Jiang Lan nodded and said:
"They all offered pretty good terms. Blazing Fire Academy offered the most-not only twenty-four bottles of essence blood a month, but also thirty bottles as an enrollment bonus."
Shen Qingqiu looked at Jiang Lan and said earnestly:
"Sometimes, you can't just look at the resources right in front of you. Take a little advice from your aunt: Ultimate Dao Martial Academy is the best Warrior Academy in the base city. Whether it's the faculty or anything else, the other two academies can't come close."
"Besides, Ultimate Dao Martial Academy's library has over a thousand cultivation methods and martial techniques. Even the other two academies combined don't have that many."
Jiang Lan nodded thoughtfully.
Though he had no use for those things, it really made no difference to him where he went.
Since his aunt had said so, keeping his aunt happy naturally came first.
After all, the academy's only use to him might be handing out essence blood every month.
Shen Qingqiu continued:
"Then there are the connections. Ultimate Dao Martial Academy has been around for fifty years, and the martial artists it trained work in every department across the base city. Heavenly Martial Academy has only been around for ten years, and Blazing Fire Academy for just five."
"So, if you're thinking about your long-term development, Ultimate Dao Martial Academy is the best choice."
Jiang Lan smiled at Shen Qingqiu. "Auntie, are you advertising for Ultimate Dao Martial Academy?"
Shen Qingqiu rolled his eyes at him. "I'm helping you weigh your options. Listen or don't."
"I'm listening, I'm listening," Jiang Lan hurriedly said. "You're right about everything, Auntie."
Only then did Shen Qingqiu nod in satisfaction and place a piece of meat in Jiang Lan's bowl.
"Eat more. Don't just sit there talking."
Jiang Lan lowered his head and ate, having already decided to join Ultimate Dao Martial Academy.
It was just a shame that the offer fell a little short.
Just then, Jiang Lan's phone suddenly rang again.
Jiang Lan raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Auntie, I'll take this call."
"Mm," Shen Qingqiu replied, a flicker passing through his eyes.
Jiang Lan picked up his phone and found the number on the screen somewhat familiar.
Then he remembered that it seemed to be Director Lin's mobile number.
He had glanced at it earlier when Lin Yu gave him her business card.
Answering the call, Jiang Lan said:
"Hello, Director Lin."
"Jiang Lan, sorry to bother you." Lin Yu sounded even warmer than before. "I heard that the other academies have contacted you too?"
Jiang Lan felt a little exasperated.
Was this circle just too small, or did all three academies have moles in each other's ranks?
How did everyone else find out before the news was even fresh?
After a little inward grumbling, Jiang Lan spoke into the phone:
"Yes, Heavenly Martial Academy and Blazing Fire Academy both contacted me."
Lin Yu fell silent for a few seconds, then said:
"Would you mind telling me what they offered?"
Jiang Lan thought about it. There was no reason he couldn't tell her.
"Heavenly Martial Academy offered twenty bottles of first-tier essence blood a month and twenty bottles as an enrollment bonus. Blazing Fire Academy offered twenty-four bottles a month and thirty bottles as an enrollment bonus."
Another silence came from the other end of the line.
A moment later, Lin Yu spoke:
"Jiang Lan, we at Ultimate Dao Martial Academy are willing to offer you better terms."
Jiang Lan's eyes lit up.
"Please go ahead, Director Lin."
Lin Yu said:
"Thirty bottles of first-tier ferocious beast essence blood a month, or twenty first-tier bottles and two second-tier bottles. You can choose."
"For your enrollment bonus, forty bottles of first-tier essence blood, or eight bottles of second-tier essence blood."
"In addition, a place in the Rocket Class, one-on-one guidance from a mentor, full access to the Library Tower, and one opportunity each year to enter the Spiritual Energy Chamber."
By the time Jiang Lan finished listening, his heart was beating a little faster.
This offer was even better than Blazing Fire Academy's.
And Ultimate Dao Martial Academy was already the best academy. Now there was no question at all.
But...
Jiang Lan remembered something.
"Director Lin, I have one condition."
"Go ahead." Lin Yu's tone was brisk.
Jiang Lan said:
"I need to retain a certain amount of freedom to act on my own. For example, I want at least two days a week when I can leave the city freely without having to apply to the academy."
The other end of the line fell silent for a few seconds.
Jiang Lan was in no hurry and waited quietly.
He had thought this condition through carefully.
After all, even though the academy provided Fierce Beast Blood Essence, he couldn't just do nothing and wait for it every day.
It was enough for now, but later, when each level-up required more essence blood, the academy's supply would start falling short.
On the other end of the line, Lin Yu was silent for a long while before finally speaking:
"All right. I agree."
Jiang Lan was a little surprised.
He hadn't expected Lin Yu to be so accommodating.
She agreed just like that?
On the other end of the line, Lin Yu continued:
"However, when you leave the city, you'll need to notify the academy. That's for your safety. If you run into danger outside, the academy can send help in time."
Jiang Lan thought it over. That was a perfectly reasonable requirement.
"No problem."
"Then, Jiang Lan, does that mean..."
Jiang Lan smiled. "I'm willing to join Ultimate Dao Martial Academy."
On the other end of the line, Lin Yu clearly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Wonderful! Welcome to Ultimate Dao Martial Academy, Jiang Lan."
"Would you be available to come to the academy tomorrow morning to complete your enrollment?"
"Yes."
"Good, then I'll see you tomorrow. Oh, and would you like First-Tier Essence Blood or second-tier essence blood for your enrollment bonus?"
Jiang Lan thought about it. First-tier essence blood was more useful to him.
"Forty bottles of first-tier essence blood."
"All right. I'll have them ready for you tomorrow."
After hanging up, Jiang Lan let out a long breath.
Done!
Shen Qingqiu looked at Jiang Lan.
"What do you want to leave the city for?"
"Hehe, I just want to slack off a little." Jiang Lan chuckled. "Besides, when there's nothing going on, I'd like to go to the Wilderness Zone with you, Auntie."
At that, Shen Qingqiu gave Jiang Lan a look filled with complicated emotions. Still, he didn't say much, only:
"Oh, you..."
The two chatted for a bit before Jiang Lan received another call.
It was Blazing Fire Academy again.
Since he had already decided to join Ultimate Dao Martial Academy, Jiang Lan naturally wouldn't string them along and told them the truth outright.
The person on the other end offered a few polite congratulations, then hung up.
Only now did Jiang Lan truly understand just how sought-after a martial artist with a special talent was.
They really were fighting to recruit him.
Still, he had no regrets.
He had already received more than enough benefits.
As the old saying went, unchecked greed was like a snake trying to swallow an elephant.
After chatting with his aunt a while longer and finishing their meal, Shen Qingqiu said:
"Get some proper rest and make sure you're refreshed. I'll take you to complete your enrollment first thing tomorrow morning."
"No problem."
Jiang Lan had no objections and nodded in agreement.
A wave of emotion welled up inside him.
He had still been thinking about going to the Wilderness Zone earlier. He hadn't expected a turning point to arrive so suddenly.
But this was good too. At least the essence blood the Warrior Academy provided would be enough to solve his immediate problem and give his strength a substantial boost.
The Warrior Academy...
A flicker passed through Jiang Lan's eyes.
Actually, he was rather looking forward to it.