Qian Jin looked up at the sky, wondering how long this run would last. He’d better finish quickly, before more and more people gathered to watch.

What was this? The clustered warriors watching were stunned by Qian Jin’s sudden burst of speed. What was the kid doing?

Starting a full sprint now? It looked like he was finishing up in just one or two more laps. Why was he pushing himself like this?

One lap… five laps… ten laps… fifteen laps… The few warriors standing still stared intently. A sprint meant exerting one’s entire strength; it should drain his energy quickly. Did this kid’s body not know fatigue?

“See, the way this boy runs is quite unique,” Isabella said, standing by the window and pointing at Qian Jin’s feet for Biluo to observe. “Every time his foot lands, there’s a distinct rhythm that increases friction with the ground, yet uses almost no effort.”

Biluo peered outside closely, shaking her head in confusion. It didn't seem special at all.

“I practiced this method myself once before.”

Isabella tapped her chin lightly. “It seems the rumors might be true. This kid has been inside the Ancient Barren Sea.”

“The Ancient Barren Sea?” Biluo looked up at Isabella sharply.

“Oh! Your appearance is truly lovely! No one at our school can rival your beauty, can they? Why hide it away?” Isabella stared intently at Biluo beneath her large hat, her eyes widening repeatedly. “You are so beautiful, you ought to show it off.”

Biluo immediately lowered her head, her large hat swaying wildly from side to side. “No, I can’t…”

“Shy?” Isabella stretched languidly, shaking her head. “Young people these days, I just don’t understand you. But Qian Jin must have been to the Ancient Barren Sea. His movement style was clearly honed in the sand.”

“Sand?” Biluo’s doubtful eyes followed Qian Jin as he bolted around the track, still unable to perceive any difference.

Isabella rested one hand on her chin, which was smooth as porcelain, watching Qian Jin’s run with keen interest. “Walking on sand consumes several times the energy compared to flat ground. People who live there long enough begin seeking ways to conserve energy while moving. Qian Jin clearly didn’t just walk there; he must have sprinted at high speeds countless times. This is something forged in life-or-death situations! I never imagined he had such nerve, actually entering the Ancient Barren Sea.” Biluo looked up at Isabella; the Headmistress seemed entirely enveloped in an aura of mystery. Rumor had it she was a Bloodline Warrior, but no one knew which lineage, or perhaps they knew but dared not speak of it. Even stranger was her unwavering support for Biluo, which ran completely counter to her usual demeanor at the academy.

“Those without the qualifications to enjoy greater resources, I will never waste even a single copper coin on you!”

Isabella’s domineering declaration at the morning assembly still echoed in the minds of countless students. “You’re curious how I know about Qian Jin?” Isabella’s smile reminded Biluo of her older sister, exuding a tender warmth. “When Qian Jin came that time, your trio was quite peculiar. I sparred with him once, and it left a deep impression. His strength at the Demon Subjugation Stage Two actually forced me to improve continuously… very few people can achieve that.”

“The Ancient Barren Sea…” Isabella looked up at the white clouds drifting across the sky. “I went there once too. But I required powerful companions nearby. He, however, needed no mercenary guard or escort to enter. I truly don't know whether to call him brave or utterly ignorant?”

Ninety laps… ninety-five… ninety-six… One hundred!

Cold sweat beaded on the foreheads of the observing student warriors. Mopping his own brow, Qian Jin, who felt like he’d been soaked in a steam bath, clicked his tongue repeatedly. Was this kid a beast? Look at him, drenched in sweat, yet barely panting or showing any signs of fatigue. That was a solid forty laps at high speed, sustained!

“What’s his background?”

“No idea!”

“Just based on that stamina alone, he should be somewhat famous around the academy.”

“Never heard of him! It’s like he materialized out of thin air.”

“Look, he’s going upstairs! That’s where the Headmistress’s office is.”

“Finished…” Qian Jin pushed the door open and walked into the room. He grabbed a clean bandage from his storage dimension, wiped the sweat from his body, and collapsed heavily onto the sofa, slapping his thigh muscles repeatedly. “Exhausted.”

“Act. Continue…” Isabella returned to her prominent seat, clasping her hands across her chest, pressing against those sharp assets. “Put on a good show. As if it were real.”

Qian Jin managed an awkward smile, picked up the nearby teapot, and drank directly from the spout, gulping water down his throat to rapidly replenish his lost fluids.

He drained the entire pot of clear tea. Qian Jin set the teapot down, smiling faintly at Isabella, the young Headmistress. He’d chatted and confided with figures like Snake Emperor Pan Hongji just a few days prior. Having witnessed grander scenes, seeing this young Headmistress now elicited no student-like nervousness.

Isabella scrutinized Qian Jin carefully. Compared to a few months ago, this young man carried a much deeper sense of composure, as if he had lived through an immense number of experiences. This wasn't just the result of surviving life and death; it was a temperament forged through extensive tempering.

“Kid, how long did you say you requested leave for?” Isabella placed her slender fingers on the desk in front of her, tapping rhythmically, creating a soft dudu sound.

Qian Jin stood up and looked at Isabella silently, offering a slight grin. There was nothing to say; judging by his original leave request, he had indeed been gone far, far too long. If the Headmistress wanted to make a point, the wise approach was to simply listen.

“Back to finalize your leave, I presume?” Isabella adjusted her posture, settling into an alluring S-curve. “According to academy regulations, because you violated the leave policy and accumulated too many unexcused absences, you have already been forcibly withdrawn from the academy.”

“Oh,” Qian Jin replied, waiting for Isabella to continue. Her first instruction upon seeing him—to run a hundred laps—clearly indicated she had no real intention of expelling him. These words were merely setup for what was to come.

Isabella gazed at Qian Jin with sparkling, appreciative eyes. Was this kid doing this on purpose?

Not saying a word, deliberately trying to make me perform a solo act?

“Fine! There is only one way to avoid expulsion,” Isabella looked at Qian Jin. “Over the past few months, this Dean has personally created the Hundred Battles Ranking for our academy. As long as you can break into the Hundred Battles Ranking and still pass the end-of-term assessment next semester, you naturally won’t have to withdraw. Otherwise…”

A black handbook flew up from Isabella’s desk, spinning end over end until it landed neatly in Qian Jin’s hands. It was clearly an item prepared in advance for this very moment.

Qian Jin flipped the handbook open and immediately felt a sense of familiarity. Yes! Many things written within carried a deeply resonant echo.

Warrior Department Hundred Battles Ranking: All warriors in the academy, regardless of age or grade, may challenge if they dare. The strongest is ranked first, the next strongest second, and so on, down to the hundredth position.

The Hundred Battles Ranking directly reflects the top one hundred combat powers in the Conquest War Academy. The highest-ranked receive the most resources—Spirit Crystals, Battle Stones, combat techniques, etc.—and gain priority access to opportunities where the academy commissions the Blacksmiths’ Guild to forge Battle-Weapon grade equipment, as well as priority for various trial invitations.

The Ranking is meticulously detailed. The specific rewards corresponding to each rank, and the priority given in certain events, are clearly listed. It even specifies how many Crystal resources are awarded for maintaining a rank for a duration, how many bonus resources are given upon ascending, and how many resources are deducted if one falls in rank.

Those who maintain a spot in the top ten are even recommended by the academy for direct admission into the War Hall or the Blood Shrine!

Qian Jin sucked in a sharp breath as he read the handbook. That clause about guaranteed recommendation to the Blood Shrine or War Hall was incredibly tempting! Any warrior, no matter how firm their self-control, would be excited, perhaps even driven mad, upon seeing that provision.

The Blood Shrine! Known as the holy training ground for Bloodline Warriors, it was not open to just any lineage warrior. Even families like the Qian Clan, capable of producing Ultimate Awakening Spirit King Bloodline Warriors, held this place in immense regard.

The War Hall, on the other hand, was hailed as the ultimate sacred ground for ordinary warriors. Fabu Frostdis once emerged from the War Hall as one of the Three Heroes, and he has now become a Saint-level powerhouse. It remains a mystery what his Soul Domain might be.

Reading further down were the rankings of the Hundred Battles List. First place: [Thunder Lion King] Tian Lianlingguan, Griffin Bloodline! Fifth-year warrior, height 2.02 meters, wingspan 2.20 meters. Strength: Unknown. His full power has never been fully drawn out by an opponent.

Second place: [Sleeping Lion King] Hong Zhelingguan, Griffin Bloodline, Fifth-year warrior, height 1.98 meters, wingspan 2.15 meters. Strength: Unknown, only admitted defeat to Tian Lianlingguan; no one knows the nature of that defeat.

Third place: [Roaring Lion King] Ling Fenglingguan… “Damn it!” Qian Jin couldn't help but slap the small booklet. The top three were all Griffin Bloodline Warriors! Currently, the Ten Great Bloodline Warriors and the Three Ultimate Bloodline Warriors of the Zhence Dynasty rarely enrolled in the same War Academy.

Higher-tier War Academies usually maintained a close partnership with one major Bloodline Warrior family. The Conquest War Academy, specifically, had deep cooperation with the Griffin Bloodline among the Ten Great Bloodlines.

Griffin Bloodline! Griffin Bloodline! Qian Jin read the top three rankings repeatedly, sighing in dismay. Even among the Ten Great Bloodline Warrior families, there were slight gaps in inherent strength.