Chapter 90 (2/3): East Sea Dragon Palace

Su Fu took a sip—refreshing and sweet with a delicate fragrance.

Besides the spirit tea, there were a few plates of snacks brought by the Dean, colorful and enticing with an inviting aroma.

She ate a few pieces with her tea, unable to help but sigh, “Mmm~ as expected from the Dean’s personal selection, delicious.”

Next to her chair floated a tiny, mini lounge chair.

Tao Tao was lying comfortably on it, her two leaves spread out, gently swaying with the breeze, looking utterly at ease.

“This is what life should be,” Su Fu sighed softly.

Three days passed like this, Su Fu doing nothing but resting thoroughly.

Finally, on the fourth day, she suddenly remembered she was still a student.

Stretching, she opened the Shen Yan interface.

At least, she wanted to check when classes started.

And also tidy up her account.

She discovered a batch of divine artifacts in her inventory, but at her current level, these were useless.

So she decided to put them up for consignment sale in the Shen Yan Mall.

Seeing the detailed terms, her face darkened.

“Tsk, a 5% commission? Shen Yan, you really should switch to robbery as a career.”

Shen Yan replied: [“Is robbery legal?”]

Still, Su Fu thought it was better not to trouble herself and accepted the small loss.

Fortunately, the selling speed was fast.

Before long, several items had sold.

[“Your item “Twin Snake Scepter” has been sold…”]

[“Your items “Black Ebony Staff, Mjolnir” have been sold…”]

[“Transactions completed, expected settlement: completed”]

“Oh right, the Great Sage’s Golden Cudgel…”

She suddenly remembered that Michelle had once mentioned the need to upgrade divine artifacts.

But honestly, when she used the Golden Cudgel, she hadn’t felt any lack of power.

Thinking it over, she sent a message to Teacher Zhuge.

Soon, Teacher Zhuge replied: [Divine artifacts of the Chinese Pantheon do not need upgrading.]

Su Fu’s eyes lit up at the first few words—’what? No resource cost to upgrade?’

[Other pantheon artifacts require upgrading because their gods give only half measures. You should know the authorities they grant are stingy.]

[But the Chinese Pantheon is different—when they give, it’s truly given, never stingy or withholding. The Golden Cudgel granted by the Great Sage is a complete authority, not a watered-down version. It will upgrade along with you. Use it with confidence.]

Su Fu was stunned but thinking carefully, it made sense.

When the Four Sea Dragon Kings gave her the Authority of the Twelve Paths to choose from freely, compared to that, the so-called Western gods were much stingier.

One after another, they required sacrifices and all kinds of nonsense, making them seem like evil cultivators.

“No wonder the Chinese Pantheon gods are so generous!” Su Fu couldn’t help but praise.

“China has a profound foundation, and the gods have grand visions. As the saying goes, giving with principle and moderation—legends say gods never hold back gifts from those with destiny.”

Su Fu happily patted the Golden Cudgel, praising it.

“Hehe, Cudgel, you’re really awesome!”

She pondered that her rest was long enough and it was time to try a few Exam Papers.

Just then, she noticed the Star Network was full of news about the Second Star Ring College Entrance Exam.

“Yeah, with this timing, the results should be out.”

Su Fu realized and clicked on the trending news.

Unquestionably, the hottest news was about the top scorer.

[Second Star Ring College Entrance Top Scorer Announced! Olympus Family’s Achilles, with primary deity Zeus, claims victory! Tianqiong Path Academy’s ace freshman!]

Su Fu paused.

He was also from Tianqiong Path Academy?

She clicked on the news details and a video appeared—

A handsome blond, blue-eyed youth stood atop a mountain, a giant, majestic Zeus Divine Aspect behind him.

The Divine Aspect was tall and solemn, crowned with gold, breathtaking.

Achilles, carrying this manifestation, descended from the sky.

Countless thunderbolts accompanied him, instantly eradicating all anomalies in the exam hall.

A complete crushing victory!

Su Fu watched in shock, murmuring: “This guy… already reached A-rank Manifestation Realm during the college entrance exam? And his Divine Aspect is so clear and stable…”

She had only just succeeded in her own appointment—quite late by comparison.

What could she say?

No wonder he was the top scorer in the Second Star Ring, truly powerful.

The comment section overflowed with praise and admiration for Achilles.

[No wonder he’s the bloodline of Zeus! A true favored child of heaven!]

[So strong, A-rank Manifestation Realm, and such mastery!]

[The Olympus Family really lives up to its name, producing prodigious talents every year.]

…All flattery, without much substance.

Su Fu exited and browsed other college entrance exam news and became more stunned.

In the Second Star Ring, Achilles wasn’t an isolated case of a high schooler with a Divine Aspect.

Top students from the seven major families had nearly all stepped into the Manifestation Realm, some reaching it as early as sophomore year.

The video showed a Shiva god-follower from the Indian pantheon with a Divine Aspect, and a Set god-follower from the Egyptian pantheon also displaying one.

Not only that, the Egyptian artifact user had a powerful pyramid artifact that unleashed endless sandstorms, wiping out all opposition.

The Greek Apollo god-follower wielded the Sun Chariot artifact, and wherever its fiery steeds passed, anomalies were quickly dispelled.

All sorts of variations, leaving people speechless.

Su Fu sucked in a breath: “It’s literally gods fighting.”

Then, a deliberately provocative news headline popped up:

[Second Ring vs. Third Ring College Entrance Top Scorers Comparison—Some people better stop hyping ‘commoner top scorers’!]

Su Fu: “What the heck, dragging me into this? What did I do?”

The opening sentence was a direct hit.

[Conclusion first: Third Ring can’t compare at all, a firefly can’t compete with the sun.]

Below was a detailed comparison list-

[Divine Power Level: Achilles A-rank VS Su Fu B+ rank (complete loss)]

[Number of Artifacts: Achilles 12 VS Su Fu 1 (complete loss)]

[Artifact Quality: Achilles’ main artifact has paralysis, strong control, attack… Su Fu’s Golden Cudgel only has raw attack with no added effects (complete loss)]

[Achievements…]

Su Fu read dumbfounded.

She could accept being called weak, but saying the Great Sage’s Golden Cudgel was weak?

No way.

Didn’t they know the highest-level weapon just needed to be the most powerful?

All those flashy gimmicks were just for show.

Crush them all.

The Golden Cudgel weighed thirteen thousand five hundred jin; just its weight alone could crush anything.

Why would you need paralysis or control?

That would be overkill.

Zeus.

Shadow?

Star—

Su Fu didn’t care to read further.

The comments were even more straightforward-

[Why bother making so many comparisons? Achilles crushes them all with just one Divine Manifestation, okay?]

[Exactly! Even top scorers have their rankings. Is it that hard to admit?]

[I don’t get what there is to compare. It just drags down Achilles’ status………………]

[Isn’t it all those who participated in the Third Star Ring exam but still lost? They’re really embarrassing us Second Ring folks.]

Su Fu realized—this was about Yuelun Yuan and the others?

But as soon as these comments appeared, someone immediately shot back-

[You guys sure know how to boast. So, did your Second Ring top scorer ever blow up the exam hall?]

Su Fu:”…….”

Hmm?

This comment instantly stirred up a huge commotion; the replies skyrocketed:

[Achilles has a Divine Manifestation! Don’t you have eyes to see?]

[Exactly, blowing up the exam hall doesn’t prove anything.]

[……]

No matter the rebuttal, this netizen kept repeating the same question like a broken record-

[So did he blow up the exam hall? Like permanently shut it down kind of thing?]

[Excuse me, did he blow it up or not?]

[Sorry, but really, did he or not?]

Su Fu quietly gave a thumbs-up.

‘Impressive.’

Clear thinking, hitting hard.

Sure enough, this completely shattered the defenses of many people.

[Blow up the exam hall my foot! If you have the guts, Su Fu should blow up the exam hall again once she enters university!]

[Yeah! Blowing up an exam hall during the college entrance exam isn’t a big deal. Try doing it in university!]

[Just wait and see, once she gets to university, she’ll be left miles behind by the geniuses from the Second Ring!]

Su Fu shook her head and started watching other videos.

Soon, someone posted more holographic footage of that top scorer, focusing especially on the Divine Manifestation.

“This size and power… at least Divine Manifestation Realm Two, right?” Su Fu murmured, feeling a bit shaken inside.

The next video was a highlight reel of the top scorer’s entire exam performance—showcasing Achilles’ brilliant feats during the test.

Su Fu couldn’t help but sigh, “Strength and intelligence—these really are just the baseline for these aristocratic heirs…”

But the following video stopped her cold—

It was the moment of Achilles’ victory.

Endless lightning poured down, forming a blurry yet majestic colossal visage.

He gazed upon his followers, bestowing honor: “My bloodline, inheritor of the thunder, from this day forth, I grant you the title ‘Heart of Thunder.'”

With this proclamation, a golden lightning bolt struck Achilles’ chest, instantly merging with him.

The comment section erupted:

[My god, the supreme deity personally appearing to bless him—what an honor.]

[No wonder he’s the favorite of the gods. Makes people so jealous!]

[I’d give anything just to experience that once!]

Su Fu sighed, “No wonder he’s the Second Ring top scorer. Pure gold content, full spectacle.”

The remaining candidates’ videos were equally exciting, displaying various Divine Abilities one after another, or jointly unleashing Divine Skills that shook the entire arena.

How to put it?

Su Fu realized that this exam showcased the formidable strength of the Seven Great Clans to the fullest.

Suddenly, she had a thought: ‘If I had started in the Second Ring, would there already be a figure of the Chinese Pantheon in this exam hall?’

But it was only a hypothesis.

At this moment, StarNet was once again erupting with overwhelming shock and admiration for the incredible power of the Seven Great Clans.

In fact, it wasn’t just aristocratic families; many outstanding students from humble backgrounds also stood out and were hailed by many as “new forces.”

Under the Ministry of Education’s new reforms, they finally had a chance to shine.

Well, Su Fu thought, the Second Ring really is full of geniuses.

She sighed: “I didn’t expect that my newly awakened Divine Manifestation would already count as late among these people.”

Once again, she deeply felt the huge gap brought by differences in resources.

Even ordinary Second Ring commoners grew up in resource-rich environments.

The heirs of aristocratic families needed no mention—they walked the optimal path every step of the way, barely making any detours.

She had fumbled and probed her way forward, only just now reaching the same level as them.

No, or rather, she had only just reached their starting point.

But since she was at the starting line, she would sprint to catch up!

***

Early the next morning, Su Fu arrived at Teacher Zhuge’s tea room.

The sun had just risen.

Teacher Zhuge was brewing tea, looking surprised as he saw her.

“Recommended dungeon run?”

“You just rested for a few days—why not rest a bit longer?”

Su Fu shook her head, sitting upright, “No, Teacher. I already feel ready.”

Teacher Zhuge shook his head with a smile and said, “You really are Tai Xuanzi’s disciple. Tai Xuanzi isn’t around right now; she went off mapping again. I’m telling you, these two really can’t stay still.”

“Alright then,” Teacher Zhuge set down his teacup.

“Since that’s the case, let’s start class.”

“Class?” Su Fu was stunned.

Then she realized—right, she was studying at Kunlun!

…When had she already come to regard this place as home and forgotten her student identity?

Maybe because there were so few students, and the teachers were so good.

But this meant… Teacher Zhuge was actually going to teach her?

The thought immediately energized Su Fu and she asked, “Teacher! What class are we taking?”

You must know, Teacher Zhuge and Dean Tai Xuanzi together supported the entire Kunlun Academy.

Their abilities and knowledge must be formidable.

Dean Tai Xuanzi was unrivaled in combat, while Teacher Zhuge probably played the role of the knowledgeable and worldly sage.

If he was going to teach her, that was exactly what she wished for.