Joint Examination Begins

The principal's office.

After Principal Zhang Qiming finished listening to Zhou Yun and Wang Wenhai's report, he shot up from his chair.

"Martial Dao True Intent? Are you sure?" Principal Zhang's voice carried a rare hint of urgency.

Although he had also seen the footage from the guidance match, Martial Dao True Intent was something on the spiritual level. There was no way to tell much from a video.

"Positive!" Wang Wenhai said decisively. "It's still very faint, but that kind of explosive power isn't something ordinary martial techniques can achieve."

"Good! Good! Good!"

Zhang Qiming said good three times in a row, his face lighting up with excitement as he paced back and forth around the office.

"With Martial Dao True Intent, his practical combat exam score is bound to get a major boost!"

He clapped Wang Wenhai hard on the shoulder. "Wenhai, Zhou Yun, being able to cultivate such a fine seedling means the two of you deserve no small amount of credit!"

"Principal, this is the result of his own hard work," Zhou Yun said modestly, though her face also carried relief.

"His Basic Body Tempering Method and spear technique have both reached minor mastery, and now he's comprehended Martial Dao True Intent as well. Even if he still can't compare to Yu Peiling, his chances of charging into the Three Great Universities are very high," Wang Wenhai added.

Zhang Qiming pondered for a moment, a sharp glint flickering in his eyes. "Keep this news confidential. Don't spread it outside. The joint exam is coming up soon. I want to see just how big a surprise he can bring us this time!"

Martial Dao True Intent was a trump card. If it was pulled out at a critical moment, it could very well turn the tide of battle.

This three-school joint exam was basically the perfect moment for that trump card to shine.

Once it truly came to the college entrance exam, no one would know who their opponent was in advance, so the role of intelligence would instead become smaller.

After giving a few more instructions on the details, Zhou Yun and Wang Wenhai took their leave.

The office fell quiet again.

Zhang Qiming pondered briefly, then turned and sat back down in his office chair. He picked up the virtual access patch lying on the desk and placed it on the center of his forehead.

This was an advanced virtual connection device, the kind ordinary students might never even have seen.

Not only because its price easily ran into the millions, but even more because it was only supplied for use by Martial Master-level and above, with a minimum spiritual energy level requirement of 25 or higher.

His consciousness connected, and he entered Star Martial Battle Net.

Zhang Qiming teleported directly to a private reception space, its style simple, elegant, and ancient.

A moment later, another figure condensed into being. It was a middle-aged man in a suit, his hair combed meticulously and his face lean. It was none other than Principal Han Shiwen of United High School.

"Old Zhang, why'd you suddenly come looking for me? Is it about the joint exam? Getting cold feet?" Han Shiwen said with a beaming smile, his tone carrying a touch of familiarity and teasing.

"Don't worry. That little fatty from Yingang, I have a way to deal with him. This time, you Honghe people can just handle the cheering."

Although Honghe No. 1 High School and United High School competed with each other, the principals of the two schools were both high-level martial artists and old friends of several decades.

Zhang Qiming snorted and deliberately pulled a stern face. "Big-Head Han, cut that out. That bet you proposed a few days ago—I accept!"

Han Shiwen's eyes lit up. "Oh? You really dare accept? The stake is that thirty-year-old jar of Crimson Blood Brew you mentioned!"

"Of course!" Zhang Qiming said with full confidence. "We'll bet on which school gets the better results in this three-school joint exam! If I win, you'll have to lend me that one-of-a-kind Starfall Fist Manual of yours for a month so I can study it."

"It's a deal!" Han Shiwen laughed and stretched out his hand.

"Old Zhang, looks like you've got plenty of confidence this year. But let me remind you, even if Peiling isn't participating, we still have a few pretty good seedlings too."

"Then let's wait and see."

Zhang Qiming gave him a virtual high-five, inwardly laughing to himself.

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries, then each went offline.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

The Honghe City Comprehensive Martial Arts Center was packed with noise and people.

The senior martial arts students from Honghe No. 1 High School, United High School, and Yingang No. 1 High School, along with some leading teachers, school officials, and invited observers from the Provincial Martial Arts Association, had nearly filled the spectator seats.

At the center of the venue were several standardized alloy arenas, reflecting cold, sharp glints under the intense overhead lights.

This was the martial exam site for the three-school joint exam. The academic exam had already ended half a month ago, following the same model as the college entrance exam.

For martial arts students, their academic scores first had to meet the standard before they could take part in the martial exam.

Xu Wuyi wore the standard martial arts uniform and stood in the designated area.

He could clearly sense scrutinizing gazes coming from the other two directions.

In United High School's team, Zhao Ding, who cultivated the Iron Wall Art, stood at the very front. He was sturdy and broad, his aura steady, like an iron tower.

Su Yueling, who was said to be skilled in the Shadow Sword Technique, was nowhere to be seen at the moment. No one knew where she had hidden herself.

At the front of Yingang No. 1 High School's team, Li Mo's tall figure was especially conspicuous.

He crossed his arms, his gaze searching through Honghe No. 1 High School's team, and soon locked onto Xu Wuyi.

He split his mouth into a provocative grin, then actually strode straight toward Honghe No. 1 High School's area.

"Xu Wuyi!"

Li Mo's voice was loud and clear, drawing quite a few glances from the people around them. "Last time on the Battle Net, you just got lucky. This time, if we fight again, I won't give you any chance at all! Just you wait!"

Xu Wuyi laughed despite himself. Li Mo's words did not strike him as fierce; if anything, they had the amusing air of children squabbling.

He was just about to speak when a cool female voice suddenly came from behind Li Mo.

"Xiao Mo, come back."

Everyone looked over and saw a tall woman walking over. Her features bore some resemblance to Li Mo's.

When Li Mo heard that voice, his neck shrank instinctively. The arrogance on his face instantly faded by more than half, and he muttered rather unwillingly, "Sis, I was just saying hello..."

"Private provocation is forbidden during the exam. Have you forgotten the rules?" the woman said flatly, reaching out to pinch Li Mo by the ear. "Get back there. Don't embarrass yourself here."

"Ow, Sis, easy, easy... I'll go back. I'll go back, all right...?"

Li Mo grimaced in pain, his tall body easily dragged along by his sister as he slunk back to the team from Yingang No. 1 High School.

This dramatic scene made quite a few of the surrounding students unable to hold back their laughter, while also making them curious about the woman who could so easily subdue Li Mo.

"That's Li Mo's older sister, Li Shuang, a former genius from Yingang No. 1 High School. She should be studying at Star Martial University now. I didn't expect her to come back too," Zeng Bonan said quietly beside Xu Wuyi.

Star Martial University was one of the Three Great Universities. If one had to describe its status simply, a single sentence would be enough.

The Star Martial Battle Net belonged to Star Martial Group, and Star Martial Group had been established under the controlling stake of Star Martial University.

In the martial arts era, the concept of a top university was far beyond what it had been in the old century.

After graduating, large numbers of outstanding students did not enter various trades and professions. Instead, because they were all martial artists, they naturally banded together.

Star Martial University's Star Martial Group, Black Stone Academy's Skyscraper Tower, and Starry Sky Martial Institute's Galaxy Company were all similar entities.

They gathered vast numbers of martial arts elites, and many graduates from the Three Great Universities would enter them directly after graduation.

Their financial strength and influence were colossal even within the Federation; probably only the military could firmly surpass them.

Xu Wuyi nodded and swept his gaze over Li Shuang. She seemed to sense his attention, turned her head, and gave him a slight nod.