Chapter 247: Entering the Light Institute
“Many temptations?”
Xu Zhi grew curious.
Ke Yi glanced at Xu Zhi’s somewhat youthful face and hesitated before saying only, “You just need to know that many people walk in, and when they come out, they’re no longer free. The Consortium has plenty of ways to make sure those who enter leave with not a single coin in their pockets—or even end up deeply in debt.”
It sounded rather frightening—especially to someone as broke as Xu Zhi.
“However, within the commercial district there are also services specifically provided for Transcendents. The Consortium always has the most complete selection of goods. If you truly can’t find something you need elsewhere, you can try looking there.”
Besides that, Ke Yi gave Xu Zhi a general introduction to the geography of the Fifth Layer, the distribution of key facilities, and its greatest difference from the Lower District—here, there was “order and law.”
“See that building in the very center?” Ke Yi pointed out the window. Xu Zhi turned her head and saw a skyscraper that seemed to rise straight into the clouds.
“That’s where the Lower Council is located. The Council and the Guard Corps are stationed there. Transcendents may be different from ordinary people, but unless their strength reaches a certain level, they must still obey the rules. That building is where those rules are made.”
The Council.
Xu Zhi silently repeated the word in her mind. Among the factions that had tried to recruit her, the Council had not been one of them.
On the way to the Light Institute, whenever they passed a place of note, Ke Yi dutifully explained what it was. After about three hours of driving, they finally arrived at the gates of the Light Institute.
Though the Fifth Layer was built in the sky—a so-called “City in the Sky”—it was not flat and featureless. There were rivers and mountains. The Light Institute alone occupied an entire mountain peak.
The entrance was built at the foot of the mountain. At a glance it was clearly modern architecture, yet its style had deliberately been given a touch of antiquity. Ke Yi unloaded Xu Zhi’s wheelchair from the vehicle. Qi Yanxin initially wanted to carry her down, but Xu Zhi glanced at the figures outside and chose to get down herself. Though her movements were slower, it was still far better than being carried out in full view of everyone.
“It’s not enrollment season right now. You’ve missed two months of classes. I’ll compile the materials for that portion and send them to you. I hope you’ll study them on your own.”
Xu Zhi nodded in understanding. As a transfer student, she couldn’t expect the Light Institute to adjust its curriculum just for her. She would have to make up the missing coursework herself.
“The main entrance to the Light Institute is here. There’s also a small gate at the back of the mountain, and side gates in the southeast, southwest, northeast, and northwest. But non-students may only enter through the main gate after registering. You’re not yet an official student, so today I’ll take you through the main gate once so you can familiarize yourself.”
Qi Yanxin and Xu Zhi followed behind Ke Yi toward the gate. As soon as she stepped out of the car, Xu Zhi could already sense gazes falling on her—likely from the guards.
The gate was wide, and the surrounding wall was not particularly high. From outside, one could directly see the interior—a flat plaza connected to a stone staircase leading up the mountain.
In the center of the plaza stood a humanoid statue. Xu Zhi guessed it might be the founder of the academy or someone similar.
Around the plaza were rows of plane trees. Their leaves were turning yellow, and with each gust of wind, they drifted down onto the ground, tinting the concrete with their color.
The atmosphere looked quiet and gentle.
When they reached the gate, the person in the guard booth opened the window and looked at Ke Yi. “Miss Ke, you’re back? Are these the two you were sent to pick up?”
Ke Yi nodded. “Yes. Please issue two temporary passes.”
“Already prepared.” The person inside handed over two cards resembling ID badges, engraved with a burning candle.
“One-way access. Can only be used once. Please keep them safe.”
Ke Yi took them and handed them to Xu Zhi and Qi Yanxin. “These are your passes. Once inside Light Institute, anyone who hasn’t been authenticated and isn’t carrying a pass may be attacked.”
Xu Zhi looked at the small card in her hand, curious about what kind of “attack” Ke Yi meant. Unfortunately, now wasn’t the time to recklessly test it.
“Let’s go.”
Ke Yi took the lead and stepped through the gate.
The moment Xu Zhi crossed the threshold, stepping past some invisible boundary, the hairs on her body rose slightly. It felt as if her body had sensed some kind of threat she herself wasn’t consciously aware of. However, the threat wasn’t directed at her, so no further alarm followed.
“Strange feeling…”
Xu Zhi looked around but saw nothing unusual. At moments like this, she sorely missed her eyes. If her Transcendent ability were still intact, perhaps she could have discerned the cause.
After entering the gate, the interior of the plaza became clearer. Xu Zhi looked somewhat troubled at the stone staircase stretching straight up into the mountain.
“Don’t tell me we have to climb that?”
Ke Yi laughed. “Of course not. Usually no one is willing to climb those stairs. They serve another purpose. We can take the elevator.”
Well then—good thing this was still modern society. Even mountains had elevators.
After speaking, Ke Yi led Xu Zhi toward the left side of the plaza and explained as they walked, “Light Institute is built along the mountain. At the foot of the mountain are the main gate and the Outer Court. The Inner Court is established at the summit. Students from the two courts don’t usually meet, and their courses are different. If an Outer Court student wishes to enter the Inner Court, they may attempt to climb the stone staircase. If they successfully reach the top and arrive at the Inner Court, they are considered qualified.”
It didn’t sound modern at all.
Xu Zhi complained inwardly. She wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination, but compared to the strong sense of technology she had seen when first arriving at the Fifth Layer, the Light Institute felt far more “antique.” Not only the architecture—even the method of screening students carried an ancient flavor.
Shouldn’t it be more like in sci-fi movies—conducting genetic tests on students, determining that someone had exceptional talent, and then admitting them?
Just as Xu Zhi was thinking this, Ke Yi said, “Ordinary students undergo talent testing upon admission. But Miss Xu, you were specially recruited, so you don’t need to pass that stage. However, the annual final exams are tied to scholarships. If you need money, you’ll have to work hard.”
“How do they test talent?” Xu Zhi immediately asked, having heard something that interested her.
“The Outer Court’s testing isn’t very strict. Generally, they assess Transcendent attributes, level, affinity, and physical condition.”
“The Inner Court is much more complex. In addition to those basic assessments, they also test comprehension, resistance to secrecy, deconstruction ability, and another more important test—but that one I can’t tell you about.”
Xu Zhi secretly committed this to memory, while outwardly putting on an expression of admiration. “That’s really strict.”
Ke Yi smiled. “After all, the Inner Court is the foundation of Light Institute, so it’s naturally more important. But compared to the Consortium, Light’s testing is nothing.”
As if sharing gossip, Ke Yi leaned closer. “It’s a good thing you didn’t choose the Consortium. Any Transcendent who becomes affiliated with them has their blood, bone marrow, and Transcendent energy extracted. Then they undergo extensive testing to uncover every ounce of potential—after which a perfectly tailored exploitation plan is created.”
As she spoke, Ke Yi shook her head. “They really use people as tools to the absolute extreme.”
