Assessment Imminent

Time flew by. Great Xia Prefecture was in turmoil, but Nanyuan City was largely unaffected. However, as the higher-level assessments approached, the small city began to bustle.

Nanyuan Academy.

Grand Conference Hall.

At this moment, the conference hall was filled with people.

Liu Wenyan sat at the front left of the conference hall, quietly writing and drawing, keeping a low profile and saying nothing.

The meeting was not chaired by the old Academy Head, but by a man in his thirties with a stern expression. He glanced around and said, "The higher-level assessments are imminent. Under the orders of Great Xia Prefecture, the Seekers Realm, and the God of War Temple, the higher-level assessments will be coordinated by the Great Xia Prefecture's Education and Strengthening Department, with the cooperation of all academies. Does anyone have any objections?"

The Education and Strengthening Department was specifically responsible for the annual academy assessments. Its authority was not immense, but it was not insignificant either.

In the conference hall were recruitment teachers from various academies, as well as people from the Great Xia Prefecture government and the Nanyuan government.

The decision to hold the meeting at Nanyuan Academy was because Nanyuan Academy was the largest base for sending students to the higher levels in Nanyuan. The other smaller academies had very few students who could pass the assessments.

After the man finished speaking, someone raised a hand. Seeing the man look over, they asked, "I have a question. With the policy changes in Great Xia Prefecture this year, will the assessment standards for external students and local students be unified?"

The man quickly replied, "According to the previous registration, there are a total of 418 external students who have settled here, and 2,892 local students applying. The Civilization and War Academies will admit 40 external students and 200 local students."

Civilization and War were two major academy systems, not just two institutions.

The War Academies included Great Xia War College, Dragon Martial War College, Jifeng Hall, Maritime War College... and many others.

The Civilization Academies also included Daxia Civilization Academy, Nine Heavens Civilization Academy, Dao Seeking Civilization Academy...

The quotas mentioned by Su Yu and the others generally referred specifically to Daxia Civilization Academy or Great Xia War College, which were the top two academies in Great Xia Prefecture. The third-ranked was Dragon Martial War College.

After stating the numbers, the man continued, "The admission ratios are here. The standards are unified, and the assessments are unified. Finally, each academy will admit Nanyuan students with reduced scores."

This statement was somewhat disheartening. Liu Wenyan and the old Academy Head remained silent.

It was a given that Nanyuan students were not as good as students from Great Xia Prefecture and other major cities.

Therefore, scores had to be reduced every year for admission, otherwise, very few would be able to pass.

However, in such a setting, the man's words made people feel somewhat awkward.

The 200 quotas included all the quotas for the major War Academies and Civilization Academies. 200 people was not a large number. The remaining students would either have to go to the Internal Affairs Academy, the Research Academy, or find other paths.

After the man finished speaking, the old Academy Head waved his hand and raised his hand to signal. He quickly said, "Director Sun, how many students will Daxia Civilization Academy, Great Xia War College, and Dragon Martial War College admit in Nanyuan this year?"

The man did not answer and turned to look at the few people beside him who had not spoken. "Researcher Huang, how did the major academies decide?"

On the right, a young man who had been reading a book looked up when he heard the question, a smile appearing on his face. He said unhurriedly, "For Daxia Civilization Academy, it's the old rule. Those with an assessment score of 200 or above can apply!"

"Nanyuan City is weak, so admission will be with reduced scores, with priority given to those above 180 points!"

The old Academy Head breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the difficulty for Nanyuan had not increased and remained the same as in previous years.

"For Great Xia War College, admission is for those above 200 points, with reduced scores for those above 180."

"For Dragon Martial War College, admission is for those above 180 points, with reduced scores for those above 160."

The representatives from the two major War Academies spoke little. After the young man finished speaking, they all fell silent.

The official from the Education and Strengthening Department above listened and then looked at the old Academy Head, "Director Wang, do you have any objections?"

"No."

The old Academy Head replied. Liu Wenyan, who had not spoken before, interjected at this moment, "I have a question. Su Yu and Liu Yue are recommended students for Civilization Academy's quota under Bai Feng. According to the rules, these two are not counted in the Nanyuan list, and Nanyuan can admit two slightly less qualified students in their place."

Across from him, Researcher Huang looked up again. "Instructor Liu, according to the rules, that is possible. However, the students who are sent up like this every year are almost all eliminated, wasting their time and ruining their lives. Why must Instructor Liu delay the future of those people?"

Liu Wenyan calmly replied, "Give them a chance. Even a fish leaping over the dragon gate needs an opportunity."

"As Instructor Liu wishes. However, Su Yu and Liu Yue, since they are recommended by Bai Feng, must still pass the assessment. They must have an assessment score above the reduced score of 180. Instructor Liu has no objections, right?"

"No."

Liu Wenyan had no objections. With Su Yu and Liu Yue's grades, they could get in even with the normal assessment, let alone with reduced scores.

The young man stopped talking and continued reading. In reality, it was not a book, but the compiled list of Nanyuan student assessments.

At this moment, the page he turned to was Su Yu.

Su Yu, Kaiyuan fifth level, passed 18 subjects in Myriad Races language, accumulated 21 merit points, overall score 300, below average.

This was information from over a month ago and had not been updated yet.

The man looked for a while, then turned the page, a smile on his face, and said nothing.

The information from a month ago had not been updated yet. Was Nanyuan planning to push them forward as the final batch of students?

It didn't mean much!

Nanyuan was too small. No matter how hidden their talents were here, they would be ordinary in Great Xia Prefecture.

"Students recruited early by Bai Feng... I hope they are a bit special."

The young man thought to himself. This Su Yu had already attracted the attention of many people before even enrolling. Before coming, many people had asked him to take a look and see if Su Yu had any special qualities.

Although Bai Feng had recruited him early, it didn't mean he couldn't transfer to someone else.

If the student wanted to transfer, could Bai Feng have any objections?

Was Su Yu an undiscovered genius, or was Bai Feng just recruiting casually? They would find out by looking.

If he's a mediocre talent, he'll just be a joke.

If he's a genius, then some people will surely try to poach him.

From above, Director Sun saw that no one else had any objections and said, "Then let's prepare for the assessment! Nanyuan City will be responsible for security. The candidates will gather to prevent any surprise attacks from the Ten Thousand Races Cult!"

"Yes!"

Below, the commander of the City Guard responded quickly.

Director Sun nodded slightly, then looked at Xia Bing and said with a smile, "Sergeant Xia, the Dragon Martial Guard also needs to cooperate with Nanyuan to ensure security."

"Yes!"

Xia Bing didn't say much. He didn't look at Director Sun and instead gave a slight nod to the recruitment teacher from Dragon Martial Academy across from him.

The Dragon Martial Guard and Dragon Martial Academy have a close relationship, and many of the teachers at Dragon Martial Academy are retired soldiers from the Dragon Martial Guard.

The two knew each other, and the Dragon Martial Academy teacher nodded slightly at the sight.

Soon, the meeting adjourned.

Everyone left.

Xia Bing lagged a step behind, and the teacher from Dragon Martial Academy also slowly fell behind.

"Old Xia, have you been doing alright in Nanyuan these past few years?"

"So-so. Except for that attack by the Ten Thousand Races Cult a while back, which was a bit interesting, I've been bored stiff otherwise!"

Xia Bing was a bit frustrated and quickly said, "Never mind that. There are a few promising talents here in Nanyuan, pay attention to them. Especially Su Yu. He's strong, bold yet careful, and he did something significant a few days ago. Liu Wenyan is determined to send him to Civilization Academy and is keeping it quiet. Luckily, I'm stationed here."

"What significant thing?"

"He cooperated with the Jifeng team and killed a Wanshi!"

Xia Bing's voice was very low. "This matter is confidential. It's fine if we in Dragon Martial Academy know, but if it gets out... both you and I will be in trouble. It breaks the rules. I'm only telling you because you're one of us. Find a way to recruit this kid!"

The recruitment teacher was a little surprised. "Cooperated? Jifeng Hall actually needed an Kaiyuan to cooperate?"

"He's not just an Kaiyuan; he should have already outlined a Divine Script!"

Xia Bing said quickly, "Bai Feng came last time and transcribed the Willpower Script for him. He might have already completely outlined a Divine Script, otherwise, he wouldn't be able to use its power."

As soon as he said this, the teacher's eyes lit up. "Really? Bai Feng was only here for about two months, right? He outlined a Divine Script after transcribing the Willpower Script once. He completed the full outline of a Divine Script in less than two months?"

"It should be. Of course, Liu Wenyan might have also taught him some basics before."

"That's still a genius!"

The recruitment teacher was excited. It wasn't that he hadn't seen geniuses before, but he hadn't expected to recruit any geniuses when he came to Nanyuan. To suddenly have one appear, how could he not be excited?

"Old Xia, thank you. Don't worry, I definitely won't spread this around and betray you, brother!"

The recruitment teacher said excitedly, "Our Dragon Martial Guard has always wanted to cultivate our own Civilization Masters. Dragon Martial Academy also opened a Civilization Master class, but we haven't been able to produce any talented individuals. They're all guys who were screened out by Daxia Civilization Academy. This time, we'll intercept one!"

A genius who outlined a Divine Script!

And a complete Divine Script at that!

If this were in Great Xia Prefecture, Daxia Civilization Academy would have already known about him and recruited him in advance.

Of course, Su Yu was in the same situation.

But that guy Bai Feng, fearing others would snatch his student, wouldn't say anything to the outside world.

Xia Bing saw his excitement and thought for a moment. "Old Xie, recruitment is recruitment. I don't want to wrong this kid either. I know the situation with the Civilization Master class at our Dragon Martial Academy. My idea is, if this kid truly has talent in this area, we can handle his physical cultivation ourselves. As for his Civilization Master cultivation... can the academy have those senior and intermediate researchers from the Dragon Martial Guard come back to teach him?"

"You don't need to tell me that!"

Old Xie chuckled. "General Zhao is furious this time and has been arguing non-stop with Director Wan! Director Wan wanted to use Civilization Masters to control us, but General Zhao said that this year, we'll increase the cultivation of Civilization Masters at Dragon Martial Academy. Those Civilization Masters in the military are currently idle and will all come to Dragon Martial Academy to follow along and guide them."

"Really?"

Xia Bing was overjoyed. "Then there's no problem! Oh, right, when you contact that kid, mention his father. His father, Su Long, is a veteran of the Demon Suppression Army and was recalled not long ago."

"Someone from the Demon Suppression Army!"

As soon as he said this, Old Xie suddenly cursed, "The Demon Suppression Army is our territory. Liu Wenyan has gone too far by stealing our people!"

The Dragon Martial Guard, the Demon Suppression Army, and the Prefecture Army, these three major military organizations, are all considered family.

To have their own soldiers targeted by Civilization Academy, Old Xie was very angry at this moment!

Xia Bing coughed lightly and didn't respond.

While that's what he said, he knew the quality of the Civilization Master class at Dragon Martial Academy. It was normal for people to apply to Civilization Academy. He just had a personal desire to keep that kid in the Dragon Martial Guard.

"I have to go on duty. I won't say anything else. Take good care of this kid. I think his progress in Nanyuan is no worse than those Kaiyuan ninth-stage students in Great Xia Prefecture, perhaps even much stronger. Oh, and this kid himself is also an Kaiyuan eighth-stage cultivator!"

"..."

As soon as he said this, Old Xie's eyes lit up. "Then why cultivate the path of civilization? He should walk the path of a warrior! Even the strongest Civilization Masters may not be as powerful as us warriors!"

"You decide."

Xia Bing still had a mission and didn't have time to say more, so he quickly left.

Outside the meeting room.

Liu Wenyan turned his head and glanced behind him, seeing two figures lingering. He smiled dismissively.

What were they thinking!

How could that kid possibly go to Dragon Martial Academy? I've taught him myself for so many years. If that kid transfers to the War Academy, I... I'll make him pay me for the Thunder Origin Blade. Does that kid even have the money to pay for it?

Su Family.

Su Yu hadn't gone out for many days.

For over ten days, he opened the diagram book once a day, absorbing Qi to temper his acupoints, consuming over ten drops of vital blood.

The ninth acupoint, Baihui, was now glowing. Qi was beginning to gather above his head, a sign that the ninth acupoint was about to open.

He was close to finishing!

In less than half a month, he was about to complete the opening of his ninth acupoint. This speed was astonishing, though it came at a considerable cost. For others, ten drops of vital blood were nothing.

If ten drops of vital blood could lead to the ninth level of Kaiyuan, people selling their houses to cultivate would form a line stretching all the way to Great Xia Prefecture.

"Bang bang bang!"

"Ayu, open the door!"

It was Chen Hao's voice.

Su Yu got up and opened the door.

Chen Hao held food in his hand and complained, "You haven't gone out again! Ayu, have you gone mad from cultivating? My dad told me to advise you to find a balance, don't just get stuck in a rut. It doesn't affect you if you don't reach the ninth level of Kaiyuan, so why are you pushing yourself so hard?"

Su Yu smiled and said nothing. He took the food, opened it, and looked with some disdain, "It's braised pork again. Can't you get something lighter?"

"Eat it or don't, it's all bought with my own pocket money!"

Chen Hao said dejectedly, "Ayu, you're about to drain my pocket money!"

"Drain?"

Su Yu chuckled, "Starting tomorrow, you won't have to buy it anymore. Am I draining you? If I drain you, can you reach the fifth level of Kaiyuan? Do you believe me if I say that people lining up to bring me food would stretch all the way to Great Xia Prefecture!"

As soon as he said this, Chen Hao grinned, "Ayu, it's great cultivating at your place. Is your house's feng shui good?"

"Idiot!"

Su Yu cursed and ignored him. Good feng shui? These past few days, you've benefited greatly from my Qi gathering.

Of course, he didn't care. He wasn't consuming it anyway. Chen Hao had absorbed it and advanced to the fifth level of Kaiyuan.

Chen Hao was happy for a while, then quickly remembered the important matter. "The assessment process is out. It's similar to last year. Do you want to see it?"

"Bring it."

Su Yu took the process sheet he handed over and glanced at it, nodding slightly. The difference from before was not significant.

War Academy assessment: Morning of the 25th.

Civilization Academy assessment: Afternoon of the 25th.

The rules were the same as previous years: Kaiyuan first to third level, 10 points per level, requiring assessment and certification.

Kaiyuan fourth to sixth level, 30 points per level, all requiring assessment and certification.

Kaiyuan seventh to ninth level, 50 points per level.

Myriad Races language: Mastering one language grants 10 points, requiring assessment and certification.

Apart from Myriad Races language, every 1 point of merit accumulated is worth 10 points.

"I'm at the eighth level of Kaiyuan, which is 220 points. I've mastered 20 Myriad Races languages, which is 200 points. I've accumulated 10 merit points outside of Myriad Races languages, which is 100 points. Also... sketching Divine Script adds 100-300 points?"

Su Yu saw a rule, a very small bonus rule, and almost missed it.

It was probably because they didn't consider that Nanyuan had this bonus, as the printed rule text seemed smaller.

"So, does that mean I'll have at least 620 points?"

Su Yu looked for a while and smiled.

According to last year's rules for the Nanyuan assessment, 200 points or more meant you could get into almost any academy. Of course, the bonus rules for the War Academy and Civilization Academy were slightly different, but generally similar.

However, the Myriad Races language bonus had a limit for the War Academy, with a maximum bonus not exceeding 100 points.

Similarly, the Civilization Academy had some restrictions, requiring mastery of at least 8 Myriad Races languages.

These were to prevent powerful students from going to the Civilization Academy and those proficient in Myriad Races languages from going to the War Academy. Tailored education was important; if someone wasn't suited for a particular academy, applying to the wrong one could waste their talent.

"It doesn't matter to me, as I've met the standards for both."

Su Yu didn't pay much attention. His assessment was just a formality. The key was the reward for first place.

As for Chen Hao, he was at the fifth level of Kaiyuan, scoring 90 points. He had mastered 3 basic Myriad Races languages, scoring 30 points, plus a 30-point bonus, for a total of 150 points. His bonus was the extra 3 merit points he had obtained, so those 3 merit points were not counted for the bonus.

In addition, the War Academy had other bonus assessment items. Excellent performance in the assessment would also earn bonus points, usually around 30 points.

Calculated, it was around 180 points.

"The Great Xia War College is difficult to get into, but the other War Colleges aren't too hard."

Su Yu did some calculations for him. Chen Hao hadn't really considered the Great Xia War College before. Anyway, there were many War Colleges, and with over 150 points, he could get into almost any of them except Dragon Martial and Great Xia War College.

So Chen Hao wasn't under much pressure. As long as he passed the assessment, he could get into a War College.

For others at the fourth or fifth level of Kaiyuan, their chances of getting into a regular War College were also very high. For those at the third level... the chances weren't great unless they performed exceptionally well in other areas.

Therefore, in previous years, students admitted to War Colleges from Nanyuan were almost always at the fourth level of Kaiyuan or higher.

Even at the fourth level of Kaiyuan, whether they could get in depended on luck.

Su Yu continued reading while eating, looking at the rewards for the first place.

Previously, the reward for the first place in the War Colleges from Nanyuan was 3 drops of Qi Liquid.

The Civilization Academy, however, offered a reward of an original copy of the Myriad Races Qianjun.

These were rewards given by Nanyuan itself. As for the various universities... there was no explanation given, and it was unknown if they offered any rewards. He heard that these rewards were only given after admission to the academy.

"Additionally, the first place winner will receive 10 merit points, which will be accumulated!"

Su Yu saw another reward rule. This was a standard reward, and Su Yu's eyes lit up. If he took first place in both, wouldn't that be an extra 20 merit points?

Was he going to get rich?