Honor Rewards
Jiangnan University.
Ye Xing walked along the cobblestone path with his head down, the conversation of two female students from his school occasionally reaching his ears.
"I didn't expect the University Team to lose so badly."
"Yeah, Bai Xiaowen is amazing, especially since he's so handsome..."
Ye Xing stopped and glanced at the two girls in front of him with some disgust.
He opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.
Reprimanding those two girls for "betraying the school"? Forget it, he'd just be seen as crazy, and what if people recognized him as a substitute on the University Team? How embarrassing would that be...?
It would be even more awkward if people recognized him as the runner-up in the same year as Bai Xiaowen, as he would inevitably be compared to Bai Xiaowen...
Ye Xing had no choice but to turn around and take a detour.
"I originally thought that through hard work, the gap between me and Bai Xiaowen would gradually narrow... but why does it feel like the gap is getting wider and wider?"
Ye Xing still remembered that when he first fought Bai Xiaowen, he still had a chance to win, but he didn't expect Bai Xiaowen to also have assassin summons, and he was tricked.
In their second encounter, he had improved a lot, but Bai Xiaowen had improved even more, and his defeat was without any suspense.
This is the third time... He's no longer even qualified to play against him. He can only sit on the bench, watching one University Team star after another rush forward, only to fall one by one in front of Bai Xiaowen, like overconfident warriors challenging a great demon king...
Thinking of how his most respected captain, Qi Ruifeng, whom he had always regarded as a role model, had also lost to Bai Xiaowen, Ye Xing felt a pang of sadness and wanted to cry.
"Think about it, the captain must be the one who's feeling the most upset..."
Ye Xing picked up his phone and dialed Qi Ruifeng's number.
The number you dialed is currently switched off...
Ye Xing's expression changed slightly, and he suddenly had a bad feeling. Could it be that the captain was thinking of doing something rash? He quickly dialed the other University Team members' numbers to inquire about Qi Ruifeng's whereabouts.
Knowing nothing about the matter, Ye Xing's dark face turned a little pale. He dialed the phone number of the University Team's instructor.
"Hello, Teacher Gan, this is Ye Xing... Do you know where the team leader is? I can't get through to him on the phone..."
On the other end of the phone, Teacher Gan's voice came through. "Qi Ruifeng went to the Spirit Realm after the competition. What do you need him for?"
Ye Xing: "Oh... it's nothing, I was just worried and wanted to ask."
After hanging up the phone, Ye Xing's mood didn't improve; instead, a strange gloom settled over him...
"I actually thought that hard work could close the gap... How naive of me."
"All that talk about 'the early bird catches the worm,' 'the tortoise and the hare,' and 'mediocre people can catch up with geniuses'... it's all bullshit."
"Smart birds fly earlier, rabbits never sleep, and geniuses... they're just more hardworking than the average person!"
Ye Xing finally understood.
Think about Qi Ruifeng. He just suffered a crushing defeat and didn't even have time to be sad before he went to the Spirit Realm.
Think about Bai Xiaowen. He was only level 1 when we first met, but now he's level 4. As Hero Class, he's actually caught up with my level!
I understand now.
Therefore, Ye Xing chose to go to a bar outside the school...
In the Super God Guild's president's office, Li Beihai and a group of key members sat on the sofa watching videos.
"Alright, everyone has watched Bai Xiaowen's match video. What are your thoughts?"
A moment of silence followed.
"Blade, you're the captain, why don't you share your thoughts first?" Li Beihai coughed.
Blade Nie Kong: "..."
Old Demon chuckled, "President, don't make things difficult for the captain... Don't you know? Ever since Bai Xiaowen became the top scorer in the National Exam Top Scholar, he's been avoiding Bai Xiaowen."
A burst of laughter erupted in the office.
Back then, Nie Kong had predicted that Bai Xiaowen had no chance of becoming the National Exam Top Scholar, only to be proven wrong. Perhaps Bai Xiaowen didn't care about it at all, but Nie Kong kept it in mind, fearing Bai Xiaowen's ridicule, so he simply avoided meeting her and rarely appeared at the guild headquarters...
It wasn't until Bai Xiaowen went to university in Jinghai District that Nie Kong dared to openly appear in the guild.
"What are you laughing at! Anyone who disagrees, come and fight me!" Nie Kong threatened through gritted teeth, annoyed by the laughter.
The Old Demon suppressed a laugh and said seriously, "Let me say a few words first. I didn't expect Little Bai to grow so fast... He's only been awakened for a short time, less than a year! And he's already reached level 4. Hero Class level up slowly anyway..."
Li Beihai said, "His level isn't the key point. The key point is his combat strength... Originally, I thought he couldn't possibly beat Qi Ruifeng, after all, Qi Ruifeng is a level 6 Hero Class! But you all saw the final result... Qi Ruifeng couldn't even beat him in a tag-team battle. That's why I gathered you all here to conduct an assessment of Bai Xiaowen..."
Bao Wen, the team's tank nicknamed "Black Bear," said, "I reckon... in a one-on-one situation, he's invincible in the B-League. In a head-on confrontation, no one can beat him; they can only run away. So, in the SOLO Mode mode, he has a huge advantage."
No one objected. Bai Xiaowen's ability to defeat a level 6 Hero Class was a clear indication that he was invincible in one-on-one combat among Intermediate Awakened. In the B-League, the highest level Hero Class awakened individual could reach was level 6; those Hero Class above level 7 would go to the Class-A League.
"I've watched some of Little Bai's other match recordings, and his teamwork is excellent," Old Demon rubbed his temples. "It's just a pity that his opponents in the earlier matches were too weak, so we couldn't see much. However, there's no doubt about one thing: Little Bai definitely has the ability to join our guild's main lineup."
Hearing this, Li Beihai grinned widely. "I originally thought he would need two years of experience in the CUAA league, to reach level four or five, before he could even compete in the B-League... I never expected this kid to rise so fast!"
Li Beihai's tone and expression were somewhat similar to the look on Li Yunlong's face in a war drama when he forcefully punches one of his subordinates on the shoulder and says, "You little bastard, you did a pretty good job..."
The team members were speechless for a moment. Bai Xiaowen isn't your son, so what's with this proud tone?
Old Demon: "This is probably related to Little Bai's personality. He likes adventure and taking risks. There are some missions that other Awakened Ones might not dare to accept or do, but he does... As we all know, the more difficult the mission, the richer the reward, and the more combat experience it gives, so leveling up is naturally faster."
After a pause, the Old Demon continued, "He got a perfect score on the General Knowledge Supplementary Exam for the National College Entrance Examination... As you all know, the supplementary General Knowledge Course mainly tests the awakened one's grasp of common knowledge about the Spirit Realm and their ability to uncover missions within the Spirit Realm. In this respect, Little Bai is much better than me. If I were to take the general knowledge exam now, I wouldn't be able to get a perfect score either."
"Guild Master, do you mean to let Little Bai graduate early and join the guild team?" Old Demon asked.
Li Beihai rubbed his hands together. "What do you guys think?"
"I have no objection. It's a good thing that Little Bai can come," the Old Demon said.
The other four remained silent.
Bai Xiaowen is indeed very strong; his ability is more than sufficient. However, his arrival will inevitably displace a starting position. Who will take his place?
If Bai Xiaowen had a clear role, that would be fine; only teammates with similar roles would feel threatened. But Bai Xiaowen is a jack-of-all-trades, a versatile player, and anyone could potentially be replaced by him...
Old Demon saw through everyone's thoughts and laughed, "Guild Leader, I'm getting old, it's almost time for me to retire! I'll go to the reserve team and let Little Bai take my place."
Nie Kong: "No."
Bao Wen also said, "Yes, Brother Old Demon Yao, I heard you mention this when I first arrived. Isn't your wish to help the guild advance and reach the Class-A League?"
Old Demon waved his hand. "Stop trying to persuade me, don't let your emotions get the better of you. If I step down, Little Bai will take over, and the guild's main team will grow much stronger. Even if I can't play myself, I'll be satisfied as long as the guild gets promoted to the Class-A League."
Li Beihai tapped the table. "Alright, stop arguing. Let me give you my opinion."
The room fell silent.
"I don't plan to let Little Bai graduate early," Li Beihai said, ignoring the astonished looks on everyone's faces. "At Jinghai University, Little Bai can enjoy more resources. Special Treasure Ground, Trial Space, Psionic Training Ground ... these are things our guild can't provide. Staying at university will allow him to grow faster. Letting him graduate early would be like killing the goose that lays the golden eggs."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"President, I suggest signing a supplementary contract with Little Bai... A-Tier long-term contracts are no longer applicable. Don't forget Ling Feng's example," Old Demon said.
Mentioning Ling Feng caused a moment of tension in the room.
Li Beihai was silent for a moment, then shook his head. "No. Someone like Little Bai, if he wants to leave, no contract can stop him—those wealthy A-rank Guild, how much in breach of contract fee can't they afford? Let's not bring this up again."
"Pay more attention during training! If an 18-year-old kid is this good, what excuse do you have to slack off? Meeting adjourned!"
Several team members secretly grumbled, "Isn't this the real topic of the boss's meeting?" But no one dared to complain, and they scattered like birds.
Jinghai University, training base for the University Team.
"This semester's competitions are now over," Yan Xiaoxin said to the University Team members. "Next semester, the National Championship is the main event. To commend everyone's excellent performance, I have obtained the principal's approval to award each of you with a sum of Honor Points... even the substitute players will receive some."
A cheer erupted.
Honor Points can be used to purchase access to the Trial Space! And after clearing the Trial Space, you'll receive Spirit Realm Ticket as a reward! This is something every Awakened One needs.
Yan Xiaoxin called Bai Xiaowen over alone.
"Your performance in this qualifying round surprised even the principal," Yan Xiaoxin said with a smile. "I originally thought that you wouldn't be able to dominate the CUAA arena until next year, when the strong students from Qi Ruifeng graduate. But I was wrong. Now it's your time. Congratulations."
"Thank you, Teacher Yan." Bai Xiaowen smiled.
"A total of 10,000 Honor Points will be distributed as rewards this time. Given your greatest contribution, I've decided to award you 40%, or 4,000 Honor Points. The other four main players on the University Team will each receive 1,000 points, and the five substitutes will each receive 400 points... Do you think that's appropriate?"
Bai Xiaowen, of course, wouldn't feign arrogance and refuse, so she nodded in agreement.
"Play well in the competition. The National Championship next semester is the real highlight. If you achieve a breakthrough in the National Championship, the reward will be even more Honor Points... Moreover, the national champion of the CUAA league is recognized by the Spirit Realm Rules and receives an award! Good luck," Yan Xiaoxin said.
Bai Xiaowen had heard about this before. Not only the CUAA league, but also the Class-A League and the Super Cup are recognized by the Spirit Realm Rules and have championship rewards, just like Bai Xiaowen became the top scorer in the national Top Scholar and received the achievement of "the Strongest Top Scholar in History" and the title of the Ultimate Academic Ace.
The B-League is not recognized by the Spirit Realm Rules and does not offer corresponding achievement rewards. This is why many awakened individuals who consider themselves capable are unwilling to remain in the B-League and are determined to transfer to a major guild to compete in the Class-A League.
Yan Xiaoxin added a reminder: it's best not to reveal the amount of Psionic Points you've been allocated to others, to avoid causing dissatisfaction among some team members.
Bai Xiaowen returned to the rest hall, where the Honor Points had already been credited to everyone's Student Card.
Bai Xiaowen did some research.
First of all, Honor Points cannot be transferred between students.
Honor Points are primarily used to purchase access to the Trial Space. It should be noted that the number of Honor Points required to purchase access will gradually increase.
The first purchase of access costs only 200 honor points, but the second purchase requires 500 honor points, and the third purchase requires 1000 honor points. The more times you purchase, the higher the Honor Points required.
"Old Bai, there are no more matches, how about we go relax? I know a new barbecue restaurant that just opened off campus!" Chen Guowei said.
"I'm not going. I plan to enter the Trial Space once." Bai Xiaowen said, looking at Li Shuyi, Li Shuyi smiled and nodded.
"... My God, you're such a genius, and so hardworking, how are we mediocre students supposed to survive?" Chen Guowei looked utterly hopeless. "Academic Ace, what you're doing is wrong."
Xiang Hui looked disgusted. "Who's talking to you about 'we'? Don't equate me with you, you trash."
Bai Xiaowen smiled and said, "As you all know, as part of the admission requirements, the school gives me one free access to the Trial Space each semester. There's still a little over a month left in this semester, and since I have nothing else to do, I'll give it a try."
"Can we just stand by and watch?" Ding Cheng suddenly asked.
"Of course." Bai Xiaowen didn't mind. Most of the University Team members had no experience in tackling challenges, so watching from the sidelines would definitely be helpful.
The Trial Space was located on the second basement floor of the University Team's training base. The group took the elevator and soon arrived at the entrance.
After the Student Card is swiped, the control panel lights up and a mechanical prompt sounds:
"Welcome to the Trial Space. This Student Card can currently select the 1st Trial Space level."
The Trial Space is a multi-level dungeon; the higher the level, the greater the difficulty. Bai Xiaowen's Student Card is for his first attempt, so he can only choose the first level.
After selecting, the mechanical prompt sounded again, "You can choose the difficulty level of one Trial Space: Easy, Normal, Hard, or Extremely Hard."