Chapter 362: Rejected Admission

Li Xiaofei hadn’t had a chance to contact Old Chen after returning from the trial. He dialed the number, but it showed as disconnected.

Did he change his number and disappear?

Li Xiaofei was momentarily stunned. When he arrived at Red Flag High School, he learned that Chen Fei had been called away on urgent official duties and had already left Liuhe Base City.

Not only that, but before leaving, he had resigned from his position as principal at the Education Department. The new principal was the former dean, Qin Dewei. Old Qin had resolved his troubles in Lanfu Base City and had returned to Liuhe.

"Dean, why didn’t you leave with Principal Chen?" Li Xiaofei asked curiously.

Qin Dewei was silent for a moment. He was unusually serious as he pointed to his temple and said, "There’s something wrong with my head. I’m not fit to go back for now. Besides, if I leave, what will happen to Red Flag High School?"

That made sense. Li Xiaofei didn’t ask further. Life seemed to have returned to normal. The world continued to function as usual without Little Aunt and Chen Fei.

While eating with the school team in the cafeteria, a few news stories caught his eye.

"Du Longshan and his son have been arrested at their home this morning on charges of bribery, murder, and illegally acquiring state assets. According to insiders, based on the evidence the police have, the Du family may be sent to the wastelands of the Western Salt Flats to mine coal, with little chance of ever returning," the news reported.

𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"Latest updates: the police have raided the Thousand Beasts Pavilion and the Bloodfire Society, arresting criminals Zhang Renjie and Cao Huayun..."

"The Martial Alliance has announced the expulsion of ten gangs, including the Thousand Beasts Pavilion and Bloodfire Society, stripping their members of all rights and privileges."

As these news reports played, Yan Chiyu, Fang Buyi, and the others all turned to look at Li Xiaofei.

"Yes, I did it," Li Xiaofei said calmly. "You all know me; I'm notorious for seeking revenge when wronged."

Everyone laughed. Having a teammate as ruthless as Li Xiaofei gave them a strong sense of security. At least from now on, in Liuhe Base City, they could walk with their heads held high as Li Xiaofei's friends.

Looking outside the cafeteria, they could see junior students chatting and laughing across the campus. Everything had returned to normal.

"Senior, thank you," said Wang Yuting, one of the female cadets, as she approached.

She had asked Li Xiaofei whether the school would be in danger. Li Xiaofei had promised her that as long as he was there, Red Flag High School would be protected and remain unharmed. Now, everything truly had gone back to the way it was.

Li Xiaofei smiled and said, "Actually, this time, it wasn’t me. It was Principal Chen who turned the tide."

The days of not being able to brag passed quickly. Three days later, Li Xiaofei received some bad news. Beixia University had rejected his application.

The news left many people utterly shocked. With Li Xiaofei’s combat strength, was there any school within the Great Xia Realm that wouldn’t welcome him? Yet, he had been rejected by Beixia University?

"Li Xiaofei is excellent, but he’s not suitable for Beixia." Those were the exact words of Lin Tanzhi, the deputy head of the admissions team.

When Qin Dewei, the principal of Red Flag High School, heard this, he furiously went to confront the recruitment team at Beixia University.

"I'm sorry, but neither I nor the teachers on the admissions team can emotionally accept a student who drove Elder Su to his death studying at Beixia University," Lin Tanzhi explained.

That was the true reason.

"Su Yuncao deserved his fate; he was a fraud and a deceiver! How can you blame my student for that?" Qin Dewei retorted angrily.

"Some things go beyond right and wrong," Lin Tanzhi said indifferently, spreading his hands. "Regardless, Elder Su holds incomparable influence in Xiajing. It's not just Beixia University; other prestigious schools in Xiajing, including Huaqing University, Civilian University, the External Martial Arts University, the Xiajing Power Armor Academy, and the Xiajing Mecha Martial Arts University, along with twenty-one other 211 universities, will all refuse to admit Li Xiaofei."

"What?" Qin Dewei exploded in anger. "This is a coordinated blacklist! Are you trying to establish a monopoly?"

Lin Tanzhi responded calmly, "If it were just Beixia University rejecting Li Xiaofei, it might be our problem. But with all twenty-one 211 universities refusing him, perhaps Red Flag High School and Li Xiaofei should take a hard look at themselves."

"I’ll reflect on the back of your mother's heel!" Qin Dewei cursed, his temper flaring. "This kind of genius is destined to become a Saint in the future, and you're turning him away over personal grievances! You receive numerous resources and subsidies from the country and benefit from the support of all of Great Xia, yet you carry out personal vendettas when selecting talent for the nation. Do you think this is fair to the people of Great Xia?"

Lin Tanzhi just laughed coldly in response.

Qin Dewei, barely holding back his anger, asked, "What exactly do you want? As long as you admit Li Xiaofei, we’ll do anything."

For the sake of Red Flag High School's most prized student, the usually hot-tempered Old Qin decided to swallow his pride.

"Just bring Elder Su back to life," Lin Tanzhi replied with a mocking smile. "Can you do that?"

Qin Dewei, trembling with rage, replied, "I’ll file a complaint with the Education Department."

"Feel free," Lin Tanzhi responded with a cold laugh. "But let me remind you, all 211 universities have the right to autonomous admissions. The decision to reject Li Xiaofei was also approved by the university president."

In the end, Qin Dewei was thrown out of the Starry Sky Hotel.

When he returned to Red Flag High School, his face was grim. He didn’t know how to explain everything to Li Xiaofei. In truth, Li Xiaofei’s situation had worsened due to Chen Fei and the events at Red Flag High School.

Originally, Su Yuncao had wanted to recruit Li Xiaofei under his wing. If Li Xiaofei had agreed at that time, he could have easily entered Beixia University and received the nation’s best cultivation resources and techniques.

Qin Dewei called Li Xiaofei to his office. He explained everything that had happened.

"Don’t worry. There are plenty of top universities outside Xiajing. Haijing, Nancheng, and Chang’an all have prestigious schools. With your strength, other elite schools will definitely fight over you," Qin Dewei tried to comfort him.

After hearing this, Li Xiaofei thought for a moment and then said, "Teacher Qin, I understand. Let me handle this myself. I have a reason why I must go to Xiajing."

Qin Dewei knew what Li Xiaofei’s reason was. "You... Sigh, I’ll try to think of another solution."

After returning to the Cloudy Sky Gang, the first thing Li Xiaofei did was contact Xiao Hongye.

"Sister Xiao, you’ve heard about my situation, right?" he said.

"I heard about it. The educational circle in Xiajing is small, and many people are just sitting in their positions. They’re not thinking about selecting talents for the nation but instead focus on personal grudges and use public resources for private matters...

Sigh

, little brother, do you really need to attend a school in Xiajing?" Xiao Hongye asked, her information always timely.

"Yes," Li Xiaofei replied firmly. "Even if I don’t go to a university, I still need to be in Xiajing. Can you help me ask around and see if any schools are willing to take me? It doesn’t matter if it’s not a 211 or 985 university. As long as they’ll admit me, I have no other demands."

Xiao Hongye sighed softly.

"Alright, I’ll spread the word and see how the schools in Xiajing respond."

She felt a deep sympathy for Li Xiaofei. Such a talented young man was being blocked from entering top-tier universities due to personal vendettas. The education system truly was sick and in need of serious treatment. It was no wonder that Great Xia had been declining in the international arena over the years.

After hanging up, a cold smile appeared on Li Xiaofei’s face. He didn’t lack cultivation techniques, only resources. As long as he could get into any university that provided basic resources, he would rise. When that time came, he would make sure to give those prestigious schools a harsh lesson.

He pulled out his Bull Blade and activated the Armor Harnessing Technique. The blood of the Bull Demon surfaced, gathering on his skin and engulfing the long blade.

The Ghost Slayer Zhong Kui would once again walk the mortal world tonight. But who would fall under his blade?

The Spatial Point Theft function activated, and an ancient map appeared before him on the parchment scroll. His eyes fell on the Starry Sky Hotel.