In the lounge of Purple Cloud High.
The competition coach looked at Le Mulan, Lian Tianji, and the others in front of him, and suddenly said, “What do you think about bringing that Zhang Yu over?”
Clearly, the coach had seen Zhang Yu’s performance and wanted to recruit him.
Lian Tianji chimed in from the side, “Although Zhang Yu doesn't have our Purple Cloud High pedigree, he’s undeniably outstanding. I think it’d be great to pull him in.”
This “pedigree” referred to the academic caste system popular within Purple Cloud High.
It generally meant graduating from Purple Cloud Daycare, Purple Cloud Kindergarten, Purple Cloud Elementary, and Purple Cloud Middle School.
From left to right, the more “Purple Cloud” degrees you had, the more “pure-blooded” you were considered.
Le Mulan asked, “Where was his first and second schooling?”
“I actually asked him,” Lian Tianji replied, and rattled off Zhang Yu’s elementary and middle schools.
Seeing her reaction, Lian Tianji knew it was a lost cause. He thought to himself, “Next time I see Zhang Yu will probably be when we face off in the Martial Arts Combat Tournament.”
At that thought, a flicker of anticipation stirred in his heart.
In front of the restroom.
Zhang Yu had just stepped out when a man stopped him—it was Han Xingye, the competition coach from White Dragon High School.
“Zhang Yu, come to White Dragon High,” Han Xingye said, reaching out a hand. “With talent like yours, staying in Songyang would be a waste.”
“Sure, you performed well in this competition, but from now on, you'll only fall further and further behind us.”
Han Xingye was just being honest.
Although most of Songyang City’s top students usually got snatched up by the three elite schools, over time… a few always slipped through to the other top high schools—or even regular ones.
Han Xingye had seen a few first-years from other schools who performed brilliantly in mana competitions.
But he had never seen second- or third-years from those same schools continue to excel in those contests.
“If you come to White Dragon High, I’ll personally help you secure a contract with solid conditions.”
Zhang Yu suddenly asked, “If I go to White Dragon High, will I be able to get into the Ten Great Academies?”
Han Xingye paused for a moment, caught off guard by the question.
The real answer, of course, was no. Even if Zhang Yu transferred to White Dragon High, he’d still just be another investment project.
Forget about the Ten Great Academies—bringing Zhang Yu over was just to keep him from participating in any more first-year competitions. After all, achievements related to the college entrance exams and university interviews were gold-plated milestones meant for the rich—not slots for the poor to occupy.
As for college, yes, he’d definitely get into a decent one eventually. But never the Ten Great Academies.
Because those seats… were never meant for the poor.
Just then, Ms. Yan walked over and stepped in front of Zhang Yu, glaring warily at Han Xingye.
“Mr. Han, what are you saying to my student?”
It didn’t matter to Ms. Yan whether Zhang Yu had money or not. As long as he placed well, he was her teaching accomplishment.
Han Xingye gave a helpless smile. As fellow coaches attending the same competitions every year, he was acquainted with Ms. Yan.
Now caught red-handed poaching her student, Han Xingye felt awkward and said to Zhang Yu, “Either way, it’s better than staying at Songyang High… you know?”
Ms. Yan’s face twisted with anger.
What do you mean, “you know”? You think I can’t guess all the insults you want to throw at Songyang High just because you left them unsaid?
Still, thinking of the gulf between their school and White Dragon High, Ms. Yan was genuinely worried he’d say something she couldn’t argue with. She hurriedly cut him off.
“Alright, if you’ve got something to discuss, Mr. Han, you can speak with me. Please don’t harass our students.”
Watching Ms. Yan and Zhang Yu walk away, Han Xingye shrugged and thought to himself, “If he were really clear-headed, he’d choose our side.”
“Even if it still meant never getting into the Ten Great Academies.”
“Fourth place! Zhang Yu got fourth place overall! Do you even understand what that means?”
“So, how much are you planning to invest?”
Hearing the noise from Bai Zhenzhen’s side, Mo Tianyi sighed. “Zhenzhen, calm down. I can see the results…”
Bai Zhenzhen snapped, “Then why haven’t you wired the money yet? Your big brother wasn’t this good when he was a first-year, was he?”
Mo Tianyi replied, “He did place in competitions…”
After some back-and-forth, Mo Tianyi concluded, “Zhang Yu’s results really are excellent.”
“I admit I underfunded you guys earlier.”
“I’ll report the situation to our boss and the other upperclassmen and try to get you more investment.”
Bai Zhenzhen expected that and urged, “Make sure the money gets approved quickly.”
After cutting the call, Mo Tianyi stared at the ranking screen where Zhang Yu’s name held the fourth-place spot. His chest, which should’ve gone cold long ago, felt faintly warm.
“To push through all that pressure from the rich and still claw his way to this rank…”
“Too bad it’s too late…”
A hint of regret and melancholy flickered through Mo Tianyi’s heart. “If this were two years earlier, I would’ve chosen you.”
On the other side, Bai Zhenzhen thought to herself, “Placed in the Martial Arts Combat Tournament, huh? I want to see which one you were.”