Chapter 33: The Grand Assessment and an Unexpected Arrival

On the sports field.

Warm morning light bathed the grounds.

Students began to arrive, streaming in one after another.

Unlike the regular classes, the special classes at Saint Spirit Academy admitted only those with a profound grasp of theoretical knowledge, thus their curriculum predominantly focused on practical combat.

Recognizing the unique constitutions of each student, the academy conducted a thorough assessment on the very first day of school to tailor optimal teaching plans.

This assessment primarily involved testing cultivation realms, the capacity of their magical vessels, and their affinity for various magical attributes.

Such an exhaustive evaluation was a feat only Saint Spirit Academy within the entire empire could achieve.

During the entrance examination, students could largely invent these details, as the sheer number of applicants and limited testing crystals made individual, comprehensive assessments impractical.

Even an exaggerated claim of reaching the Divine Realm wouldn’t matter, for without genuine ability, one could never pass the subsequent trials.

****

With only four testing crystals available, Zhang Liang casually joined a less crowded queue.

He was brimming with excitement, for in his previous life, consumed by the struggle for survival, he had never once had his magical vessel tested.

Perhaps his magical aptitude was exceptionally high.

As a reincarnator, surely he couldn’t be entirely without some kind of cheat or advantage?

Lost in this thought, Zhang Liang unconsciously puffed out his chest, a confident smile gracing his lips.

Observing Zhang Liang’s expression, his classmates began to whisper amongst themselves, exchanging glances and murmurs.

“During the entrance exam, Strength King of the Ten Heroes claimed he was at the peak of the Mortal Realm. Could it actually be true?”

“I refuse to believe it. If he were truly at the peak of the Mortal Realm, how could he have scored zeros on the first two subjects?”

“Haha, there’s no escaping it now. Even if he wields immense power, capable of twisting black into white, these testing crystals won’t be swayed.”

Just then, a handsome, blond-haired, blue-eyed young man approached, a magnificently crafted longsword hanging at his waist.

The ruby embedded in its pommel gleamed like the eye of a crimson dragon.

“Stop your wild guesses,” he interjected. “He truly possesses the strength of a Mortal Realm peak cultivator.”

His sudden appearance caused a momentary stunned silence, which quickly gave way to widespread astonishment.

“You… you’re the Strength King’s son… Fan Bin?”

“I heard you’re the only high-tier Spirit Realm cultivator among the new students. Is that true?”

“Indeed.”

“But wait, isn’t your father a teacher in Special Class A? Why are you in Class C?”

“There are reasons.”

Fan Bin offered no further explanation, yet everyone surmised the true purpose behind his transfer to Class C.

Lin Na was the Class C teacher, and the relationship between her and Zhang Liang was widely speculated to be romantic.

It was assumed they would eventually be together, and to accommodate Zhang Liang, the Strength King had even arranged for his own son to be placed in Class C.

Within this Special Class C, many students hailed from families with connections to the royal palace.

They immediately recognized the longsword at Fan Bin’s waist: the Crimson Blade.

This was the Emperor’s most cherished treasure, and to commemorate Fan Bin’s enrollment at Saint Spirit Academy, His Majesty had bestowed it upon him.

Not even the Ten Heroes had ever received such an honor.

The fact that Fan Bin possessed such a priceless treasure suggested it was given to him to facilitate his protection of Zhang Liang.

Having witnessed such lengths, everyone couldn’t help but marvel at the advantages of power and wealth, while simultaneously growing even more curious about Zhang Liang’s true identity.

“Oh, young master, you’re in Class C too,” Yun Yun chirped, approaching Fan Bin and playfully patting his waist. “Let me tell you, your love rival has appeared, so you’d better be careful.”

Fan Bin looked down, his gaze falling upon soft, white ears and a tail. ‘A love rival?’

“That’s right,” Yun Yun affirmed, pointing towards Zhang Liang. “He’s definitely fallen head over heels for the young lady. I even found a love letter he wrote to her in his room.”

“What?!!”

For a brief instant, Fan Bin radiated an astonishing surge of killing intent, only to swiftly regain his composure.

He glanced at Zhang Liang, acknowledging that he was indeed more handsome than the average person, but still paled in comparison to himself.

In terms of both strength and upbringing, Fan Bin was confident he could utterly outclass Zhang Liang.

The day after Fan Sha was sent flying, he returned, clutching his waist.

Fan Bin had questioned why he deliberately lost to Zhang Liang, and why he would commit an act that tarnished the family’s honor.

Evading Fan Bin’s gaze, Fan Sha had simply replied that he had been forced into it.

Fan Sha hadn’t lied; he truly had been compelled, never imagining Zhang Liang would prove even stronger than himself.

Fortunately, everyone mistakenly believed he had been putting on an act, thereby preserving his title as the Ten Heroes’ strongest combatant.

No matter how many people asked, Fan Sha would never admit to his defeat.

Thus, Fan Bin concluded that Zhang Liang possessed no genuine strength.

“Hmph, he’s no match for me.”

Aware of Zhang Liang’s continued interest in his fiancée, Fan Bin, despite his outward calm, harbored an intense urge to eliminate him.

“Young Master Fan, long time no see,” Xi Lan greeted Fan Bin politely. “I trust Yun Yun hasn’t said anything improper, has she?”

Witnessing Xi Lan with her flowing white hair and dignified, graceful demeanor, the students felt a blush creep onto their cheeks, thinking what a perfect match the two of them made.

“She was just praising you to me,” Fan Bin replied.

Fan Bin offered a gentle smile and ruffled Yun Yun’s head.

“Only the young lady can touch my head!” Yun Yun exclaimed, swatting his hand away.

She suddenly recalled having said the same thing before, and looking at her own hand, she found it utterly baffling why she couldn’t remove ‘that person’s’ hand.

‘How strange!’

With most of the students now assembled, the tests were about to commence.

Every student was intensely curious about Zhang Liang’s true strength, especially Fan Bin, for it would dictate how he would ‘eliminate’ him in the future.

He cared nothing for Zhang Liang’s so-called power; merely daring to covet his woman was enough to warrant his death a thousand times over.

****

Suddenly, someone cried out in astonishment.

“Hey! Look over there!”

Following his pointed finger, everyone looked towards a nearby VIP room, where two figures had settled onto a sofa, their gazes fixed on the sports field.

“That… that person is the Saint Realm powerhouse, Bai Huo!”

“Holy crap! I heard the Academy Head is entirely devoted to cultivation and rarely makes public appearances. Why has he come personally?!!”

“And next to him is President Murong Xue, isn’t it? The one who dealt with a peak demonic beast during the entrance exam!”

The students buzzed with chatter, then collectively turned their attention to Zhang Liang, swallowing hard.

Could it be that the Saint Realm powerhouse, Bai Huo, had come to observe Zhang Liang’s test?

To sacrifice his precious cultivation time to attend personally—even if Zhang Liang truly were at the peak of the Mortal Realm, this seemed excessive.

They grew increasingly bewildered, unable to discern whether Zhang Liang was incredibly formidable or utterly worthless.

“Xiao Xue,” Bai Huo began, “that seemingly ill-tempered child is Zhang Liang, yes?”

Murong Xue unfurled her ornate fan, fanning herself lightly as she looked at Bai Huo with a curious expression.

“How did the Academy Head know?”

“That child’s footwork is far from ordinary,” Bai Huo mused, stroking his white beard. “It’s light, graceful, and leaves no dust with each step.

How old is that child?”

“He appears to be a mature young man of twenty-five, but he is actually sixteen years old.”

Upon hearing this, Bai Huo, usually composed and unperturbed, widened his eyes slightly.

He gazed at Zhang Liang, stroking his beard in thoughtful silence for a moment.

“It’s truly astonishing; his techniques are incredibly refined, having reached a state of seamless mastery.”

Bai Huo’s expression was exceptionally grave, a sight Murong Xue had never witnessed before.

She remained silent, following Bai Huo’s gaze towards Zhang Liang.

“These are not techniques a person of his age should be able to master.”

“Liu Hua mentioned he’s an otherworldly master,” Murong Xue offered. “Could he possess cultivation methods unknown to us?”

Bai Huo shook his head. “Xiao Xue, do you know what changes occur when a Saint Realm cultivator reaches the high-tier?”

At Bai Huo’s words, Murong Xue gasped, covering her mouth with her fan in surprise.

“Physical body reconstruction, and rejuvenation.”

“Precisely.”

“Could he truly be the Sword Dao Devil Sovereign?”

Bai Huo turned to Murong Xue. “Was that child’s test paper found?”

Murong Xue handed the almost blank test paper to Bai Huo.

Turning it over, Bai Huo saw the answer to the final question, and his heart gave a violent tremor.

“…………”

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