Translator: CinderTL
"Second-Tier Reserve Star Professional Position?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Zhao Jingxue's frosty, delicate face. "He only scored 839 points. How did he qualify for a Second-Tier Reserve Star Professional Position?"
"Back when I was in high school in Yuncheng, only those who scored above 870 had a chance at securing a Second-Tier Reserve Star Professional Position."
A Second-Tier Reserve Star Professional Position was a once-in-a-decade occurrence in Ancheng.
Yet in Yuncheng, the provincial capital, several such positions emerged annually.
This was partly due to the niche nature of the examination. If all the province's top geniuses participated, dozens, even hundreds, might qualify.
Regardless, the prestige of a Second-Tier Reserve Star Professional Position remained exceptionally high.
To qualify with just 839 points? Unbelievable.
"Sister, you're so out of touch!" Zhao Qingli scoffed haughtily. "My classmate didn't just qualify now—he secured the position with a score of 690!"
"What?" Zhao Jingxue's beautiful eyes widened in astonishment.
690 points for a Second-Tier Reserve Star Professional Position?
"How did he manage that?" Zhao Jingxue asked.
"I have no idea," Zhao Qingli huffed. "This is the Federal Unified Examination. There couldn't possibly be any insider deals, right?"
Zhao Jingxue nodded.
Insider dealing? That was highly unlikely.
The Federal Unified Examination had a rigorous oversight system. While it couldn't completely eliminate favoritism, it ensured relative fairness and impartiality for most candidates.
Every year, the Federation conducted a large-scale, thorough investigation. Even those who managed to secure positions through connections but lacked the merit would quickly be purged.
The Blue Star Federation's enduring dominance in cosmic martial arts was inextricably linked to this strict self-regulation.
"See? My classmate is amazing, right?" Zhao Qingli said, her expression brimming with smug pride as she hugged her impressive chest.
She only ever showed this side of herself to Zhao Jingxue.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Jingxue shook her head gently and said calmly, "Qingli, you've stayed in Ancheng for too long. Your perspective has become limited."
"A Second-Tier Reserve Star Professional Position? What does that even mean in the context of West Mountain Province, let alone the entire Federation?"
Zhao Qingli sighed in resignation, unable to argue.
Her cousin, Zhao Jingxue, as the eldest daughter of the Zhao Family, had grown up in the provincial capital. Her innate talent far surpassed Zhao Qingli's. Before the College Entrance Examination, Zhao Jingxue had already secured a Third-Tier Reserve Star Practitioner position.
"I can give him a spot on the Cosmic Divine Path," Zhao Jingxue said coldly, "but your classmate will have to pay for it."
Zhao Qingli frowned slightly. "Sister, you don't need the money."
"I don't."
"But you can't be unconditionally generous to a stranger," Zhao Jingxue said sharply. "He might not even appreciate your kindness."
"The day you stop being nice to him, he might turn against you, even betray your generosity." Zhao Jingxue lectured.
Zhao Qingli sighed.
She didn't argue. Zhao Jingxue had always been cold and domineering.
"Fine. How much do you want him to pay?" Zhao Qingli asked.
"A hundred thousand."
"A hundred thousand?" Zhao Qingli protested. "My classmate comes from an ordinary family. How could he afford that much?"
"There's no such thing as a free lunch. Everything is an equal exchange," Zhao Jingxue said calmly. "A spot on the Cosmic Divine Path is worth far more than that."
"The hundred thousand is merely a test of his character."
"If he refuses to pay even that and turns against you because of it, that will reveal his true nature."
"Do you understand what I mean?" Zhao Jingxue asked, looking at her sister.
Zhao Qingli pondered for a moment.
After a pause, she nodded.
"I understand. I'll go talk to him."
The call ended.
Zhao Qingli pondered for a moment before heading toward the classroom.
Senior Class One Classroom.
Jiang Ye was sitting cross-legged, practicing the Advancement Method.
Suddenly, two slender, pale legs appeared before him, accompanied by a faint, refreshing fragrance.
"Class Monitor," Jiang Ye said, opening his eyes and immediately standing up.
Zhao Qingli, with her aloof and dignified demeanor, sat in the adjacent chair, her luminous legs crossed.
"Sit next to me. I have something to tell you," she said.
"Okay," Jiang Ye replied, sitting down.
Zhao Qingli rested her cheek in her hand. "I've secured a spot for the Cosmic Divine Path," she announced.
Jiang Ye's eyes lit up. "Class Monitor, really?"
"Don't get too excited yet," Zhao Qingli said, turning to glance at him with a cool gaze. "If you want this spot, you'll have to pay me a hundred thousand yuan."
"A hundred thousand?" Jiang Ye blinked in surprise.
He quickly began calculating in his mind.
While he could afford that amount, it was undoubtedly an exorbitant sum.
If he succeeded in passing the Cosmic Divine Path's certification, it would be worth it.
But what if he failed? The hundred thousand yuan would be wasted.
Just a moment later, Jiang Ye raised his head and said, "Alright, I'll give it to you."
The Cosmic Divine Path was his only chance to change his fate.
No matter the cost, he had to try.
"I'll give you the hundred thousand tomorrow morning," Jiang Ye said.
A hint of amusement flickered in Zhao Qingli's eyes, but she waved her hand dismissively. "No need to rush."
"No need?" Jiang Ye was taken aback.
The girl stretched languidly and rose to her feet. "Give me the hundred thousand after you successfully authenticate with the Cosmic Divine Path. If you fail, forget about it."
She glanced back at Jiang Ye, tilting her head. "You won't blame me for asking for the money, will you?"
Jiang Ye froze, then chuckled and shook his head. "For such a precious opportunity, I should be thanking you for selling it to me, Class Monitor. How could I possibly blame you?"
Zhao Qingli's lips curled slightly as she turned away, her tone icy and arrogant. "Good. You know what's good for you. You'll receive the details tonight."
She strode quickly out of the room.
Jiang Ye watched the girl's retreating figure, a puzzled expression surfacing in his eyes. "Why does the class monitor seem so anxious?"
He shook his head, dismissing the thought.
Now that the quota issue was finally resolved, all that remained was to wait for the cosmic tempering session in a few days and achieve his first breakthrough.
Jiang Ye settled back into his spot and resumed his cultivation.
In the stairwell, Zhao Qingli swiftly pulled out her phone and redialed Zhao Jingxue's number.
Beep~
Soon, the stunning figure in a snow-white dress appeared on the screen.
"Sister, he agreed!" Zhao Qingli said with a smile. "Look."
She opened her smartwatch and played the recording from earlier, starting from when she returned to the classroom until Jiang Ye said, "I'll give you the hundred thousand yuan first thing tomorrow morning."
"What do you think?" Zhao Qingli asked, a hint of smugness on her pretty face.
Zhao Jingxue replied, "What about the rest of the recording?"
"What rest?" Zhao Qingli asked, puzzled. "That's all there is."
Zhao Jingxue glanced at her and said, "Show me the transfer record later."
Zhao Qingli was speechless. "Why make it so complicated? I can just transfer the money to you tomorrow."
"No need," Zhao Jingxue said coolly. "Keep the money yourself, but I want to see the transfer record."
"Alright," Zhao Qingli said, adding, "Make sure you transfer the spot tonight. I already promised him."
Zhao Jingxue glanced at her sister and said coolly, "Don't regret this later."
"Regret what?" Zhao Qingli asked, puzzled.
Zhao Jingxue shook her head slightly, offering no further explanation.
In her view, her cousin was likely blinded by a Second-Tier Reserve Star Professional Position, leading her to make such a foolish decision.
But in a place like Ancheng, this was understandable.
Once her cousin entered university, she would realize that the so-called "genius" from Ancheng was nothing special on a global scale.
That evening, the Cosmic Divine Path certification center in Qingyang City received an application.
"Jiang Ye, Ancheng Third High School, applying for a first breakthrough certification?"
The reviewer was a short-haired female office worker.
When she saw the application, she instinctively reached for the "reject" button, as she usually did.
"Hmm?"
"Old Chen recommended him?" The short-haired female office worker suddenly noticed a line on the document, her movements freezing mid-action.
Without hesitation, she swiftly moved the mouse and clicked the "Approve Application" button.
"Whew~" The office worker exhaled in relief, narrowly avoiding a major blunder.
She glanced back at the application form.
"That Old Chen is a major figure in the conglomerate, and he never sells his endorsement slots."
"How did this kid from Ancheng manage to get Old Chen's recommendation?" The short-haired office worker wondered, her curiosity piqued.
Meanwhile, Jiang Ye's communicator watch received a message from Cosmic Divine Path:
Dear Jiang Ye, you have successfully registered for the Cosmic Divine Path Strength Certification Trial.
Please report to the Qingyang City Trial Center in West Mountain Province within ten days to undergo your strength certification.
We wish you every success and hope you soar to new heights!
(End of the Chapter)
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