Chapter 9

"What kind of shock did you receive?"

"Or did you get possessed by an alien?"

Lin Yuan looked at Wu Di, who was already practicing in the courtyard, with an incredulous expression.

In three years of high school, this was the first time Wu Di had gotten up so early.

Wu Di straightened his chest, his face not blushing, and said seriously and solemnly:

"I have always been very hardworking."

Lin Yuan chuckled, "What kind of shock did you receive?"

"Tell me about it."

Lin Yuan knew Wu Di too well; he would never stand when he could sit, and never sit when he could lie down.

If he were as hardworking as he claimed, with his talent in electrical spirit seeds, his strength wouldn't be worse than Pei Xi's.

But when these words came out, Wu Di suddenly had a look of wanting to cry, his face trembling as he said:

"Lin Yuan..."

"My dad doesn't love me anymore."

...

Sigh—

The morning breeze blew through the quiet courtyard, and the air seemed to suddenly become still.

Lin Yuan, who was originally warming up, was also stunned. Several possibilities flashed through his mind, and he cautiously said:

"Then what..."

"Is your dad going to have another child?"

"That's a good thing!"

Wu Di's face was full of sorrow as he shook his head, looking utterly devastated:

"My dad wants me to go to military school with you."

"Huh?"

Lin Yuan was surprised when he heard this and looked at Wu Di.

Uncle Wu wants Wu Di to go to military school?

For a rich second generation like Wu Di, even without pursuing martial arts, his life would be carefree and comfortable.

Wu Di looked dejected and plopped down on the grass.

He raised his right hand, ready to slap himself, but then put it down dejectedly.

"Why is my mouth so cheap!"

"What exactly happened?"

Wu Di, who had lost all hope, began to recount the story from last night.

After chatting with Lin Yuan last night, Wu Di called his dad.

He asked his dad to look for some mechanical spirit techniques on the market, to see if he could get one or two for Lin Yuan.

Generally, such obscure spirit techniques wouldn't be too expensive.

Since Uncle Wu was hearing about Lin Yuan's mechanical spirit seed for the first time, he chatted a bit more with Wu Di.

Naturally, they talked about Lin Yuan's plans for military school.

...

"Then my dad decided to send me to military school!"

"Tell me, am I his biological son?"

Wu Di shook Lin Yuan's hands pitifully.

But the more Lin Yuan listened, the more he wanted to laugh, and he finally burst out laughing:

"Military school is just military school."

"Isn't military school more interesting than a martial arts academy?"

In martial arts academies, many students form cliques.

Around a noble and powerful genius, there are always many followers who fawn over him.

Wu Di wasn't a member of a prestigious family, nor was he a top-tier genius focused on martial arts.

What kind of life would he have in a martial arts academy?

Seeing Wu Di's contemplative expression, Lin Yuan gradually stopped laughing and said seriously:

"There's still half a year. There's no need to make a decision so quickly."

"Whatever choice you make, it has to be your own."

Wu Di sighed silently.

He hadn't slept well all night, thinking about his future for the first time.

Lin Yuan knew Wu Di well. Wu Di was lazy, but he wasn't the type to give up easily.

"Stop thinking about it."

"Let's practice."

Lin Yuan smiled and then focused on practicing his mechanical spirit seed.

Watching Lin Yuan manipulate the mechanical force to form various weapons, Wu Di, who was a bit slow, instantly forgot his worries and became excited.

"Damn, this is so cool!"

"Is this considered 'Qi Dao' or 'Bing Dao'?"

This was the first time Wu Di had seen the practice of a mechanical spirit seed, so it was natural for him to find it novel.

While manipulating the mechanical force, Lin Yuan replied:

"I'm not sure."

"Let's focus on getting into military school first."

The "Qi Dao" and "Bing Dao" that Wu Di mentioned were actually two major categories of martial artists.

"Qi Dao" is defined as gathering qi, using the energy of the spirit seed to perform spirit techniques in battle.

"Bing Dao" is defined as controlling weapons, attaching the attributes of the spirit seed to weapons for battle.

In simpler terms, it's the difference between a "mage" and a "warrior."

There are many subcategories, such as healers, eye technique masters, sound soul masters, and talisman masters, all of which fall under the "Qi Dao" branch.

However, the mechanical spirit seed is a bit special and cannot be clearly defined yet.

The martial arts education model in Tian Shui is to let martial artists choose their direction after entering a martial arts academy.

During high school, the focus is on building a solid foundation and receiving a good education, becoming a person before becoming a martial artist.

A crucial point is that whether it's "Qi Dao" or "Bing Dao," powerful spirit techniques are essential.

These powerful spirit techniques are mostly found in the state, academies, and martial arts families.

Spirit techniques available on the market are generally ordinary, and those of higher quality are very expensive.

This is one of the important factors that create a gap in martial artists' strength.

...

"I'm leaving first."

"Okay."

After the morning practice, Wu Di went to school to study cultural subjects.

Even if one is pursuing martial arts to enter a martial arts academy, the score in cultural subjects still counts for 30%.

The total score for the Tian Shui college entrance exam is 500 points.

If one is applying for a cultural major, it's a 500-point full-score test.

If one is applying for a martial arts major, it consists of a 150-point cultural test and a 350-point martial arts test.

The special admission line for the martial arts test is 300 points. If one scores over 300 points, they can choose any martial arts academy in Tian Shui.

For other admissions, the overall score is also considered.

Tian Shui Military Academy is the only academy that requires a basic score in both subjects: 90 points in cultural subjects and 240 points in martial arts.

Of course, if one scores 300 points in the martial arts test, they don't need the cultural score.

A highly talented martial artist joining the military is something the country would welcome with open arms.

If Wu Di can break through to the third-level martial artist in the next half year, with his spirit seed talent, he has a chance to score 300 points in the martial arts test.

For Lin Yuan, the cultural score is not a problem; the main challenge is the 240 points in the martial arts test.

Not breaking through to the ten meridians is quite risky.

"Let's take it step by step."

Lin Yuan muttered to himself.

In the next half year, he would focus all his energy on practicing his mechanical spirit seed and spirit force.

Back in his room, he opened the "Tian Shui Martial Arts Network." The post from last night already had several replies.

The most highlighted reply came from a user named "Snowflake," verified as a "Third-Level Alchemist."

【Snowflake】: Ordinary iron has malleability but no elasticity. Spirit iron has elasticity and is a basic material for alchemy. However, not all spirit stones have elasticity, such as black stone and tungsten iron.

...

"I told you it wasn't my problem!"

Lin Yuan nodded in satisfaction and then read some of the other comments.

They were all about this topic, providing explanations and answers.

"Looks like I need to buy some minerals."

"I should have enough money."

After giving 200 points to "Snowflake," Lin Yuan closed the computer, put on a white jacket, and went out.

During his high school years, Lin Yuan didn't spend much on living expenses, as his food and accommodation were covered by Uncle Wu.

His dad sent him money every month, and he also received cultural scholarships from school. Over the past three years, Lin Yuan had saved a considerable amount of money.

He had spent about half of it on the two mechanical spirit techniques, leaving him with around 60,000 Tian Shui currency, which should be enough to buy a few minerals.