Cang Yulong's expression turned solemn:
"There's no definite explanation for what ancient weapons actually are."
"However, the greatest difference between ancient weapons and modern weapons forged from Asma Alloy is that the former require acknowledgment of their master, and often come with some special attributes as well."
"Your knife hasn't acknowledged a master yet. Try dripping a drop of blood onto it."
Li Ziyu froze for a moment.
Drip blood?
But he did not hesitate for long. Cang Yulong was a Level 6 Martial Artist—there was no reason for him to play a joke on him.
With that thought, Li Ziyu drew the knife across his hand, opened a cut, and dripped a drop of blood onto the blade.
As the blood fell onto the blade, something strange happened.
A flash of red light swept across the blade. Then, beneath that red light, the rust that had covered it for who knew how long began to rapidly peel away and weather into dust.
In less than a moment, it had transformed into a weapon that was entirely scarlet, its surface flickering with an eerie red glow.
Under the lamplight, the blade reflected a sharp red radiance.
Even from a distance, Li Ziyu could feel an icy, bone-piercing sharpness radiating from it.
Besides sharpness,
Li Ziyu also sensed an emotion of jubilation from the blade.
It was as if this battle knife were alive.
"What a fine blade!"
Chen Mingyuan, seated to the side, could not help exclaiming in admiration.
Although he did not use knives, his discerning eye was still sharp.
At a glance, he could tell that the knife in Li Ziyu's hand was extraordinary, far surpassing an ordinary Level 3 weapon.
Li Ziyu was delighted as well. Unable to restrain himself, he stepped forward and gripped the hilt.
The instant he grasped the hilt, an unparalleled aura of sharpness radiated from him.
Cang Yulong and Chen Mingyuan's gazes unconsciously turned solemn.
Actually, as he killed more and more ferocious beasts, the blade of this knife had continued to change. Li Ziyu had wondered whether it needed to absorb blood or something similar.
But he had never thought of acknowledging a master through dripping blood.
Moreover, his strength was too great, and he had never been wounded while killing ferocious beasts.
That was why he had never discovered the secret of this battle knife.
"A fine horse deserves a fine saddle. Student Li Ziyu, your weapon should have been sealed before."
"Now that it has been unlocked in your hands, its power will probably be far greater than before."
"With such a powerful weapon, the Level 3 Asma Alloy weapon I gave you really doesn't amount to much."
"How about this? I'll give you a Level 3 knife-technique battle skill."
Cang Yulong's face was filled with emotion.
As he spoke, he took out the battle-skill manual he had prepared long ago and handed it to Li Ziyu.
Three bold, sweeping characters were written across it: Thunderclap Slash.
Li Ziyu thanked Cang Yulong and did not refuse his goodwill, accepting the battle skill.
He understood Cang Yulong's purpose very clearly. Seeing that he had potential, Cang Yulong simply wanted to build a relationship with him in advance.
It was like in his previous life, when a relative's child got into university and the family held a celebration banquet—the relatives would all give the child something.
He could understand it, and he did not dislike it.
Besides, he currently needed an offensive battle skill.
"Student Li Ziyu, have you decided which school you want to attend?"
"If possible, you could consider Jiangnan Martial Arts University."
Cang Yulong took a sip of tea and spoke with a smile.
Jiangnan Martial Arts University was his alma mater.
Since he was already here, although the chances were slim, he did not mind inviting Li Ziyu on behalf of his alma mater.
Knock, knock, knock.
Just as Li Ziyu was about to answer,
another series of knocks sounded from outside the door.
Along with the knocking came a booming voice:
"Student Li Ziyu, Jiangnan Martial Arts University isn't suitable for you. If you're coming anywhere, come to our Magic City University of Abilities."
Before Li Ziyu could step forward to open the door, it swung open on its own.
Four people whose auras were in no way inferior to Cang Yulong's walked in.
Leading the group was a burly man with red hair resembling a lion's mane.
The man's face was broad, his eyes brilliant. The moment he entered, he stared straight at Li Ziyu.
"Come to our Magic City Martial Arts University. Our Magic City Martial Arts University is the stage most suited to you!"
On the sofa, Cang Yulong, who had been drinking tea, looked at the newcomer with slight surprise.
The newcomer was an old acquaintance of his: Zuo Hongyang, dean of the Weaponry Department at Magic City Martial Arts University.
He was also a Level 6 Martial Artist.
The two had once fought ferocious beasts together in the military and had been rivals for many years.
Zuo Hongyang's strength was no weaker than his own.
Later, however, the two chose different paths. He had chosen to become a governor, while Zuo Hongyang had chosen to become a dean at Magic City Martial Arts University.
As for the three people behind him, they were all presidents of the Four Great Schools.
The middle-aged woman behind Zuo Hongyang was the dean of the Spirit College at Capital City Martial Arts University.
The third, a bespectacled man with a refined air, was the dean of Canglan Martial Arts University.
The last was the dean of Shenpan Martial Arts University.
As far as he knew, each of the three was a Level 6 Martial Artist, with strength no weaker than his own.
Cang Yulong told Li Ziyu what he knew, then rose to his feet.
"Student Li Ziyu, since the admissions representatives from the Four Great Schools are here, I won't disturb you any longer."
"No matter which school you choose, you only need to respect your true intentions."
"And if you encounter trouble outside, don't hold back. Don't forget—you came from our Su Province!"
"All right! Thank you, Governor Cang!"
Li Ziyu nodded. He would remember this favor.
After watching Cang Yulong leave, Zuo Hongyang looked at Li Ziyu and spoke.
"Student Li Ziyu, come to our Magic City Martial Arts University!"
"If you come to our Magic City Martial Arts University, we'll provide you with a five-million Great Xia Coin scholarship, as well as a complete set of offensive, defensive, and speed battle skills."
"Not only that—whatever else you want, name it!"
Zuo Hongyang's expression was sincere. After speaking, he thought for a moment and continued.
"I've read your file. You frequently enter the Wilderness Area to hunt ferocious beasts."
"Then you must have felt the ferocious beasts' interference with your consciousness, right? As long as you come to our Magic City Martial Arts University, you can choose any Meditation Method you want!"
"Our Magic City Martial Arts University has Meditation Methods from Level 1 all the way to Level 9!"
After Zuo Hongyang finished speaking, the admissions representative from Kyoto University also stared eagerly at Li Ziyu and stated their conditions.
"Capital City University is the same! Whatever Magic City Martial Arts University can offer, we can offer too!"
The representative from Kyoto University was equally sincere.
"Student Li Ziyu, our Capital City Martial Arts University is currently ranked first among all Martial Arts Universities in Great Xia. Throughout the Youth Martial Arts University League, our Capital City Martial Arts University has always come first."
"The rankings in the Youth Martial Arts University League not only represent the quality of a school's education; to a certain extent, they also determine how many resources each school receives."
"Magic City Martial Arts University's ranking in the Youth Martial Arts University League is at the bottom, while our Capital City Martial Arts University is first."
"Who is stronger and who is weaker—you should understand, shouldn't you?"
"Go to hell! Your Capital City Martial Arts University has only ranked first these past few years. It's not like you've always been first! Our Magic City Martial Arts University has taken first place too, all right!"
The Kyoto University representative was just about to speak when Zuo Hongyang, bristling with anger, cut her off. He rolled up his sleeves and glared furiously at her.
"Your students being strong doesn't mean your teachers are strong too! How about we have a little contest?!"
"Hmph! Zuo Red-Fur! Do you think I'm afraid of you?!"
"A contest it is! Come on! Who's afraid of whom?!"
The Kyoto University representative's delicate brows rose sharply. She stared at Zuo Hongyang without the slightest hint of fear, and red light began to flare from both her hands.
The moment the red light appeared, Li Ziyu's heart began pounding. A wave of dread seized him—clearly, its power was no small matter.
"Looks like there's no way to settle this peacefully today! Since that's the case, let's follow the old rules!"
"Fine, the old rules. Whoever wins gets to recruit Li Ziyu!"
The other two deans also stepped forward, their faces full of indignation.
Before Li Ziyu could say anything, his vision blurred, and the four people in the living room vanished.
Then, from the sky, the rumble of thunder began to boom.
"..."
"Why didn't you ask for my opinion first?"
Li Ziyu stood in the living room with his hair in disarray. They were recruiting students, yet he, the person involved, had somehow become a bystander.
"Forget it. With the system on my side, it makes little difference which school I go to."
"As long as the resources are provided, that's all that matters."
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