High Martial Arts: Enlightenment after Practices

Chapter 103: Chapter 103: Admission Notice (End of Volume 1)

The two walked side by side toward the school auditorium.

The auditorium was exceptionally grand today. The stage was draped in deep red velvet, and the school’s leadership had already taken their seats. The prime seats in front of the stage were reserved for this year’s top graduates.

Xu Wuyi spotted Zeng Bonan immediately.

Zeng Bonan saw him too and walked over, his face beaming with irrepressible joy.

”Wuyi.” Zeng Bonan’s voice was steadier than usual, but the light in his eyes betrayed his mood. ”Congratulations. Provincial champion. It’s a well-deserved title.”

”Thanks,” Xu Wuyi replied. He could sense a change in Zeng Bonan’s presence; it was more refined than during the Martial Arts College Entrance Examination. ”You too. Congratulations.”

He knew Zeng Bonan’s situation.

He had a Life Energy Level of 12.6 on the Martial Arts College Entrance Examination, ranking him fifty-fifth in the province. In previous years, it would have been nearly impossible to get into the Three Greats with that rank. This year, however, the Three Greats had a few more admission slots in Dongjiang Province, allowing him to squeeze in as the very last accepted student.

At the mention of this, Zeng Bonan scratched his head, a look of relief on his face. ”It was pure luck. They added five more spots this year, and I was right on the cutoff line. The very last one.”

”Just getting in is an accomplishment,” Xu Wuyi said. He wasn’t just being polite; ranking in the top fifty-five among hundreds of thousands of examinees in Dongjiang Province was proof of his strength.

”What about the others?” Xu Wuyi asked.

”Most of them performed as expected.” He paused, then added, ”Only Hu Haobo... It’s a shame. He ranked ninety-eighth in the province and is going to Beiming Martial Arts Academy of the Seven-Star Alliance.”

Xu Wuyi fell silent.

Hu Haobo’s strength was comparable to Zeng Bonan’s; the two had always been evenly matched, trading wins and losses, just with different styles.

However, he knew that Hu Haobo hadn’t performed well on the Martial Arts College Entrance Examination, resulting in a rank far below Zeng Bonan’s.

That was the nature of the Martial Arts College Entrance Examination; a single point could mean a world of difference. Once-rivals were now headed down entirely different paths.

Just as Zeng Bonan was about to say something else, his gaze shifted to the auditorium entrance. He lowered his voice, ”The students from United are here, too.”

Xu Wuyi followed his gaze and saw that a number of students from United Middle School had arrived. Among them, Su Yueling entered quietly.

She wore a simple, elegant set of casual clothes and had a cool, distant air about her. She walked straight to an empty seat in the front row and sat down.

Xu Wuyi knew she had been accepted by Black Stone Academy.

This was a joint awards ceremony for all the top high school graduates from across Red River City, so it wasn’t just students from United Middle School; others would be attending as well.

Shortly after, Yu Peiling arrived as well. Her eyes lit up when she saw Xu Wuyi, and she approached him with graceful confidence to say hello.

”Xu Wuyi, congratulations! We’ll be classmates from now on,” Yu Peiling said, her voice full of laughter.

She had also received an acceptance letter from Star Martial University. With her solid Life Energy Level and consistent performance, she had ranked eleventh in the province, making her admission to Star Martial a certainty.

”Same to you,” Xu Wuyi replied.

Although he didn’t know why she had chosen Star Martial over Starry University, Xu Wuyi didn’t press the matter.

The Three Greats each had their own specialties, but their overall strength was on the same level. Personal choices didn’t always need a deep reason; sometimes a place just felt right.

As the key figures arrived, the atmosphere in the auditorium grew increasingly dignified.

Principal Zhang Qiming gave a brief yet stirring speech, recounting the brilliant achievements of this year’s students. He gave special recognition to the honor Xu Wuyi had brought to Red River City.

Next came the most important segment of the ceremony: the presentation of the acceptance letters.

First, the school’s own teachers distributed the acceptance letters for Ordinary Martial Arts Universities and the Seven-Star Alliance.

When ”Hu Haobo, Beiming Martial Arts Academy” was announced, a round of lukewarm applause broke out from one section of the audience, accompanied by the faint sound of a suppressed sigh.

Hu Haobo specialized in offense and was incredibly strong. Before the Martial Arts College Entrance Examination, many students and teachers believed he had a better chance than Zeng Bonan of getting into the Three Greats.

At last, it was time for the main event.

Three staff members, each with a distinctly different bearing but all exuding powerful Qi and Blood fluctuations, walked onto the stage under the personal guidance of Principal Zhang.

They represented Star Martial University, Black Stone Academy, and Starry Sky Martial Arts Academy.

”Xu Wuyi, please come to the stage.”

In an instant, every eye and every camera in the auditorium focused on Xu Wuyi.

He walked steadily onto the stage amid a tide of applause and cheers.

Director Li presented the acceptance letter to Xu Wuyi with both hands.

The acceptance letter was a composite of some kind of metal and special paper. Its cover bore the emblem of Star Martial University: an azure planet encircled by countless star trails. It felt heavy and cool to the touch.

”Xu Wuyi, congratulations on being admitted to Star Martial University as the top-ranked student in Dongjiang Province.” Director Li’s voice boomed through the microphone, filling the auditorium. ”The gates of Star Martial are now open to you. We look forward to seeing you continue to shine on an even bigger stage!”

”Thank you, Director Li. Thank you, Star Martial University.” Xu Wuyi accepted it solemnly and gave a slight bow.

At that moment, thunderous applause erupted and seemed to go on forever.

Father Xu and Mrs. Xu, seated in the parents’ section, were so moved that their eyes welled with tears.

Afterwards, Yu Peiling, Su Yueling, and Zeng Bonan went on stage to receive their respective acceptance letters.

After the ceremony, the graduates clutched their acceptance letters. Some leaped with excitement, others hugged their families, and many posed for photos with friends to commemorate the moment.

Just as Xu Wuyi was about to leave, the communicator in his pocket buzzed softly.

He took it out and saw a message from Shen Wei.

Shen Wei’s message was brief and to the point:

”I got into Star Martial too. When are you reporting to campus? Once we’re settled, let’s have another match—with weapons this time.”

Looking at the screen, Xu Wuyi felt the corners of his mouth curve into a faint smile.

Shen Wei’s personality was just like that—everything, wins and losses alike, was laid out in the open.

During the combat portion of the Martial Arts College Entrance Examination, though neither had used weapons, they had both sized up the other’s capabilities. The resulting mutual respect felt more genuine than a typical school friendship.

In theory, they could spar on the Star Martial Battle Network right now, but Xu Wuyi preferred to report to the university first.

As one of the birthplaces of the Star Martial Battle Network, the virtual equipment at Star Martial University was bound to be far superior to a Basic Level Virtual Pod.

His fingertips tapped the screen as he sent an equally direct reply: ”Leaving first thing tomorrow morning. Should reach Yuntai City by evening. I’m fine with a match. Let’s get in touch then.”

Not ten seconds after he sent the message, Shen Wei’s reply popped up, his surprise palpable in the text: ”So early? I’m staying home for another half a month. I won’t be there until the end of July.”

”I want to check out the school’s Cultivation Area. It’s better to familiarize myself with the environment a day early,” Xu Wuyi replied before putting his communicator away.

He wasn’t trying to get a leg up on anyone; he was just used to being in control of his own time.

He had only just reached the Entry Level with the Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace. As one of the Federation’s top Martial Arts Universities, Star Martial University was sure to have training grounds better suited for a High-Tier Body Refining Method. Every extra day he could practice was another day he could further refine his Qi and Blood.

”Fine.” Shen Wei’s reply reverted to its usual brevity. ”Contact you then.”

...

「The next morning, Red River City Airport.」

Unlike the massive public welcome he received upon his return as the provincial champion, his departure was a quiet, private affair.

Father Xu and Mrs. Xu looked at their son, a thousand unspoken words caught in their throats. In the end, all that came out were a few repeated admonitions.

”When you get there, take care of yourself. Eat your meals on time...” Mrs. Xu straightened her son’s already neat collar, the rims of her eyes a little red.

”Do you have enough money? I hear it’s expensive in the big city, so don’t be too frugal...” Father Xu pressed a small bundle into Xu Wuyi’s hand. ”Your mom packed this for you. For the road.”

Xu Wuyi took the bundle and nodded. ”Dad, Mom, don’t worry. I can take care of myself.”

Principal Zhang Qiming and Teacher Wang Wenhai had come to see him off as well.

”Star Martial University is full of hidden talents, but don’t sell yourself short. Your foundation is solid; all you lack are resources and more advanced guidance.” Teacher Wang clapped him firmly on the shoulder, his eyes full of expectation. ”Remember, in Martial Arts, diligence is paramount. Guard against arrogance and impatience.”

Principal Zhang handed him a data chip. ”This has Director Li’s private contact code. If you run into any trouble in Yuntai City or get lost, you can contact him.”

”He’s still in another province at the moment, but getting in touch early should make things smoother for you.”

”Thank you, Principal. Thank you, Teacher Wang.” Xu Wuyi stored the chip safely and bowed deeply to his two mentors. He knew that without the school’s support and his teachers’ unreserved guidance over the past three years, he would never have made it this far.

Goodbyes must eventually come to an end. The boarding call echoed through the departure lounge.

Xu Wuyi picked up his simple bag. Inside, aside from a few changes of clothes and some toiletries, was the heavy acceptance letter.

He took one last look at his parents and mentors, then turned and strode toward the security checkpoint without looking back.

Amid the roar of the aircraft’s engines, its streamlined, silver-gray fuselage lifted off the ground, pierced through the clouds, and left Red River City—his home for more than a decade—far behind.