In the midst of this frenzied wave, only one person stood frozen in place, completely motionless.
That was the recruiting master from Du Na Starry Sky Martial Arts University, Zhang Ruoyu.
Her expression was grim.
’An S-rank contract... with even more additional conditions...’
When the truth of the Control Realm was exposed, all probing offers became meaningless.
All that remained was the most blatant, most frenzied bidding war of resources.
And she—and Du Na Starry Sky Martial Arts University—had already been completely eliminated from the running before the bidding even began, all because of her own foolishness and arrogance.
’An A-rank contract... Heh, an A-rank contract...’
Zhang Ruoyu laughed at herself, a laugh full of bitterness.
She remembered the self-righteous certainty with which she’d thrown out the A-rank contract when she first approached Qin Feng.
In front of a Demon in the Control Realm, her A-rank contract wasn’t even worthy of the word "insult."
It was a complete joke.
’I was too greedy...’
’Right from the start... I was just too greedy...’
If, from the beginning, she hadn’t resorted to such petty tricks, hadn’t looked down on Qin Feng because of his origins, and had simply shown her greatest sincerity by offering a top-tier S-rank contract, perhaps... perhaps there would have been a sliver of a chance.
But now, it was all too late.
She had missed a god-sent opportunity, the kind she would likely never encounter again in her lifetime—a chance that could have ensured her a smooth career and a meteoric rise at Du Na Star.
’Then again, I also underestimated... gravely underestimated a genius valued by Squad Leader Zhou Xiong.’
’Forging his own path...’
Zhang Ruoyu muttered to herself as a deep sense of powerlessness washed over her.
’Forging one’s own path... is easier said than done...’
Forget about those eighth- or Ninth-level Martial Artists struggling desperately on the path of the Martial Dao. Even among beings like them, who had long since broken the shackles of mortality and ascended to the planetary level, how many could truly claim to have forged a path of their own?
The vast majority of them were still just trudging along the difficult paths carved out by their predecessors.
And yet that boy had already accomplished this as a mere Third-level Martial Artist.
***
The frantic bidding war on the top floor of the Spectator Tower lasted for a full three minutes.
The first to calm down were the most senior and highest-ranking masters.
They were the first to stop this meaningless piling-on of resources, their brows furrowed in deep thought.
Soon after, the other masters also seemed to realize something. They stopped their operations one by one, and an eerie silence fell over the room once more.
Only this time, the air was no longer thick with shock, but with a complex mix of helplessness and contemplation.
Everyone’s gazes, as if by unspoken agreement, slowly shifted away from the dazzling boy on the central stage, finally settling on a figure in the corner who had remained silent all along.
Gu Yue.
The special-grade professor from Qiming First Martial Arts High School.
And Qin Feng’s true guide.
It was only at this moment that these masters from the Top 100 Star Martial Arts Universities, their heads previously clouded by excitement, had a sudden realization.
They had been fighting tooth and nail, yet they had overlooked the most critical factors: Qin Feng’s own wishes and the attitude of this Professor Gu Yue.
Looking at Gu Yue’s calm and gentle face, they couldn’t help but feel a sense of powerlessness.
They knew full well that given Gu Yue’s status and connections, as well as his well-known teaching philosophy of focusing solely on cultivating the most supreme Demons, the path he had planned for Qin Feng was simply not something their Top 100 Star Martial Arts Universities could provide.
Under Master Gu Yue’s tutelage, Qin Feng’s goal, from the very beginning, was most likely singular: Canaan Star Martial Arts University.
That was the Sacred Land standing at the very pinnacle of the entire Canaan Star System’s educational pyramid.
Once they understood this, the fanaticism on everyone’s faces completely faded, replaced by wry smiles and a sense of relief.
Since they were destined to lose, why continue to humiliate themselves?
Just as the atmosphere was growing awkward, Gu Yue, who had been silent all this time, finally rose slowly to his feet.
His gentle gaze swept across the room. He gave a slight nod to the crowd, his face wearing a smile as warm as a spring breeze.
"Everyone, I know you are all eager to recruit talent."
His voice wasn’t loud, but it reached every person’s ears clearly, calming the remaining agitation in their hearts.
"However, we already have a plan for student Qin Feng’s future. Therefore, on his behalf, I thank you for your kind intentions."
His words directly extinguished any lingering hope they had.
However, before disappointment could show on their faces, Gu Yue changed his tone and continued, "Although I cannot invite you to become Qin Feng’s mentors, there is a matter I’d like to ask for your assistance with."
Everyone was taken aback, their curiosity piqued.
With Gu Yue’s status, what could he possibly need so many of them to help with?
They then heard Gu Yue say gently, "I hope that everyone here, in the name of the Top 100 Star Martial Arts Universities you represent, will jointly sign a letter of recommendation for Qin Feng to the admissions office of Canaan Star Martial Arts University."
The moment he finished speaking, an uproar swept through the room.
A joint letter of recommendation?
A single recommendation letter from a Top 100 Star Martial Arts University already carried immense weight. A joint recommendation from over one hundred of them... the value of such a letter was simply immeasurable!
"Professor Gu Yue, what is the meaning of this...?"
The old general from the Beichen Military Academy spoke up with a frown, his confusion apparent.
With Qin Feng’s strength in the Control Realm, getting into Canaan Star Martial Arts University was practically a sure thing. Why go to such unnecessary lengths?
The smile on Gu Yue’s face didn’t waver; he knew what they were all wondering.
"Naturally, I won’t be asking you to help for nothing."