The off-road vehicle approached the building and stopped about five hundred meters away. Old Qi looked at the heavily armed academy security guards ahead. "This is as far as I can go," he said.

He looked back. "Only Wuyi Academy students can pass this point. Now that I’ve brought you here, my job is done."

Chen Chuan said, "Thank you for the ride, Mr. Qi."

"Don’t mention it," Old Qi said. "Just remember to leave me a good review."

Chen Chuan stepped out of the vehicle. Just as he pushed the door shut, Old Qi’s voice sounded in his ear. "Chen, if you ever need anything in the future, feel free to hire me. Old Qi here doesn’t have many skills, but I know Central City and the surrounding areas like the back of my hand. Stay in touch.

Goodbye!"

The call ended. The SUV reversed, turned around, and drove off.

Chen Chuan looked up at the dazzling, kaleidoscopic tower that pierced the clouds. He tightened his grip on his suitcase and the Snow Monarch Blade, then started walking toward it.

After driving away, Old Qi glanced at the object on the passenger seat, and his mood brightened. He’d taken a detour mid-trip to handle some personal business, but at least he’d made it on time. The return journey had a few bumps, but he’d managed to bring the item back safely.

A smile spread across his face. With this deal done, Xiaoqi’s tuition was covered.

He glanced at the Wuyi Academy tower in his rearview mirror, his eyes filled with a mix of envy and apprehension.

He stomped on the accelerator. The vehicle shot forward, leaving a streak of brilliant light in its wake, as if trying to flee, yet also as if rushing to get back to this fantastical world.

Chen Chuan crossed the plaza in front of the tower without issue. The security guards merely glanced at him, their goggles flashing a few times, but none approached to question him.

After climbing the wide, towering steps to the first level, a spot resembling a Boundary Point appeared beneath his feet. It was a massive insignia: a shield emblazoned with blades, spears, swords, and halberds.

He recognized it as the Wuyi emblem. It wasn’t as prominently displayed in Yangzhi City—likely one of the differences between a local campus and the Wuyi General Hospital.

As he stood on it, he felt an uneven texture under his feet. He waited a moment, and then a crisp, energetic female voice sounded in his ear:

"Greetings, Chen Chuan. Welcome to the Wuyi General Hospital in Jibei Dao Central City. You may proceed to the main lobby on the first floor to check in and update your student credentials."

The voice paused, then resumed. "As per academy guidance protocol, a student has been assigned to assist you in person. Please wait a moment."

A pale band of light then appeared at Chen Chuan’s feet, indicating the way forward. ’This technology certainly makes things convenient,’ he thought. ’The academy can confirm my identity without me even going inside, cutting out a lot of tedious procedures.’

A few minutes later, he saw a student emerge from the lobby and walk briskly down the high steps toward him.

From the student’s posture and gait, it was easy to tell he was a Second Limit Fighter. His Realm Token was a mask painted like an opera character, covering half of his face.

The student walked up and enthusiastically offered a handshake. "Hello, you must be Chen? I’m your assigned student guide. My name’s Tan Zhi. I enrolled about six months before you."

Chen Chuan shook his hand. At the same time, the voice informed him of a new contact request. He accepted, and the name was added to his contact list.

"Come with me."

Tan Zhi gestured for him to follow and led the way up the steps.

Chen Chuan followed. He had only taken a few steps when a streak of iridescent light flashed overhead, circling the massive building twice at high speed. It caught his attention.

He looked up and saw a woman in red standing high above on the flying eaves. She wore a conical bamboo hat, carried a wine gourd, and her sleeves billowed in the wind. She was gazing at a bright, ethereal moon in the sky. As if sensing his stare, her eyes met his. Her face was veiled, but her eyes were remarkably expressive.

Tan Zhi glanced over. "That’s Hong Fu, the physical manifestation of our academy’s consciousness. Her voice is the one you heard earlier. If you have any questions during your time here, you can ask her directly." He then lowered his voice. "But you’d better be polite. Sometimes she’ll just ignore you if you’re not."

Chen Chuan looked away and followed Tan Zhi up the rest of the steps and into the first-floor lobby. The space was immense, like a vast and profound temple, where every sound turned into a cavernous echo.

Enormous lotus-shaped lamps floated high overhead. Amid the play of light and shadow, crimson tassels dangled down. At the hall’s entrance stood two Golden Armor Divine Generals, each twenty meters tall, their faces fixed in arrogant expressions. As the two students passed beneath them, the generals glanced down with contempt. One of them shifted, its bulging stomach jiggling as it took a half-step forward, causing the pendants on its armor and the ribbons on its body to sway.

Tan Zhi seemed oblivious to them. "First time here? It can be a little overwhelming, right?" he said. "I was the same way. But you’ll get used to it fast. So fast that other places will start to feel weird and plain in comparison."

He kept walking and talking, finally stopping at a spot on the floor where an image of lotuses and Celestial Maidens was projected. The moment they stepped onto it, the lotus patterns beneath their feet sprang to life.

The lotuses slowly blossomed, one after another, lifting out of the image on the floor and drifting upward. Petals occasionally fluttered down as the sound of soft, bell-like laughter filled the air.

A bright light flared, and a statue of a woman materialized before them. It appeared to be carved from transparent, colored crystal. It was the same Hong Fu he’d seen outside, only now she was dressed more like a Celestial Maiden from a classical painting.

Chen Chuan sensed that this statue was a solid object, unlike the illusions from before.

Tan Zhi said, "Chen, your student card."

At his words, Chen Chuan took out his student card. A long scroll materialized in the statue’s hands. As it unrolled, its ends floated out to a great length, undulating with her silken shawl as lines of text streamed rapidly across its surface.

After a moment, the scroll rolled itself up, and the sounds and images slowly faded away.

A voice spoke in Chen Chuan’s ear. "Student Chen Chuan, your credentials have been updated. You have been granted long-term residency status in Central City. The citizen’s code of conduct and public safety regulations will be sent to your personal Realm Token. Please check for the update.

During your enrollment, please be mindful of mandatory courses and any applicable fees. If you wish to receive reminders from the academy, please grant notification permissions. We wish you success in your studies."

"There."

Tan Zhi said from the side, "Chen, Hong Fu has recorded your updated information and transmitted it to the Fumu. Hmm, do you need a physical card? Some new students aren’t used to the digital system and feel more secure with a physical one. If you want one, you can request it from Hong Fu and pick it up at the designated location.

But all your data is stored on the ’Yan Zhou’—that’s where Hong Fu’s actual body is. No one can get in there except the headmaster.

And this certification is only valid for a year. You have to renew it annually. If you don’t pass the assessment, it gets revoked, and you lose your citizenship status along with it. So I really don’t think a physical card is necessary."

He finished with a shrug.

Chen Chuan asked, "Tan, do many people fail the annual assessment?"

"Sure, a fair number."

Tan Zhi said nonchalantly, "But this is Central City. Anything can be bought with money, including knowledge. Even if you fail the assessment, you can just pay to keep your citizenship. Of course, if you want to learn the truly advanced fighting and cultivation techniques, passing the assessment is mandatory."

Hearing the casual way he talked about money, Chen Chuan asked a few more questions and confirmed his suspicion. Tan was one of the Recommended Students, from a wealthy family, who had gotten his spot through a local Wuyi Academy.

But his personality was quite affable, and he treated Chen Chuan in a very relaxed manner, unlike the scions of powerful families he’d met in Yangzhi City. Of course, that might just be because, on the surface, they were now of equal status.

Tan Zhi smiled. "Alright, my guide duties are done. I even got a point on my student evaluation, so it was worth my time. I’ve gotta run. It’s still the New Year holiday, and I have a party to get to. Just ask Hong Fu for directions to the dorms... Oh, and hey, junior, one more thing."

He started to leave, but then turned back with a final piece of advice.

"That Realm Token you’re using is the old, free model they issue to students. I’d recommend upgrading it. If you’re not used to making transactions directly on the platform, you can use your Realm Token to hire a proxy to buy things for you.

Just pick what you want and have them deliver it here. You don’t even have to pay upfront. Since you have citizenship and you’re a Wuyi Academy student, you have a decent line of credit. See ya, and Happy New Year!"

Tan Zhi gave him a casual wave and sauntered off.

After Tan Zhi left, Chen Chuan stood alone in the vast lobby. He looked at the crystal statue and said, "Hong Fu, can you guide me to my dorm room?"

The voice returned in his ear. "Student Chen Chuan, please follow the guide. Your dormitory is on the forty-ninth floor. Your room number is one."

Chen Chuan saw a bright lantern float off in one direction, and he followed. Mist began to swirl around him. After walking for a long time, the lantern stopped. As he approached, it seemed to burn out, dissolving into rustling ash. The ground beneath him swayed slightly, and his perspective began to rise.

He looked up and was stunned to find himself standing in the palm of a colossal Immortal!

The Immortal’s back held up the sky, its topknot pointed toward the sun, and its body was wreathed in clouds. Its half-lidded eyes gazed down, and at that moment, it felt as though it was welcoming him. Its palm slowly rose, and he rose along with it.

Even though he knew this was all a virtual projection, Chen Chuan couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe. It stemmed from his own yearning and admiration for that kind of immense power.

He felt himself ascending at a breathtaking speed, leaving the ground far below. He passed through a sea of clouds in an instant, entering the void. He rose until he was level with the Immortal’s eyes. They were placid, as if detached from all worldly emotion. With another upward push of its palm, he was engulfed in a blindingly brilliant light.

When the light faded, he found himself inside an elevator. A blinking indicator pointed to the number forty-nine. After a few flashes, the elevator doors slid open.

He stepped out and found dorm room one. He pushed the door open, glanced inside, and took a key from a recess in the wall next to the door.

Once he was on this floor, all the virtual scenery faded away, as if designed not to intrude on his personal space.

He set his suitcase aside, still holding the Snow Monarch Blade, and walked further into the room.

A quick look around revealed the dorm was over five hundred square meters. A private training room took up four-fifths of the space. It was fully equipped with a bedroom, living room, and bathroom. The lighting was soft and bright, the layout clean and simple. There was a telephone in the living room and another on the bedside table.

Just then, the female voice spoke in his ear again. "Student Chen Chuan, your arrival at the dormitory has been detected and your record updated. During your enrollment, accommodation and meal expenses are waived. For details on other fees, please consult the inquiry interface."

Chen Chuan tried to access the inquiry interface but found he couldn’t view it. His Realm Token was an audio-only model and couldn’t display a visual interface. It seemed he really would have to get a new one.

He contacted Hong Fu for information and ended up choosing a "Yuxiang-style" Realm Token made by the Porlon Company. With Hong Fu acting as an intermediary, he placed an order with a proxy company through the Pusuo Platform to purchase it on his behalf.

He glanced at his watch—8:26. He went to the living room, picked up the receiver, and called his aunt’s house to let her know he’d arrived safely at the academy. After a short conversation, he hung up and then made another call to Cheng Zitong to give him the same news.

But just as he hung up, the voice returned. "During enrollment, telephone fees are the student’s responsibility. Payment can be made via your platform account or at the front desk. This student currently has a line of credit. Would you like the academy to cover this charge?"

...

...