Several figures inside the Academy looked at the commotion outside with a smile. One of them suddenly said, “Seems like the Founder disappeared for nearly a year because of that boy and currently seeing him, it is no wonder to be honest.”

The other cloaked figures nodded their heads but no one said anything, The man continued, “Xie Long used to be our strongest student when he was here. However, that year, those bullshit Ancient Meng Clan shit heads caused some serious injuries to his Origin Blood.

However, what I am more interested in is how he managed to heal those injuries….” After saying that, there was a silence for a moment before a merry, feminine laugh echoed out, “He prefers to be called Ji Long, not Xie Long, now.” Hearing this voice, the figures all looked towards their left and a young woman appeared before them. They all cupped their hands in greeting, “Greetings Headmaster!”

The young woman simply waved them off as her gaze turned towards the people gathered outside the gate, “How does this batch of people seem?” The man from before crossed his hands on his chest and said with a furrowed brow, “There are several good seedlings. Xiao Cheng, Xi Hao, Fang Yu are all good seedlings. There are several others as well who could amount to a lot given enough time. However….” The young woman furrowed her delicate brow before asking, “However?”

The man let out a sigh as his gaze moved to Curo. “The one mystery is Ji Long’s son, Ji Curo. The man that entered before is still obstructing me from looking through him.”

Hearing this, the young woman let out a sigh as she said, “I have orders from the Founder. During the Trials, at least one Heaven Rank Instructor is to guard him from the shadows and if he should fall short of the 1000 mark, we are to manipulate the odds in his favour.” Hearing this, the man’s eyes opened wide in astonishment before he exclaimed, “But that-”

The woman blocked him from talking more and sighed deeply, “I know, we always valued talent. Everyone who wants to enter needs to show their utmost value. This method is something I detest the most.” The woman’s face turned ugly as she said that. However, she sighed again and looked at Curo again, “However, this is a direct order from the Founder. If you have any problems with it, take it up with that eccentric old fart.”

Hearing this, the people present looked at each other and smiled wryly. It wasn’t anything new for the Founder to have spontaneous thoughts, however, he had never said anything like this. To take it up with the Founder… Unless they managed to become Peak Heavenly Sovereigns, they would only be slapped around like wet rags.

The woman then thought to herself as she looked at Curo, “I truly wonder what is so special about you that even that smelly old fart is going to such lengths to get you to join us….”

Suddenly, her mouth hung open as she looked at the person that walked out of the gates. She exclaimed, “What the hell is he doing now?!”

***

As the exchange inside the Academy was taking place, a middle aged man with a muscular build walked outside of the Gate. Curo immediately recognized him to be the man named Zhao. All the students present gave him a bow and greeted him.

The man then gave them a nod and turned towards the people present, “I am Qing Zhao and I will be the person in charge of this years Entrance Examination.” As his voice boomed across the plaza in front of the gates, a ripple of murmurs followed. Qing Zhao didn’t let it bother him and said, “I believe everyone are familiar with the Entrance Exams rules. Create three single filed columns and have your age, name and cultivation level checked.

After that, the person that examined you will tell you where to go.” After he said that, people hurriedly created three columns of people. As chance happened, in front of the middle column was Curo. Mimicking the people that were in the other columns, he walked straight to the table and the old man behind the desk asked, “Name, Age and Cultivation level?”

Curo hurriedly answered, “Ji Curo, 16 years of Age, Peak Qi Kindling Condensation.” The old man nodded as he inscribed the name onto a token. He then said, “Give me your hand.”

Curo hurriedly extended his hand and as the man examined his bone age, he gave a nod and inscribed it into the token. He then turned to the giant stone Stele next to him, “Place your hand on the Measuring Stele and infuse your Qi into it. Give it your all, if you hold back, you may not be able to enter the Academy due to it.” Curo nodded his head and took a deep breath as he stood before the giant stone stele. All the eyes from behind looked at him expectantly as they wanted to see how this mysterious person would do. Curo placed his hand on the Stele and immediately gave it his all to the Qi he infused into it.

The Stele started shining and 98 dots of light appeared on the Stele, burning as bright as stars. The man behind the table opened his eyes as wide as carriage wheels and took a sharp breath before saying, “Cultivation level: Qi Kindling’s Condensation, 98 Top Grade Qi Kindling’s.” Hearing this, the surrounding area turned deathly quiet. Peak Qi Kindling Condensation was a vague term as the number of Qi Kindling’s varied from person to person and also, the differences between a Top Grade Kindling and a Low Grade Kindling were as wide as the Heavens and the Earth. Also, to have 98 Top Grade Qi Kindling’s….

Even a person that trained in a Medium Grade Art and was in the Qi Spring Stage may not be his match. The man added the information to the Token and then beckoned one of the students at his side to come closer, “This student will bring you to the inner layers, where they will test your Latent Talent, Battle Strength and also Comprehension.” The man then waved Curo away as he took on the next person. The Student cupped his hands towards Curo as he gave a deep bow and said, “I am Han Ling. Follow me.”

Curo nodded his head and held the Token in his grasp as he followed the person forward. When Curo disappeared form sight, the whole plaza was taken by a storm as countless gazes converged on Ji Long. Ji Long however, just gave a wide grin at his son’s accomplishment. “Seems like a tiger father never gives birth to a dog son. Congratulations Brother Long.” As the voice echoed out, a man that seemed to be the same age as Ji Long walked out of the crowd.

Seeing the person, Ji Long cupped his hand and gave a slight bow as he said, “As much as I would want to take credit for it, this is all his own accomplishments and fortune.” Hearing this, the man’s expression faltered as he obviously knew what Ji Long was talking about. The man then let out a sigh and unceremoniously sat down on the cloud next to Ji Long. He then produced a wine bottle and two cups. He poured the cups full and took one as he handed the other to Ji Long. Ji Long didn’t deny it and accepted the cup.

After downing the one cup, the man refilled them and said with melancholic voice, “I remember when the two of us stood in these rows, waiting to be tested.” He took a sip of the cup and then continued, “That year, Brother Long stole the show with his 89 High Grade Qi Kindling’s.” The man let out a small chuckle. Ji Long also gave a smile as he took a sip.

He then said, “However, look at how we stand now. You, Brother Yu have become an exalted Saint Realm cultivator while I am still muddling along the Origin Realm.” The man named Yu slammed his cup down and roared, “If it hadn’t been for those fucks from the Ancient Meng Clan, then you would have probably reached the Earth Saint Realm already!”

Ji Long gave a bitter smile as he calmly said, “What happened back then happened. We can’t change the past. However, due to some fortune, I may soon also be able to enter the Saint Realm.” The man let out a deep breath and raised the cup in his hands with a smile, “Seems like I will have to congratulate Brother Long in advance then.”

Ji Long also raised his cup as he drank it.

***

Curo didn’t have to walk long before he reached a tall black tower. The youth in front of him, who had been silent until now, said, “Once you enter the tower, show the Token to the person behind the table and he will direct you from there.” He then cupped his hands and left in the direction of the gate. Curo took a deep breath as he clutched the Token in his hands.

When he entered the building, he saw a young woman sitting behind a table. What attracted Curo’s eyes were the emerald green eyes. After taking a moment to appreciate the girls beauty, he walked up to the table. The young woman didn’t raise her head from the documents as she reached his hand towards Curo. Seeing the open palm, Curo didn’t understand what to do.

As the young woman furrowed her brows, Curo understood that she wanted the Token. He hurriedly handed her the Token and when she infused some Qi into it, her hands froze. She raised her head from the documents and carefully examined Curo. She then pointed towards the left and said, “Press your hand on the stone and revolve your Qi.”

Curo nodded his head and the woman walked behind the stone. As he infused his Qi into it, he suddenly felt a suction force as something entered his body. After revolving around a couple of rounds, the energy exited his body and returned to the giant stone. The face of the woman behind the stone was stupefied as she said in a hoarse voice, “Latent Talent, Supreme Grade.”

Curo had no idea what it meant but it should be good. The woman then walked to the other side, where there was another Stone and said, “Press your hand on this stone and infuse your Qi into it.” Curo followed her instructions and did as he was told. He felt a warm energy envelop his body and just as he wanted to yank his hand away, the feeling disappeared. The woman that stood behind the Stone however was completely shocked.

She walked back to the table without saying a word and picked up the Token and added some more details to it. Curo however furrowed his brows as he didn’t hear his result from the other stone. She then hurriedly gave the Token back to Curo and pointed to a door on the left. “Go through there and you will reach the testing grounds of Battle Strength. Hand the Instructor in Charge your Token and you will be allowed into the Formation to test your might.”

Curo nodded his head as he accepted the Token. He gave the girl behind the table one more glance as he exited the room and went to the next room. When Curo had left the room, the girl looked at the two Stone Steles in astonishment.

On the Stele that tested Latent Talent was: Immeasurable. Her gaze then went to the Stele on the other side and on it was: Incalculable.

As she stared at those two words in shock, she rubbed the bridge between her nose. “This years spotlight seems to be stolen by him. However, what kind of a monster did that old fart pick up….”