High Martial: I Grind Professions

Chapter 218: Chapter 155: 3rd Layer Shocking God Stab, Eighth-Layer Perfection, The Unparalleled Newcomer

But today, he hadn’t seen a single soul since leaving the third floor.

A faint sense of unease began to surface.

With a flicker of his thoughts, Li Wen’s Primordial Spirit power spread out like invisible ripples.

His Primordial Spirit, having reached the 3rd Layer, had a range that already spanned several miles, enough to encompass the entire core area of Nine Heavens Peak.

A few moments later, however, the result made him frown.

Aside from the auras emanating from some natural energy nodes within and around the mountain, and the ageless, violent thundercloud core at the summit, he couldn’t sense a single life signature unique to the disciples of Nine Heavens Peak—that distinct mix of lightning essence and vital energy.

’Did something happen?’ Li Wen tensed instinctively for a moment, his gaze sharpening.

But he quickly dismissed the somewhat frantic thought.

Nine Heavens Peak was one of the twelve core peaks of Torchbearer University, and its Peak Master was an unfathomably powerful figure. How could anything happen to it so easily?

In a flash, a fragment of memory, nearly buried under his rigorous training schedule, surfaced.

He stopped, his brow furrowed. ’...Wait, is it June second today?’

Perpetual thunderstorms ravaged Nine Heavens Peak, and the violent Energy Field could instantly disable any precision electronics.

Because of this, he never carried items like phones or smartwatches while on the peak. His sense of time relied more on mental calculations during breaks in his training and his own internal clock.

To confirm his suspicion, he didn’t linger. His steps seemed unhurried, yet they left faint afterimages on the ground as he descended the mountain like a swift breeze.

The safe mountain path, which he had walked countless times and was now etched into his muscle memory, was quickly left behind him.

Soon, he reached the foot of the mountain.

His personal small aircraft was parked quietly on its dedicated platform, its surface energy shield deflecting the faint aftershocks of the thunderstorms drifting down from the mountain.

Li Wen strode forward and pressed his palm against the door’s sensor panel. The hatch opened silently, and he stepped inside.

The familiar, high-tech cabin lit up with a soft glow, and the main control screen in front of the pilot’s seat came to life.

In the corner of the screen, the time and date were clearly displayed:

[Galactic Calendar, Year 227, June 2nd, 10:27]

’It really is today.’ Li Wen’s earlier doubts vanished completely.

The New Student Assessment Day.

Every year, Torchbearer University held its entrance assessments for the entire Galactic Federation at this fixed time.

The two-day assessment was Torchbearer University’s single most important event of the year.

Disciples from all the major peaks, and even the Peak Masters themselves, would take the time to go to the main plaza of Enlightenment Peak to observe, hoping to spot promising new talent or scout for fresh blood for their own peaks.

No matter how few people Nine Heavens Peak had, it would be stranger if they were all absent at a time like this.

A flicker of pure curiosity sparked within him.

He also wanted to see if any dazzling geniuses would appear among this year’s new crop of students.

After all, he himself had been part of last year’s sensational class.

Instead of returning to Villa No. 1 on Mingde Peak to rest, Li Wen set his destination directly on the main control screen: Enlightenment Peak.

The engine emitted a low hum, and pale blue flames erupted from the powerful vector-thrust nozzles.

The aircraft ascended vertically with ease, then transformed into a streak of light, speeding toward Enlightenment Peak in the university’s core area.

Through the viewport, he could see the clouds and mist swirling around the distant main peaks.

「...」

「Enlightenment Peak, White Jade Plaza.」

Vast, tiered amphitheater-style stands encircled the spacious assessment grounds in the center.

The banners of the twelve major peaks hung high above their respective sections of the stands, marking out distinct and bustling factions.

The energy particles in the air seemed to thrum with the convergence of several thousand people. A clamor of voices filled the air, buzzing with the unique excitement and anticipation of the young.

Li Wen arrived at the designated aircraft parking area on the periphery.

He leaped down from his streamlined personal aircraft and merged into the crowd heading toward the plaza.

As Torchbearer University’s currently most dazzling new star—a Cultivator of the Eighth-Layer Nine Heavens Divine Body and the one who had made a stunning debut at the New Year’s Eve gala—even with his deliberate attempt to keep a low profile, his tall, straight figure and the steady aura he couldn’t fully conceal were like a stone tossed into a calm lake, instantly sending ripples through the nearby disciples who recognized him.

”Look, it’s Senior Brother Li Wen from Nine Heavens Peak!”

”It’s Junior Brother Li Wen!”

”I heard he’s already cultivated the Nine Heavens Divine Body to the Eighth Layer.”

”The Eighth-Layer Nine Heavens Divine Body... The last time someone from Nine Heavens Peak achieved that was twenty or thirty years ago, if I remember correctly.”

”Tsk, tsk. He’s the benchmark for our year...”

Awe, envy, curiosity... Gazes of all kinds shot over from every direction, accompanied by hushed whispers.

The Super Martial Artist-level disciples, in particular, had complicated expressions.

Six months ago, they had all been at the same starting line. Now, he had left them all in the dust, far, far behind.

Li Wen was already used to this and continued forward, his expression unchanged.

He habitually glanced toward the Nine Heavens Peak section. As expected, the seats in that area looked a bit emptier than the others. Being sparsely populated was still the status quo for Nine Heavens Peak.

”Li Wen!”

A familiar voice called out. It was Wang Shuo, with Fang Chenghong standing beside him.

Li Wen paused and walked over.

”You came too? That’s a rare sight. Aren’t you always holed up on the 3rd Layer of the Thunder Attraction Tower or buried deep in a sea of books?”

Wang Shuo grinned and punched Li Wen’s shoulder lightly, his tone familiar and tinged with a bit of emotion.

This fellow countryman from Jiangnan in front of him was progressing at a speed that was practically like he was cheating.

”I came out for some fresh air and to check out this year’s fresh blood,” Li Wen said with a calm smile.

”You should watch. A few monsters have actually shown up in this class,” Fang Chenghong interjected, his expression somewhat grave as he gazed toward the center of the plaza.