Qi Gazing Eyes

Two hours later, the Academy Exam ended.

The broadcast sounded.

"The Academy Exam results are out."

"In this assessment, 68 New Students scored an average of 80 or above."

"Next, we will announce the passing list and scores."

"Students whose names are called, please return to the Assembly Hall to gather."

"Students whose names are not called, please continue to work hard."

"Beginning the list announcement. This ranking is in no particular order."

"Li Zhe, 81 points, passed!"

"Xiao Yuan, 85 points, passed!"

"Zeng Shan, 87 points, passed!"

Luo Yan pricked up his ears, listening intently to the broadcast.

Around him, the students whose names were called were all overjoyed.

For example, a tall, burly boy named Zeng Shan was so happy his eyes turned red as he raised his arms and cheered.

It drew sidelong glances.

Some others were more composed and mature.

For instance, the bespectacled, tall, lean, and clean-cut Li Bohang.

And a young man who stood out from the crowd but gave an overall gloomy impression.

He had quite a few 'followers' beside him.

"Luo Beichen, 91 points, passed!"

When the broadcast read out this name, many people around that gloomy young man burst into cheers.

"Congratulations, Brother Luo, 91 points—that score is really too high!"

"Right? I reckon that among this batch of New Students, Brother Luo is firmly in first place!"

So he was 'Luo Beichen'!

Luo Tianyi's son!

When Luo Yan looked over, that gloomy young man also looked back.

Their gazes met in the air.

Luo Beichen gave a slight smile.

As a gesture of goodwill.

But the moment Luo Yan looked away, another meaningful glint flashed in Luo Beichen's eyes.

Just then, the broadcast sounded again: "Li Bohang, 92 points, passed!"

Luo Beichen's smile instantly stiffened.

His followers beside him were also stunned.

Wasn't this face-slapping coming a bit too fast?

Yet, it wasn't over.

"Lin Wei, 95 points, passed!"

95 points!

The students immediately erupted.

That score was way too high.

And judging by the name, it was clearly a girl.

However, just as the students were searching for who 'Lin Wei' was.

The broadcast rang out again: "Luo Yan, 98 points, passed!"

At this moment.

Luo Beichen's face was completely expressionless.

The venue fell into dead silence.

98 points!

A perfect score was 100, yet someone had actually gotten 98.

Could the invigilator have made a grading mistake?

The students' expressions—bewilderment, shock, doubt—

were all observed by an old man.

Academy, Principal's Office.

Principal Pan Renfeng chuckled. "The wolf cub Di Zheng brought back is no simpleton. His survival experience on the surface is something our Undercity kids simply can't match."

At this moment, the image on the screen had frozen on Luo Yan.

The old principal was in his early sixties, short in stature, with white hair tied into a small braid.

Behind him.

The teacher who had previously announced Luo Yan's identity at the Assembly Hall spoke in a low voice. "Principal, are you really planning to accept this student?"

"Di Zheng said so."

"On the way here, a mech pilot threatened him, and he set a trap to kill him."

"This could be a ticking time bomb."

Pan Renfeng chuckled again. "What of it? When I was young, I was even more ruthless than him."

"Or is it that our Teacher Wei Fenghua is afraid?"

"Afraid of stirring up trouble?"

That middle-aged teacher coughed a few times, then said, "Principal, there's no need for you to use reverse psychology on me."

"As long as you dare to accept him, then let me be the one to teach this student."

"The Giant Beast Invasion, Yanfu emerging into the world."

"We truly need some ruthless, sharp-edged kids."

"Only then do we have hope of wresting the surface back from those beasts' claws and reclaiming our homeland."

Pan Renfeng nodded slightly. "That's my thinking as well."

"Besides, Di Zheng said."

"This wolf cub still has some principles."

"The two who died had malicious intentions toward him first."

"Otherwise, if he were simply killing the innocent."

"Even as an 'Innate Resonator,' Di Zheng wouldn't have let him live this long, let alone brought him back to Guangling."

"Teach him well, Teacher Wei."

Wei Fenghua adjusted his glasses, which had a fine crack running through them. "I will."

After the list of sixty-eight students was announced one by one, those who passed headed to the Assembly Hall.

Those who didn't returned with regret.

Luo Yan walked among the crowd.

He stayed at the edge.

As usual, maintaining a state where he could disengage at any moment.

Three years on the surface.

Even this seemingly safe campus couldn't change the habits Luo Yan had developed.

Assembly Hall.

Luo Yan spotted Wei Fenghua.

Wei Fenghua clasped his hands behind his back, scanning the room.

"My name is Wei Fenghua."

"I am the Director of Academic Affairs."

"First, congratulations on passing the assessment."

"From this moment on, you are all 'Reserve Mech Pilots' of Guangling City, entitled to Ranked Treatment Level Four."

Cheers erupted.

Many were so moved their eyes reddened.

Luo Yan didn't know what Level Four treatment entailed.

But judging by the excitement of the students around him, it was probably good.

Wei Fenghua continued, "Next, we will assign you dormitories based on your scores."

"You're all tired today."

"Go back to your dorms and rest well. Classes officially begin tomorrow."

Wei Fenghua paused, then added, "Your Academy Exam results have been converted into 'Credit Points.' 'Credit Points' can be exchanged for various supplies at the Logistics Department."

"In the future, if you achieve excellent results in your studies, you will also be rewarded in the form of 'Credit Points.'"

"That's all I have to say."

After the speech ended, Wei Fenghua cast a glance at Luo Yan before leaving the Assembly Hall.

Once Wei Fenghua was gone, a female teacher stepped forward.

"Before heading to the Dormitory, the Academy needs to collect everyone's physical data for a fitness assessment."

"This won't take too much of your time."

"Students whose names are called, please head that way."

The teacher pointed to a device that resembled an airport security gate.

"Zheng Rui..."

"Liu Bing..."

"Chen Yongsong..."

One by one, the students lined up and passed through the Check Gate, where staff members stood by with tablets to record the data.

When it was Luo Yan's turn, he walked through the Check Gate.

But the light on the gate lit up.

"It seems there's an error."

"Classmate, please go through again."

Luo Yan did as he was told.

The Check Gate's light lit up once more.

Just then, the female teacher approached. "What's the matter?"

The staff member sounded uncertain. "It appears this student has practiced a Visualization Technique."

"According to the data, his 'Primal Energy' has already reached 97 Jun."

"That's a level only achievable after completing basic cultivation."

"Furthermore..."

"His 'Heavenly Aperture' is already open. He has undergone 'Aperture Opening' and awakened his 'Divine Treasure'."

"His Divine Treasure is... the Qi Gazing Eyes."

In an instant.

Dozens of gazes within the Assembly Hall.

Swiveled and landed on Luo Yan.

Among those looks were surprise, envy, and jealousy—a mixed bag.

Luo Yan had no idea what they were talking about.

Still, the name 'Qi Gazing Eyes' fit his strange field of vision quite well.

Just then, someone spoke up.

"Completing basic cultivation isn't anything special."

"Basic Visualization Techniques are a dime a dozen. Anyone in our city who can afford one starts cultivating before even enrolling."

Another voice chimed in.

"Besides, 'Qi Gazing Eyes' isn't some remarkable Divine Treasure. Pupil Techniques belong to the Hyper-Sense System."

"If I remember correctly, 'Qi Gazing Eyes' is the most common and least notable one within the Hyper-Sense System."

The students buzzed with discussion.

The envious and jealous looks from before had all softened considerably.

Hearing that 'Qi Gazing Eyes' was very common, Luo Yan would be lying if he said he wasn't disappointed.

Especially when the female teacher looked his way with a hint of 'what a pity' in her eyes.

That stung even more.

But he said nothing.

He consoled himself.

Even though 'Qi Gazing Eyes' was common, Di Zheng had also said.

He was an 'Innate Resonator.'

A person couldn't have all the advantages.

There was gain, and there was loss.

Thinking this, his mind cleared again.

He no longer harbored regrets.

After the 'physical examination' ended.

Next, the dormitory warden led the new students to their lodgings.

"The top three in the Academy Exam will receive independent dormitories."

"But these are not permanently yours to keep."

"Every quarter, the Academy conducts an assessment and ranking of all students."

"Once your score drops, you lose the right to an independent dormitory. So, top three, stay vigilant."

"Those lagging behind need not lose heart. As long as you strive upward, you too will have a chance to live in an independent dormitory."

The warden spoke as they walked.

His words stirred a hint of rivalry among the students.

Soon, Luo Yan stepped into his own room.

An independent dormitory, single occupancy.

The bedroom and living area were combined.

There was a private bathroom.

The environment was elegant—ten thousand times better than the doghole in the sewer where he used to live.

But...

Luo Yan frowned, thinking: "The bed is too close to the window."

"The window has no guardrails, and it's a floor-to-ceiling window—easy to attack from outside."

"There are no escape measures. If an accident happens, the chance of survival is nearly zero."

Based on his three years of experience living on the surface.

Aside from the good environment and large space.

This dormitory was less safe than his doghole.

With that in mind, he decided to head to the Logistics Department later.

To see if he could use 'Credit Points' to exchange for some materials and tools.

To 'reinforce' his dormitory.

Just then.

A vast, blinding white light suddenly appeared before his eyes.

The light drifted silently, tracing out a pattern resembling Taiji.