At the Conference Center Hotel, a graceful woman in red draped a coat over her shoulders and gently pulled back the curtains.

"DING-DONG. Ms. Sun, your morning tea has arrived."

"Alright, come on in."

The hotel attendant wheeled a food trolley into the suite, her gaze inadvertently sweeping over Ms. Sun. Even as a fellow woman, she couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration. Could this woman be some celebrity?

The attendant placed the delicate breakfast items on the table, then wheeled the trolley out. No sooner had the attendant left than there was a knock at the door.

"Who is it?"

"Teacher Sun, hurry up! We'll be late if we don't leave now."

"Did you find their itinerary?" Ms. Sun asked as she opened the door to let the young woman in.

"I found it. I hacked into Capital City Airlines. Director Pang from Jinghua Star Martial Arts Academy took a flight yesterday afternoon. Director Zhao from the Imperial Capital Star Martial Academy was on a flight last night. They both arrived in Suzhou City this morning. Major General Yu from Xiangjiang Star Martial Academy, however, only arrived in Suzhou City an hour ago. But he didn't even look for a place to stay and went straight to Suzhou No.1 Middle School."

"They seem to be in quite a hurry..."

"Isn't that obvious? None of us are blind. Think about Wang Lan's performance and assessment! Let's hurry, or they'll snatch him away. These days, proximity isn't necessarily an advantage."

"No rush. Let's have our morning tea first."

"You're still eating? Wang Lan is the one Eld Di personally took a liking to..." The young woman was anxious, but Sun Li wasn't in a hurry at all. She sat at the breakfast table, enjoying the unique morning tea of Suzhou City.

Sun Li had a motto: in this life, only her country and food were not to be forsaken. In her eyes, the importance of food was on par with that of the country. She was the type to give her life for a good meal.

Knowing her teacher's personality, the young woman could only watch with a wry smile, despite her urgency.

"Sit down and eat with me. Don't rush. Recruiting is a technical skill; it requires strategy. Mere inducements are useless. Besides, with all three of them there, Wang Lan won't be able to decide quickly. Let them argue first. We need to eat our fill to have the energy to contend with them..." Sun Li playfully stuck out her tongue, making the young woman shiver.

"Teacher... what are you planning... to do to compete? You're not actually going to fight them, are you?"

"What are you thinking? They are all veteran teachers, our seniors. How could we possibly fight our seniors?"

"You still care about things like that? Don't tell me... you're thinking of poisoning them?"

"Is that how you see me?" Sun Li shot the young woman a glare. "Put that down. You can't eat it now."

"Huh?" The young woman glanced at the pastry she was holding; it looked quite appetizing.

"I've already poisoned it. Try it if you don't believe me."

"So stingy!" The young woman put the pastry down and started blowing bubbles into her glass of juice with a straw.

「」

"Reporting in!"

"Come in!"

Wang Lan pushed open the meeting room door. Instantly, several pairs of eyes shot towards him. Their intense gazes made Wang Lan want to turn and flee.

"Wang Lan, let me introduce you. This is Director Zhao from the Imperial Capital Star Martial Academy, this is Director Pang from Jinghua Star Martial Arts Academy, and this is Major General Yu from Xiangjiang Military Star Martial Academy."

"Good day, Teachers, Major General!"

"Have a seat," Director Zhao said, pointing to a nearby chair.

Wang Lan approached the chair and sat down, somewhat reservedly. Although Wang Lan was experienced, such experience was context-dependent. These were all legendary figures; it would be a lie to say he wasn't nervous at all.

After sitting down and taking a deep breath, Wang Lan calmed himself.

"You've probably guessed why I'm here. Your performance at the provincial martial arts competition was outstanding. Therefore, on behalf of the Imperial Capital Star Martial Academy, I formally invite you to enroll in our academy this September. What do you say, Wang Lan?"

"I..."

"Wang Lan, Jinghua Star Martial Arts Academy also hopes you will enroll with us. Are you aware that Jinghua Star Martial Arts Academy possesses the world's most diverse range of Star Martial Skills and the finest teaching faculty? The comprehensive strength of students from Jinghua Star Martial Arts Academy is widely acclaimed. Choosing Jinghua Star Martial Arts Academy would be a wise decision for you."

Alright, Director Pang's words have put me in a bind. Agreeing to one would offend the other two. Couldn't they invite me privately instead of putting me on the spot like this?

A troubled expression immediately appeared on Wang Lan's face.

"Wang Lan, as far as I know, you hold a military rank?" Major General Yu suddenly spoke.

Wang Lan quickly stood up. "Yes! Reporting to the Major General, I am a special operative from Suzhou City's Tianjian Bureau, holding the rank of Captain."

"Since you're a soldier, what are you hesitating about?"

"Major General Yu, you're misleading him. Military academies and the military aren't directly linked. Military academies operate independently of the military, and the Tianjian Bureau is an even more separate system from yours. He is a special operative of the Tianjian Bureau. Holding a military rank doesn't dictate which academy he must attend. What? If he chooses Xiangjiang Academy, will he get into the Ministry of Defense after graduation, or something?"

"If he performs exceptionally well, it's not impossible."

"But that might not be what Wang Lan needs. Wang Lan, you should come to Imperial Capital Star Martial Arts Academy. Your mother, Wang Ling, graduated from there. The Imperial Capital Star Martial Arts Academy is ranked first in Jade Country and has conducted the most in-depth research on the Phoenix Form. There are many derivative skills of the Phoenix Form, and they could all be yours if you come. We can also promise to waive your tuition fees for five years. Additionally, we guarantee you an S-level Star Martial Skill, three A-level Star Martial Skills, and training to reach the elite level of the Galaxy Stage before your senior year. We haven't made an exception like this in twenty years."

Director Zhao laid out these conditions all at once, causing the expressions of the two people beside him to change immediately. These were the best terms they, too, could offer.

"Xiangjiang Academy can offer the same terms. Wang Lan, although you're in the Tianjian Bureau system, both the Tianjian Bureau and Xiangjiang Academy report directly to the Ministry of Defense. We have a complete military academy system with significant connections and networks within the military. If you continue to work within the military system, these connections and networks are invaluable. They will bring unimaginable convenience to your future work and promotions."

"Wang Lan, Jinghua Star Martial Arts Academy can also offer the same terms. Moreover, I think you might have heard a saying: Imperial Capital Star Martial Arts Academy focuses on research and further studies, while Jinghua Star Martial Arts Academy is where you learn to fight. Your talent should be displayed on the battlefield, not wasted in some sealed laboratory, tearing your hair out over a research project."

"Old Pang, you're mistaken there. Hasn't our Imperial Capital Star Martial Arts Academy produced many powerful warriors? The Southern Flame Emperor is from our academy."

"We also have the Northern Nether Emperor! Besides, was the Southern Flame Emperor really trained by Imperial Capital Star Martial Arts Academy? Wasn't he trained by Eld Di? And now Eld Di is..." Director Pang's words abruptly ceased.

"Oh? Did I just hear someone mention Eld Di? Why did you stop?" The conference room door was gently pushed open, and a woman as beautiful as a fairy walked in. "My apologies, esteemed seniors, I'm late," she said. "Wang Lan, let me introduce myself. I am Sun Li, a recruitment teacher from Modu City Star Martial Arts Academy."

Seeing the hand Sun Li extended, Wang Lan touched it lightly. "Hello, Teacher."

"Modu City Star Martial Arts Academy is here too. Good, now everyone has arrived. Wang Lan, what is your choice?" Director Zhao stared sharply at Wang Lan. Suddenly, Wang Lan felt immense pressure emanating from the four individuals before him.

"Well, Wang Lan, I arrived late and haven't had a chance to properly introduce our academy. But that's alright; I imagine you're already very familiar with Modu City Star Martial Arts Academy. Eld Di thinks highly of you. Before I left, he specifically instructed me to give you as much freedom of choice as possible. On behalf of the academy, I promise you an S-level Star Martial Skill. You'll be grouped with elite team members, receive lessons from elite teachers, and we will prioritize a student slot for you. We guarantee to help you reach the peak of the Galaxy Stage before graduation. These terms should adequately represent our sincerity, shouldn't they?"

"Teacher Sun, I am truly flattered by your esteemed academy's interest. But right now... with all these excellent offers, it's really difficult for me to make an immediate choice. Perhaps..." Wang Lan blinked frantically, trying to send a hint.

"Alright, I'll give you ten minutes to consider. If the pressure is too much, you can leave the room to think it over. Return in ten minutes with your answer." Ignoring Wang Lan's hints, Sun Li casually flicked her head and looked at the other three. "And you? Anything else to add?"

"We've said all that needs to be said. The choice is up to Wang Lan now."

"Agreed!"

"Let's leave it at that."

The four great Star Martial Academies were, after all, institutions at the apex. Even if they desperately wanted Wang Lan, they still had to maintain a dignified facade. They couldn't act like merchants, clinging to someone and refusing to let go. They had laid out their offers and stated their respective advantages; the choice naturally fell to Wang Lan. Furthermore, they were all confident in their own academies. Each believed their institution offered unique advantages that Wang Lan needed and that others could not replicate.

They exchanged glances, then quietly looked away from each other.

As for Modu City Star Martial Arts Academy, the other three were least concerned. Previously, they had worried that Modu City Star Martial Arts Academy held too great an advantage, prompting them to rush over and try to secure Wang Lan first. But now, it appeared Modu City Star Martial Arts Academy wasn't giving Wang Lan enough importance, having sent only a recruitment teacher.

Perhaps Eld Di did strongly desire to recruit Wang Lan. But after the recent assassination attempt on him, his entire faction was preoccupied with finding who was secretly paving the way for the Demon Clan and providing cover for Paradise Bird's entry. They were likely too busy to be concerned with this.

This was just as well. With their biggest competitor seemingly sidelined, the other three Star Martial Academies felt more confident.

Stepping out of the conference room, Wang Lan heaved a long sigh.

This is truly a deadly dilemma. No matter which one I choose, I'm bound to offend the other three. Rejecting an ordinary Star Martial Academy's invitation is one thing, but rejecting invitations from the top three Star Martial Academies... I can guarantee I'll be headline news tomorrow. Reporters are ubiquitous, and unscrupulous media outlets will stop at nothing for a sensational headline. If I leave a bad impression on these teachers and they speak ill of me when they return, I'll likely gain many unknown enemies, won't I? But a choice had to be made; he had to pick one.

"DING-DONG—" His phone chimed with a text message; it was from Jiang Xinyu.

Strange, shouldn't Jiang Xinyu be in class right now? Why would she send me a message... especially when she knows I'm busy...

Lost in thought, he unlocked his phone. Upon seeing the message's content, a peculiar expression immediately crossed Wang Lan's face.

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