"The Three Top Universities… they're the ultimate goal that countless students strive for."
Headmaster Zhao Yao spoke with a trace of emotion.
"But for you, they're within easy reach. No… that's not quite accurate."
"They'll actually be begging you to enrol."
"Begging me to enrol?"
Xu Jingming tilted his head slightly, confusion flickering across his face.
"With your results, you've already qualified for Special Admission."
"Once the national rankings are released, the top ten universities across the country will all offer you generous conditions to recruit you."
"If that's not begging you to join, what else would you call it?"
Principal Zhao Yao burst into laughter.
Special Admission was a privilege reserved exclusively for the Top Three students in the province.
And Xu Jingming was clearly among them.
"I suggest that once you get home, you thoroughly research the details of the Three Top Universities."
"You can't show up on the day of Special Admission without knowing anything."
"Also—don't be dazzled by the incentives they offer."
"The most important thing is choosing the university that suits you best."
"Of course… whichever of the Three Top Universities you choose, your future will be brilliant."
Principal Zhao Yao had effectively ruled out the remaining seven schools in the Top Ten, offering his advice with complete sincerity.
"I understand. Thank you, Principal."
Xu Jingming nodded.
Now that the Martial Arts College Entrance Exam had ended—
It truly was time to carefully consider his future path.
---
The journey from the Military District back to the city centre took over an hour.
By the time Xu Jingming arrived home—
It was already 11:23 PM.
Exhausted beyond measure, he didn't even bother to wash.
He simply removed his combat uniform, still reeking of blood—
Then collapsed onto his bed.
And fell instantly into deep sleep.
---
When he next opened his eyes—
It was already 9:00 AM the following morning.
"Phew… I actually slept more than ten hours."
Glancing at the time on his phone, Xu Jingming sprang out of bed and rushed into the bathroom.
Whoosh~~~~
Warm water cascaded down from the showerhead, flowing across his muscular frame.
"Ah… that feels incredible."
After twelve hours of continuous battle, his body had been soaked in sweat, sticky and uncomfortable.
The hot water washed everything away.
Fatigue.
Stiffness.
Residual tension.
All dissolved instantly.
Feeling refreshed, Xu Jingming summoned his System Panel.
---
[System Panel]
[Name]: Xu Jingming
[Rank]: Awakened One
[Ability]: Purple Heavenly Divine Lightning (S)
[Physique]: 183 (+)
[Spirit]: 185 (+)
[Skills]:
— Spearmanship (Advanced+)
— Lightning Gale Break (Advanced+)
[Ability Points]: 2534
---
The greatest reward from the exam—
Aside from his ranking—
Was undoubtedly the Ability Points.
"2534 Ability Points… that should last me quite a while once I enter university."
Xu Jingming nodded thoughtfully.
Ability Points were incredibly valuable.
In a normal wilderness region, it would be nearly impossible to accumulate so many in such a short time.
This had only been possible because of the Martial Arts College Entrance Exam.
"I wonder… will there be similar large-scale beast-clearing events at the universities?"
"If there are…"
"I'll definitely sign up first."
Xu Jingming grinned slightly.
His mood was exceptionally good.
After humming lightly under the shower, he returned to his room, switched on his computer, and began researching the Three Top Universities.
---
These three universities had histories spanning over two centuries.
They were legendary institutions.
Prestigious academies that had produced countless elite warriors for the Great Xia Nation.
As Xu Jingming browsed through the materials—
He couldn't help exclaiming repeatedly.
"So the current Ninth-Tier State Guardians are actually graduates of Qingjing Ability University?"
"And most of the Top-Tier Cultivation Methods are exclusive to elite universities?!"
"..."
The more he read—
The more astonished he became.
Nearly half of the nation's famous high-ranking Ability Users came from these three universities alone.
Half.
That number was shocking.
After all—
There were thousands of Ability Universities across the nation.
And many experts had even studied overseas before returning.
Yet despite all that—
The total number of elite warriors produced by all those other institutions combined—
Was roughly equal to the output of just these three universities.
That fact alone spoke volumes about their terrifying depth.
---
But the most critical factor—
Was Cultivation Methods.
These were the foundation of an Ability User's growth.
Different-quality cultivation methods produced vastly different training speeds.
For example—
Using low-grade Basic Cultivation Methods, most Awakened individuals required three to four years to advance into a full Ability User.
But with Top-Tier Cultivation Methods—
That breakthrough could occur in less than six months.
And according to Xu Jingming's research—
Most of the Great Xia Nation's top-tier cultivation manuals were housed inside the libraries of the Three Top Universities.
"No wonder people online say these universities guard their techniques so tightly…"
Xu Jingming muttered thoughtfully.
Though honestly—
He didn't find it surprising.
Top-tier cultivation techniques were priceless.
Expecting universities to release them publicly simply because of online pressure—
Was unrealistic.
---
Ding-dong~~~
Just as he was about to continue reading—
The doorbell rang.
"Someone visiting this early?"
"Could it be Aunt?"
Curious, Xu Jingming stood up, left his room, and opened the door.
Standing outside—
Were two beautiful women.
One older.
One younger.
The older woman appeared to be in her early thirties, elegantly dressed, with refined features.
The younger one—
About the same age as Xu Jingming.
Tall.
Slender.
And bearing an unmistakable resemblance to the older woman—
Though her expression carried a slightly cold, aloof edge.
Sure enough—
They were his Aunt Xu Qingwan and his cousin Tang Qi.
"Aunt, Cousin."
Xu Jingming greeted them warmly, stepping aside to let them in.
But—
The moment they entered—
An awkward silence filled the room.
Because his living room…
Looked like a disaster zone.
The lightning evolution from the previous night had scorched nearly everything.
The walls were blackened.
The floor was charred.
Furniture—
Sofas.
Tables.
Chairs—
All reduced to ashes.
There wasn't even a place left to sit.
"Xiao Ming… did your house catch fire?!"
Xu Qingwan's face immediately filled with alarm.
She rushed forward and grabbed Xu Jingming, checking him anxiously.
"When did this happen?!"
"Are you hurt anywhere?!"
"Just a small accident. Nothing serious."
Seeing his aunt's worried expression—
Xu Jingming's voice softened instinctively.
Since his parents had passed away—
His aunt had been the only person to provide him with familial warmth.
"As long as you're safe… that's what matters."
Xu Qingwan exhaled deeply in relief.
Then she said:
"I actually came today to ask about your results from yesterday's Martial Arts College Entrance Exam."
"Didn't Qi tell you?" Xu Jingming asked, slightly surprised.
"I wanted you to tell Mum yourself."
Tang Qi smiled mischievously.
"So I didn't say anything."
"I see."
Xu Jingming nodded.
"Let's go downstairs and find somewhere to sit and talk."
---
Soon—
Xu Jingming led them to a nearby café.
A familiar place he often visited:
Morning Light Café.
It was around 10:00 AM, and the café wasn't particularly busy.
They sat at a table by the window.
Xu Jingming ordered three cups of hot coffee.
Morning Light Café didn't serve fancy handcrafted brews—
So the drinks arrived quickly.
Steam rose gently from the cups.
"Enjoy your drinks."
The waitress smiled politely before walking away.
---
"So… can we reveal the mystery now?"
Xu Qingwan held her coffee, smiling brightly.
"Your cousin kept making a fuss earlier—was she worried I'd beat you again like when you were little?"
"Relax."
"Think about it—since you entered secondary school, when have I ever hit you?"
"Even when you insisted on taking the Martial Arts College Entrance Exam, didn't I agree?"
"This time, no matter how bad your score is…"
"I won't beat you."
Hearing that—
Xu Jingming scratched his nose awkwardly.
His aunt truly was a classic Jiangnan woman—
Gentle.
Elegant.
Refined.
Except during exam season.
Whenever his grades dropped—
He'd get disciplined with a bamboo stick.
And he couldn't fight back.
After all—
After his parents died when he was 11 years old—
She had legally become his guardian.
---
"Mum, don't worry."
Tang Qi hurriedly stepped in.
"Cousin definitely won't disappoint you this time."
"Oh?"
Xu Qingwan's eyes lit up.
"So Xiao Ming… you did well?"
"How many points did you get?"
"Did you pass 100 points?"
100 points was the national minimum threshold.
Scoring above 100 meant admission into an Ability University was possible.
"I did get 100 points."
Xu Jingming nodded with a smile.
Then added calmly:
"Actually… it was much more than 100."
"I scored 10,000 points."
"Ten… ten thousand?!"
Xu Qingwan froze completely.
Her beautiful eyes widened in disbelief.
Her hand holding the coffee trembled slightly—
As her mind struggled to process the number.