Standing beyond the entrance observing the test were the Dragon Phoenix Academy elders. Leading the group was the crew cut old man. He was a high-level elder with an illustrious status in the academy. His name was Liu Xutian. Apart from him, the recruiting elder Xiao Wei, who had previously gone to the Bloodsin City, was here as well.

"There are a lot of decent talents among this batch of recruits," praised Liu Xutian as he looked at the young geniuses rushing up the stairs.

"Yeah. A lot of them have even reached the Dragon Ascension Realm. If they can reach this height at such a young age, it wouldn't be hard for them to become a Saint as well," said an elder.

"Look at that kid, he's not even 20, yet he's already a ninth-stage Skysoar Realm cultivator. He seems to be a War Emperor as well, not lacking at all compared with those freaks," said a different elder while pointing at a young man in a blue outfit.

"You're better off focusing on that crafty girl. Look, she's going to reach the top soon, and she's not even 15! What a freak!" said a different person while pointing at a girl that was ahead of the other participants.

As they conversed, they kept pointing at different youngsters, their eyes filled with praise. The reason why these elders were standing here watching the recruits climb the stairs was to scout for future disciples. Any recruit lucky enough to catch the eyes of one of them would enjoy immense benefits in the academy.

At this time, a middle-aged man beside Xiao Wei asked, "Xiao Wei, I heard you only issued nine special-recruit medals this time round. Are there so few talents at the Bloodsin City? Or were you too picky?"

That person spoke words that contained a second meaning, and he was being quite rude about it.

"Feng Huosuo, don't bother using your sarcastic remarks. Each medal was only issued after strict scrutiny. Although there are only 9 of them, they are definitely much more talented than the 29 special-recruits you found," said Xiao Wei mockingly.

"Sure, keep boasting. I heard that you have even recruited a seventh-stage Skysoar Realm kid, the same kid stuck at the 16th step," said Feng Huosuo as he intentionally raised the volume of his voice, his gaze landing on Xiang Shaoyun, bringing Xiang Shaoyun a lot of attention.

"Yes, he is the kid who obtained my ninth medal," said Xiao Wei. "He is also the special-recruit I'm most satisfied with."

"Hahaha, you have a really unique taste. Someone who can't advance past the 16th step is actually worthy of being a special-recruit. I really wonder what your requirements are when recruiting," Feng Huosuo sneered.

The other elders also had odd looks on their faces, clearly in agreement with Feng Huosuo. After all, although being a seventh-stage Skysoar Realm cultivator at that age showcased decent talent, it was nothing compared to the many geniuses present. And now, that person did not even seem capable of advancing past the 16th step. It was obvious that the young man wasn't anything special if he was stuck there.

Xiao Wei appeared calm, but inwardly, he thought, What is that kid doing?

After all, he had personally witnessed Xiang Shaoyun defeat a first-stage Dragon Ascension Realm cultivator. That was a performance of battling one several stages higher in cultivation, the performance of a freak! A freak like that shouldn't have any difficulty in the test.

A smirk appeared on Feng Huosuo's face as he asked, "He's not your illegitimate child, right?"

"Bullshit! Do you think I'm the same kind of person as you? Someone who issues the special-recruit medals to his own family members?" Xiao Wei turned furious.

"Hmph. Even if I do that, my recruits are still better than that kid," said Feng Huosuo coldly.

Right after that, a different elder exclaimed in astonishment, "Huh? That kid seems to be doing something. Is he trying to break through here?"

"That seems to be the case. All the spiritual energy in the area is converging around him. What a daredevil," remarked a different elder.

"Those who dare to break through on the stairs are either those failing to suppress their strength anymore or those who are attempting a last minute breakthrough to increase their strength so as to better climb the stairs. Whichever he is, this is not a good place for a breakthrough since the pressure of the stairs will harm him," said another elder.

"What is this? He is totally messing around!" Xiao Wei cursed as his face turned ashen. He had not expected that Xiang Shaoyun would be so daring that he would attempt a breakthrough right here.

These jade stairs contained not only the presence of an Emperor, but they were also enhanced by several formations to exert massive pressure on cultivators. This was an environment capable of purifying one's astral energy, not the kind of environment one should attempt a breakthrough at. Xiao Wei was already furious after Feng Huosuo mocked him. When he saw Xiang Shaoyun doing something he deemed rash, it was like pouring oil on fire.

"Haha, did this kid hit his head somewhere?" Feng Huosuo did not miss out on the chance to further mock Xiao Wei.

On the other hand, Di Tong and Di Shang had not thought of all the things those elders had thought of. They only felt extremely annoyed at the fact that Xiang Shaoyun could still make a breakthrough under such pressure. They wished to see Xiang Shaoyun drop dead immediately, not see him grow stronger and stronger.

"Keep going. If he can't finish the breakthrough within two hours, he will be disqualified," Di Tong said.

"Elder brother, what will happen if I interfere with his breakthrough?" Di Shang asked with a ruthless look in his eyes.

"No, you can't. The academy elders won't spare you for doing something like that," said Di Tong.

Interfering with the breakthrough of others was in itself an act of taboo. If Di Shang dared to do that publicly, he would be immediately killed by the academy elders, and even Di Tong, the elder brother, might be adversely affected. He had no intention of sacrificing their prospects just to get rid of one Xiang Shaoyun.

After some hesitation, Di Shang decided to listen and continued climbing the stairs. The people coming up from behind were all astonished to see someone sitting cross-legged.

Some felt that he was being irksome, while some thought that he was trying too hard to show off. Regardless of their opinions, they all ignored him. Their sole focus was to get to the top of the stairs. Soon, half the allotted time passed. A portion of the participants had already reached the top, each and every one cheering in excitement.

"Ahhh! I'm finally a Dragon Phoenix Academy disciple! In the future, I will definitely become an existence lording over large swathes of land!"

"Dragon Phoenix Academy, I'm here! This is the beginning of my path to the peak of martial cultivation! Nobody can hope to stop my rise!"

"My many years of hard work have been repaid! Father, Mother, soon you will hear of this. You will be proud of me!"

"Haha, in the not too distant future, my name will spread across the dominion!"