In the Forging Room, Wang Shuheng was panting heavily as he set down his forging hammer.
"I can't deny my age, can't even swing the hammer anymore."
His main profession was as a Sixth Level Rune Master and a Fifth Level Blacksmith, and in his youth, he was just a step away from becoming a Grandmaster-level Rune Master.
But Wang Shuheng's Martial Arts Cultivation was only at the Fourth Level High Stage, and his martial path had reached its end. He was over seventy, and his qi and blood were dwindling year by year.
He wanted to pass on his skills, but he didn't want to make do with just anyone. Moreover, in a bottom-tier Martial Arts University like Shenjiang Martial Arts University, it was nearly impossible to find someone with potential to cultivate.
Weapon forgers are divided into two primary categories: blacksmiths and rune masters, with many rune masters also serving as blacksmiths.
Blacksmiths focus on the weapon itself, while rune masters are responsible for inscribing runes onto the weapon using arrays. Good runes can significantly enhance a weapon's power, even doubling it.
If resources are available, it's not difficult to cultivate a blacksmith.
But rune masters are much rarer, requiring naturally gifted Spiritual Talents or martial artists above the Sixth Level, as rune inscription involves using spiritual power to guide special materials for engraving.
Without innate Spiritual Talent, ordinary martial artists need to reach the Sixth Level Peak before they can even begin to access spiritual power.
"Let's have a meal first and check on the registration situation."
Wang Shuheng carried several lunch boxes to the cafeteria, which was particularly lively today.
Hmm?
Did something happen?
Why are so many people gathered over there?
"Su Mu, calm down, you need to think this through."
Su Mu? The name sounded somewhat familiar. After thinking for a moment, Wang Shuheng's interest was piqued, and he headed toward the crowd.
"Fine, the counselor registration form is right here. Then I'll trouble Captain Sun to accompany me to the school's administrative hall."
Su Mu was puzzled; he had never disclosed his intention to apply for a counselor position. How did this bastard find out?
Well, this saves him some trouble since Sun Jianren walked right into his trap.
His plan was to make a big deal out of it, using this opportunity to announce his status as a Third Level Martial Artist and his application for the counselor position. Since he already offended the bastard, he was not afraid of whatever tricks Director Li might pull.
And with such a high-profile move, more people would know, the word would spread, and with so many eyes watching, Director Li wouldn't dare openly sabotage him.
If Su Mu ended up losing due to his own issues, he would accept it. At worst, he would return to the base for development.
But that's a story for another time. Right now, Su Mu just wanted to slap the bastard in the face hard.
Su Mu immediately slammed the registration form onto the table.
"No way, is this really the counselor registration form? Is Su Mu joking?"
"Isn't the minimum requirement for counselor registration a Third Level Martial Artist? Does that security guard named Su Mu even qualify to apply?"
"You're asking me? I'm clueless, too."
"Could he possibly be a Third Level Martial Artist?"
"No way. Even our school's Security Captain is only a Second Level Peak, and he doesn't have a single star on his shoulder, not even a squad leader level. How could he be a Third Level Martial Artist?"
"Exactly, our school allows you to graduate as a Second Level Martial Artist, and a Third Level one is exceptional. How could a security guard be a Third Level Martial Artist?"
The students were bustling with speculation, and the mention of a Third Level Martial Artist sent Sun Jianren, Li Lei, and others into a panic; they swallowed nervously.
The students might not know, but they were well aware Su Mu had been at the Second Level Peak for years, otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to participate in the Security Captain election.
Did Su Mu somehow manage to break through to Third Level Martial Artist?
Otherwise, why would he have the gall to make a scene?
The more they considered it, the more uneasy and frightened they became, falling into silence.
"Captain Sun, shall we?"
"You, you... I, I..."
Sun Jianren stammered, finally blurting out, "Do you know what the consequences are for falsifying Martial Arts Cultivation?"
After saying this, Sun Jianren suddenly gained confidence.
That's right; there's no way Su Mu is a Third Level Martial Artist. If he were, why would he obediently stand guard at the gate before? He must be bluffing.
"Yes, how do you prove you're a Third Level..."
Before he could finish.
Su Mu took a Warrior Badge from his pocket and slammed it down on Sun Jianren's desk with a bang.
Seeing this.
Sun Jianren's face changed drastically, his whole body trembling, his throat moving up and down as he glanced at it.
The exquisite Warrior Badge clearly bore the ancient numeral for three—an indisputable Third Level Badge. No one would dare to forge a Warrior Badge with such audacity.
The appearance of the Third Level Warrior Badge instantly caused an uproar in the entire room.
Li Lei's face changed drastically.
"Three, Third Level Badge. Captain Su, you're already a Third Level Martial Artist?!"
Unknowingly, Li Lei once again referred to Su Mu as Captain Su. Su Mu didn't even glance at Li Lei; he just kept his eyes fixed on Sun Jianren.
"Wow, a Third Level Warrior Badge. That security guard named Su Mu is really a Third Level Martial Artist."
"And did you notice? That badge is a Third Level Middle Stage badge. Look, there are two star marks above the three, indicating it's not Initial Stage."
"Our school is full of hidden talents. A security guard is actually at the Third Level Middle Stage?!"
Upon hearing this, Sun Jianren, Li Lei, and others turned ashen. Looking closely, they indeed saw the two star marks. This wasn't just a Third Level Badge but a Third Level Middle Stage Badge.
It also indicated that Su Mu didn't just recently advance to Third Level Martial Artist but had been at that stage for a long time.
In an instant, Li Lei and others were filled with regret, inwardly lamenting that it was all over now.
Sun Jianren's face was a mix of shock and disbelief, thinking to himself if Su Mu was crazy or had a grudge against him, just lying in wait for him?
If you're a Third Level Middle Stage Martial Artist, Su Mu, why didn't you say so earlier?
If he'd known Su Mu was this strong, Sun Jianren wouldn't have dared assign this deity to guard the gate.
And why would this deity even be competing for the Security Captain position? With his Martial Arts Cultivation revealed, the captain's position would be his already.
"There should be no clamor in the cafeteria, Su Mu. As a school security guard, if you're not maintaining school order, why are you gathering people to make trouble?"
At this moment, a stern voice resounded, and the crowd parted, revealing Director Li.
"It's the Logistics Department's Director Li!"
Seeing Director Li appear, Sun Jianren's heart calmed. His uncle had shown up, and the situation was settled!
Sun Jianren's uncle was the Logistics Department's director, a Fourth Level Initial Stage Martial Artist. What's so scary about you, Su Mu, just a mere Third Level Middle Stage?
Sun Jianren couldn't help but smile, and Li Lei and others also secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Su Mu frowned. He was unlucky, running into Director Li at such a critical moment, but now he had no intention of backing down.
"Director Li, may I ask which eye saw me gathering people to cause trouble? Captain Sun wants to fire me. To fulfill his wish, I specifically brought my resignation letter."
"Furthermore, Captain Sun himself proposed to accompany me. What fault do I have?"
Su Mu, neither arrogant nor subservient, finished with a counter-question.
Sun Jianren was momentarily stunned, then overjoyed. Su Mu even dared to retort to his uncle; this guy must be losing it. Now he could just sit back and enjoy the show, as his uncle would handle it well.
Director Li was taken aback by his words, then let out a cold snort.
"Still being stubborn? You openly incited a disturbance in public. Are you challenging our Shenjiang Martial Arts University?"
"With that alone, how does being a Third Level Middle Stage Martial Artist matter? Your character is flawed, and so your teaching morals must be too. I, on behalf of the school, refuse your counselor application form. Someone like you is unworthy..."
Director Li was ready to use the school's authority to pressure him, but Su Mu challenged him, tit for tat.
"Director Li, what gives you the right to represent the entire Shenjiang Martial Arts University?"
Instantly, there was a collective gasp in the cafeteria. Everyone assumed the matter would end when Director Li showed up. No one expected a security guard to stand his ground!
"Ridiculous. What right does a security guard have to question me? I'm under no obligation to explain myself to you."
Upstairs, Dean Lin heard this and frowned, increasingly disliking Su Mu for openly defying authority. But for Zhou Lei's sake, he planned to step in.
Just as he was about to intervene, someone spoke before him.
"Good, you asked that well. If Director Li says he has no obligation, then let me ask."
"Director Li, what gives you the right to represent the entire Shenjiang Martial Arts University?"