When the volunteer Martial Artists announced the dismissal, the three hundred thousand new students, brimming with boundless hope, were like droplets of water flowing into a surging river. They quickly dispersed into the vast campus at the base of the Canaan Tower, each off to find their own corner of this new world—a place they would call home for hundreds, or even thousands, of years to come.
The crowd surged. Most were filled with excitement and wonder, eager to explore this brand-new world.
A small group of people, however, did not leave immediately.
Led by Tie Mu and Lei Meng, the nearly one hundred prodigies who had fought alongside Qin Feng during the second assessment all gathered around him once more, as if by unspoken agreement.
The restraint and awe in their eyes had lessened, replaced by a genuine sense of closeness and trust.
"Brother Qin!"
The burly Lei Meng strode forward, scratching his bald head. With a simple, good-natured look, he asked, "So, we’re officially students now. What’s your plan, Brother Qin? Are you going to head straight for that Canaan Tower, or should we take on a few missions first to earn some Contribution Points?"
Tie Mu, standing to the side, said nothing, but his eyes were filled with the same question.
Clearly, after experiencing that stunning team battle and the unbelievable potential assessment that followed, Qin Feng had become the unspoken leader of their small group.
His decision would directly influence the group’s next move.
Qin Feng looked at the powerful, sincere companions before him, smiled faintly, and shook his head.
"Let’s not be hasty."
His voice was calm and steady, carrying a natural, persuasive authority.
"We’re still completely in the dark about Canaan Star Martial Arts University. We can’t rush into challenging the tower or taking on missions. The first priority is to familiarize ourselves with the rules, especially the most efficient ways to earn Contribution Points. Information always comes first."
’That was one of the most valuable lessons he had learned from Qian Duoduo.’
’In a new and complex environment, intelligence is even more valuable than strength itself.’
’A single piece of bad information could lead a powerful genius down countless wrong paths, or even into a situation with no hope of recovery.’
Hearing this, Tie Mu nodded thoughtfully in complete agreement. "Brother Qin is right. We can’t just run around like headless chickens. We have to study the private network forums first, get a handle on all the available information, and then decide what to do."
Just as everyone was voicing their agreement, a familiar-sounding voice, full of surprise and excitement, called out from the edge of the crowd.
"Qin Feng! I finally found you!"
Everyone turned toward the voice and saw a slightly chubby young man with an eager, friendly smile on his face, struggling to squeeze his way through the crowd.
Seeing who it was, a look of genuine surprise and delight appeared on Qin Feng’s face.
"Xiong Yanfu?"
It was none other than Xiong Yanfu, the "Qian Ruo General Star" who had taken the initiative to strike up a conversation with him back at the assessment plaza and had given him a wealth of information.
"Hey!"
Xiong Yanfu was even more delighted that Qin Feng remembered him. He hurried over, squeezing his way in front of Qin Feng and panting, "I’ve been trying to come say hi for ages, but these guys around you are crazy! They had you surrounded three layers deep. I couldn’t get through at all!"
His words, half complaint and half banter, instantly lightened the mood.
"HAHAHAHA—"
Tie Mu, standing nearby, was thoroughly amused by his antics and couldn’t help but explain, "Don’t blame us, Brother Xiong. Most of these guys graduated from military Martial Arts High Schools. They believe that might makes right. Brother Qin has already completely won over this unruly bunch with his strength on the battlefield."
His words were filled with reverence for Qin Feng.
"So that’s how it is."
Xiong Yanfu’s eyes widened in realization. "Oh, well in that case, he deserves to be surrounded! An ’Embryonic Stage Starry Sky Beast,’ huh? Brother Qin, with that kind of potential, you’ve left us so-called ’General Stars’ completely in the dust!"
At his words, the group broke into another round of good-natured laughter.
After some friendly exchanges, this group of prodigies from all walks of life quickly grew familiar with one another.
They exchanged their Subspace Network IDs and agreed to keep in touch and help each other out in the future.
Afterward, the group dispersed, each following the coordinates on their personal terminals to find their private dormitories.
...
Qin Feng’s dormitory was located in an area called "Stargaze" on the campus at the base of the Canaan Tower.
When he followed the navigation and arrived in front of his dorm, even with his steady temperament, he couldn’t help but marvel at the sight.
His dorm was on the 1,923rd level of the Stargaze district, with the address A-12.
This wasn’t a building, but a completely independent island floating in the sky.
The island featured pavilions and verandas, small bridges over flowing streams, and even a small bamboo grove. The environment was the very picture of tranquility and elegance.
And when he pushed open the heavy, smooth door, which was crafted from some unknown type of jade, he was utterly stunned by the sight within.
’This isn’t a dorm; it’s a miniature palace!’
The interior space was immense, visually estimated to be tens of thousands of square meters.
A living room, a bedroom, a Cultivation Room, an Artifact Refining Room... Every functional area imaginable was present, all decorated with a luxurious yet classical Martial Dao aesthetic.