C36 Lee Guoqiang Was Shocked

"I agree, just make sure you show up for the college entrance exam on time."

Lee Guoqiang laid out his expectations plainly.

Chu Yi's smile grew even more radiant.

"The second thing is, I hope you can assist me in enrolling in the Warrior Department after the exams."

If Lee Guoqiang had managed to keep his cool when Chu Yi asked for leave before, now his composure was slipping...

His expression quickly turned grim.

"Chu Yi, there's something you need to understand."

"Your gift lies in the Illusion Compass Path. That's the right path for you to develop."

Chu Yi nodded earnestly, as though to say he was unswayed by any other opinion.

Lee Guoqiang felt a headache coming on at the sight of Chu Yi's determined face. "And as for the Warrior Department, it's not just that you're unlikely to pass the exams— even if you could get in through connections, the curriculum there has no relevance to your talent!"

"Your gift would be wasted!"

Indeed, once at university, students would choose between humanities and sciences.

But these weren't the same humanities and sciences from his past life.

Here, 'humanities' encompassed both, while 'sciences' referred specifically to the physical sciences!

Yes, it could also be termed the 'strength sciences.'

The Warrior Department focused on training individuals to become formidable; it had nothing to do with the humanities or sciences.

Chu Yi's smile shone even brighter, clearly touched by Lee Guoqiang's concern.

Yet...

"Principal, watch out for my punch!"

As his words ended, Chu Yi suddenly launched a punch at Lee Guoqiang.

It was a simple punch, but it caused a faint sonic boom in the air!

This was the telltale sign of a punch delivered with substantial power!

The next instant, a spark of recognition flashed in Lee Guoqiang's eyes.

With minimal effort, he extended his arm and caught Chu Yi's punch in his palm.

A large hand enveloping a smaller one, the gesture seemed harmonious.

But the potential danger was beyond imagination.

Had Lee Guoqiang failed to intercept Chu Yi's punch, the wall behind him would have been blown apart by the force.

The principal's office was generally quite robust, typically able to withstand a good deal of force. Not even the average Bronze Warrior could demolish the room with a mere punch.

But was Chu Yi's punch just any punch?

Lee Guoqiang's face had taken on an eerily peculiar expression.

"You, have you reached the peak of Bronze?!"

The peak of Bronze!

Lee Guoqiang was certain that Chu Yi had indeed attained the pinnacle of Bronze strength. The force behind that punch even made him feel as though he was up against an Elementary Silver.

Incredibly strong, exceptionally so!

Chu Yi's face radiated confidence as he confirmed, "Yes, I have reached the peak of the Bronze level."

He was just a hair's breadth away from becoming a true Silver Level Great Warrior. With one final step forward, Chu Yi would ascend to that esteemed rank.

Lee Guoqiang fell silent.

His gaze upon Chu Yi had fundamentally changed.

In the past, Chu Yi was...

Well, to be honest, Chu Yi had never caught Lee Guoqiang's attention before.

With the multitude of students at Seventeenth High School, it was impossible for Lee Guoqiang to take note of each one.

Chu Yi had stood out before, but that was mainly due to his striking good looks, which Lee Guoqiang typically paid no mind to. He hadn't even heard Chu Yi's name until recently.

Lee Guoqiang truly became aware of Chu Yi only half a month ago during the incident in the auditorium. Since then, he realized that his school harbored a student with boundless potential like Chu Yi.

Indeed, his potential was limitless.

That's why, when Lee Guoqiang initially mistook Chu Yi for having a knack for scientific research, he went so far as to leverage his own connections to bring in examiners from the Central Academy.

Despite the failure, Lee Guoqiang wasn't concerned.

Even if Chu Yi couldn't enter politics or become a military bigwig, his expertise in compass repair could secure him a place of honor among the major powers.

He was bound to build an extensive network. Chu Yi's future accomplishments could very well rival those of many influential figures.

Yet, what Lee Guoqiang hadn't anticipated was that Chu Yi's true prowess lay in the martial arts!

Indeed, it's all about martial arts!

Before one reaches the Bronze level, they are simply on the path of warriors. It's only after achieving Bronze status that one can truly be called a martial arts cultivator.

Of course, the title of martial arts cultivator is not given lightly. Without the awakening of one's genes, one cannot claim the title of a true cultivator.

Yet, this revelation was enough to astonish Lee Guoqiang.

Chu Yi had embarked on the martial arts journey, possessing the might of a peak Bronze level cultivator!

Such a feat was astounding.

The prowess of a Bronze level cultivator might seem insignificant, and even the strength of a Silver level cultivator didn't impress Lee Guoqiang much.

However, Lee Guoqiang hadn't forgotten the significance of this place, nor had he overlooked Chu Yi's identity!

He was a student at Seventeenth High School!

An eighteen-year-old youth!

In the Adirang Region, Redmarsh City stood as a central hub, second only to Fairmoor. Grassvale, in comparison, fell short.

And Seventeenth High School?

It was undeniably one of the most prestigious high schools in all of Redmarsh City. It might not be the absolute best, but it certainly ranked within the top ten.

Thus, the students here could be considered the cream of the crop from across the entire Adirang Region.

While not every student was exceptional, the mere fact that they had gained entry to this institution was testament to their outstanding abilities, both academically and in terms of cultivation.

In the Adirang Region, there are hardly any high schools dedicated solely to cultivation.

Of course, while such schools are rare, they do exist, though many parents may hesitate to enroll their children in them.

Descendants of prominent families often receive personal guidance from their elders, bypassing the need for formal schooling. In contrast, ordinary families are reluctant to risk their children's future on cultivation alone.

If their children fail to become warriors, they risk graduating from these specialized schools without any basic life skills.

Hence, before university, a comprehensive high school like Seventeenth High School is the preferred choice for the majority of parents and students.

Seventeenth High School is undoubtedly a premier institution within the entire Adirang Region. Lee Guoqiang, as the principal, was well aware of the status of his school. Yet, it was this very knowledge that left him feeling shocked and somewhat bewildered at the moment. Within the entire student body of Seventeenth High School, only seven individuals had reached the status of Bronze warriors!

Indeed, a mere seven.

Moreover, three of these had only just managed to break through to the Bronze Level recently. It was possible that a few more students might reach the Bronze Level before the college entrance exams, but the number wouldn't be significant. A dozen or so was already pushing the limit.

These students were nearly all at the Elementary Bronze Level, a far cry from Chu Yi's Bronze Limit!

In fact, Chu Yi was now almost—

No, he was decidedly the second most powerful student in all of Seventeenth High School!

He was only surpassed by Lee Zi!

This realization completely dismantled the previous image Lee Guoqiang had of Chu Yi.

"But how can this be?" Lee Guoqiang whispered to himself, clearly astounded by the revelation of Chu Yi's true abilities.

Meanwhile, Chu Yi's demeanor grew stern. "Principal, my initial intention was to blend in as an ordinary person. Instead, I was labeled as worthless by others," he said, a hint of sorrow and anger surfacing on his face.

"Therefore, I'm laying all my cards on the table. No more pretending!"

"The truth is, I'm a prodigy in cultivation!"

Lee Guoqiang stared at Chu Yi, his face etched with disbelief. Though it sounded boastful, he couldn't deny the truth in Chu Yi's declaration. If Chu Yi wasn't a cultivation prodigy, how else could he have reached the pinnacle of the Bronze Level before even graduating high school?

Lee Guoqiang was familiar with Chu Yi's family background, which was as ordinary as they come.

Thus, Chu Yi's achievements couldn't be attributed to any shortcuts; his success was undoubtedly the mark of a true cultivation prodigy.

However...

A moment of hesitation flickered in Lee Guoqiang's eyes as another thought crossed his mind.

"What about your other talents?" he inquired, concerned that Chu Yi might neglect his additional gifts.

To be frank, if Chu Yi were to simply be himself, he would undoubtedly choose a path for his future that leads to becoming a master compass repairer. In doing so, Chu Yi's future standing would be far superior to that of a warrior.

But...

"Rest assured, Principal. I absolutely won't neglect that aspect!"

"Besides, haven't you forgotten? My reliance on that front is my talent."

Lee Guoqiang paused for a moment, then a wry, resigned smile crossed his face.

Indeed, he had nearly forgotten.

While compass repair does require knowledge, that knowledge isn't all that critical. It doesn't have to be particularly advanced.

It's all about talent!

As long as Chu Yi remains committed, it will just mean investing a bit more time.

"I understand," Lee Guoqiang nodded.

"By the way, did you take leave to continue your training, aiming to break through to the Bronze level?"

Chu Yi was already at the very peak of his current level. Though the step to the Silver rank seemed small, it was incredibly challenging.

Yet, with over a month left until the college entrance exams, Chu Yi truly stood a good chance of success.

"Actually, I would advise you not to rush your breakthrough. Solidifying your foundation is crucial."

"Moreover, once you reach the Silver rank, awakening your genetic power will become even more challenging!"

While being a warrior is commendable, the ultimate goal for any warrior is to become a cultivator.

For a prodigy like Chu Yi, Lee Guoqiang naturally held great expectations.