Testing Potential Value

"Oh, okay." Jia Lie Jun hurriedly got to his feet.

Xun Er looked at Jia Lie Jun, feeling somewhat annoyed. In many people's eyes, she was probably a very cold person now. When Jia Lie Jun had fainted, she had merely stood by and watched without stepping forward to show any concern. Yet she noticed that some people were looking at her with faint disdain. Some even pointed at her and kept saying, "That woman is so heartless. That male student was willing to stand under the blazing sun for half an hour because of her, yet when he fainted, she didn't show the slightest concern. If someone were willing to do that for me, I would have been moved long ago. Sigh, why are devoted people always hurt by the heartless?"

Xun Er was so angry she nearly coughed up blood. Although she had not interacted much with Jia Lie Jun, she would not believe even if beaten to death that he was a devoted man. While she did not particularly care about what people around her thought of her, being looked at as though she were some scumbag woman made her feel uncomfortable all over.

The moment Jia Lie Jun stepped out of the tent, a group of girls moved by his devotion immediately surrounded him, asking after his well-being. The male students nearby watched with envy, wishing they could take his place.

"Junior, there are plenty of flowers in the world—why cling to just one? Why keep chasing such a cold, heartless woman? In the end, the only one who will get hurt is you. Besides, with your looks and devotion, Junior, you'll definitely succeed if you pursue other girls." A trace of reminiscence flashed through one female student's eyes as she spoke earnestly.

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister, but I already swore that I would marry no one but Xun Er in this life. I believe my sincerity will surely move Xun Er." Jia Lie Jun wore a resolute expression. Luobu stepped forward and patted Jia Lie Jun on the shoulder, his eyes full of sympathy. Xun Er stood nearby, utterly helpless. Although she knew Jia Lie Jun was not pursuing her sincerely, he had not done anything out of line. She could hardly beat him up, and with her personality, she could not bring herself to do such a thing anyway. She could only let Jia Lie Jun continue as he pleased.

"Everyone, come in." The sudden female voice was so gentle it intoxicated the heart, like a cool mountain spring passing through everyone's minds and easing some of the heat throughout their bodies. Hearing this, the students who had been standing beneath the blazing sun instantly darted into the shade.

The group entered the tent, where a plump woman in green clothes stood smiling at the people filing in. As soon as they approached her, they felt a faint coolness sweep through their bodies.

"Instructor Ruolin, Yu has missed you so much." Xiao Yu threw herself into the woman's embrace, wrapping her arms around her slightly plump waist.

"Hehe, Instructor, you feel so nice." Xiao Yu snuggled into Ruolin's embrace and said with a blissful expression. The woman gently stroked Xiao Yu's forehead, her face full of affection. She radiated a powerful maternal warmth, perfectly embodying a woman's gentle nature.

"I heard that a student fainted just now. Do you need me to take a look?" Ruolin asked softly.

"Instructor, it was this guy." Xue Ni pulled Jia Lie Jun forward and explained what had happened to Ruolin.

Ruolin looked gently at Jia Lie Jun and said softly, "Luobu did not mean any real harm. Don't hold too much of a grudge against him." Then she extended her fair jade-like hand and lightly touched Jia Lie Jun's body. Pale blue Dou Qi carrying a trace of coolness continuously flowed into Jia Lie Jun's body. Among Dou Qi of all attributes, water-attributed Dou Qi was the gentlest. It was known as a mobile healing medicine, and nearly every mercenary group that went out on missions had someone who cultivated water-attributed Dou Qi.

However, when the Dou Qi entered Jia Lie Jun's body, Ruolin paused. Then the corners of her lips rose, and a teasing glint flashed through her eyes. Jia Lie Jun scratched his head awkwardly and gave a dry laugh. Sigh, these little ones really rack their brains for romance. They're even resorting to feigning injury, Ruolin sighed inwardly.

"Hehe, you're fine now, right?" Ruolin asked softly.

"I'm fine now. Thank you, Instructor Ruolin." Jia Lie Jun hurriedly thanked her, then slipped behind the others. Everyone was stunned by his behavior and filled with confusion, but they did not ask further.

"Alright, little ones, let me introduce myself first. My name is Ruolin, and you may call me Instructor Ruolin. I am the chief person in charge of this recruitment. First, congratulations on passing the previous tests and becoming members of Jia Nan Academy. Next, I will classify your potential values, so I need to know your exact strength. Eight stages of Dou Qi is F-rank potential; nine stages of Dou Qi is E-rank; a One-Star Dou Practitioner is D-rank; a Two-Star Dou Practitioner is C-rank, and so on. The highest rank is an S-rank Five-Star Dou Practitioner. Now, from left to right, state your age and cultivation in order."

"Han Jiapeng, twenty years old, eight stages of Dou Qi."

"F-rank."

"Cao Zhuguang, eighteen years old, nine stages of Dou Qi."

"E-rank."

"Wang Yuerong, eighteen years old, nine stages of Dou Qi."

"E-rank."

"Xiao Xun Er, sixteen years old, Six-Star Dou Practitioner." At those words, the surrounding students looked at Xiao Xun Er in shock, their eyes filled with both astonishment and jealousy.

"Wow, Yu, aren't the young people in your clan a little too strong? A sixteen-year-old Six-Star Dou Practitioner—she's even a bit stronger than that little demon girl at the academy." Xue Ni linked arms with Xiao Yu and covered her small mouth in surprise. Xiao Yu and the others were also astonished. They knew Xun Er was strong, but they had not expected her to be this strong. Instructor Ruolin's eyes shone as she looked at Xiao Xun Er, her gaze filled with delight. She had not expected such an outstanding talent to emerge from a tiny place like Wutan City.

"I truly didn't expect that after recruiting students for so many years, I'd be this lucky this year—to encounter a monster whose potential surpasses S-rank." It took quite a while before everyone gradually recovered from their shock.

"Alright, let's continue." Instructor Ruolin took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in her heart as she spoke softly.

"Xiao Yan, sixteen years old, Four-Star Dou Practitioner." Although Xiao Yan's cultivation also greatly impressed everyone, it was far less shocking than what Xiao Xun Er had revealed. Luobu shot Xiao Yan a resentful glance, his face full of unwillingness. He had not expected this young man, who seemed so close to Xiao Yu, to be at the same level as him. His earlier plan to deal with Xiao Yan had fallen apart. He had originally planned to properly teach him a lesson once they got to the academy, but now things would be troublesome.

If Jia Lie Jun could hear Luobu's thoughts, he would definitely say, Brother, you're overthinking it. You're just a minor character—stop giving yourself extra scenes. Do you think you're Xiao Guoding?

"Good, next." Instructor Ruolin stopped writing, gave Xiao Yan a slightly surprised glance, then withdrew her gaze. A-rank potential was impressive, but Jia Nan Academy had quite a few such students.

"Jia Lie Jun, sixteen years old, Six-Star Dou Practitioner." Instructor Ruolin raised her head and stared at him blankly. The tent fell silent. Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan clenched his fists and murmured, "Six-Star Dou Practitioner... Jia Lie Jun, just you wait. I will repay every bit of humiliation you inflicted on me."