The Five Universities and Eight Academies (Please Keep Reading)

There were countless Beast Master high schools of all sizes throughout Donghua Kingdom, but few were schools that Beast Masters could readily name from memory.

The most famous among them were the "Five Universities and Eight Academies," a phrase people never tired of discussing.

The so-called "Five Universities and Eight Academies" referred to the thirteen most renowned Beast Master universities in Donghua Kingdom.

They were the dream universities every Beast Master in Donghua Kingdom longed to attend.

The Five Universities were: Golden Splendor University, Rosewood University, Glazed Water University, Crimson Phoenix University, and Gen Mountain University.

The Eight Academies collectively referred to Thunderclap Academy, Blowing Snow Academy, Mystic Wind Academy, Aurora Academy, Glazed Crystal Academy, Soaring Dragon Academy, Star Moon Academy, and Celestial Origin Academy.

Of course, if one insisted on comparing the overall strength of these prestigious schools, the Five Universities far surpassed the Eight Academies in authority.

According to the national Beast Master university rankings previously released by Donghua Kingdom, Golden Splendor University of the Five Universities had held first place year after year. The school was located in the capital of Donghua Kingdom.

This university was most famous for its Forging Department. Most outstanding senior forgers, as well as high-tech research and technical talents, came from this university.

Ranked second was Rosewood University, which Chen Wei had never been able to forget.

This university's Alchemy Department was renowned throughout the nation, standing proudly above the rest. It was also the sacred ground in the hearts of all alchemists in the country.

As for third, fourth, and fifth place, the remaining three universities raced neck and neck, battling one another for the rankings.

It was precisely because their competition was so fierce that the university ranked third changed every year.

This year, the school ranked sixth among Beast Master universities nationwide was Celestial Origin Academy of the Eight Academies.

This school was likewise famous nationwide for its Alchemy Department, but compared with Rosewood University, there was still quite a gap.

However, among the Eight Academies, Celestial Origin Academy stood alone at the summit. It was also the highest-ranked academy and had always sought to become Donghua Kingdom's sixth great university.

Chen Wei's first-choice university for next year's Beast Master college entrance examination was Rosewood University, while his second choice was Celestial Origin Academy.

As Chen Wei knew, Thunderclap Academy's overall ranking this year was middling among the Eight Academies. It ranked ninth nationwide and was also a famous university specializing in Lightning-type Beast Masters.

"Thunderclap Academy! Ning Yi? You're Water Mountain City's top scorer in this year's Beast Master assessment?" Chen Wei suddenly reacted and asked in astonishment.

No wonder Ning Yi's name had seemed especially familiar to him when the referee, Xia Zhe, introduced the sparring partner before him. It felt as though he had heard or seen it somewhere before.

It was not until she mentioned Thunderclap Academy that he remembered the hot news story that had appeared on Water Mountain City's news channel some time ago.

In the remote Water Mountain City, students who could get into the "Five Universities and Eight Academies" were extremely rare.

It was just that the interview had not revealed her appearance at the time. Otherwise, with Ning Yi's beauty, figure, and strength, Chen Wei figured that interview would have exploded across the internet.

"Calling me the top scorer is a bit exaggerated. I couldn't even beat you, Junior!"

The forthright Ning Yi spoke as though she were a little embarrassed.

Praise from others was fine. After all, getting into the renowned Thunderclap Academy was no small honor, and she could accept it openly and without reservation.

But in Ning Yi's eyes, the Chen Wei before her was a monster through and through. The title of Water Mountain City's top college entrance examination scorer no longer carried much weight in front of him.

When Chen Wei put it that way, she instead felt a little uncomfortable.

"And I originally wanted to apply to Glazed Water University. It's just a pity that I couldn't pass the test back then." Ning Yi's voice carried a trace of regret.

She had admired Glazed Water University for a long time, especially since her beloved idol, Xi Zhaozhao, studied there.

"The test? Can you tell me in detail about the Five Universities' assessments?" Chen Wei suddenly asked. The test information floating around online was impossible to distinguish between truth and falsehood.

His right hand gently stroked Color Spirit's head as he watched Ning Yi. Though his expression appeared calm, there was a faint, eager expectation on his face.

"Ah, you want to hear about it? The Five Universities' tests change every year!"

Ning Yi abruptly pulled herself from her memories. Her brows drew together slightly, and she bit her rosy lip before speaking somewhat awkwardly.

"Mm-hm. I also want to apply to one of the Five Universities next year, so I'd like to get a rough idea of how difficult the tests are from you."

Chen Wei looked at Ning Yi's lovely profile and asked with a smile.

"That's true. With your strength, you really can try for those five top universities." Ning Yi nodded slightly at his words. The Chen Wei before her was indeed very strong.

There was still a year until the next college entrance examination. Chen Wei could already defeat her in a one-on-one pet beast duel. After another year of training, perhaps he really could get into the Five Universities she so yearned for.

"I only know the basic tests for Glazed Water University this year. The first requirement is that a Beast Master's Source Star must be at least second rank."

Just as she began explaining, Ning Yi's pupils suddenly contracted. Her crimson lips parted slightly, as though she had only just realized something. She stared at Chen Wei in shock, her voice filled with astonishment.

"If I remember correctly, your summoning rune array was pale cyan before the battle just now. Your Source Star is already second rank!"

Hearing Ning Yi's startled voice, Chen Wei gave her a strange look. You only realized it now? Isn't your reaction time a little too long?

Chen Wei said with a smile, "Yes. Perhaps because my Beast Master talent awakened relatively early, and I'm usually quite diligent in my meditation practice."

"Hmph. Excessive modesty is pride. Keep talking like that, and I'm going to hit you." Ning Yi gave a soft snort, her tone somewhat envious.

"I thought your Cold Jade Snake was already outrageous enough. I never expected your cultivation talent as a Beast Master to be even more outrageous!"

She added, "The second requirement is that a Beast Master's Source Star purity must be high—at least eighty percent. You can't use too many pills."

As Ning Yi spoke, the corners of her eyes remained fixed on Chen Wei's expression.

She was afraid that Chen Wei's Source Star had advanced and broken through by recklessly using pills, causing her to lose such a powerful opponent.

Chen Wei nodded in understanding.

Beast Masters could increase Source Star cultivation speed by consuming medicinal pills, but this was limited to Source Stars of the third tier and above.

Only Source Stars at the third tier and above possessed purification abilities, allowing them, under the Beast Master's control, to appropriately eliminate the adverse effects brought by medicinal pills and maintain their own purity.

If a Beast Master used too many pills while their Source Star was at tiers zero through two, however, their Source Star would become muddled and impure, its purity would decline, and subsequent cultivation would become more difficult.

Therefore, Beast Masters with lofty ambitions generally would not use pills intended for Source Star cultivation before their Source Star reached the third tier.

Those pills were suitable only for Beast Masters of mediocre talent, whose Source Stars had no hope of breaking through and who wished to make one final desperate gamble.

"The third test is the practical combat assessment." Ning Yi deliberately stressed the word "assessment," then slowly let out a sigh.

She then looked at Chen Wei with sympathetic eyes, seemingly pitying him for having to face a similar trial himself next year.

"What exactly is the practical combat assessment at top universities?"

Hearing Ning Yi stop halfway through her explanation, Chen Wei seemed to sense her pity. He pressed his lips together and continued asking with great interest.