Realm-Hopping Martial Master

"Okay."

After hesitating for a moment, Jiang Shu replied to the message.

Teacher Yan had always treated him well. So, even though he wasn't that close to his high school classmates, for Teacher Yan's sake, he had to show up this time.

*No rush, there's still four days until then.*

*Enough time to handle some things himself first.*

He cleared all the messages on his phone. Jiang Shu thought quietly for a while, then called Zheng Yanbo, and got straight to the point,

"Uncle Zheng, I already broke through to Dark Force."

Jiang Shu's voice was crisp and clear. Even now that he had broken through to Dark Force and become a Martial Artist, he knew that, in front of the real machinery of the state, he was just a slightly bigger ant.

*Not to mention the weapons and equipment.*

*Even just talking about the Martial Arts Realm.*

The academy instructors all had the strength of Dark Force.

The experts of the Inner Court started at least at the Transforming Force level.

It was even possible there were people who surpassed the Transforming Force!

So, the very first thing he needed to do after becoming a Martial Artist was join the official organization!

Jiang Shu's hand gripped his phone steadily. On the other end of the line, the sound of breathing grew faster and faster.

For a while, he only heard Zheng Yanbo's barely concealed excitement, "Re... really?"

"Yeah."

Jiang Shu nodded in response.

"Bang."

It sounded like the phone had fallen. Fumbling noises followed, then Zheng Yanbo's voice came again, "Jiang Shu... where are you, I'll send someone to pick you up."

...

The June weather in Ji City had turned from cloudy to sunny.

The overpass.

A Magotan sped along at a steady hundred miles an hour, leaving Ji City and heading toward Jiangnan City.

In the backseat, Zheng Yanbo wore a black jacket, sizing up Jiang Shu repeatedly as if meeting him for the first time.

*A Dark Force Martial Artist...*

*He never would have expected it.*

*Back when he was at Ji City Fifth High and decided to meet the kid just out of curiosity...*

*In just a few short months...*

*He'd gone from Qi Blood Transport to Dark Force.*

*Such talent!*

*Truly astounding!*

*Too bad the Martial Arts promo video already went out.*

*If it was released now, who knows what kind of storm it would have stirred up?*

*Not even eighteen, already a Martial Artist.*

"Jiang Shu, if you had known you could break through and become a Martial Artist so soon, would you regret not going to Shengjing Academy?"

About ten minutes into the drive, Zheng Yanbo finally couldn't help but ask.

*Had he known this day would come, he never would have recommended Jiang Shu try for Jiangnan Academy.*

*The college entrance exams had barely even ended, and Jiang Shu was already a Martial Artist.*

*Among all the students in Shengjing, aside from those with inside information, how many could become Martial Artists just on their own talent?*

If Jiang Shu went to Shengjing Academy, his radiance wouldn't be hidden at all.

Instead, it would shine even brighter!

But at Jiangnan Academy, even though he stood out for now, in the long run, compared to the students at Shengjing Academy, he might eventually fall behind.

"Why would I regret it?"

Jiang Shu gazed out the window. Coming to this world, it was his first time ever leaving Ji City, so naturally, he was a little curious about the scenery outside his hometown.

He pulled his wandering thoughts back in and replied calmly.

Zheng Yanbo didn't know how soon he'd become a Martial Artist.

Neither did Teacher Li, who's in charge of recruiting at Jiangnan Academy.

But he himself, knew perfectly well what his own situation was.

He chose Jiangnan Academy because it granted him freedom in the contract, along with enough resources up front.

Before even becoming a Martial Artist, he could borrow one thousand credits.

Now that he had achieved Dark Force...

Perfect timing, he'd gotten tired of eating Blood Flower Pig meat.

Might as well switch to Red Armored Tiger for a while.

He couldn't help but press his lips in a faint smile.

As one of the Four Great Universities of Xia Country, even if Jiangnan Academy had fewer resources, it still ranked fourth nationwide. That wasn't little by any means—not to mention, he wasn't just an ordinary student there.

So long as he fulfilled his contract and improved his Martial Arts Realm quickly enough,

He'd get all the resources he needed from Jiangnan Academy.

*What difference did it make which academy he attended?*

"Uncle Zheng, you and I both assume Jiangnan Academy will have a hard time transitioning, but that's a future problem. Right now, it's still an academy, and there are plenty of resources for me to get started."

"Yeah, as long as you don't feel slighted in your heart. An academy is still an academy. No matter how tough the transition, its foundation is far greater than an ordinary college. Jiang Shu, as long as you move steadily, your future achievements may not be any less than those students at Shengjing Academy."

"Anyway, from what I hear, in the future, the academies may use competitions to decide resource distribution. Who knows—maybe with you there, Jiangnan Academy won't necessarily be at the bottom."

"Resources go to the capable, that's the trend of the future."

Zheng Yanbo spoke with a relaxed air, but he was clearly hinting at some inside information he knew.

At this point, the Magotan shifted from the overpass to the highway, picking up speed as the world outside the window zipped past.

Without stopping at any service area, in just under three hours, the car pulled up smoothly to the front gate of Jiangnan Academy.

"I'm not going to walk you in. Best of luck, Jiang Shu."

Zheng Yanbo said with a smile to Jiang Shu.

Martial Arts in Xia Country had only just begun.

In second-tier cities like Ji City, there were no organizations yet to certify Martial Artists.

So, if Jiang Shu wanted to receive the benefits of a Xia Country Martial Artist, the fastest way was to come to Jiangnan Academy.

Through the academy's connections, he could officially register as a Martial Artist!

"Uncle Zheng, thanks for everything."

Waving to Zheng Yanbo, who was still sitting in the Magotan, Jiang Shu turned and stepped into Jiangnan Academy.

Jiangnan Academy's campus was massive, the camphor trees along its avenues lush and green.

Blending into the student crowds in the walkways.

Following the directions on his phone's map, Jiang Shu headed straight for the newly built Martial Arts building.

Second floor.

The first classroom around the corner.

With his destination in mind, Jiang Shu pushed open the door and walked in.

Suddenly, a burst of fist wind swept toward him!

He sidestepped to dodge.

Tiger Form Three Styles.

Lift!

Pounce!

He hadn't even seen who was attacking, but Jiang Shu didn't hesitate at all. He responded with a flurry of instinctive moves, Dark Force crackling in the air.

"As I thought, you've already broken through to Dark Force."

His muscles and bones vibrated instantly, pouring all his strength into one punch.

But this punch, enough to send a normal person flying, seemed utterly unimpressive to his opponent.

With a calm voice, the person switched from fist to palm. In an instant, it felt like Jiang Shu's fist had sunk into a swamp.

A thousand pounds of force vanished into nothing.

Jiang Shu turned his head. Standing before him was none other than Xie Feichen, the Martial Arts mentor from Jiangnan Academy, whose videos he'd been watching all this time!

"It's been only twenty days since you learned the Guiding Skill. With this level of talent, you'd stand out even in Shengjing Academy."

"Of course, since you've chosen to join us at Jiangnan Academy, we never neglect Martial Arts geniuses here."

"The academy will take care of your credits."

"All I can teach you is Martial Arts."

"Since you've already reached Dark Force, I'm guessing you've made it through the first thirty-six forms of the Innate Guiding Skill?"

"Come, show me."

"Let me take a look."