Alright, Su Fu pulled a long face—she didn’t even have time to warm her money before it was gone.
Poverty, ever-present!
Her face twisted a bit—she had to make money!
She had to make a fortune!
She was going to upgrade all her divine skills to B-level!
While Su Fu was upgrading her skills, the main plaza of Tianqi Middle School Affiliated was in an uproar.
Someone exclaimed, “The competition results are out—look, the ladder ranking has changed!”
The massive ladder leaderboard in the sky began to flicker, golden light flowing—someone’s ranking was rising.
On the original leaderboard, the top four were Elai, Zongzheng Ye, Su Luan, and Zongzheng Wujiao—the top candidates from the four provinces.
But now, one name was changing:
“Su Luan’s name is moving up!”
“She’s surpassed Zongzheng Ye!”
“Oh my god, even Elai is…”
Before the words faded, Su Luan’s name shot from fourth to first!
The new ranking shone brilliantly: [1st Place: Su Luan – Cangwu Province]
The top spot was surrounded by a golden halo, dazzling and resplendent—the mark of first place.
Cangwu Province’s candidates instantly erupted in cheers:
“We won! We finally aren’t last!”
“Cangwu Province! This is the first time we’re first!”
“Chief Su Luan—you’re amazing!”
Before the cheers died down, the ladder leaderboard flickered again.
“Wait! It’s not over?”
“Another change?”
Suddenly, a name appeared at the very bottom of the first page in a burst of golden light.
[36th Place: Su Fu – Lingxiao Province]
Before anyone could react, Su Fu’s rank shot upward, racing past everyone in a frenzy, leaving onlookers stunned.
“Up one, five, ten places…”
“Thirty, twenty!”
“She’s still going!”
“Too fast, I can’t even see…”
Finally, Su Fu’s name stopped at first place!
[1st Place: Su Fu – Lingxiao Province]
Everyone was stunned—from thirty-sixth to first, crushing all rivals, making a stunning debut!
“This…” someone murmured, “This year’s champion is actually Lingxiao Province?”
Not the most powerful Xuanling Province, nor the perennial runner-up Tianxuan Province, nor the just-reversed Cangwu Province.
But… Lingxiao Province!
That unremarkable Lingxiao Province!
***
Meanwhile, in the proctors’ room, several vice deans had complex expressions.
Mo Sanchou looked at the leaderboard and gave a wry smile, shaking his head.
“I thought this year would finally be Cangwu Province’s comeback…”
Who could have guessed Lingxiao Province would be so fierce, hiding such a trump card!
Completely overturned everyone.
Bai Li mused, “Shen Yan gave her such a high score, it must be because of those two divine abilities.”
After all, if it was just skill level, Su Fu’s were too many and too mixed—she couldn’t compare to the other chiefs’ specialized skills.
But it couldn’t be helped.
The weight of divine abilities was just that overwhelming—this was the importance of authority.
“In that case…” Bai Li’s eyes brightened, “She’s guaranteed a spot in a Third Arm university, right?”
“Guaranteed?” Mo Sanchou said enviously, “You’re being too conservative. In past years, one divine ability was enough for the Third Arm, two is a sure thing.”
“Maybe,” Zhao Wujie said in a low voice, “she could even aim for one of the top universities.”
“The First Arm might be a stretch, but the Second Arm—very possible.”
The universe’s Third Arm was divided into four spiral arms, with the First Arm being the strongest.
Everyone’s thoughts were similar to Zhao Wujie’s.
“I actually think…” Zhang Yuanhua suddenly smiled, “Why not the Second Arm of the universe?”
The other teachers were shocked by his boldness—what?
The Second Arm?
Zhao Wujie laughed, “Old Zhang, you mean let a Fourth Arm student compete with the Third Arm elites for Second Arm slots?”
That was pure fantasy—absolutely impossible!
The college entrance exam was conducted in batches.
The first batch was Fourth Arm candidates; only if they passed could they take the second batch, which was the Third Arm exam.
But the gap in student quality between the arms was bigger than that between humans and dogs—it wasn’t a chasm that could be crossed by effort alone.
Even talent might not be enough to bridge it.
Bai Li wasn’t optimistic either, saying tactfully, “That would be quite difficult.”
Even the strongest cat couldn’t gain the upper hand among tigers!
The breeds were just different.
Mo Sanchou looked at it from another angle, “If the Fourth Arm really had a chance to move up to the inner arms, why would the Tianqi families send their top talents to the Third Arm, leaving home?”
Those families weren’t stupid.
If there was even a sliver of hope, they’d never send their kids to suffer in the Third Arm.
Objectively, the Fourth Arm was the outer rim—the scraps of the universe.
Resources, teachers, knowledge… none could compare to the Third Arm’s top schools.
Zhao Wujie couldn’t be bothered to argue, shrugging, “Anyway, let’s wish her luck.”
The Third Arm was already the best outcome for students.
If she really could make it to the Second Arm, ha, the next Northern Polaris Minister of Education would be her.
Just like the current Minister Kong Ying.
But how often does the Fourth Arm produce a Kong Ying?
***
Su Fu was already content, counting her upgraded skills.
“Not bad, not bad—just keep going like this, keep getting bigger and stronger, and reach even greater heights!”
Just then, her star map interface suddenly vanished.
In the pitch-black starry sky, specks of golden light appeared, then more and more, as if extending into the distance.
Shen Yan’s voice sounded:
[You have unlocked a new ranking: The Road to Audience—Chinese Heavenly Ladder]
The starlight gathered, forming a winding golden stairway in the void.
The stairway stretched upward, disappearing into the dazzling sea of stars.
The scene was stunning—Su Fu froze for a moment.
[You are currently ranked 1st on the Chinese Pantheon Heavenly Ladder]
[As the first to enter the ranking, you have unlocked one Audience with a deity]
“Wait! What does that mean?”
Su Fu was instantly confused, staring unblinkingly at the golden prompt.
“…Audience?”
That word was so shocking, she wasn’t even sure she’d read it right.
Her voice trembled, “Does this Audience mean what I think it means?”
[Yes, you may converse with the deity in Audience.]
Su Fu: “!!!”
‘A conversation, a real conversation with a deity?!’
She’d never felt her heart pounding so fast.
She confirmed uncertainly, “You mean, a conversation? A real, mutual, two-way conversation?”
Not like summoning a skill in an exam paper, where she called out and the deity granted a skill.
Nor like receiving a divine artifact or ability, where the deity sent a brief message through divine sense.
But a real… conversation?!
“I mean…” She took a deep breath, trying to calm down.
“I can ask the deity questions, or the deity can ask me, and they can hear my answers, right?”
[Yes, your understanding is correct.]
Su Fu was a bit dazed—she subconsciously rubbed her face.
‘Calm down! Calm down!’
But how could she calm down!
It was like a giant pie fell from the sky—one studded with diamonds!
Getting a deity’s favor was already a great opportunity, but now she could not only meet a deity, but also speak with them?!
This was even more shocking than receiving a divine ability!
After all, teaching someone to fish is better than giving them a fish.
If she could get some pointers from a deity…
She even wondered if she was dreaming.
But it wasn’t a dream—it was real.
She looked up again at that dazzling heavenly ladder.
Not a skill summon, not a divine bestowal, but a real… Audience.
Wait!
Did this mean she had to start thinking about what to say to the deity?
A flood of questions popped into her mind.
Why can’t the deities descend?
What are these so-called anomalies, and why do they seem to know the Chinese Pantheon better than humans?
And what about those ancient cultural gaps?
She realized she really did have a lot of questions to ask.
Ahem.
Su Fu looked at the heavenly ladder, impatiently asking Shen Yan, “Why can’t I see the deity? And can I know which deity it’ll be?”
[It depends on which deity is willing to respond to your Audience request.]
[Currently, no deity has appeared. Perhaps it’s because there hasn’t been an Audience seeker for the Chinese Pantheon in a long time, so there may be some delay.]
“No rush, no rush!” Su Fu quickly waved her hands.
“I can wait! Any deity is fine!”
“Take your time—I’m already satisfied just to meet one!”
She looked up at the stairway stretching into the endless starry sky, curious which deity it would be.
What would they say to her?
As she waited for a response, she checked her notifications and emails again, making sure she hadn’t missed anything.
Overall, this exam had been a huge harvest!
Two divine abilities, one free C-level exam paper, and most importantly—this Audience with a deity.
As she pondered, she suddenly remembered something important:
“Oh right, there’s also Michelle’s invitation for a B-level exam paper.”
She immediately sent a message to Dean Zhang.
Before long, Dean Zhang replied with an address.
[Tianqi Middle School Affiliated, Teaching Building C, Room 304—meet in person.]
Su Fu looked up at the golden stairway again, starlight still falling, but no sign of a deity yet.
She guessed the deity must be busy and wouldn’t appear for a while—better to go see Dean Zhang first.
***
C-304 Office.
Su Fu knocked and entered, seeing Dean Zhang inside.
Dean Zhang looked at her with approval.
“You did well, really well! Exceeded my expectations.”
Su Fu smiled sheepishly and said, “Just lucky, I guess.”
Met the world’s best Judge Zhong Kui and the dragons!
“Alright, enough with the modesty.” Dean Zhang waved his hand.
“Go on, what do you want to ask me?”
Su Fu told him about Michelle’s invitation and her concerns, leaving nothing out.
“Dean, I’m just not sure if I should go, especially regarding safety…”
She hoped Dean Zhang would pass the message to Kunlun Academy!
Let them see how their poor student was struggling outside—cough, she needed a bit of support.
Dean Zhang pondered a moment, then nodded.
“Let me send a message and ask. Michelle, right?”
“Yes, yes!” Su Fu nodded eagerly.
Looks like the dean was going to contact Kunlun?
While waiting for a reply, Dean Zhang smiled at her and said, “Three gold announcements in one day—that’s a record breaker.”
“And Minister Kong Ying is personally promoting you. How does it feel?”
“Dean Zhang, you flatter me.” Su Fu coughed modestly.
But she glanced at Dean Zhang, testing, “By the way, does our minister still accept disciples?”
That was a big thigh to hug!
On the way here, she’d checked Minister Kong Ying’s background—also of commoner origin, yet managed to defy fate and get into a Second Arm university.
After graduation, she was parachuted directly into the Northern Polar Star System as Minister of Education.
A true role model for commoners, a textbook example of hard work.
Most importantly, Minister Kong Ying was good to her!
Not only did she promote her, but also recommended her for the history of galactic education.
With such a big shot as a backer, sweeping the Fourth Arm would be a breeze!
Opportunities like this couldn’t be missed—better to take the initiative than wait passively.
If Dean Zhang could introduce them, who knows, maybe she’d succeed?
Dean Zhang, however, gave her a meaningful smile and said, “Master? Kong Ying?”
Hearing that, Su Fu’s heart skipped a beat.
‘Was there a problem?’
That was the Minister of Education for Northern Polaris!
Directly under the Ministry, the highest authority in the Fourth Arm.
Could it be because of Kunlun Academy?
But that couldn’t be it.
She wasn’t sure if the Kunlun teachers wanted her as a disciple, but Minister Kong was different!
She’d clearly shown appreciation and even promoted her.
Obviously had a good impression—wouldn’t it be a shame to miss out?