The Spirit Pavilion Quota and the Choice of Dao Foundation Path

"Chu Bai."

Superintendent Su walked up to Chu Bai and clapped a heavy hand on his shoulder. His voice brimmed with undisguised admiration. "Faced with certain death, you swiftly brought your companions' strength together, earned enough trust that they entrusted you with their ritual implements, and even stayed behind alone to cover their retreat at the last moment... In twenty years overseeing examinations at the Dao Academy, you're the first I've seen with such a sense of responsibility."

At Superintendent Su's praise, countless gazes below the platform turned toward Chu Bai in unison.

The students who had been eliminated earlier had also seen everything that happened in the canyon through the light screen.

"Good! Good! Good!"

A hearty laugh rang out as Zhou Changkong, Class Three's teacher, strode onto the platform.

His face was now flushed a brighter red than Superintendent Su's Daoist robes. He held his chest high, his eyes full of pride as he looked at Chu Bai.

"You flatter him, Superintendent. Chu Bai has always been a steady child."

Zhou Changkong cupped his hands to Superintendent Su, then turned to Chu Bai. "Well done, lad! You've done Class Three proud! You've done Anping County proud!"

Superintendent Su teased, "Brother Zhou, you've found yourself an extraordinary talent. With such decisiveness in battle and such a righteous heart, if he has the chance to reach Foundation Establishment, I'd gladly guide him there myself."

At those words, the instructors from several other classes cast looks of mad envy their way.

A personal promise of guidance from a Foundation-Building Cultivator all but paved Chu Bai's future Dao Path.

Chu Bai returned the courtesy, his expression still calm. Yet the composure tempered in blood and fire had already made him the undisputed leader of this year's new students.

As the sun set,