Aptitude Test

Xiao Yan and the others had not waited long before Instructor Ruo Lin's gentle voice rang out again:

"Jiang Ping, bring them in."

All the new students rose excitedly. Once they passed this hurdle, they would officially enter the Jia Nan Academy they had long dreamed of. However, after the earlier farce, they were clearly a little more cautious.

It seemed that although this group had not undergone the full "trial" meant for new students, after meeting Xiao Yan, they might have gained a clearer understanding of the purpose behind that "trial."

Jiang Ping led everyone inside. They consciously formed a line, but no one dared stand in front of Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan did not mind at all and pulled Xun'er along behind Jiang Ping.

As the group entered the tent, Xiao Yan first looked around, a trace of disappointment appearing on his face—he had thought it might be one of those seemingly ordinary places that turned out to contain a whole other world inside. Yet it really was just a simple tent!

Still, this was only a recruitment team, so Xiao Yan could understand. He then turned toward the sole long table in the tent. The table had an understated elegance to its craftsmanship, but what caught Xiao Yan's attention was the person seated behind it.

The woman wore green. Though she sat properly in her chair, she somehow seemed boneless, as though she were softly draped against its back. Whether it was the smile on her lovely face or her intoxicating autumn-water eyes, either was enough to make anyone associate this woman with gentleness like water...

But none of that had anything to do with ten-year-old Xiao Yan!

For just an instant, Xiao Yan felt that this auntie reminded him of what a mother might feel like. He had never had a mother himself, but when he watched other children playing with theirs, he could glimpse a trace of that emotion from the side.

Xiao Yan quickly composed himself and bowed. "Student Xiao Yan greets Instructor Ruo Lin."

It had to be said that Instructor Ruo Lin was still highly lethal to the other seventeen- and eighteen-year-olds. Only after Xiao Yan's lead did the rest begin greeting their instructor all at once, making the scene somewhat chaotic.

Fortunately, Instructor Ruo Lin truly was as gentle as she appeared. Once everyone had quieted down, she softly explained the aptitude test to them—the very things Jiang Ping had already told Xiao Yan about...

"...That is roughly how it works. It sounds complicated, but what you need to do is simple: come here and register your level and age. However, your instructor must remind you all that you are good children, so do not lie. There will be no test here, but once you enter the academy, there will be a centralized strength assessment."

"Deceiving the academy is a very serious matter. Your instructor trusts that you do not want to find out what the punishment is. Also, 'I remembered my age wrong' and 'I thought I would reach this level by the time I entered the academy' are not valid excuses. You must report truthfully."

Seeing everyone before her nod to show they understood, Instructor Ruo Lin happily clapped her hands.

"Then let us begin. Little fellow, we will start with you. State your name, level, and age."

Even though she knew Xiao Yan was a troublesome thorn, Instructor Ruo Lin could not help eagerly anticipating this. While Xiao Yan and the others had waited outside, half the time had been spent treating Ge Shi's injuries, while the other half had been spent desperately controlling the corners of her mouth. Jiang Ping could infer Xiao Yan's level, so how could Ruo Lin, as an instructor, fail to do the same?

And Xiao Yan truly did not disappoint her!

"Xiao Yan, three-star Dou Zhe, turning eleven in three months."

"Gasp—"

A strange sound suddenly arose in the quiet tent. Each person had only taken a soft breath, but together, the sound was quite loud.

"Mm, Super S-rank!"

Ruo Lin read out Xiao Yan's result as calmly as she could. She had recruited such a promising seedling for Jia Nan Academy! Thinking of the academy's rewards made Instructor Ruo Lin feel as though the corners of her mouth were about to lose control again.

Geniuses were rare to begin with, and "wild" geniuses like Xiao Yan were even rarer. Such people were often recruited first by local factions. Joining those factions might mean losing freedom, but it also gained them security. Moreover, Jia Nan Academy's training could not compare to the concentrated investment of an entire sect or faction.

Thus, in recent years, Jia Nan Academy's high-quality geniuses had mostly come from factions and clans already friendly with the academy. Recruitment teams dispatched across the land went out with the mindset of searching the vast sea for forgotten pearls. Recruiting B-rank or C-rank students was already considered good fortune. This showed just how lucky they were to recruit a student like Xiao Yan!

After all, Ruo Lin possessed the cultivation of a Da Dou Shi. She suppressed her joy and prepared to test the state of mind of this great genius Xiao, exchanging a few words with her future student.

"Xiao Yan, your talent is indeed exceptional. However, the path of cultivation tempers both the body and the heart. Cultivating Dou Qi is not merely about showing fierceness and brutality. Naturally, you cannot be softhearted toward enemies, but when dealing with fellow students, remember that you must never turn blades against one another."

Xiao Yan could tell that Ruo Lin was advising him over the matter of Ge Shi. After thinking for a moment, he replied, "Instructor, your lesson is correct. It is simply that this student has cultivated for too short a time and cannot yet comprehend your deeper meaning. Still, after several years of cultivation, I believe cultivation should bring satisfaction and freedom. One must never bend the spirit in one's heart. Whoever treats me with courtesy, Xiao Yan will never fail to return that courtesy in full. But whoever intends to offend me, I will certainly show no mercy!"

Before Ruo Lin could speak, Xiao Yan added,

"This student is not a harsh person. It is simply that Ge Shi bullied us first, and I do not believe I was wrong to teach him a lesson. Rather than advising this student to be magnanimous, Instructor, you should teach Ge Shi to watch his words and actions. He was so weak, yet he still dared provoke others. He only made Jia Nan Academy lose face for nothing."

Listening to Xiao Yan's string of arguments, Ruo Lin felt both irritated and amused.

"You little brat, you are lecturing me instead? I will speak to Ge Shi myself. And you should not become too arrogant either. Your victory over him was largely due to the advantage of your cultivation formula. Do not underestimate Jia Nan Academy because of this."

"Instructor is right!"

Xiao Yan did not argue. His Flame Manipulation Formula had indeed helped tremendously in his battle against Ge Shi. His cultivation, physique, and combat experience were all inferior to Ge Shi's, yet because of the difference in their cultivation formulas, after the initial stalemate, he had actually crushed Ge Shi in a one-sided battle. This made Xiao Yan even more grateful for Xun'er's help.

As though she knew what Xiao Yan was thinking, Xun'er gently squeezed the hand she held with his. The two exchanged a smile, understanding everything without words.

Instructor Ruo Lin also let Xiao Yan off, though that did not stop her from silently rating his thorn-in-the-side level as A-rank.

Call him rebellious, and he accepted your criticism. Call him obedient, and he would not completely follow your wishes.

Still, at least he was not the sort of student who did whatever he pleased. Instructor Ruo Lin also understood that while Jia Nan Academy required ordinary students to restrain their arrogance, it truly could not suppress someone like Xiao Yan too much. Perhaps that was the privilege of geniuses.

Ruo Lin turned to Xun'er and asked expectantly,

"Little girl, who are you?"

Xun'er gave Instructor Ruo Lin a respectful curtsy.

"Instructor, you misunderstand. I came with Brother Xiao Yan. Xun'er's cultivation is inferior to Brother Xiao Yan's, so I do not yet meet Jia Nan Academy's standards."

Upon hearing this, aside from Instructor Ruo Lin's slight disappointment, the newcomers behind them all sighed in relief.

One Xiao Yan was already outrageous enough. Who could endure another one?

However, Instructor Ruo Lin did not let Xun'er go. If Xiao Yan's treatment had been the privilege of genius, then Xun'er's was clearly the privilege of beauty.

"It does not matter. If not this year, then next year. I have always been responsible for Wutan City, and your instructor looks forward to becoming Xun'er's instructor in the future. So, can you tell me your information?"

"Yes. Xiao Xun'er, sixth stage Dou Qi, four months younger than Brother Xiao Yan."

"Huh? Xun'er, when did you advance? Why didn't you tell me...?"

"Hmph! Brother Xiao Yan was simply too foolish to notice. (˘³˘)"

Aside from the two's playful banter, the tent fell silent for a moment. Instructor Ruo Lin grew excited again, while everyone else sucked back in the breath they had just let out.

Sixth-stage Dou Qi at ten years old. Though she was a little behind Xiao Yan, she was still estimated to possess aptitude no lower than A-rank!

Instructor Ruo Lin no longer deliberately restrained her smile as she faced Xun'er.

"Xun'er, your talent is indeed excellent as well. It is a pity that you truly do not yet meet the academy's recruitment standards. But you only need to wait one or two years. Your instructor will personally come to pick you up then!"

Xun'er said nothing more. She merely smiled, softly said, "Mm," and stepped aside.

"Next."

"Du Hua, eighth stage Dou Qi, seventeen years old." "F-rank."

The next few people were only E-rank and F-rank. Although Instructor Ruo Lin's gentle expression and tone did not change, she did not ask any of them another question. Compared with Xiao Yan and Xun'er, the difference was impossible to miss, letting everyone experience the harsh reality of the world.

"Alright, your registrations are complete. Congratulations, everyone. You are now students of Jia Nan Academy. Recruitment will continue for another four days. On the morning after recruitment ends, the academy's flying convoy will come to take us directly to the academy. I hope you will prepare everything during this time and gather on time to enroll."

Instructor Ruo Lin announced this with a smile, finally fulfilling everyone's greatest wish of the day. Just as they were about to leave, Xiao Yan's eyes shifted as he remembered something else.

"Instructor, since recruitment will continue for several more days, this student would like to invite you to stay at my Xiao Clan. Recruitment can also be conducted at the Xiao Clan. No matter what, the environment is much better than here."

"To the Xiao Clan?" Instructor Ruo Lin naturally knew of the Xiao Clan, but Jia Nan Academy had always remained detached and independent. By convention, it did not interact with local factions.

Seeing Instructor Ruo Lin hesitate, Xiao Yan hurriedly signaled to Xun'er with his eyes. Xun'er gave Xiao Yan a pretty glare, but she still stepped forward.

"Yes, Instructor Ruo Lin. Xun'er has some questions she would like to ask you over the next few days. Besides, you do not know this, but Brother Xiao Yan is terribly stubborn. If you do not come, he might not even go to Jia Nan Academy with you."

A girl's words truly were more effective. Ruo Lin affectionately patted Xun'er's head. She was genuinely a little afraid that Xiao Yan might say he would not attend Jia Nan Academy after all, so she agreed. Only then did Xiao Yan happily pull Xun'er along as they bade Instructor Ruo Lin farewell.

"Since that is settled, this student will return home first to make arrangements. After recruitment ends this afternoon, I will come back to take Instructor and the senior students over."