Di Tong's words sounded mild but were in actuality sharp, hinting at Xiang Shaoyun's incompetence being the reason why he had lost the support of the sect, resulting in Di Batian being elected the sect master.

"Hehe, I have no comment on someone who bullies the young," said Xiang Shaoyun with a sneer. "I hope you can get through the test and join the academy as well. At that time, I will issue a formal challenge to both of you. I hope you won't hide like a coward when the time comes. Also, you better not cry that a special-recruit like me is bullying ordinary disciples like you."

Those words immediately attracted the attention of the people around him.

"He's actually a special-recruit? That's not possible, right? Why is a special-recruit taking part in the test?"

"Hehe, don't you know that this Xiang Shaoyun is the one who had killed Da Zixuan? People like him are probably only taking the test to temper himself."

"So it's him! I heard about it! He's only a seventh-stage King and is already capable of killing a War Emperor. I reckon it won't be long before he becomes a Super War Emperor. A freak like this will definitely grow into an exceedingly terrifying existence. Looks like the people who had offended him would no longer be able to sleep in peace."

"He is a freak that had once suffered betrayal. Since he wants revenge, he will definitely be making friends with the other geniuses in the Dragon Phoenix Academy. If he manages to advance into the Emperor Realm, perhaps we can consider being his friend as well."

...

The status of a special-recruit was indeed useful. After Xiang Shaoyun made his status known, the young geniuses around him immediately changed their opinion of him. On top of that, those young geniuses were even looking at the Di Clan brothers with toying looks, as if wordlessly telling them, "Since you're dumb enough to offend a freak like that, just prepare yourself for suffering."

"Don't get too cocky, stray dog. So what if you're a special-recruit? My little brother Di Lin is also a special-recruit! You are destined to be trampled by my little brother. If you're smart, piss off from the academy. Perhaps you will suffer less insults that way," said Di Shang anxiously.

"Are you referring to my best friend Di Lin? Haha, sure, let's see who will be trampling over who in the end," said Xiang Shaoyun as he laughed murderously.

Di Shang still wanted to retort, but Di Tong dragged him away. Now was not the time to get into a conflict with Xiang Shaoyun. Since everyone would enter the academy, they had plenty of time to settle the grudge.

"Shaoyun, after we join the academy, we can kill them off one by one!" said Tang Longfei.

"No, Big Brother Tang. This is my personal affair. I need to kill them with my own hands. I won't spare them," said Xiang Shaoyun as he shook his head. He then sank into silence as he sat in meditation.

Since Di Lin was present, that other person must have arrived as well. Once, Xiang Shaoyun and that young lady were known as the perfect pair, enjoying the attention of the entire sect. As for him and Di Lin, they treated each other as brothers and were closer than biological brothers. Alas, the two people closest to him had betrayed him. The pain of betrayal was etched deeply in his heart.

Di Lin, Xia Yunxi, I sincerely hope both of you are still living well, thought Xiang Shaoyun coldly.

In a flash, another day passed. Finally, the period of the seven days had ended. A large number of geniuses had arrived, and most of them looked to be in a rather sorry state. Evidently, this hadn't been an easy journey. Initially, there were more than 100,000 participants in the test. More than half had been disqualified in the very first round. There were about 60,000 of them left. At this time, the people from the Dragon Phoenix Academy appeared again.

They arrived on the same cart pulled by eight demonic beasts, and the same old man with a crew cut announced, "Everyone, prepare for the second round. Those capable of stepping through the entrance within two hours will be official disciples of the academy. The second round begins."

At that announcement, the participants charged toward the stairs before the entrance. However, the moment they arrived, multicolored light rippled from the stairs and an incorporeal wall appeared. The participants in front crashed right into the wall and were directly jolted back.

"Ahhhh!"

Those in front were completely unprepared and were sent flying and wailing in pain. Those following tightly behind them were also implicated. Chaos erupted.

"Damn it! The stairs are protected by a formation! I knew we wouldn't be able to get through the test so easily!"

"Sure enough, the test is not so easy. Looks like I have to do my best. I must become a disciple of the Dragon Phoenix Academy!"

"Since I'm already here, there is no retreat. This formation won't be able to stop me!"

"Get out of my way, you trash! Watch how I climb the stairs!"

...

After the initial chaos, the participants became cautious and started doing all they could to climb the stairs. The stairs were about one kilometer wide, leaving plenty of space for a large number of people to climb at the same time. But since everyone wanted to be the first to reach the top, the participants started pushing and shoving.

Some were completely incapable of taking the first step, while some started climbing. However, those who managed to start climbing stopped after a step or two. Based on their looks, it seemed they were exerting a lot of energy as if a massive mountain had landed on their shoulders. At this time, Xiang Shaoyun and company prepared to climb as well.

"Big Brother Tang, Big Sister Ning, Lady Shura, do your best!" Xiang Shaoyun cheered them on.

"Same for you," the three replied as they charged the stairs.

"You are not strong enough to climb these stairs, so you don't have to partake in this round. I believe I will be able to bring both of you in after passing the test," said Xiang Shaoyun toward the Han Clan sisters.

The two nodded. "Alright. All the best!"

Regardless of their feelings toward him, at this point, they both hoped he could get through the test with his own strength. Xiang Shaoyun nodded and started dashing toward the stairs as well. He found that Tang Longfei, Ning Wenhuang, and Lady Shura were still at the outer periphery of the crowd and weren't able to approach the stairs at all. After all, there were too many participants, and everyone wanted to be at the front.

"Over here, Big Brother Tang. Let's charge together," Xiang Shaoyun called out to them.

They thus grouped up and erupted with their auras, forcing their way through the crowd. However, the people at the front were also doing their best to push at each other. It wouldn't be so easy to force a path through them.

"Get out of my way or suffer the consequences!" Xiang Shaoyun howled. At this point, there was no need to hold back. Everyone's focus should be to get ahead of the others.

"Piss off if you don't want to die!" replied furiously the person in front of Xiang Shaoyun. Right after he said that, silver lightning bolts rained down.

Rumble! Rumble!