The day dawned clear and bright.
Huang Xiu woke early, her sleep undisturbed by the late-night escapade. On the contrary, she had slept more soundly than ever, slumbering straight from past nine o’clock until seven in the morning. It was truly a case of ‘a little pleasure invigorates, too much harms, and overwhelming intensity turns one to ash.’
After dressing and a quick wash, she didn’t forget to shrink Huang Xiaoxian, tucking them into her pocket before heading out. There was no telling if today’s retest might require their assistance.
At seven in the morning, the sun already hung high above Yanghai, its dazzling white light illuminating the entire city. Huang Xiu pushed open the door, following the sunlight, and gazed into the distance through the wide, floor-to-ceiling windows. The horizon was a canvas of blue sky and white clouds, punctuated by towering grey-black skyscrapers. Roads, as intricate as a leaf’s veins, teemed with countless vehicles. This was Yanghai’s morning.
“Good morning!” Huang Xiu greeted, brimming with energy.
Professor Yuan, who had been out frolicking all day yesterday, had returned at some point and was now settled on the sofa, sipping coffee and engrossed in a book. Today, he had swapped his black suit for a blue one, yet his refined demeanor remained utterly unchanged. This was, of course, because his reading material was a glamour magazine featuring a blonde bombshell in a bikini on the cover.
Yun Ning was also seated on the sofa, uncharacteristically not exercising. He, too, held a book, poring over it with such intense focus it seemed he wished to burrow directly into its pages. ‘What could he be reading…?’ Huang Xiu wondered, her curiosity piqued. She leaned closer, only to discover it was a thick, English Oxford Dictionary.
“Good heavens! Reading *that* first thing in the morning?” Her gaze instantly turned peculiar. ‘What happened to being a jock? You’re secretly studying! Quietly striving to amaze him, are you?’
“Good morning, Xiaoxiu!”
“Good morning, Junior Huang.”
Both returned the greeting. The slight awkwardness from yesterday seemed to have been entirely dismissed by Yun Ning; at the very least, he was now able to address Huang Xiu as ‘Junior Huang’ without hesitation.
“Let’s have breakfast first. I had the hotel send it up.”
On the dining table to Professor Yuan’s right, a steaming breakfast spread awaited, seemingly just delivered. Rice noodle rolls, steamed buns, fried dough sticks, congee, and even noodles – a truly comprehensive selection that filled the large table to capacity.
The three settled at the dining table and immediately began to eat. What amounted to breakfast for six or seven people vanished in short order, entirely consumed by the trio, leaving behind only a table littered with empty dishes.
“Take a short rest, then get ready for the examination hall. I also have a few important points I need to discuss with you,” Professor Yuan said, looking at Huang Xiu.
The retest was scheduled for nine o’clock that morning, to be held at the Jurisdiction Bureau headquarters in the Third Ring. The journey from here would only take half an hour, or an hour at most even with traffic, so time was still ample.
“First, I want you to understand something,” he said, raising his right index finger. “These past few days of entrance exams weren’t actually organized by Tiandu University.”
‘?’ Huang Xiu’s mind swirled with questions. ‘Hmm, am I still half-asleep? What does he mean, the entrance exams weren’t organized by Tiandu University?’
“Surprised, aren’t you?” Yuan Fei chuckled heartily. “Most people react that way when they first learn about it. Did you truly believe Tiandu University alone could manage a nationwide independent recruitment drive? Utterly impossible!”
“This entrance examination was, in fact, jointly orchestrated by four distinct organizations: the Jurisdiction Bureau, the Conquest Bureau, Tiandu University, and the National Awakened Higher Vocational College. Their objective is to round up all prospective Awakened individuals across the nation. Tiandu University is merely the sole institution among them that possesses a legitimate public identity.”
“Thus, the higher-ups simply utilized Tiandu University’s independent recruitment to provide a plausible cover for these exams.”
Huang Xiu was familiar with the Jurisdiction Bureau and Tiandu University, but what exactly were this ‘Conquest Bureau’ and ‘Awakened Higher Vocational College’? Interpreting their names literally, the Conquest Bureau likely handled matters of warfare, while the Awakened Higher Vocational College was probably a specialized institution dedicated to training Awakened individuals. Despite her burgeoning questions, Huang Xiu refrained from interrupting Professor Yuan, choosing instead to continue listening.
“If the preliminary exam served to screen candidates, then the retest is about selecting the best,” Professor Yuan stated unhurriedly. “Exceptional individuals possess the power to choose for themselves; any of the four organizations are open to them. However, the mediocre can only passively accept their fate, awaiting fortune’s favor.” Yet, to call them mediocre was misleading; those capable of becoming Awakened individuals were already rare paragons among humanity. The vast majority didn’t even qualify for mediocrity.
“As the sole S-rank individual, you will receive the greatest attention, the most enticing offers, and the most formidable challenges,” he explained. “All four organizations will vie to recruit you. However, you are now one of Tiandu’s own, haha! They’re all a step too late.” He laughed, completely carried away by his triumph, leaving Huang Xiu with a myriad of exasperated thoughts.
“Ahem, in any case, you must be careful. Some Awakened individuals will attempt to gain the attention of other organizations and secure more training by defeating you.”
“Will anyone resort to underhanded tactics?” Huang Xiu suddenly asked.
“How could they possibly?” Professor Yuan chuckled. “With me here, who would dare resort to such tactics? Moreover, the proctors from the other organizations would never permit anyone to use foul play during the exam. Everything will be decided purely by one’s own abilities.”
‘Is that so…’ The young woman tilted her head slightly, the morning light catching her profile, making her appear as if she glowed. She then lowered her gaze, offering a confident smile. “Teacher Qi, you needn’t worry. I am an S-rank, after all!”
****
Eight-thirty in the morning.
In front of a dilapidated, rather aged government compound, Huang Xiu stepped out of the luxury car, her face alight with astonishment. “Eh, *this* is the headquarters…?”
This was, after all, the headquarters of the Void Realm Jurisdiction Bureau of Yunshang Province! Both its funding and Awakened personnel ought to be abundant. How could it be so antiquated, appearing as if on the brink of collapse? Even the security guard at the gate was a young man with white hair and a face full of wrinkles.
‘Hmm, could this be what they call ‘great hermits hidden in the city, small hermits hidden in the wilderness’?’ Huang Xiu mused, formulating a reason. After all, the Jurisdiction Bureau was a clandestine organization that couldn’t be known to the outside world. If its headquarters were even slightly impressive, it would likely draw the attention of those with ulterior motives. Therefore, to avoid such risks, the Jurisdiction Bureau had chosen a relatively inconspicuous location.
“Yes, that must be it,” Huang Xiu affirmed, gently tapping her clenched right fist into her left palm, her face radiating certainty.
“No…” Yuan Fei said, stepping out of the car. “It’s simply that the director is pathologically nostalgic.”
He knew the man all too well; his attachment to the past bordered on the pathological. Whether it was worn-out clothes or broken furniture, if he had used it for a while, even if it was beyond repair or utterly insignificant, he couldn’t bear to throw it away. His office was fine, with regular cleanings. But at home, the old fellow lived alone, so after a time, it would resemble a rubbish heap, leaving no room to even set foot inside. Eventually, the deputy directors and their colleagues would grow fed up, forcibly restrain the director, and have people clean his home for him.
“Ah, is that so…?” Huang Xiu, her theory swiftly disproven, laughed awkwardly to mask her embarrassment. ‘Drat it…’