Choice

What concerned him most now was how National Martial University differed from the three elite schools. He asked, "Sister Ruyan, are you telling me this because National Martial University can offer the same benefits and treatment as the three elite schools?"

"Correct."

Qi Ruyan admitted, "In terms of rankings, National Martial University has fallen short of the three elite schools in recent years. But as a military university directly under national leadership, the government's resource allocation and its treatment of students are no worse than theirs in the slightest. In some benefits, it is even considerably better. For example, its martial arts manuals are directly shared with the National Library, and the same goes for its treasure vault. If you wish to exchange for something, there are tremendous discounts."

In truth, Qi Ruyan had come this time because she had heard that Gu Yuyue had broken through to the sixth rank, while she herself had been transferred to Jincheng due to a job reassignment.

Thinking that the sisters had not seen each other in a long while, she had planned to have a proper chat with her.

Representing National Martial University to recruit Chen Wu had been nothing more than a spur-of-the-moment decision.

It was only because, by a twist of fate, she had had that probing exchange with Chen Wu. Though they had fought for merely two brief rounds, it had made her realize that this sixteen-year-old boy—the little brother from her memories—already possessed the bearing of a rising new star of the martial path.

After living this long, she had never seen anyone his age who could exchange blows with a seventh-rank martial artist while still at the Essence Tempering Realm.

If she did not make her move early, Crimson Martial University might snatch him away.

As it happened, the old principal had been complaining to her lately that the quality of students applying to National Martial University had worsened year after year.

All the promising seedlings were being taken by highly ranked universities like Crimson Martial University, Capital Martial University, and Magic Martial University, leaving them not even a sip of soup.

He had asked her to keep an eye out while she was in Jincheng this time.

Qi Ruyan had originally been worrying about where to find a promising seedling.

Who would have thought that she would run into one the moment she came back?

Since she had encountered him, all the better. She could use this connection to secure more benefits for little brother Chen Wu.

As for her best friend, Qi Ruyan could only apologize to her in advance.

"Yuyue, I'm sorry. Your little brother is simply too outstanding. I can only strike first and gain the upper hand."

After hearing Qi Ruyan's introduction of National Martial University, Chen Wu became even more curious. "Sister Ruyan, from the way you describe it, National Martial University's reputation should be on par with the three elite schools. At worst, it should rank just below them. So why has its reputation declined over the years, even allowing universities like Zhejiang Martial University to overtake it?"

The moment he heard that National Martial University's resource vault was directly connected to the government, Chen Wu had already been tempted. That was why he asked.

Qi Ruyan responded with a question. "Then what kind of university do you think National Martial University is?"

"A military university... I see."

Qi Ruyan's question brought Chen Wu sudden enlightenment. The ideas from his previous life had still been binding him.

Although the domestic environment was now tending toward peace, that was only because the national military and martial heroes stood at the front, holding the line.

The war between humanity and ferocious beasts had never ended, and a new great war of the century could erupt at any time.

Joining the military meant placing oneself on the front line in battle against ferocious beasts. The level of danger was self-evident.

And as a military academy supported by the state, National Martial University's graduates had no need to consider their career options. Joining the military was their only choice.

The three elite schools were different. Their graduates could enter politics or business, or devote themselves to the military.

From that perspective, the three elite schools were indeed better than National Martial University.

Having thought it through, Chen Wu asked Qi Ruyan, who sat across from him, "Sister Ruyan, you're telling me the truth so directly. Aren't you afraid I won't choose National Martial University?"

Qi Ruyan answered bluntly, "None of this is a secret. Anyone with the intention can find it online. Rather than let you discover it afterward and harbor resentment, I'd rather tell you directly now, so you can make your choice according to your heart."

"Besides, although we only exchanged blows briefly, I could sense your instinctive intuition for battle. There is no choice more suitable for you than National Martial University."

Qi Ruyan had fought through countless battles and seen much of the world. She understood the mindset of people like Chen Wu better than anyone.

"You're right. But regarding attending National Martial University, I still need to ask my sister."

Chen Wu had indeed been moved by her words, but such a major matter still required his sister's approval.

Qi Ruyan also understood that this matter had to pass Gu Yuyue's hurdle. "Your sister should indeed know about something like this."

"Oh, right, there's another matter related to the martial arts entrance exam. Little Wu, have you heard of the martial arts entrance exam special training class?"

"The martial arts entrance exam special training class?"

Chen Wu was taken aback. He then explained what he knew about it. "The special training class that every school forms each year for third-year high school students?"

The so-called martial arts entrance exam special training class was formed by each school. Every year, it gathered the fifty third-year high school students with the highest martial cultivation levels and invited specialists to teach and guide them individually, in hopes that they would achieve better results in the upcoming martial arts entrance exam.

Every student who entered the special training class went on to a first-rate university.

Qi Ruyan slowly said, "This year, considering that the domestic environment has become increasingly stable in recent years, secret realm resources have increased year by year, and the martial arts industry is flourishing, the government has issued instructions to universities across the country in order to address external crises and discover and cultivate more talent."

"Besides expanding enrollment, they must also establish special admission slots. These slots are independent of the martial arts entrance exam and will be allocated among the provinces."

Chen Wu guessed, "Could this be related to the special training class?"

Qi Ruyan confirmed his guess. "That's right. The special admission slots are provided by the universities, then distributed to each province after the Ministry of Education sends specialists to review and approve them. Finally, each province selects talents and submits them upward."

"And those candidates will be selected from the special training classes of each school."

Hearing this, Chen Wu said in surprise, "Could it be that the province plans to let the high schools decide through martial contests?"

Qi Ruyan smiled. "In literature, there is no first; in martial arts, there is no second. Nothing is simpler or fairer than letting strength speak for itself. The teachers will probably notify you around the time school starts."

"At that time, under the name of an interschool exchange tournament for provincial high schools, the Governor's Office will have the special training classes of each school compete against one another. With your strength, opponents among your peers are hard to find. If you can participate, placing in the top three is as sure as nails."

Qi Ruyan revealed her true purpose: she hoped Chen Wu would directly take the special admission route.

After hearing what Iron Fist Sister had said earlier, Chen Wu already had a rough idea. He continued asking, "Is there something special about placing in the top three?"

Qi Ruyan told Chen Wu the inside information. "Those who take the top three places in the exchange tournament will not only gain the right to freely choose between the three elite schools and National Martial University, but they will also receive better treatment upon enrollment than ordinary students."