Chapter 950: Part 2: Meeting Dean Chapter 950: Part 2: Meeting Dean From MC’s Perspective: The old man dean, after a moment of contemplation, spoke up, his voice deep and decisive.
“You, kid, qualify to be a special seed.
I don’t have any issue with that.
You can find any interested elder to take you on as a disciple.” His words hung in the air like a lightning strike.
Clinton and Sally exchanged quick glances, their eyes lighting up with excitement.
I could see it written all over their faces this was a big deal.
Being labeled as a “special seed” wasn’t something handed out lightly.
It was a path that led to immense potential, but also immense responsibility.
“Boy, listen carefully,” the dean continued, his gaze sharp and unwavering.
“You’ll have a strong backer, but don’t think that means you’re exempt from competition.
The elders won’t interfere in battles between students.” His words hit like a warning bell, and I straightened my posture, feeling the weight of his gaze.
“So you’ll have to be smart,” he added, his tone carrying the authority of someone who had seen countless students rise and fall.
“I will be careful, Dean,” I responded, my voice steady, but beneath the surface, the gravity of the situation was starting to sink in.
I couldn’t afford to slip up.
Not now, not ever.
The dean’s eyes softened just a fraction, a rare sign of approval.
“Then, good luck,” he said simply, before disappearing into the air like he had never been there, leaving nothing but silence in his wake.
Clinton and Sally turned to each other, their expressions triumphant.
I could tell they were already several steps ahead, planning what was next.
“Let’s go.
We’ve got approval from the dean.
We can start looking for the elders,” Sally said, her voice brimming with determination.
Clinton nodded, already thinking ahead.
“Alright, I have someone in mind.
Let’s meet him first.” I glanced between the two of them, sensing something unspoken.
There was a knowing smile on Sally’s face, and I realized they were already moving within the lines of their faction.
I was about to be introduced to their world whether I was ready for it or not.
They belonged to a faction, and it was clear that their first stop would be the elders from their own ranks.
Whether that was a good or bad thing for me, I had yet to figure out.
The undercurrents of this academy ran deeper than I had thought, and I was wading right into them.
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As we stepped out of the building, the air felt different charged, like the calm before a storm.
My mind raced with possibilities.
What were Clinton and Sally planning for me?
Who were the elders they were going to introduce me to?
Would I be caught in their faction’s power plays?
I had to be cautious, but for now, I would follow their lead and see where this road took me.
Meanwhile, back in the hall, the dean’s image flickered back onto the throne, a faint smile tugging at his weathered face.
“There seem to be quite a few special seeds lately.
Let’s see if any of them survive long enough to claim an inheritance,” he mused to himself, his voice heavy with the weight of years and unseen trials.
And then, with a soft swoosh, the image vanished once more, leaving only shadows behind.
As we walked, I noticed that Elder Clinton was leading me toward an unfamiliar part of the academy.
The surroundings shifted gradually, the buildings growing more numerous and clustered, resembling a small, isolated campus.
The atmosphere here felt different, quieter, more focused, as if this area was reserved for something important.
Clinton’s pace slowed slightly, and I caught a flicker of something in his eyes like he had made a decision.
“Zack, do you know the levels of cultivation within our ranks?” he asked, his tone casual, but the weight of his question hung in the air.
I was momentarily stunned.
I had some knowledge, bits and pieces gleaned from my teacher back home, but nothing as in-depth as what Clinton seemed to be hinting at.
Clinton didn’t wait for him to respond, his voice taking on a more serious tone.
“In order to become a Black Mark Warrior, a warrior must first accept an inheritance.
There are various kinds of inheritance, some tied to elements, others to bloodlines or the lifetime experiences of certain supreme warriors.” His words pulled at fragments of memories from past lessons, but now, with the context of this academy, it felt more real.
More immediate.
“Once the inheritance is accepted, the warrior enters Inheritance Stage 1, becoming a Black Mark Warrior.
If they manage to reach the Silver Mark Rank, they enter Inheritance Stage 2.” Clinton paused, giving me time to absorb the information.
I nodded, feeling a flicker of anticipation.
This was important.
The levels of power in this academy and the world beyond ran far deeper than I’d realized.
“Gold Mark Warriors are in Inheritance Stage 3,” he continued.
“Above that are Purple Mark Warriors-Inheritance Stage 4.
Our Legacy Elders are all Purple Mark Warriors.
Then, there’s Inheritance Stage 5: Red Mark Warriors.
These are extremely rare, even in the inner post region.
Our dean,” Clinton added, his voice dropping slightly, “is a Red Mark Warrior.” The weight of that revelation settled heavily on my shoulders.
The dean’s power was far beyond anything I had encountered.
And yet, Clinton hadn’t finished.
“After Inheritance Stage 5, there are further stages,” Clinton said, his eyes narrowing slightly as if weighing how much more to reveal.
“But those are confidential.
Only Legacy disciples learn about them.” Sally, walking beside, raised her eyebrows in surprise.
It seemed even she hadn’t expected Clinton to share this level of information with Zack so soon.
Outwardly, I wore a mask of astonishment, but internally, my mind was racing.
I recalled something my teacher had once mentioned in passing something about what lay beyond the fifth stage.
At the time, I hadn’t paid it much attention, but now the pieces were starting to fall into place.
My teacher had spoken of a level related to something called the Quasi-God stage, which came after Inheritance Stage 5.
Could that be the next step?
“Zack, what happened?” Clinton’s voice broke through my thoughts, his sharp eyes assessing me.
I blinked, shaking off the haze of memory.
“I’m sorry, I was just… shocked,” I admitted, trying to keep my voice steady.
Clinton smiled faintly, but there was something unreadable in his gaze.
“Good.
You’ll need to keep that sense of awe.
The path ahead is difficult, and knowledge is power.
But remember, the competition here is fierce.
Even with a strong backer, you’ll need more than just raw talent to survive.” I nodded, feeling the weight of his words settle in.
This wasn’t just about strength.
This was about navigating a complex web of power, alliances, and ambition.
And now, more than ever, I realized I had only scratched the surface.
Sally, who had been listening quietly until now, decided to chime in with her own perspective.
Her eyes took on a more serious tone as she spoke, clearly wanting to drive home a point.
“Zack, it’s not easy to advance beyond the Black Mark Warrior Rank.
Even with an inheritance, there are restrictions.
Only by obtaining a truly powerful inheritance can you hope to reach the level of a Purple Mark Warrior or higher.” Her words carried weight.
The path to the upper ranks wasn’t just a matter of training or time, it was about unlocking something much greater, something ancient and potent.
I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of excitement deep inside.
I had already sensed something dormant within me.
Inheritance?
I thought.
I’ve already got something sleeping inside me.
But I kept that thought to myself.
Still, I needed more answers.
“Elder,” I asked, looking toward Clinton, “how do I get an inheritance?” Clinton glanced at him, and for a moment, his expression softened as if he respected the ambition behind his question.
“Each organization in the Tier-4 region has its own inheritance,” he explained.
“These inheritances are passed down through generations.
But there are also secret places scattered across the Tier-4 region places hidden from the world that contain lost or ancient inheritances.
However, Zack,” he said, his tone growing stern, “those things are far beyond your reach right now.
Don’t get distracted by dreams of hidden treasures.
Focus on what’s in front of you.” Sally nodded in agreement before adding, “Right now, your primary focus should be on reaching the peak of the General Rank within a year.
Only then can you survive the competition here.
This academy doesn’t favor the weak, even if you’re a special seed.
Strength is everything.” Her words hit hard.
Within one year?
The timeline was tight, and the pressure was immense.
My heart twisted in turmoil for a moment.
Could I really reach the peak of the General Rank in that short span of time?
But as I glanced around at the academy, at the countless resources and opportunities waiting to be tapped into, I knew it wasn’t impossible.
This place, with its unique environment, could push me far beyond my current limits.
I clenched my fists, feeling determination surge through me.
One year.
I would make it happen.
I had to.
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