All Things Are Contracts

“Derivation studies? What’s that?” Zhanyue asked curiously.

The white-haired old man in tattered clothes, seeing that Zhanyue was willing to listen to him, instantly became energetic.

“The study of great derivation encompasses the changes of all things in heaven and earth, distinguishes the stark differences between ancient and modern, new and old, observes the foundation of the universe’s yin and yang, and recognizes the true appearance of the minutest details. It’s a great learning that includes and contains everything,” the old man said, his face full of enthusiasm.

“Speak plainly,” Zhanyue frowned. These profound-sounding things might seem impressive, but they contained no useful information.

The old man was momentarily at a loss for words, then timidly said, “I study the principles of all things, like why things fall when thrown up, or why water turns into steam when boiled.”

“You study physics?” Zhanyue was a bit surprised, but not too astonished. After all, there were many people in this world, and not everyone was foolish. Naturally, some sharp-minded, curious individuals would emerge. It would be strange if no one studied these things. However, in a world dominated by Contractors where principles relied on force to break through, how much use would physics have?

“Don’t underestimate me. Do you know why Nightmares fear sunlight?” the old man said mysteriously.

“Why?” Zhanyue became interested.

“That’s what I’m researching now,” the old man smiled.

“Have you discovered anything?” Zhanyue asked again.

The old man’s face reddened, “No, not yet. I’m halfway through the research, but ran out of funds. But give me half a year, no, three months. In at most three months, I should have hope of getting an answer.”

Zhanyue sighed. This old man was really good at making excuses to scam money. If he really had the ability to research this question, wouldn’t people in this world revere him?

“Brother, I see you’re kind-hearted, so let me give you a warning. Don’t be fooled by this old man’s sweet talk. Last month he was saying he was researching how to miniaturize Illumination Towers, but he didn’t discover anything. Now he says he’s researching Nightmares,” a well-intentioned person stepped forward to warn Zhanyue.

The old man wanted to defend himself but couldn’t, as he indeed hadn’t figured out anything.

“Never mind, I see you’re not doing well. Take this money as my support for you,” Zhanyue threw a bag of purple crystals to the old man. Although it wasn’t much, it was enough for the old man to maintain a basic living. Fortunately, the Academy Capital had excellent security and many wealthy people, so no one would covet the old man’s small amount of money.

“Ah,” the people around shook their heads and dispersed. They wouldn’t say much; if someone had money and was willing to give charity, it was their business.

The old man took the money, expressing profuse thanks. “I will do my research well.”

Zhanyue smiled noncommittally, not saying much. This was just a small interlude in ordinary life.

“Sister, has this old man hidden his cultivation?” Zhanyue asked.

“No, he’s just an ordinary person. But… I seem to sense the smell of a curse on him,” the Illumination Goddess said with some confusion. Who would place a curse on an ordinary person?

“A curse?” Zhanyue was startled to hear this. Curses weren’t easy to place. For example, the curse on the Illumination Goddess was placed by that mysterious person burning their own divine soul, definitely a case of killing 800 enemies but losing 1000 of your own. For such an ordinary person, wouldn’t it be better to just kill him directly? Why place a curse?

Not thinking about this issue anymore, Zhanyue continued walking towards the academy gates.

“Young master, please show your credentials,” the guard said. To enter the academy, one needed to be either a student of the academy or have a temporary exam candidate certificate. Zhanyue had neither.

“Will this do?” Zhanyue took out the token Mi Hongchen had given him.

Seeing that token, the guard’s expression changed, and he immediately said respectfully, “Young master, please wait here for a moment.” The guard took out a fist-sized small bird and tied a freshly written note to its leg. The bird flew away at an incredibly terrifying speed. This was the most common communication method in the academy – spirit bird messaging.

Soon after, a middle-aged woman in blue clothes hurried over. Looking at Zhanyue, she asked the guard beside her, “Is he the one you mentioned?” The middle-aged woman looked Zhanyue up and down, not finding anything special about him except for his handsome appearance.

“That’s right, it’s him. That token has been verified. It is indeed the princess’s letter of recommendation. According to the rules, the princess has the right to directly recommend students for admission without examination,” the guard said.

The woman nodded and said to Zhanyue, “Come with me, let’s talk inside.”

“Alright,” Zhanyue followed the woman inside. This woman’s strength was at the third stage of Sun Profound Realm, definitely not a low status.

“Is that Director Wu, responsible for new student admissions? She’s personally coming to welcome that guy for admission? What’s that guy’s identity?” People watched as the woman led the man away, discussing among themselves. They had to go through a lot of procedures to enter the academy, unlike Zhanyue who was personally invited in by Director Wu.

“What’s your name?” the middle-aged woman asked. Although she wasn’t beautiful, her appearance was very kind.

“In response to the elder, my name is Zhanyue,” Zhanyue answered.

“Don’t call me elder in the academy. You can call me Teacher Wu or Director Wu,” the woman said.

Zhanyue nodded. From Alchemy Capital to the Academy Capital, Zhanyue felt like he had moved from an Eastern fantasy world to a Western fantasy world. However, he was indeed still in the Ten Thousand Spirits Realm; it was just that customs varied in different countries and regions.

“Although you were recommended by the princess and can be admitted without examination, you still need to be assessed for class placement. After all, we can’t force growth, and forcibly placing you in a class full of geniuses might not be good for you. By the way, how old are you this year?” Director Wu asked again.

“Twenty-seven,” Zhanyue calculated and answered truthfully.

“Twenty-seven, Spirit Link Realm seventh stage, not bad talent,” Director Wu nodded. Although not as good as those geniuses who entered the Profound Realm at a young age, it was above average. However, she was still curious about what the princess saw in him.

“Director Wu, can you introduce me to the study and assessment in the academy?” Zhanyue asked.

Director Wu was very patient, after all, Zhanyue was introduced by the princess. “All courses in the academy are unrestricted and can be freely studied. However, different levels of assessments are provided for students of different levels. Students who haven’t entered the Profound Realm can choose to graduate after entering the Profound Realm. Of course, if you want to continue studying in the academy as a Profound Realm cultivator, you need to pass another assessment. It’s like an advancement exam. If you reach the Moon Profound Realm or even Sun Profound Realm in the academy, you can apply for external assignment to take up a position as a city lord. You should know that many current city lords graduated from the academy. Their strength is far greater than others at the same level, which is why the academy is so sought after. The resources provided by the academy are incomparable to the outside world.”

Zhanyue nodded and asked again, “Director, is there a situation where someone who hasn’t entered the Profound Realm takes the advancement exam and participates in Profound Realm level courses and training?”

Hearing this, Director Wu looked at Zhanyue with some surprise, a hint of interest in her eyes. “Of course it’s possible, but that assessment isn’t simple.”

“What’s the assessment like?” Zhanyue asked again.

Director Wu smiled, “The Profound Realm assessment is divided into two parts. First, reach the tenth floor of the Boundless Tower; second, accumulate 10,000 academy points.”

Zhanyue frowned. The Boundless Tower should be a place for practical combat testing, which wasn’t a problem for him. But what were academy points? 10,000 points didn’t seem easy to accumulate.

“Director, generally speaking, what’s the fastest way to get academy points?” Zhanyue asked again.

“You’re really in a hurry? Do you want to start Profound Realm level studies as soon as you enter the academy? You should know that even if you haven’t entered the Profound Realm, there are still many things worth learning in the academy,” Director Wu kindly reminded him. Being overly ambitious wasn’t a good thing.

“Thank you, Director. I just want to try,” Zhanyue didn’t plan to stay in the academy for long. With his strength and combat power, he could fully accept Profound Realm level training and assessment, being treated as a Profound Realm cultivator.

“Sigh, alright. To obtain academy points, there are generally two ways. One is to complete courses and pass course assessments to get corresponding points. This path is the most stable but also the slowest. The second way is to complete tasks issued by the academy and obtain corresponding task points. If you’re asking about the fastest way, submitting task items for tasks is the quickest way to get points,” Director Wu said.

Zhanyue’s eyes lit up, “Director, are there tasks that require pills?”

“Of course, those tasks are the most common. After all, for the academy, pills are always in short supply. Can you refine pills?” Director Wu asked with some surprise.

“Indeed,” Zhanyue nodded happily.

Director Wu couldn’t help but look at Zhanyue with new respect, while reminding him, “I’ll say it again, being overly ambitious isn’t a good thing. Even if you reach the corresponding points, you still need to pass the Boundless Tower assessment. If you fail the assessment, 10,000 points will be deducted. You’ll need to accumulate points again.”

“There’s such a rule?” Zhanyue asked in surprise.

“Of course. Firstly, it’s to prevent too many students from overestimating themselves and constantly applying for advanced assessments. Secondly, opening the Boundless Tower also consumes a lot of resources, so naturally, some price needs to be paid,” Director Wu explained.

“I see. Thank you, Director Wu. Please take me to the place where I can exchange for academy points,” Zhanyue requested.

Director Wu frowned. This little guy was in such a hurry, not taking the academy assessment seriously at all. Well, she had said what she needed to say. Even if he failed the assessment and was discouraged, it wouldn’t be her responsibility.

“Let’s go, I’ll take you there,” Director Wu said irritably. She had never seen a student who hadn’t entered the Profound Realm prepare for the Profound Realm assessment on their first day at the academy, without even applying for a dormitory. But this person was recommended by the princess, so she couldn’t reprimand him. “Let’s see what level this boy is at. The Boundless Tower test isn’t that simple.”

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