"This is a wristwatch meant for talents who made it into the Star Rankings. It was supposed to work as a spare; I wasn't expecting it to be used this time." Gong Han handed it to Wang Teng and smiled.
The hero took it and stowed his old wristwatch, feeling there was an instant upgrade.
His original watch was also an expensive, state of the art device, but the new acquisition seemed to be far superior for some reason.
It was like the difference between ordinary and luxury goods, being clearly one of the latter!
"Others will know that you're a ranker when they see you wearing it. I'm sure many people will be envious of you." Sikong The Second laughed.
The hero's face darkened, feeling he was being targeted.
"If you want to wear a crown, you have to bear its weight!" Nancy snickered.
"Whoever has made it to the Star Rankings in the past has emerged victorious from amongst countless talents." Old Weng pouted and glanced at the young champion. "Little Teng, are you afraid?"
"I'm afraid… of unnecessary trouble!" Wang Teng replied calmly.
"Can't you finish your sentences properly? I thought you were truly afraid." Nancy rolled her eyes at the lad.
"Invigilator Nancy, don't roll your eyes at me," said the hero.
The former grumbled. "Why? I can't even roll my eyes?"
"You look too good. I can't handle it," Wang Teng replied.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})Nancy felt that she was being teased. Someone her age could be the hero's great great great grandmother… She wasn't expecting him to have such guts.
"Hahaha, you're really interesting, Little Teng." Sikong the Second laughed. "Come join the Seventh Stellar Academy; I feel that you'll be very compatible with our style."
"Hogwash. Going to the Seventh Academy is basically wasting his talents. Come to our Fifth Stellar Academy," Old Weng exclaimed.
"You should join the Second Stellar Academy. Didn't you say I was good looking? You can look at me everyday." Nancy smiled.
Old Weng snarled. "Aren't you shameless, Nancy? Seducing students at your ripe old age."
Sikong The Second chimed in, "That's right. Such an attitude is unbecoming of your age. Wang Teng, there're many young ones in our academy."
"Who's the old one?" Veins bulged on Nancy's forehead as she gritted her teeth.
The other two scholars immediately cleared their throats and exchanged glances before looking away.
"Wang Teng, the Third Stellar Academy has the best resources. Two of our students have claimed spots on the universe goddess' rankings," Trollope mentioned.
The Third Stellar Academy had always been commendable in that regard, and were thus confident.
Gong Han glanced disdainfully at the other invigilators and said, "Wang Teng, the First Stellar Academy has been at the forefront for a very long time, with the best background and foundations. It is clearly the best choice for you."
All of the scholars were quite unorthodox. It wasn't graceful on their part.
The Second Prince and the others witnessed their squabble, dumbfounded.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})The experts were calm towards them, but scrambled when it came to Wang Teng's turn.
Moreover, the invigilators were the shameless sort. Their previous image was immediately changed.
Invigilator Nancy tried to lure the hero with her looks. That was fine; after all, she had the capital. However, the other invigilators tried to use their students who were on the universe goddess' rankings to attract him.
Such a ranking didn't sound reliable!
They are the invigilators of the Seven Stellar Academies, do they have no bottom line?
The magnificent image they had of the scholars was starting to crumble, ready to collapse.
No wonder Wang Teng was unwilling to say much when they asked what the invigilators were like.
They would have done the same in his shoes.
Had they known about it, they could have been charged with talking bad about the invigilators and be blacklisted.
However, they understood why the academics were going to such lengths for the champion.
How highly did they value him?
Comparisons were infuriating.
Wang Teng cleared his throat and said, "Cough, invigilators, I reviewed the information and feel that the Seventh Stellar Academy would be more suitable for me."
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})"The Seventh Stellar Academy!"
Sikong The Second was elated.
On the other hand, the rest of the scholars frowned.
General Fu Xinglan, the Second Prince and the others also frowned.
In gross terms, the seventh academy was at the bottom of the list. Given his talents, going there was a bit of a waste.
"Wang Teng, don't be impulsive," General Fu Xinglan cautioned via voice transmission.
Wang Teng reassured the latter, "General, I know what I'm doing."
The general glanced at the young hero; although smiling, Wang Teng's eyes were firm. This made him understand that no one would make the boy reconsider. The official sighed, leaving the matter to rest.
Gong Han pondered, "Wang Teng, I know you possess different Forces. That is why you chose the seventh academy, right?"
"I really can't hide anything from you." Wang Teng smiled and nodded.
"Talents like you always like veer away from the beaten path." Gong Han smiled. "However, you should know that the Seventh Stellar Academy has always been ranked last. It never rose once for some reason."
"Hey hey hey. Gong Han, watch what you're saying. What's wrong with the Seventh Stellar Academy?" Sikong the Second snarled.
"Isn't that the truth?" Gong Han glanced at the latter.
"Let me ask you. Are any of our graduates weak?" the former countered.
"But there have been too few who managed to graduate. Many of them only get halfway. What an awful waste of talent!" Gong Han responded.
"That's right. It would be a waste to enter the seventh academy," Old Weng echoed.
"You mustn't go there. It's a huge pit," Nancy said.
Gong Han tried his best to persuade, "Wang Teng, I know what you're thinking. After all, you were born with such great talent and it's hard to give up that easily. Still, you have to know that once you reach the cosmos stage, the more Forces you cultivate, the slower your progress will be. The amount of resources needed to advance will be massive. It'll be difficult for you to grow."
Sikong the Second said, "You can't say that. It will be tougher for our students at first. However, as long as they grow, one of ours can deal with several of yours. Besides, the students get to choose. They have higher goals; we can't force them.
"Besides, if Wang Teng enters the Seventh Stellar Academy, we would give him ample resources and nurture him well."
Gong Han wanted to continue, but Wang Teng beat him to it, "I am truly grateful for all the care and concern the invigilators have shown me. However, my decision still stands. The Seventh Stellar Academy is the one most suitable for me."
"Hahaha… It's useless to keep persuading him. This is Wang Teng's own decision; we respect it." Sikong The Second laughed and added, "Wang Teng, don't worry. Considering your talents, you will definitely receive the best training when you get to our academy."
"You… Sigh!" Gong Han looked at the hero and could only sigh in disappointment. "We can't say more since you've already made your choice. However, the First Stellar Academy will accept you if you ever regret your decision."
Wang Teng looked at him with surprise. This is fine?
Even Sikong the Second, Nancy and the others were taken aback.
It was clear how highly Gong Han thought of the young hero. Otherwise, he wouldn't have made such an offer, which was borderline breaking the rules.
Nancy, Old Weng and the other invigilators also expressed similar stances. Any of their academies would take him in if he ever left the Seventh Stellar Academy.
The onlookers were astonished.
No one else had received such a treatment!
"Many thanks to the invigilators!" Wang Teng knew how important those promises were and was a bit moved. He offered the scholars a deep bow.
