Enrollment Test

A massive Second-order Magical Beast flew through the sky toward Lin City.

On the Magical Beast stood a stern middle-aged man in a mentor's robe, leading a group of young people dressed in creamy white Academy Uniforms.

They were the Jia Nan Academy delegation that had come to recruit students this year. As Jia Nan Academy students, they carried the vigor and pride unique to youth.

"Do you think we'll recruit any interesting newcomers this year?" one young woman suddenly asked with a smile.

"Hmph, how strong could newcomers possibly be? I'll bet none of them have even broken through to Dou Zhe!" said the aloof young man beside her, his arms folded across his chest.

"Don't say that. Whether someone is interesting isn't decided by cultivation alone," a certain bootlicker countered, wearing a fawning smile as he faced the young woman.

The sound of the young people chatting and laughing drifted continuously through the sky.

In Lin City, on the day Jia Nan Academy began recruiting students.

After breakfast, Liu Xi finally left home at an unhurried pace under his Parents' urging.

Before leaving, Liu Xi looked at his slightly nervous Parents and said with a smile, "Dad, Mother, don't worry. With my talent, this test is nothing more than a formality."

After hearing him, Liu Ming laughed and scolded, "Are we worried that you won't pass the test? We're worried that once you go to Jia Nan Academy, we won't know when you'll come back. Go on now, don't waste any time."

Liu Xi's smile faded as well. He nodded, turned around, and headed toward the recruitment site at the plaza.

Liu Xi still wanted to visit Zhongzhou someday. He certainly would not remain in a tiny place like Lin City forever. Once he left, they would likely spend far more time apart than together. Once I'm settled in the future, I'll bring my Parents along to enjoy a good life, Liu Xi thought.

Jia Nan Academy was renowned. Whenever it recruited students somewhere, people of eligible age from the city and its surrounding towns would come to try their luck.

When Liu Xi arrived at the plaza, it was already packed with voices and people. The City Lord's Mansion troops were barely maintaining order.

Seeing the scene again, Liu Xi first sensed the cultivation of those present. Most of them had not even reached the Seventh Stage of Dou Qi.

Liu Xi was speechless. It was the same when Teacher came last time. Are these people here just to watch the excitement?

Without further hesitation, Liu Xi circulated his Dou Qi to form a protective barrier and walked inward. At the front of the crowd, someone was using a special Crystal Ball to test cultivation. Anyone below the Seventh Stage of Dou Qi had no chance at all.

After passing the test smoothly, he headed toward the actual testing site.

"Newcomer, go stand over there for half an hour first," a Youth with impatience written all over his face said as he blocked Liu Xi.

Liu Xi looked in the direction he pointed and saw a group of youths standing beneath the scorching sun, humiliation written across their faces.

This was a Show of Force!

After roughly figuring it out, a strange expression appeared on Liu Xi's face. With a hint of teasing in his voice, he said, "What kind of rule is this?"

Ever since Liu Xi had displayed his talent and become Xuan Hao's disciple, everyone he encountered had spoken to him kindly, even respectfully. He had not heard such provocative words in a long time.

Zhou Zhiqiang was somewhat irritated as well. He had not liked the look of this pretty boy from the moment he entered, and now he dared question him. He had to teach him a proper lesson. Having made up his mind, he said arrogantly, "That's the rule for newcomers. Don't want to stand there? Fine. Defeat me."

Liu Xi understood. This guy was asking for a beating. He had no intention of wasting words on him and followed him to an open area.

The other Senior Students nearby immediately understood what was happening when they saw this. They did not stop it, instead gathering around and pointing at the two with slight excitement.

Once Zhou Zhiqiang had taken his stance and saw his companions watching, his expression grew even more arrogant. He began, "Kid, I've seen plenty like you who don't know the immensity of heaven and earth..."

Seeing the other side ramble endlessly, Liu Xi could not be bothered with more nonsense. He immediately circulated his Dou Qi and charged forward using Soaring Swan Steps.

Before his opponent could react, Liu Xi struck him in the abdomen with a punch. As the other boy clutched his stomach and curled up while stumbling backward from the force, Liu Xi followed with a side kick that sent him flying.

The surroundings erupted in shock.

"No way, how could he be this strong?"

"Zhou Zhiqiang is a Four-star Fighter, and he was defeated just like that?"

Everyone present looked at Liu Xi differently in an instant. Alongside their wariness was a trace of awe. That was the privilege of the strong.

Some people from the city who knew Liu Xi began explaining.

"That's Liu Xi. Back then, he was the Number One Genius of our Lin City. Later, he even became an Alchemist's disciple. Liu Xi must have broken through to Dou Zhe long ago, and he's also an Alchemist!"

The gazes around them changed once again. Being powerful was one thing, but he was also an Alchemist. If they could befriend him, an Alchemist's friendship would be extremely valuable.

Just as someone was preparing to step forward and speak to him, a dignified voice rang out.

"Bring the injured student over. All new students, gather here as well," a stern-faced middle-aged man in a mentor's robe said in a deep voice. He was Zhang Yan, the mentor overseeing this recruitment.

Zhang Yan had come out after hearing the commotion outside. Once he saw the scene, he immediately understood what had happened. Mentors generally ignored the little tricks Senior Students played during recruitment as long as they did not go too far. After all, in this world where the strong preyed on the weak, the academy could not protect its students forever.

What truly surprised Zhang Yan was that the one who had been knocked down this time was a Senior Student. Looking at the person who had defeated him, he saw a handsome Youth who looked to be around fourteen or fifteen.

Zhang Yan knew he had found a treasure this time. He had encountered a genius.

Looking at the group of youths who had gathered, Zhang Yan said, "My name is Zhang Yan, and I am the mentor in charge of this recruitment. Next, I will divide you into ranks based on your age and cultivation. There will be four ranks: Heaven, Earth, Xuan, and Yellow. This will serve as the basis for your class assignments after entering the academy."

"Now, report your real circumstances in order. If anyone conceals anything, bear the consequences yourselves! Come, begin."

"Zhang Long, sixteen years old, Ninth Stage of Dou Qi..."

"Yellow Tier. Next."

"Zhao Hu, fifteen years old, Eighth Stage of Dou Qi..."

"Yellow Tier. Next."

"Wang Hai, sixteen years old, One-star Fighter..."

"Not bad. Xuan Rank. Next."

When it was Liu Xi's turn, he decided to keep a lower profile. He did not want to be too conspicuous.

"Liu Xi, fourteen years old, One-star Dou Shi..."

Zhang Yan felt a surge of wild joy upon hearing this, nearly snapping the pen in his hand. He raised his head and looked at the Youth before him with blazing eyes. He truly had found a treasure.

Quickly regaining his composure, Zhang Yan said, "Heaven Tier. Next..."

After the tally was complete, Zhang Yan told everyone to return home and bid farewell to their families, then gather here again in three days to head to the academy.

He also pulled Liu Xi aside for a longer conversation. His words were full of warmth and attempts to win him over, and he even proposed visiting Liu Xi's home.