The lettering was bold and forceful, radiating a fierce aura.
Two enormous stone sculptures stood on either side of the academy gates, resembling lions.
But Jiang Lan figured they probably weren't lions, but some kind of powerful ferocious beast.
The sculptures were so lifelike that they seemed ready to spring to life at any moment.
Shen Qingqiu parked in the lot outside the academy gates.
The two got out and walked up to the entrance.
A row of guards stood at the gates, armed with loaded guns.
Seeing the two approach, one of the guards stepped forward and asked:
"May I ask what brings you two here?"
Shen Qingqiu smiled. "We're here to apply for admission."
The guard glanced at Jiang Lan beside Shen Qingqiu and nodded.
"The admissions office is on the ground floor of the administration building. Go straight in. It's the first office on your left."
Shen Qingqiu thanked him and led Jiang Lan through the gates.
Once inside, Jiang Lan looked around.
The campus was enormous, stretching farther than he could see, with shady trees lining both sides of the broad roads.
Several tall buildings stood in the distance.
On a training field off to one side, he could see many young people training, their shouts shaking the air.
The sight left Jiang Lan a little awestruck.
This place was much larger than many of the universities in his previous life.
The surroundings were lovely, too.
Following the guard's directions, the two soon found the administration building.
Inside, a sign reading "Admissions Office" hung on the door of the first office to the left on the ground floor.
Shen Qingqiu knocked.
"Come in."
A woman's voice came from inside.
Shen Qingqiu pushed the door open and entered, with Jiang Lan right behind him.
The office wasn't large, but it was neatly arranged.
A young woman in business attire sat behind a desk, looking at her computer.
When she saw them enter, she looked up with a professional smile.
"Hello. How can I help you?"
Shen Qingqiu said politely, "Hello. We'd like to learn about the academy's admissions."
The woman glanced at Jiang Lan, a flicker of surprise crossing her eyes, then smiled and gestured toward the chairs beside them.
"Please sit."
The two sat down.
The woman asked, "How old are you this year, young man?"
Jiang Lan answered, "I'll turn eighteen in a month."
The woman nodded. "That meets our age requirements. And what cultivation stage are you at?"
Jiang Lan paused, then answered, "I don't have a cultivation stage."
The woman froze. "You don't have a cultivation stage?"
Beside him, Shen Qingqiu hurriedly explained, "He's awakened a special talent, a defensive one."
The woman's eyes immediately lit up.
"A special talent?"
Shen Qingqiu nodded. "Yes. He only just awakened it, but it's very powerful. He can already withstand a full-strength strike from someone at the initial meridian-opening stage."
The woman's expression grew serious.
"How long ago did you awaken it?"
Jiang Lan worked it out briefly before answering, "About five or six days ago. Less than a week."
The woman shot to her feet and stared intently at Jiang Lan. "Young man, is that true?"
"Of course," Jiang Lan said. "I suddenly awakened it after getting injured in the wilderness zone. Counting from then, it's definitely been less than a week."
"In that case, would you be willing to undergo a test?"
Jiang Lan had no objection.
His physical capabilities spoke for themselves. If she wanted to test him, she could go ahead.
"Then come with me!"
The woman hurriedly led the way.
The three left the office, crossed the corridor, and reached a training ground behind the administration building.
The training ground was large, its surface paved with a special material that looked very sturdy. It seemed to be intended specifically for martial artists.
Some training equipment was also arranged around it.
The woman walked to the center of the training ground and turned to Jiang Lan.
"Young man, stand steady. I'll test your defensive ability."
Jiang Lan walked to the center of the training ground and took his stance.
The woman drew a deep breath, her blood energy surging as she unleashed a fierce punch.
Thud!!!
A dull boom rang out, sending echoes rolling across the training ground.
Jiang Lan retreated two steps, feeling no pain at all.
The woman's face filled with shock.
She was a middle meridian-opening stage martial artist. Even though she had only used seventy percent of her strength, that blow was definitely stronger than an ordinary initial meridian-opening stage martial artist's full-strength strike.
Yet this young man was completely unharmed.
Had he really only just awakened his special ability?
She immediately realized that the academy had stumbled upon a true treasure!
Whatever it takes, we have to secure this young man!
She took a deep breath and approached Jiang Lan, her face glowing with an enthusiastic smile.
"Young man, what's your name?"
Jiang Lan answered, "Jiang Lan."
"Jiang Lan, the Ultimate Dao Martial Academy welcomes you," the woman said. "If you agree to enroll, I can give you a place in this year's Rocket Class right away."
"Rocket Class?"
The woman explained, "Our academy has three tiers: regular classes, special classes, and the Rocket Class."
"Regular classes are for students admitted through the Warrior Entrance Examination. Special classes are for students with better talent, while the Rocket Class is for those with the very best talent."
"Each class receives a different allocation of resources."
Jiang Lan asked, "Then what resources would I receive?"
"Rocket Class students receive ten bottles of First-Tier Ferocious Beast Essence Blood and five Body Tempering Pills every month, along with cultivation methods and martial techniques provided by the academy. In addition, the academy assigns dedicated instructors to provide one-on-one guidance."
Jiang Lan's interest stirred.
Ten bottles of First-Tier Ferocious Beast Essence Blood?
That's twenty thousand Credit Points!
There were pills and cultivation methods, too.
Those benefits were certainly good.
Seeing that Jiang Lan seemed tempted, the woman pressed her advantage.
"If you agree, Jiang Lan, I can also apply for an extra five bottles of First-Tier Ferocious Beast Essence Blood each month for you, or one bottle of Second-Tier Ferocious Beast Essence Blood."
At her words, Jiang Lan felt his breathing grow heavier.
But he still didn't agree immediately. Instead, he said:
"I need to think it over first."
The woman immediately grew a little nervous.
As the admissions director, she naturally knew how important Jiang Lan was to the academy.
Recruiting a martial artist with a special talent would not only earn them a substantial subsidy from the base city, but if Jiang Lan progressed quickly, the entire academy would benefit.
Anxious as she was, she couldn't very well push him at a time like this. She could only take a business card from her pocket and hand it to Jiang Lan.
"No problem. Here's my contact information. Once you've decided, you can contact me anytime."
Jiang Lan took the business card and glanced at it.
It read: Lin Yu, Admissions Director, Extreme Martial Artist Academy.
Jiang Lan put the card away and said, "Thank you, Director Lin."
Lin Yu smiled. "You're welcome. I hope you'll join our academy."
Shen Qingqiu glanced at Jiang Lan and said:
"Then we'll take our leave."
The smile on Lin Yu's face remained unchanged.
"I'll walk you out."
With that, she escorted the two all the way to the academy gates before addressing Jiang Lan earnestly.
"Jiang Lan, I hope you'll make your decision soon. Believe me, the Ultimate Dao Martial Academy is absolutely the best place for you."
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