Chapter Five: A Call from the Academy

“Furthermore, I can guarantee you right here: if you choose our Frontier Cultivation Academy, all resources you need from the first to the third tier will be provided unconditionally by the academy. You’ll also have a seventh-tier powerhouse as your mentor, and perhaps even the dean or vice-dean might take an interest in you—it’s not impossible. In addition, you’ll be exempt from all fees, and there will be annual scholarships as well. I assure you, even if you go to the capital or the Magic City, you won’t receive this kind of treatment. After all, those places already have first-tier students. Last year, there were no first-tier talents nationwide, but the year before and the year before that, there were, and not just one or two. Some chose the Magic City Academy or the Capital Cultivation Academy, but the benefits they received were nowhere near what I’m offering you.”

After hearing this, Yang Fan had a clear idea in his mind. In the capital or Magic City, while he would certainly enjoy some preferential treatment as a first-tier student, the extent would be limited. However, at the Frontier Cultivation Academy or other relatively ordinary academies, his talent would translate into far more resources. This made sense to Yang Fan: in one place, he would be a rare treasure; in the other, while desired, he wouldn’t be indispensable. The difference in what was offered was clear.

“Director Zhao, I really can’t make a decision right now. Could you give me some time to think it over? There are still a few days until the application deadline, after all,” Yang Fan said, rubbing his head as he looked across at Director Zhao.

“Of course, that’s no problem. I called you here today mainly because I wanted to meet the genius our HM City has produced. Otherwise, if one day your name becomes renowned far and wide and I still haven’t met our city’s prodigy, I’d be at a loss,” Director Zhao replied with a smile.

“Alright, thank you for clarifying things for me today, Director Zhao. I’ll be off now!” Yang Fan stood up and prepared to leave.

“Wait, young man!” Zhao Rui called out quickly as he saw Yang Fan preparing to go without hesitation.

“What is it, Director? Is there something else?” Yang Fan asked in confusion. He was already on his feet and about to go; being suddenly called back was a bit startling.

“Haha, nothing urgent. I just wanted to ask where you’ll be staying these next few days.”

At this, Yang Fan felt a bit embarrassed. He had no idea where he’d stay. He’d been pondering the problem of accommodation earlier but hadn’t come up with any solutions before being summoned back. Now, with Zhao Rui suddenly asking, Yang Fan felt awkward and didn’t know how to respond.

“Haha, don’t be embarrassed, young man. I mean nothing by it. I saw in your file that you’re an orphan, just left the welfare home today, and earlier I noticed you carrying a suitcase from the window. I figured you probably hadn’t found a place to stay, so I thought I’d ask.”

Yang Fan recovered and replied, “Director Zhao, I really don’t have anywhere to stay right now. I was planning to find a small inn for a few days. After all, once my academy is decided, I’ll need to head to the city where it’s located, so I didn’t plan on renting an apartment.”

“Yes, once you receive your notice, you’ll head to the academy’s city, so renting is unnecessary. But staying in a small inn hardly suits someone with first-tier talent. How about this: I’ll personally arrange a hotel for you. It’s only for a few days, and it won’t cost much. Young man, this is just my personal wish to befriend you, so please don’t decline. For me, this small sum is nothing, and for your future self, it’ll be even less. I’ve never met a first-tier talent like you in my life; I simply want to make your acquaintance.”

As Zhao Rui spoke, he noticed a subtle change in Yang Fan’s expression. Reading people was a basic skill in his line of work, so he quickly shifted to a more personal tone, inviting Yang Fan as a friend rather than an official.

At first, Yang Fan felt his face flush with embarrassment. Sure, he was poor, but not to the point where others had to pay for his hotel. Saying that staying at an inn would lower his standing—truth be told, in all his years, Yang Fan had never even stayed at an inn before. But as Zhao Rui changed his approach, Yang Fan found himself torn again.

To accept an invitation in the name of friendship? Yang Fan half-believed and half-doubted his motives, but he also worried that if he accepted and later didn’t choose the Frontier Cultivation Academy, he’d owe Zhao Rui a favor, and that would make him uncomfortable.

At eighteen, Yang Fan wore his thoughts on his face, so with Zhao Rui’s keen perception, he instantly understood what Yang Fan was thinking.

“Don’t overthink it, young man. This is entirely personal—I simply wish to befriend you. Even if you don’t choose the Frontier Cultivation Academy in the end, it doesn’t matter. No one can force your decision. If you really feel uneasy, you can pay me back when your situation improves later, but for now, I won’t accept it. Don’t put on a brave front—after all, you know your circumstances as well as I do. So don’t stand on ceremony with your big brother here.”

After hearing this, Yang Fan gave Director Zhao a silent thumbs up in his heart. Was this guy a mind reader? He’d voiced every concern Yang Fan had, leaving him with no way to refuse. In truth, Yang Fan’s lack of subtlety made his feelings easy to read for anyone with experience.

Finally, Yang Fan made up his mind: he would accept the offer. At worst, when his circumstances improved, he’d pay Zhao Rui back—double, even. He was confident in his future.

“Alright, I won’t be formal with you then, Director Zhao. I’ll follow your arrangement.”

“Good, good! That’s how it should be. And don’t call me Director Zhao anymore. If you respect me, call me Brother Zhao. From now on, we’re friends.”

“Alright, Brother Zhao.”

“Excellent, brother! Come, let’s get you settled.”

With that, Zhao Rui took a few things and his car keys from his desk drawer, put on his coat, and headed downstairs with Yang Fan. After Yang Fan retrieved his suitcase and backpack from the gatehouse, Zhao Rui drove out of the compound.

After several twists and turns, they finally arrived at a hotel. HM was a small city—there were no major chains or luxury hotels. Zhao Rui brought Yang Fan to a modest hotel, booked a room, and paid with his card. Yang Fan watched the entire process closely, making mental calculations. “Damn, this place is expensive—198 a night! And he booked seven days, nearly fourteen hundred in total. That’s half of everything I own.” Yang Fan’s resolve to repay Zhao Rui only grew stronger.

Zhao Rui then led Yang Fan to his room, swiped the card, and opened the door. Yang Fan was fascinated—this was his first time experiencing such things.

“Brother, stay here for now. Take this phone. There’s a phone store downstairs where you can get a SIM card with your ID. I have to get back to work, but I’ll come find you later.” With that, Zhao Rui handed over a phone—the backup phone he’d grabbed from his office drawer, now given to Yang Fan.

“Thank you, Brother Zhao. I’ll give it careful thought,” Yang Fan replied, this time not declining. First, he genuinely needed a phone and couldn’t afford one; second, he already owed Zhao Rui a favor, so one more debt wouldn’t make much difference. He’d pay it back in time.

Zhao Rui left shortly after. Yang Fan went downstairs with him, and they parted ways at the hotel entrance. Yang Fan headed next door to get a SIM card.

“Hello, sir, how may I help you?” the clerk greeted him with a smile.

“Um, I’d like to get a SIM card,” Yang Fan replied, feeling a bit awkward. It was his first time doing this, and new environments always made him nervous.

“Certainly. May I see your ID? There’s no fee for the SIM card, but you’ll need to pay the initial top-up. We have a good plan—minimum monthly charge is 98, includes a thousand minutes of calls and unlimited domestic 4G data…” the clerk explained.

Yang Fan didn’t understand most of it, but handed over a hundred yuan in cash, and left with the SIM installed and ready to go.

“Nothing in this world is easy, is it? How did I end up buying a hundred-yuan plan without even knowing what I was getting? My heart aches—a hundred yuan could last me a week,” he thought, walking heavily. He stopped by a beef noodle shop, ate a plain seven-yuan soup, and returned to the hotel.

He’d barely lain down on the bed and begun fiddling with his phone when it rang.

“I just got this card—how can someone be calling already?” he wondered, confused, as he answered the call.

“Hello, is this Yang Fan?” a deep, steady male voice asked.

“Yes, this is Yang Fan. Who’s speaking?”

“I’m Liu Jiannan, head of admissions at the Capital Cultivation Academy. I’m calling to ask if you’d be interested in studying at our academy. With your first-tier talent, only at the Capital Cultivation Academy can you truly reach your full potential.”

So it was the Capital Cultivation Academy. Yang Fan’s confusion vanished. Since he’d registered the SIM card with his real name, it was no surprise they’d been able to find his number.