Chapter 28: The Conflict of the Aristocracy

After Shi Yu left, the virtual combat challenge on Mount Yuelu remained a hot topic among the visitors at the center for a long time. It even attracted a growing crowd to queue up for a trial. However, most emerged looking battered and bruised, deeply impressed by the game's brutal difficulty.

In the southwest of Mount Yuelu lies the sprawling campus of Central South University. One building, belonging to the Academy of Martial Arts, offers a direct view of the mountain.

"Dean Xia, we have received new Grade A data from the interdimensional war interactive simulation we developed for the military," a researcher burst into the office of Dean Xia Xingqiu, his face flushed with excitement. "Someone has broken the record in the Yuan-Gathering Realm training zone! The person who cleared it... is a high school student! The completion time was three and a half minutes!"

Xia Xingqiu looked up. His dark hair was streaked with silver, and his features carried an air of scholarly elegance. "A high school student?"

"Yes, a second-year! He'll be entering his third year after the summer break!" the researcher replied breathlessly.

A flicker of astonishment crossed Xia Xingqiu’s eyes. "Which school in Star City?"

"Yali High School, Class 1, Grade 2, Shi Yu! Here is his combat footage."

The young researcher immediately transferred the video to Xia Xingqiu. The Dean scanned it quickly, then restarted it, slowing the playback to examine every second of the combat in detail.

"Send this data to the Municipal Education Bureau and have them verify it," Xia Xingqiu commanded. "If there are no errors, this student, Shi Yu, is definitely on the list for the summer intensive training class. Also, per the agreement with the military, send them a copy as well. They will certainly be highly interested in talent like this."

As the Dean of the Martial Arts Academy at Central South University and a Grandmaster-level practitioner, Xia Xingqiu’s insight far surpassed that of the casual visitors. "The boy’s spirit seems unique. Not only is he immune to mental deterrence, but he also appears to have mastered some form of mental attack technique. His cultivation is clearly off to a strong start, though I cannot tell if he is at the first or second stage of the Yuan-Gathering Realm. His progress is shockingly fast. It’s only the beginning of summer vacation; most second-year students are still at the stage of perceiving Yuan energy, and even the gifted ones have only just begun to store it in their Dantian. This young man, Shi Yu, has clearly achieved a level of mastery."

"Incredible..."

Xia Xingqiu pondered for a moment before summoning his staff. "Go to the Star City branch of the Martial Soul Hall Inspection Bureau. Ask them to investigate this student and ensure he hasn't been corrupted by otherworldly entities."

"If there are no issues," Xia Xingqiu gazed at the tablet screen, watching the valiant figure of Shi Yu leaping down, "then he is another martial arts treasure!"

"He’s a student at Yali High... I recall Song Yunwei is the vice principal there. Perhaps I should contact her first." Just as he reached for the phone, he hesitated. "And Zhaoyang’s daughter, Xia Yu, is also at Yali. I wonder what class she's in—could she know this Shi Yu?"

***

Shortly after, having made several calls, Xia Xingqiu stood up abruptly! Even though he was usually quite composed, he was deeply moved.

"Level 12 Spirit? Perfect spirit quality, eyes emitting golden light?!" His gaze wavered. Such exceptional talent had not been seen in Nanhu Province for many years. He paced his office, his mind racing. Reason told him that Central South University could never keep a talent like this. Shi Yu’s goal for the college entrance exam would undoubtedly be one of the three prestigious academies of the Great Xia: Huaqing, Donghai, or Fudan.

Just as Xia Xingqiu was lost in thought, another call came in.

"Xia Yuan? What brings you to chat with me today?"

From the other end came Xia Yuan’s hearty laughter. "Brother Xia, I just heard from Xia Yu that you were asking about Shi Yu!"

"You know Shi Yu?" Xia Xingqiu was startled.

Xia Yuan laughed. "You spend all your time in the school researching this and that; how could your information network compare to mine? I’m calling to give you a heads-up: don’t bother trying to get Shi Yu into Central South; it’s not happening. You’d be better off securing where he goes after he graduates from university; that’s what really matters."

Xia Xingqiu mused, "Are you trying to pull Shi Yu into the Tianheng faction?"

Xia Yuan chuckled. "That’s the first step."

Hearing this, Xia Xingqiu immediately understood Xia Yuan’s intentions; after all, they were both members of the Xia family. "Such a martial arts genius would be a great addition to our family, of course. But the greater the genius, the more they have their own ideas. Don't be too hasty, or you’ll defeat your own purpose."

"Don't worry, brother," Xia Yuan said mysteriously over the phone. "There are people in the family who will help us."

"Who? You want the clan head to get involved?"

"What are you thinking? The clan head is busy with a thousand tasks; he wouldn't manage something like this." Xia Yuan chuckled. "Do you know who told me about Shi Yu?"

"...Xia Yu?" Xia Xingqiu guessed after a moment's thought.

"Exactly! You really are a researcher; your guesses are always spot on!" Xia Yuan praised. He continued with excitement, "Think about it—Xia Yu and Shi Yu are classmates. What a perfect coincidence! This is surely a heaven-sent opportunity! They are of similar age, and I’ve seen Shi Yu in person—he’s a rare gem! If they were together..."

Xia Yuan was so animated that Xia Xingqiu had no doubt he was practically spitting into his phone. Xia Xingqiu felt the need to caution this "martial arts fanatic."

"I am warning you now: this must be based on mutual consent. Do not force Shi Yu to do anything, and do not put pressure on Xia Yu!" He had to keep Xia Yuan calm; with that man's single-mindedness, he wouldn't put it past him to kidnap Shi Yu and throw him into Xia Yu's room at a critical moment.

"Don't worry, what kind of person do you take me for!" Xia Yuan replied indignantly. "Anyway, brother, just remember to cooperate with me. Go and show your face at the Municipal Education Bureau’s summer intensive class and get to know Shi Yu. That woman Song Yunwei is also watching him and has even come up with some gimmick about a one-on-one mentor."

"I know exactly what she's thinking," Xia Yuan snorted. "Trying to pull Shi Yu into the Song family? Not that easy!"

Xia Xingqiu hung up and rubbed his temples. He had seen too many of these poaching battles between powerful families over the decades.

***

In the Xiangyun Seal district of Star City's Tianxin District, where residents were either wealthy or powerful, Song Yunwei stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows of her penthouse, gazing at the city skyline. She held her phone, having just received the inquiry from Xia Xingqiu at Central South University.

This immediately put her on alert. Beyond Xia Yuan, Xia Xingqiu had now taken notice of Shi Yu. If more of the Xia family’s attention turned toward her student, how could she stop them alone? Even if she brought in the Song family behind her, it would be difficult to contend with them.

"I must act faster on the matter of Shi Yu!"