Chapter 26: Gates of Thunder

Li Ruoxuan's willow-leaf brows arched sharply, her voice tinged with irritation: "Zhang Yang, are you deliberately being obnoxious?"

"I didn't mean it like that! I just thought it might get crowded!" Zhang Yang backtracked hastily under her glare. "But we can all go together! My cousin's car can fit everyone!"

"Who even cares about touring Wutai University?!" Li Ruoxuan snapped before turning to Lin Ye. "Lin Ye, if you're okay with it, let's share a cab. We planned to visit several universities anyway."

Beside them, Zhang Yuxin sensed Zhang Yang's hostility. Though tempted by the sports car offer, she stood by Li Ruoxuan. "Join us! Splitting fares will save money."

"You—! You'd choose a cab over a free luxury ride?!" Zhang Yang's face flushed crimson.

Ignoring him, Lin Ye gestured toward the station plaza. "My ride's headed to the Imperial Capital University District. You're welcome to join."

"Imperial Capital University District…" The girls froze.

The district was a crown jewel of the capital, housing Imperial Capital University (a TOP5 institution) alongside other elite schools with astronomical admission thresholds. Public tours required reservations booked months in advance—utterly inaccessible to ordinary students.

'Well, glimpsing the gates is better than nothing.' Swallowing her doubts, Li Ruoxuan nodded. "Let's go."

Lin Ye led them toward Zhao Qiming, who leaned against a sleek armored vehicle, cigarette dangling.

"Why follow him?!" Zhang Yang spat, watching them leave. "He's just a country bumpkin! Probably can't even read a map in the capital!"

Zhang Yang's eyes bulged as Lin Ye ushered the girls into a silver armored vehicle. "That's… a Thunderbolt Assault Vehicle?!"

The military-grade SUV could accelerate to 60 mph in 1.8 seconds, traverse any terrain, and withstand plasma cannon fire. But what stunned him was the emblem on its door—a golden tiger encircled by thorned roses. Imperial Capital University's crest, recognized by every capital resident.

"He… He really is their student?!" Zhang Yang croaked, throat dry.

Inside the Vehicle

Li Ruoxuan traced the embossed tiger emblem. "This is Imperial Capital's Thunderbolt Assault Vehicle?"

Zhao Qiming paused mid-steering wheel turn. "Sharp eyes, girl." He tapped a hidden console panel, nanotech particles cascading over the chassis. "Friends of his?"

"Met on the bullet train." Lin Ye buckled into the passenger seat. "They're prospecting universities. Thought the district tour might help."

Zhang Yuxin pressed against the window, whispering: "Are you… a freshman here?" The rearview mirror reflected Zhao's shoulder insignia—a golden dragon marking his Elite Professor rank.

"Special admission student." Zhao tossed two crystalline cards to the backseat. "University District All-Access Passes. Includes Imperial Capital."

"All-Access Passes?!" The girls gasped. These golden tickets sold for $30,000 on the black market—far beyond student budgets.

"This is too valuable. We can't accept it." Though tempted, Li Ruoxuan and Zhang Yuxin shook their heads.

"Just two tickets. I've got stacks." Zhao Qiming laughed, flipping open a compartment filled with hundreds of identical crystalline passes.

Realizing further refusal would seem disingenuous, the girls bowed gratefully and pocketed the passes.

The armored SUV roared into the Imperial Capital University District, halting before its legendary gates.

"Wait here while I park." Zhao Qiming vanished into a subterranean garage, leaving the trio awestruck.

Before them loomed The Gates of Thunder—100 meters wide, 30 meters tall. Bronze doors carved with lightning-wreathed beasts seemed alive, their coiled thunder dragons spitting arcs. Above them, the words "Imperial Capital University" blazed in sunlight.

"If the gates are this grand, what's inside?!" Lin Ye's anticipation swelled.

Beside him, the girls gaped silently.

"These are the Gates of Thunder." Zhao Qiming reappeared, voice reverent. "Ten thousand tons of alloy. The lightning patterns can summon storms."

Zhang Yuxin gasped as three silver-armored figures streaked across the sky, plasma lances splitting clouds.

"Thunderbolt Guard Squadron." Zhao eyed the fading trails. "Elite perimeter force."

The gates rumbled open. Stepping through, they triggered luminous thunder-runes that lit a path beneath their feet.

"Report to Administration Hall first." Zhao caught a falling ginkgo leaf. "Settle your dorm, then meet me."

Lin Ye waved farewell, luggage clattering. "Tour freely. I'll catch up."

Li Ruoxuan watched him leave, unspoken words heavy.

"Xuanxuan! Look!" Zhang Yuxin thrust her phone forward. "Yunzhou Provincial Champion?! The Awakened prodigy?!"

Articles flooded the screen—Lin Ye's name trending alongside his photo.

Relief washed over Li Ruoxuan. "Let's explore properly!" She tugged her friend toward the gates.