Today is a lively day in Liuzhou. The expansion of enrollment at the Jiangnan Academy has stirred the hearts of many citizens. Many people have traveled from afar, arriving two days in advance from neighboring prefectures, specifically to witness the ceremony. Besides a few who wanted to see if their children would be admitted, there were also many merchants and scholars hoping to find a son-in-law through the successful application!
The academy has been expanded twice in the past two years. In terms of scale, even the largest academy in the capital White Deer Academy, cannot compare. However, it still cannot stop the current commotion. Chen Ying had to send a large number of the Fighter Army to maintain order at the scene. The academy was packed with people, and many candidates who had been admitted to the academy could not squeeze in for a while. They had to have people use Wind Jade to bring them over from the outside.
On this day, the busy Wei Gongcheng also took some time to come and help. Wearing a mask, he stood in the shadows, secretly monitoring the entire scene.
Shen Qi went to Great Azure Mountain yesterday and then disappeared without a trace, but now he can't leave this place at all. For the first time, he felt a little worried about that carefree guy.
"The list of selected candidates is now being announced. Because this assessment involved two sets of exam papers, it's inconvenient to calculate the overall ranking, so we are only announcing the number of students admitted to each college at this time."
Chen Ying stood on the high platform, using wind magic to convey her words to everyone as much as possible.
Although there were many people gathered around, it was not noisy or chaotic. Everyone was staring intently at the announcement of the list, and they all fell silent. The group of students from outside the city who were not far away were stunned. It seems that the status of the Jiangnan Academy has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people in Jiangnan. This scene was no different from the announcement of the imperial examination results in the capital.
" The Yin-Yang Academy has enrolled a total of one thousand students this year, including one hundred in the Heaven Academy, two hundred in the Earth Academy, and three hundred and fifty each in the Mystic Academy and the Yellow Academy. Below is the list of students in the Heaven Academy!"
" Yun Ke'er!"
A little girl of about ten years old in the distance excitedly hugged the child tightly. Yun Niang, who had regained her senses, also hugged the child excitedly, her face, which was already scratched and stained, was full of tears.
Although I knew beforehand that my child was highly regarded by the authorities, I was still incredibly excited when they actually got in. This was a place that countless children from prestigious families couldn't even get into; my child was truly going to be different from me from now on.
Especially after this catastrophe, she lost all desire for women to rely on men. She believed that her own abilities were more important than anything else. Lord Chen was able to help women stand up for themselves, and her own maid was quite capable. It couldn't be better!
As the mother and daughter were excited, many prominent families turned their attention to them.
While the Heaven Academy may not hold the same status as the Mystic Academy and the Yellow Academy among the common people, the scions of aristocratic families all know that the Heaven Academy's techniques are extremely valuable. Yun Ke'er's math scores are among the top five in the entire Jiangnan region, unlike those newbies who receive special treatment outside. Her skills are of extremely high quality. If such a girl could be brought into the family...
Hmm. Judging by her age, she's probably not married yet. We should send someone to visit her and have a serious talk with her.
Afterwards, as the list of candidates for the Heaven Academy was released one by one, many aristocratic families were on edge. Those whose names were called breathed a sigh of relief, while those whose names were not called had uncertain expressions.
After the appearance of the giant magic array in Nanming Prefecture, the spots in the Heaven Academy have become a coveted prize among the major Jiangnan sorcerer families. As local family scions, they don't need to exchange magic techniques like outsiders; they can learn the exquisite magic array inheritance simply by entering the academy. However, the focus of the assessment is on miscellaneous studies that were once neglected, which caught many families off guard.
Moreover, many people know that this year's enrollment is being expanded, and it may be the last year. If they don't pass the exam this year, it will be even harder next year. Thinking of this, many students whose names were not called turned pale, and some even looked at the scions of wealthy families from outside the area with resentment.
In their view, the children of outsiders had a weak foundation and were not supposed to be competitive. However, Chen Qing opened the back door, causing the quota to be squeezed out. If it weren't for these outsiders, they, who were not selected, might have had a chance to be selected.
Thinking about this, his gaze grew even more malevolent!
The scions of the Nine Ministers families clearly sensed the malice of the Jiangnan families and all frowned.
"Brother Pang, something's not right here," a member of the Li Family said with a smile.
"It's normal," the man from the Pang Family said calmly. "We opened the back door and took up a spot. Those who didn't pass will naturally vent their resentment on us. We don't need to pay attention to them. Those who spent a year adapting and still couldn't pass are undoubtedly useless. Besides, we already have conflicts with the Jiangnan aristocratic families. We just need to befriend the commoners with excellent aptitude. Those children have no connections, but they are talented and easy to win over."
"Brother Pang sees things clearly." A disciple behind him nodded with a smile.
Almost everyone among the Nine Ministers' children is on the list, but this is normal. The Nine Ministers' families have enormous power and numerous children. Even if the children who mainly inherit the magic techniques don't have a good foundation in miscellaneous studies, there are always children with talent in that area. Having a large base also has its advantages.
Beside him, the chief disciple of the Yan Family turned to a shy girl. "Only two of us from the family were selected. I'll be returning soon. You two are quite good; you haven't disgraced the family. Don't slack off after enrollment. If you see any techniques you like, communicate with the family immediately. We'll coordinate whatever techniques you need as soon as possible. Work hard; the family won't treat you unfairly!"
"Yes, elder brother!"
The two illegitimate children, a man and a woman, were flushed with excitement, bowing repeatedly. They never imagined they would have a day when they could turn their lives around, especially since the family's support seemed immense!
Seeing this scene from afar, Shen Xue and the others couldn't help but sigh inwardly. As expected of a major family, the scions they were cultivating were completely different from their own fools in terms of both mindset and vision.
"Sister," Shen Yang said from the side, "Brother Shen Yu hasn't come back yet. Our two brothers have been very irritable these past few days. Will they take it out on us later?"
Shen Xue frowned, but finally said, "Try to avoid them later. According to the rules, the scions of sorcerer families who didn't pass the exam have to return within two days. These two days might be the two days when they are most irritable, so you must be patient!"
"I understand, cousin."
" Earth Academy, Shen Xue!"
The appearance of one name instantly sparked cheers from Shen Yang: "Sister, you won! You won!"
A faint smile managed to squeeze out from Shen Xue's pale face. She was first in mathematics among her aristocratic family, but last in physics. She had been worried yesterday, but today she could finally breathe a sigh of relief!
Having entered Jiangnan Academy, she now has the right to turn her life around. She doesn't expect to become some kind of extraordinary talent, but simply hopes to have a path to strive for. After returning home today, she will throw away that strange straw man. From now on, she will walk her path steadily, step by step, to make a name for herself and bring her mother to Jiangnan to enjoy a life of luxury!
In the past two days, she has basically learned about Jiangnan. It is not only friendly to sorcerers, but also a paradise for ordinary people. They have no worries about food and clothing, and the people are upright. Now that she has come here, she no longer has to be subservient to others. Moreover, there is a magical Underworld system here. She has personally witnessed many souls being guided into the so-called Underworld by the so-called day Night Wandering God gods. After death, they can still have decades or even hundreds of years of Underworld Lifespan!
She believed that her stepmother was a gentle and kind person, and that as long as she brought her here, she would live a good life with her help. She also believed that after she passed away, she would have abundant blessings and Underworld Lifespan in the Underworld.
Now that he has been admitted to the academy, as long as he fulfills the marriage agreement with the Bai Family and asks the Shen Family for a concubine, they will certainly not refuse him.
Yes, it's possible.
It can definitely be done!
The thought of such a wonderful day drawing ever closer brought a happy smile to Shen Xue's usually composed face.
Unbeknownst to her, two direct descendants of the Shen Family family were secretly watching her from the shadows, their smiles filled with malice!
--
The entire opening ceremony went exceptionally smoothly, much to the relief of Wei Gongcheng, who was secretly observing.
To be honest, he was quite nervous just now. Xu Hu wasn't there, Tian Heng wasn't there, and neither was his lord. The strongest fighting force in Liuzhou City had fallen on his shoulders, giving him this kind of undue burden for the first time. After all, whether under Lord Yuchi or Yuchi Peng, he was always a deputy general. As long as he did his job well, the ones who could withstand the key pressures were always the chosen ones.
He never imagined that he could become such a person one day; it's almost like a dream.
It also made him somewhat nervous and at a loss.
He lacked practical combat experience and had never tried using the power of the Underworld in battle. Although Chen Qing had said that his current abilities in Liuzhou were no weaker than any Above First Rank sorcerer, he was still quite apprehensive about what it would be like in a real fight.
As the opening ceremony was about to end, Wei Gongcheng's tense nerves finally relaxed a little. Just then, the appearance of a figure in the distance relieved much of his remaining tension.
At the entrance of the academy, Shen Qi, dressed in white, finally arrived and nodded to Chen Ying from a distance.
Upon seeing the person who arrived, Chen Ying breathed a sigh of relief and continued reading the list.
Wei Gongcheng, however, hesitated slightly in the distance.
Since the other person didn't even glance at him once, did they not notice him?
That shouldn't be the case.