"Bai Jue, come with me for a moment."
Just as Teacher Ning finished dismissing the class, she called out to him.
Bai Jue felt a hint of confusion. After a brief hesitation, he stood up, left the classroom, and followed her to an empty stairwell.
"Teacher Ning, is there something you need?"
Bai Jue scratched his head and asked.
"It's nothing serious—just a reminder," Teacher Ning said with a faint smile.
"What I said earlier wasn't a joke. This year's college entrance exam truly carries real danger. Death is a possibility, so you'd best be careful. Don't end up dying during the exam."
Hearing this, Bai Jue was stunned once again.
"Then why did you specifically call me out to warn me alone, teacher?"
"Because you're different."
Teacher Ning's tone remained calm.
"Those ordinary seasonal ability users—I already warned them in class. Whether they listen or not is their own choice. If they die because they were careless, that's on them."
"But you are not the same."
"You possess talent and aptitude that can only be described as monstrous. Not just your seasonal power, but your cultivation speed, your comprehension—everything about you qualifies as genius-level."
"If someone like you dies, that would be a loss."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"Your talent alone is enough to earn you certain privileges. If your realm weren't already this high, and if I had anything left to teach you, I wouldn't mind personally tutoring you tonight—just to increase your odds of surviving the exam."
Bai Jue fell silent.
Seeing his reaction, Teacher Ning suddenly smiled.
"You don't need to think too deeply about it. I'm only reminding you because if you stay alive, you can bring far more value—to the school, and to the Federation."
Hearing this, Bai Jue finally nodded, understanding dawning on him.
So that's what it was.
An investment.
She could've just said so.
"I understand, teacher," Bai Jue said calmly, confidence evident in his eyes.
"But even if this exam really is dangerous, I believe I'll survive. And I don't think it'll put too much pressure on me."
Teacher Ning smiled faintly.
"Confidence is a good thing. Go on—I'll be leaving now."
"Yes."
As Bai Jue watched her walk away, his eyes flickered thoughtfully.
His instincts told him this teacher's background was anything but ordinary.
Her strength, too, was likely unfathomable—after all, he couldn't sense the slightest aura from her at all. If he didn't know better, he might've mistaken her for a normal person.
After standing there in thought for a while, Bai Jue shook his head and returned to the classroom.
Meanwhile.
Elsewhere.
After leaving the school, Teacher Ning soon arrived at an office.
Inside, more than a dozen people were already gathered—men and women alike, all middle-aged or older. Each of them radiated a formidable presence. Without exception, they were all seasonal ability users.
These people were professors from various seasonal universities.
Some even hailed from the Twelve Main Cities.
As soon as Teacher Ning entered, several voices rang out.
"Well? Did you see the kid?"
"I checked his records with the Tian Kui City Night Watchers earlier. Damn… his resources are terrifying."
"Indeed. Absolutely terrifying. One month—from awakening straight to Third Rank."
"And not only that, he's fully awakened and mastered all of Mid-Autumn's abilities. Whether it's talent or potential, he's absurd."
"If I remember correctly, the previous Mid-Autumn awakener only completed the full ability set after reaching Fifth Rank, didn't he?"
"That's right. I remember that too."
"Tsk… what a terrifying little monster. Makes you wonder what his second seasonal awakening will be."
Listening to them, Teacher Ning smiled faintly.
"I've seen him. He really is a remarkable kid. So—have you all made up your minds?"
"Hah! Most of us came here because of him, didn't we? Mid-Autumn alone is already top-tier. Even if his second seasonal power is weaker, he'll still be terrifying."
"Just don't fight our Sky City for him, alright? All your universities already have monsters. Sky City barely has any. Why not let him come to Sky City University?"
"Get lost. He's from Tian Kui City."
"Oh please. Tian Kui City doesn't have anything worth keeping a genius like him for. You can't expect him to give up better prospects just for hometown loyalty."
"Enough. It's still too early to argue."
"His performance during the college entrance exam will decide everything."
"That's right. This year's exam… is very different."
At the mention of the exam, several teachers' expressions turned solemn.
They clearly knew something the students didn't.
Bai Jue, however, knew none of this.
At that very moment, his phone rang.
It was Si Kong Xi.
After answering, Bai Jue asked in confusion,
"Captain, weren't you still in the White Elf rift? Why are you calling me?"
"I just came out," Si Kong Xi replied.
"And I'm calling because I have something important to tell you."
"What is it?"
"You're about to take the college entrance exam, right?"
"Yes. Tomorrow."
Si Kong Xi's voice grew noticeably serious.
"Then you'd better give it everything you've got. Aim for the best possible result."
"…Is there a reason?"
"Of course there is."
There was a trace of envy in her tone.
"You know the White Elf Queen in the rift is still alive, right?"
"Yes. Does this have something to do with the White Elves?"
"Exactly."
"The reason that White Elf branch was wiped out is because of a Dark Entity royal-class existence."
"That royal is currently inside the Sequence Three spatial gate."
"Its strength isn't overwhelming, but it's definitely not weak either—especially for students. Due to certain restrictions, we can't intervene. Only students can take action."
"If you manage to personally kill that Dark Entity royal during the exam…"
She paused briefly.
"You'll be granted a single opportunity."
"What opportunity?"
Si Kong Xi's voice was solemn—and unmistakably envious.
"An opportunity to receive Divine Empowerment from the White Elf race."
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