The Shen Family of Prefecture City

"Impressive—Qi Condensation Level Nine. Just one step away from completion!"

"That's the highest cultivation level in the entire arena so far, isn't it?!"

"I know him. He's Liu Qingyun from Jia Class. His father seems to be the chief instructor of Geng Class!"

"Impressive! Another Prefecture Academy slot is gone this time!"

When Liu Qingyun's cultivation displayed on the Profound Light Stele, low cries immediately rose through the grounds. Everyone watched him with shock and envy on their faces.

Even the instructors standing nearby could not help turning to look, a trace of admiration flashing through their eyes.

At his age, having Qi Condensation Level Nine cultivation made him a sure-fire Prefecture Academy prospect. Breaking through to the Houtian Realm in the future was practically set in stone; even becoming a Xiantian Realm expert was not impossible.

Liu Qingyun slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air. Looking at the nine glowing markings on the Profound Light Stele and listening to the surrounding students' astonishment and envy, the corners of his mouth curled into a proud, condescending smile. He looked supremely self-assured.

BOOM!!!

Just as he was basking in triumph, another Profound Light Stele beside his suddenly shook violently, erupting with an azure radiance far more dazzling and magnificent than the green light of Qi Condensation.

The blue light shot into the sky and spread across the arena. Gleaming streams of light flowed over the stele's surface, suffusing it with a mighty aura far beyond the Qi Condensation Realm.

Every student present had their pupils contract. One after another, they stood dumbstruck, staring blankly at the glowing Profound Light Stele. Even the discussions abruptly fell silent.

Liu Qingyun, who had been brimming with pride and arrogance moments ago, had his smile suddenly freeze. His expression stiffened, leaving only incredulous shock in his eyes.

"Th-this is..."

"Blue light—it's the Houtian Realm!!!"

"Heavens, it's Shen Qinglan! She's the top student of our Jia Class! Who would have thought she was actually a Houtian Realm expert!!!"

"This is insane—an eighteen-year-old Houtian Realm expert!!!"

"What are you making such a fuss over? Shen Qinglan became a Houtian Realm expert long ago!"

Watching the azure radiance bloom and flow across the Profound Light Stele, the County Academy students were utterly stunned. The entire venue erupted into an uproar.

Even Zhang Xuanming, the county magistrate, and Zhou Tong, seated on the high platform, were visibly moved. Their eyes fixed tightly on the graceful girl standing before the stele.

Reaching the Houtian Realm at eighteen—such peerless talent, so long as she continued cultivating without pause and built her foundation steadily, entering the Xiantian Realm in the future would be almost inevitable.

Zhang Xuanming stared at Shen Qinglan, a strong flicker of surprise passing through his eyes. He turned to Fan Suiyun and asked in a low voice, "Instructor Fan, this young lady is...?"

Zhou Tong also straightened in his seat, his face filled with astonishment and disbelief. Looking at Fan Suiyun, he asked tentatively, "Brother Fan, could she be that Shen Qinglan from your County Academy? Wurong County's publicly acknowledged number one prodigy and talented young woman?!"

"Haha, I never expected Brother Zhou to know Qinglan's name as well!"

Fan Suiyun laughed heartily, stroking his long beard beneath his chin, his brows brimming with pride.

Then he cupped his hands toward Zhang Xuanming and said, "County Magistrate, this young lady is indeed the foremost prodigy of Martial Glory County Academy—Shen Qinglan!"

"A month ago, Qinglan had already opened her second extraordinary meridian and steadily stepped into Houtian Realm Level Two."

"Good, good! With such age and talent, she should rank among the very best in all of Chengtian Prefecture!"

A look of appreciation crossed Zhang Xuanming's face. He nodded slightly and said, "I never expected the County Academy to possess such a prodigy. Instructor Fan truly has a gift for teaching and guidance!"

"County Magistrate, you flatter me!"

The smile at the corner of Zhang Xuanming's mouth could not be suppressed. He humbly said, "This is mainly because Qinglan herself possesses outstanding natural talent. This old man merely offered a little guidance."

"Brother Fan, I heard that Shen Qinglan possesses earth-grade innate bones. Is that true?!" Zhou Tong interjected.

"That is correct. Qinglan indeed possesses earth-grade innate bones!"

Fan Suiyun nodded. A trace of gratification flashed through his eyes as he said, "Moreover, she has excellent comprehension and has always cultivated diligently. That is why she was able to break through into the Houtian Realm at such a young age!"

"Could it be that Instructor Fan has already taken this girl under his wing as a personal disciple?" Zhang Xuanming's eyes shifted as he suddenly asked.

Hearing this, Zhou Tong's heart stirred slightly, and his gaze immediately became fervent.

With earth-grade innate bones, exceptional comprehension, and Houtian Realm cultivation at such a young age, she was a peerless prodigy destined to set foot in the Xiantian Realm. Which master present would not wish to take her as an inner disciple and cultivate her with great care?!

Yet at these words, a bitter smile crossed Fan Suiyun's face. He shook his head and said, "This old man would certainly like to, but Qinglan comes from no ordinary background. I fear I do not have that fortune, nor would I dare climb so high without caution!"

Zhang Xuanming and Zhou Tong both froze upon hearing Fan Suiyun's words. Then their pupils shrank slightly, and shock flashed across their faces.

What did that mean?!

Even Fan Suiyun, an instructor of the County Academy and a mid-stage Xiantian Realm martial artist, claimed that he lacked the fortune and did not dare aspire so high as to take Shen Qinglan as his disciple?!

Could it be...

"Brother Fan, does Shen Qinglan have some earth-shaking background?!" Zhou Tong was shaken to the core. He glanced at Shen Qinglan, who had already stepped down from the Profound Light Stele, and asked with curiosity and astonishment in his voice.

Fan Suiyun merely smiled faintly, keeping his silence as deep as the sea, and waved his hand, leaving Zhou Tong gnashing his teeth inwardly.

"Shen... Could she be from the Shen Family of Prefecture City?!" Seeing Fan Suiyun's inscrutable manner, County Magistrate Zhang Xuanming suddenly spoke.

Fan Suiyun looked at the county magistrate in surprise. He had not expected Zhang Xuanming to guess Shen Qinglan's origins, but after recalling Zhang Xuanming's own background, he immediately understood.

Still, Fan Suiyun said no more. He merely nodded faintly, confirming Zhang Xuanming's words.

After seeing Fan Suiyun's gesture, Zhang Xuanming's pupils shrank slightly. When he looked at Shen Qinglan again, the appreciation on his face was gone, replaced by a measure of reverence and amazement.

The Shen Family of Chengtian Prefecture—that was...

"Hehe, well?!"

Amid the shocked and envious gazes of the surrounding students and instructors, Shen Qinglan descended coolly and proudly from before the Profound Light Stele. When she came before Chen An, her icy aloofness melted away like snow, and she raised her brows at him with a touch of spoiled pride and playfulness.

"Mhm. Houtian Realm Level Three—very impressive!" Seeing Shen Qinglan's smug and proud expression, Chen An smiled, amusement flickering through his eyes.

"Hmph, it's good that you know!"

At Chen An's praise, Shen Qinglan's eyes curved into crescents. She smiled so sweetly that she looked like a little girl who had just received an award and been praised for it. Then she said, "Don't be nervous. You already have a specially recruited Prefecture Academy slot anyway."

"Mhm, I know." Chen An nodded slightly, his expression calm.

On the martial arts grounds, the students could not help feeling as though they had bitten into lemons when they saw Shen Qinglan, a Houtian Realm expert and heaven's favored daughter, being so close to an utterly ordinary student like Chen An. Their manner even seemed so intimate.

"Chen An!"

At that moment, it was finally Chen An's turn for the test...