The Ye Clan, Ye Long

The bus sped along the road specially built for the practical test.

The students on board chatted about what they had accomplished over the past three days.

"For this practical test, I specifically boosted the combat power of the creatures in my world."

"I'm still a little short. If I had more resources to develop my world, I could create powerful magic."

"I heard there's someone in the class next door whose family owns a mine. Apparently, Shen Hui really got to him, so he spent a fortune developing his world."

"Isn't that a bit much? Developing a world takes time."

"Well, when you've got money, you can do whatever you want. I wonder how the goddess Qingxue's world is coming along, though."

"I'm more curious about Shen Hui's world. He actually managed to create a hero. I wonder if it was just a fluke."

"We'll see in a bit. Today's practical test will show us who's the real deal."

Shen Hui paid no attention to what the others were saying. He simply closed his eyes and rested.

Nearly two hours later,

the bus finally stopped at the practical test base in the suburbs.

Shen Hui and the others got off the bus and saw a massive building nearby.

It was at least as large as dozens of soccer fields.

The World Association had built this practical test base in collaboration with some powerful world Awakeners.

Quite a few schools had already arrived and gathered in the plaza.

When they saw Qingshui Middle School arrive, people from the other schools started talking.

"That must be Qingshui Middle School. I heard someone there awakened a world that's sixty kilometers across. They're this year's dark horse."

"Is that the largest world among this year's Awakeners? Still, a big world doesn't necessarily mean great strength."

"True. There are several worlds over fifty kilometers across this year, and they're not much weaker."

"Don't forget all the people trained by the various clans. They're here too. Those are the real rising stars."

"I also heard that this year, someone at Qingshui Middle School awakened a Death World that's only one kilometer across."

"Haha, no way! A world like that actually exists? They must have the worst luck in the world!"

"Believe it or not, even though it's only one kilometer across, he tied for first with the person who awakened a sixty-kilometer world in today's assessment."

"Damn, seriously? That's insane. Is there something special in his Death World?"

"Who knows? We'll find out soon enough."

The students from Shen Hui's school went to their assigned spot and waited.

The practical test would begin once all the schools had arrived.

Before long, though, a young man walked over to the spot where Shen Hui's class was gathered.

"Who's Qingxue?"

The young man called out to their class.

Everyone looked at him in confusion.

Their teacher asked, "May I ask who you are? What do you want with Qingxue?"

The young man replied haughtily, "I'm Ye Long of the Ye Clan. I heard that the largest world awakened this year belongs to Qingxue from Qingshui Middle School."

"She should be the strongest among this year's rookies, so I'd like to invite her to join us on behalf of the Ye Family."

Every year, different factions invited talented people to join them.

Usually, though, the invitations came after the practical test, based on the rankings.

And when everyone heard the name Ye Long of the Ye Clan,

the students and teachers around them were all astonished.

The Ye Clan was one of the most powerful clans in their region.

Its clan head, Ye Yitian, had already reached world level seven.

He was incredibly powerful.

He was also a member of the Guardians Organization, part of the World Association.

The Guardians Organization only accepted people whose worlds had reached at least level six.

Their duty was just what the organization's name suggested: to guard-to protect the Sea of Stars and humanity.

There were naturally other organizations of this kind, but the Guardians were quite well-known.

And Ye Long was Ye Yitian's only son.

The students around them immediately began discussing him.

"So that's Ye Long. I'd heard of him before. Now that I've seen him, he really does have an extraordinary air about him."

"He's so handsome! I want to marry him!"

"I heard he not only built a complete world environment, but even created heroes. He's incredibly powerful-we can't compare to him at all."

"What a load of crap. He has the Ye Clan backing him, and Ye Yitian helped develop his world. Of course he's going to be strong."

"I'm jealous of Qingxue. If she gets recruited and joins the Ye Clan, they'll definitely invest heavily in her too."

"Exactly. We don't even have a chance to join."

As Ye Long listened to the students' discussion, his smile grew even more arrogant.

There was nothing he could do about it. His starting point was already the finish line that many people would never reach in their entire lives.

So he had every right to be arrogant.

Qingxue stepped forward, and Ye Long's eyes lit up when he saw her.

She really is beautiful, he thought.

He'd already made inquiries about Qingxue, the student at Qingshui Middle School who had awakened the largest world. She was also their school belle.

He'd seen her photo, but in person, she was even more beautiful than in the picture.

"Qingxue, what do you think? Unless something unexpected happens, plenty of factions will invite you to join them after the practical test."

"So I came early. If you're willing to join the Ye Clan, we'll give you ten million World Coins a month for your development."

"We'll also provide other resources for free. You're worth every bit of it."

Everyone was tempted when they heard that.

Those resources were incredibly generous!

But Qingxue shook her head. "Sorry, I have no intention of joining any organization for now."

Everyone was stunned to hear that.

Qingxue had actually turned him down!

But what she said next left them even more shocked.

"Actually, you could ask Shen Hui from our class. His strength should be greater than mine."

Qingxue sincerely recommended Shen Hui.

After going with Shen Hui to the unclaimed world, she felt that his strength was far greater than hers.

And Qingxue thought that if not for the death aura permeating Shen Hui's world and holding it back,

it would be far more powerful than it was now.

If he could join a powerful organization, given Shen Hui's potential,

they would surely find a way to solve that problem, making him even stronger.

But to everyone else, her words were utterly shocking and completely unbelievable.

Ye Long had already heard about Shen Hui, since he had tied with Qingxue in the initial test.

But he also knew that Shen Hui had only awakened a one-kilometer Death World.

He'd simply gotten lucky and created a hero.

His potential was obviously limited. How could he possibly be stronger than Qingxue!