Chapter 8

Rong Taotao didn't listen carefully to what the soldier was saying in the auditorium, but he had a general idea of the content, which was mostly about adapting to the new identity and strictly controlling one's behavior.

About an hour later, the officer finally finished his "lesson" and indicated that students could raise their hands if they had any questions, and he would answer them on the spot.

However, at this point, a teacher walked to the seat where Rong Taotao's Class 7 was: "Rong Taotao, Li Ziyi, Sun Xingyu."

"Huh?" Rong Taotao turned his head and saw a teacher standing in the aisle, beckoning to the three of them.

Sun Xingyu, with her beautiful big eyes, pointed to her nose and asked, "Are you calling us?"

"Yes, the three of you come over. The principal needs to see you," the teacher said with a gentle smile.

Rong Taotao didn't say anything, stood up, and walked toward the teacher.

It was clear that the school couldn't wait. As soon as the soldier finished his lesson, they called these three away.

Since Rong Taotao was the last to enter and didn't have the energy to observe the other students during the awakening process, he didn't know how many star slots the others had awakened. However...

Since the teacher called the three of them, the other two must also have good potential, right?

Rong Taotao didn't know about the others, but Sun Xingyu and Li Ziyi knew how strong Rong Taotao was!

After all, he was the last man standing at Xin Danxi No. 1 High School...

The departure of the trio caused a small commotion, but the soldiers didn't say anything. They had already finished their lesson and were there to help the students awaken, not to snatch them away.

Today, a group of admissions officers from key universities had come to Xin Danxi No. 1 High School, and the soldiers knew exactly what they were there for.

It was time for the "Eight Immortals to cross the sea, each displaying their own magic"! Let's see who can offer the most favorable conditions to the students!

For Soul Martial students, the country matches them in groups of three. In the future, whether they participate in practical classes, execute missions, or compete, they will act as a team of three.

Rong Taotao, Sun Xingyu, and Li Ziyi, these three prodigies, formed a perfect team, even without needing to add any more teammates, it was complete!

Plus, the three had the默契 of three years of studying together, making it almost perfect!

Honestly, if the admissions officers were impressed by their potential, that would be fine, but if they were impressed by the three years of默契... well, they must be out of their minds.

Sun Xingyu and Li Ziyi might have great默契, but Rong Taotao and this pair of... well, golden couple, had no默契 at all.

Rong Taotao was the type who kept to himself and didn't care about anyone.

They were like "rain falling all night, my love overflowing like rain," and the three of them were just not on the same wavelength...

Under the teacher's guidance, the trio left the auditorium and went directly to the second floor, to a teacher's office.

Rong Taotao was mentally prepared, expecting many high schools to extend offers to him, given his talent. However...

What he didn't expect was that there were only three people in the large office?

And one of them was actually... a relative!?

Rong Taotao's older brother, Rong Yang?

"Wow~" As Rong Taotao walked into the office and saw the familiar face, he immediately leaned back, "Isn't that someone?"

Seeing his brother's exaggerated reaction, Rong Yang was quite helpless. His work was indeed very busy, and in recent years, he had been given important tasks by the military, making it harder for him to return home. He hadn't fulfilled his responsibilities as an older brother.

Although Rong Taotao was teasing Rong Yang, his mind was very active.

Why was Rong Yang sitting so close to a woman? Could there be something going on!?

After a year, did he bring back a sister-in-law for me?

"Cough, cough." A light cough drew everyone's attention.

Sun Xingyu smiled and nodded at the source of the sound, "Hello, Principal Dong~"

"Hehe, hello, hello." Principal Dong, sitting behind the desk, pushed his thick glasses up, looking very pleased. He gestured to the young couple sitting on the sofa opposite and said, "Let me introduce you. This is Ms. Yang Chunxi, an admissions officer from Songjiang Soul Martial University..."

As the words fell, the three young people were stunned.

They knew they were called to meet with the admissions officer, but what they didn't expect was that the admissions officer was actually a university professor?

And not just any university, but Songjiang Soul Martial University!?

In the Chinese nation, there are only four top-tier Soul Martial schools: Capital Soul Martial, Metropolis Soul Martial, Dajiang Soul Martial, and Songjiang Soul Martial.

The first two schools are naturally excellent, one located in the political center and the other in the economic center, with abundant resources.

The other two Soul Martial universities, however, have the advantage of "geographical location."

In China, 85% of the land is under the starry sky, while the remaining 15% is divided between the northwest Dajiang Province and the northeast Songjiang Province.

At the "chicken's tail" of the Chinese map, there is a small part of the land where the sky vortex reveals a lava field.

At the "chicken's comb" of the Chinese map, there is another small part of the land where the sky vortex reveals an ice field.

Due to the special nature of these two regions, the country has strongly supported the local Soul Martial industry, from military training, student education, to civil servant training, and more.

Songjiang Soul Martial University naturally became one of the top Soul Martial institutions in China.

Rong Taotao's heart stirred. No wonder this person had such influence, able to stand out among the admissions officers from key high schools and meet the three of them first...

Is this to send me directly to university?

Wow, impressive!

Now I have something to brag about!

No matter how excellent your child is, skipping one or two grades is about it, right?

Look at me! Skipping high school altogether!

Graduating from junior high and being directly admitted to university!

"Hello." Yang Chunxi stood up to greet them, smiling and nodding at the three young people, extending her hand to Rong Taotao.

Rong Taotao carefully examined Ms. Yang, inwardly marveling...

Wow... that light yellow dress!

Wow... that fluffy hair!

Hey... is she going to hold my hand?

Oh no, this is bad! I'm going to fall for it!

"Taotao, be polite." Rong Yang suddenly spoke, but his tone was gentle, not stern.

Rong Taotao suppressed his dramatic side, looked at the hand of the "future sister-in-law," and shook it, even giving it a polite up-and-down.

Yang Chunxi's expression remained graceful and composed, showing no awkwardness. She smiled and shook hands with the other two: "Let me introduce myself. I am Yang Chunxi, a teacher at Songjiang Soul Martial University. I am here to invite you to join Songjiang Soul Martial University."

Straight to the point? Not bad, I like it. However, looking at her youth, she must have just started her career.

Rong Taotao thought, looking curiously at Rong Yang.

Rong Yang, however, maintained a calm demeanor, only reminding his brother to be polite and not saying anything else.

"Ms. Yang, my dream is to attend Songjiang Soul Martial University, but... but we just graduated from junior high, right?" Sun Xingyu looked at the beautiful and elegant teacher, feeling very envious, and her words became sweet.

"Um." Yang Chunxi nodded slightly and said, "This year is 2010, the 40th anniversary of our university. This year, the university has a very good project, and we hope you will participate."

Sun Xingyu asked curiously, "What project?"

"Junior Class." Yang Chunxi, looking at the girl's obedient and lovely appearance, couldn't help but feel fond of her and patted her head, "Songjiang Soul Martial University Junior Class."

Hearing this, Rong Taotao's eyes lit up!

The top Soul Martial university opening a junior class? The first batch? Extending an offer to me?

Even if the faculty of key Soul Martial high schools is strong, how can it compare to Songjiang Soul Martial?

They are not even in the same league!

Moreover, this type of junior class will likely gather the most talented young students, and the university will definitely focus on their training.

Yang Chunxi took a step back and looked the three young people up and down, saying, "Your physical conditions are all very good. Before you came, I also discussed your situations with the principal, and you meet our admission requirements."

Li Ziyi敏锐地抓住了一点：报考！

不是直接录取，而是需要考核！

Li Ziyi故意低沉着嗓音，开口道：“具体考核什么？”

Yang Chunxi looked at Li Ziyi with approval and said, "The examination location is set to the north of the first wall. The specific examination content... is yet to be determined."

"One wall to the north!?" Sun Xingyu's entire demeanor changed upon hearing this.

The sky vortex leading to the Snow Realm is located in the northernmost part of Songjiang Province, right at the border between China and the Russian Federation.

There, three towering walls stand.

The third wall is the front line, guarded by China's most elite troops.

Fifty kilometers south is the second wall, also guarded by soldiers.

Another fifty kilometers south is the first wall.

South of the first wall, there are traces of normal human life.

North of the first wall, it is always covered in snow and howling with cold winds, and there are some low-level Snow Realm soul beasts.

These soul beasts might have been blown in by the blizzard, or they might have been intentionally released from outside the second wall by the soldiers.

In short, for ordinary social soul martial practitioners and students, that place can be a training ground or a battlefield.

Since the examination location is set north of the first wall...

Clearly, the entrance examination for Songjiang Soul Martial is not a written test!

For these children who have just graduated from junior high and have never been on a real battlefield, such an examination is indeed quite harsh.

"Voluntary, no need to force yourself." Yang Chunxi smiled, her smile bright, not like someone who had just come out of the harsh winter.

Rong Taotao tilted his head slightly, looking at the gentle teacher, thinking to himself: This little sister... is a bit warm?

Yang Chunxi continued, "You can discuss it with your family and give me a response by 8 PM tonight. I will leave my phone number with you. If I don't receive your call after 8 PM, I will consider it as you giving up on this examination."

Rong Taotao said directly, "No need to call, I'm participating."

"Oh?" Yang Chunxi raised an eyebrow, her eyes flicking to Rong Yang, "Don't you want to discuss it with your family and friends?"

"I have no family." Rong Taotao scratched his naturally curly hair and mumbled, "And no friends."

Sun Xingyu looked at Rong Taotao, pouting slightly, and gave a polite sad expression.

Rong Yang: "......"

Hearing this, Yang Chunxi couldn't help but chuckle, "According to my understanding, that's not the case.

You should discuss it with them. After all, once you enter Songjiang Soul Martial, you will likely become a Snow Realm soul martial practitioner, practicing Snow Realm soul techniques and skills.

This decision will affect your entire life. Moreover..."

Rong Taotao: "Moreover what?"

Yang Chunxi bent down slightly, curling her finger, and tapped Rong Taotao's head with a smile, "Moreover, I haven't even told you about the examination rewards, the course plan, or many other details."

Her demeanor and actions didn't seem like those of a teacher meeting for the first time, but rather like an elder scolding and advising a junior.

Rong Taotao took a step back and said directly, "No need to say more, I've made my decision. I will participate in the entrance examination for the Songjiang Soul Martial Junior Class."

"Hmm?" Yang Chunxi was even more surprised and asked, "You're not even curious about the examination rewards?"

Rong Taotao waved his hand casually, looking extremely carefree, "You're the top Soul Martial university. Whatever rewards you offer, I guarantee I'll take them."

Yang Chunxi looked at Rong Taotao speechlessly for a few seconds, then turned to Rong Yang, "You two have very different personalities."

Rong Yang still maintained his calm demeanor, like a monk in deep meditation.

Hearing this, Sun Xingyu and Li Ziyi were stunned. From what Ms. Yang said, this quiet man was Rong Taotao's family?

No wonder Rong Taotao reacted so strongly when he first came in.

However, they don't look much alike.

The two young people were lost in thought, while Rong Taotao sighed inwardly.

Actually... being able to participate in the examination north of the first wall is already the greatest reward for him.

This might be the closest he has ever been to her.

People know that,

South of the first wall, the lights are dim.

South of the second wall, it's on the edge of danger.

South of the third wall, it's a sea of snow and mountains of corpses.

But Rong Taotao knows that beyond the third wall, to the north, there is a very wide river.

It is the border river between the two countries, called the "Dragon River."

The river flows directly under the giant sky vortex of the Snow Realm.

It is the most dangerous place, where countless loyal souls and bones are buried under the snow.

It was on this frozen river that a tragic battle, the Dragon River Campaign, took place, which was recorded in history.

Rong Taotao could almost recite the entire page of that history book.

On that page, there is a black and white image, a photo of his mother's daily training after she joined the military.

And Rong Taotao felt as if he could see her standing alone in the vast snowstorm, looking up at the giant sky vortex...