Chapter 188: Zhenlong Academy's "Headhunting"

After giving Pei Miao and Zhu Rong a stern rebuke, the imposing-looking academician finally turned his gaze towards Ling Feng and said calmly, "I am Academician Ye Guichen of Tianwei Academy. Young man, let me remind you that although Tianwei Academy is a place of learning in the form of an academy, the mentorship here is also very traditional."

Seemingly sensing Ling Feng's confusion, Ye Guichen smiled and explained, "In our Tianwei Academy, besides regular teachers and instructors, you can also find mentors. Your relationship with them would be similar to the master-disciple relationships of sects. Once you accept a mentor, they cannot be changed."

"With your talent, you will definitely receive attention from the academy in the future. Having an academician, vice-director, or even the director as your mentor is not impossible. If you choose the wrong mentor, your bright future may be ruined."

Ye Guichen patted Ling Feng on the shoulder and said lightly, "Alright, go back and complete the entrance test properly."

"Thank you for your guidance, Academician Ye," Ling Feng said, fist-and-palm saluting the academician, his heart filled with gratitude.

In the eyes of ordinary people, having a sky-tier mentor was already an impressive accomplishment. However, for true geniuses, only those distinguished figures within the academy were considered the best teachers.

"Hey young man, work hard. While talent is important, on the path of martial arts, one's character is paramount. Don't let pride cloud your judgment just because of some talent," remarked Ye Guichen before sweeping his sleeves and departing.

Ling Feng couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. It seemed likely that Ye Guichen wanted to take him as a student as well; otherwise, he wouldn't have revealed his identity and offered guidance in such a mentor-like manner.

Rubbing his nose, Ling Feng pondered to himself:

If there aren't any better mentors available in the future, choosing Ye Guichen wouldn't be a bad option either.

After the esteemed mentors left, only Ouyang Jing dared to approach Ling Feng, his face filled with admiration. "Big brother, if only I had half of your talent."

Ling Feng shrugged. When he first joined the Wenxian Sect, nobody paid him any attention. Who would have thought that, with the Eye of the Emperor, in less than half a year, he would undergo such a transformation and become a sought-after "prize."

"Didn't Academician Ye say it himself? While talent is important, character is equally essential," Ling Feng encouraged Ouyang Jing with a reassuring look. "Let's go, onto the next challenge."

...

The third stage of the Tianwei Academy's entrance assessment, physical fitness test!

In this round, Ling Feng once again attracted considerable attention. Due to the influence of spirit infusion, Ling Feng was assessed to have a four-star human spiritual body. Though not exceptionally gifted, it was indeed a commendable physique.

Of course, if others knew that Ling Feng's physique could evolve, they would likely deeply regret their judgment of him based on his current "human spiritual body."

Ouyang Jing's physique was also decent, boasting a one-star human spiritual body. With such a physique, he had little reason to worry about being eliminated from Tianwei Academy.

Immediately after, the aptitude test was also successfully passed.

In Tianwei Academy's aptitude test, each examinee was presented with an incomplete martial technique, and their comprehension was assessed based on how well they could restore the technique.

Unsurprisingly, Ling Feng once again demonstrated remarkable performance in the aptitude test.

In the blink of an eye, the four assessments were nearly completed, and it was now noon, with the scorching sun hanging high. The testing was temporarily halted, and after a half-hour break, the assessments would continue in the afternoon.

Ling Feng and Ouyang Jing sought shelter under the nearby trees. With the completion of the previous four rounds of assessments, they no longer harbored concerns about their ability to pass.

They only needed to complete the final test of willpower in the afternoon to successfully gain entry into Tianwei Academy.

As Ling Feng settled into a cross-legged position in the shade, thoughts of Mu Qianxue inadvertently occupied his mind. He wondered if she would pass the assessments successfully.

He also remembered Lin Xian'er, another Tianwei Academy student and even a student of a vice-director.

Thinking about this, Ling Feng couldn't help but shake his head and smile. He hadn't expected to have so many "old friends" at Tianwei Academy.

Once established at Tianwei Academy, Ling Feng planned to seek out Yue Yunlan and inform her of his enrollment. This would make it easier for him to visit the Sect Leader of the Cangqiong Sect for acupuncture in the future.

"Excuse me young friend, are you Ling Feng?"

At that moment, a gentle voice from the side that sounded refined and polite interrupted his thoughts.

Ling Feng turned to see a middle-aged man dressed in a dark blue robe, his features refined and a smile on his face, courteously greeting him with a bow.

"I am. May I help you, sir?" Ling Feng quickly returned the gesture, noting that the man's robe differed from those worn by mentors of Tianwei Academy.

The man in the blue robe immediately stroked his long beard and chuckled. "Indeed, a young talent! I am Liang Huanzhi, an associate academician of the Zhenlong Academy. I happened to be visiting Tianwei Academy recently, and I am fortunate to meet a young genius like you. Your sacred-tier true qi is truly one in a million!"

"So it's Associate Academician Liang. Your praise is too kind."

Ling Feng rubbed his nose, already guessing what the man was about to say next.

"Hehe, young man, don't believe the rumors that Tianwei Academy is the leading school of the four academies in the Imperial Capital. In fact, our Zhenlong Academy is backed by the Tianbai Imperial Family, so if you become a student of our Zhenlong Academy, you will surely soar to great heights. Becoming a great general or marshal in the future will be a piece of cake!"

"Oh?" Ling Feng's eyes widened, hearing such an extraordinary piece of news.

It turned out that behind Zhenlong Academy, there was support from the imperial family!

However, what did this have to do with Ling Feng?

Half of the reason he chose Tianwei Academy was due to Yue Yunlan's initial invitation. Since he had already made his decision, how could Ling Feng easily change his mind?

"What do you think?" Seeing Ling Feng's hesitance, Liang Huanzhi's eyes twinkled as he glanced at Ouyang Jing behind Ling Feng. He chuckled and said, "Young man, why don't you persuade Ling Feng? If he's willing to join our Zhenlong Academy, I can personally arrange for you to join as well as an elite student, enjoying the best treatment!"

"This..." Ouyang Jing felt his heart pounding in his chest. The treatment of elite students! Although he had some talent, to become an elite student in an instant would save him many years of effort.

However, he was not swayed by the temptation. Clenching his fist, he gritted his teeth and said, "If big brother goes, then I'll go too."

Liang Huanzhi chuckled, "Well, Ling Feng, your friend also thinks it's a good choice. Actually, Tianwei Academy is nothing special. With the imperial family backing our Zhenlong Academy, in a few years, we'll surpass Tianwei Academy. It's just a matter of time."

Ling Feng's lips curved into a slight smile, unaffected. Shaking his head, he replied calmly, "Thank you for your kind offer, Associate Academician Liang, but I might have to decline."