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 stood up excitedly. Once they passed this hurdle, they would officially enter the Canaan Academy they had long dreamed of. However, after the farce just now, they were clearly a little more cautious.

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

Jiang Ping led everyone inside. They consciously formed a line, but no one dared stand in front of Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan naturally had no objection to that and followed behind Jiang Ping while holding Xun Er's hand.

As the group entered the tent, Xiao Yan looked around first, 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 different world inside. Yet it really was just a simple tent!

Still, it was only a recruitment team, so Xiao Yan could understand. He then turned to look at the only long table in the tent. The table had an elegant, understated charm, but what caught Xiao Yan's attention was the person seated behind it.

The woman wore green robes. Though she sat properly in her chair, she gave off the impression that she was boneless, softly draped against the chair back. Whether it was the smile on her lovely face or those intoxicating, autumn-water eyes, either was enough to make anyone equate this woman with gentleness itself...

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

For a brief moment, Xiao Yan felt that this auntie reminded him of what a mother might feel like. Though he had never had a mother, he had caught a glimpse of that emotion while watching other children play with theirs.

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-old youths. Only after Xiao Yan's reminder did the others begin greeting their instructor all at once, making the scene rather chaotic for a moment.

Fortunately, Instructor Ruo Lin truly was as gentle as she appeared. Once everyone had quieted down, she softly explained the aptitude test to them. It was precisely what Jiang Ping had already told Xiao Yan before...

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

"Deceiving the academy is very serious misconduct. Instructor believes you do not want to know the punishment for doing so. And by the way, excuses such as 'I remembered my age wrong' or 'I thought I would reach this level by the time I entered the academy' do not count. You must report truthfully."

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

"Then let's begin. Little fellow, we'll start with you. State your name, level, and age."

Even knowing that Xiao Yan was a troublesome thorn, Instructor Ruo Lin could not help feeling wildly expectant. While Xiao Yan and the others had been waiting 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. Since even Jiang Ping could estimate Xiao Yan's level, how could Ruo Lin, as an instructor, fail to think of it?

And Xiao Yan truly did not disappoint her!

"Xiao Yan, three-star Dou Practitioner, eleven years old in three months."

"Gasp—"

A strange sound suddenly arose in the quiet tent. Though everyone had only drawn a small breath, together they made quite a loud noise.

"Mm, Super S-grade!"

Ruo Lin read out Xiao Yan's result as calmly as she could. She had recruited such a promising seedling for Canaan Academy! Thinking of the academy's reward, Instructor Ruo Lin felt the corners of her mouth starting to twitch upward again.

Geniuses were already rare, and "wild" geniuses like Xiao Yan were even rarer. Such people were often recruited first by local powers. Though joining those forces meant losing some freedom, they gained security in return. Moreover, Canaan Academy's training could not compare to the concentrated investment of an entire sect or faction.

Thus, in recent years, Canaan Academy's high-quality talents had mostly come from factions and clans already friendly with the academy. Recruitment teams sent to various places carried the mindset of searching the vast sea for forgotten pearls. Recruiting B-grade or C-grade students was already considered lucky. One could see just how fortunate it was to recruit a student like Xiao Yan!

Ruo Lin was, after all, a Great Dou Master. She suppressed the joy in her heart and decided to test this great genius Xiao Yan's temperament a little, exchanging a few moves with her future student.

"Xiao Yan, your talent is indeed extraordinary. However, the path of cultivation tempers both the body and the heart. Cultivating Dou Qi is not merely about being fierce and ruthless. Naturally, one cannot be softhearted toward enemies, but you must remember never to turn your blade against your fellow students."

Xiao Yan could tell that Ruo Lin was referring to what had happened with Ge Shi. After thinking for a moment, he answered,

"Instructor's lesson is correct. However, this student has cultivated for too short a time and cannot yet comprehend Instructor's deeper meaning. Based only on these years of cultivation, I believe that cultivation should be lived with freedom and satisfaction. One must never bend the spirit in one's chest. Those who treat me with courtesy will receive every bit of courtesy from Xiao Yan; those who intend to offend me, however, will receive no mercy from me!"

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 this student does not believe there was anything wrong with teaching him a lesson. Rather than advising this student to be magnanimous, Instructor should teach Ge Shi to watch his words and actions. He was so weak, yet he still dared provoke others. He only brought shame upon Canaan Academy."

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

"You little brat, are you lecturing me instead? I will handle Ge Shi myself. And you, do not become too arrogant. You defeated him mostly because of the advantage of your cultivation method. Do not look down on Canaan Academy because of that."

"Instructor is right!"

Xiao Yan did not argue. His Flame Manipulation Formula had indeed helped immensely in his battle with Ge Shi. His cultivation, physique, and combat experience had all been inferior to Ge Shi's, but because of the difference in cultivation methods, after their initial stalemate, he had actually crushed Ge Shi one-sidedly. This made Xiao Yan even more grateful for Xun Er's help.

As if she knew what Xiao Yan was thinking, Xun Er slightly tightened the hand holding his. The two exchanged a smile, and everything was understood without words.

Instructor Ruo Lin also let Xiao Yan off, though that did not stop her from silently rating Xiao Yan's troublemaker level as A-grade.

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

Still, at least he was not the sort of student who insisted on doing everything his own way. Instructor Ruo Lin also understood that while Canaan Academy required ordinary students to restrain their arrogance, it truly could not suppress someone like Xiao Yan too much. Perhaps that was a genius's privilege.

Ruo Lin turned to Xun Er and asked expectantly,

"Little girl, who are you?"

Xun Er gave Instructor Ruo Lin a graceful salute.

"Instructor misunderstands. I came with Brother Xiao Yan. Xun Er's cultivation is inferior to Brother Xiao Yan's, and I do not yet meet Canaan Academy's standards."

Upon hearing this, aside from Instructor Ruo Lin, who was somewhat disappointed, the newcomers behind them all breathed a sigh of relief.

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

However, Instructor Ruo Lin did not let Xun Er off. If Xiao Yan had received the privilege of genius, then Xun Er was clearly receiving the privilege of beauty.

"It is all right. If not this year, then next year. I have always been responsible for Wutan City, and Instructor looks forward to becoming Xun Er's instructor in the future. So, can you tell me your details?"

"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! It is because Brother Xiao Yan is too silly to notice. (˘³˘)"

Aside from the two of them fooling around, the tent fell silent for a moment. Instructor Ruo Lin became excited again, while the others 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 have aptitude no lower than A-grade!

Instructor Ruo Lin did not bother suppressing her smile when facing Xun Er.

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

Xun Er said nothing more. She merely smiled, answered with a soft "Mm," and stepped aside.

"Next."

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

The next few were only at E-grade and F-grade. Though Instructor Ruo Lin's gentle expression and tone did not change, she did not ask any of them another question. Compared to Xiao Yan and Xun Er, the difference could not have been more obvious. Everyone received a firsthand lesson in the harsh realities of life.

"All right, your registration is complete. Congratulations, everyone. You are now students of Canaan Academy. Our 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 make all necessary preparations during this time and gather on time to enroll."

Instructor Ruo Lin announced this with a smile, finally fulfilling everyone's greatest wish for the day. Just as they were preparing 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 Instructor to stay at my Xiao Clan. Recruitment can also be conducted there. No matter what, the environment is much better than here."

"At the Xiao Clan?" Instructor Ruo Lin naturally knew of the Xiao Clan's existence, but Canaan Academy had always remained detached and independent. By custom, it did not interact much with local powers.

Seeing Instructor Ruo Lin hesitate, Xiao Yan hurriedly gave Xun Er a meaningful look. Xun Er shot Xiao Yan a pretty glare, but still stepped forward.

"That's right, Instructor Ruo Lin. Xun Er has a few questions she wishes to ask Instructor these next few days. Besides, you do not know this, but Brother Xiao Yan is extremely stubborn. If you do not come, he might refuse to go to Canaan Academy with you."

A girl's words were indeed more effective. Ruo Lin affectionately patted Xun Er's head. She was genuinely a little afraid that Xiao Yan might refuse to go to Canaan Academy, so she agreed. Only then did Xiao Yan happily pull Xun Er along as they bade Instructor Ruo Lin farewell.

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