Chen Meng stared at the email.

He zoomed in on the digital seal, which was shaped like a burning torch.

Every anti-counterfeit, micro-engraved detail perfectly matched the official seal of the Firewood Martial Hall.

This thing was absolutely impossible to fake.

And besides, no one would dare to.

Xinhuo was one of the top Martial Halls in the world. Anyone who dared to impersonate them truly had a death wish.

"Did you beat someone incredible online?"

Lin Ye nodded.

"I joined the Martial Arts New Star Sequence and fought two placement matches."

Chen Meng’s eyes instantly lit up.

"The Martial Arts New Star Sequence?!"

"That explains it!"

Chen Meng was even more excited than Lin Ye himself.

He paced back and forth in the training room, muttering to himself.

The New Star Sequence was a brutal arena where all the martial arts geniuses of the Great Xia Alliance gathered!

To make a name for himself there and be noticed by the Firewood Martial Hall was more than enough to prove Lin Ye’s potential!

But then, Chen Meng forced himself to calm down.

He sat down again, the elation on his face fading into deep, thoughtful gravity.

"Lin Ye, this is just a preliminary invitation. They sound very sincere, but it’s hard to say what kind of contract they’ll actually offer you."

"Even at a top-tier Martial Hall like Xinhuo, contracts are divided into different tiers. From the highest S-rank to the lowest D-rank, the benefits are worlds apart."

"If they only offer you a D-rank contract, it wouldn’t really be that rare of an opportunity for you."

Chen Meng felt a little ashamed as he said this.

After all, even the worst D-rank contract from the Firewood Martial Hall was something countless ordinary Martial Artists could strive for their entire lives and never obtain.

He was one of them.

But Chen Meng knew that Lin Ye’s future was destined for much more.

He sincerely hoped Lin Ye would climb higher and higher.

Chen Meng thought for a moment, then sighed, a look of helplessness and self-deprecation on his face.

"The one I joined back in the day was just a second-rate Martial Hall, nothing that could compare to places like Xinhuo or Kunlun."

"When it comes to choosing a Martial Hall and negotiating a contract, your teacher can’t give you much useful advice."

Chen Meng looked at Lin Ye, his tone becoming incredibly serious.

"But remember this, Lin Ye."

"Joining a Martial Hall is like looking for a job later in life. The choice is in your hands. There’s no need to feel inferior just because they’re Xinhuo."

"Don’t rush into anything. After the mock exam tomorrow, I’ll ask the principal to help you look things over."

"Also, you have to tell your father about this."

"Even though he’s from the Mecha Martial Sequence, he should have some connections by now that could offer you some advice."

Lin Ye listened intently and nodded.

After saying goodbye to Chen Meng, Lin Ye temporarily pushed the invitation from the Firewood Martial Hall to the back of his mind.

He returned home, had dinner, and went to his room.

Suddenly, Lin Ye felt the pace of his life slow down, and a sense of emptiness crept in.

Usually, by this time, he would have already been on a wild killing spree in the Ruined City.

Now, the Ruined City had been completely cordoned off and placed under martial law by the authorities.

A few days ago, Lin Ye had also taken the time to cooperate with the official investigation, handing over the USB drive he had gotten from the Doctor.

He even received a secret commendation from the Dongjiang City Security Department and a hefty cash reward.

Lin Ye turned on his computer and logged into the game for the first time in a while.

He invited Li Jun, and the two of them played in duo queue until midnight.

"Ah Ye, I’m in Examination Hall 3 tomorrow. Where are you?"

"Hall 1."

"Whoa!"

Li Jun exclaimed in shock.

"I heard all the top elites from every school in the city were assigned to Examination Hall 1!"

"Tomorrow, leaders from the city’s Education Bureau and other bigwigs will be there to observe!"

"Just thinking about it makes me nervous as hell. Thank goodness I’m only in Hall 3."

"Good luck, Ah Ye!!"

After wishing each other luck, Lin Ye turned off his computer.

He lay down on his bed.

Lin Ye didn’t need to sleep.

’But tonight... I think I’ll get some sleep.’

...

「The next day.」

「5:30 in the morning.」

Lin Ye was gently woken by his mother.

On the dining table in the living room was a spread so lavish it hardly looked like breakfast.

Li Wan had prepared a pot of seafood congee and a large pot of beef noodles.

"Eat up. Do your best on the exam today, and don’t be too nervous."

Lin Wei was also all smiles. "Little bro, I took the day off work. Mom and I are going to your exam site to cheer you on!"

Lin Ye was a little exasperated. "You don’t have to go to all that trouble. It should be broadcast live on TV."

Lin Wei scoffed. "Who are you trying to fool? It’s not the real national martial arts college entrance exam. You think they’re going to livestream a mock exam for our little Dongjiang City?"

Lin Ye thought for a moment and said, "Even if it’s not fully livestreamed, you should still be able to see me on TV."

"Keep dreaming!"

Around six, Lin Ye finished his breakfast and double-checked the location and time on his examination admission ticket.

Everything was in order.

He called a taxi and headed straight for Examination Site 1.

Along the way, Lin Ye noticed that many of the city’s main roads had been temporarily restricted by the authorities.

Countless traffic police and motorcycle cops were on duty at every intersection, directing traffic.

Many vehicles without special permits were completely barred from entering the core roads leading to the exam sites.

Honking was strictly forbidden within a several-kilometer radius of the exam sites.

Meanwhile, large crowds of citizens had gathered outside the restricted-access lines, craning their necks and discussing the grand occasion of this year’s mock exam.

Although it was only a mock exam, the Dongjiang City Government clearly treated it as the most important event of the year.

All the arrangements were made to the exact standards of the real martial arts college entrance exam.

The taxi drove smoothly along the restricted road.