"What!" Long Qiansu, Wan Shushan, and Wang Jianfang exclaimed in shock. Could it be that the method for cultivating Spiritual Strength, which had troubled humans for a thousand years, would appear today? "Hehe, I won’t tell you. I’ll try it myself first," Long Qianli smiled and didn’t elaborate, her figure slowly dissipating. "If I advance to a Titled King, I’ll share it with you then." The others looked at each other. "She’s so heartless, she won’t even tell me," Long Qiansu muttered and slowly departed. Wang Jianfang and Wan Shushan were speechless. Surely, if Long Qianli could truly comprehend Lu Lin’s words and begin cultivating Spiritual Strength, she would tell her sister Long Qiansu. As it was, the two of them had made a futile trip. Wan Shushan also left. Only Wang Jianfang and Wu Hongming remained seated on the sofa. Lu Lin guessed the two of them must have something to discuss. Sure enough, Wang Jianfang coughed twice. "Lu Lin, first of all, welcome to Iron Blood College, and congratulations on successfully challenging all the freshmen. You are now a top-level student. "Your Elite Level and scholar tyrant level certificates, honors, and various rewards will be sent to you. You just need to focus on your cultivation. "However, remember to attend school every day. You haven’t been to the Exotic Battlefield yet, and classes will cover related knowledge. Let Teacher Wu arrange this for you." "Alright, thank you, Principal Wang, and thank you, Teacher Wu," Lu Lin quickly expressed his gratitude. The fact that Principal Wang showed concern for such a small personal matter of his made him feel truly honored. "Well, this is a trivial matter. What I want to discuss is the upcoming preliminary competition of the Federation University Student Games at the end of this month. "In previous years, students participating in the University Games were required to have reached at least the Fourth Level. This year, you’re an exception, so go and observe. "The University Games are held every two years and represent the highest level of competition for university students in the entire Federation. Attending will allow you to broaden your horizons. "Next time, when you’re in your third year, I expect you to win first place for Iron Blood College." Lu Lin was also familiar with the University Student Games, which were held biennially. The venues were generally within the Exotic Battlefield. However, since no electronic devices could be used in the Exotic Battlefield, during each University Games, the outside world could only learn who had won the overall championship and which university topped the points leaderboard. Although Iron Blood University boasted many talented students, they typically only secured individual championships, with the university itself consistently ranking second on the points leaderboard. First place was invariably Hua Xia Military Academy, its position solid and unshakeable. Wang Jianfang’s intention was for Lu Lin to win the overall championship in two years and, simultaneously, lead Iron Blood University to the top of the points leaderboard. Lu Lin naturally understood. He was confident in his rate of improvement. In two years, he might not advance to Level 7 or Level 8, but reaching Level 6 should be no problem. At that time, he could sweep all university participants, naturally taking first place in both categories. "Alright then. In that case, you’ll attend classes at Luse Alliance College from now on. Our school’s competition team also trains here, so you can find Lei Ming when the time comes." Lu Lin looked at Wang Jianfang in a daze, not understanding what he was saying. "Principal Wang, I’ve already succeeded in the challenge. Why do I still have to attend classes at Luse Alliance College?" Seeing Lu Lin’s bewildered expression, Wang Jianfang laughed. Wu Hongming also laughed. "Lu Lin, let me explain this to you," Wu Hongming offered. Luse Alliance College was established to stimulate the students of Iron Blood College’s main campus, ensuring they always knew a group was right behind them, waiting to catch up. When the college was first founded, the bottom 100 students of each grade were assigned to Luse Alliance College for their classes. The dilapidated teaching buildings, rudimentary cultivation facilities, and pigsty-like accommodations served as a constant reminder to the students sent to Luse Alliance College: Falling behind means getting beaten. Suddenly being demoted from Iron Blood College, a top-tier Federation academy, to Luse, made everyone feel disgruntled. Some gave up on themselves and stopped cultivating altogether. Others were half-hearted, appearing to continue cultivating but with their minds already elsewhere. Still others, spurred by shame, redoubled their efforts in cultivation, dreaming of venting their anger by thrashing the students who had once been stronger than them. A year later, Iron Blood College announced the commencement of challenge matches. Every student of Luse Alliance College could freely challenge students from Iron Blood College. This news instantly gave a ray of hope to those who had persisted in cultivating amidst despair. Indeed, quite a few students, through a year of arduous cultivation at Luse Alliance College, managed to break into the main campus’s top ten rankings. It was inspirational, exciting, and offered hope—not to mention tangible rewards like fame and scholarships. Conversely, students from the main campus who were defeated in challenges were demoted to Luse Alliance. After years of this system, the challenge matches had become a large-scale event. The annual freshman challenge matches were broadcast live to the entire Federation. As for the competitions for sophomores, juniors, and seniors, these were not broadcast externally but held as internal school competitions. For years, the intense academic atmosphere among Iron Blood University students stemmed from their fear of being relegated to Luse Alliance College. If their Talent was truly insufficient, it would be one thing. But everyone had been admitted based on their qualifications; who would willingly admit they were inferior to others? Years ago, Iron Blood College students had already begun to fiercely compete: venturing into the Exotic Battlefield, purchasing Star Power Potions, and joining major corporations, all to acquire more resources. Especially during senior year, as graduation approached, the students’ fervor was so intense it left even Principal Wang and Wu Hongming somewhat intimidated. No one wanted their graduation certificate to read "Graduated from Luse Alliance College in Year XX"; that would be a lifelong humiliation. "So, Lu Lin, you can probably see why older students are rarely found at either Iron Blood College or Luse Alliance College," Wu Hongming continued. "No one stops striving when they know someone is constantly chasing them from behind. "Similarly, many students maintain this relentless, hard-charging style of Iron Blood College even after graduation. Consequently, most graduates join large Federation conglomerates, and their annual income and experience are incomparable to those of ordinary, comfortable Martial Artists." Lu Lin was secretly astounded by this. What devious tactics they had come up with to make the students study and cultivate diligently! Threaten the Iron Blood students. Tell them that if you don’t work hard today, you might not succeed even if you try tomorrow. Give hope to the Luse Academy students. Tell them that even if they aren’t capable now, as long as they try hard, they can pull others down. The competition intensified. Undeniably, it had intensified. Even Lu Lin thought that if he had been a regular student fortunate enough to enter Iron Blood College, he would undoubtedly have been driven mad by the college’s methods. "At the same time, to motivate Luse Academy students, the school has placed the University Games sprint class here. Firstly, this allows Luse students to see role models. "If someone better than you is also working harder, what reason do you have to slack off? "Secondly, it’s a reminder to those geniuses that, frankly, none of the Federation’s current nine Titled King powerhouses were born with supreme Talent. If they abandon hard work, they will inevitably end up as unremarkable individuals. "However, the academic curriculum in both colleges is identical. Even at Luse Alliance College, you can study the same courses as at Iron Blood College. "So, are you reassured now?" Wu Hongming finished. Lu Lin shook his head. He wanted to enter Iron Blood College. He had expended great effort to challenge his way in. He had achieved a streak of fifty victories. He had become a top-level student at Iron Blood College. So why did he still have to attend classes at Luse Academy? "Alright, since Lu Lin has no further questions, we’ll take our leave." Wang Jianfang ignored Lu Lin’s gesture, his figure slowly fading away. Wu Hongming opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately just opened the room door and quickly departed. He felt like he had been tricked. But there was no evidence. Lu Lin took the Demon God Record booklet and placed it in the safe in his bedroom. At this time, his phone rang. Of course, his mom and dad were the first to call. They congratulated Lu Lin on his successful challenge, and then his mom declared that Lu Lin had dared to deceive her and that she would give him a good talking-to later. Lu Lin smiled awkwardly, apologized to his mom and dad, and promised to bring back some special products from an alien planet for them later. After hanging up, he received a call from Hu Nan, the Governor of Saturn North Hill Continent. This was followed by calls from Bai Jingwei, Cen Xian, and Zhuge Li. Lu Lin was secretly delighted by the call from Zhuge Li, a senior figure who spent most of her time in the research lab. Then came calls from Zhao Lei and his two young followers, Xiao Yan and Xiao Li. Xiao Yan, taking advantage of Lu Lin’s absence, teased him relentlessly, causing Lu Lin to grit his teeth. He thought he would definitely get a room card one day and see if she still dared to be so arrogant. Even Teacher Li, his Class Advisor from Blue Star, called to congratulate him. Teacher Li’s call came with a request: the principal wanted to erect a statue of Lu Lin at Golden Sword High School. She also indirectly inquired when his parents might visit Blue Star, adding that the school would arrange for their pickup. Lu Lin explained that his parents were accustomed to Saturn and reluctant to change workplaces. In response, the principal of Golden Sword High School directly told Lu Lin that he could hold the honorary positions of Vice Principal and Chief Financial Officer remotely, without needing to be physically present. It took Lu Lin a moment to understand the principal’s meaning: he would receive a salary without having to work or even be present. Just as Lu Lin was about to refuse, the principal revealed his true intention: he hoped Lu Lin could return to Golden Sword High School annually before graduation to give a speech, inspiring the soon-to-be-Awakening underclassmen. Accommodation, food, and transportation would all be covered; Lu Lin wouldn’t have to spend a cent. Although Lu Lin was no longer short of money, seeing the principal’s sincere expression, he eventually agreed. This principal was rarely seen at school. However, he was genuinely devoted to the school’s students. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have invited renowned Star Guides for years in a row to provide Guiding Star Skills for the graduating seniors. Considering Tata City and Linbei City on Saturn, Lu Lin knew the principal had invested a great deal of effort into Golden Sword High School. After finishing the calls from Blue Star, Lu Lin received congratulations from Wang Juan, Da Xiang, Han Ya, Xiao Ru, and others. After chatting for some time, Lu Lin suddenly realized it was nearly lunchtime, but Zhou Ziqiang, Bai Buyi, Chen Xiran, and Fang Gang still hadn’t returned. If they didn’t return soon, he would starve. Just then, another call came in. It was Guan Kuang, Sir Guan. "Hey, Lu Lin, didn’t we agree you’d visit the Jinchao Pioneering Team this afternoon? I happened to bump into your friends at Iron Blood University just now, so I invited them over. "It’s noon now, so how about we grab a bite to eat, and then you can help with Guiding Star Skills?" So that was it. Guan Kuang seemed afraid Lu Lin might slip away, so he had even invited Zhou Ziqiang and the others. Guan Kuang had met Zhou Ziqiang at Mingli Academy last time. Lu Lin hadn’t expected Sir Guan to have such a good memory. In that case, what else was there to say? "Alright, I’ll be right there." Lu Lin hung up the phone and went downstairs to drive. Just then, he received a text message. "I watched your match this morning. It was excellent." – Guan Yue Lu Lin was momentarily stunned.