Imperial City Academy

Huo Hai turned his head and paid no attention to those people's squabbles. If it were some other transmigrator, they'd probably go over and stir up trouble when they saw something like this. Huo Hai shook his head and did not bother thinking about it.

Those who gained a little ability and then became smug and arrogant, unable to see themselves clearly as they made enemies everywhere, were nothing but fools in Huo Hai's eyes. Hiding in the shadows and quietly making a fortune—that was what Huo Hai wanted most.

Huo Hai's usual behavior was unremarkable enough that no one around him paid attention. Quite a few people had not even noticed when he left. With no obstacles along the way, Huo Hai returned to the Huo Family. The moment he reached the gate, he saw the steward waiting there anxiously. From afar, the steward's eyes lit up when he spotted Huo Hai, and he hurried over to greet him.

As they walked, the steward quickly said, "Young Master, you're finally back. The master and the elders are waiting for you inside. If you hadn't returned soon, we would have gone out to look for you." Huo Hai more or less understood what was happening.

Still, Huo Hai pretended not to know and asked, "What happened? Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Quickly, you'll know once we get inside." The steward said nothing else and pulled Huo Hai toward the main hall. When Huo Hai entered, he found many people there, some familiar and some unfamiliar. At the head were his father, his grandfather, and several other high-ranking members of the Lineage. Even from a distance, Huo Hai could feel a sense of threat and pressure emanating from them.

There were also quite a few people in the middle of the hall. They were around Huo Hai's age, all quite young. There was not even anyone close to thirty. Huo Hai nodded to himself. He understood that this must be related to the cloud boat.

"Alright, everyone is here. Some of you may already know what this is about. The once-in-ten-years selection for Imperial City Academy will begin in half a month. The people from Imperial City Academy have already arrived at the Western Frontier Capital, and every Lineage has sent people over."

After pausing to let everyone digest the news, the patriarch swept his gaze around the hall and continued, "I believe many of you already know this. You all meet the requirements and may join Imperial City Academy. Once you enter Imperial City Academy, if you work hard, your future achievements will be boundless. Many of the Lineage elders came from Imperial City Academy."

The discussion below immediately became even more heated. "Is that true? The elders all came from Imperial City Academy? Is Imperial City Academy really that formidable? If I enter the academy, could I become someone like an elder in the future?"

"You think you can? Do you know how strict Imperial City Academy's selection is, and how many people are expelled every year? But everyone who comes out of the academy really is an expert. In our Western Frontier, they're the very top figures." A man in his twenties, who seemed to know more than the others, spoke up.

The crowd buzzed with discussion, and the patriarch and the others were quite satisfied. Imperial City Academy recruited and trained descendants of major Lineages in order to cultivate the empire's experts' loyalty to the imperial family. But to these Lineages, it was also an important means of improving their members' strength and ensuring the Lineage could endure without end. These small Lineages placed immense importance on it.

"Ahem." Huo Kai coughed twice, signaling for everyone to quiet down. "Enough discussion. Imperial City Academy only recruits those under thirty. All of you can go and try. Take a good look at the rules."

With a wave of the patriarch's hand, the attendants distributed the prepared papers to those below. Huo Hai looked them over and found that they matched what he had heard outside. The only difference was that the test seemed to change every time. Sometimes it was very simple; other times it was extremely troublesome. No one knew what sort of test they would encounter.

The academy recruited people under thirty, but generally speaking, those over twenty would not find it easy to join. Those with talent had joined long ago, while the rest had failed a previous test.

Every year, quite a few people participated again. The registration fee was not high, but it still kept out ordinary commoner children who merely wanted to try their luck. The rules were simple—it was just a test, nothing more.

"Eh, I didn't expect this. Looks like the Blood Refining Pill is within reach." Chu Yuntian's eyes immediately lit up as he looked at the records on the paper. This year's test included a trial. As long as one earned points during the trial, they could exchange them for anything at Imperial City Academy afterward. Something like a Blood Refining Pill was nothing much to Imperial City Academy.

"Heavens, why is there a trial this year? Why am I so unlucky? I'm already in my twenties. Won't I have no chance at all next time?" The others also saw the trial requirement, but none of their expressions looked good.

"What's going on? Is this trial really that difficult?" Some who did not understand asked the people beside them.

One of the older descendants said softly, "Yes. Whenever there's a trial, the number of people who pass is usually at its lowest. You're still young, so you'll have another chance at the next test. But us... sigh, we don't have that chance anymore."

Because of the trial, the hall fell into chaos. There were arguments, curses, and all manner of noise. Huo Kai's brows gradually furrowed, then he suddenly roared, "What disgraceful behavior! Shut up, all of you! Does a little difficulty make you retreat? If this is all you are, how can you call yourselves descendants of the Huo Family? How will you become experts who command a region in the future?"

Huo Kai's words made everyone lower their heads, their faces filled with shame. Just then, a tall man suddenly stepped forward and said loudly, "Patriarch, I remember that the Lineage has one recommended spot exempt from testing each time."

At those words, everyone's eyes lit up. A recommendation exempt from testing—wouldn't that mean joining Imperial City Academy without taking the test? It was simply ascending to heaven in a single step. Looking around, the most likely candidates could only be the patriarch's son and Huo Yuner.

"Patriarch, Huo Hai has only just lost his memory. After entering Imperial City Academy, he may easily be expelled. Besides, he is still young, so there is no need to rush. He will have another chance next time. As for Sister Huo Yuner, her temperament is not suited to Imperial City Academy either. I wonder who the patriarch intends to give this spot to." This fellow directly blocked the patriarch's path.

At this, not only did the patriarch's expression darken, but so did the expressions of the others. On the platform, a middle-aged man looked anxious and repeatedly signaled to the tall man who had stepped forward. Yet the man remained unmoved.

"Hmph. Other than the two direct-line descendants, who here is more qualified than I am? In terms of cultivation, neither of them is a match for me."

Just as the tall man wore a smug expression, the patriarch spoke. "Do you know how this spot is obtained? Within every ten years, the Lineage must offer tribute to the imperial family. Only after reaching a certain amount do we receive this spot, and there is only one. All along, this spot has been given to the descendants of those who have contributed the most to the Lineage. The direct line takes priority."

Upon hearing this, the tall man's expression finally changed. In terms of cultivation among the younger generation, he feared no one. He had already entered the Spirit Blood Realm years ago. But when it came to contributions, there were countless people whose fathers had contributed more than his.

"Patriarch, the Lineage's spot cannot be handled so carelessly. For the Lineage's future, it should naturally be given to the most capable person."

A cold smile flashed through Huo Kai's eyes. "In our Huo Family, we have never sacrificed individuals for the Lineage's interests. This spot is a reward for those who have contributed to the Lineage. If you truly have the ability, then enter the academy through your own ability." A mere junior of the Lineage dared speak to him like that. At any other time, he would have been seized long ago.

Without waiting for him to speak, Huo Kai turned to Huo Hai and said, "Xiao Hai, what are your thoughts? There is no need to mention those present. Your grandfather and I have contributed the most to the Lineage. Only after you give up this spot will it fall to someone else."

The tall man stared at Huo Hai with bloodshot eyes. This was his final chance to take the test. If he could not enter Imperial City Academy, he would never have much room for advancement within the Lineage. Perhaps the Spirit Blood Realm would be the end of his life.

As if he had not seen any of it, Huo Hai said loudly, "Patriarch, elders, I want to enter Imperial City Academy with my own strength. This spot should be given to someone who needs it more." Huo Hai's words shocked everyone. Huo Yan had fought desperately for this spot. Yet Huo Hai, who was now inferior to Huo Yan in every respect, had given it up instead.

The elders sighed with emotion. Though they felt some regret, the gratification in their eyes could not be concealed. When Huo Yan heard Huo Hai's words, his eyes shone as he eagerly said, "Patriarch, Huo Hai has given it up. This spot can be given to someone else now, right?"

Huo Yan was practically one sentence away from directly asking for it himself. Huo Hai sneered inwardly. His emotions are written all over his face. He can't even control himself—he's not someone who can accomplish great things, nor can he become an expert. He's no threat. Since I don't want it, this spot will most likely go to Huo Yuner. On the surface, Huo Hai acted as though he understood nothing, but inwardly, he had already calculated everything.

What he needed was the Blood Refining Pill, not a spot to enter Imperial City Academy. Since he had come to this world, even Imperial City Academy would only be a stepping stone beneath his feet. One day, he would soar into the clouds.

Sure enough, Huo Yan's behavior worsened everyone's impression of him. After several elders discussed it among themselves, they finally said to Huo Yuner, "Huo Yuner, according to the rules, since Huo Hai has given up this spot, it is yours. What are your thoughts?"

Huo Yuner furrowed her brows and was about to say something when she suddenly noticed Huo Hai making faces at her. The siblings still shared a tacit understanding. Seeing Huo Hai's expression, Huo Yuner understood what was going on. After thinking for a moment, she finally nodded with difficulty. "Alright, I'll join Imperial City Academy." With those words, Huo Yuner settled this year's spot.

Huo Yan's eyes had already turned bloodshot. Why? Why? How am I inferior to them? Is it just because they're from the direct line? Damn it! I definitely won't lose to you. I'll definitely make you regret this! Huo Yan roared inwardly.