Chapter Fifty-Five: Twin Grand Seals

The mentors began to flip through other records—lightness skill, hidden weapons, defense, martial techniques—all had seen significant improvements to varying degrees. As they turned the pages further back, the admissions mentors from each advanced academy gained a deeper understanding of Luo Chen. He was a special recruit, entering Weston Academy at the bottom of his class, yet over the years, he had steadily improved, gradually rising to the middle ranks. None of this was particularly compelling until, unexpectedly, beginning with the mid-month strength test last month, his numbers shot up by over two hundred pounds. At the end of the month, the results soared by another two hundred pounds, and this time, increased by more than forty pounds.

No matter how unremarkable Luo Chen had been for the previous three years, his explosive surge at the last moment was enough to draw the admissions mentors’ attention. In their many years of recruitment, they had never encountered such a case; they didn’t understand the cause, but one thing was certain: this student was likely a big catch.

The admissions mentors immediately wrote Luo Chen’s name onto the recommendation list, adding a star beside it—a mark reserved for priority candidates. Director Peter from Blue Emperor Academy hesitated for a moment but ultimately erased the cross by Luo Chen’s name. Overturning prior decisions for a fourth-level psionic student and ignoring his major disciplinary record was exceedingly rare for Blue Emperor’s admissions mentors, but Peter had to make an exception—this student was too extraordinary.

Luo Chen proceeded to other tests, each showing noticeable improvement, until finally he arrived at the martial skills testing ground.

The martial skills test involved a duel with the testing mentor. Surrounding evaluators would score the student based on the rank, speed, power, and proficiency of their techniques.

“Three, two, one, begin!”

As soon as the testing mentor’s words fell, Luo Chen’s energy exploded beneath his feet—he launched himself toward the mentor like a cannonball. His wrist twisted, and his right palm was enveloped in a faint white glow, its force suddenly doubled.

Second-level martial skill—Great Palm Seal!

Both evaluators and the testing mentor were startled. Last month, Luo Chen hadn’t even mastered the basic martial skill, Qi Edge. To be able to use the first-level martial skill, Vajra Fist, with any competence would have been impressive. Yet here he was, unleashing the Great Palm Seal, seamlessly combining it with lightness skill—his speed and proficiency were nothing like a brash novice.

The testing mentor’s expectations were shattered. He had assumed Luo Chen would only be able to use Vajra Fist, so he responded in kind.

Carelessness always incurs a price. The Great Palm Seal struck heavily, shattering the force of the Vajra Fist. The testing mentor even stepped back—a rare occurrence in his long testing career, though he hadn’t used his full strength.

Solid, deep—the student’s psionic energy was even more formidable than the data suggested. From the very first strike, Luo Chen deserved a high score. Yet Luo Chen seemed unsatisfied with this level of surprise. As the mentor retreated, Luo Chen stepped forward, sinking his knee, lowering his stance, his body forming a bow. His left palm flipped, its force doubling again. Both palms struck from different angles toward the unbalanced mentor.

Double Palm Seal!

The evaluators and testing mentor were shocked. At Luo Chen’s level, to simultaneously execute the Double Palm Seal required incredibly swift and effortless circulation of psionic energy, and his placement was so precise that the mentor found it difficult to evade.

The mentor flipped his own palms, executing the Double Palm Seal as well. His mastery of the second-level skill was already consummate; even against someone of Luo Chen’s caliber, he had no trouble.

Bang!

Four palms collided solidly—neither advancing nor retreating.

The mentor’s expression grew grim. Using both hands, he still couldn’t force Luo Chen back; it was a clear defeat. In truth, the mentor’s technique was superior, for Luo Chen had already planted his feet after stepping in, while the mentor, having retreated and lost balance, was at a disadvantage. A draw was already commendable, but it also demonstrated Luo Chen’s precise grasp of timing.

Such awareness and agile footwork hardly matched a novice who had only been studying martial skills for a month. Of course, the mentors didn’t know this was the fruit of Luo Chen’s countless virtual battles, combined with Joanna’s effective “coaching.” Their surprise was well warranted.

The testing mentor launched a counterattack, Great Palm Seal after Great Palm Seal. Luo Chen could no longer keep up, and after resisting more than ten moves, he was finally struck.

The evaluators awarded high marks, and the admissions mentors stared at their records, mouths agape. In the martial skill files, Luo Chen had only begun learning martial skills last month. Now he not only mastered the second-level Great Palm Seal, but his practical application was solid enough to give the testing mentor a tough time!

Except for Blue Emperor Academy’s admissions mentor, all the others marked Luo Chen’s name with a star.

Watching from the sidelines, the “Mr. Harmony,” Mentor Andrew, was deeply satisfied. Luo Chen’s rate of improvement far exceeded his expectations. Unfortunately, there had only been a month to teach him; otherwise, Andrew’s martial skills class would surely have produced another star pupil.

Descending from the trial field, Luo Chen felt great. Every test had gone well, and in the final martial skill trial, he had even managed to trip up the mentor. All those nightly virtual battles had truly paid off.

Aside from Luo Chen’s surprising performance, the entire test proceeded smoothly. Once the last third-year student finished, Dean Agnes returned to the stage.

“Students, the graduation exam is in ten days. Please make thorough preparations. Dismissed!”

Most students did not leave immediately. By custom, after this final monthly test, the admissions mentors from the advanced academies would begin their recommendation process. Those of mid-to-high ability all hoped to be chosen, to become one of the lucky few. Otherwise, it was at least interesting to see who would be selected.

Luo Chen, however, had little interest in who would be recommended. He would rather spend his time cultivating—only ten days remained, and every moment was precious.

Just as Luo Chen was about to step out of the group, Jason called to him, “Luo Chen, please stay for a moment. Director Henry would like to speak with you.”

Henry was the academic director with the two prominent mustaches who had once scolded Luo Chen over the disciplinary incident. Hearing this, Luo Chen felt uneasy—was the academy planning to revisit his punishment just before graduation?

At that moment, Henry approached. Unlike the stern demeanor of their previous encounter, he was all smiles. “Luo Chen, may I borrow you for a moment?”

Luo Chen was taken aback by the sudden kindness. He wondered what Henry was up to. Then he noticed a mature woman, attractive and wearing black-rimmed glasses, standing beside Henry—clearly not a mentor from Weston Academy.

Henry pointed to the woman and introduced her, “Luo Chen, allow me to introduce Mentor Julie from the Dallas Academy admissions team.”

“Hello, Luo Chen,” Julie greeted him with a charming smile. “Our admissions team has just deliberated and would like to recommend you directly for admission to Dallas Academy. May I ask your intentions?”

Recommended for admission?

The remaining students were all stunned. Each advanced martial academy had only five recommendation slots—something even top students coveted. Just over a month ago, Luo Chen was only a third-level psionic warrior with a major disciplinary record, and now he was being offered a place at Dallas Academy. How could they not be envious?

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