Chapter 74

"Thank you for your concern, Professor Xie. I just finished my physical examination, and the doctor said I'm just a bit weak. I will start my recovery training right away, and I will definitely participate in this year's college entrance exam. When the time comes, my first choice will still be Deep Sea University."

Li Yao said with confidence.

Xie Tingxian's smile froze, and he said rather awkwardly, "Li Yao, I just discussed your condition with your attending physician and have a good understanding of your current situation—according to my opinion, there's no need to rush. You should focus on recovering your health first! There's only one month left until the college entrance exam. No matter how hard you train, it might not result in a good score, and you could even damage your health further. Why put yourself through that? It would be better to take a year to recover and try again next year. That would be better for everyone, wouldn't it?"

Li Yao was taken aback, his mind racing, and he quickly understood, "Professor Xie, is it that your university will no longer 'admit me with a reduced score'?"

Xie Tingxian's face turned red, and after hesitating for a long time, he nodded, "Li Yao, you must understand that for a prestigious university like Deep Sea University, with its long history and deep roots, making the decision to 'admit with a reduced score' is a very serious matter. Every student admitted with a reduced score must go through a strict review, and the competition for these spots is very intense. Given your situation at the time, no one could have predicted that you would wake up after just one month, so... your spot was taken by someone else."

He paused, as if making a decision, and continued, "Moreover, to be honest, even though you have woken up, your spirit root development is only 7%. The chances of you getting into Deep Sea University this year are extremely slim. Even if we reduced your score by 20 or 30 points, it wouldn't make much of a difference. Listen to me, take a year to recover at home. Next year, if your spirit root development recovers to over 70%, I will still fight for your 'admission with a reduced score' or even 'special admission' for you. I promise, Li Yao!"

At this moment, someone called out from behind Xie Tingxian. He wiped his sweat and said, "I'm sorry, Li Yao. I'm currently in charge of a very complex project, helping the military to refine the latest single-soldier assault magical artifacts. I really can't find the time to communicate with you these days. Feel free to contact me in the future if you have any questions about cultivation. I will do my best to help you!"

"…I understand, thank you for your good intentions, Professor Xie."

Li Yao closed the spirit crane message with some disappointment, blinking his eyes, feeling a vague sense of melancholy.

It was reasonable for Deep Sea University to revoke his 'admission with a reduced score' qualification. According to the rules, although his points were higher than those of dozens of other candidates combined, he had been 'killed' by the Gigantic Ape, and all his achievements were reset to zero.

Moreover, with his spirit root development at only 7%, anyone who saw this number would think he had become a complete waste.

No school would offer preferential conditions to such a 'waste'.

But deep down, Li Yao still felt a twinge of disappointment.

"Professor Xie, I know you don't believe me now, and no one would believe me at this moment. But it doesn't matter. I will prove myself with my college entrance exam results in one month!"

"I don't need special admission or a reduced score. I will enter Deep Sea University with my own strength, honorably!"

"Only, if you could believe in me a little bit right now, it would be so much better…"

After much thought, Li Yao decided to go to the school first.

He remembered that on Devil Dragon Island, Principal Zhao Shude had shown him great favor and was willing to sign a '委托培养' (entrusted cultivation) contract on behalf of the Crimson Sky Sect.

Although he was now considered a waste by others, this contract was probably invalid. However, asking the key class teachers to create a 30-day 'final sprint' cultivation plan for him and using some of the school's resources to help him fight hard in the college entrance exam—wasn't this request too much?

...

Leaving the hospital, to save time, Li Yao chose to take the underground crystal rail train.

At the underground ticket window, he was about to take out his gold spirit card to pay, when a faint green light from the surveillance crystal brain inside the window scanned his face, and with a "beep," it turned into a golden light.

A very stiff voice immediately came from the speaker:

"According to facial recognition, this passenger is a first-class disabled veteran of the Federation and can ride all public transportation within the Federation for free."

The ticket seller behind the window exclaimed, "Ah!" with admiration, passing the ticket covered in runes through the small window and curiously looking out.

When she saw that Li Yao was unexpectedly young, her beautiful eyes sparkled, and she exclaimed, "Oh, you're so young and already a first-class disabled veteran of the Federation? That's amazing! My name is Li Sisi, can I get to know you?"

Seeing her eager look, if not for the counter, she might have jumped out directly.

Li Yao didn't expect to enjoy the benefits of a first-class disabled veteran so quickly. He was blushing from the ticket seller's eager gaze, stammered a few words, and fled.

"Wow, the benefits of a first-class disabled veteran of the Federation are so amazing? No wonder so many young people are eager to join the Federation military, willing to fight and slay demons!"

Arriving at Crimson Sky No. 2 High School, it was already 4 PM.

At this time, the freshmen and sophomores were gradually finishing their classes, and there were many flying shuttles taking off and landing in the parking lot next to the school.

The seniors had also finished their daytime classes and were strolling on the campus paths and the playground, preparing to continue their late-night review after dinner.

Li Yao walked through the school gate, looked up, and saw the countdown sign for the college entrance exam, which read: "31 days, 7 hours, 44 minutes, and 32 seconds until the college entrance exam!"

Time waits for no one!

Li Yao clenched his fists, feeling the blood in every vein begin to boil, eager to start his intense cultivation immediately.

He strode toward the classroom.

Because he had become much thinner, almost skin and bones, no one recognized him at first. However, soon, a student pointed at him and shouted, "Isn't that Li Yao?"

"What? Li Yao? The 'fleeting demon star'? Didn't he have an accident on Devil Dragon Island and fall into a coma?"

"It's really Li Yao. He's awake, but he's so thin, he's almost unrecognizable!"

"Ah, in the Devil Dragon Island video, he was still very strong. I didn't expect him to look like this, not human, not ghost!"

"I heard that his brain was attacked, and his spirit root was completely shredded, with only 7% development left. He's practically a waste—what is he doing back at school?"

The students whispered and gossiped among themselves.

Students who were about to leave also stopped, and some were explaining the situation to their parents, pulling them to stay and watch the commotion.

After all, Li Yao was a well-known figure at Crimson Sky No. 2 High School, albeit in a negative way.

Li Yao's senses were much sharper than before, and he could hear the students' whispers, but he didn't stop to explain.

Many things don't need explanation. Once the college entrance exam results are announced, everyone will know that this 'demon star' is not a fleeting one!

However, before he could enter the teaching building, a tall figure appeared in front of him.

This person had a "sincere" smile on his face, but his eyes were filled with deep ridicule and mockery. It was Helian Lie.