Mu Wanqing took a deep breath and looked at Lin Mu.
A strange ripple, rare for her, appeared on her pretty face.
"The assessment... is naturally over."
Her voice carried a dryness she hadn't even noticed herself.
"The principal has something to say. I'll take you to the dining hall later."
While the two of them spoke in low voices,
the White-Haired Principal's dignified voice rang across the entire plaza like a great bell.
"Today, Shengjing Academy witnessed the birth of history!"
The old man's sharp gaze swept over the crowd.
It finally settled on Lin Mu. The admiration and delight in his eyes were impossible to hide.
"Student Lin Mu scored 143,240 points, breaking every record in the history of our school's Void Secret Realm assessment!"
"Such talent, such strength—it is a blessing for Huaxia and for our Academy!"
The entire crowd erupted once more into thunderous applause and gasps of amazement!
The principal turned his gaze toward Lu Hu and Ao Di, who were sprawled on the ground. His expression instantly turned cold.
"As for you two, you provoked your fellow students, disrupted the assessment, and showed yourselves to be utterly lacking in character!"
"Given that your talent is still acceptable, effective immediately, you are stripped of your status as Heaven Branch students and demoted to the Yellow Branch. We'll see how you fare there!"
"If you offend again, you'll be expelled outright!"
This verdict was even more painful than killing Lu Hu and Ao Di!
They had fallen from the clouds into the mud, from heaven's favored sons to laughingstocks!
Lu Hu's face turned ashen, and he passed out completely.
After dealing with everything,
the principal flashed over to Mu Wanqing and Lin Mu.
He looked at Lin Mu with the warmth of a man gazing at his most beloved grandson.
"Child, you did very well."
"You've broken the record since Shengjing Academy was founded. I'll grant you the following rewards!"
The White-Haired Principal surveyed the crowd, then continued:
"First, the highest level of access to the Heaven Branch. All Dungeons affiliated with Shengjing Academy will be open to you without restriction!"
"Second, you may choose any three items below the Epic grade from the Academy Treasury!"
"Third, permanent residence in Cloud Viewing Residence, the independent courtyard at the top of the Heaven Branch!"
Every reward made Li Ling, who was eavesdropping nearby, feel her heart race.
She was so envious she could hardly breathe.
These weren't rewards anymore. They were practically crowning him crown prince!
Lin Mu was also taken aback.
These resources could bring about another qualitative leap in his strength in a short time.
This principal was incredible!
He didn't stand on ceremony and bowed slightly.
"Thank you, Principal."
The principal nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Mu Wanqing.
"Miss Mu, you'll be personally responsible for this child from now on."
"If he needs a dedicated instructor, he may choose anyone on the Academy's faculty. Even if they've retired, drag them back to work for me!"
"The Academy will devote every resource and spare no expense to cultivate him into a pillar of support for Huaxia's future!"
With that, the old man vanished on the spot.
Inside a private dining room on the top floor of Dining Hall One in the Heaven Branch,
exquisite dishes were served one after another, all prepared from rare ingredients rich in energy.
Lin Mu ate unhurriedly, his posture elegant.
Mu Wanqing sat across from him, watching quietly. At last, she couldn't help asking:
"How... exactly did you do it?"
"Judging by your score, you must have encountered a Purifier."
"And that Elite Leader-level Void Crystal Beast—even if I'd fought it myself, I couldn't have dealt with it in such a short time."
Lin Mu set down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth.
"Lucky, I guess."
He gave the same two-word answer as before.
Hearing that, Mu Wanqing smiled.
Her smile was like ice melting, fleeting yet breathtakingly beautiful.
"Lucky, indeed."
Lin Mu didn't want to talk about it, so she didn't press him.
Then she took a pitch-black token covered in intricate patterns from her Class Space,
along with a golden card, and slid them across to Lin Mu.
"This is the access token for Cloud Viewing Residence, and the highest-level proof of your identity in the Heaven Branch."
"This card is your Academy credit card. It has one million starting credits, specially authorized by the principal."
"Credits?"
Lin Mu picked up the golden card, curious.
"That's right."
Mu Wanqing explained:
"At Shengjing Academy, Nova Coins are just basic currency. The truly valuable things—like entering certain special Dungeons, exchanging for rare skill books, or even asking a legendary instructor for personal guidance—all require credits."
"Credits are the real hard currency within the Academy."
"Of course, some of what you can get with them won't mean much to you anymore."
Lin Mu nodded in understanding. He was already familiar with these systems.
After the meal,
Mu Wanqing personally escorted Lin Mu to the mountaintop of the Heaven Branch.
The Heaven Branch of Shengjing Academy was built along the mountain.
An independent courtyard shrouded in a thin veil of clouds stood quietly on the edge of the mountaintop cliff.
This place was called Cloud Viewing Residence.
The access token felt cool to the touch.
The number "One" engraved on it symbolized the supreme status of the Heaven Branch's top student.
"This is the most scenic place in the entire Academy. It has its own teleportation array connected to the main array, so it'll be very convenient for you to come and go."
Mu Wanqing's voice rang out in the cool night breeze, carrying a trace of concern that was difficult to detect.
"The principal's reward—I'll take you to the Treasure Vault to claim it tomorrow."
"Get some good rest tonight."
Lin Mu nodded. He watched Mu Wanqing turn and leave, his gaze deep.
He pushed open the heavy wooden doors of Cloud Viewing Residence.
Air ten times fresher than the air outside washed over him.
Every pore in his body seemed to open.
Inside the courtyard, a stream wound beneath a small bridge, surrounded by exotic flowers and plants that gave off a faint glow in the moonlight.
This was no longer a dormitory. It was a private estate with spectacular grounds.
Lin Mu didn't hurry to rest. Instead, he walked to the Viewing Platform at the edge of the cliff.
From here,
he could look down over most of the brilliantly lit Shengjing Academy,
and even the supercity in the distance, crouching like a giant beast.
"Soul Stealer... Qianhuan..."
He murmured the names, a trace of icy killing intent flashing through his eyes.
His parents' deaths, the secret of his talent—
all of it required absolute strength to back him up.
And Shengjing Academy was the perfect stepping stone on his path to the summit!
Night had fallen deep.
Lin Mu sat on the Viewing Platform, quietly waiting for his talent to refresh.
Before you continue