Chapter 87: Chapter 87: Advancement Banquet

Flowers bloomed and fell, the sun rose and set.

The height of summer had finally arrived, but the scorching heat did nothing to dampen the fiery enthusiasm of the entire county.

Jian Dalong’s college acceptance banquet was held at the Lizun Grand Hotel, the most bustling and high-end hotel in Tianning County. Yu Fei brought Yu Wei with him to freeload a meal.

No student from the area had been accepted into the Seven Greats for nearly a decade. This year was an exception, with students from both First High and Second High earning spots.

The man of the hour, Jian Dalong, had also been accepted into one of the Seven Greats—Wanren Mountain University. He was truly on top of the world, a credit to his ancestors.

Tianning County’s educational standards weren’t high, and it hadn’t produced a student worthy of the Seven Greats in many years. So, when Jian Dalong was accepted by Wanren Mountain University, the news became a staple of every casual conversation.

Yes, in the eyes of most people, just getting into a Martial Arts University was an incredible achievement, let alone being accepted into the legendary Seven Greats. That was the kind of honor that would let you stand at the very front during ancestral rites.

For children from humble backgrounds, the Seven Greats represented both the easiest and the most difficult path to crossing class barriers.

They have cultivated countless Grandmasters and Martial Saints, the vast majority of whom came from humble backgrounds. These individuals naturally uphold the integrity of the educational system, which is why the public will always have faith in the Seven Greats.

The Yu Kingdom’s eight-hundred-year-long prosperity was due to its ever-renewing educational system, which, like flowing water, never goes foul. There were always those who rose from obscurity to grasp extraordinary power, just as there were centuries-old martial arts houses that faded away, left with no one to carry on their legacy.

In this world of the extraordinary, only power is indestructible. But power, unlike property, cannot be inherited. Coupled with the threat of foreign enemies, the Yu Kingdom has always maintained a healthy system of rejuvenation.

And today, Jian Dalong was about to ignite the enthusiasm of Tianning’s people.

"Brother, why is there a line just to give our gift? There are so many people here!"

"Don’t you get how prestigious the Seven Greats are? If you can graduate from one of them, you’re already ahead of ninety-nine percent of the population. That’s why you need to work hard!"

Yu Wei tossed her head to the side. "Hmph, I have no intention of working hard. My dream is to coast through life. *You’re* the one who needs to work hard, Brother. I heard that even the upperclassman who got into one of the Seven Greats is no match for you. So you’d better train hard and make sure I get to live a comfortable life."

Yu Fei sighed, reaching out to ruffle her hair. "If I get strong, I’ll hire a whole army of tutors for you and have Mom make sure you study."

"Ugh, you’re so annoying! My hair." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

...

With his hands in his pockets, Yu Fei was dressed in a simple white T-shirt and black athletic shorts. Yet wherever he stood in the crowd, no one dared to come within a meter of him.

His handsomeness alone created a sense of distance.

He was still getting used to the awkward feeling of attracting a swarm of gazes wherever he went. It was annoying.

The line moved quickly, and soon it was their turn.

Before the staff member logging the cash gifts could even ask, Yu Fei handed over two large banknotes.

"Yu Fei, two hundred."

The staffer glanced up. Few guests today had given less than 500. But that one glance was enough to be taken aback by the boy’s good looks. The staffer immediately dismissed his cynical thoughts. ’Such a bright, handsome young man must be one of Jian Dalong’s classmates,’ he thought. ’Students don’t have an income, so it’s good of him to come at all.’

"Right this way, please."

Another staff member then guided them to their seats.

The two siblings paid little mind to the banquet’s proceedings, focusing all their attention on tackling the feast before them.

Led by his parents, Jian Dalong made his rounds toasting the guests, but his eyes kept scanning the crowd for new arrivals.

"Longlong, what are you looking for?" Mr. Jiang asked curiously.

"A classmate. He’s a year below me. I sent him an invitation, but I haven’t seen him yet."

Mr. Jiang’s expression turned serious. "Longlong, listen to me. Things are different for you now. You may have been good friends with some classmates in high school, but with what you’ve achieved, some of them are bound to be jealous. Don’t worry about people like that not showing up. You won’t be moving in the same circles anymore. It’s their loss if they don’t come."

Jian Dalong gave a wry smile. "Dad, don’t say that. This classmate is far more talented and powerful than I am. Even though he’s a year below me, I’m no match for him right now. Someone like me, who barely scraped into one of the Seven Greats, is nothing in front of him. He’s a true prodigy."

Mr. Jiang froze, then said urgently, "Really? Tell me his name. I’ll go ask the staff. We need to maintain a good relationship with someone like that! You’re classmates, and the bonds of friendship from school are the most sincere. When he makes it big in the future, he’ll definitely be able to help you out."

As soon as Jian Dalong told him the name, his father rushed off.

Jian Dalong’s smile held a hint of bitterness. ’That was just his father’s personality. He didn’t like it, but the man had worked hard his entire life to support him. ’Oh, well,’ Jian Dalong thought, ’I just hope he doesn’t offend Yu Fei.’

"Brother, this is delicious. Here, try some."

Yu Wei picked up a piece of fish with her chopsticks and placed it in Yu Fei’s bowl. ’It must be an ocean fish,’ he thought. He’d never had it before, and the flavor was exquisite.

"Yu Fei, there you are! Thanks for coming today!"

Jian Dalong, a large red flower pinned to his chest, called out before he even reached their table. His father followed close behind.

"My, my, Young Yu Fei, you’re certainly a fine-looking young man! And this must be your sister? How adorable! We’re so glad you could make it."

Yu Fei stood up and replied politely, "You’re too kind, Sir. Thank you for having us today."

Jian Dalong poured himself a drink, holding the glass with both hands. "Yu Fei, I’m getting a head start, but I’m looking forward to the day you shock everyone."

Yu Fei didn’t usually drink, but he raised a glass as well. "Don’t be so formal. Congratulations. May your martial path be prosperous, and may you become a Grandmaster soon."

"Hahaha..."

On the way home, Yu Wei asked curiously, "Brother, are you going to have your acceptance banquet here, too?"

"Who said I was having an acceptance banquet?"

"But everyone says you’re a shoo-in for the Seven Greats."

Yu Fei fell silent for a moment. He thought of the cultist he had killed days earlier. "Weiwei," he said, "nothing in this world is a sure thing. I’m willing to take care of you forever, but the future is unpredictable. The path of martial arts is fraught with unexpected dangers. I hope that you can become the best version of yourself, so you don’t have any regrets."

Yu Wei frowned. "Ugh, you’re so annoying. All I was saying is that the food at the Lizun Hotel is really good. You should have your banquet there so I can eat my fill. Who asked you for a lecture?"

Yu Fei was struck speechless. ’Am I being a gloomy old man again?’ he suddenly wondered.

"Alright, we’ll have it there," he said. "In the future, I’ll open a huge hotel just for you. You can be the chairwoman. Whenever you feel like it, you can hire a whole team of master chefs to make you different delicacies every day. And if someone’s cooking isn’t up to snuff, you can fire them."

Yu Wei jumped up in excitement. "Okay! Then it’s a deal! I’m going to hire all the best chefs in the world, and the hotel will be called..."

She fell into deep thought.

"Don’t rush me! I have to come up with the absolute best name. When the time comes, I’ll provide the name, and you’ll provide the hotel. I’m going to open the best hotel in the entire Yu Kingdom!"

Yu Wei declared excitedly.

"Alright!" Yu Fei promised solemnly.