Page 49

Xu Jintang glanced over the notice. "I see. All right, let's go register tomorrow, then."

After agreeing on when to register, Xu Jintang and Wei Zixuan left the dormitory area and headed to the entrance of the command center base.

They had not waited long before they saw Song Duoduo running toward them.

"I'm here!" Song Duoduo's energetic voice rang out. She ran up and stopped. "Class monitor-ah, no, Jintang, I'm planning to apply to Red Ridge Military Academy. It's a first-tier academy with pretty good faculty, and an older student I know studies there. If I go, I'll have someone I know who can help me out. What do you think?"

Song Duoduo had done reasonably well on the joint examination, but applying to the five great military academies would definitely be a stretch. Choosing a first-tier military academy was the safer option.

Xu Jintang nodded. "I think that works."

"Red Ridge Military Academy's faculty and teaching standards are second only to the five great military academies. It's pretty good. Besides, everyone's going into the military after graduation anyway, so it's the same no matter which military academy you attend," Wei Zixuan added.

Seeing that both of them approved of her choice, Song Duoduo felt reassured. "It's a shame Red Ridge Military Academy is in the middle star regions. We'll be apart for a long time. Keep in touch when you have time."

"Don't worry, second sister. We're all sisters here. We definitely won't forget you!" Wei Zixuan heartily clapped Song Duoduo on the back.

And so, the three arranged to go to Lianxiangzhai Restaurant again that evening.

Remembering how they had gotten drunk and arrived late last time, none of them dared drink too much this time, cautiously limiting themselves to a few drinks for enjoyment.

Early the next morning, golden sunlight streamed into the room through the window.

Xu Jintang changed into her military school uniform and walked out of the command center base, full of energy.

When she reached the base entrance, she soon spotted Wei Zixuan waiting beside the railing.

Xu Jintang walked over to him. "Let's go."

The two turned in unison and headed out of the base.

Half an hour later, Xu Jintang's group arrived at the entrance of Leikdasi Military Academy.

Liu Hongfang and another teacher from their school, who had come along to see them off, both looked deeply moved. "The children have grown up. They might become important figures even more capable than us someday."

The speaker was the other teacher. He was also from the FM795 Lower Star Region. Their star region had produced two students in the top ten of the joint examination this time, so their school was naturally excited as well.

That was why he had hurried over with Liu Hongfang several days earlier.

"Teachers, we're going in to register," Xu Jintang said, turning to the two teachers.

Liu Hongfang smiled and waved. "Go on."

Only after watching Xu Jintang and Wei Zixuan's retreating figures grow smaller and smaller until they disappeared did Liu Hongfang and the other teacher look away.

The two teachers exchanged smiles. "Come on, let's have a drink to celebrate too."

They immediately slung their arms around each other's shoulders and turned to leave.

"My parents are really something. Registering at a military academy is such a big deal, and they didn't even come see me off themselves. They can't even compare to our teachers," Wei Zixuan suddenly complained as something occurred to him.

Xu Jintang glanced at him, looking a little surprised. "So you have parents."

Wei Zixuan said, "...Sis, what kind of thing is that to say? Don't you?"

"I don't," Xu Jintang replied calmly.

Family affection was something one had to have experienced before its loss could bring pain and sorrow.

And since childhood, she had been an

orphan,

so naturally, she could not feel the pain of losing familial love.

Wei Zixuan froze. It took him a long while to recover, and he had no idea how to respond. He stammered for ages. "S-sorry. I didn't mean it."

Xu Jintang paid it no mind and continued walking, still murmuring, "As expected of the First Military Academy. The campus is pretty big."

Only when he saw that Xu Jintang did not seem to mind at all did Wei Zixuan relax a little. He hurried after her. "I heard Leikedasi's dormitories are more luxurious than those at other military academies."

The two soon arrived at the academic affairs office to register.

After reading their information, the teacher at the academic affairs office instantly brightened and looked up in pleasant surprise, studying them both. "There's still a month left before summer vacation ends this term, but since you're from another star region, the academy has made a special exception and will let you move into the dormitories during the break. I'll arrange that for you now."

Fifteen minutes later, Xu Jintang and Wei Zixuan parted ways downstairs at the dormitories.

Xu Jintang entered the women's dormitory building alone.

The building had sixty-eight floors in total, each with its own common areas, including a recreation area, a training area, a simulated battlefield area, and various other facilities.

Xu Jintang reached the eighteenth floor and found her dorm room number. After she swiped her keycard, the door opened with a beep.

The apartment faced both north and south, with an excellent orientation that let sunlight reach the entire living room.

Besides a bedroom, it also had a private bathroom and a cultivation room. The soundproofing was excellent, and the door also had a security lock, allowing her to cultivate without outside interference.

"Now this is comfortable." Xu Jintang nestled into the living room sofa, her eyes half-closed.

She had barely rested before her communicator vibrated.

It was a call from Wei Zixuan.

Xu Jintang sat up properly and accepted the video call.

A miniature figure immediately appeared before her, a scaled-down version of Wei Zixuan himself.

"Sis Jintang, I found out something important! You've heard of the military academy league held every five years, right?" Wei Zixuan's voice held a hint of excitement.

Xu Jintang hesitated briefly. "I have."

The All-Interstellar Military Academy League was held only once every five years, and the standings in each competition directly affected the military academies' rankings.

The current five great military academies, for instance, were the top five winners of the previous military academy league.

And the reason Leikedasi had retained its title as the First Military Academy year after year was precisely because it took first place in the league every time.

Wei Zixuan gave a mysterious smile. "Our incoming class will happen to be here for the military academy league three years from now. I wonder if we'll have a chance to join in."

"It's still three years away. What's the rush?" Xu Jintang remained fairly calm.

After ending the call, Xu Jintang got up and left her dorm to wander around the

campus

for a while.

At this time, the military academy's students were still on vacation, and there were barely any people on campus.

After wandering for a while and growing bored, Xu Jintang left the academy alone.

In an alley opposite the headquarters of the Federation Inscriptionist Association.

Xu Jintang quietly took out her disguise mask and put it on. In an instant, her face and skeletal frame changed drastically, transforming her from a delicate-looking young girl into a tall, striking beauty.

"Brother Long, what do you think of this face and bearing?" Even her voice had taken on more of a

mature, commanding woman's

quality.

The Ice Soul Dragon said, "Not bad. Planning to ask the Inscriptionist Association about that ability of yours?"

Xu Jintang nodded. "I'll only feel at ease once I figure it out sooner rather than later."

She had been keeping the matter of her second ability to herself for a long time.

If she had not feared causing herself trouble by exposing it, she would have been unable to hold back from asking around long ago.

Ability users below the sixth tier could not see through the magical effect of her disguise mask. She had learned that the highest-ranked person currently in the association was President Sun, who was at the peak of the fifth tier.

Her disguise should be safe for the time being.

Xu Jintang emerged from the alley and walked into the headquarters of the Federation Inscriptionist Association.

"Hello, how may I help you?" A staff member at the front desk immediately asked with a smile upon seeing Xu Jintang.

Xu Jintang rested an arm on the counter. "I'd like to ask what your requirements are for joining."

The staff member paused for half a second, a glimmer appearing in their eyes. "Are you an inscriptionist?"

Xu Jintang gave a faint hum of assent. "I can already make level-one inscriptions proficiently, so I should count as an inscriptionist."

"Of course!" The staff member's smile became deeply respectful. Bowing slightly, they gestured for her to proceed. "This way, please. I'll notify the relevant personnel right away and arrange your internal inscriptionist assessment."

Xu Jintang was soon escorted into the association's assessment area.

As soon as she entered, Xu Jintang spotted a familiar face.

Xue Zhongqi was standing with an elderly man at an inscription workstation, tinkering with something.

"President Sun, this level-one inscriptionist would like to take the admission assessment," the staff member explained as they approached.

Sun Yuantian turned around. Seeing Xu Jintang's unfamiliar face, he asked with some curiosity, "Has this young lady taken classes here before?"

Generally, even after awakening an ability with the star attribute, an inscriptionist still needed continual practice and study before successfully creating their first inscription talisman.

That was why many inscriptionists attended classes at their association for a time before formally passing the assessment.

Xue Zhongqi also looked over.

Under the disguise mask's effects, he clearly had not recognized her.

Xu Jintang cleared her throat. "Can't I take the assessment if I haven't taken classes?"

"Of course you can," Sun Yuantian replied with a smile. "But I'm afraid you'll be at a disadvantage taking the assessment without attending classes. Our association's assessment is quite difficult. Many inscriptionists have to take it three or four times before passing."

Xu Jintang pressed her lips together, then quickly asked, "What do you usually test?"

Sun Yuantian considered for a moment before answering, "Linking mental power threads, engraving formation diagrams, and adding inscription attributes. Each of these three assessments is extremely difficult and requires a great deal of practice and study."

At this point, he suddenly grew a little wistful. "Back then, it took me an entire year to successfully make the first inscription of my life."

Xu Jintang's eyes widened.

How long? A year??

Xue Zhongqi smiled reassuringly. "Being able to make your first inscription in just one year already put your talent above many others, Teacher."

Sun Yuantian patted Xue Zhongqi's shoulder and said earnestly, "Zhongqi, you're the most talented student I've seen in all these decades. You completely mastered engraving techniques in just six months. I have faith in you. You'll definitely become a top-level, level-eight inscriptionist someday!"