Six Great Academies

"Juan, you really are blessed! You raised such an outstanding child. From now on, just wait to enjoy the good life!"

"Xiao Yan, do you still remember me? I even held you when you were little! When you become someone important, don't forget to lend your cousin a hand!"

Listening to the endless stream of flattery, his younger sister Qin Xiaoxi curled her lip disdainfully. "Hmph, now they know to praise us? Back when our family was struggling and asked to borrow money, every one of them ran faster than anyone else!

"Now that they see my brother got into a great Martial University, they know to come sucking up to us!"

"Xiao Xi is right."

Mother Chen Juan sighed, then looked at her husband and son. "Old Qin, Xiao Yan, when you have time, invite Qin Rou's family over for a proper meal.

"When our family was at its hardest, her family wasn't well-off either, yet they still scraped together ten thousand to lend us. We can't forget that kindness when we were in need. We have to repay it properly."

"Mom, I remember. Don't worry." Qin Yan nodded.

Just then, a steady knock sounded at the front door.

Qin Yan got up to open it, only to discover in surprise that the visitor was Director Wan Xueping.

"Uncle Wan? What brings you here? Please, come in!"

Qin Yan hurriedly ushered the important guest inside.

Seeing someone who often appeared on local news suddenly visit their home, Father Qin and Mother Qin were immediately at a loss. They hurriedly stood up to greet him.

Wan Xueping smiled and waved his hand, his manner extremely gentle. "Brother, Sister-in-law, no need to be so polite. Don't treat me like some director.

"I came today in a private capacity, specifically to congratulate Xiao Yan!

"And, while I'm here, to deliver the City Education Bureau's reward for our city's great contributor."

Hearing this, Father Qin and Mother Qin finally relaxed a little. They quietly sat to one side and left the conversation to their son.

"Uncle Wan, you're too kind. I'm sorry to make you come all this way yourself," Qin Yan said gratefully.

"No trouble! Not at all!" Wan Xueping beamed. "For Linhai City to produce a top talent like you, I'd gladly make a hundred trips! This is an honor for the entire city!"

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Wan Xueping took an exquisite bank card from his briefcase and handed it to Qin Yan.

"Xiao Yan, there are one million Huaxia Coins on this card. It's the City Education Bureau's cash reward for your admission to a Top Martial University.

"It's not an especially large amount, but consider it a little assistance for your upcoming life at Martial University. You can use it to buy whatever you need."

Qin Yan accepted the card with both hands, his heart calm. In the past, one million would undoubtedly have been an astronomical sum to him.

But after everything he had experienced recently, he understood that in the true world of Martial Artists, one million might only be startup capital.

The resources he had used to break through to 99 Cal were already worth far more than that.

And that was with the System Panel.

For everyone else, the cost would only be higher.

At the mention of "one million," Qin Xiaoxi's eyes instantly widened, and her little mouth formed an O, as though countless snacks and new clothes were beckoning to her.

However, Wan Xueping's next words were what truly shocked the Qin Family.

"Besides the cash reward," Wan Xueping said with a smile, "after careful consideration, the city government has decided to grant Qin Yan a detached villa in the Green Water Orchid Pavilion residential complex, in recognition of the tremendous honor you have brought to our city!"

"Green Water Orchid Pavilion?!" Mother Qin cried out.

That was Linhai City's most famous luxury residential district, nestled against the mountains and beside the water, with exceptional surroundings. Its residents were either wealthy or powerful!

The market price of a single villa there started at no less than five million Huaxia Coins!

Qin Yan was slightly stunned as well.

He knew that getting into a Top Martial University came with preferential treatment, but he had not expected it to go this far!

That was because Qin Yan did not yet understand the true value of a Top Martial University. Students who graduated from one were at minimum Third-Rank Martial Artists.

With such strength and credentials, if they chose to return to Linhai City to develop their careers, they could immediately enter the highest circles of power and wealth.

If they later broke through to Fourth Grade and became a Mid-Rank Martial Artist, they might even have a chance to contend for the position of president of the Linhai City Martial Association, becoming one of the city's true Controllers!

The Linhai City government had taken an extremely long-term view with this investment.

Wan Xueping stayed a while longer and drank a cup of tea before rising to take his leave.

He could tell that with him there, Qin Yan's family only felt more restrained.

After seeing Director Wan off, Father Qin and Mother Qin stared at the bank card and villa keys, feeling as though they were in a dream.

"Xiao Yan, this villa... this..." Father Qin, Qin Shouzheng, found it hard to believe.

Qin Yan understood his parents' worries and unease, and patiently comforted them. "Dad, Mom, just accept it without worry.

"This is the status and privilege that come with being a Martial Artist.

"A villa is nothing. This is only the beginning. In the future, we'll have even more, and even better things."

After his recent growth in strength and knowledge, he accepted it quickly and began persuading his parents.

Hearing their son's calm and powerful words, Father Qin and Mother Qin's anxious hearts gradually settled, soon filling instead with immense joy and pride.

Then the family began packing up their belongings.

The next day, the entire family moved into their new home.

Their new home was even better than they had imagined: spacious, bright rooms, refined decor, and a small garden outside.

Qin Xiaoxi ran excitedly around the yard. "Wow! We get to live in a big house now! I have my own room!"

Seeing the happy smiles on his family's faces, Qin Yan's heart filled with warmth and motivation.

He believed that this was only a wonderful beginning.

At the desk in his new room, Qin Yan carefully read through the detailed contents of Magic Capital Martial University's admission notice.

"Registration period: June 29 to July 2..."

"Magic Capital Martial University's Six Great Academies... academy placement test... mentor selection..."

As he read line after line, Qin Yan's heartbeat gradually quickened.

Especially when he saw that "the deans of all Six Great Academies are Eighth-Rank Grandmasters," he sucked in a sharp breath!

"Eighth-Rank Grandmasters!" He was utterly shaken.

A Fourth-Rank Martial Artist was already among Linhai City's top combatants. Eighth-Rank... in the entire Xia Kingdom, such people were pillars that held up the heavens!

Magic Capital Martial University's foundation truly was unfathomable!

"Beep, beep, beep..."

Just then, his communicator rang. It was a video call request from Zhou Nan. Qin Yan accepted it.

"Congratulations, Qin Yan. You got into Magic Capital Martial University. You've become a huge name at First High School now."

On the other side of the screen, Zhou Nan smiled brightly, genuinely happy for him.

The two chatted casually about recent events.

"How about we get together tonight? Zhao Bin will be there too, and you can bring your friends along."

"Once we start Martial University, we'll be scattered all over the place. We probably won't see each other even once a year."

There was a hint of melancholy in Zhou Nan's voice.