The palace was called the Testing Hall, with its six doors representing tests for the six departments.
Passing any one door meant passing the test, qualifying as a student of that department.
To join the Comprehensive Department, one had to pass multiple tests and gain approval from those departments.
So far, over tens of thousands of years, only ten people in Qingxu Academy had passed three tests, and a thousand had passed two.
Among current students, only one had passed three tests, and five had passed two.
This showed how difficult the tests were.
Everyone excelled in different areas.
In front of the Testing Hall, many students were chatting.
Qingxu Academy’s atmosphere was quite free. Students discussing or sparring was normal, as long as no chaos ensued.
Seeing Feng Yanran walking and laughing with Ling Xiao, the students stopped talking, their eyes wide as bells, clearly shocked.
One of the goddesses of the Fledgling Phoenix Class, a rare royal descendant in Qingxu Academy, and one of only five dual-department martial artists.
She was usually aloof, and speaking to her was harder than climbing the heavens.
Who had ever seen her smile so joyfully, so unrestrained?
Who was this man with her?
Why was he so enviable?
“You seem quite famous here,” Ling Xiao said with a smile.
He wasn’t blind; he could tell from their reactions.
“Famous?” Feng Yanran smiled, inwardly exasperated. Famous was an understatement; her reputation was renowned.
But what good was that? She’d still been outdone by Ling Xiao.
“Great!” A loud shout came from the Testing Hall, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Another goddess!”
“She was the Holy Son of Tianlong Continent’s Holy Dynasty, wasn’t she? Truly impressive.”
“Beautiful and so strong—how are others supposed to compete?”
“She’s passed three tests, right?”
“Yes, and it looks like she’s attempting the fourth?”
The chatter rose, catching Ling Xiao and Feng Yanran’s attention.
“It’s your friend Ji Mingkong. She’s stronger and prettier than me. You’re lucky, Brother Ling,” Feng Yanran said with a hint of envy.
Ling Xiao seemed not to notice, smiling. “Among Tianlong Continent’s youths, she’s second only to me. Passing three tests shouldn’t be hard, but the fourth might be a stretch.”
At that moment, Lan Yuer, Dai Yuling, and others spotted Ling Xiao and rushed over.
“Have you all finished testing?” Ling Xiao asked with a smile.
“I’m in the Comprehensive Department, passed two tests!” Long Chen said excitedly.
Feng Yanran was stunned. What kind of group was this? She thought only Ling Xiao and Ji Mingkong stood out, but clearly, the others were exceptional too.
“I’m also Comprehensive, passed two tests,” Lan Yuer said with a faint smile.
She glanced at Ling Xiao and Feng Yanran, her eyes puzzled, unsure why they were together.
“Congrats, Senior Sister Lan. We’ll train together again. Yanran and I have reconciled. I hope you all can let bygones be bygones,” Ling Xiao said.
“Of course,” Lan Yuer nodded, smiling.
“You two must be in the Healing Department, right?” Ling Xiao asked Dai Yuling and Dai Yaoling.
Dai Yuling had the Primordial Gourd Vine Martial Soul, while Dai Yaoling had the Primordial Nature Dragon Martial Soul, gifted by Ling Xiao.
Though sealed and unusable by him, it could be passed to others—a user-friendly seal Ling Xiao appreciated.
Both martial souls were highly beneficial for healing.
“Correct!” The sisters, now close, were in high spirits, especially after learning their mother, Dai Lingrong, was alive before leaving Tianlong Continent.
“We’re in the Attack Department!” Ying Wuya and Zhao Zhi said. One had the Golden-Winged Roc Martial Soul, the other the Black-Winged Roc, both suited for offence.
“Senior Brother Ling, you won’t believe it—I passed the Defence Department test!” Leng Hao said, surprised. He took after Golden Light Heavenly Sovereign’s aggressive nature but excelled in defence.
“I noticed that back on Tianlong Continent, but conditions weren’t right. I’ll find you a strong defensive martial soul. Study hard; what you’re good at is best,” Ling Xiao said.
Focusing on one’s strengths could greatly boost achievement and progress, a reason Ling Xiao valued Qingxu Academy’s approach.
“Zhao Ci, what about you?” Ling Xiao asked.
“I’m in the Spirit Department,” Zhao Ci replied.
“Spirit Department! Interesting. Tianlong Continent lacked conditions for your talents. Now, study hard. If you need help, ask Yanran.”
“Got it, Senior Brother Ling, Senior Sister Yanran!” Though once a princess of Tianlong Continent’s Northern Han, Zhao Ci had shed her status, focusing on cultivation and self-improvement.
“Sigh!” A sigh came from the Testing Hall.
“Must be Ji Mingkong failing the fourth test. She looks disappointed,” Ling Xiao said, smiling at the dejected Ji Mingkong approaching.
“Not satisfied with three tests? That’s Qingxu’s best record!” Feng Yanran was speechless.
“How can I not be disappointed? The gap with you will only widen,” Ji Mingkong shook her head helplessly. “You’ll probably pass all six, right?”
“Maybe,” Ling Xiao smiled faintly, heading toward the Testing Hall.
“Look, that guy’s testing. Someone walking with Feng Yanran won’t do badly.”
“Maybe he’ll pass two tests.”
The chatter erupted.
Ling Xiao entered the first door—testing attack power.
Outside, a massive screen, made of special material, displayed the test process for transparency, preventing underhanded dealings.
