"Big Sister Wan'er is amazing! She actually awakened a legendary S-rank sword sect! Whether it's Capital University or Demon City University, she'll have her pick!"
"Sister Wan'er, you're badass! If you ever take in subordinate sects in the Sect World, just say the word! I'll be the first to come running!"
The high school seniors who had been ready to throw their lot in with Lin Daqiang instantly switched sides, crowding around Lin Wan'er with ingratiating expressions.
What did an S-rank sect represent?
Every year, no more than twenty high school seniors across the entire country could awaken S-rank sects!
As long as they proceeded steadily and handled each round of competition in the Sect World normally, they were practically assured of becoming figures watched by tens of thousands.
And as for S-rank sword sects, fewer than ten people had awakened one since the very first batch of students awakened their sects! Every one of them was a mighty powerhouse who held sway over an entire region!
Before this, no one in their Spirit City had ever awakened an S-rank sect.
Now, they too had a chance to latch onto an S-rank sect big shot!
At that moment, Lin Daqiang looked as awful as if he had swallowed a lump of shit, but he knew his own limits. The potential of an A-rank sect and an S-rank sect were worlds apart.
He was not stupid enough to offend Lin Wan'er.
Wearing a smile, Lin Wan'er slowly stepped down from the testing platform, taking in countless envious looks along the way.
Her gaze was filled with anticipation as she looked at Lin Feng.
She clearly hoped that Lin Feng could awaken a sect with a decent rating too!
With all eyes upon him, Lin Feng strode onto the testing platform and gently placed his right hand on the testing device.
An image of a sect appeared behind Lin Feng, and the various readings on the testing device began changing rapidly.
Everyone turned in unison to look behind Lin Feng.
There was a barren hilltop with only a single dilapidated building on it, without the slightest trace of spiritual vitality.
A moment later, the rating stabilized, and a capital E appeared on the testing platform.
The previously bustling venue instantly fell so quiet that not even a crow or sparrow could be heard.
Everyone stared in astonishment at the enormous E on the testing platform. Quite a few even involuntarily rubbed their eyes, afraid they had misread it.
An E-rank rating was just as rare as an S-rank rating. At the very least, Spirit City High School had not had a student awaken an E-rated sect for several years running.
The students who had originally hoped Lin Feng would also awaken a high-grade sect now could not help revealing hints of mockery and gloating in their eyes.
"Pfft!"
In the end, Lin Daqiang could not hold it in and burst out laughing.
"Is this testing platform broken? How could Lin Feng, the genius of our Spirit City High School, possibly have awakened only an E-rank sect? I propose that Student Lin Feng take the test again!"
Lin Daqiang's words immediately drew agreement from quite a few students.
"Brother Qiang is right! Something's wrong with this testing platform. How could Student Lin Feng have awakened an E-rank sect? At the very least, he should have a D-rank sect like us regular-class students!"
"Retest! Retest! Our Spirit City High School can't lose a genius because of a faulty testing platform!"
Some were sincere, while others merely went with the flow, hoping to keep watching the spectacle.
When Lin Feng saw that enormous letter E on the testing platform, he was stunned too.
It should at least be a D, right? Isn't an E a bit insulting?
Hearing the other students "kindly" protesting the injustice and demanding he retake the test, Lin Feng was somewhat tempted too.
What if something really was wrong with this testing platform?
Just then, Lin Dong, the homeroom teacher of the Grand Ambition Class, walked up to the testing platform and gently placed his hand on it. An image of a sect appeared.
"There is nothing wrong with the testing platform."
As Lin Dong's voice fell, the mockery at the venue grew even louder.
"Well, I actually thought our Spirit City High School might produce two S-rank sects! Who knew this Lin Feng would be so useless!"
"Exactly. Fine if he couldn't awaken an S- or A-rank sect, but he couldn't even awaken a B-, C-, or D-rank sect. What trash!"
"Why are you blurting out such blunt truths? E-rank sect awakeners are just as rare as S-rank sect awakeners! Lin Feng is what you call rare trash!"
"When I get back, I'm telling my mom. She's always telling me to learn from Lin Feng, going on about how outstanding he is. Let's see if she still tells me to learn from Lin Feng today!"
Listening to the mockery below the testing platform, their homeroom teacher Lin Dong walked over to Lin Feng, gently patted him on the shoulder, and said:
"Student Lin Feng, don't take this too hard. There is actually something to be said for E-rank sects too. Come to my office in a little while."
Although Lin Dong had not spoken loudly, quite a few students below the platform still heard him.
"Something to be said for E-rank sects? What could there possibly be to say? Could there be more to say for one than for my D-rank sect?"
"Teacher Lin Dong really knows how to comfort people. He can even come up with something like that."
"Look at Lin Feng's expression. He probably never dreamed that a great theoretical genius like him would awaken an E-rank sect, did he?"
"Hurry and take a picture! Post it on the campus wall so our first- and second-year juniors can get to know our big celebrity!"
Seeing that the high school seniors were still mocking Lin Feng, Lin Dong walked to the front of the testing platform, faced all the students, and clapped his hands to signal for quiet.
At the same time, he said, "Don't sneer at other students just because the sect you awakened is better than theirs. Awakening a sect is only the first step. If you manage it properly afterward, there are plenty of cases of lower-tier sects crushing higher-tier sects."
"Today's sect awakening tests are over. You can head back and familiarize yourselves with your sects, and prepare properly for the first week's competition in the Sect World."
"Based on past precedent, the competition in the first week after your cohort of high school seniors awakens your sects should also be a contest of the aptitude of the disciples you recruit. The more disciples with cultivation talent your sect recruits, and the higher their quality, the higher your ranking will be and the richer the rewards you receive."
"Don't waste any time. Hurry back, enter the Sect World, and start searching for disciples with Spirit Roots!"
As Lin Dong finished speaking, the high school seniors began leaving one after another, returning to their respective cultivation rooms, closing their eyes, and projecting their minds into the Sect World.
Before leaving, Lin Daqiang, who had awakened an A-rank sect, did not forget to approach Lin Feng and say:
"Student Lin Feng, today your Brother Qiang is giving you a chance. Think about whether you want to roll with me. If you do, your Brother Qiang guarantees that no one at school will dare mock you again."