Chapter Thirty-Eight: Mockery, Provocation, and Ridicule

After chatting for quite a while with Chao and Chu Qing, Lin Qingyun finally saw them off. Both had recently broken through and needed time to stabilize their foundation and adjust to the power of the Heart of the Zither stage. During their conversation, Lin Qingyun also offered some advice on matters to keep in mind when engaging in combat at this level.

She had so much to say because, during the upcoming practical trials, Lin Qingyun would not be able to accompany them. Teams of five could be formed, but Lin Qingyun had her own objectives and could not afford to team up with others. Besides, the challenges she faced were numerous, and the number of those targeting her was even greater—traveling with her would actually be more dangerous.

Shortly after Lin Qingyun entered Professor Qian’s research lab at Hai City University’s Alchemy Department, the national university freshman practical trials were announced, and the country was divided into three trial zones.

The term “war zone” meant there was a real risk of death and sacrifice.

The times were no longer what they had been. Even without considering secrets known only to the highest authorities, ruins, seas, deep mountains, and deserts still harbored many threats.

Although a century of cultivation had placed humanity firmly at the top of Earth’s food chain, this was no longer an era of peace and ordinary life.

With the announcement of the trial zones, Hai City University was assigned to the city in the Kistan Desert, under the rule of the Desert Wind King, Nangong Aoshi.

Everyone began to prepare specifically for the location, and various rumors started to spread. Among the hottest topics in the freshman zone was the fact that Lin Qingyun herself would be participating in the practical trials.

Some people deliberately reignited the old scandal that Lin Qingyun had bullied Nangong Lingyue. Even though Nangong Lingyue had publicly declared that she had resolved the issue herself and urged her true fans to drop it, the incident remained at the top of trending topics, fueled by those with ulterior motives.

Five days later, the main plaza of all departments at Hai City University bustled as large military transport planes landed one after another.

The Alchemy Department alone had four such planes. It was rumored that the most advanced military fighters and transports now ran on miniature nuclear fusion technology, though ordinary people rarely got to see them. Even so, today’s transports no longer required runways and could take off and land vertically at will.

“Those at the Foundation Building phase of Heart of the Zither, board Transport One and Two; those at the Initial Phoenix phase, board Three and Four. Remember to collect your wristbands before boarding,” instructed a staff member.

“The practical trials are unlike any other event—there are casualties every year, and you’ve all been trained in the necessary precautions. Remember: if you find yourself in danger and wish to withdraw, you can send a signal at any time through your wristband. Your performance will also be recorded.”

“Our university will rank your results, and you’ll also be competing against other institutions. The three freshman trial zones will each have their own rankings, culminating in a national list. Hai City University strives only for first place.”

“As for what these rankings mean, I needn’t explain—it’s not just about bringing honor to the school, but also about laying a solid foundation for your own path to greatness.”

Everyone queued up to board. Reminders about the process and rules echoed around them.

“The rewards are doubled this time! The national prizes for the top ten, combined with school and departmental awards, are rumored to be worth over one hundred million. More importantly, they’ll catch the eye of true masters and allow you to study their techniques, which is beyond price.”

“Forget the top ten—even making the top hundred is a huge deal. If a school can get even a few into the top hundred, that’s already impressive. The combined rewards for those in the top hundred are supposedly enough to cultivate up to the ninth level of the Heart of the Zither stage.”

“You’re being too ambitious—the top thousand would suffice. With doubled rewards, even ranking in the top thousand will net you enough to reach the fourth or fifth level of the Heart of the Zither stage…”

Indeed, the students in line whispered among themselves, but as long as order was maintained, no one intervened. After all, the school wasn’t the military—the atmosphere was more relaxed.

“It didn’t feel so stark at Hai City University, but looking at the numbers now, anyone not at the Foundation Building of the Heart of the Zither stage is below average. Some universities barely have ten students at that level…” Chao commented as the others discussed, marveling at the statistics popping up on their communicators.

Except for the top institutions like Capital University and Hai City University, if even one percent of a school’s freshmen reached the Heart of the Zither stage within a month of enrolling, it was considered outstanding.

After a century of spiritual revival and universal cultivation, this was already a golden age of practice.

“In fact, aside from the top ten universities, the main goal for everyone else is to break through to the Heart of the Zither stage before graduation. Last year, out of 11.76 million graduates, only 97,000 reached that stage by graduation, and over ninety percent of them were below the fourth level. Of course, by the time our cohort graduates, the numbers will be much higher. Already, the number of students reaching Foundation Building within a month is close to what it was at graduation five years ago,” Chu Qing observed, not even needing to check her device, so familiar was she with these figures.

Before joining Lin Qingyun’s team, her goal had been to reach Foundation Building within half a year to a year at Hai City University, and to strive for the third level by graduation.

Lin Qingyun said, “In a century of spiritual revival, with the protection of China’s mighty, a peaceful era has flourished. With universal cultivation and abundant resources, the baseline will only continue to rise. At this stage, unless you enter the Soaring Cloud realm, it’s almost impossible to achieve true greatness in any field.”

“The Soaring Cloud realm… now that is the domain of true experts, the realm where destinies are rewritten…” Chu Qing echoed wistfully. Even for a talent at Hai City University, she had little confidence she’d ever touch that realm of flying through the skies and extending life.

Their conversation was casual, and though Lin Qingyun’s presence drew a few glances, the crowding at the gate meant no one paid them undue attention. Everything proceeded smoothly.

Yet when they finally boarded—having arrived a bit later—most seats were already taken.

A cold snort sounded.

“Well, well, look who it is…”

“If it isn’t Young Master Lin, the one who challenged all the freshmen and every Moonshadow fan…”

“So you really showed up for the practical trials, Young Master Lin. Aren’t you afraid something might happen?”

“Hey, don’t just threaten him. You know combat is allowed in the trials, but outright killing is forbidden.”

“No need for murder. Young Master Lin’s offended so many—if each person spits at him once, he’ll be forced out just from that! Ha!”

As mocking remarks drew attention, everyone on the enormous transport—with six rows down the center and three on each side—turned to look.

Back during Alchemy Department registration, Lin Qingyun hadn’t just dealt with Li Daoze and his group; she had shown no mercy to other freshmen either. Lately, with Li Daoze fanning the flames online, Lin Qingyun’s reputation had only grown more controversial.

Though Li Daoze and Mao Yiqiang weren’t present—they must have been on another plane—plenty of students still looked at Lin Qingyun with hostility, some even voicing their taunts outright.

Even though Li Daoze and Zheng Haoyue weren’t in this cabin, the commotion was immediately relayed to their communicators.

“Hahaha… serves him right! Let’s see how arrogant he is now. And this is just our Alchemy Department. Wait till the Combat Department boys go after him—he’s in for it this time,” Mao Yiqiang boasted to the others on his transport.

Here, the freshmen clustered around Zheng Haoyue, their unofficial leader, with dozens from their clique nearby.

“Now he’ll learn what happens when you anger the masses. And this is just at Hai City University. Who knows how many in the national freshman trials want to deal with him? On campus, there are rules, but in the trial zones, he’s fair game…” Li Daoze was visibly elated. If not for the setting, he would have burst out laughing.

Zheng Haoyue, the student council vice president, waited for the others to finish their exultant chatter before speaking in a measured tone.

“All right, be steady. Focus on the trial. As for everything else, let’s just wait and see.”

The momentum was established. With the lingering scandal involving Nangong Lingyue and the uproar at registration, they’d spent the last month building up a legion of opponents for Lin Qingyun among the new students.

One or two she could handle—but what about ten, a hundred, a thousand? And among them, the Combat Department’s elite—whose fighting prowess was beyond question. Compared to the Alchemy Department’s prodigies, their strength was undeniable.

“The president has spoken! Let’s rest up and aim for high rankings in the trials. Then we can really enjoy the show when certain people get what’s coming to them…” Mao Yiqiang laughed, ushering everyone back to their seats.

Li Daoze took a deep breath, anticipation burning in his eyes.

The noisy commotion had already attracted the attention of the staff, but as student discipline was typically enforced by the council, and with Li Daoze, Mao Yiqiang, and Zheng Haoyue present, the staff member said nothing more.

On the other plane, as jeers and ridicule greeted their entrance, Chao was so angry she wanted to snap back then and there.

Even though Lin Qingyun was present and her retort would have little effect, she couldn’t help herself.

But to her and Chu Qing’s surprise, Lin Qingyun remained calm, not uttering a single word. When Chao was about to respond, Lin Qingyun simply shook her head gently, took her by the arm, and led her toward the back of the plane, ignoring the taunts and provocations entirely.