Shen Lianmeng gave a wry smile, then put the acceptance letter back.
Ling Qingxue was too calm, calmer than a high school student. She remained completely unmoved by an S-rank acceptance letter from one of the top ten martial arts universities in the country.
Mature and determined—such a person couldn't be persuaded.
Shortly afterward, Shen Lianmeng and Gu Qingfeng left with Zhang Quan.
Before leaving, Zhang Quan turned back to look at Ling Qingxue.
"Thank you for your guidance today. I'll come back to spar with you again if I have the chance!"
"I'll be waiting," Ling Qingxue replied casually.
Zhang Quan's lips twitched, a hint of helplessness in his expression.
Ling Qingxue seemed to completely disregard him as an opponent, making him feel somewhat powerless.
However, if she could defeat him at the Second Rank early-stage, he feared he would be even less qualified to fight her after leveling up.
Encountering a BOSS right after leaving the novice life—his luck was truly unbelievable.
Only after the three left did Liu Qingshan and Wang Jianming let out a heavy sigh.
This was a truly excellent opportunity.
If Ling Qingxue had taken the acceptance letter, Linjiang Middle School would have produced its first-ever student admitted to one of the top ten martial arts universities in the country, and with an S-rank acceptance letter at that.
What a glorious achievement! Unfortunately, it was all for naught.
Wang Jianming frowned, looking at Ling Qingxue.
"Qingxue, you'll be competing against over ten million martial artists nationwide in the national martial arts exam, including many from top-tier families and possessing unparalleled talent. You will regret it later that you gave up such a great opportunity."
Ling Qingxue smiled faintly. "I won't. Every choice I make is carefully considered!"
"You…" Wang Jianming was speechless.
Liu Qingshan, however, laughed.
He realized that Ling Qingxue wasn't acting impulsively, but rather possessed genuine ambition.
When she proposed the fight, he worried that Ling Qingxue felt humiliated, which was why she suggested it, in a fit of rage.
Now, without that worry, he found himself gaining a deeper understanding of his student.
"You've earned the right to accept or decline for yourself, but I want to know which university you've chosen. At least give me some mental preparation."
"Beiming Martial Arts University!" Ling Qingxue replied.
"Holy crap!!!"
The exclamation of "Holy crap!!!" echoed like waves across the entire school, startling Shen Lianmeng and her two companions, who had just reached the gate.
Gu Qingfeng looked back, feeling a pang of regret.
"Lianmeng, should we try again? Perhaps if we allocate more resources for her training, she'll agree. After all, this is a golden opportunity to rise to the top. I can always apologize again. I admit I was a bit too talkative."
Gu Qingfeng looked somewhat embarrassed. If he had known Ling Qingxue was so talented, he really wouldn't have been so impulsive.
The main problem was that they were constantly on the go. They were in Beihan Province yesterday, Nanchuan Province today, and Ximo Province tomorrow. Who wouldn't be a little impatient?
Besides, from the very beginning, no one believed that a true genius could emerge from this small city of Linjiang.
Shen Lianmeng shook her head slightly and continued walking out of Linjiang Middle School.
"Let it go. She won't agree. I bet her sight is set on one of the top three martial arts universities in the country. With her talent, even if she performs slightly worse in the national martial arts exam, getting into a top ten university won't be difficult. She might not even consider Qingshan Martial Arts University as a safety net."
These words were hurtful, but they were the truth.
Ling Qingxue, being in the Second Rank early-stage, was able to defeat a Second Rank late-stage martial artist. Four months later, there was a high probability that her combat power would rival that of a Third Rank martial artist.
A Third Rank martial artist already had the hope of reaching the top three martial arts universities in the country.
With such hope, how could she possibly accept the admission letter from Qingshan Martial Arts University?
Not only that, although both Beiming Martial Arts University and Qingshan Martial Arts University were among the top ten in the country, the resources of the top three universities were on a completely different level from the others.
This could be easily seen from the number of secret places.
A genius like Ling Qingxue would definitely aspire to one of the top three universities in the country.
At this, Gu Qingfeng felt a chill run down his spine.
"This year has produced many geniuses. The chances of getting into one of the top three universities are probably slim. Linjiang Middle School's resources are far from sufficient to support such a genius!"
"This isn't our concern. Let's hurry and look elsewhere. If we can't recruit better students, Qingshan Martial Arts University will be at the bottom of the top ten again this year," Shen Lianmeng said helplessly.
The three boarded a massive flying magical beast and quickly disappeared into the sky above Linjiang City.
…
Liu Qingshan stared at Ling Qingxue for a long time, unable to recover.
Beiming Martial Arts University!
If she really succeeded, Linjiang Middle School would rise at least several levels!
"Your goal is a bit high, but I respect your choice!"
Liu Qingshan gave a wry smile. "If I had known you already had a goal, I wouldn't have bothered asking around for an early admission to Qingshan Martial Arts University."
"I know you were only doing this for my own good. I understand."
"Come with me. What you wanted has just arrived."
Liu Qingshan said with a smile, now walking with a spring in his step.
Ling Qingxue's demonstration of strength gave him hope, and his mood naturally improved.
Wu Liang was also excited to hear that the item had arrived.
The skeleton of the Black Flame Phoenix contained a trace of phoenix bloodline; refined into the Taotie bloodline, who knew what benefits it would bring.
Even just that skeleton alone should grant him a significant boost in stats!
Ling Qingxue immediately followed.
Wang Jianming stood there, scratching his head.
"Old Wang, I almost got you a good meal again! This year, since I've let you win the Top Teacher award, it's your turn to treat us to a meal!" Zhou Wenpeng said with a laugh.
"What a load of nonsense, that's my merit!"
The other teachers immediately retorted angrily.
"Damn it, what is your merit?! All you've done to get Ling Qingxue to where she is today is provide her with a seat! You have the nerve to say that!"
"What's there to be ashamed of? Luck is a skill too." Wang Jianming smiled smugly before swaggering away.
Nearby, Chu Yuansheng still stood there.
"Do you really think she has a chance of getting into Beiming Martial Arts University?"
Zhao Xin was also a little unsure, but just smiled nonchalantly.
"Why dwell on that? That's Qingxue's business. What we need to think about is which university we should get into, and how to become stronger!"
Chu Yuansheng suddenly felt enlightened.
"Yes, you're right! I also need to try for one of the top ten martial arts universities in the country!"
While everyone was still there, Liu Yang gathered the group together.
"Come on, let's place our bets! Those who bet on my Class Ten's school beauty, Ling Qingxue, getting into Beiming Martial Arts University, stand on the left. Those who think she can't get in, stand on the right. I'm the bookmaker!"
Many people looked at Liu Yang, then silently stood on the right.
"Brother Yang, it's not that we don't want to bet on Miss Ling getting into Beiming Martial Arts University; it's just that the odds are too low. Let's not daydream about it. You'd better wake up."
Liu Yang glared at them, his face full of resentment.
"Fine, I'll take you all on by myself! I'm betting everything on Miss Ling getting in. Don't you dare run away during the national martial arts exam!"
Several people took the challenge. "Fine, we'll bet! What kind of genius can come from our little rural town? Getting into Qingshan Martial Arts University is the limit. No amount of struggling will change that!"
"Exactly! Even if a mongrel is raised in the palace, it's still a dog. It's a matter of class."
"Damn it, just wait. You'll get slapped in the face!" Liu Yang cursed.