Jiang Lan acknowledged her, then turned and left with Shen Qingqiu.
Lin Yu stood at the academy gates, watching them leave. Only after their SUV drove out of the parking lot did she turn and head back.
She had to report this to the dean right away.
A martial artist with a special talent-and a defensive one at that. They absolutely could not let another academy snatch up someone like him.
Inside the car.
As Shen Qingqiu drove, he glanced sideways at Jiang Lan.
"What do you think?"
Jiang Lan leaned back in the passenger seat and considered it for a moment before saying, "The terms are definitely good, but I want to think it over."
Shen Qingqiu raised an eyebrow. "You're not thinking of checking out the other academies, are you?"
Jiang Lan chuckled. "Of course I am. What if another academy offers better terms?"
Shen Qingqiu reached over and gave Jiang Lan a light tap on the head.
"Who would've thought? You're pretty shrewd."
Jiang Lan rubbed his head and grinned. "I've got to shop around, don't I? If I know I'm worth something, why would I sell myself short without knowing what I'm getting?"
Shen Qingqiu shook his head helplessly.
The boy really had grown up. He had a mind of his own now.
"Do whatever you think is best."
A little while later, the SUV stopped in the garage, and Shen Qingqiu and Jiang Lan headed home, one after the other.
After entering the house and exchanging a few words with Shen Qingqiu, Jiang Lan returned to his room.
Lying on his bed, he pulled up the system panel.
[Host: Jiang Lan] [Realm: None (martial artist talent not awakened)] [Indestructible Diamond Body: Third level] [Defense: 60] [Vitality: 845] [Strength: 18.6 (average for an ordinary person: 10)] [Spirit: 10.8 (average for an ordinary person: 10)] [Agility: 9.1 (average for an ordinary person: 10)] [Constitution: 29.5 (average for an ordinary person: 10)] [Upgrade requirement: First-Tier Ferocious Beast Essence Blood x4]
Jiang Lan studied the panel, doing the calculations in his head.
The next upgrade required four bottles of First-Tier Ferocious Beast Essence Blood.
If he joined a martial academy, he could receive fifteen bottles of tier-one beast blood essence each month, or ten tier-one bottles plus one tier-two bottle.
He wondered what the requirements for subsequent upgrades would be.
If they kept doubling, the blood essence the academy provided would soon fall short.
But besides blood essence, there were also pills and cultivation techniques.
Although he had the system and did not need cultivation techniques to train, the pills in this world could improve his physical attributes too.
With that thought, Jiang Lan made up his mind.
He could join a Warrior Academy.
But he needed to see which academy offered the best terms.
After all, he was in high demand now.
A smart person would naturally hold out for the best offer.
While Jiang Lan was thinking, the phone beside him suddenly rang.
He glanced at the caller ID.
An unfamiliar number.
Raising an eyebrow, Jiang Lan answered the call.
"Hello?"
"Am I speaking to Jiang Lan?"
A man's voice came from the other end.
Jiang Lan frowned. "Yes. Who's this?"
"Hello, I'm the admissions director at the Heavenly Martial Academy. My surname is Zhang."
The Heavenly Martial Academy?
Jiang Lan searched his memory and soon recalled that it was one of the other two Warrior Academies in Base City.
But... weren't they a little too well informed?
Was there a spy at the academy?
Before Jiang Lan could reply, Director Zhang continued:
"Jiang Lan, the Heavenly Martial Academy would sincerely like to invite you to join us. If you agree to enroll, we can offer you a place in our accelerated class, along with twenty bottles of tier-one beast blood essence each month, or fifteen tier-one bottles plus one tier-two bottle."
"On top of that, I can apply for an additional enrollment bonus for you: a one-time award of twenty bottles of First-Tier Ferocious Beast Essence Blood, or four bottles of Second-Tier Ferocious Beast essence blood."
"What do you think, Jiang Lan?"
Jiang Lan raised his eyebrows slightly.
The Heavenly Martial Academy was quite generous.
He said, "Director Zhang, could I have some time to think it over?"
"Of course," Director Zhang said. "But I suggest you decide as soon as possible. The Heavenly Martial Academy has made its best possible offer."
"I understand. I'll give you an answer as soon as I can," Jiang Lan replied.
Director Zhang spoke again. "All right, then. You have my contact number now. Once you've decided, you can contact me anytime."
After hanging up, Jiang Lan's lips curled.
Interesting.
It looked like he was even more sought-after than he'd thought.
As he was thinking, his phone rang again.
Another unfamiliar number.
Well, well. Was the third academy calling too?
He answered the call. "Hello?"
A woman's voice came from the other end:
"Hello, am I speaking to Jiang Lan?"
"Yes. Who's this?"
"Hello, I'm the admissions director at the Blazing Fire Academy. My surname is Li."
Well, well. It really was.
Now all three academies had joined the fray.
Director Li seemed to already know about his conversations with the first two academies. She cut straight to the point. "Jiang Lan, the terms the Blazing Fire Academy can offer will be better than those of either of the other two. Whatever the highest offer is, we'll add twenty percent on top."
Wow.
They really had money to burn.
Before he could speak, Director Li continued:
"The same goes for the enrollment bonus. We can offer you a one-time award of thirty bottles of first-tier Ferocious Beast essence blood, or six bottles of Second-Tier Ferocious Beast essence blood."
Jiang Lan raised an eyebrow.
Thirty bottles?
That was ten more than the Heavenly Martial Academy had offered.
His Special Talent cover story was working almost too well.
Still, Jiang Lan did not give her an immediate answer. Instead, he said:
"Thank you for the kind offer, Director Li, but I still need to weigh everything up."
"No problem," Director Li said. "But if you join our academy, I can also apply for some additional benefits for you."
"Oh?" Jiang Lan was a little curious.
Director Li explained:
"For example, the academy can provide you with a dedicated training space, guidance from higher-level instructors, and an uninterrupted supply of pills."
Hearing that, Jiang Lan's interest faded a little.
Those benefits were only so-so.
"I understand. I'll give it careful consideration."
After hanging up, Jiang Lan leaned back on his bed and thought things over.
All three academies had made their offers.
And each offer had been better than the last.
In terms of benefits, the Blazing Fire Academy offered the most.
But...
Jiang Lan recalled what Shen Qingqiu had said.
The Ultimate Dao Martial Academy was the best Warrior Academy in Base City. The other two were a little inferior.
If he only considered resources, the Blazing Fire Academy did offer more.
But in terms of long-term development, the Ultimate Dao Martial Academy should be better.
While he was thinking, Shen Qingqiu called from outside, "Lan, time to eat."
Jiang Lan answered, got up, and left his room.
Several home-cooked dishes were laid out on the dining table.
Jiang Lan sat down and picked up his chopsticks.
Shen Qingqiu looked at Jiang Lan and asked, "Well? Have you made up your mind?"
Jiang Lan picked up a bite of food and spoke as he ate. "The Heavenly Martial Academy and the Blazing Fire Academy both called me just now."
Shen Qingqiu froze. "That fast?"