Translator: CinderTL
"You obtained a Cosmic Secret Art from the Cosmic Blessing?" A flicker of shock crossed Liu Beiqiang's eyes.
Jiang Ye nodded.
"What's it called?"
"Nine Luminaries Star-Treading," Jiang Ye replied truthfully.
"Nine Luminaries Star-Treading?" Liu Beiqiang's brow furrowed slightly.
"The Nine Luminaries Stellar Energy you mentioned likely refers to stellar energy originating from the Nine Luminaries Star System."
Liu Beiqiang stroked his chin thoughtfully. "But I've never heard of the Nine Luminaries Star System before."
"Never heard of it?" Jiang Ye was surprised.
If even Director Liu hadn't heard of it, this Nine Luminaries Stellar Energy must be extremely rare, perhaps even nonexistent, on Blue Star.
This Nine Luminaries Star-Treading must originate from some distant Cosmic Civilization, Jiang Ye mused inwardly.
At the very least, it certainly wasn't a product of Blue Star.
He didn't dwell further on this.
Jiang Ye continued, "Director Liu, what's the difference between Cosmic Secret Arts, art techniques, and cultivation techniques?"
He noticed the change in the director's expression.
This Cosmic Secret Art might be even more precious than he had imagined.
The distinction between it and art techniques and cultivation techniques couldn't be merely a matter of terminology.
Liu Beiqiang didn't hide anything, explaining, "The Cosmic Secret Art is the most compatible secret technique for cosmic martial artists."
"Secret technique?" Jiang Ye's expression shifted.
"Exactly."
"You see, most art techniques were created by human powerhouses," Liu Beiqiang continued. "But these techniques aren't perfectly suited for cosmic martial artists."
"What's the most powerful tool of a cosmic martial artist? Stellar energy."
"Yet neither physical bodies nor art techniques can truly unleash the full potential of stellar energy."
"Take the Eight Trigrams Thunderclap Fist you've been practicing. It can't fully release the power of stellar energy."
Seeing Jiang Ye's puzzled look, Liu Beiqiang clarified, "You haven't noticed this because you've only trained in one art technique."
"Once you master the Cosmic Secret Art, you'll realize just how terrifying the potential of stellar energy truly is."
"The Cosmic Secret Art is named so precisely because it's perfectly attuned to cosmic energy!"
"It can channel stellar energy without loss, even doubling its power," Liu Beiqiang marveled.
Jiang Ye couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation.
He truly hadn't expected the Cosmic Secret Art to possess such remarkable potential—far surpassing that of ordinary art techniques. He couldn't wait to try it out.
"Any other questions?" Liu Beiqiang asked patiently.
"No, that's all," Jiang Ye replied, shaking his head.
"Then you should head back," Liu Beiqiang said with a smile. "The College Entrance Examination is in two days. I wish you exceptional performance and a bright future!"
"Thank you, Director Liu," Jiang Ye said, wasting no time.
He was indeed pressed for time. The College Entrance Examination was just two days away, and he still had considerable room for improvement within those two days.
After bidding farewell to Liu Beiqiang, Jiang Ye hurried away.
Shortly after, a short-haired female office worker knocked and entered.
"Director," she asked curiously, "did they agree?"
"No," Liu Beiqiang replied, shaking his head.
"What about Jiang Ye?" the woman pressed, knowing this student was their primary target.
Liu Beiqiang shook his head again. "I offered an additional five hundred thousand, bringing the total to one million, but he still refused."
"One million? And he refused?" The woman was stunned.
Then she couldn't help but remark, "Isn't Jiang Ye being a bit ungrateful?"
"Hey!"
Director Liu glanced at her. "You can't say that. He's earned the right."
"Earned the right?" The female white-collar worker frowned.
A primitive talent from a remote mountain village.
And from an impoverished family.
Even with Cosmic Divine Path Certification, he was just an insignificant figure in the eyes of someone as influential as Director Liu.
Offering him a million was already a generous gesture.
Just then, Liu Beiqiang continued, "Jiang Ye obtained a Cosmic Secret Art within the Cosmic Divine Path."
The white-collar worker's breath caught in her throat.
"Director!" she exclaimed in disbelief. "Are you saying he received a Cosmic Blessing?"
Director Liu nodded.
The woman's face registered shock.
How rare was a Cosmic Secret Art?
Not even ten people per year at the Yuncheng Certification Center—let alone their Qingyang City branch—managed to obtain one!
And Jiang Ye had actually received it?
"He only scored 261 points," the woman said, still stunned. "How could he receive a Cosmic Blessing? Normally, you need at least 300 points for such a reward!"
"Indeed," Director Liu chuckled. "This little fellow is truly exceptional. His primitive innate talent has already brought about so many special cases, which in itself proves he's no ordinary talent."
"That's why we must cultivate a strong relationship with him, even if it means paying a higher price."
"If he truly rises to the world stage one day, today's investment will seem insignificant," Liu Beiqiang remarked with deep emotion.
Meanwhile, after leaving the office, Jiang Ye returned to the first-floor lobby.
He glanced at the large screen displaying the certification results:
Certificant No. 13: Yun Qing'er: 270 points
Certificant No. 14: Su Tong'er: 291 points
Certificant No. 15: Jiang Ye: 261 points
"Su Tong'er?" Jiang Ye muttered to himself. "291 points? That's incredibly high!"
He realized her total score across the Martial Arts Four Disciplines must exceed 1000 points.
Such a genius with Dao Bone Aptitude was truly terrifyingly strong.
"Thinking about me?"
A languid voice suddenly drifted over. "So you're that hung up on this young lady?"
Su Tong'er sauntered over, her white-silk-clad legs flashing with each step.
Yun Qing'er, dressed in a black-stockinged bunny girl outfit, followed closely behind her.
Jiang Ye ignored the little devil's teasing and said with a smile, "I have things to do. I'll be going now."
"Wait," Su Tong'er called out. "Did you agree to Director Liu's offer?"
"No."
"Good."
"Why?" Jiang Ye glanced at the little devil. "Don't you like conglomerates?"
Su Tong'er flashed her adorable little fangs and grinned. "Conglomerates are full of dirty dealings. This young lady prefers things clean and can't stand such filth."
"In short, you should avoid them as much as possible."
Jiang Ye nodded.
Su Tong'er didn't elaborate further. She waved her hand and said, "Good luck on the College Entrance Examination, Jiang Ye! I'm off now."
With Yun Qing'er in tow, she strolled away, her white-stockinged legs moving with leisurely grace.
"Qing'er, how many points do you think that guy will score on the College Entrance Examination?"
"Probably no more than 900."
"Then I bet he'll score over 900."
"Sister Tong'er, you're going to lose for sure."
"You don't understand. If I bet too low, he'll just say it was luck."
"..."
The girls' laughter faded into the distance.
Hearing these voices, Jiang Ye shook his head slightly.
Over 900 points?
A goal he had never even dared to imagine before.
In the past, he wouldn't have even dreamed of it!
But now?
"The outcome isn't decided yet. Anything could happen," Jiang Ye murmured, a faint smile appearing on his face as he stepped toward the door.
Outside, the sky stretched clear for miles, the blazing sun hanging high in the sky.
(End of the Chapter)
⚡ 𝟏𝟒 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐬 | 𝟖.𝟓𝐤 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 | 𝟏𝟒.𝟑𝐌 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 [𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐥.𝐜𝐨𝐦]