Many students looked forward to being in the inner court one day. Students were just naturally competitive, especially when Qiling Academy was receiving vast amounts of resources and distributing them to the special trainees first.
Their peers were often almost the same level as them during lower secondary, but once enrolled into the special training, they shot up like corks from bottles. Within a few months, they had suddenly become tier two, four-star and above! One must understand that very few graduates had even achieved such a level in the past.
With the advantage of resources, Qiling Academy’s headmaster, Qi Jiuming, was naturally overjoyed.
The campus wasn’t too big, as it was surrounded by commercial buildings. Therefore, he was eyeing an empty piece of land just outside the city to build a new one. Of course, that was just a daydream, because the moment he mentioned it, the top management of the academy immediately stopped him. All the resources they received should be spent on the students! Perhaps they could talk about it in three years, but not now!
They still had the same ambitious dream, because who didn’t want their school to be famous around the world, like Aurig Central Academy, Falric Academy, and the Academy of China? Of course, they mustn't bite off more than they could chew. Walk before you fly. Their opportunity to fly had come, and it was Xiang Ning!
Qiling Academy had become the most famous academy in Marsh City and the neighboring cities. According to surveys, many excellent students were already thinking of enrolling there, which was a good indicator.
Qi Jiuming stood on the platform of the inner court, looking at these students who had brought back stellar results in the past half year. Especially Xiang Ning’s squad; there was pride in his eyes when he looked at them.
Lei Zhongyuan stood next to him, also looking at Xiang Ning. He was extremely satisfied with him. When he was assigned to become an instructor in Marsh City, many people had given him sympathetic looks. Well, they could laugh all they wanted! We’ll knock them over with our results!
The other students had mixed feelings about Xiang Ning. Some admired him very much, while others still held him in contempt because he was a part-time student. Xiang Ning merely smiled when he heard them. Just as Uncle Zhao had once said, mediocrity is the only way to avoid jealousy. The better one is, the more jealousy they would attract. That said, even the jealous are just admiring as well, because you have something they don’t.
“Good afternoon, students. I’m sure you’ve all heard rumors about why I gathered you all here today so I won’t be wasting any time.” Qi Jiuming swiped in front of him and a ray of light expanded into an image levitating in front of him.
Looking at the hologram in front of him, he said, “Today, a small team will represent our school to participate in Marsh City’s qualifiers. They’ll be up against nine other top schools. Two of the best schools will be chosen to represent Marsh City in Heavenly Star City, where the Southern Region qualifiers will be held. From there, the top five teams will be sent to Hang City.
“There, all of the chosen teams within China will battle it out. The champion will be sent to Magic City. Our current goal is to reach Magic City, because that’s where all of Asia’s top elite teams will be. It will be extremely good for your growth and our school’s reputation!”
Slides were displayed on the hologram according to Qi Jiuming’s explanation, including brief profiles of several genius teenagers. The teenagers in front of him who thought they were strong gained a new perspective on the world.
Of course, Xiang Ning learned a lot too. There were other teenagers who had attained tier four at his age. Most importantly, he realized that they had something he didn’t: inherited knowledge. Many of them had inherited certain skills and techniques, based on their profiles, therefore they were extremely powerful and able to challenge opponents above their own tier. Take Wu Rui, for example. He was part of the Wu family of Marsh City. Just the breathing technique he had inherited was enough for him to display magnitudes of power enough to shock Xiang Ning.
Some of the students were special, too. They weren’t part of the regular system of martial and spiritual cultivation. Xiang Ning was very curious and couldn’t wait to explore the world.
“Today, Xiang Ning’s team will be representing our school against the other schools in Marsh City. Let’s give them a round of applause!” Qi Jiuming gestured and the quiet crowd suddenly erupted with applause.
All of the lights turned on and the space around the court was already filled with students.
Xiang Ning had his own group of fans carrying a banner. The person carrying the banner was… his sister’s friend, Chen Zixin.
She was basically his biggest fan.
“Aaaaaah! Senior Xiang Ning’s looking at us! Senior Xiang Ning! Good luck!”
Xiang Xiaoyu was embarrassed by Chen Zixin’s excitement. She hadn’t even been this excited during Annot’s concert.
Of course, there were many other students screaming ‘Teacher Xiang Ning’ as well. During every week’s combat technique classes, their teachers would analyze and replay Xiang Ning’s videos. They had been very useful for class and the students learned a lot.
Qi Jiuming personally walked offstage to give Xiang Ning and his team school badges. They had become the face of Qiling Academy and the badges would be with them for life.
After the noisy farewell ceremony was done, Xiang Ning’s team was called to the headmaster’s office for a more detailed explanation.
Due to the limited time of the winter school holiday, the schedule was tight, meaning they would leave for the southern region qualifiers in three days. Qi Jiuming wasn’t worried, he knew they could make it to Hang City without a problem.
He was worried about them making it to Magic City, though, because Hang City itself was already chock-a-block with the young elites of China. There was a certain pressure there.
“Don’t worry, sir. We’re no longer the students from the beginning of this semester. Just wait and see, then you’ll know our true capabilities!” Li Zimo smiled. The rest of the team looked at each other and grinned.
Yes, they were no longer the students they were at the beginning of the semester. Xiang Ning wasn’t called ‘Teacher’ for nothing. Ever since their return from Fortress Three, he had used Keen Observation to point out every weakness they had, so they’d been able to correct their flaws. Other than some unavoidable aspects, they had all shown tremendous improvement.
That was why they could fight at a hundred and twenty percent of their strength during battle! With Xiang Ning present, they were never afraid.
Many students looked forward to being in the inner court one day. Students were just naturally competitive, especially when Qiling Academy was receiving vast amounts of resources and distributing them to the special trainees first.
Their peers were often almost the same level as them during lower secondary, but once enrolled into the special training, they shot up like corks from bottles. Within a few months, they had suddenly become tier two, four-star and above! One must understand that very few graduates had even achieved such a level in the past.
With the advantage of resources, Qiling Academy’s headmaster, Qi Jiuming, was naturally overjoyed.
The campus wasn’t too big, as it was surrounded by commercial buildings. Therefore, he was eyeing an empty piece of land just outside the city to build a new one. Of course, that was just a daydream, because the moment he mentioned it, the top management of the academy immediately stopped him. All the resources they received should be spent on the students! Perhaps they could talk about it in three years, but not now!
They still had the same ambitious dream, because who didn’t want their school to be famous around the world, like Aurig Central Academy, Falric Academy, and the Academy of China? Of course, they mustn't bite off more than they could chew. Walk before you fly. Their opportunity to fly had come, and it was Xiang Ning!
Qiling Academy had become the most famous academy in Marsh City and the neighboring cities. According to surveys, many excellent students were already thinking of enrolling there, which was a good indicator.
Qi Jiuming stood on the platform of the inner court, looking at these students who had brought back stellar results in the past half year. Especially Xiang Ning’s squad; there was pride in his eyes when he looked at them.
Lei Zhongyuan stood next to him, also looking at Xiang Ning. He was extremely satisfied with him. When he was assigned to become an instructor in Marsh City, many people had given him sympathetic looks. Well, they could laugh all they wanted! We’ll knock them over with our results!
The other students had mixed feelings about Xiang Ning. Some admired him very much, while others still held him in contempt because he was a part-time student. Xiang Ning merely smiled when he heard them. Just as Uncle Zhao had once said, mediocrity is the only way to avoid jealousy. The better one is, the more jealousy they would attract. That said, even the jealous are just admiring as well, because you have something they don’t.
“Good afternoon, students. I’m sure you’ve all heard rumors about why I gathered you all here today so I won’t be wasting any time.” Qi Jiuming swiped in front of him and a ray of light expanded into an image levitating in front of him.
Looking at the hologram in front of him, he said, “Today, a small team will represent our school to participate in Marsh City’s qualifiers. They’ll be up against nine other top schools. Two of the best schools will be chosen to represent Marsh City in Heavenly Star City, where the Southern Region qualifiers will be held. From there, the top five teams will be sent to Hang City.
“There, all of the chosen teams within China will battle it out. The champion will be sent to Magic City. Our current goal is to reach Magic City, because that’s where all of Asia’s top elite teams will be. It will be extremely good for your growth and our school’s reputation!”
Slides were displayed on the hologram according to Qi Jiuming’s explanation, including brief profiles of several genius teenagers. The teenagers in front of him who thought they were strong gained a new perspective on the world.
Of course, Xiang Ning learned a lot too. There were other teenagers who had attained tier four at his age. Most importantly, he realized that they had something he didn’t: inherited knowledge. Many of them had inherited certain skills and techniques, based on their profiles, therefore they were extremely powerful and able to challenge opponents above their own tier. Take Wu Rui, for example. He was part of the Wu family of Marsh City. Just the breathing technique he had inherited was enough for him to display magnitudes of power enough to shock Xiang Ning.
Some of the students were special, too. They weren’t part of the regular system of martial and spiritual cultivation. Xiang Ning was very curious and couldn’t wait to explore the world.
“Today, Xiang Ning’s team will be representing our school against the other schools in Marsh City. Let’s give them a round of applause!” Qi Jiuming gestured and the quiet crowd suddenly erupted with applause.
All of the lights turned on and the space around the court was already filled with students.
Xiang Ning had his own group of fans carrying a banner. The person carrying the banner was… his sister’s friend, Chen Zixin.
She was basically his biggest fan.
“Aaaaaah! Senior Xiang Ning’s looking at us! Senior Xiang Ning! Good luck!”
Xiang Xiaoyu was embarrassed by Chen Zixin’s excitement. She hadn’t even been this excited during Annot’s concert.
Of course, there were many other students screaming ‘Teacher Xiang Ning’ as well. During every week’s combat technique classes, their teachers would analyze and replay Xiang Ning’s videos. They had been very useful for class and the students learned a lot.
Qi Jiuming personally walked offstage to give Xiang Ning and his team school badges. They had become the face of Qiling Academy and the badges would be with them for life.
After the noisy farewell ceremony was done, Xiang Ning’s team was called to the headmaster’s office for a more detailed explanation.
Due to the limited time of the winter school holiday, the schedule was tight, meaning they would leave for the southern region qualifiers in three days. Qi Jiuming wasn’t worried, he knew they could make it to Hang City without a problem.
He was worried about them making it to Magic City, though, because Hang City itself was already chock-a-block with the young elites of China. There was a certain pressure there.
“Don’t worry, sir. We’re no longer the students from the beginning of this semester. Just wait and see, then you’ll know our true capabilities!” Li Zimo smiled. The rest of the team looked at each other and grinned.
Yes, they were no longer the students they were at the beginning of the semester. Xiang Ning wasn’t called ‘Teacher’ for nothing. Ever since their return from Fortress Three, he had used Keen Observation to point out every weakness they had, so they’d been able to correct their flaws. Other than some unavoidable aspects, they had all shown tremendous improvement.
That was why they could fight at a hundred and twenty percent of their strength during battle! With Xiang Ning present, they were never afraid.
