Su Yuan returned to the Demon Capital and immediately handed the Phoenix Nirvana Stone and Flare Silver Branch to Situ Qingyin.


    Situ Qingyin was amazed and didn’t expect Su Yuan to gather the other two pieces of third-level materials so quickly!


    After the two discussed some details about the style and specifications of the long knife, Su Yuan paid more than one million for the purchase of other first and second-level auxiliary materials needed for refining.


    Finally, Situ Qingyin said it would take about a month to complete the weapon, and she would notify Su Yuan when it was ready.


    Su Yuan thanked her and went directly back to the academy.


    At this time, nearly five months had passed since the freshman enrollment at the beginning of September. It was already late January of the new year.


    Not only Su Yuan but also the freshmen of the Demon Capital Academy were growing rapidly using the academy’s platform.


    Out of over two thousand freshmen at the Demon Capital Academy, more than 700 had already broken through to the Bronze Level, and more than 50 had reached the Bronze Middle Stage!


    The Star Power Academy also had a one-month winter break and summer break in February and August, respectively.


    During this period, there were no small classes, and the academy generally didn’t have any unified activities. At most, the mentors would have some tasks and arrangements.


    But this didn’t make much difference for the academy students.


    At the academy, if you didn’t advance, you would fall behind. The driving force was self-motivation.


    If you didn’t seize the time to improve, you would be surpassed by others and eventually fade into mediocrity.


    A few days later, He Yanan gathered everyone again and said there was something important to discuss, and it was best not to be absent.


    In Classroom 1 of the Teaching Building 3, Su Yuan walked in.


    "Su Yuan?!"


    Sitting in the front row, Shang Baiyu saw Su Yuan, whom he hadn’t seen for a long time. He greeted him with surprise and joy.


    Shang Baiyu’s voice immediately caught the attention of Zhang Tai, Lu Yingying, and other classmates.


    Everyone took an extra look at Su Yuan. After all, Su Yuan had missed several small class sessions recently.


    "Baiyu."


    Su Yuan smiled and responded before sitting in the empty seat next to him.


    That seat was where Su Yuan used to sit. Even though he hadn’t been there for some time, no one else dared to take it.


    Shang Baiyu sized Su Yuan up and down, then smiled: "You’ve been on leave quite long, over a month."


    Su Yuan shook his head: "I had no choice. I was searching for artifact refining materials."


    "Oh?" Shang Baiyu asked in a low voice, "Was it successful?"


    "Fairly smooth. I’ve already tasked an artifact refiner to start the work."


    "Impressive! It’s only been a few months since the start of the school year, and you’ve gathered all the materials for a blue star artifact and started refining it." Shang Baiyu expressed some amazement, then smiled, "Remember to show me when it’s done."


    Su Yuan laughed: "No problem."


    As class time approached, Xia Yue, Xiang Dingqian, and others also arrived one after another. When they saw Su Yuan, they nodded slightly in greeting, somewhat surprised.


    Luo Bingtong arrived soon after and quietly sat in her usual seat to Su Yuan’s right.


    Soon, Su Yuan’s phone buzzed.


    "You’re back" — Luo Bingtong


    Su Yuan turned his head and saw Luo Bingtong holding her phone with both hands. He replied, "Yeah, long time no see."


    ...


    At 8 o’clock, He Yanan walked into the classroom right on time.


    "Hello, students!" He Yanan greeted loudly.


    With slightly dark and healthy skin and a firm and sexy figure, she seemed perpetually full of energy.


    "Hello, Teacher Xiao He!"


    But such a treasure was surely not accessible to everyone.


    If all students could use the Holy Spring, wouldn’t Demon City students have a substantial advantage over Capitol City and Demon Capital?


    He Yanan continued: "The Holy Spring has limited production, and the quota for entering the Holy Spring Secret Realm is limited to 100 each year.


    Of these, 70 are basic quotas: 30 for Demon City, and 20 each for Capitol City and Demon Capital.


    The remaining 30 are additional quotas determined by the exchange competition!


    First place in the competition gains an extra 20 spots;


    Second place gains an extra 10 spots."


    "At worst, only 20 spots..."


    "Not enough even for the elite class. Wonder how it’ll be allocated."


    "Looks like our class will compete for spots first..."


    The class started whispering. Everyone wanted to go to the Demon City Holy Spring, but the limited spots made it tough.


    He Yanan spoke slowly: "This time, besides our class, the second and third classes will also be involved. The spots will be contested among students from all three classes.


    When the competition format is confirmed, I will directly decide who will participate.


    Those participating will not only get direct entry to the Holy Spring Secret Realm but, if they win first or second place and earn more spots for the academy, there will also be additional Academic Points and rewards."


    Su Yuan thought that given his demonstrate strength, it was likely that Teacher Xiao He would choose him.


    Even if not chosen, obtaining one of the 20 spots wouldn’t be too difficult, though it might take some effort.


    Not just Su Yuan, but also Ye Qing, Xia Yue, Zhang Tai, and others appeared composed and confident.


    Strength gave them the confidence. When you had strength, you weren’t afraid of competition!


    Some students in the class, however, seemed anxious.


    In the second and third classes, some students had surpassed those at the lower end of the elite class, like He Huanyan, who had obtained the Three-leaf Essence.


    They might indeed take some spots from the elite class.


    Mu Qingyu asked: "Teacher Xiao He, the Holy Spring is extremely precious. Why would Demon City students be willing to share it with us?"


    He Yanan smiled: "This is thanks to the Education Bureau’s ’Three Capitals Academy Resource Sharing Agreement.’


    For academies, besides the average student level, the strength of representatively top students is crucial.


    Previously, the allure of the Demon City Holy Spring led many top talents to join Demon Academy.


    With these top talents, Demon Academy consistently won first place in the national academy competition.


    The academy’s ranking and influence increased, they received more resources from the Education Bureau, which attracted more top talents to Demon Academy...


    Thus, the strong became stronger until Demon Academy surpassed both Capitol City and Demon Capital, becoming unrivaled."


    Shang Baiyu pondered and asked: "Such a dominant situation seems not very good?"


    He Yanan nodded: "Indeed, one dominant academy isn’t conducive to the development of the entire education system.


    So, the Education Bureau reformed and proposed the ’Three Capitals Academy Resource Sharing Agreement.’


    Each of the three academies opens some of its unique resources to the other two, including the Demon City Holy Spring.


    This means the Holy Spring is no longer exclusive to Demon Academy students. Top talents don’t need to enroll solely for the Holy Spring.


    It balances the strength of the Three Capitals academies, promoting healthy competition.


    Moreover, combining resources from all three academies allows top talents to access unique resources from the others, facilitating better growth.


    This is a win-win situation for the entire education system and the top students in the Three Capitals academies."


    No wonder...


    The explanation made sense. It meant that if you were excellent enough, you could enjoy the resources unique to other academies.