Chapter 231: Chapter 197: The Real Assessment, Investment, Picking a Side and a Battle Team

"Can you hear what I was just saying?"

Zhang Yi nodded, indicating that he had heard everything clearly.

"Alright."

The expression on Instructor Li Qiantian’s face returned to normal, but the shock in his heart hadn’t faded in the slightest.

Could it be because of *that*?

Instructor Li Qiantian speculated internally, then continued, "Since you’ve accepted my investment, as far as the other instructors are concerned, you’re essentially my man now."

Instructor Li Qiantian’s tone turned serious.

"However, if you truly pass the provincial exam and enter the real evaluation for the University Alliance Training Camp, then choosing to join my squad won’t be an issue."

"Then which of the three types of academies you mentioned do you belong to?" Zhang Yi asked the core question, his gaze sharp.

"Based on my disposition, which academy do you think I belong to?" Instructor Li Qiantian didn’t answer directly. Instead, he stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, his posture as straight as a pine tree.

Zhang Yi studied Li Qiantian carefully. Although he had seen the instructor several times before, he had always been too far away to get a good look. Now, observing the indescribable sense of discipline and the stern, formidable aura about Instructor Li Qiantian, he realized it was nothing like what an ordinary academy teacher would possess. Zhang Yi had only sensed a similar aura from his father and grandfather.

"An academy directly under the Military Department."

Zhang Yi stated his conclusion without hesitation. After all, an aura like that, branded into one’s very being, couldn’t be faked.

Hearing Zhang Yi’s words, the corners of Instructor Li Qiantian’s mouth curved into a faint smile, a silent confirmation. He sat back down.

"The academy backing me is a top-tier institution jointly established across five major provinces—Donghuang Province, Beihuang Province, Xisha Province, the Southern Province, and Zhongjing Province. It is Tianya Academy!"

"I’m currently a practical training instructor at Tianya Academy’s main campus!"

"So? Care for a reintroduction?"

Li Qiantian seemed rather smug as he said this. But being a teacher at one of the Blue Star Federation’s top academies was indeed something to be proud of.

Zhang Yi was well aware of this.

Most top-tier academies only have campuses within a single city. But Tianya Academy, being directly under the Military Department, was a little different. In the First Era, the location of the military district headquarters in the Yanhuang Region changed several times, and Tianya Academy, which was affiliated with the Military Department, moved along with it. This resulted in Tianya Academy leaving behind campuses in five different locations throughout the Yanhuang Region.

Later, in the Second Era, the Yanhuang Federation Ministry of Education finally decided to designate the largest campus, the one in Zhongjing Province, as Tianya Academy’s main campus, while preserving the original four sites as branch campuses. This meant that, compared to other top academies, the Military Department’s Tianya Academy had not only more students but also more resources. After all, the other four branch campuses also had resources allocated to them as if they were top-tier academies themselves.

The other top universities in the Yanhuang Region on par with Tianya Academy were War Academy, Ten Thousand Gods Academy, Jiuzhou Academy, Ocean Academy, and Truth Academy. Together, these six institutions formed the Yanhuang Federation’s most elite group of schools: the Six Great Academies.

So, after Li Qiantian revealed his background, stating that he was from the Military Department’s Tianya Academy, Zhang Yi felt a stir within.

Among the Six Great Academies, only War Academy and Tianya Academy had ties to the military. Jiuzhou Academy, Ocean Academy, and Truth Academy were all top-tier academies in the Yanhuang Federal Region, directly funded by the Blue Star Federation. They had greater autonomy and fewer entanglements with other factions. The only one left, Ten Thousand Gods Academy, worked closely with large corporations. In fact, many of its teachers were retired senior executives rehired from those companies.

These six top academies in the Yanhuang Federal Region each had their own unique characteristics. But due to a conversation with his grandfather, Zhang Yi’s initial targets had been narrowed down to War Academy and Tianya Academy. Li Qiantian’s speech had, in fact, precisely hit upon what Zhang Yi was looking for.

"I understand," Zhang Yi nodded slowly. "Then, one last question. You mentioned a ’little help.’ What can you help me with?"

Li Qiantian, who had been steeling himself when he heard Zhang Yi mention a ’last question,’ couldn’t help but laugh when he heard what Zhang Yi actually asked. All the effort he’d spent, all the time he’d taken to talk with Zhang Yi, hadn’t been in vain. He had finally succeeded in persuading Zhang Yi.

"Don’t you worry! Since I’m the one making you a promise, I’ll definitely deliver!"

"For the daily training, as long as you show up, I can guarantee you a perfect evaluation!"

"And if you really make it to the Yanhuang Federal Region’s evaluation, as long as you perform well enough, I can even make you a squad leader! You might not know what being a squad leader means right now, but you’ll understand when the time comes!"

Instructor Li Qiantian wore a knowing smile. His smile held no guile, only the confidence of someone who knew how to help while staying within the rules.

Zhang Yi nodded. Truthfully, he was already leaning toward Instructor Li Qiantian’s side.

Originally, Zhang Yi hadn’t held a clear preference between Tianya Academy and War Academy. After all, both academies were affiliated with the Military Department, so to Zhang Yi, there wasn’t much of a difference. The only thing that would make Zhang Yi clearly lean one way was if there was a significant disparity in the treatment he would receive from each academy after enrolling.

But so far, Instructor Li Qiantian had made a rather good impression on him. If, by the time he entered the full Yanhuang Federal Region evaluation, the offers from both top academies were similar, Zhang Yi would actually be more inclined toward Tianya Academy.

However, it was still a bit too early to be thinking about all that. For now, it was simply that Tianya Academy aligned with Zhang Yi’s goals and, at the same time, they had shown enough sincerity.

After concluding that Instructor Li Qiantian’s investment offered him benefits with no apparent downsides, Zhang Yi accepted it.

Besides, it might not be impossible to switch squads after entering the Yanhuang Federal Region’s evaluation. After all, Instructor Li Qiantian had only said they would join various squads; he never said they couldn’t jump ship to another one. Based on Zhang Yi’s experience, "jumping ship" should be possible as long as one demonstrated enough Talent and strength.

With this in mind, Zhang Yi no longer hesitated. He looked up.

"Instructor Li, I accept your investment! I’ll be in your care for the month leading up to the provincial exam!"

A look of finality, as if the dust had finally settled, flashed in Li Qiantian’s eyes.

Are my resources for the next hundred years finally secured?!

Though thrilled, Instructor Li Qiantian remained composed on the surface. He didn’t speak, but simply extended his hand.

"A wise choice, Zhang Yi. I guarantee you won’t regret this in the future!"

As for the matter of joining a squad after the provincial exam that Li Qiantian had mentioned, neither of them went into detail. They both tacitly avoided the topic. After all, the provincial exam wasn’t even over yet. Although it was unlikely, the possibility that Zhang Yi could stumble badly still existed.

Compared to the other five great academies, Tianya Academy was already one step ahead in establishing a good relationship with Zhang Yi. From here on, as long as Instructor Li Qiantian didn’t lose his head, the likelihood of Zhang Yi joining their academy in the future was very high.

Zhang Yi reached out and shook Li Qiantian’s extended hand. After the handshake, their relationship had clearly reached a new level. Instructor Li Qiantian’s smile became much more genuine. His expression relaxed, and he glanced down at the time.

"Alright, business is concluded. It’s getting late, so you should get some rest. For the upcoming daily training sessions, remember to be on time. As for the arena battles, if you can secure consistent victories, you’d best hold back some of your strength."

"After all, I’m far from the only person in the main control room who can see your performance. There are still plenty of matches to come!"

Zhang Yi nodded in acknowledgment. He knew Instructor Li Qiantian was giving him a reminder.

「At half past ten」

Instructor Li Qiantian left Zhang Yi’s dorm room.

His appearance had disrupted Zhang Yi’s original plans. Watching the instructor depart, Zhang Yi’s thoughts were exceptionally clear.

"Tianya Academy..." Zhang Yi murmured softly.

The real evaluation is open to the entire Yanhuang Federal Region. How interesting.

But for the great opportunity my grandfather spoke of, I have to see this through to the very end!

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