Refusal

Qi Ruyan told Chen Wu the inside information. "If you place in the top three of the exchange tournament, not only can you freely choose to enter one of the three elite universities or National Martial University, but you'll also receive better treatment upon enrollment than ordinary students."

"Special recruits entering the top three elite universities or National Martial University receive a bottle of premium Qi-Concentrating Pills, just like martial arts exam students do upon enrollment, as well as an additional 10 credits. You should know that the credits from all four of these universities can be exchanged for national points."

After hearing Qi Ruyan's introduction, Chen Wu, who had originally planned to keep a low profile through his senior year, decided to change his approach.

Since he had a chance to get ahead early, there was no need to keep waiting miserably for the martial arts exam.

Still, to guard against any unexpected developments, he needed to make some preparations.

Afterward, the server brought out the dishes.

Chen Wu and Qi Ruyan swept the food from the table clean like a whirlwind scattering clouds.

After lunch, Chen Wu and Qi Ruyan returned to the training room in the government compound to wait for Gu Yuyue to emerge from seclusion.

According to Iron Fist Sister, seclusion for a breakthrough from Rank Seven to Rank Six usually lasted around ten days.

Gu Yuyue was expected to emerge tonight.

So Chen Wu and Qi Ruyan waited there.

While they waited, Qi Ruyan took the time to teach him some techniques for exerting force in fist and palm attacks. For the first time, she gained an intuitive understanding of Chen Wu's talent.

No matter what move fell into his hands, he could learn it immediately and use it with flexibility.

Such terrifying talent only made Qi Ruyan more determined to recruit Chen Wu into National Martial University and draw him into the military.

By evening, Chen Wu saw the ever-burning light outside the seclusion chamber suddenly go out.

Knowing this was a sign that his sister was about to emerge, he straightened the hem of his clothes and waited for her to come out.

Sure enough, just as he finished readying himself, he heard the door of the seclusion chamber open. Gu Yuyue emerged, dressed in a white martial arts uniform.

Even from so far away, Chen Wu could still sense the surging, mighty aura around his sister. This was the initial manifestation of an internal energy breakthrough.

Clearly, the results of this seclusion had been extremely successful.

From this day onward, Gu Yuyue had officially entered the ranks of mid-level martial artists.

Once she stabilized her cultivation, she would completely step into Rank Six.

"Sis."

Having succeeded in breaking through, Gu Yuyue was overjoyed to see Chen Wu first thing. She said gently, "Xiao Wu, I kept you waiting."

"It's fine. I happened to spend this time studying the saber and halberd techniques you taught me, Sis."

"Then when we get back, I'll have to test you properly."

"Yuyue, you really made me wait a long time~"

At that moment, Iron Fist Sister's voice rang out from the side at a thoroughly inappropriate time.

Gu Yuyue had actually noticed her good friend Qi Ruyan long ago. Pretending to be surprised, she said, "Ruyan, when did you get here?"

Qi Ruyan said with a mournful expression, "Yuyue~ You can't forget about me just because you have a little brother."

"Pfft~"

Seeing Qi Ruyan like this, Gu Yuyue finally could not hold back her laughter.

The two had known each other for many years, shared the same interests, and their friendship had long surpassed that of ordinary friends.

"Alright, I saw you ages ago. Have you eaten? My treat."

Qi Ruyan immediately perked up. "That would be wonderful. I happen to have some good news to tell you too."

Gu Yuyue smiled. "Fine, then we'll talk while we eat."

"What?! You want Xiao Wu to attend a military academy?!"

Gu Yuyue's utterly undisguised voice rang out from a luxurious private room in a grand hotel.

Qi Ruyan gave an ingratiating smile. "That's right. With Xiao Wu's martial arts talent, National Martial University would be the stage best suited for him."

Ignoring everything else, Gu Yuyue directly demanded, "Forget about stages or whatever. Qi Ruyan, you graduated from National Martial University too. Don't you know how dangerous it is there?"

"Every year, at least ten percent of fourth-year students fail to graduate normally. And now you want my brother to apply to National Martial University? What exactly are you plotting?"

Knowing Chen Wu was Gu Yuyue's most precious person, Qi Ruyan had long expected this reaction from her good friend. She persuaded her, "It's precisely because I know that I want Chen Wu to go."

"If Xiao Wu gets into National Martial University, his talent will surely earn him the school's full support. After graduating and entering the military, he'll definitely become a second lieutenant and company commander. He might even become a captain and deputy battalion commander."

"Besides, with me, your good sister, having already put in a word and looking after him, what do you have to fear?"

Gu Yuyue's face turned frosty as she replied with unyielding resolve, "I don't have a good sister like you. Xiao Wu is my only family, and he's the only one left of the Chen family. I will never let him take such a risk. Give up on this idea as soon as possible."

The implication was that she intended to draw a clear line between herself and Qi Ruyan.

Seeing how things had developed, Chen Wu was about to speak up and smooth things over. "Sis..."

"Shut up!"

Gu Yuyue cut Chen Wu off in a tone harsher than ever before. She said coldly, "I was only in seclusion for a few days, and you've already caused such a huge mess. Just wait until we get home and see how I deal with you."

Seeing that his sister was truly angry, Chen Wu shrank his neck, sat ramrod straight at the side, and remained silent.

After reprimanding Chen Wu, Gu Yuyue continued to Qi Ruyan, "Mother gave her life back then. I was out of town and didn't even make it in time to see her one last time. Now, I will never let Chen Wu walk Mother's old road. Xiao Wu, let's go!"

Without giving Qi Ruyan another chance to speak, she directly grabbed Chen Wu, went to the front desk to settle the bill, and left.

After the two departed, Qi Ruyan sat silently in the private room for a long while. With a long sigh, she said, "Yuyue, you still haven't walked out of what happened four years ago."

Chen Wu and Gu Yuyue remained silent all the way home.

After returning home, Gu Yuyue sat down on the sofa, folded her arms across her chest, and crossed her long legs. She made Chen Wu sit opposite her, then began her interrogation. "Tell me. What exactly happened?"

"It happened like this. At noon today, I went to the government compound and ran into Iron Fist Sister..."

Chen Wu honestly reported the contents of his conversation with Qi Ruyan to his sister.

He even kept nothing from her regarding the provincial university exchange tournament.

After hearing Chen Wu's account, Gu Yuyue earnestly advised him, "Xiao Wu, I'm not trying to block your future. Even if you said you wanted to enter Police Martial Academy, I wouldn't stop you. But you need to understand that humanity's war against the ferocious beasts has not ended. A new great war could erupt at any time, and the number of secret realms is increasing year by year. Once you join the military, you could be sent to the front lines at any moment."

"If something happens to you then, how am I supposed to answer to Mother?"

By the end, his sister was visibly agitated.

According to her original thinking, if Chen Wu did not want to practice martial arts, then he simply would not.

The domestic environment was generally peaceful and stable now. With her status and strength, she was more than capable of protecting him, ensuring that he would not have to struggle desperately or fight and kill anymore.