C47 Wen Shanmei's Strength

Following the minor scuffle between Zhongli Yilan and Lu Lixing, the Aristocratic Academy continued its animated discussions. Meanwhile, an eerie air settled over East Shores School. Initially, everyone had thought that despite Forest Lake Academy's geniuses being virtually wiped out, Lu Lixing's presence remained. Perhaps this special training camp could leverage Lu Lixing's momentum to eclipse the Aristocratic Academy's limelight. Yet, to everyone's surprise, Lu Lixing turned out to be a non-entity. In his first clash, he capitulated to the Aristocratic Academy's members!

Was this the same Lu Lixing who had effortlessly dominated the Hidden Dragon Platform?

He had become Forest Lake Academy's disgrace.

Naturally, these were merely internal musings, never to be voiced aloud. But there was a sense that even if they did speak up, Lu Lixing might not respond at all. His spirit seemed utterly deflated.

As the crowd in the square anticipated the special training camp mentors' arrival, the five mentors were already observing everyone's actions on the Crystal Screen from the comfort of a living room.

They had, of course, witnessed the incident between Lu Lixing and Zhongli Yilan.

In years past, skirmishes between the Aristocratic Academy, East Shores School, and Forest Lake Academy were a given. All were geniuses, each with their own pride and arrogance, none willing to back down. Arguments and even brawls were commonplace, and everyone had grown accustomed to these tacit rules and age-old traditions. However, no one had anticipated such a dismal showing from the highly regarded Lu Lixing.

"Lu Lixing is more intriguing than I thought," remarked a somewhat diminutive man, watching Lu Lixing's image on the Crystal Screen with an amused grin. "He's probably the least ambitious genius I've ever encountered."

"Gai Xingguo, did you stop to consider Wen Shanmei's feelings when you said that?" retorted a woman of average stature and looks, her voice laced with a cold laugh. She cast a jealous glance at the stoic Wen Shanmei seated among the crowd. During their own time at the special training camp, she had envied Wen Shanmei, who was always more physically attractive and talented, and invariably the center of attention—a status that remained unchanged to this day.

Upon hearing the woman's remarks, everyone instinctively turned their gaze to Wen Shanmei. They were eager to gauge her assessment and reaction to Lu Lixing's performance, especially since she was the one who had brought him into their midst. The relationship between Lu Lixing and Wen Shanmei was well-known to all in attendance; they were notably close.

Wen Shanmei met their stares with a sudden smile and addressed the crowd with a calm detachment, "You're all here to see if Lu Lixing possesses a warrior's spirit, to judge his strength, aren't you? Very well, I'll indulge your curiosity. But first, you must agree to a condition of mine."

The condition Wen Shanmei proposed left the room with a palpable air of intrigue. Could she truly follow through with it?

At 8 o'clock in the morning, the five mentors from the special training camp made their entrance into the square. Each hailed from a different institution within the Six Great Academies: Wen Shanmei from Cosmic Star Academy, Gai Xingguo from Stardragon Academy, the unassuming Kui Xiaofen from Divine Sword Academy, the imposing Sha Shuyi from Federal Military University, and the short-haired Kan Zining from Profound Heaven Sect Affiliated University.

All were students who had been admitted to the Six Great Academies the previous year from Skyhaven Prefecture, and all were natives of the region. This local connection allowed Na Youye to leverage the winter break to invite them to guide the students in their training—a longstanding tradition of the camp. Each year, the mentors were invariably the previous year's top performers in the college entrance exams.

As the group, including Wen Shanmei, made their appearance, the crowd's attention was instantly captured. The five mentors were subjects of great curiosity. Meanwhile, Lu Lixing was contemplating a significant decision.

Na Youye had chosen Wen Shanmei as a mentor, but what resources had been extended to her for cultivation? Should he consider taking on the role of mentor here next year?

Yet, Lu Lixing noticed only five mentors present, indicating Blackmoon Academy's lack of representation, perhaps due to its waning popularity.

While Lu Lixing pondered how he might acquire more resources for his cultivation, Wen Shanmei stepped forward as the spokesperson for the mentors. With an air of cool detachment, she surveyed the crowd and announced, "My name is Wen Shanmei, from Cosmic Star Academy. Over the coming month, I will be instructing you on how to enhance your overall strength more effectively. Currently, I am at the thirteenth layer of the Qi Refining Stage."

Upon hearing Wen Shanmei's introduction, the perception of her among the crowd underwent a dramatic shift. At just nineteen, she had already attained the thirteenth layer of the Qi Refining Stage.

Lu Lixing was particularly astounded. He was aware of Wen Shanmei's formidable abilities, yet he hadn't anticipated that she would reach such an advanced level after only six months of university. At eighteen, he was a year younger than Wen Shanmei but still grappling with the Body Tempering Stage.

Indeed, it wasn't just Lu Lixing; all the students there were mired in the Body Tempering Stage, with none having progressed to the Qi Refining Stage.

After completing her introduction, Wen Shanmei stepped back, making way for Gai Xingguo. He stepped up to share his practical combat experience with the group. Also nineteen, his strength was at the ninth layer of the Qi Refining Stage, considerably less than Wen Shanmei's, which left many feeling a touch of disappointment.

Next were Sha Shuyi, tasked with physical training; Kui Xiaofen, guiding Brain Domain development; and Kan Zining, instructing on Rune meditation. Each mentor was nineteen and at the ninth layer of the Qi Refining Stage.

This revelation led everyone to a stark realization: it wasn't that the other mentors lacked strength; it was that Wen Shanmei's prowess was simply extraordinary.

In fact, within the Six Great Academies, a student who managed to advance to the higher levels of the Qi Refining Stage within six months of enrollment was already considered exceptional. Wen Shanmei, having soared directly to the thirteenth layer, was undeniably a rarity, each of her kind rightly deemed a prodigy of their time.

This distinction was precisely why Wen Shanmei was appointed as the lead instructor, taking her place at the center seat.

What the others didn't know was that Wen Shanmei's involvement as an instructor in the special training camp was influenced not just by the precious cultivation resources offered by Na Youye as compensation but also by her connection to Lu Lixing.

Were it not for Lu Lixing, Na Youye might well have struggled to secure Wen Shanmei's participation.

"Traditionally, we split you into two groups: one consisting of Aristocratic Academy students, and the other comprising students from East Shores School and Forest Lake Academy," Wen Shanmei said, her gaze steady as she addressed the crowd. "However, this year, Forest Lake Academy has faced some unique challenges. As a result, we've decided to divide Forest Lake Academy's special trainees into two batches. One will join the ranks of the Aristocratic Academy, while the rest will be grouped separately."

Standing at the foot of the stage, Lu Lixing felt a sudden sense of foreboding wash over him as Wen Shanmei spoke.