“Sigh, I’m afraid the only one Master Baiyun sees as qualified is Senior Brother Fei Yu. At such a young age, he’s reached the peak of Martial Vein Seventh Layer. Though strength isn’t directly tied to discipleship, you can’t cultivate that fast without potential, right?”
“Yeah, we’re just here to keep the prince company. But becoming an entry-level disciple wouldn’t be bad.”
“Not just not bad—General Lin and Governor Wan are entry-level disciples. If I could reach their level, I’d be thrilled.”
Whispers buzzed below, but Master Baiyun didn’t stop them. Curiosity was natural for youths—he found it lively.
Fei Yu also believed he was the sole candidate Master Baiyun had in mind.
He took a deep breath, forcing calm, then bit his finger, letting a drop of blood fall onto the Seven-Star Flower.
Buzz!
A strange sound hummed as the Seven-Star Flower began to change.
The first bloom showed black, white, and red.
The second bloom, the same.
By the third, only white and red remained.
The fourth was purely white.
The fifth lit up halfway with white, the other half still transparent.
“Black is soul potential—yours is two stars,” Still True Man explained.
“White is inner force potential—yours is four and a half stars, your strongest.”
“Red is body potential—yours is three stars.”
Master Baiyun stroked his beard. “Four and a half stars for inner force is decent. Not enough for a true disciple, but you qualify as an entry-level disciple.”
What!
Fei Yu staggered back, nearly collapsing.
It was a bolt from the blue. He’d been certain he was the one Master Baiyun meant.
The higher the expectation, the harder the fall.
His reaction was understandable.
“Step back!” Wan Ben barked as Fei Yu stood dazed.
Fei Yu shuffled aside, his former arrogance shattered.
No one mocked him.
Instead, his failure made others more anxious.
If Fei Yu’s talent didn’t qualify, what chance did they have?
Next was Fei Liu from Tianren Academy.
At Martial Vein Seventh Layer late-stage, he’d visited Tianfeng City with Fei Yu, Fei Yun, and Fei Mu.
Fei Liu was even more nervous.
He fumbled, biting his finger several times without breaking skin until Still True Man, impatient, pricked it, letting a drop fall onto the Seven-Star Flower.
“Soul potential: two stars. Inner force: four stars. Body: three stars,” Still True Man said flatly.
“Four stars for inner force is passable for an entry-level disciple, but forget true disciple,” Master Baiyun said, shaking his head.
He’d sensed twenty-one might not meet his standards, but he’d hoped for surprises.
After these two, his disappointment was clear.
Fei Liu fared worse than Fei Yu.
He’d dared to dream that if Fei Yu didn’t make true disciple, he might.
Reality’s blow was brutal.
He was practically carried aside.
More Tianren Academy geniuses tested.
Most had potentials peaking at three stars, none reaching four.
But at the end, three intriguing youths stood out.
Ling Xiao knew them—the trio who’d sparred at Qianlong Camp.
The chubby boy’s body potential neared four stars, almost five, but his soul and inner force were a pitiful one star.
The lively girl’s soul potential was nearly four stars, close to five, with her other potentials at one star.
The lazy boy had four-and-a-half stars in both soul and inner force, but his body potential was half a star, not even one.
All three joined Fei Yu and Fei Liu as entry-level disciples.
Ling Xiao learned their names: the chubby boy was Die Wu, the lively girl Zhu Hua, and the lazy boy Lu Xing.
“Die Wu, Zhu Hua, your potentials impress me. You’ll rank high among entry-level disciples. With strong performance, you could become true disciples,” Master Baiyun said.
He favored these two lopsided geniuses.
Though uneven, their near-five-star potentials gave them the best shot at the Mortal Realm.
“Those three outshine most of Qianlong Camp. They’re worthy of entry-level status. The remaining six from Qianlong Camp are in trouble,” Ling Xiao sighed inwardly.
He didn’t want this outcome, but potential was unchangeable. He could only accept the Seven-Star Flower’s judgment.
Master Baiyun had said one was true disciple material, and with Tianren Academy’s tests done, only Qianlong Camp’s six remained.
The genius must be among them.
Lin Ze’s face lit up with joy.
A true disciple from Qianlong Camp would lift their standing against Tianren Academy.
Wan Ben’s expression soured.
Tianren Academy’s disciples looked grim.
Qianlong Camp’s turn came, starting with Yin Ran. Ling Xiao, as temporary leader, was near the end, with only Leng Mei behind him.
“Soul, inner force, body—all three and a half stars,” Yin Ran’s results came.
“Sigh, you’re too balanced. Your talent’s well-rounded, remarkable among average martial artists, but it’s on hold for now,” Master Baiyun said.
He didn’t confirm Yin Ran as an entry-level disciple but didn’t rule him out, likely waiting to see the others.
Next was Shi Lei.
“Soul and inner force: two stars. Body: four stars.”
“Entry-level disciple—you’re in,” Master Baiyun said flatly, too weary to comment. Shi Lei’s potential was like Fei Liu’s, just slightly worse.
Then Dai Yuling.
“Oh?”
When Dai Yuling’s blood hit the Seven-Star Flower, a stunning change occurred.
“All potentials at four stars, nine-tenths!”
“Good heavens, the strongest so far!”
“Right, Dai Yuling’s so quiet usually—who knew her potential was this terrifying?”
“Hmph, still not five stars.”
“Only three left. I’m starting to doubt there’s a five-star genius here.”
“Quiet—Master Baiyun can’t be wrong.”
