High above the skies, a colossal Rank 2 Magic Beast flapped its wings, cutting across the clouds as it soared toward Lin City.
Upon its back stood a stern middle-aged man clad in the robes of an instructor, surrounded by a group of youths dressed in pale-white academy uniforms. Their clothes marked them unmistakably as students of the famed Jia Nan Academy, and they carried themselves with the confidence and pride of the young.
"Do you think we'll recruit anyone interesting this year?" one bright-eyed girl asked with a playful smile.
"Hmph, what's so interesting about country bumpkins? I bet most of them haven't even broken through to the Dou Zhe realm." A cold, arrogant youth crossed his arms and scoffed.
"You can't say that. Being interesting isn't all about cultivation level." Another boy, clearly trying to curry favor with the girl, quickly jumped to her defense, grinning sycophantically.
Their chatter and laughter echoed through the skies, carried on the wind as the flying beast descended toward the city.
---
On the ground, the day of Jia Nan Academy's recruitment had arrived, and Lin City's central square was filled to bursting.
After breakfast, Liu Xi finally left home at the urging of his parents. As he stepped out, he saw his father and mother standing anxiously at the door. Smiling, he reassured them, "Father, Mother, don't worry. With my talent, today's test is nothing more than a formality."
Liu Ming chuckled and scolded, "Who's worried about you passing? We're worried about when you leave for Jia Nan Academy… who knows how long it will be before we see you again. Now go, don't dawdle."
Hearing this, Liu Xi's smile softened into something more subdued. He nodded and set off toward the recruitment grounds. 'I won't stay in this small city forever. One day, I'll head to Central Plains as well. When that time comes, I'll bring Father and Mother to enjoy a better life.'
The reputation of Jia Nan Academy was immense. Every time they held recruitment, not only the city's youths but also those from nearby towns would flock in to try their luck.
By the time Liu Xi arrived, the square was already overflowing. Shouts, chatter, and excitement filled the air, with city guards struggling to maintain order. He swept his gaze over the crowd, quietly gauging their cultivation levels. Most hadn't even reached the 7th stage of Dou Zhi Qi.
He sighed inwardly. 'The same as when Teacher last came to recruit… most of these people are just here to watch the commotion.'
Shaking his head, he channeled Dou Qi into a protective aura and strode forward. At the front, academy staff tested candidates with a crystal sphere, weeding out anyone below the 7th stage of Dou Zhi Qi. Liu Xi passed easily and continued deeper into the recruitment grounds.
---
"Newcomer, stand over there in the sun for half an hour."
A voice full of impatience stopped him. A sneering youth pointed to where several others were already standing beneath the blazing sun, their faces full of humiliation.
A hazing ritual.
Understanding dawned, and Liu Xi raised a brow, his tone laced with dry amusement. "And who made that a rule?"
Since revealing his talent and becoming Xuan Hao's disciple, nearly everyone treated him with respect, even deference. It had been a long time since anyone dared to speak to him so provocatively.
The youth—Zhou Zhiqiang—flushed with irritation. He'd already disliked Liu Xi's handsome face, and now, being openly questioned, he sneered. "That's the rule for newcomers. Don't like it? Then beat me."
'So it's a challenge.' Liu Xi didn't waste words. He followed Zhou Zhiqiang to an open area, expression calm.
Other senior students, realizing what was about to happen, quickly gathered to watch, their eyes glittering with excitement.
Zhou Zhiqiang straightened, his arrogance swelling now that he had an audience. "Brat, I've seen plenty like you. Don't know the height of the sky or the depth of the earth—"
He didn't get to finish. Liu Xi moved in an instant, Dou Qi surging beneath his feet as he executed Soaring Swan Step. His fist drove mercilessly into Zhou Zhiqiang's abdomen.
"Ugh!"
Before the boy could recover, clutching his stomach in agony, Liu Xi pivoted and delivered a sharp side kick, sending him flying.
The crowd erupted.
"No way! How can he be this strong?"
"Zhou Zhiqiang is a 4-Star Dou Zhe, and he got flattened just like that!"
Whispers spread rapidly. Shock turned to wariness, then to respect—the instinctive reaction toward strength.
Some locals recognized him and hurried to explain. "That's Liu Xi, Lin City's number one genius. Years ago, he even became an alchemist's disciple. He must already be far beyond the Dou Zhe realm!"
The eyes of the onlookers shifted again. Power alone was admirable, but to be an alchemist on top of that? Such people were treasures to be courted, not offended.
Before anyone could step forward to fawn over him, a heavy, authoritative voice cut through the noise.
"Bring the injured student over. All new candidates, assemble!"
A middle-aged man in instructor robes strode onto the scene, his stern expression silencing the murmurs at once. This was Zhang Yan, the academy instructor in charge of this year's recruitment.
He had heard the commotion and come out to investigate. Normally, small scuffles between old and new students weren't worth interfering with. In a world where the weak were prey to the strong, even the academy wouldn't shield students forever.
But when he saw the arrogant old student lying defeated, and the one standing tall was a strikingly handsome youth barely fourteen or fifteen years of age, Zhang Yan's eyes flickered with surprise. 'A prodigy. A rare one at that.'
---
Once everyone gathered, Zhang Yan addressed the group, voice steady. "I am Zhang Yan, the instructor overseeing this recruitment. Next, I will assess your cultivation and age, and assign you to one of four grades: Tian, Di, Xuan, or Huang. This classification will determine your placement after admission."
He gestured toward the crystal tester. "Report truthfully. If you lie, you will bear the consequences. Begin!"
One by one, names were called.
"Zhang Long, 16 years old, 9th stage Dou Zhi Qi…"
"Huang Class. Next."
"Zhao Hu, 15 years old, 8th stage Dou Zhi Qi…"
"Huang Class. Next."
"Wang Hai, 16 years old, 1-Star Dou Zhe…"
"Xuan Class. Next."
The assessments continued.
When Liu Xi's turn arrived, he decided not to draw too much attention. Stepping forward, he calmly reported, "Liu Xi, 14 years old, 1-Star Dou Shi."
Zhang Yan's pen nearly snapped in his hand. His gaze shot up, burning with suppressed excitement as he stared at the boy before him. 'Heavens above, I've found a true gem.'
He quickly recovered his composure, though his voice trembled slightly as he declared, "Tian Class. Next."
The evaluation ended shortly after. Zhang Yan dismissed the group, instructing them to return home, bid farewell to their families, and gather again in three days for departure to the academy.
Before letting them go, however, he made a point of pulling Liu Xi aside, speaking to him warmly, words carrying hints of subtle goodwill. He even suggested paying a visit to Liu Xi's home—a clear sign of how much value he placed on this new student.
Liu Xi accepted with a polite smile, his thoughts steady. 'Jia Nan Academy… this is only the beginning.'
(End of Chapter)
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