Dragon Gate Assessment

"Many thanks for the reminder, Senior Brother!" everyone said with cupped fists.

The senior outer institute disciple leading them returned the gesture and introduced himself. "My name is Ma Qiang. I've been at the Bedrock Outer Institute for over a year. From now on, we're fellow disciples. If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask me."

Ma Qiang wore a smile and a gentle expression. He spoke nicely enough, but in truth, throughout the journey, he never spoke to Zhang Yu or the other mid Dark Force disciples who were obviously poor.

He only conversed with those peak Dark Force disciples from second-rate aristocratic families. When one poor disciple at late Dark Force went to ask him a question, Ma Qiang gave him an impatient glance, tossed out a perfunctory answer, and ignored him after that.

Zhang Yu saw it all, and a cold smirk touched his lips as he trailed far behind the group.

Before long, they arrived at the dormitory area.

Outer institute disciples were assigned four people to each independent courtyard.

Zhang Yu was assigned to a courtyard with Ye Xuan, Su Wan, and Li Feifei. The four introduced themselves.

Ye Xuan wore a set of shimmering brocade robes and looked exceedingly arrogant. One glance showed he was a disciple of an aristocratic family. He introduced himself, saying, "Ye Xuan, peak Dark Force, from the Ye Family of the imperial capital." In truth, he was merely a collateral descendant of the Ye Family.

"Su Wan, late Dark Force, from the Su family of the prefectural city." She came from a merchant family.

"My name is Li Feifei, mid Dark Force. Like Young Master Ye, I'm also from the imperial capital." Li Feifei came from a third-rate minor aristocratic family in the imperial capital.

"Zhang Yu, from Yi County," Zhang Yu said.

Upon hearing that Zhang Yu was a country bumpkin, both Ye Xuan and Li Feifei revealed disdainful expressions.

Su Wan came from a merchant family, and her upbringing had taught her never to offend others. Thus, when she heard Zhang Yu came from the countryside, her expression did not change in the slightest. Of course, neither did she show him any goodwill.

"Young Master Ye, the room on the eastern side, to the left, gets the best sunlight. It suits your status best." Li Feifei pointed at the largest room on the east side as she spoke to Ye Xuan.

Then she looked at Zhang Yu and Su Wan. "You two don't have any objections, do you?"

Su Wan shook her head.

Zhang Yu did not even look at Li Feifei. He simply turned and walked into a room on the western side.

When words did not align, even half a sentence was too much.

"A country bumpkin from some backwater," Li Feifei's voice came from behind him.

Zhang Yu frowned as he entered the room, ready to teach her a lesson. But then he remembered that this was Hidden Cloud Academy, where there were many True Qi realm experts. More importantly, his main purpose for coming here was to learn how to open his dantian.

Let her live a few more days for now, Zhang Yu thought, forcibly suppressing his anger.

Over the following days, Li Feifei and Su Wan mostly stayed at Ye Xuan's side, calling him Young Master Ye at every turn. Li Feifei in particular fawned over him shamelessly.

As for Zhang Yu, Li Feifei generally greeted him with a haughty, disdainful expression. Su Wan, however, still greeted him. Sometimes, when they ran into each other in the courtyard, they would even chat for a few words.

Neither warm nor offensive—it suited the disposition of a merchant's daughter.

After several days of familiarizing himself with the place, Zhang Yu also figured out Hidden Cloud Academy's rules. Outer institute disciples were essentially left to fend for themselves. Only after entering the inner institute would they have the chance to study under a teacher and learn first-rate cultivation arts, or even Yellow-grade arts.

There was only one way for outer institute disciples to advance into the inner institute: the Dragon Gate Assessment held once every six months. Those who passed became inner institute disciples; those who failed remained in the outer institute. Anyone who still could not pass after three years would be expelled from the academy.

In that regard, it was quite fair. Whether commoner or aristocratic descendant, everyone had to undergo the Dragon Gate Assessment.

There were exactly two months until the next Dragon Gate Assessment. Zhang Yu planned to participate, revealing a late Dark Force cultivation level when the time came.

Breaking through to late Dark Force in two months was perfectly reasonable.

The Dragon Gate Assessment actually had no cultivation-level restriction. As long as one could pass, that was enough—but it was extremely difficult. Although academy experts stood guard, ensuring there would be no danger to life, injuries were as common as daily meals. Therefore, outer institute disciples generally cultivated to peak Dark Force before registering, hoping to minimize the damage.

One day, Zhang Yu returned from a meal and found Ye Xuan, Li Feifei, and Su Wan sitting around the stone table in the courtyard, chatting.

"Young Master Ye, I believe in your strength. You'll definitely pass the Dragon Gate Assessment two months from now. Once you become an inner institute disciple, you must take good care of Su Wan and me and give us some guidance in our cultivation." Li Feifei spoke in a syrupy voice, half her body nearly pressed against Ye Xuan.

Ye Xuan greatly enjoyed Li Feifei's worship and flattery.

Li Feifei and Su Wan were both very beautiful. Keeping them at his side every day greatly satisfied his vanity.

Back in the imperial capital, he was merely a collateral descendant of the Ye Family, and his innate talent was not outstanding. He could never have enjoyed such treatment.

Li Feifei was busy currying favor with Ye Xuan when Zhang Yu returned from outside. He did not look at the three of them and went straight back to his room.

Li Feifei was furious when she saw that Zhang Yu actually dared not even glance at them and did not offer a single greeting.

"Country bumpkin! Lowborn trash from some backwater! Why did Hidden Cloud Academy even admit people like this? Isn't that wasting a spot? Someone like him could never pass the Dragon Gate Assessment!" Li Feifei shrieked sharply.

She was not afraid of Zhang Yu hearing her. She had said it specifically for him to hear.

In her mind, Zhang Yu ought to fawn over her just as she fawned over Ye Xuan.

Zhang Yu had one foot through his doorway when he heard Li Feifei's words. He turned and glanced at her. "Two months from now, I'll slap your mouth swollen."

With that, Zhang Yu entered his room and shut the door.

Li Feifei flew into a rage. "What did that country bumpkin say just now? He wants to slap my face? Young Master Ye..."

"Junior Sister Li, don't be angry. Once I enter the inner institute, I'll naturally vent your anger for you," Ye Xuan said with his head held high.

The hierarchy within Hidden Cloud Academy was clear-cut. As long as no one died, inner institute disciples beating outer institute disciples was generally ignored.

Everyone tacitly accepted that inner institute disciples could bully outer institute disciples.

"Thank you, Young Master Ye." Li Feifei immediately began acting coquettishly.

Su Wan actually looked down on Li Feifei's affected behavior, but she was only a merchant's daughter. She had been fortunate enough to enter Hidden Cloud Academy this time, and before she came, her father had instructed her to build good relationships with descendants of great aristocratic families.

Since she lived in the same courtyard as Ye Xuan, she had the advantage of being close to the water tower and catching the moon first. Naturally, she had to get along well with him, hoping that after he became an inner institute disciple, he could also support and help her.

With an inner institute disciple's support and assistance, it would be easier to pass the Dragon Gate Assessment and become an inner institute disciple herself.

During this period, Zhang Yu had already explored the entire academy. Hidden Cloud Academy truly deserved its reputation as the number one sect of the Great Chu Empire. Its interior grounds were even larger than all of Hidden Cloud City.

He encountered quite a few True Qi realm teachers. Once, he had even seen someone briefly fly through the sky.

Martial artists of the Astral Qi realm could use astral qi to fly through the air for several hundred meters.

Even a few hundred meters left Zhang Yu awestruck, making him even more eager to open his dantian and cultivate true qi.

Once Zhang Yu had familiarized himself with the academy, he began leaving early and returning late every day to read in the library, greedily filling the gaps in his martial knowledge.

Outer institute disciples could enter the first floor of the library. There were no martial arts manuals on the first floor, only miscellaneous books and travel journals related to martial arts.

These books were of little use to others, but to Zhang Yu, they were precisely the knowledge he lacked most.

Like a starving man devouring food, he spent all day on the library's first floor, reading martial knowledge as if it were fiction. The travel journals written by academy teachers were especially fascinating, and he read them with relish.

Two months passed in this way. Zhang Yu felt that he had finally gained a comprehensive understanding of the martial history of the Western Desolate Continent, as well as a deeper understanding of this world.

This world contained more than just the Western Desolate Continent. There was also the Central Continent, the Eastern Sea Archipelago, and the Snow Kingdom in the north.

One travel journal stated that the Central Continent was ten times the size of the Western Desolate Continent. There, martial cultivation was all the rage. Not only were there martial artists of the upper three realms, there were even martial artists who had surpassed the upper three realms.

The two months flew by in a flash.

Zhang Yu lay on the bed in his room, looking at the system panel.

[Name: Zhang Yu]

[Clearwind Stance Art (First Limit Break 2800/10000)]

[Master-Disciple Points: 1189]

"Neither Wen Hua nor Li Yue has been slacking," Zhang Yu murmured. "It's just that there are still too few Master-Disciple Points."

I miss them so much!

Soon. I registered today for the Dragon Gate Assessment three days from now. Once I become an inner institute disciple and learn a first-rate cultivation art, I'll find a way to leave Hidden Cloud Academy.

I really miss the carefree life in Boundless City. I wonder how Li Yue, Niu Mancang, and the others are doing?

Just as he was thinking about it, the sound of the courtyard gate opening came from outside, followed by the voices of Ye Xuan, Li Feifei, and Su Wan.

"Young Master Ye, did you register for the Dragon Gate Assessment three days from now?"

"Mm."

"I believe you'll definitely pass, Young Master Ye. Your aptitude is so good, and you cultivate so diligently. You'll surely pass the Dragon Gate Assessment in one go. When the time comes, don't forget this junior sister of yours." Li Feifei spoke in her syrupy voice.

"And me. When the time comes, please give me plenty of support, Young Master Ye," Su Wan said.

"Hahaha... Don't worry. After all, we've lived in the same courtyard for two months. We share the bond of courtyard-mates. Once I become an inner institute disciple, I'll naturally look after you two junior sisters." Ye Xuan laughed heartily, immensely pleased with himself.

These past two months had been very happy for him—the happiest days of his eighteen years.

In the Ye Family of the imperial capital, he was a collateral descendant. He never received anyone's attention or praise and could only hide in a corner and cultivate silently.

He had not even been allotted a place to enter Hidden Cloud Academy.

It was only because he had gotten lucky and Hidden Cloud Academy had expanded enrollment this time that he was able to become an outer institute disciple.

"I heard that country bumpkin also registered for the Dragon Gate Assessment three days from now," Li Feifei said. "He really has no idea how much he weighs. I think he'll definitely get beaten half-crippled and then be thrown out of the academy."

"Living in the same courtyard as that country bumpkin for two months has really been bad luck."

Li Feifei seized every chance to trample Zhang Yu and belittle him. In her mind, Zhang Yu came from a poor background and did not cultivate diligently, so he was destined to fail the Dragon Gate Assessment.

After all, over these two months, she had never once seen Zhang Yu cultivate in the courtyard.

Someone like him simply did not belong to the same world as them.

Su Wan did not echo her. She never joined in whenever Li Feifei belittled Zhang Yu. Even if she thought the same way, she would not say it aloud.

Moreover, whenever she encountered Zhang Yu, she would take the initiative to chat with him for a few words.

Do not offend, do not become too close—she had thoroughly grasped the way merchant families conducted themselves.

Li Feifei's voice was loud enough that Zhang Yu could faintly hear it from his room. He had long grown used to it. In his heart, he had already sentenced Li Feifei to death.

Three days later, Zhang Yu arrived early at the Bedrock Outer Institute plaza. Today was the day of the Dragon Gate Assessment.

By the time Zhang Yu arrived, the small plaza of the Bedrock Outer Institute was already packed with outer institute disciples, all discussing the Dragon Gate Assessment.

A total of five people had registered for this Dragon Gate Assessment. Aside from Zhang Yu, who was at late Dark Force, the other four were all at peak Dark Force.

Zhang Yu, Ye Xuan, Zhang Long, and Yang Xiaofang were new disciples who had entered the academy two months ago.

There was only one old disciple from the Bedrock Outer Institute who had registered.

"These new disciples don't know how terrifying the Dragon Gate Assessment is. Four of them actually registered." The old disciples of the Bedrock Outer Institute looked at Zhang Yu and the others, discussing among themselves.

"Once they're beaten until they're badly injured or their tendons snap and bones break, they'll understand just how arrogant and reckless they were. Unfortunately, by then, it'll be too late."

"Since they dared to register, they must have confidence."

"Look, why is one of them only at late Dark Force? Tsk, tsk. A newborn calf isn't afraid of a tiger. Didn't he ask around about the difficulty and brutality of the Dragon Gate Assessment?"

Ma Qiang also stood among the crowd. He had some impression of Zhang Yu, and upon seeing him among the registered participants, he thought to himself, It really was wise not to waste time on someone like him.

Ma Qiang's aptitude was not very good. The last time he had helped the deacon guide Zhang Yu and the others through enrollment procedures and other odd jobs, it had been so he could befriend promising disciples in advance. Then, after they entered the inner institute, he could attach himself to them and receive their support.

Back then, Zhang Yu had walked at the very end of the group, looking as if he could not be bothered with anyone.

Ma Qiang had actually paid attention to Zhang Yu. After all, there were only two kinds of arrogant people: the self-abased and the geniuses.

Now, seeing Zhang Yu register for the Dragon Gate Assessment at late Dark Force, he immediately labeled him a self-abased lunatic.

Zhang Yu's participation stirred up a round of discussion among the Bedrock Outer Institute disciples. Almost everyone thought he had gone mad.

Zhang Yu paid no attention to their comments. A bunch of frogs at the bottom of a well. In a moment, I'll blind your dog eyes.

"Zhang Yu, Ye Xuan, Zhang Long, Yang Xiaofang, Leng Chao—you five, come with me." An outer institute deacon of the Bedrock Institute shouted, then led the five of them toward the Dragon Gate Assessment grounds at the main institute.

The Dragon Gate Assessment had a dedicated venue, where outer disciples from all five institutes took the assessment together.

Several hundred disciples of the Bedrock Outer Institute followed behind to watch.

"Senior Brother Ye, good luck!" Li Feifei waved at Ye Xuan from within the crowd.

Her family was merely a third-rate aristocratic family on the verge of collapse. Her father had sent her into Hidden Cloud Academy for only one purpose: to find a talented disciple from a great aristocratic family as a patron.

Li Feifei had placed all her bets on Ye Xuan. She had even given him the cultivation resources her family had provided for her.

Every day, she took care of all of Ye Xuan's daily needs, showered him with praise, and provided emotional support. In short, she did everything she could.

Li Feifei stared at Ye Xuan in the procession. Suddenly, she spotted Zhang Yu as well and could not help muttering under her breath, "Country bumpkin. You dare take part at late Dark Force? Just wait to get beaten half to death."