Chapter 17: The Three Premier Institutions (Please Continue Reading)

A deep, resonant voice suddenly echoed throughout the martial arts classroom, silencing everyone.

A figure appeared at the doorway, his towering and muscular frame blocking the light from outside.

A massive black shadow was cast behind him.

He slowly stepped into the martial arts classroom, an invisible aura radiating from his body.

All eyes turned toward him.

He was a burly man, his muscles sculpted like boulders piled together, with a scar running across his face and standing over two meters tall.

Even Li Zhou, the top student of the grade, seemed small standing before him, like a mere rookie.

Lin Qi’s mind flashed with the thought that this was a seasoned warrior who had been to the battlefield.

The burly man strode confidently to the center of the crowd with the gait of a dragon and tiger.

“Ding-ling-ling!”

The next second, the class bell rang.

“He’s very strong!” Jiang Tao frowned.

Lin Qi nodded in agreement; it was obvious from the overwhelming aura he exuded.

Not even Wu Kang, a third-level martial artist, possessed such a commanding presence.

Those caught in his gaze stiffened instantly, completely immobilized, utterly suppressed.

Could he be a fourth-level martial artist?

The large man glanced around, taking everyone in at once.

“Hello, everyone!”

His voice boomed like a great bell, ringing in everyone’s ears with a humming resonance.

“I’m sure many of you have guessed my identity correctly—I am your martial arts teacher for this senior year!”

He smiled broadly.

“Let me introduce myself: my name is Zhang Cheng, and from now on, I will be your martial arts instructor.”

“I am different from the other teachers because my teaching methods are unique.”

“Be prepared mentally!”

At this point, an ominous feeling settled over the crowd.

Zhang Cheng grinned and continued:

“You are the fifty most outstanding talents at No. 2 High School.”

“Since you’ve entered the elite class, you will enjoy the best teaching resources.”

“And I am the best martial arts teacher at No. 2 High School; you’ll understand this in due time.”

“Being in the elite class means your university goal should be one of the three top institutions in Xia Country.”

“The three top institutions: Skyward University, Abyssal Sea University, and Royal Mountain University.”

Upon hearing the names of the three premier universities, the gazes of the fifty students in the martial arts classroom burned with fervor.

As natives of Xia Country, having embarked on the martial path since birth and trained hard for a decade, who wouldn’t dream of entering these top universities?

These three elite universities are the training grounds for the country’s finest warriors; graduates become pillars of Xia Country’s future, the main force defending against disaster beasts.

“Besides the top-tier prodigies with awakened special abilities who receive direct admission, fewer than ten thousand students are admitted annually, scattered across Xia Country’s provinces, with only a few hundred attending each school.”

“Among you, less than half will make it into these three top universities!”

Zhang Cheng folded his arms and smiled cruelly, revealing a harsh truth.

Silence fell upon the crowd, a heavy pressure washing over everyone.

“Of course, my arrival here means the number of admissions will increase.”

“So if you want to enter one of the three top universities, it’s best to listen to me.”

“Some of you who want better rankings should also heed my advice.”

Seeing the moment was right, Zhang Cheng continued.

“Being in the elite class means you are no longer ordinary students.”

“You have better teachers and better treatment.”

“One of the perks is having your own independent martial arts room, just for you.”

“A hundred square meters of space, punching dummies, free training weapons, projectors, a private restroom, washing machines...”

Many eyes lit up at the prospect of such favorable conditions.

“Out there, renting a hundred-square-meter martial arts room at any gym costs two to three hundred Xia Country coins per hour.”

“But here at No. 2 High School, it’s free. That’s really excellent treatment.”

Jiang Tao exclaimed in surprise and excitement.

Lin Qi was equally astonished: a free private martial arts room was like having a free apartment, and incredibly convenient.

He even imagined taking a nap there at noon without disturbance.

The other benefits were too numerous to list.

Everyone was thrilled, but Zhang Cheng’s next words quickly dimmed their joy.

“However, I’m sorry to say not everyone will have a martial arts room.”

“Even though No. 2 High School has expanded to ten more rooms this year, there are only thirty martial arts rooms in total.”

“Only the top thirty ranked students will have access to their own private martial arts room.”

“If you want a private room, work hard and compete. As long as you reach the top thirty, you will have one.”

After Zhang Cheng finished, many eyes burned with determination.

An invisible competitive atmosphere was ignited; countless students planned to outperform others in the next test to secure a spot in the top thirty.

Lin Qi was no exception—he wanted a private martial arts room too.

Currently ranked forty-fifth, sixth from the bottom in the class, he still had a long way to go.

“Good, everyone is full of fighting spirit!”

Zhang Cheng smiled with satisfaction.

“Alright, that’s all for today. From now on, feel free to practice martial arts as you wish.”

“Students ranked in the top thirty may go to their private martial arts rooms according to their rankings. Your fingerprint data has been uploaded to the password locks, so you can open them anytime.”

“The rest of you will stay in the martial arts classroom to train.”

Zhang Cheng announced loudly.

“Oh, and those who haven’t learned the advanced martial arts manuals yet, come see me.”

“Dismissed!”

With that, the students began to leave, some eager to gather their things and head to their martial arts rooms.

Soon, only twenty-one students remained in the martial arts classroom, and among them, just three stood still in place.

Zhang Cheng looked at the three with some surprise.

“I didn’t expect there to still be three of you left. I thought everyone else had already gone to the martial arts rooms to learn the new manuals.”

Lin Qi exchanged a glance with Jiang Tao. Lin Qi understood that his reason was lack of money.

Jiang Tao, on the other hand, was stingy and wanted to get something for free.

According to him, even though he now had over a million Xia Country coins, why not learn for free if possible?

Lin Qi then looked at the third student, a boy who had entered the martial arts room before him.

“Let’s get started!”

Clearing his throat, Zhang Cheng began.

“We humans are an advanced intelligent species, with advantages no other animal can match.”

“That advantage is our ability to use tools.”

“Since ancient times, to survive and fend off wild beasts, we have crafted sharp weapons from metal.”

“Fighting barehanded and wielding weapons make a world of difference in our combat effectiveness.”

“Against massive disaster beasts with claws and fangs, barehanded, you’re prey.”

“With weapons, you become the hunter!”

“To face disaster beasts, we warriors must master a weapon.”

Zhang Cheng’s expression grew serious.

“You all have mastered your fists to a great degree and have a foundation in weapons. Learning advanced weapon manuals will be twice as effective with your groundwork.”

“Now, tell me—what weapons do you practice?”

Zhang Cheng turned to Jiang Tao to ask.

“Sword!”

“Spear!”

“Sword!”

The three answered in turn.

“Two sword users and one spear user, then you’ll start first,” Zhang Cheng said, pointing at Lin Qi.

“Me?”

Lin Qi was puzzled; the teacher was unconventional. Shouldn’t he teach Jiang Tao and the other sword user first?

Zhang Cheng raised his right arm, wearing a black electronic watch on his wrist. He tapped and clicked on it.

“Beep!”

The next second, a green light shot from the watch—a 3D projection appeared, displaying three green human silhouettes of different sizes.

The three students stepped back, giving the projection space.

“Now, tell me—which spear techniques do you want to learn?”

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