29 Hong Yao 

While the class had a short break, Hong Yao helped to break the ice with his new desk mate. 

"Hey, my name's Hong Yao. Nice to meet you." 

"Nice to meet you, Hong Yao." Li Tian smiled back. He was an awkward potato that did not know how to start a conversation. 

"May I ask how you found the questions set by the principal? If you did not know, Principal Zhong is one of the key question setters for the Gifted People Proficiency Test." 

"Mmm. I thought that the questions had its tricky elements, but if you had a good knowledge foundation, the answers were just there in front of you." 

"Hahaha, you said the same thing as the number one scholar for last year's GPPT." 

"You have met the number one scholar?" Li Tian was curious. 

"Yeah, when we had a scholars gathering in December, the number one scholar, Bing Xue Ting was present." 

"Bing Xue Ting…" Li Tian had no recollection of this name. It seemed that he was not very connected with the outside world. He connected the dots as he asked Hong Yao, "Doesn't that mean you are a scholar yourself?" 

"Mmm. I have already been accepted into Hua Military Institute and will be signing on with them next year." 

For the scholars of the GPPT, typically, they would choose to enrol in one of the top five universities in the Land of Hua. Based on current rankings, the number one University was Hua Ancient Ruins University, which was the oldest University in Hua. The university had the number one department in Sword and Saber, Spears, Archery and Pill-Refining. Their vast amount of seniors that would sponsor the growth of their juniors were significantly higher than the other universities. 

The second place University was the Central University of Hua, which had the number one department of Beast Taming and Brawlers. Although they only had two number one departments, their Sword and Saber, Spears and Archery were a close second against the Hua Ancient Ruins University. In the past decade, after the graduation of the Li Clan students, the Sword and Saber Department of Central University of Hua had unfortunately lost their position as the number one department and could not get that position back. Only Beast Taming was an undisputed first. 

The third place University was the Technical Institute of Hua, which was mainly a research-based University that provided significant contributions to the technological landscape of Hua. They had the undisputed first departments in Technology and Modern Medicine. This was where the CPT was created by the founder, Mu Rong Kui. Anyone interested in Science and tech would not hesitate to enrol here. 

The fourth place University was Hong Yao's university of choice, Hua Military Institute. This University was special in a sense that all students that joined this institute had to sign on to become a military officer. There was a mandatory conscription of five years after University, where their entire career route was planned for them based on their aptitudes in the institute. This was where the number one department in Strategies was located. Though, their other combat departments were third amongst the other university. Sometimes, they were even able to squeeze in a second for certain departments. 

The fifth place University was East Horizon Academy, which was in the east of Hua. It was the closest University, out of the big five, to the Sapphire Abyss Sea. This university, although they did not have the greatest combat departments, they did have the best departments in Cooking and Herbology. The reason for this is because the university was close to the abundant amount of resources from the Sapphire Abyss Sea and Mount Huang, the largest mountain in the Land of Hua. 

These universities were named, 'The Big Five' as their positions would never drop below fifth place. If any cultivator came out of one of these universities, they were almost always guaranteed a job due to their credibility and connections they had forged in the school. 

"Wow, that's very impressive." Li Tian commented. To him, it felt like he was talking to a future Stanford or Harvard student. 

"Nah, I'm sure you could become a GPPT scholar if you wanted to." Hong Yao was not trying to flatter Li Tian but was very serious about it. 

"What are you planning to study in Hua Military Institute?" 

"Strategies." Hong Yao said proudly. "I've always wanted to help serve the nation and prevent Demonic Beast attacks in the border lands. As my cultivation level is not the highest, I wanted to become a great strategist that could rival your family's Li Kang." 

"You've heard of my uncle?" 

"What, he's your uncle?? If possible, can you get his signature for me! If you asked any aspiring strategist who their idol was, they would surely say Li Kang." Hong Yao's eyes blinged with eager. He started to tell the story of Li Tian's uncle which he had worked with before. 

"Li Kang was a GPPT scholar that graduated top of his class in the Department of Strategies in Hua Military Institute. At age 24, after assuming post as a Strategic Officer in an Infantry Division in the Eastern Border, Li Kang proceeded to command his division on one of the greatest operation known to Hua people, Operation Venomclaw. During that time, one of the strongest Demonic Beast in the world, the Scorpion-tailed Lion, who named herself Venomclaw, was laying her eggs. He proceeded to lure the weakened Venomclaw out of her burrow and stole her eggs right under her nose. The Li Clan kept one of the eggs and had auctioned off the other five." 

"At age 28, Li Kang commanded his company to encircle many Rank 4 Blue Thorned Scorpions that was headed by a Rank 6 Sand Terror. Without losing a single soldier, they vanquished the Demonic Beasts that number a few hundred. This was where he theorized and put to action the Pentagon Encirclement strategy that was studied by students nowadays. At age 30…" 

"Alright, alright. I've already heard these stories before." Li Tian waved his hand to stop the enthusiastic Hong Yao from speaking any further. He could tell this youth in front of him was truly passionate about studying about Strategies. Back when he was asked to work under Li Kang for a few months, he was exposed to many Li Kang fanatics. All of them looked up to his uncle with great veneration. 

"Sorry, sorry. I got too excited just thinking about it." 

"Nothing to be sorry about. I understand what it means to truly be passionate about something." Li Tian was the same, but for anime. He could empathise with Hong Yao. 

"Alright class, let us go through the answers now." With Teacher Jun Wang's instructions, everyone in class turned quiet as he went through the workings and ideas used in the question. Those that couldn't get the question because of a few missing concepts, learnt their mistakes and committed it to memory. 

Although the questions used in the GPPT were more difficult than the regular high school examination, the concepts tested were the same. This meant that if you could do the GPPT questions, it meant that the regular examinations were easy for you. 

While the teacher was going through certain concepts, Li Tian did not bother to listen with full attention. He split his mind in half and started watching the 'The Princess and The Bee' which he pre-recorded in his head. Time passed just like that, and it was soon lunch time. When the time came and it was break for the Class 3A students, everyone started crowding around Li Tian, mainly the girls. 

"Student Li Tian! You must be so smart to have entered high school at twelve years old! Can you help this big sister out with this question?" 

"Li Tian, you must have some incredible study habits. Could you give me a few tips? I'd love to get to know you better, too!" 

"Li Tian, I'm curious about your interests outside of school. Do you have any hobbies or favorite books? I'd love to hear more about you!" 

"Li Tian, Li Tian, want to sit together with us at lunch?" 

"Ahh! Li Tian can I squish your cheeks just once?" 

"What back off, Xiao Qi! If Li Tian were to let anyone squish his cheeks, it would be me!" 

"No, me!" 

Li Tian felt extremely awkward as he sat by his table. He did not know how to react to the crowd of girls that surrounded him. He felt a tug on his uniform and was pulled out of the swarm of girls. When he turned around, he realised his brother, Li Xi had saved him from the situation as they quickly sneaked out of the classroom. 

"Come, let me take you to were I usually have lunch in school." Li Xi spoke, and they ran up the staircase. He turned to see his younger brother who had just been swarmed by girls. "I cannot believe how on the first day of school, my little bro has managed to attract the attention of all the girls in your class. Moreover, the girls in my class were also inquiring about you just now."