Mentor Selection

His voice suddenly turned stern. "Those of you who performed well, I hope you'll guard against arrogance and impatience, and stay clear-headed!

Remember, you are only first-year freshmen. The Martial Path is long and perilous.

Today's achievement is merely the beginning of beginnings.

The challenges ahead will only grow more numerous and more brutal!"

"And those of you who performed poorly!" His gaze sharpened.

"You should reflect on yourselves even more!

Why did you panic when facing nothing more than a First-Rank Fishman Warrior?

Why were you afraid before the battle even began? Why couldn't you even mount an effective counterattack?"

"Today, you have already left an extremely poor first impression on the many mentors!

At Magic Capital Martial University, falling one step behind often means falling behind at every step!

If you don't want to leave in disgrace four years from now, if you still want to achieve something in martial arts, then starting today, give me everything you've got and put in ten times, a hundred times more effort than others!"

"Remember my words—Magic Capital Martial University does not cultivate the weak!

Here, we only believe in strength earned through sweat and blood!"

Su Zhiming's words were like heavy hammers, each word striking the hearts of every freshman and stirring up waves of emotion.

Many freshmen who had performed poorly in the trial lowered their heads in shame.

Even some who had done reasonably well felt an immense weight pressing down on them.

Even some upperclassmen in the audience fell silent at those words, lowering their gazes with complicated expressions.

Because they knew that they might be the "weak" Su Zhiming had spoken of.

As for the truly strong, those figures who ruled Magic Martial University, they would not waste their time watching a Freshman Trial here.

Sensing the solemn atmosphere filling the arena, Su Zhiming changed tack.

His tone eased slightly. "All right, what's past is past. What matters is the future.

Next comes the most important part of this event—mentor selection!"

With that, he gave a slight nod to the chief mentors, then turned and left the Arena without hesitation.

As the dean of the First Academy, with several university presidents absent, he had a great many important campus matters to decide and handle.

The fact that he had found time to personally preside over the Freshman Trial was already no easy feat.

After Su Zhiming left, Mentor Lin Jian of the First Academy stepped onto the stage.

He stood as straight as a sword, his gaze sweeping over the entire venue as he said, "You have presumably already reviewed the detailed profiles, research directions, and past achievements of the various mentors on your Personal Terminals, so I won't repeat them here."

"But I must emphasize one point: once your choice of mentor has been finalized, it cannot be changed in principle!

Your mentor will be one of the most important guides in your four years of university and perhaps even in your life!

I hope you will consider carefully and make the choice best suited to yourselves."

"Now, go find the mentors you favor!"

The moment Lin Jian finished speaking, the freshmen who had long been unable to hold themselves back sprang into action.

Like a tide, they surged toward the audience area where the mentors were gathered.

Every face carried tension, anticipation, and a trace of unease.

Qin Yan followed the crowd over as well, his gaze quickly sweeping across the mentors, each of whom possessed an extraordinary bearing.

A small energy display floated before every mentor.

It clearly listed their admission requirements, areas of expertise, and expectations for students.

This was a two-way selection process.

Students chose mentors suited to their own development, while mentors also selected students with both talent and character.

Once a master-disciple relationship was established, the mentor would need to devote considerable time, energy, and resources to cultivating the student.

They might even treat them as their own and pass down their legacy.

Therefore, it was only natural that mentors set thresholds and would rather go without than settle.

After observing carefully, Qin Yan discovered that the mentors' admission requirements were largely similar, with the main focus being on strength and Martial Arts Skill.

The stronger and more prestigious the mentor, the higher their standards naturally became.

When he turned his gaze toward those Sixth-Rank Mentors, his brows could not help but furrow slightly.

Because nearly all of those top mentors had clearly written one mandatory requirement—"Must be a formal Martial Artist."

And this was precisely the fatal shortcoming Qin Yan was currently unable to overcome.

Just as Qin Yan was deep in thought, a kind-faced middle-aged mentor in a green martial arts uniform took the initiative to walk over to him.

"Hello, Qin Yan."

The mentor wore a gentle smile. "I'm Zhang Qiming, a mentor from the Fourth Academy, at Peak Fourth Rank. I specialize in spear techniques."

"Your performance in the trial just now was outstanding. As a non-Martial Artist, you defeated a First-Rank Fishman while wielding a Third-Stage Spear Technique. That was truly rare."

"Would you be interested in becoming my student?"

Qin Yan quickly recalled the mentors' profiles and recognized him.

According to the information, Zhang Qiming's spear technique had reached Mid Fourth-Stage. Among the backup mentors Qin Yan had listed, he ranked relatively low.

"Student Qin Yan," Zhang Qiming said when Qin Yan did not answer immediately.

He continued sincerely, "I'm sure you saw it too. Those Sixth-Rank Mentors all have high thresholds, with Martial Artist status as a hard requirement."

"They... most likely won't make an exception to take you in."

"But I'm different." His tone was earnest. "I'm willing to give you this opportunity!"

"To be honest, I've been stuck at Peak Fourth Rank for several years now."

"Recently, I've faintly sensed that my bottleneck is loosening. I'm highly confident that I can break through to Fifth Rank within a year!"

"Once I succeed, my influence within the school and the resources I can obtain will both increase dramatically."

"Besides," Zhang Qiming offered a rather tempting condition, "I have yet to formally accept a personal disciple."

"If you're willing, you'll be my First Disciple!"

"When that time comes, I'll certainly devote all my effort and resources to nurturing you."

"The guidance and support you receive will definitely be no worse than what the disciples of those Sixth-Rank Mentors get!"

"So, what do you say, Student Qin Yan? Think it over?"

The terms Zhang Qiming offered were indeed tempting—potentially becoming the disciple of a Fifth-Rank Mentor, the status of First Disciple, and the promised preferential allocation of resources.

However, Qin Yan only considered it briefly before slowly shaking his head.

The grand promise Zhang Qiming had painted was certainly appealing, but it was ultimately a castle in the air.

Could he truly break through the Fifth Rank bottleneck smoothly?

Even if he did reach Fifth Rank, how could he compare to those seasoned Sixth-Rank Mentors?

Besides, a spear mentor was not Qin Yan's first choice.

"I'm sorry, Mentor Zhang Qiming. Thank you for thinking highly of me."

Qin Yan declined politely but firmly. "I'd like to look at some other opportunities."

At his words, a trace of disappointment flashed across Zhang Qiming's face, but he did not get angry.

He remained composed. "No matter. Choosing a mentor is a major matter in life, so naturally you should be cautious."

"I hope Student Qin Yan finds the mentor best suited to him."

With that, he nodded, turned, and left to seek out other suitable students.

Qin Yan's rejection of a Fourth-Rank Mentor who had proactively extended an olive branch did not go unnoticed by many people in the venue.