In the grand nation of Huaxia, with its vast territory and a population in the hundreds of billions, everyone aspires to the Martial Way, dreaming of becoming a Tianwu Master—soaring over the Heavenly Gate and breaking through the Nine Heavens.

Langya Province, Tianjian City, Second Junior High School.

Morning, 9th Grade Class (8).

"Dude, did you see the news? Liu Qing, the Culinary King, went out solo into the wild to finish his eighth-tier spirit dish, and straight-up wiped out the den of an eighth-tier pinnacle spirit beast, the Thundercloud Leopard."

"That's insane. He fought three days and three nights with just two kitchen knives, didn't even blink!"

"That video got my blood pumping so hard."

"He's ridiculously strong! Definitely the pinnacle of the Chef vocation in this new era."

"New Oriental's really hitting the jackpot this time."

"Same New Oriental grads, both chefs by vocation, but why is my dad such trash?"

"Your dad's only got E-tier talent. Liu Qing's talent, though…"

Suddenly, the classroom door swung open, and the chatter abruptly ceased.

All eyes turned to the door.

A boy with bruises on his face and bloodstained clothes limped into the classroom, dragging a dust-covered backpack behind him.

Seeing him, his classmates rushed over to help.

"Class rep, what happened to you?"

"Oh my god, who did this to you?"

"Hurry, someone get two guys to take him to the infirmary!"

The class erupted into action as several boys rushed forward.

"Class rep, we'll take you to the infirmary."

Looking at his concerned classmates, Wang Xianxian shook his head.

"No need to trouble everyone. I've already been."

With that, he dragged himself back to his seat.

Enduring the pain coursing through his body, Wang Xianxian bit down gently, focusing on adjusting his disordered breath through internal cultivation.

Meanwhile, the class began whispering among themselves.

"Damn, it's gotta be those Wang clan people again."

"Was it Wang Beichen who led them this time?"

"Isn't Wang Beichen the class rep's own little brother?"

"What the hell is wrong with them? They're all from the Wang clan, why do they keep bullying him?"

"Don't their elders care? This has happened so many times."

"And they call themselves an imperial clan? Disgusting."

"Keep your voice down. If the Wang clan hears you, you're done for."

"Screw this. It's so infuriating!"

As the discussion heated up, the classroom door opened again.

This time, it was their homeroom teacher.

The teacher cleared her throat.

"Everyone, quiet down. Let me say a few words."

The students gradually fell silent, and the teacher nodded in approval.

"I know everyone's excited about today's Awakening Ceremony, but the schedule for the next few days is just as important."

"First, congratulations on completing the academic portion of the entrance exams. I hope you all achieve results you're happy with."

"Second, let's go over the plan for the coming days."

"Today, we'll only have a half-day of school. After the Awakening Ceremony and registration, you're free to leave."

The students immediately perked up, cheering and whooping.

The homeroom teacher smiled wryly. "Alright, settle down. Listen up."

"This afternoon, when you get home, discuss with your family whether you want to take the martial entrance exam."

"Those interested in taking the exam should come back to school tomorrow to fill out the application."

"As for those not planning to take the exam and who've decided to attend a vocational school, there's no need to return."

"You'll just need to register online after the results are out."

"Of course, if you're unsure about the vocational school registration or need recommendations, you can come back to school, and I'll help you with that."

"Alright, everyone pack up and line up in the hallway…"

At the teacher's cue, the class rushed out into the hallway.

Only then did the teacher notice something off at the back of the classroom.

"Wang Xianxian, what happened to you?"

The vice class rep, who was helping Wang Xianxian, quickly replied, "Teacher, it's those Wang clan people again…"

Before he could finish, Wang Xianxian cut him off.

"Teacher, I'm fine. I just tripped on my way out this morning."

The teacher frowned, sensing the real story, but didn't press further. She looked concerned.

"How could a fall do this much damage?"

Though she knew the truth, she was powerless to change anything.

"Vice class rep, class monitor, take him to the infirmary again to get his wounds treated."

"And get him a clean set of clothes. There'll be lots of city officials visiting the school today."

As the three of them left, the homeroom teacher sighed deeply.

"The Wang clan's behavior is just outrageous…"

In the infirmary.

The school nurse gently touched Wang Xianxian's body, activating her heavenly vocation skill.

"Heal!"

A soft, milky-white glow immediately surrounded Wang Xianxian's battered body.

At the same time, the bruises on Wang Xianxian's body began to rapidly fade away.

After the treatment, the school nurse patted Wang Xianxian on the shoulder. 

"All done, now hurry up and head to the field."

After saying goodbye to the nurse, the three of them didn't rush to the field but strolled leisurely along a small path. 

The vice class rep and the class monitor walked alongside the silent Wang Xianxian, choosing not to ask him any questions. They were his close friends and understood his temperament. 

The class monitor, Li Yue, was a short-haired girl with a youthful but slightly heroic air about her. 

Reflecting on the nurse's skill, she felt a hint of envy. 

"I wish I could awaken a medical-type vocation," she said wistfully. 

"Compared to all that fighting, I'd much rather save lives."

The vice class rep, Zhao Hu, a boy with a crew cut, rested his hands behind his head. 

"I hope to awaken as a swordsman and live by the way of the sword!"

"But hey, we don't get to choose our vocations. Whatever we awaken is what we get," he said, casting a jealous glance at Wang Xianxian beside him. 

"Xian-ge, I'm really envious of you."

"There are only two types of vocations: combat and lifestyle. The odds of awakening a combat vocation are less than 20%."

"And in the Wang clan, you're basically guaranteed to awaken a sword-related vocation, plus everyone's got top-tier talent."

"The bloodline of emperors—it's terrifying!"

"I really don't want to end up like my dad, though—he awakened as a chef. Cooking is exhausting."

Hearing this, Wang Xianxian lowered his head slightly. 

Others might envy his bloodline, but for him, it was more of a curse than a blessing.

Li Yue snorted at Zhao Hu's comment. 

"What's wrong with being a chef? Who says lifestyle vocations have to be weaker than combat vocations?"

"Look at Liu Qing, the Culinary King. His vocation is a lifestyle one—Chef—and yet he's still strong enough to beat down fighters of the same level."

"There's no such thing as a bad vocation, only bad talent! Talent is what sets the limit for a martial artist's growth."

Zhao Hu and Li Yue had grown up together, and their relationship was a mix of camaraderie and rivalry. Hearing her rebuttal, Zhao Hu quickly shot back. 

"You're dreaming if you think top-tier talent is that easy to come by."

"The Culinary King's talent is SSS-level! Globally, talents like that only show up once in a decade."

Li Yue wasn't backing down. 

"If you don't have dreams, how are you any different from a salted fish? What if you awaken an even better X-level talent?"

"Heh, why not say I'll awaken a once-in-a-millennium EX-level talent while you're at it?"

"Zhao Hu, why do you look down on Uncle Zhao?" Li Yue retorted angrily.

"Li Yue, do you even use your ears? When did I ever look down on my dad?"

"You did! You look down on chefs!"

"Stop making things up!"

Wang Xianxian sighed as he listened to their bickering. These two were his best friends in school, but their relationship could be described as a constant clash of fire and water. 

If they weren't fighting, they were on the verge of it. 

Seeing that they were about to get physical, Wang Xianxian quickly stepped between them. 

"Alright, you two, listen up. The principal's speech has started—we'd better get going."

The two of them shot each other one last glare before turning away with a simultaneous huff. 

"Hmph!"

Despite all their quarreling, they knew better than to mess around when it came to the Awakening Ceremony. 

The three quickened their pace, heading toward the field.