Translator: CinderTL
On the dais, several middle-aged men and women sat stiffly, all dressed in identical black executive jackets and white shirts.
At the center sat a man with a square face and an imposing demeanor. To his left, Principal Wang, slightly plump, was engaged in a hushed conversation with the square-faced man. To his right sat an elegant middle-aged man, around fifty years old.
"The top official of Ancheng," Jiang Ye murmured, recognizing the elegant man from local news reports.
But it wasn't this man who truly surprised him.
It was the square-faced man at the center.
If even Ancheng's top official was relegated to the right, what position did the central figure hold?
No wonder this meeting had been called so abruptly.
For Ancheng Third High School, even the city's top official was an unimaginably powerful figure. Yet now, there was someone even higher?
Under such an imposing atmosphere, the vast auditorium, filled with thousands of teachers and students, fell into complete silence.
"Welcome to our distinguished city leaders. This is Director Peng Jun of the Education Bureau, and this is..."
On the dais, a teacher in formal attire delivered a brief opening speech, introducing each official by name.
"Finally, we extend a warm welcome to Director Deng Huaishan of the West Mountain Province Education Department!"
As the words rang out, the square-faced man at the center of the dais rose from his seat.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Thunderous applause erupted from the audience.
"The director of the provincial Education Department?"
The students were visibly astonished.
Jiang Ye felt a jolt of surprise as well.
This was truly a figure of immense importance!
On the stage, the teacher wasted no time. After the introduction, he handed the microphone to Director Deng Huaishan.
Deng Huaishan took the microphone, his face beaming as he addressed the students below. "Children, I apologize for keeping you past school hours."
"My visit here is brief; I'm merely passing through Ancheng."
"I heard that a Second-Tier Reserve Star Professional Position student has emerged here—quite remarkable! West Mountain Province produces fewer than twenty such individuals in an entire year!"
"Who is this young prodigy? Would you please come up here so I can see you?" Deng Huaishan's voice was warm and encouraging.
His words sent shockwaves through the entire hall.
"Fewer than twenty in the whole province each year?"
"This Second-Tier Reserve Star Professional Position must be incredibly prestigious!"
Most students had heard the news, but they hadn't fully grasped its significance. Now, hearing Director Deng's explanation, they were utterly astonished.
"Everyone, step back," Wang Zi'ang instructed, clearing a path for Jiang Ye.
Jiang Ye shook his head helplessly and slowly rose to his feet, walking toward the stage.
Swish! Countless gazes converged on him.
By the time Jiang Ye reached the stage, thousands of eyes were fixed on him.
"That's Jiang Ye."
"He's so handsome."
"A Second-Tier Reserve Star Professional Position—fewer than twenty in the whole province each year? That's incredible!" The crowd below was awestruck.
On the stage, Jiang Ye greeted Deng Huaishan. "Director Deng, it's an honor to meet you. My name is Jiang Ye."
Jiang Ye bowed slightly to the square-faced man.
In both his past and present lives, he had never stood before such a powerful figure.
Especially in this high-martial world, Deng Huaishan's mere presence exuded an aura as vast as the sea, exerting immense pressure. An ordinary person would likely struggle to even stand straight.
Yet Jiang Ye remained composed.
Deng Huaishan observed the handsome young man before him, his demeanor as steady as a mountain, and nodded slightly.
"Impressive. You certainly have the air of a prodigy."
A warm smile spread across Deng Huaishan's face as he said, "Jiang Ye, I'll remember your name. I hope to hear of your success again during the College Entrance Examination in a few months."
"Yes," Jiang Ye replied, neither humble nor arrogant. "I will certainly not disappoint Director Deng's expectations!"
The next part of the proceedings was the awards ceremony.
As Ancheng's only Second-Tier Reserve Star Practitioner in recent years, Jiang Ye received high praise from the city's top official and his school, along with a commemorative banner and a 500-yuan reward.
Fifteen minutes later, the meeting adjourned, and the crowd began to disperse.
However, Zhang Jianwu asked Jiang Ye to stay behind for a private discussion.
In a separate conference room, Jiang Ye turned to Zhang Jianwu. "Director, is there something else?"
Zhang Jianwu chuckled. "Don't rush off. You haven't claimed your reward yet."
"Reward?" Jiang Ye blinked in surprise.
"You really thought all you'd get was a banner and five hundred federal currency?" Zhang Jianwu scolded playfully. "That's just the official part."
Jiang Ye grinned sheepishly.
After all, these were high-ranking officials.
A reward of a banner and five hundred federal currency seemed reasonable enough. He had no grounds for complaint.
But now it seemed there was more to it than that?
As they spoke, footsteps approached.
Several figures entered the room.
Leading the group was City Lord Song, the refined middle-aged leader of Ancheng.
"City Lord Song, Principal Wang," Jiang Ye greeted them, rising to his feet.
"Heh heh." City Lord Song smiled warmly. "Jiang Ye, no need to be so formal. You've brought great honor to Ancheng, so a proper reward is only fitting."
"After discussing it with Principal Wang and the others, we've decided to award you two hundred thousand federal currency."
"This sum will be drawn from our personal accounts. We hope you won't find it insufficient," City Lord Song added with a genial smile.
"Not at all!" Jiang Ye replied quickly. "Thank you, City Lord Song, Principal Wang."
Two hundred thousand!
Just six months ago, he wouldn't have dared to dream of possessing such a sum.
Moreover, these rewards were being paid out from their personal accounts.
"Jiang Ye," City Lord Song said, patting him on the shoulder, his expression suddenly turning serious. "The Second-Tier Reserve Star Professional Position is just the beginning."
"The road ahead will be even steeper. These rewards are merely our personal support."
"Work hard."
"I hope that one day, your name will make Ancheng resound throughout the entire West Mountain Province," City Lord Song said, his eyes filled with anticipation.
Jiang Ye's heart skipped a beat.
He nodded earnestly. "I will definitely make Ancheng resound throughout the entire Blue Star Federation."
City Lord Song paused, taken aback.
"Hahaha!" he boomed, clapping Jiang Ye forcefully on the shoulder. "Good! I'll be waiting to see you make good on that promise!"
With that, City Lord Song led his entourage out the door.
Principal Wang, slightly overweight, gave Jiang Ye one last deep look before turning to leave as well.
In the office, only Jiang Ye and Zhang Jianwu remained.
Jiang Ye turned to Zhang Jianwu, puzzled. "Director, why are the principal and city lord offering personal support? Doesn't the official government provide rewards?"
"Didn't the Unified Examination Bureau already give you a reward?" Zhang Jianwu shook his head. "How could the Federation possibly give you a second one?"
Jiang Ye suddenly understood.
At the same time, City Lord Song and his entourage stepped outside.
Beside City Lord Song, a middle-aged man with a beer belly chuckled softly, "That kid's got quite the nerve, claiming his name will resonate throughout the entire Blue Star Federation? Even those with Dao Bone Aptitude wouldn't dare make such a boast."
"Hahaha!"
The others joined in the laughter.
The Blue Star Federation was teeming with geniuses, especially the Southern and Eastern Ten Provinces, where talents shone like stars in the night sky.
Given such a vast pool of talent, even those with Dao Bone Aptitude rarely achieved widespread fame.
Let alone a mere high school student from a small city like Ancheng, who had only just begun to show his potential.
"What's so funny?"
City Lord Song shook his head. "A young man should have lofty ambitions, like a swan soaring across the plains on horseback."
"That's how youth should be!"
City Lord Song snorted coldly. "If any of you had achieved such accomplishments in your youth, you'd likely be even more arrogant and boastful than him!"
The others lowered their heads in shame.
(End of the Chapter)
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Translator's Corner
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