Chapter 98: Never in a Million Years Would I Have Expected It (Part One)

The scene was deathly silent.

Whether young or old, every Soul Snatcher capable of participating in this ostensibly low-key competition was limbering up. Here and there, one could catch the faint, shimmering white glow of true energy emanating from copper bells or paper talismans drifting through the air.

Qin Ye arched an eyebrow, interlaced his fingers, and straightened his arms, his knuckles popping with a crisp rhythm.

*You bunch of scrubs,* he thought, *today I’ll show you what it means to be an expert who single-handedly swept through nine major predator zones!*

Just as he was warming up, a voice suddenly cut through the air. "Mr. Qin."

Qin Ye turned to see Su Feng standing behind him, snapping his fingers.

"Something up?"

Su Feng didn't answer immediately. He walked to Qin Ye’s side, scanned the arena for a few seconds, and then lowered his voice. "Do you know why they are all so eager?"

Without waiting for an answer, he continued, "If it were just about rankings, they could have easily skipped this. Why… why is everyone here today?"

"Obviously, because rankings determine the allocation of resources." Qin Ye frowned at him. "You didn't come all this way just to tell me something so painfully obvious, did you?"

Su Feng smiled and shook his head, his voice dropping to a whisper. "That’s only one side of it. What I’m saying is… the First Cultivation University is full of these unwritten rules. It looks like a paradise, but in reality, it’s still a jar of venomous insects—just a bit more polite."

"For instance, the semi-annual contribution statistics for titles, the merit points earned from every mission, whether an instructor’s students are showing improvement, or an instructor's daily performance and teaching methods. The school won't tell you any of this, but if you think you can sit back and relax just because you’ve made it inside, you are sorely mistaken."

"The leaders have a scale in their hearts. We are only the first batch of instructors; we evaluate the students, and the leaders evaluate us. High-priority instructors might even receive 'preferential treatment within the rules.' And whether you’re competent or not will be decided by the final exams of the first semester. Trust me, many will be gone by then, and you’ll see plenty of new faces."

*Preferential treatment within the rules?*

Qin Ye squinted, sensing the subtext in Su Feng’s words. "Such as?"

"Such as… discounts on the exchange of merit points within the school," Su Feng said calmly.

A flicker of realization crossed Qin Ye’s eyes. He finally understood the First Cultivation University’s philosophy.

They would only provide the general framework, never the details. You had to dig for the details yourself, piece by piece. If you were content to just drift along, you would never grasp the true power an instructor should have.

"Did you suddenly find your conscience?" Qin Ye smiled at Su Feng. "Is this an apology for the late arrival of false information?"

Su Feng’s chest tightened instantly.

*Some things are better left unsaid. Why point it out? Aren't you just slapping my face in public? Do you even know how annoying you are?*

"I’m just warning you," Su Feng said coldly. "The Flame Squad and you are all assigned to the same department, and there are only five of us instructors there for now."

"Oh?"

Su Feng straightened his expression. "Mr. Qin, we know you are strong, but this time we will definitely go all out. You don’t need to worry about our pride."

With that, he walked away.

Qin Ye shrugged.

*You’re overthinking it, buddy. Why would I care about your pride? Someone as meticulous—no, someone as strictly professional as me—would never let personal feelings interfere with business.*

"Don't worry," he muttered, "if I can take you down in one move, I won't use two."

At nine o'clock sharp, two figures slowly stepped onto the stage: the President and Vice President, Xu Anguo and Li Tao.

Xu Anguo looked calm, sweeping his gaze across the crowd. The true energy of a *Wuchang*-level expert washed over the arena, instantly silencing everyone.

"Very good. Not a single one missing." Li Tao gave a cryptic smile. "It seems everyone is quite clever."

"There will be no ceremonies, no fireworks, and no cheers. Everyone, relax; this is just an internal school competition. No need to treat it as a heavy burden; it’s just a routine compliance with school regulations. Since everyone seems warmed up, I’ll add a few words about the rules."

"First, stop when a point is made." Li Tao stroked his long beard, beaming. "Second, regardless of the outcome, no private duels are allowed. The First Cultivation University forbids all private fighting. Do not harbor grudges over today's friendly spar and use your position for personal vendettas later. President Xu…" He looked at Xu Anguo, smiling. "Shall we begin?"

Xu Anguo nodded kindly. "Let us begin. I, too, am impatient. All the Soul Snatchers under 35 here are S-grade talents. I am very much looking forward to seeing the performance of this new generation of geniuses."

As the two stepped down, Xu Anguo seemed to remember something. "Oh, right."

"The recruitment invitation letters for the First Cultivation University have been finalized. The first intake will not be open to the public, but to all sects, lineages, and Ghost Craftsmen. Sects and orthodox lineages only need a letter of recommendation. From B-grade to S-grade, the university welcomes all. As for the seven Ghost Craftsman industries, they are too widely dispersed; aside from the major families, applicants must prove their aptitude—at least B+ grade. If any instructors have candidates in mind, feel free to recommend them."

Qin Ye stared deeply at the two old men, then lowered his gaze.

*Competition is everywhere in life.*

He had known this truth for a long time, but his life was so long that there had been nothing worth fighting for—until now.

The battle for the First Cultivation University had already begun.

Those two wily old foxes had deliberately omitted any opening ceremony or formal layout. Everything was designed to whisper: *This competition isn't important, it's just a formality, don't take it to heart.*

But… if not for those last two sentences, he might have actually believed them.

*Open to orthodox lineages… B to S grade… Does this mean the instructor with the lowest ranking will be assigned the S-grade students?* He let out a cold, low laugh, looking at the two old men chatting and laughing in their seats.

There were no such exceptions.

Even ordinary schools knew to give the best students to the top teachers. How much more so in this world of cultivation, where the weak are prey to the strong?

*Students have gaps, too… S-grade aptitude means twice the result with half the effort; their breathing and circulation are far faster than A, B, or C-grade students. And the final exam… that’s where the results count. There must be various evaluations throughout the term… poor source of students—poor instructor results—fewer resources—eventually, you're stuck with a dead-end salary. It’s a vicious cycle… this isn't telling us not to compete; it’s a hint to fight like hell to be the best in our departments…*

His thoughts raced. Why would the school do this?

It was simple. This competition wasn't just testing strength; it was testing the *acuity* of the instructors!

Acuity regarding matters and people.

Ghosts take on thousands of forms, and one encounters all sorts of bizarre incidents; this was a necessary condition for a practitioner. Being able to deduce this much from their casual hints, combined with powerful strength—only such a person would be worthy of taking on great responsibilities in the future.

*And why train people to "take on great responsibilities"?*

*It seems they aren't just training new recruits; they are fishing for talent among the instructors. This is likely the "Whampoa Military Academy" for the Special Investigation Department and the SRC.*

*And me? Do I fight?*

He smiled slightly.

*I must!*

The Special Investigation Department was his greatest treasury for building the Underworld! He wouldn't be staying here long; after eating the *Taisui*, he was immortal, and in five to eight years at most, he would have to find an excuse to leave. Before then, he had to secure enough benefits!

If he couldn't empty the treasury, he might as well take a corner of it—otherwise, he’d be doing himself a disservice.

*Even a hamster has its own dignity!*

"The first to compete are the five instructors from the Combat Department," Xu Anguo said with a smile. "The Combat Department is the most important of all. What the students hear in the classroom and learn from books must be put into practice. Whether the instructors can help them return safely and integrate everything they've learned is their responsibility. Therefore, we have specifically chosen five instructors with extensive combat experience."

"The first match: S9527, Instructor Qin Ye, versus S8541, Instructor Lin Han."

*The first match is me?*

Qin Ye let out a breath and stepped onto the stage. Opposite him, Lin Han stood with a grave expression.

Li Tao also smiled. "Instructor Lin belongs to the Flame Squad. As everyone knows, the Flame Squad is one of the most efficient and fastest-task-completing teams among the S-grade talents. I’m sure I don't need to introduce him."

*Him?*

Qin Ye curled his lip in secret. *He couldn't even finish off a Soul Snatcher in half an hour. Are the practitioners in the mortal realm this weak?*

"And Instructor Qin, who single-handedly swept nine major predator zones in one night. The speed and efficiency were unprecedented. Hence, the special S-grade rating…"

Before he could finish, a wave of low murmurs broke out, and a series of combative gazes locked onto Qin Ye.

"Then… begin!"

At the command, the arena fell silent. Lin Han’s true energy erupted like a tiger stalking its prey as he stared at Qin Ye.

*Swish-sh-sh…* With a soft sound, over a hundred copper coins flew out from his clothes, rotating rapidly and locking onto Qin Ye.

"I won't hold back," Lin Han gritted his teeth. "I know I’m not your match, but… I don’t want to come in last."

Qin Ye smiled and beckoned with his finger.

*It’s not that I look down on anyone.*

*Everyone here… is trash!*

As his hand moved, Lin Han vanished. Qin Ye’s eyes flickered as the man appeared at his side, his leg whipping through the air with a whistling sound, aimed straight at Qin Ye’s shoulder.

*For an opponent like this, I must not hold back.*

*BOOM!*

A muffled thud rang out. Qin Ye raised his left arm to block, and then came the sound of grinding stone as he was dragged back, his feet carving a deep trench into the ground.

Dead silence.

The entire arena was struck dumb. Lin Han looked stunned, and Xu Anguo and Li Tao stood up from their chairs with jaws dropped.

"No way…" Su Feng blinked. "Did I… just see a fake S9527?"

Qin Ye was completely frozen.

The stage was still the same stage. The people were still the same people.

But he… had actually been kicked over a dozen meters away by his opponent! The ground was scarred with a trench over ten meters long. And his left arm… it felt like it was on fire, a terrifying, stinging pain!

*What the hell… this isn't right…*

*Why are the geniuses of the mortal realm this ferocious?*

*Wait… did I pick up the wrong script? Even a ghost at the Soul Snatcher level couldn't kick me this far! They literally couldn't! You, a scrub who takes half an hour to deal with a low-level ghost, how could you pull off a kick like that? The force and speed are on a completely different level!*

Lin Han blinked, his face flushing red with indignation.

"Qin Ye!!" he roared, as if insulted. "I know you're strong… but there's no need to mock me by holding back so much!!"

"Is this… your way of humiliating me?"

Before he finished speaking, the countless copper coins coalesced into a golden whip, whistling through the air as it lashed toward Qin Ye’s waist.

Qin Ye felt a deep sense of frustration. *Wait… can you look at the damn scene!! I went all out, okay! Why is this happening?!*