While the major Star Martial Academies were furiously crunching numbers, the top four Star Martial Academies were also specifically studying Wang Lan in a meeting room.

In the meeting room of Imperial Capital Star Martial Academy, a recently returned observation teacher from Jiang Province brought first-hand information on Wang Lan. Compared to the guessing game of netizens who knew little beyond shouting "666", the Star Martial Academy's observation teachers had more objective and detailed data analysis.

"Principal, our trip to Jiang Province was very fruitful. Eight candidates have met our direct admission criteria. However, among them is Jiang Province's number one, Wang Lan, whom I think we must secure at all costs. We can consider improving the enrollment package."

"Oh? Mr. Wu, our school hasn't broken precedent to improve enrollment packages for almost twenty years. Is that Wang Lan worth breaking a twenty-year tradition for?" a middle-aged teacher from the guidance office asked in a deep voice.

"Director Zhao, what if that Wang Lan is the next Five Emperors?"

"PFFT!" Upon hearing this, many people in the meeting room laughed. Over the years, they had heard too many labeled as the next Five Emperors. Although each was truly extraordinary, everyone ultimately fell short of the Five Emperors. Hearing the same comment repeatedly had turned it into a joke.

"Wang Lan, born in the year 5002, awakened his Star Martial Warrior talent at the end of June 5018..." Mr. Wu read from the information in his hands.

"Wait a minute!" Director Zhao suddenly sat up straight. "Mr. Wu, are you sure you're not mistaken? Did he awaken in 5018? It hasn't even been a full year since his awakening?"

"Yes!"

"He became the champion of Jiang Province within a year of awakening?" As he said this, his expression became serious. To become the champion of Jiang Province within a year meant either Jiang Province was very weak this year, or he was extremely talented.

"Indeed, and he's also been called the strongest high school student in the history of Jiang Province."

"Mr. Wu, please continue to tell us what's special about this Wang Lan," the principal said gently, interrupting the digression.

"Yes! Wang Lan independently awakened his Star Martial Warrior talent at sixteen and entered the Star Shine Stage ten days later. In less than a year, he publicly advanced to the Star Cloud Stage during a provincial competition.

His stats were: Basic Combat, A+; combat talent, A+; combat wisdom, A+. His Star Martial Skills included: Flame Sword, advanced level; Star Cloud Sword Dance, advanced level; Crescent Arrow, advanced level; Thunder Snake, advanced level; and Phantom Tracer, advanced level!

His Inborn Talent of the Bloodline is healing of the Medical Attribute, with S-grade practicality and beyond S-grade potential.

Furthermore, immediately after the competition, a terrorist attack occurred at the site of the provincial competition. The international fugitive Wang Mingling attacked the venue, and Wang Lan single-handedly confronted him, employing a beyond S-grade Star Martial Skill, Phoenix Form. The combat power he displayed was at the peak of the Galaxy Stage."

"What?"

At these words, the meeting room fell silent; even the principal of Imperial Capital Star Martial Academy was dumbstruck.

"You're talking about the Phoenix Form? To what extent has he cultivated it?"

"The first stage of the Phoenix Form is already completed up to the second step, with flames ignited all around his body, just one step away from complete body flame transformation."

"This Wang Lan already learned the Phoenix Form at the Star Cloud Stage? Is he Eld Di's disciple? When did Eld Di accept a new disciple?"

"No, as far as I know, he's the son of the Flame Emperor, and his Phoenix Form comes from the Flame Emperor. Moreover, he didn't learn it at the Star Cloud Stage, because he only advanced to the Star Cloud Stage a few days ago. By that time, he had already mastered the Phoenix Form."

"Mastering the Phoenix Form at the Star Shine Stage... That's the next Flame Emperor."

"Correct. His growth to the Star Cloud Stage in just one year shows his tremendous potential. He's worth breaking our twenty-year tradition for and merits enhanced enrollment benefits."

"However, he's the son of the Flame Emperor; he's probably already Modu Star Martial Academy's to take, right?"

"The Flame Emperor was once a student of our Imperial Capital Star Martial Academy. How could he be considered meat in Modu Star Martial Academy's pot?"

"Can you really reason that way? Back then, Eld Di was our dean, and the Imperial Capital Star Martial Academy of those days has become today's Modu Star Martial Academy. Now, with Eld Di as the principal of Modu Star Martial Academy, Wang Lan is definitely heading there for Eld Di."

"That's not necessarily the case. Imperial Capital Star Martial Academy is still his mother's alma mater. Plus, we're ranked number one nationwide. In terms of resources and strength, we're still above Modu.

Besides, what can Modu Star Martial Academy offer Wang Lan? He's already learned the Phoenix Form, and he cannot learn the Dragon Emperor Form. Modu Star Martial Academy offers him no real benefits. As long as we clearly lay out the pros and cons for him, he should make a wise choice."

"Indeed. All of Modu Star Martial Academy's secret techniques are based on the Dragon Emperor Form. Having learned the Phoenix Form, Wang Lan will have missed out on those powerful techniques. No one can compare to us in researching the Phoenix Form. Notify the admissions office to call Wang Lan immediately."

"No, Director Zhao, you go personally," the principal suddenly decided. "You negotiate with Wang Lan yourself. Whatever conditions he asks for, as long as we can meet them, agree. The sooner, the better."

"Eh? Isn't it our procedure that we should only contact students five days after the provincial competition has ended?"

"Who cares about procedure at this time?" Mr. Wu was exasperated. "Of course, we should act swiftly. If Modu Star Martial Academy signs him first, then it will be too late for everything."

「At the same time」

In the meeting room of Xiangjiang Star Martial Academy, the decision was almost the same. "I must personally go to Suzhou City and ensure that Wang Lan is recruited into our academy. Our Xiangjiang Star Martial Academy has never produced one of the Five Emperors, and this failure has always provoked criticism, making it impossible for me to hold my head high among the other top three Star Martial Academies. Wang Lan has the potential of the Five Emperors; we cannot let him slip away."

"Yes!" The director of the guidance office promptly stood at attention and saluted, the military style of the academy as uncompromising as ever.

The situation was similar at Jinghua Star Martial Arts Academy; they even acted faster than Imperial Capital Star Martial Academy. As Director Zhao was stepping out with his luggage, representatives from Jinghua Star Martial Arts Academy were already in the boarding lounge, preparing to board a plane.

Of the four major Star Martial Academies, Jinghua Star Martial Arts Academy and Imperial Capital Star Martial Academy were both located in the capital. This led them to vie vehemently to be recognized as the number one Star Martial Academy in Jade Country. Despite both being among the four major Star Martial Academies, they relished devaluing each other.

"PAH! You think you're worthy of being Jade Country's number one? You're nothing! I'm the true number one."

"Get lost! You're just my branch campus. How dare you compete with me for first place? In terms of history, I'm three hundred years ahead of you."

This competitive jest had been ongoing for nearly fifty years. The people of Jade Country watched for amusement, treating it as something of a joke. Everyone knew that even though the academies differed in ranking, their strength was more or less equal.

Imperial Capital Star Martial Academy led the world with its profound research in advanced Star Martial Skills, possessing the most secret techniques and forbidden techniques globally. On the other hand, Jinghua Star Martial Arts Academy was world-renowned for its research into the application of Star Martial Skills. More than half of the existing Form Changing Star Martial Skills were created by Jinghua Star Martial Arts Academy or its students. Xiangjiang Star Martial Academy followed a group formation strategy, a characteristic related to its military roots. Almost all powerful Star Martial Groups were graduates of Xiangjiang. In particular, their Star Power Bridging Formation Map was unmatched worldwide.

Modu Star Martial Academy, with the shortest but most legendary history, didn't have any particularly prominent features. If any, it would be its laissez-faire approach to education. With minimal restrictions on students, as long as they accumulated enough Academic Credits and passed exams, no one cared if they attended classes or not. There were no restrictions on which Star Martial Skills to learn; students could exchange points for them. In terms of freedom, it could be compared to the colleges in White Eagle Country.

A terrorist attack occurring at the provincial competition was no trivial matter. Even though Eld Di resolved it with absolute force, the lack of damage was not a reason to underestimate its seriousness. Who was providing cover for Wang Mingling? Who was supplying the Demon Clan with Space Stones to open a Different Dimensional Space? How did they infiltrate Suzhou City without a trace? And why were the checkpoints throughout Jade Country seemingly useless? All these questions needed in-depth investigation and accountability.

So, the Tianjian Bureau was very busy.

With the provincial competition over, the Star Martial Arts Campus began the tense sprint towards the college entrance exams. Wang Lan, along with other students who had participated and performed excellently in the provincial competition, returned to the classroom after resting for two days.

No matter how sensational an event, it would cool down with the passage of time. At least for Senior Three, Class One, this was the case.

During a class break, Mingyue Wucheng stared at Wang Lan for a long time with an envious look, like someone who had just eaten a lemon. That gaze made Wang Lan's tailbone feel somewhat chilly.

"Wucheng, stop looking at me like that. It's creeping me out!"

"Wang Lan, do you know what you remind me of? A Soul Bead. A supreme Soul Bead containing an S-grade Star Martial Skill. So smooth, so beautiful..."

"Stop! I get your point, but can you please not stare at me like that? Remember, I was the one who encouraged you to sign up. You chose not to."

"Who the hell knew the provincial champion would get an S-grade Star Martial Skill? Before, the best was A-grade... Ah... I regret it so much. Once, an S-grade Star Martial Skill was right before me, and I didn't cherish it..."

"Wucheng, are you short of S-grade Star Martial Skills? You're acting as if you've been dumped," Xu Xiangwen said, patting Mingyue Wucheng's shoulder.

"Short? It's an S-grade Star Martial Skill! Even if I can't use it, couldn't I just keep it? My family only has four or five S-grade Star Martial Skills."

"Well used, that 'only'!" Lin Gao chimed in from the side, looking up at Mingyue Wucheng with disdain. "Having one is good enough. A decent Star Martial family might have at most two. Your family has at least six, and you still think it's not enough?"

"By the way, the principal and others were waiting at the entrance early this morning. Are they welcoming an important guest?"

"It's all so secretive. What's happening?"

"Perhaps their arrival was so sudden that the principal wasn't aware either," Wang Lan quickly interjected, trying to change the topic.

"And how would you know that? Or are you saying you know who's coming?"

"I'm not a clairvoyant who can predict things. But if the principal knew we were having visitors today, wouldn't he have had us do a major clean-up yesterday?"

As Wang Lan and the others were speculating, a black business van pulled up at the entrance of the Star Martial Arts Campus. Principal Zhang hurriedly went to meet them, his face wreathed in smiles.

"Welcome, welcome! We are honored to have the leaders from Jinghua Star Martial Arts Academy visit our campus for inspection and guidance..."

"You are Principal Zhang from Suzhou No.1 Middle School's Star Martial Arts Campus."

"Yes, yes, that's me."

"Principal Zhang, you've done an excellent job, cultivating so many outstanding students," said Pang Long, Director of the Guidance Office at Jinghua Star Martial Arts Academy, as he enthusiastically shook Principal Zhang's hand.

"Director Pang, you're too kind. Please, this way. Liu, quick, take Director Pang for a tour of our school."

"Hmm?" Pang Long paused and looked at Principal Zhang, who remained standing in place. "Principal Zhang, are you expecting more visitors?"

"Yes, yes, Director Zhao from Imperial Capital Star Martial Academy also called to say he will arrive shortly."

Upon hearing this reply, Pang Long's face darkened, and he muttered, "They sure arrived fast!"

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