The matter of Sun Zhiming was but a minor interlude.
However, Xia He and the other two were in exceptionally good spirits.
It was as if a cool breeze had suddenly blown through the sweltering summer heat, bringing comfort from the inside out.
It wasn't just because Sun Zhiming's departure meant one less competitor.
It was more because that obnoxious fellow had finally left.
This clearly showed he was truly unwelcome.
"Please, come in, all of you. If you have something to discuss, let's talk inside."
Chen Ran invited them with a smile.
It was the height of summer.
Discussing matters at the doorstep wouldn't do.
All visitors were guests!
Of course, those like Sun Zhiming had to be an exception.
Ji Yi and the other two nodded, not refusing.
To be honest.
In this weather, staying outdoors was like being in a steamer. Who would idly seek suffering in the heat?
Inside the house.
There were no unnecessary pleasantries.
They got straight to the point.
Since arriving.
Xia He, who had felt incredibly stifled, finally found a good opportunity.
He was the first to speak, "Classmate Chen Ran, our Great Xia Knights Academy has great sincerity. If you choose to join, you will receive a scholarship of fifty million per semester, with renowned Great Xia knights as one-on-one mentors, and a customized training and growth plan based on your knight characteristics."
This was the bargaining chip given to him by the academy headquarters before he came.
Of course, this wasn't their bottom line.
If no one else bid higher later, then nothing would happen.
But that was just wishful thinking.
The gap between the three major Knights Academies was not significant on the surface. Even though the Dragon Tiger Knights Academy was established relatively recently and might not seem as powerful in terms of foundation, Qin Longhu was the strongest person in Great Xia back then. Even though he hadn't made a move in years, no one dared to challenge him single-handedly.
This bargaining chip was merely a fallback.
Being able to drive away the boastful Sun Zhiming was, in Xia He's opinion, already a cause for immense satisfaction.
Chen Ran's eyebrows slightly raised.
He didn't agree immediately.
Granted.
The Great Xia Knights Academy's offer looked very attractive at first glance, but it wasn't quite so. Under his subtle observation, he noticed that Ji Yi and Mo Shanhe were also eager to make their offers!
A scholarship of fifty million per semester.
As if others didn't have it!
The other benefits they could also provide.
This was the confidence of the three top Knights Academies!
Mo Shanhe also presented the Shenjing Knights Academy's offer: "Our Shenjing Knights Academy can provide all of these, and we will develop exclusive knight gear for you. The scholarship is one hundred million per semester."
After speaking, he looked at Xia He with a composed demeanor.
Developing knight gear...
This was indeed the advantage of Shenjing Knights Academy.
It wasn't that only Shenjing Knights Academy could produce knight gear.
It was just that this academy was the most skilled in its craft!
Many people from the Knight Gear Research Institute actually came from this Knights Academy. The knight gear they developed was not only durable but also wouldn't fail at critical moments.
However, most people could only purchase inferior products manufactured by their downstream factories...
This was unavoidable.
To be honest!
If there was truly no other choice, who would want to use 'inferior products'?
Grandma came out with the freshly brewed tea.
Chen Ran did not let his grandmother serve the tea.
Instead, he took the teapot himself.
"Great Xia Knights Academy, scholarship of three hundred million per semester. We will also do our best to satisfy any gear needs you may have."
Before Ji Yi could speak, Xia He continued right after Mo Shanhe finished.
After all, their purpose for coming was to recruit him!
There was no need to follow a specific order.
If he spoke too late.
It would be his own fault, and he couldn't blame others.
Chen Ran still hadn't stated his own conditions.
He continued to wait for them to 'argue'.
To be honest.
He always felt that having enough money was sufficient.
As Decade.
He wouldn't truly lack knight gear.
He had his motorcycle and his weapons.
These were Decade's original equipment.
He felt these were already enough.
Freedom... no one mentioned it.
Or rather.
Neither the Great Xia Knights Academy nor the Shenjing Knights Academy had considered this matter. Even though Chen Ran was the 'god-tier prodigy' they were vying for, in their eyes, he was just a child who had just finished his college entrance exams, barely an adult at around eighteen years old.
Children of this age, just out of their ivory towers.
After becoming a Kamen Rider.
Eager to make a grand debut.
Entering one of the three major Knight Academies was the optimal choice.
Once they entered the sacred grounds to study.
They would inevitably become immersed in it.
It must be said.
As the top knight academies in Great Xia, the learning atmosphere within the three academies was truly excellent, serving as a model of excellent conduct.
There were many knight academies in Great Xia, but some obscure third-tier schools were even more like wild chicken schools!
The 'conduct' within the school was naturally in a different state.
As for the issue of freedom, Chen Ran didn't bring it up, and Xia He and Mo Shanhe truly hadn't thought of it.
Who could have imagined that Chen Ran would have his own unique evolution and growth path?
Ji Yi, like an intellectual older sister.
Her slender fingers interlaced.
With a gentle smile, she said, "Classmate Chen Ran, compared to Great Xia and Shenjing, our Dragon Tiger Knights Academy has a slightly thinner foundation. However, I believe it is more suitable for a naturally powerful knight like you. Our scholarship limit per semester is three hundred million, and you can choose any teacher at the academy."
"Of course, our academy is most famous for its freedom. As long as your strength and grades are up to par, it's fine even if you don't attend classes."
"And also..."
She pursed her red lips.
Xia He and Mo Shanhe felt a pang of anxiety.
To be honest.
They were very wary of Ji Yi, who, at such a young age, had become the head of the Dragon Tiger Knights Academy's recruitment office in Jiudu. Even though Xia He had worked hard for many years to achieve his position, Ji Yi had been directly appointed after graduating from university.
She likely had an extraordinary background.
Chen Ran's interest was piqued.
He looked at Ji Yi with amusement, as if waiting for her next words.
Ji Yi continued, "Recently, Principal Qin discovered a new special secret realm in Shenjing. I can authorize you to directly obtain entry qualifications."
Hiss...
Xia He and the other two simultaneously gasped, making a significant contribution to global warming.
At the same time, their eyes widened.
Expressing shock!
This 'bargaining chip'...
They truly couldn't match it!
The special secret realm was discovered by Qin Longhu. According to the unspoken rules of the past few decades, how this secret realm would be allocated and used depended on that powerful elder!
Now, they felt like they were truly in trouble this time.
The two 'fellow sufferers' exchanged helpless glances.
They thought that after driving Sun Zhiming away, the competition between the three of them would be fair.
But they didn't expect an unexpected challenger to emerge!
Ji Yi, who represented the Dragon Tiger Knights Academy and had remained silent until now, had become the ultimate boss!
Chen Ran was also surprised by this.
He had heard of special secret realms.
They were one of the 'worlds' brought about by spatial rifts.
However, the area beyond the spatial rift was not vast.
Instead, it resembled a shattered continent.
There were also strange creatures.
But the danger level was not high!
And, most importantly, exploring these special secret realms often yielded very good rewards.
Now...
Chen Ran, with his time-traveling abilities, had spent considerable time in the Kamen Rider world.
He had also gained significant benefits.
But to be honest.
He hadn't stayed long in this world, which was currently in the Kamen Rider era. He could only say he had a general understanding of this world; he was truly ignorant of most of the hidden 'knowledge.'
As for secret realms, Chen Ran was not unfamiliar.
The one he entered during the martial arts exam for the college entrance examination was a secret realm.
Unfortunately, that one was entirely artificial.
The secret realm discovered by Principal Qin this time was completely natural, and Chen Ran naturally wanted to go in and test it out.
Then there was only one answer!
Dragon Tiger Knights Academy!
Chen Ran made his choice decisively.
Ji Yi, who was silent but now made a stunning move.
Didn't you see that after she made such an offer, Xia He and Mo Shanhe, who were accompanying her, had no further reaction?
It was clear they had accepted reality.
A newly discovered secret realm to be explored...
This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
They were truly willing but unable.
"Then, welcome Classmate Chen Ran to the Dragon Tiger Knights Academy."
Ji Yi said with a brilliant smile.
She had no intention of staying long.
The matter was concluded.
She would simply leave.
Chen Ran escorted them out of his home.
Looking at Ji Yi walking beside him, he said, "While I am studying in Shenjing, can arrangements be made for protection at my hometown?"
The hometown he referred to was not Jiudu.
Jiudu had developed very well in recent years.
It was no problem to defend against the invasion of those monsters with his own strength.
Chen Ran was concerned about the safety of his grandmother and Nian Nian.
Hearing Chen Ran's question, Ji Yi nodded and said, "This is naturally not a problem. In fact, for prodigies like you, Classmate Chen Ran, we inherently provide protection for your families. This is the same for the Great Xia Knights Academy and the Shenjing Knights Academy."
"That's right."
"Teacher Ji is correct."
Xia He and Mo Shanhe both nodded.
Now that Chen Ran had a 'belonging,' but they failed to recruit him, it was a matter of their own capabilities, and they naturally wouldn't vent their anger on Chen Ran because of it.
Chen Ran was an unprecedented god-tier prodigy in Great Xia.
He was many levels stronger than Lei Ming and others.
Even if he didn't join their respective academies.
For the sake of Great Xia, they wouldn't make a move against Chen Ran.
They might even offer conveniences at times.
Chen Ran nodded.
He didn't press further.
Ji Yi, however, seemed to suddenly recall something and then said, "Right, Classmate Chen Ran, there's one more thing I need to inform you of. Your academic and martial arts exam scores ranked first nationally, but the data displayed was too astonishing, so it will not be widely reported for now. This year's top scholar will also be deferred by one position. I hope you don't mind."
This was done to conceal Chen Ran's existence.
Few people in the entire Great Xia knew Chen Ran's college entrance examination scores.
Hiding it would provide him with better protection.
Let's not mention the monsters from beyond the spatial rift for now.
After all, each large spatial rift had dedicated troops guarding it. Those emerging from small spatial rifts, which served as hidden passages, were not very strong. With a level below LV20, even 'newbie' knights who had awakened their powers only a couple of years ago could easily deal with them if they possessed strong talent.
The three major academies were more concerned about threats from abroad!
Therefore, those who are not of our kind will surely have different intentions.
Even though they had monsters from beyond the spatial rift as a common enemy of humanity, the countries outside of Great Xia harbored ill intentions. It was no longer the helpless situation of being harmed by monsters in the past, and they could not stand idly by and watch Great Xia continue to grow stronger.
The act of secretly harming geniuses had long ceased to be a secret.
This was why the organization known as "Hand of God" was never well-received in Great Xia.
There were many people like Sun Zhiming in this organization!
"Alright."
Chen Ran replied.
He didn't have any objections to this. The so-called national top scholar was just an empty title. He had already obtained all the benefits he was entitled to, and that was more than enough.
Exposing this news would only negatively impact his personal life.
Ji Yi seemed to have anticipated Chen Ran's reaction.
She simply nodded slightly and got into the car to leave.
Chen Ran watched them depart.
Then he returned to his room.
He spun a pair of walnuts in his right hand, contemplating when he should go to Shenjing.
He was now part of the Dragon Tiger Knights Academy.
However, there was still a considerable amount of time before the start of the semester, and there was nothing urgent to do by going to Shenjing early. It was better to cause some stir in Jiudu for a while. Chen Ran planned to head to Shenjing after returning from his next trip to the Kamen Rider world, once the ten-day countdown ended.
......
On the other side, in the car.
The driver drove steadily, while in the back seat, Ji Yi's mood seemed quite good, as she had successfully recruited Chen Ran to her school. However, from the moment she learned of the 'special secret realm,' she already knew this would be the outcome; she had been in a winning position from the start.
To be quite honest.
She wasn't overly excited.
However, for Chen Ran, the special secret realm, filled with mystery, was merely a bonus. What he truly cared about was freedom.
(Xia He and Mo Shanhe: Damn it! If only you had said so earlier...)
Ji Yi took out her phone and sent a text message.
'Grandpa, Chen Ran's recruitment was successful.'
After doing so, she closed her eyes to rest and recuperate.
Ji Yi's identity was indeed extraordinary.
She was a descendant of that Qin Longhu!
At this moment.
Shenjing!
Inside the principal's office at the Dragon Tiger Knights Academy.
The elderly Qin Longhu looked spirited and robust, his physique remarkably strong. Looking at his external appearance, one wouldn't guess he was a seventy-something-year-old man.
'Ding dong'!
His phone screen lit up, and a text message appeared.
Qin Longhu picked up his phone and glanced at it.
"Decade..."
He murmured the knight's name.
The corners of his lips curved into a slight smile...
......