant, Fang Qingyun felt as if his heart had stopped beating; his mind went completely blank, unable to think at all.
“Liu Hen?” Principal Sun nearly blurted out, “Are you the Serpent King?”
Liu Hen did not respond, merely waved his hand at the others. Principal Sun immediately withdrew. Old Li did as well, grabbing the protesting Zhao Junhong and dragging him out.
In the blink of an eye, only Liu Hen and Fang Qingyun remained.
Liu Hen spoke slowly, “My name is Liu Hen. I am now the principal of the Northwest Military Academy. When you leave here, tell those outside that you will be attending the Northwest Military Academy. Understand?”
“Understood!” Fang Qingyun agreed without hesitation, even though nothing had been promised.
The hand hidden beneath his clothes trembled slightly.
Liu Hen was somewhat surprised. He gave Fang Qingyun a deep look, then said coldly, “You’re clever. Bring your friend with you.”
With that, he left, not lingering a moment longer.
It was some time before Principal Sun and the others returned.
“He’s gone?”
“He’s gone!” Fang Qingyun slumped into his chair, exhaling a long breath. Only then did he realize he was drenched in sweat, his heart pounding wildly.
Serpent King? The name suited him. Being stared at by him was like being watched by a venomous snake. The man was a monster.
Fang Qingyun’s eyes were filled with terror; his teeth chattered uncontrollably.
“Who was that? Liu Hen? Serpent King?” Zhao Junhong couldn’t help but ask.
Old Li didn’t answer him, instead looking at Fang Qingyun. “What did he say?”
Fang Qingyun replied, “He told me to enter the Northwest Military Academy—and to bring Zhao Junhong with me.”
“What?” Zhao Junhong’s eyes bulged. He pointed at himself. “Why should he decide for me?”
“Because he’s the Serpent King,” Old Li said, exchanging a glance with Principal Sun—each saw the helplessness in the other’s eyes.
This sudden intervention had disrupted everyone’s plans, and none of them could resist.
The Serpent King.
For Fang Qingyun, it was unclear whether this was a blessing or a curse.
...
Afterward, Fang Qingyun announced publicly that he was joining the Northwest Military Academy.
Everyone from the admissions offices—still vying in the shadows or negotiating—was instantly thrown into an uproar, nearly tearing the roof off.
“Why?”
“Isn’t our faculty just as good as Northwest Military Academy’s?”
“We have top teachers and resources—what do they have that we don’t?”
“That’s right, Northwest Military Academy isn’t even ranked in the top ten among military academies.”
“Where is Fang Qingyun? Bring him out and let him explain himself!”
“That’s right, this can’t be the boy’s real decision.”
Even the officer from the army frowned deeply. He served the military, and the military academies were under the army’s jurisdiction. Naturally, he hoped Fang Qingyun would choose a military academy—but not the Northwest one. That academy was… well...
Had someone from Northwest Military Academy come in person?
Even the elder who had always favored Fang Qingyun frowned when he heard the news. This outcome was far too unexpected. Had that one from Northwest Military Academy intervened?
A man with a dark expression glared at Principal Sun. “Who prevented that boy from making the right choice?”
Their school’s territory faced immense pressure; they desperately needed fresh blood. Fang Qingyun’s spiritual power might have reached seventy—a level seen only among the direct heirs of the most elite families, who would never choose their schools. With a little training, Fang Qingyun could become a trump card!
Principal Sun could only give a wry smile. “The Serpent King was just here.”
At those words, the room fell silent.
Someone gasped, “He came in person?”
“Yes.”
The crowd was plunged into quiet. Many sighed helplessly, though some merely snorted in disdain. All eyes turned to the scoffer.
“The Serpent King doesn’t decide everything!” the man snapped coldly, tossing the words over his shoulder as he left.
Principal Sun recognized him. He knew that man’s backers might not fear the Serpent King after all.
Someone from the admissions office asked urgently, “What about Zhao Junhong? Bring the boy out!”
The first spot in the Qingmu District had been taken, but they could still compete for the second or third.
“Well…” Principal Sun looked helpless, “He’s also going to the Northwest Military Academy.”
“What?” The representatives from the other schools exploded.
“That’s also the Serpent King’s decision?”
“Yes,” Principal Sun sighed.
“Damn!”
Now, some truly couldn’t sit still.
Someone shouted in fury, “Why?”
Principal Sun spread his hands. “Because he’s the Serpent King.”
...