Chapter 6: First High Genius

Ultimately, Jiang Yan was still expelled.

Carrying his backpack, he walked alone toward the school exit, but unexpectedly bumped into the person he least wanted to see.

“Hello, Principal.” Jiang Yan gave a forced smile.

Liu Hairen had heard early in the morning that two Aperture Opening students had fought at school. Initially, he thought it wasn’t a big issue—after all, in this era where the Martial Way prevails, some friction among students was inevitable.

But soon after, the academic affairs office reported that one student’s hand had been broken, and the other student had been forcibly expelled.

Liu Hairen was furious. In just one morning, he had instantly lost two Aperture Opening students. How could he not be distressed?

These promising university candidates were all supposed to be recorded in his performance metrics in the future.

“You’re Jiang Yan, right? I heard you usually train diligently. As a teacher, I’ve always had high hopes for you.”

Jiang Yan nearly gagged from disgust.

“High hopes for me? High hopes that led you to ban me from the Martial Training Ground? It’s just because I’ve opened my apertures and you want to keep me around.”

Jiang Yan glanced at Liu Hairen without showing any emotion and stated bluntly:

“Principal Liu, I think Linjiang First High School isn’t suitable for me.”

“How is it unsuitable?” Liu Hairen asked, puzzled.

“Hah, I don’t know.”

Jiang Yan tossed out an ambiguous statement and turned to leave Linjiang First High School.

Making bold declarations before fully maturing was an extremely dangerous act. Jiang Yan didn’t want to utter impulsive words like “thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river” in front of Liu Hairen.

Since Liu Hairen looked down on him, fine—he would just leave. There was no need to stay in such a place like a subordinate.

Could he not get into a good university without Linjiang First High School?

Jiang Yan shook his head in denial.

Liu Hairen was left standing there by Jiang Yan. His face darkened, and he snorted coldly.

“An ungrateful brat. Does he really think opening his apertures makes him invincible?”

“I kindly tried to keep him, but he didn’t appreciate it. Without the training resources of Linjiang First High School, I’ll see what mediocre university he can get into.”

He knew Jiang Yan’s family situation clearly—they definitely couldn’t afford private tutors, and going to martial arts halls for practice was even more impossible.

The Body Tempering Realm emphasized training the Physical Body.

That meant Jiang Yan’s only way to exercise was staying at home. Without professional equipment as support, he could only get into a third-rate university at best. His life would just pass by like that.

Liu Hairen smiled confidently, dispelling his inner frustration, and once again wore a smile on his face.

“Idiot.”

He leisurely left the spot and went to visit Chu Ming, whose hand had been broken.

The image of a kind and approachable principal was deeply ingrained in people’s minds for a moment.

Jiang Yan’s expulsion caused quite a stir, as the entire Class Three students and teachers from other classes had witnessed the incident unfold.

Moreover, the protagonists of the incident were both Aperture Opening individuals, so naturally, the attention remained high.

Advanced Class One.

The professional training room was equipped with specialized apparatus comparable to martial arts halls, making it the dream class for every Linjiang student aspiring to be a Genius.

The class had forty students, half of whom were Talent holders, and the other half were late-stage Awakening Aperture Opening individuals.

These Geniuses were recruited by the school at great expense from Linjiang City and surrounding cities, with numerous benefits promised to keep them at the school as seed candidates to boost the school’s Ranking.

If these students perform well in the College Entrance Exam, then the following year’s educational resources will slightly tilt toward Linjiang First High School. Moreover, the school’s reputation will greatly increase, attracting more high-quality students in the coming year.

It can be said that the students of Rocket Class One are the prodigies of the entire Linjiang City, the cherished treasures in the hands of Principal Liu Hairen.

In the training room, a handsome and physically robust student stood before a metal dummy, continuously striking it with his body. One dull thud after another echoed from the dummy, and even exaggerated dents appeared on its surface.

During a break, a few idle remarks were heard.

“Boss Ai, I heard a student who opened his apertures was expelled from our school.”

Ai Ning: “Hmm.”

He wiped the sweat from his body, seemingly uninterested in such matters.

Ai Ning, the strongest student in the school, a second-rank Blood Coagulation middle-stage Martial Artist, awakened his Talent in his first year of high school, dominating his peers. He is the top prodigy of Linjiang City and a promising candidate for prestigious universities.

“Boss Ai, this is an Aperture Opening student we’re talking about. Aren’t you surprised?”

Ai Ning stood up and coldly glanced at his underling:

“Remember, someone who only opens their apertures now isn’t much better than trash.”

“My targets are the geniuses from the big cities. As for fools in this tiny place who dare call themselves geniuses just for opening their apertures…

If we ever meet in the exam hall, I could casually brush them aside like dust without even noticing.

This—is the difference between us Talent Awakeners and Aperture Openers.”

Without further ado, Ai Ning continued his focused practice. The metal dummy, unable to withstand his strikes, completely fell apart on the spot, scattering screws and parts everywhere.

The underling stared in shock, his eyes filled with respect and admiration for his boss.

“So… so strong.”

…

Uncle Wang was still teaching at school, so Jiang Yan went straight home and entered his room.

As soon as he closed his eyes, his consciousness arrived in the Divine Martial Space.

He stepped into the self-study room, customized an Alloy Long Saber, and entered the Battle Room.

He initially considered wearing protective gear but decided against it, thinking it would hinder his movements too much. After all, dying in the Battle Space didn’t mean actual death.

Upon entering the Battle Room, a giant bird appeared before him, motionless. Large characters appeared on Jiang Yan’s retina:

Azure Lord Eagle: Second-Rank Middle Stage

Chance to drop a Trait upon defeat. Start battle?

With his previous experience, Jiang Yan understood just how powerful his cheat was.

Rank differences meant nothing to him. No matter how thick its health bar, ten thousand strikes would take it down—it was just a matter of dying a few more times.

Moreover, thanks to the trait of Heaven Rewards Diligence, he could obtain Traits with a 100% chance, hone his Physical Body, and practice Martial Skills during battle.

It was a comprehensive enhancement, an unstoppable existence.

“Start battle!”

“Screech!”

The Azure Lord Eagle raised its head and let out a sharp, piercing cry that drilled straight into the eardrums.

It moved with incredible speed, appearing before Jiang Yan in an instant.

Jiang Yan’s pupils contracted. Under the threat of life and death, his body twisted in a bizarre manner, narrowly avoiding the Azure Lord Eagle’s sharp beak.

Jiang Yan knew it was his Truth of Desperation activating.

He felt a surge of joy. Although the Trait’s active effect wasn’t great, it could truly save his life at critical moments.

Imagine during a battle, some silver coins sneak up behind you to ambush, and then you just wiggle your butt.

Hey, guess what? You dodge it.

If that’s not a cheat, what is?

The Azure Lord Eagle circled in the sky, watching Jiang Yan’s every move on the ground with a predatory gaze, waiting for the next opportunity to strike.