Chapter 101: Entry Qualification

Since Principal Chu had spoken, Lin Xiao, no matter how unwilling, had no choice but to stay.

He glanced at the three beside him.

“I have no idea why the principal wants to see me, or how long it will take. You three should head back to the dorm first.”

Sun Bin and the others naturally had no objections. Although Lin Xiao’s cultivation was a little lower, in their hearts he had already been placed on the same level as the elderly residents of the retirement home where they lived.

Let the big shots talk among themselves; little fry like them had no business joining in.

The others gradually left as well.

When Luo Yao departed, she shot Lin Xiao a fierce glare.

Lin Xiao answered with a flirtatious look of his own.

Luo Yao nearly lost control and struck out on the spot. Fortunately, reason prevailed, and she only gave Lin Xiao a highly discreet obscene gesture before turning and leaving.

Lin Xiao: ?

Come on, you’re a stunning beauty. How can you make such an unseemly move?

Still, I like it!

Once everyone else from the class had gone, Chu Wentian finally looked at Lin Xiao.

His gaze was full of curiosity.

“Little brother, hello. I’ve long heard your name, and today I finally get to meet you.”

Lin Xiao: ?

No need to look any further. This principal was definitely one of their own, instantly elevating his seniority.

“Brother Chu, let’s skip the pleasantries. Why exactly did you keep me here?”

Seeing how quickly Lin Xiao had started addressing him as a brother, Chu Wentian found it amusing.

He had been at Capital Spirit Martial Academy for many years. Whether student or teacher, everyone treated him with utmost respect, and he carried himself with the imposing dignity of one long accustomed to authority.

Yet Lin Xiao could call him “brother” so naturally, unaffected by that aura at all. As expected, he was no ordinary person.

If Lin Xiao knew what Chu Wentian was thinking, he would surely scoff.

During training at the retirement home, he had undergone special pressure resistance drills.

A whole row of level-nine experts had unleashed their auras on him, and he had been forced to withstand it.

Not to mention that Chu Wentian wasn’t even releasing his presence right now— even if he went all out, Lin Xiao might not win, but making him bow his head was impossible.

“It’s nothing too special. I trust that when you came, those old brothers already explained the mission to you, yes?”

Lin Xiao nodded. He knew about that much. They had said that in a few months there would be a world competition, and they hoped he would take part.

“I know. So what about it?”

Seeing Lin Xiao so calm and composed, Chu Wentian realized that he probably still did not understand how serious the matter was.

“Little brother, just how much do you actually know about this competition?”

Lin Xiao scratched his nose, a little embarrassed. He did not know much at all—one could even say he knew nothing.

“Ahem... maybe I only know the name of the competition.”

Chu Wentian: ?

Why did this kid seem so unreliable?

“Those old brothers didn’t explain the situation to you?”

“Nope.”

“You didn’t ask for the details?”

“Why ask? Even if I hadn’t, once I got here, wouldn’t you tell me anyway?”

Chu Wentian looked heavenward in speechless frustration. Damn, that made too much sense. He had absolutely no way to refute it.

“Forget it. I don’t know why those old brothers recommended you so strongly either. Since they did, I won’t object. But if you want to represent the nation in the World Tournament, it isn’t that simple. At the very least, you are not qualified yet.”

At that, Lin Xiao frowned.

He knew it wouldn’t be that easy. Since the elders at the retirement home had sent him, there had to be a reason.

A trump card like him was not meant to be wasted on trivial matters.

“Brother Chu, stop keeping me in suspense. If I’m not qualified now, that doesn’t mean I won’t be later. Just tell me the conditions for entry.”

Chu Wentian looked at Lin Xiao with approval. Whatever else could be said, there was confidence in the young man’s eyes.

If he lacked even that much confidence, then he truly would not be suited to represent the nation.

“Very well, I’ll explain briefly. The World Tournament is held once every four years, and this year’s competition will take place three months from now. In other words, this is your only chance to participate; by the next one, you’ll already have graduated.

“Before the World Tournament, all the Spirit Martial academies in our country will hold a selection round. Only those who make it into the final twenty will be qualified to take part.

“Second, although the tournament itself has no formal level requirement, our nation is a superpower. In previous years, the minimum cultivation level for our participants has been level four. Your current level is a little low.”

Lin Xiao: !

This was outrageous. His true combat power could not be measured by level.

To raise him directly to level four in three months was truly asking too much.

“Brother Chu, don’t joke around. Can’t you judge by actual combat strength? To raise my level to four in just three months—this servant really cannot do it!”

“I’m afraid not. After all, the participants come from all the Spirit Martial academies across the country. Most of them are juniors and seniors, and the majority are already above level four. A few especially strong ones have even reached level six. Level four is already the bare minimum.”

“Then I won’t participate, all right? With level-six monsters involved, I’d just be going to my death.”

“That won’t do either. After all, you were specifically chosen to participate.”

Lin Xiao was left speechless. This wasn’t allowed, that wasn’t allowed—were they playing him for a fool?

Luo Yao had awakened for ten years and was still only level four. He, a little fry who had awakened for just over two months, was supposed to raise his cultivation to level four in the next three months? That was indeed a bit unrealistic.

“Then can I take the back door?”

Chu Wentian finally understood why those old brothers had recommended Lin Xiao. Just this shameless spirit alone suggested his performance would not be too disappointing.

“Forget the back door. But if you want to take part in the World Tournament, there are two other ways: one is a recommendation from the military, and the other is becoming a B-rank mercenary. The catch is that the people on either path must also be under twenty-two years old.”

“Then get me a military recommendation!”

“What, are you dreaming in broad daylight? Military recommendation slots are precious. How could they hand one to you for no reason? They don’t even have enough for themselves.”

“If you won’t get it for me, I’ll ask Brother Sun and the others. I remember they used to be commanders.”

“Don’t bother. Everyone must do his duty according to his post. Even if they spoke up, the military still wouldn’t loosen its grip. The military values strength. They don’t know you, and asking them to recommend you is nothing but wishful thinking.”

Lin Xiao was helpless. These big shots were trying to drive him to his death.

This wasn’t allowed, that wasn’t allowed, and they still wouldn’t let him slack off.

“So you’re saying the only route left for me is the mercenary path?”

“I never said that. In three months, becoming a B-rank mercenary group is, in my view, even harder than getting you to level four. What I mean is that you should work hard at cultivation—maybe by then you’ll already be level four.”

“Ah... why is my life so miserable?”