Imperial City Academy

Huo Hai turned his head, paying no heed to those fellows' squabbling. "If it were some other transmigrator, they would probably go stir up trouble when they ran into something like this." Huo Hai shook his head and did not bother thinking about it at all.

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

There was nothing unusual about Huo Hai's usual conduct, and no one around him paid attention. Quite a few people had not even noticed when he left. With no obstruction along the way, Huo Hai returned to the Huo Family. The moment he reached the gate, he saw the steward anxiously waiting there. Spotting Huo Hai from afar, the steward's eyes lit up, and he hurried over to greet him.

As they walked, the steward spoke rapidly. "Young Master, you have finally returned. The Master and the elders are waiting for you inside. If you had not come back soon, we would have gone out to look for you." Huo Hai more or less knew what was going on.

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

"Please hurry. You will know once you get inside." The steward said nothing else and pulled Huo Hai toward the main hall. When Huo Hai entered, he found that many people he knew and many he did not know had gathered there. At the forefront were his father, his grandfather, and several other Lineage higher-ups. Even from a distance, Huo Hai could sense a threatening pressure from them.

There were also quite a few people in the middle of the hall, all roughly his age and still young. There was not even anyone close to thirty. Huo Hai nodded to himself. He understood that this certainly had something to do with the Cloud Boat.

"Alright, everyone is here. Some of you should already know about this. The once-in-ten-years Imperial City Academy selection will begin in half a month. 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 family head swept his gaze around the room and spoke again. "I believe quite a few of you already know. You all meet the requirements and may join Imperial City Academy. Once you enter Imperial City Academy, as long as you work hard, your future achievements will be boundless. Many of the Lineage elders graduated from Imperial City Academy."

The discussion below immediately grew 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, would I be able to 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 graduates from the academy is indeed an expert. Here in the Western Frontier, they are top-tier figures." A young man in his twenties seemed to know more than the others.

Everyone discussed it animatedly, and the family head and the others were very satisfied. Imperial City Academy recruited and trained the children of great families in order to cultivate the empire's experts' loyalty to the imperial family. Yet for these Lineages, it was also an important means of improving their members' strength and ensuring that the Lineage could endure forever. These small Lineages attached great importance to it.

"Ahem." Huo Kai coughed twice, signaling everyone to quiet down. "Alright, stop discussing it. Imperial City Academy only recruits those under thirty. You may all go and give it a try. Read the various rules carefully."

With a wave of the family head's hand, attendants distributed the papers prepared in advance to those below. Huo Hai looked them over. They were the same as what he had heard outside. The only difference was that the test seemed to change every time. Sometimes it was very simple, while at other times it was extremely troublesome. No one knew what sort of test they would encounter.

The academy recruited those under thirty, but generally speaking, it was not easy for those over twenty to join. Those with ability had joined long ago, while those left behind had already failed a test once.

Quite a few people took part again every year. The registration fee was not high, but it also kept out the children of ordinary families who merely wanted to try their luck. The rules were simple—it was just a test, nothing too serious.

"Eh, I did not expect this to be included. Looks like the Blood Refining Pill has been secured." Chu Yuntian's eyes immediately brightened as he read the information on the paper. This year's test included a trial. As long as one earned points during the trial, one could exchange them for anything at Imperial City Academy afterward. Something like a Blood Refining Pill was nothing much to Imperial City Academy.

"Good heavens, why is there a trial this year? Why am I so unlucky? I am already in my twenties. Won't I have no chance at all next time?" Others saw the trial as well, but none of them looked very pleased.

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

An older descendant said in a low voice, "Yes. Whenever there is a trial, the number of people who pass is usually the lowest. You are still young and will have another chance at the next test, but us... alas, we no longer have that chance."

Because of the trial, the hall fell into chaos. There was shouting, cursing, and all kinds 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 shrink back? How can you call yourselves descendants of the Huo Family if you are like this? How will you become experts who dominate one side 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, "Family Head, I remember that the Lineage has one recommended spot exempt from testing every time."

At those words, everyone's eyes lit up. A recommendation exempt from testing—did that not mean joining Imperial City Academy without taking the test? This was simply reaching the heavens in a single step. Looking around, the only likely candidates were the family head's son and Huo Yuner.

"Family Head, Huo Hai has only just lost his memories. If he enters Imperial City Academy, he will likely be expelled easily. 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 personality is not suited to Imperial City Academy either. I wonder whom the Family Head intends to give this spot to." This fellow directly blocked the family head's path.

This time, not only did the family head's expression darken, but the others' expressions did as well. On the platform, a middle-aged man looked anxious and repeatedly winked at the tall man who had stepped out. Yet the man remained unmoved.

"Hmph. Other than the two direct-line members, who here is more qualified than me? In terms of cultivation, neither of them can compare to me."

Just as the tall man was looking smug, the family head spoke. "Do you know how this spot is obtained? Within every ten-year period, the Lineage must pay 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 gone to the descendants of the person who contributed most to the Lineage. Direct-line descendants are given priority."

The tall man's expression finally changed upon hearing this. If it came to cultivation among the younger generation, he feared no one. He had been in the Spirit Blood Realm for several years already. But if they spoke of contributions, he had no idea how many people's contributions surpassed his father's.

"Family Head, the Lineage's spot cannot be handled so carelessly. For the Lineage's future, it should naturally go 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 sake of 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 strength." A mere younger member of the Lineage dared speak to him like this. At any other time, he would have been seized long ago.

Before the man could speak, Huo Kai turned to Huo Hai. "Xiao Hai, what do you think? There is no need for the others present to speak. Your grandfather and I have contributed the most to the Lineage. Only after you give up this spot will it be someone else's turn."

The tall man stared at Huo Hai with bloodshot eyes. This was his last chance to take the test. If he could not enter Imperial City Academy, he would never be able to achieve much development within the Lineage. Perhaps the Spirit Blood Realm would be the endpoint of his entire life.

As if he had not seen any of that, Huo Hai said loudly, "Family Head, Elders, I wish to enter Imperial City Academy with my own strength. This spot should be given to someone who needs it more." Huo Hai's words startled everyone. Huo Yan had been desperately fighting for this spot, yet Huo Hai, who was now inferior to Huo Yan in every respect, had instead given it up.

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, "Family Head, Huo Hai has already given it up. This spot can be given to someone else now, right?"

Huo Yan was only short of directly saying that it should be given to him. Huo Hai sneered inwardly at such behavior. His anger was written all over his face. He cannot even control himself. He is not someone fit for great deeds, much less someone who can become an expert. He poses no threat. Since I do not want it, this spot will most likely go to Huo Yuner. Huo Hai acted as though he understood nothing, but he had already calculated everything in secret.

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 be nothing more than 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. Several elders discussed it among themselves before finally saying to Huo Yuner, "Huo Yuner, according to the rules, since Huo Hai has given up this spot, it belongs to you. What do you think?"

Huo Yuner frowned and was about to say something when she suddenly saw Huo Hai making faces at her. The siblings still had a tacit understanding. Seeing Huo Hai's expression, Huo Yuner understood what was going on. After thinking it over, she finally nodded with difficulty. "Alright, I will join Imperial City Academy." With those words from Huo Yuner, this year's spot was decided.

Huo Yan's eyes had already turned red. Why? Why? How am I inferior to them? Is it only because they are direct-line descendants? Damn it! I will never lose to you. I will make you regret this! Huo Yan roared inwardly.