The phenomenon of Ten Thousand Spears Submission slowly subsided.
The dozens of Alloy Spears on the weapon rack, which had been trembling violently, finally fell still.
In Jiang Hao's mind, the Heaven Rewards Diligence System's notification sounded softly.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! By observing a Grandmaster's demonstration, you've had a sudden insight!] [Your "Basic Spear Technique · Mastery" has evolved!] [Successfully advanced to: Spear Intent (0/100)!]
Jiang Hao slowly opened his eyes.
In that instant, the world before him seemed different—clearer, more transparent.
Jiang Hao could feel an inexplicable sensation filling his whole body. It was as if, with just a thought, he could command that razor-sharp will that transcended blood energy.
This was Spear Intent!
Only then did Jiang Hao notice the deathly silence that had fallen over the Training Hall!
Jiang Hao looked up.
He saw the admiration in Luo Cheng's eyes!
He saw Lin Fan's face darken.
He saw the dazzling brilliance flare in Su Qingning's deep blue eyes.
And he saw the horrified expressions of all the Key Class prodigies, as if they'd seen a ghost.
Jiang Hao sighed helplessly to himself.
Honestly!
He hadn't wanted to draw this much attention.
He understood the saying: "The tallest tree catches the wind."
But that state of sudden enlightenment just now had been like a communion between heaven and man, profound and unfathomable.
There had been no way to stop it.
"Good!"
Coming back to himself, Luo Cheng fixed Jiang Hao with his sharp eyes, his face full of undisguised praise!
"I thought that in your year, apart from Su Qingning, no one else would reach the threshold of Intent."
"I never expected Classmate Jiang Hao to give me such a huge surprise today!"
Luo Cheng didn't hold back his praise. Then, his gaze swept like lightning across the other students, who were still stunned.
Luo Cheng's voice suddenly turned stern!
"Did you all see that?"
"This is the difference!"
"Many of you call yourselves prodigies and boast about your abundant resources!"
"But on the Martial Dao Path, if you don't advance, you fall behind!"
"Classmate Jiang Hao, a Martial Trainee, watched a demonstration and had a sudden insight, stepping into the realm of Spear Intent!"
"All of you should learn from him!"
"All right!"
"That's the end of today's training!"
"Dismissed!"
Luo Cheng announced that the training was over.
The students broke up into small groups, but the subject of their discussion was undoubtedly Jiang Hao.
The news swept through every Key Class in Senior Year, second year, and first year like a level-twelve superstorm!
"Have you heard? That B-Class Rookie Jiang Hao from Senior Year watched Grandmaster Luo Cheng's demonstration and grasped Spear Intent on the spot!"
"Holy crap, is that for real? Martial Dao Will? Isn't that the threshold for becoming a Grandmaster?"
"Absolutely! The entire Senior Year Key Class can vouch for it! Every spear on the weapon rack bowed down to him! Ten Thousand Spears Submission!"
"My god! Is he even human?"
"Wasn't Senior Su Qingning the one who'd only recently grasped Sword Intent?"
"Damn, is this Jiang Hao the second Senior Su?"
"Holy crap, Jiang Hao's going places!"
The students in the school's Key Classes were green with envy!
At that moment, Jiang Hao's name truly rang like thunder throughout Eighth Martial High!
Jiang Hao paid no attention to the commotion raging outside.
As soon as they were dismissed, he immediately left the Training Hall and returned to his Virtual Personal Space.
The praise and uproar meant nothing to him.
Right now, Jiang Hao only wanted to figure out what this newly awakened "Spear Intent" actually was.
[Spear Intent (0/100)]
Jiang Hao stood in the pure white space, closed his eyes, and immersed his mind in that profound new insight.
He tried to stir that razor-sharp will.
Just then.
An abrupt system notification interrupted his concentration.
[Su Qingning has invited you to enter her Private Room.]
Jiang Hao paused and opened his eyes.
Su Qingning?
Jiang Hao hesitated for a moment.
"Accept."
In the end, Jiang Hao chose to join.
He wanted to see what the Campus Belle wanted with him!
The pure white space before his eyes shifted in an instant.
The next moment!
Jiang Hao found himself in an elegant Sky Pavilion.
The pavilion was open on all sides, with a roiling Virtual Sea of Clouds stretching beyond the windows, its scenery magnificent.
Su Qingning stood quietly by the window, dressed in white, her snow-white hair falling down her back. She had her back to him.
Hearing the movement, Su Qingning slowly turned around.
Her cool, breathtakingly beautiful face still seemed untouched by the mortal world.
But when her deep blue eyes fell on Jiang Hao, a fervent light flared in them—one she could hardly conceal.
"Classmate Jiang Hao."
Su Qingning's voice was still cool.
"Your talent is excellent."
"You're even stronger than I imagined."
"Spear Intent."
Su Qingning spoke each word clearly. "You've reached this stage earlier than I expected."
Jiang Hao looked at her calmly without saying a word.
"I came to see you today because I want to extend a formal invitation."
Su Qingning's expression turned utterly serious.
"I hope you'll become my teammate."
"Teammate?"
"That's right. A teammate at university."
Su Qingning's tone left no room for doubt.
"The Martial Arts College Entrance Exam isn't our finish line. It's only the starting point."
"True prodigies will enter the Top Three Universities in the Alliance."
"Dragon Xia First Martial University."
"Federal Star River University."
"Shenzhou Academy."
Confidence shone in Su Qingning's eyes.
"I've already been nominated for special recruitment by Federal Star River University."
Jiang Hao's pupils contracted sharply at her words.
Federal Star River University!
It was one of the highest-ranking universities on Dragon Star!
"The admission requirement there—"
Su Qingning calmly dropped a bombshell. "A blood-energy level of twenty."
Twenty!
The number sent a tremor through Jiang Hao's mind.
"Throughout all of Eighth Martial High,"
Su Qingning said, her gaze locked firmly on Jiang Hao's face, "apart from myself, I've only seen one person with the potential to catch up to me."
"That person is you, Classmate Jiang Hao."
At that, Jiang Hao's brows slowly furrowed.
He understood what Su Qingning meant.
But—
Deep down, Jiang Hao preferred to go it alone.
He had the Heaven Rewards Diligence System.
As long as he was willing to work hard!
As long as he was willing to grind!
He didn't need to rely on anyone. Not even Su Qingning. He would eventually reach the summit of the Martial Dao!
Besides, teaming up with a prodigy as perceptive as her would make it far too easy for his secrets to come to light.
Jiang Hao took a deep breath. He had already made up his mind.
"Classmate Su, I appreciate your kindness."
"But..."
Jiang Hao was just about to refuse.
"Don't rush to turn me down."
"Your Stance Training broke through to the eighth turn yesterday, which must have cost you at least one Medium-grade Nutrient Solution."
"Your newly grasped Spear Intent needs to be consolidated."
"Your Tidal Wave Spear Technique needs countless hours of practice before it can break through."
"Your Stance Training needs a steady stream of energy to build upon, too."
"What you're most short of right now is resources."
Jiang Hao fell silent.
Every one of Su Qingning's words had struck right at his weak spots.
He really was strapped for cash right now.
Su Qingning took a step forward. Her cool voice held an overbearing force that brooked no argument.
"If you agree to become my teammate,"
"starting this month,"
"on top of the school's B-Class Treatment,"
"I'll personally provide you with two High-grade Nutrient Solutions every month."
Before you continue