Chapter 16: The Tianheng Special Training Camp
Stone Yu’s heart suddenly jolted, his thoughts surging like wild waves.
Tianheng?
That was one of the five major martial arts organizations within the Great Xia, renowned and formidable.
Such a martial arts giant actually took notice of him, a mere second-year high school student?
Moreover, they had come directly to the school to meet him.
Although surprised, Stone Yu remained composed on the surface and shook hands with Xia Yuan.
After all, having lived two lives, though appearing as a seventeen-year-old youth, his mental age was well into his thirties.
As they shook hands, Xia Yuan’s eyes gleamed faintly, as if perceiving something unexpectedly delightful.
“Well, your reputation is well deserved.”
He nodded appreciatively.
Like Song Yunwei, Xia Yuan was also an extraordinary master at the Outer Strong Realm.
During the handshake, he sensed that Stone Yu had already entered the path of cultivation.
Of course, the exact level was unknown; that would require probing the other’s dantian energy sea—a move no one would make upon first meeting.
“Stone Yu, I’ll be straightforward.”
Xia Yuan was a man of clear purpose: “I’m here to discuss with Principal Song about inviting you to participate in the Tianheng Special Training Camp this August.”
The Tianheng Special Training Camp?
Stone Yu really didn’t know much about it.
Besides, he had heard from Teacher Lin that besides the school’s elite class training over the summer, there was also a training camp organized by the Education Bureau.
And now, an invitation from Tianheng as well.
Stone Yu weighed his options and looked to Principal Song, wanting to hear her opinion before deciding.
He wasn’t unwilling to go, just concerned about potential scheduling conflicts.
Song Yunwei smiled slightly: “Director Xia is too eager, coming to us without first explaining the situation and inviting our student.”
“Stone Yu, let me explain.”
“Teacher Lin should have mentioned some of the summer arrangements to you.”
“However, just yesterday, Old Yu, Teacher Lin, and I discussed again,” Song Yunwei rose to pour a cup of tea and continued, “we have decided that you do not need to participate in the school’s elite class training.”
“Why is that?” Stone Yu’s eyes flickered with curiosity as he asked.
Song Yunwei explained, “The elite class students are not on the same level as you; your presence would actually hinder their normal training.”
“And you wouldn’t be able to fully develop your talents there.”
“The school’s expectations for you are on a higher plane than for others.”
“The very best must train with the very best to push each other to improve.”
“I understand,” Stone Yu nodded in comprehension.
He glanced again at the tall figure of Xia Yuan, realizing the selection standards for Tianheng’s special training camp must far surpass those of the school’s training classes.
Song Yunwei continued, “The Tianheng Special Training Camp and the Education Bureau’s training class are completely different in terms of recruited students, training content, and objectives.”
“The Education Bureau’s camp is jointly held with Central South University, gathering in July.”
“This class primarily aims for next year’s college entrance exam, with courses tailored to those subjects.”
Song Yunwei’s tone turned serious: “Firstly, it ensures that the top scorer of Nanhu Province will come from Xingcheng, a matter of political achievement for the Education Bureau.”
“Secondly, it targets the national college entrance exam’s top rankings.”
“You should know, the ‘Heaven List’ is the top one hundred students nationwide.”
“The ‘Earth List’ covers the top one thousand.”
She tapped the table and sighed softly: “Nanhu Province’s recent college entrance exam results have been disappointing.”
“Though some make the Earth List, no one has entered the Heaven List for two consecutive years.”
“If this repeats next year, the provincial education officials will face accountability.”
“So, you should understand why the Education Bureau is organizing this training camp,” Song Yunwei said.
Stone Yu nodded; it was essentially an intensive exam preparation class, somewhat like the math Olympiad training teams of his previous life.
“Meanwhile, this class is also an important channel for Central South University to screen talents in advance.”
“Students who perform outstandingly will be offered contracts after the camp; as long as they achieve passing scores on the entrance exam, they’ll be admitted.”
“This is how many universities lock in excellent students early.”
Hearing this, Stone Yu’s brow twitched slightly, about to speak when Song Yunwei seemed to understand his thought.
“Of course, as your mentor, I don’t recommend you sign that contract.”
Stone Yu looked up and met her gaze.
She smiled: “It’s simple—you have the talent and potential to pursue higher goals.”
“Your destination should be one of the Great Xia’s three top universities—I believe you think so yourself.”
The top three universities of Great Xia—Huaqing, Donghai, and Zhendan.
For centuries, their status was unshakable, the dream schools for all students in Great Xia.
Gaining admission to one of these three was truly a matter of family pride.
If it were the old Stone Yu, he might have settled for something like Nanhu University.
But now, there was no doubt that his sights were set on these three elite schools.
“That covers the training class; now let’s talk about the Tianheng Special Training Camp.”
Song Yunwei pondered, then turned to Xia Yuan: “Perhaps Director Xia should introduce the situation there—you can’t have me overstep.”
Xia Yuan nodded slightly, then looked at Stone Yu solemnly: “Our Tianheng Special Training Camp is not some kind of child’s play like the Education Bureau’s!”
He launched right into it aggressively.
Song Yunwei smiled wryly, no wonder Xia Yuan’s nickname was ‘Martial Madman.’
“The camp usually recruits not high school students, but senior students about to graduate from martial arts universities, truly preparing to devote themselves to martial arts!”
“For martial artists, after graduating from martial arts university, though there are many career paths, the two most important are the military and the major martial arts organizations.”
“The Tianheng Special Training Camp is designed to select the very best among these soon-to-be graduates.”
“Being selected means recognition by Tianheng and opens vast prospects.”
“Moreover, for their martial arts careers, Tianheng provides maximum support.”
“And the competition for the camp is far fiercer than the Education Bureau’s training class!”
Xia Yuan suddenly stepped forward with a giant, imposing figure blocking Stone Yu.
“So, Stone Yu, there’s a question I want to ask you.”
“What is a martial artist?!”
With these words, an overwhelming, invincible aura erupted from Xia Yuan—like a cataclysmic tsunami blotting out the sky and sun.
Like towering mountains.
An endless might pressed down upon Stone Yu with crushing force.
At this moment, Xia Yuan, an extraordinary grandmaster with cultivation surpassing three great realms, brazenly launched an attack on Stone Yu, who was only at the early Nascent Yuan Realm.
Without warning, utterly unexpected!