The space, which should have been a vast, open waiting area, was now sparsely yet uniformly divided into four distinct zones by iron railings. Each zone corresponded to a specific institution, its name emblazoned in massive black characters on the ceiling directly above.
Rows of tables and chairs were meticulously arranged, behind which sat admissions teachers who had traveled from various institutions to Yunshang Province. They had previously overseen exams in different counties and now returned here to meet with prospective students, confirm their terms and conditions, and ultimately sign the mutual letter of intent with them.
Huang Xiu stood at the channel exit, surveying the scene. Each zone held a considerable number of candidates, though the area belonging to the Jurisdiction Bureau was by far the most crowded.
This was understandable, as the Jurisdiction Bureau served as a fallback institution; regardless of one’s aptitude, they would still extend an admission offer.
The Tiandu University zone within the waiting room was sectioned off in the back-right corner, furthest from the entrance.
Huang Xiu followed Professor Yuan towards Tiandu University’s area, necessitating a path through the territories of the Jurisdiction Bureau and the Conquest Bureau.
She kept her head down the entire way, hoping to avoid drawing attention.
Yet, she had underestimated her current notoriety. The moment others spotted her, their eyes lit up, hailing her as a ‘big shot,’ causing the crowd to show signs of gathering once more.
Fortunately, Professor Yuan was there, and his presence alone exuded immense authority.
His expensive suit further conveyed an air of nobility, making him seem unapproachable.
A slight cough escaped him, and the surrounding crowd immediately fell silent, dispersing in an instant.
“Little Yue, bring out a letter of intent. From now on, Little Xiu will be your junior female student.”
Professor Yuan casually settled into the last row of tables and chairs in the Tiandu University section with Huang Xiu.
Tiandu University had fewer recruits this time, and this back row was even emptier.
Yue Zhengyang, who had been occupied with other matters, immediately looked up upon hearing this. A distinct hint of joy was visible on his usually solemn face.
“Long time no see, Student Huang—no, from now on, I should call you Junior Female Student Huang.” Yue Zhengyang greeted her warmly, then retrieved a thick booklet with gold-embossed lines on its cover from beneath the table, along with a fountain pen emblazoned with Tiandu University’s name and emblem, which he handed to her.
Hearing the address ‘junior female student’ once more, Huang Xiu, despite having mentally prepared herself, still blushed slightly, feeling a touch self-conscious.
“Just call me… Ugh, never mind, do as you wish.”
Huang Xiu had initially intended to correct Yue Zhengyang’s address, but as the words reached her lips, she recalled what Senior Female Student had said, and with a soft sigh, found herself unable to speak them.
She took the booklet and the pen, beginning to flip through it.
“Excellent, Student Huang!” Yue Zhengyang smiled gently, then stood up and leaned over to explain things to Huang Xiu.
This booklet was not merely a mutual letter of intent but also contained other crucial information.
It detailed the benefits for Tiandu University students, their cultivation plans, and future career prospects.
It even covered how to address the identity issues of Awakened individuals and how to balance their relationship with the Present World and their families.
Regarding the sensitive issue of identity, Tiandu University would provide them with two sets of academic records.
One was a false academic record that could be publicly disclosed. This record would be affiliated with Tiandu University’s Cultural Department and could even be searched on the academic network. One hundred percent verifiable!
The other record would only be discoverable on the official website for Awakened individuals in the Present World.
As for family matters, these were considerably more complex.
Not all families could readily accept their children joining a world steeped in mystery and peril.
They often wished for their children to live safe and secure lives.
Therefore, in such cases, Tiandu University would officially provide cover for students, assisting them in concealing their true circumstances.
Furthermore, not all families had the authorization to access information about the Present World through the Wall of Truth.
Only a select few, due to the student’s personal circumstances, absolutely required their families to be informed.
For instance, if a student suffered from severe psychological issues and required a stable family environment for gradual recovery.
Or, like Huang Xiu herself.
She underwent immense, undeniable changes upon awakening, changes that couldn’t be explained to family members through technological means.
Since the Awakening Period involved a physical completion stage, this group of people was actually quite numerous.
Generally, for situations like Huang Xiu’s, Tiandu University would dispatch a professional team from the school to ensure the student’s parents accepted the situation.
“‘So, your professional team from the school… that’s you two?'”
Huang Xiu turned her head to glance to her left. Professor Yuan, impeccably dressed in a suit, sat idly by, slumped over the table, scrolling through videos of beautiful women.
‘That old pervert!’
The girl’s lips twitched twice, but her gaze unconsciously lingered on his screen for a moment.
‘Ugh! A blonde foreign woman. Not her type.’
Then she glanced at the upper-right corner. Yun Ning, who had been missing for an entire day, was secretly performing squats in the right-hand corner, his feet still adorned with those so-called weighted training rings.
‘Good, very energetic!’
‘This guy clearly epitomizes the ‘King of Involution’ – someone who’d rather work everyone else to death than let anyone surpass them.’
Huang Xiu’s lips twitched almost imperceptibly. ‘These two really seem incredibly unreliable!’
She couldn’t even begin to imagine what a chaotic and terrifying scene it would be if these two were to explain her recent circumstances to her parents.
‘However… Teacher Yue Zhengyang seems relatively dependable.’
Lost in thought, Huang Xiu turned her head, looking at Yue Zhengyang, who stood slightly bowed before her, awaiting her reply.
“‘Alright, fine!'” she conceded, a hint of reluctance in her voice.
Professor Yuan had sidled over at some point. He clapped his hands together, looking at Huang Xiu as he spoke. “‘There’s no time like the present, so let’s make it tomorrow!'”
“‘We’ll bring Little Yue along, and the five of us – teachers and students combined – will go together. There’s strength in numbers!'”
“‘Tomorrow, then…'”
Huang Xiu remained quiet for a long moment, finally nodding decisively. “Alright, tomorrow it is!”
She had always understood that some problems couldn’t be solved by procrastination.
Once this major matter was settled, any other benefits and welfare provisions seemed largely unimportant to Huang Xiu.
In any case, she was already in university; whether she wanted to go or not, she had to.
She listened to these details, appearing attentive but secretly lost in thought. Then, without delay, she signed her name on the letter of appointment, stood up, and prepared to leave the examination hall directly for her hotel to rest.
After signing the letter of intent, candidates were permitted to leave the examination hall.
“‘Let’s go!'”
Professor Yuan waved a hand, beckoning Yun Ning. Hearing the call, the latter quickly removed his weighted training rings and ran over.
“Lecturer…” Yue Zhengyang suddenly grabbed Professor Yuan, who had already turned to leave. “‘You still have a meeting later, don’t you? You haven’t forgotten, have you?'”
“Hahaha.” Professor Yuan rubbed his head, his laughter thinly veiling his embarrassment. “‘How could I forget!'”
“‘I just genuinely don’t want to go!'” He slapped Yue Zhengyang’s hand away with a decisive motion, his face a picture of righteous indignation.
“‘That’s even worse than forgetting, isn’t it?'” Yue Zhengyang finished speaking expressionlessly, then, with lightning speed, reached out and grabbed Professor Yuan by the back of his suit collar.
“‘You’d better come with me quietly! The school leaders are waiting for your and the other heads’ recruitment reports!'” He said, pulling Professor Yuan by his suit collar towards the channel at the back of the area, leaving behind only a mournful, heart-wrenching wail.
“‘I don’t want to go to the meeting!'” Professor Yuan flailed his arms, looking utterly pathetic.