With only three days left until the exam, time is of the essence, and all the scions of aristocratic families have only one day to choose which branch to apply to!
As a result, the scions of noble families arrived at the academy very early in the morning, hoping to gather as much information as possible.
Many scions of prominent families made their choices immediately after learning about the situation, while others hesitated and remained undecided until noon.
" Murong, what's wrong? Is there something you're worried about?"
At the entrance of the Mystic Academy, Beiyu and the others looked at each other curiously. "We've already learned about it. The Heaven Academy specializes in magic and array formations, which is the most sought-after field by all. Although the other academies sound like they're for sorcerers, they feel more like craftsmen."
Murong Bingyun shook her head upon hearing this. "The various families all sent their disciples here because they heard about the enormous barrier in Nanming and the ability of Jiangnan array masters to Void Formation Drawing. What they most want to acquire is the skill of Jiangnan arrays. But after observing around, I feel that this is not a good idea."
"Why do you say that?" A young man in black beside him was taken aback. "A spellcaster is clearly more in line with our expectations. Moreover, judging from the status of the Jiangnan Academy, spellcasters are ranked among the highest in the Heaven Academy. Isn't that right?"
"That's not how it works," Murong Bingyun shook her head. "I got up early this morning and arrived at the academy before you all. I heard a lot about the application directions of local students. Did you know that the Heaven Academy actually has the fewest applicants among the four academies?"
"Huh?" The people around were taken aback. "Why is that?"
"I've inquired about it," Murong Bingyun said with a smile. "Because the other academies are more likely to produce results and make a lot of money. For example, the disciples of the Mystic Academy, especially those in the engineering department, are the most sought-after. Most of the novelties we see in Jiangnan these days are the work of the Mystic Academy sorcerers. The prefects of various regions in the seven continents of Jiangnan prefer to recruit Mystic Academy disciples to work there."
"That's the mentality of the common people!" Beiyu shook his head in disagreement. "Common people are driven by profit, they don't think long-term, they only care about immediate gains. I admit that the things created by the Mystic Academy sorcerers are better for the people's livelihood, but in this world, the strong ultimately rule. If you don't control your own power, all wealth is just a mirage, and it can be plundered by others at any time."
"You," Murong Bingyun shook her head, "Take the law of the jungle, the survival of the fittest, too seriously."
"The law of the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak, is a fundamental truth of the world!"
Murong Bingyun sighed upon hearing this. The grasslands simply have too many people with this kind of thinking, which is why they can never be as constructive as the Central Plains. Even when they occupied the Seven Cities of Youyun, they only turned such a fertile land into a large ranch. At its core, it's still the grasslands.
"Look, the disciples of the Heaven Academy Jiangnan Academy are said to require a lot of magical abilities for research, making it an extremely expensive field. You admit that, right?"
Beiyu frowned and nodded. Array masters have always been expensive. The reason why large families are so enthusiastic about Void Formation Drawing is not only because this method can make array masters more practical in combat, but also because saving costs is a key factor. After all, the materials for stabilizing arrays have always been the most expensive part of arrays.
"Then how can we ensure that the Heaven Academy has enough magical abilities?"
"Huh?" Beiyu frowned. "Wasn't it Chen Qing who supported it?"
"It's true that he supports me, but where did he get so many magical abilities from?"
"This"
Murong Bingyun sighed and shook her head, "As far as I know, the Yellow Academy disciples in the Jiangnan Academy include bio-magicians skilled in modifying organisms, and Agricultural Academy magicians skilled in modifying agriculture. It is they who have improved a large number of new crops, allowing Jiangnan to feed hundreds of millions Jiangnan people with just a few mountainous areas."
"With enough high-quality food to ensure basic needs are met, we have enough labor. With enough labor, we can carry out more engineering projects. And it is these projects that have made the spiritual energy in Jiangnan so abundant. With abundant spiritual energy, we can gather enough magical energy for the disciples of the Heaven Academy to continue researching more advanced formations. Do you understand?"
Beiyu and the others were stunned for a moment before they slowly came to their senses.
"This is a positive cycle. Without any one element, we wouldn't have the Liuzhou we see today." Murong Bingyun a deep breath and said, "Therefore, we can't all apply to the Heaven Academy. We must acquire enough comprehensive knowledge to return and establish Liuzhou in the North!"
The disciples of the Guhuang exchanged hesitant glances. They understood the reasoning, but none of them wanted to be the one to make the contribution.
The family sent them here to extract more knowledge of spell formations, while the members themselves preferred to learn spells that would benefit their own power, such as those related to construction. They genuinely didn't want to stand out.
"I'll go first." Murong Bingyun looked at the group of hesitant disciples and sighed again. Human nature is selfish, that's common sense. It's unrealistic to expect them to sacrifice their own interests and become a part of the construction. We can only take it one step at a time.
"I will apply to the Mystic Academy, with the Academy of Engineering as my primary goal."
"Brother?" A younger sister from the Murong Family behind him was taken aback and seemed a little anxious.
The family was willing to let me come here because of the advanced magic array techniques. If they knew I was going to study some kind of engineering, they'd probably give me a good scolding when I got back!
"It's alright." Murong comforted his anxious younger sister, "Your talent for divination is better than mine. You're actually more suited to become a divination master at the Heaven Academy. As for the family's mission, you're enough. Let your brother try other possibilities."
"But."
"Alright. Listen to me!" Murong's expression turned serious, and the two younger members of the Murong Family immediately fell silent. Although Murong Bingyun usually seemed gentle, he was a man of his word. Many people in the family opposed his coming to Jiangnan, but he insisted on coming anyway. His high status was one factor, but his strong personality was also a factor.
Seeing that Murong had taken the lead, the others couldn't just stand by and watch. After considering for a moment, Beiyu also said, "Then I'll go to the Yellow Academy and give it a try. If I can find the formula for the Abundant Grassland, then this trip will not have been in vain."
"Then I'll go to the Mystic Academy too. I'm quite interested in that Medical Academy. I have too much mixed blood from the Wolf Kingdom, which makes me prone to madness. If I can cure this, I might be able to leave my mark on the history of the Wolf Kingdom, haha."
As one young man after another stepped forward, Murong's expression improved considerably.
Change often begins little by little like this. He believed that in his lifetime, he would definitely be able to build a city in the Northern Wolf Kingdom that was no less impressive than Liuzhou!
Shen Xue stood about ten meters away, watching this scene, and a pang of sadness rose in her heart.
She came here intending to apply for a place in either the Mystic Academy or the Earth Academy, but unlike that young man, she didn't harbor such grand ambitions; she was only here to protect herself!
Having experienced yesterday's ridicule, Shen Yu became increasingly erratic, especially towards herself, becoming more and more irritable and prone to verbal abuse. Although she didn't physically assault him, she knew very well that if she were to give him even the slightest provocation, he might not even survive to take the exam.
Under these circumstances, she certainly wouldn't dare apply to the Heaven Academy. His jealousy had completely twisted into madness, and the Heaven Academy sorcerers, who posed the greatest threat to his position, would likely incite murderous intent if she applied. In comparison, choosing other constructive academies and continuing to devote herself to the miscellaneous engineering projects he looked down upon was the only way to dispel his suspicions.
This was certainly not something she wanted to accept, but what could she do?
Looking at other people's older brothers now, and then at his own, he felt a real pang of bitterness. If Shen Yu had even a tenth of the other's magnanimity, with his elder brother Shen Yuan's early advantage, the Shen Family would surely be on the verge of revival. But alas...
"Young master, are you here to apply for the Heaven Academy?"
At the application office of the Heaven Academy branch, Shen Yu was warmly received as soon as he arrived. The fact that the major families had given priority to applying to the Heaven Academy in the past few days had made the person in charge of the Heaven Academy extremely happy. Nowadays, Heaven Academy, which has the highest requirements among the Jiangnan Academy, has become the least popular place. If it weren't for Nanming Prefecture showing its strength, probably no one would be applying now.
The fact that so many outstanding young men from other aristocratic families are now given priority here has truly pleased the students of the Heaven Academy who are in charge of the recruitment, since several major projects are desperately short of people.
Looking at the enthusiastic students of the Heaven Academy, Shen Yu's expression softened somewhat. This was more like it; this was the kind of treatment these top talents deserved.
"Are you from the north or the capital, young master?" the recruiter asked warmly, pouring tea after confirming the applicant's intention to apply.
Sipping the tea here, Shen Yu's expression was complicated. No wonder Mr. Bai disliked the Shen Family's tea so much. He wasn't just talking nonsense. The tea in Jiangnan was completely incomparable to that in the capital. He had heard before that some good teas had flowed out of Jiangnan, but unfortunately, they were all monopolized by the great families.
One sip, and the delicate fragrance spreads between your teeth, leaving an endless aftertaste. Most importantly, your mental state instantly improves. Just like the legends say, this tea has the effect of replenishing spiritual energy!
This place must be preserved!!
Putting aside the academic pursuits in Jiangnan, the environment alone is worth staying in. The abundant spiritual energy is comparable to the highest-level spiritual fields in one's own home. Coupled with the tea that nourishes the spirit and the food that replenishes qi and blood, even if one stays here to cultivate, the efficiency will be far better than in the capital!
Now that I've learned almost everything I needed to at the academy in the capital, and I'll soon be being sent out to serve as an assistant to the education commissioner, why not come to this wonderful place in Jiangnan since I'm going to be away anyway?
"The capital." After taking a sip of tea and pondering for a while, Shen Yuan finally came to his senses and replied.
The other party wasn't in a hurry. The tea they were serving was Azure Cloud Jade from Great Azure Mountain, Southern Capital. It was normal for these outsiders, who had never tasted it before, to react this way on their first visit.
"The capital city?" The recruiter's smile widened. Judging from the morning's registration, the quality of the applicants from the capital was far better than those from the north. He was sure he was going to pick a good one today.
It just so happens that my team is extremely short-handed for the project. Although newcomers can't be of much help, I can at least get them on board and train them gradually later.
"May I ask your name, sir?"
" Shen Yu."
" Shen Yu?" The other person was taken aback, feeling the name was somewhat familiar. After thinking for a moment, they immediately realized, "Isn't this the goofball from the city gate yesterday?"
That joke was told by a senior female student from the Heaven Academy yesterday, making all the Heaven Academy students laugh until their stomachs hurt. I never thought I'd meet the real joke today.
The recruiter's expression immediately fell.
Shen Yu frowned. "Is there a problem?"
"Well..." The other party considered for a moment, but still said politely, "Young Master Shen, I have also heard about what happened at the city gate yesterday."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yu was immediately embarrassed and annoyed, but he dared not vent his anger on an outsider, and could only suppress his anger and say, "That was an accident."
"Whether you're surprised or not is another matter, but Young Master Shen needs to think this through. Our Heaven Academy's entrance exam is the most difficult of the four academies. Judging from what you said yesterday, you probably haven't even finished reading the first three chapters of the Fundamentals of Spell Formations. With such a score, you're far from qualified to enter our Heaven Academy."
"Is it absolutely necessary to learn that to be admitted to the hospital?" Shen Yu frowned.
The recruiter looked at the other person as if they were an idiot. "Our Heaven Academy studies the art of formations, what do you say?"
"Don't you consider other qualifications?"
"For example?"
"Meditation efficiency, inherited spell talents—these are the talents that warlock offspring need most, aren't they?"
"There are certain requirements for meditation efficiency, but this won't affect the assessment. High efficiency is naturally good, but low efficiency is not a problem either. What we in Jiangnan have no shortage of is spiritual energy. As long as you are smart enough and can keep up with the array training, we can open up a place with a concentration ten times higher than here for you to meditate in and catch up with the progress."
"Ten times higher??" Shen Yu's eyes immediately turned red!
Even a family with a thousand-year-old tradition of cultivating spiritual fields wouldn't dare say such a thing, would they? Has this person gone mad?
Does such a thing exist?
"Of course," the recruiter laughed. "In the seven continents of Jiangnan, wherever there is Mountain God, the concentration of spiritual energy is guaranteed. Especially in Great Azure Mountain in Liuzhou, the concentration can be more than thirty times that of ordinary places if you are in a mountain location. Moreover, as long as you are a student of the academy, you can go. There is absolutely no need to worry about that."
bump!
Shen Yu couldn't help but stand up.
His eyes were as red as a mad bull's!
At that moment, he knew for sure: he had to stay at the Jiangnan Academy!!!
Hehe, only two chapters today. Three chapters should be no problem this weekend. Still three chapters owed, still three chapters owed, hehe.