Zhuge Jin looked young, with a perfectly ordinary appearance. Xu Yan swept him lightly with his divine sense, only to be startled by how solid his foundation was. His spiritual veins were flawless as green jade, and a Dao Embryo had already condensed within his dantian.
Out of the corner of his eye, Xu Yan glanced at the Hidden Dragon Jade Wall beside them and discovered that this man's name was indeed on the rankings.
Eighty-sixth: Zhuge Jin of Wanxiang Academy, third level Dao Embryo.
The Foundation Establishment Dao Embryo realm was divided into three levels, with an additional consummate stage. This was the most important realm of the Foundation Establishment Path, corresponding to the three-story Purple Palace and serving as the place where one laid their foundation.
To Xu Yan's surprise, although this man was from Nine Star Kui Island, he had not mentioned the Huangfu Clan or Huangfu Ziyang from beginning to end.
"With Junior Brother Yan's talent and natural gifts, you ought to cultivate in the Upper Three Academies. Going to the Talent Academy would only bury your potential." Zhuge Jin studied Xu Yan with a faintly appraising gaze.
Xu Yan's eyes remained calm as he met his gaze and said evenly, "Senior Brother, that is where you are mistaken. Though the Upper Three Academies are good, they may not necessarily suit me."
Even if independent cultivators and disciples of lesser sects squeezed through the gates of the Upper Three Academies until their heads bled, they would still likely be ostracized. It was better to cultivate peacefully in another Dao Academy. Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix—that was precisely the idea.
In the Upper Three Academies, it was difficult to ever rise to prominence.
"Since Junior Brother thinks this