Tiancong Academy, situated near the Divine Sound Mountain on the outskirts of Bai Shui City, the capital of Cangnan Kingdom, sprawled across vast lands, almost forming its own city.

  The class assessment was held in one of the academy’s training grounds.

  "Look, the idiot’s here!"

  "It’s Xiao Chen, the moron. Hah! I thought he’d skip the exam."

  "Brave of him to show up. Is he here to clown around for us?"

  "Don’t mock him—he’s about to make history! The sixth student ever to be expelled. "

  "Such an embarrassment to our class. I’ll never admit I’m from Class Three again."

  Xiao Chen walked along the academy path, ignoring the jeers.

  His current mindset rendered such taunts insignificant.

  Staying at the academy meant little to him. To Xiao Chen, martial cultivation hinged on perseverance, talent, and resolve.

  Though his cultivation was only at the Great Perfection of Qi Martial Realm, he had once stood atop Earth’s martial pinnacle.

  His willpower, talent, and determination were unparalleled.

  Yet remaining at the academy—to become a true martial artist—was his grandfather Xiao Ping’s lifelong wish.

  For a janitor to secure a place for a ‘dim - witted’ boy in Tiancong Academy, the top institution of the Northern Five Kingdoms, it must have demanded unimaginable sacrifices.

  “I must pass this assessment. For Grandfather.”

  Unfazed by the mockery, Xiao Chen arrived at the testing ground with calm eyes.

  Most examinees huddled in groups, chatting. Only he stood alone.

  The weak had neither status nor friends.

  His class teacher glanced at him and nodded subtly, offering silent encouragement.

  Xiao Chen felt a flicker of warmth. For three years, he’d dragged the class down, yet the teacher never gave up on him.

  "Look! Wu Qiyue is here!"

  The class erupted into whispers.

  The name “Wu Qiyue” seemed to cast a spell, drawing all eyes.

  "Gods, it’s really her! Why would she come here?"

  "To watch our assessment?"

  "No way! She’s an elite from the Inner Academy, the top of the Four Beauties. Why waste time on us?"

  Xiao Chen followed the crowd’s gaze. A striking figure approached.

  The woman had peach-blossom cheeks and an ethereal beauty. Though her demeanor was cool, her fiery red robe blazed like a blooming spider lily—sharp yet enchanting.

  Xiao Chen was stunned. Compared to Earth’s painted dolls, she seemed celestial.

  Wherever Wu Qiyue walked, a path cleared. Her aura commanded awe, sparking hushed debates.

  "Is she here to watch the idiot get expelled?"

  "Could be. The sixth expulsion in academy history—it’s a spectacle!"

  "If Wu Qiyue’s watching, even getting expelled is an honor for that fool."

  Mockery thickened the air. Xiao Chen seethed inwardly but showed nothing.

  "Qiyue, are you here to witness the idiot’s expulsion?"

  A white-robed youth with a sword walked beside her.

  His sharp brows and noble bearing radiated arrogance.

  "A student failing three consecutive years—rare even for Tiancong."

  "It’s Zuo Heng! So handsome!"

  A girl squealed, hearts in her eyes.

  "Ranked fifth on the Hidden Dragon Leaderboard, just below the Four Kings! Noble lineage, limitless future... If only he were mine!"

  Zuo Heng ignored the adoration, smiling gracefully as Wu Qiyue’s escort.

  Wu Qiyue, however, remained frosty.

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  "Every student here is our peer. Watch your words. And where I go is none of your concern. Stop following me."

  Her poise drew admiration. "Now that’s a goddess!" the boys murmured.

  Zuo Heng smirked, unbothered.

  "These Outer Academy plebs aren’t peers. Bunch of misfits. I’m just ensuring none dare disrespect you."

  His gaze swept the crowd, dismissive even of the teachers.

  Students bristled but dared not protest—Zuo Heng’s power and pedigree were beyond their reach.

  "Step aside, worm!" Zuo Heng barked.

  The crowd peeled back, leaving only Xiao Chen blocking Wu Qiyue's path.

  Their eyes met. Both froze, a ripple of surprise passing between them.

  Xiao Chen marveled at her beauty and aura—her beauty cut like moonlight on frost-steel, but beneath that jade-like composure lurked a force that prickled his spine—strength was very strong.

  "Bastard! Did you not hear me?!" Zuo Heng’s temper flared as Xiao Chen kept staring.

  "The path is wide enough." Xiao Chen didn’t even lift his head, each syllable laced with icy disdain.

  Zuo Heng’s pupils contracted—no outer sect disciple had ever dared to disregard him like this.

  The crowd froze. Though they had scorned Xiao Chen moments ago, seeing the arrogant Zuo Heng humbled made them secretly delighted.

  Others sneered, "That idiot’s dug his own grave. Provoking Zuo Heng? He’s dead."

  After a stunned pause, Zuo Heng sneered, "So you’re Xiao Chen—the sixth expulsion in Tiancong history?"

  Xiao Chen glanced sideways. "尔首疾乎?"

  Zuo Heng frowned. "What does that mean?"

  "Are you mentally ill?"

  The courtyard erupted—snickers choked into sleeves, shoulders shaking with forbidden mirth.

  "You dare mock me?!" Zuo Heng’s killing intent surged, his aura sharpening like an unsheathed blade.

  Xiao Chen tensed, ready to counter—but the pressure vanished.

  Wu Qiyue had stepped forward, her subtle movement dismantling Zuo Heng’s rage.

  Zuo Heng exclaimed in shock, "Qiyue, you...!"

  Wu Qiyue glared coldly.

  "What do you think you’re doing?"

  Zuo Heng retracted his killing intent.

  "Just teaching this delusional... classmate a lesson!"

  Qin Zhen, Xiao Chen’s teacher, snapped, "My student needs no lessons from you!"

  Zuo Heng’s expression twisted.

  With Wu Qiyue and Qin Zhen intervening, he knew that he had no chance to make a move.

  He sneered, "Fine. Let the fool live a little longer. After his expulsion, I’ll have a chat with him."

  Xiao Chen glanced at him, disdain unconcealed： Who has time for your chat?

  Zuo Heng’s face flushed purple, fists trembling.

  His venomous glare promised: No one will save you.

  Xiao Chen smirked. Arrogant fools like Zuo Heng were a dime a dozen back on Earth—all eventually humbled.

  Qin Zhen frowned worriedly.

  "Xiao Chen, it’s your turn."

  Xiao Chen nodded and stepped onto the stage.

  Suddenly, a commotion erupted as students from Class Four swarmed in, led by their teacher Yu Liang.

  "Why are Class Four here?"

  The originally orderly assessment site suddenly became noisy. Everyone's attention was drawn to this unexpected situation.

  Tension crackled. The two classes had a history of rivalry. Hostile glares flew.

  "Relax," Yu Liang chuckled. "Our assessment’s done. Thought we’d observe Class Three’s... exemplary performance."

  His gaze flickered to Wu Qiyue and Zuo Heng before adding,

  "Study their outstanding methods. Learn the gap between us."

  Class Four roared with laughter, mocking stares fixed on Xiao Chen. Class Three seethed—this was a blatant humiliation.

  Qin Zhen growled, " Hmph,If you’re here to compete, name your terms. Teacher vs. teacher? Student vs. student?"

  Yu Liang feigned innocence.

  "Just here to learn! Class Three’s reputation is... legendary. Who knows? Maybe history will be made today."

  His eyes lingered on Xiao Chen.

  "Yeah, we’re here for the historic moment!"

  The students of Class Four burst into loud laughter, and all kinds of unpleasant words reached Xiao Chen's ears.

  However, he remained expressionless, his eyes as deep as the sea, without even the slightest ripple.

  Qin Zhen was filled with rage in his heart, but when he glanced at Xiao Chen, he couldn't help but feel surprised.

  In Wu Qiyue's beautiful eyes, a strange color flashed.

  A wisp of red light swept across the bottom of her eyes, condensing into an almost imperceptible thin circle, but it dissipated immediately.

  Qin Zhen turned to Xiao Chen.

  "Two assessment methods: Strike the Thunder Resonance Drum. Seven peals prove physical strength, qualifying as a warrior. Or test your Martial Soul potential with the Spirit Stone."

  A Class Four student heckled, "If you have any potential!"

  Laughter erupted. Class Three glared, torn between defending their class and resenting Xiao Chen’s disgrace.

  Qin Zhen ignored them. "Your grandfather spent years seeking herbs to cleanse your meridians. I don’t know if it’s enough for seven peals, but give it your all. No regrets."

  Xiao Chen studied the drum—a low-tier artifact made of Thunderbeast hide, capable of ten peals.

  Ten meant qualifying as a Golden Warrior, a prestigious but limited path.

  The Spirit Stone, an irregular crystal, glowed softly.

  While warriors trained the body, those with Martial Souls pursued limitless cultivation.

  "Hit it already! We’re waiting for the record!" Class Four taunted.

  Yu Liang smirked. "Pay close attention, Class Four. Learn from Class Three’s excellence."

  Xiao Chen ignored them.

  After touching the drum, he walked to the Spirit Stone.

  "The idiot’s testing for a Martial Soul?!"

  "Ha! If you don’t awaken one by fifteen, you never will. Delusional!"

  "Must be his dementia acting up!"

  Even Class Three groaned.

  Qin Zhen hesitated. The academy head had confirmed Xiao Chen’s soul was fragmented, making a Martial Soul impossible.

  His grandfather and the dean had pushed him toward the warrior path.

  "Teacher, I want to try," Xiao Chen said firmly.

  Qin Zhen paused. The respectful "teacher" felt different.

  "Go ahead."