Chapter 36: Fallen Petals

Jiang Jian glanced at the two of them and remained silent.

Cultivation is not merely about advancing one’s realm.

One’s mental state is equally important.

This view has never been officially recognized.

In fact, it is rather ethereal and insubstantial.

But in the history of the Earth Alliance,

countless examples have proven it.

If one’s mental state is poor,

they often get stuck at critical moments, unable to progress.

Thus,

they remain trapped for life.

Jiang Jian strongly believed in this view.

Every moment,

he refined his mental state.

Regardless of his outward expression—

whether joy or anger, pleasure or sorrow—

deep within, Jiang Jian remained utterly calm.

Like a detached observer,

he constantly watched the vast, boundless true world.

“Second Academy, new student list.”

The cold alert tone sounded again.

Ranks 50 through 150.

Likewise,

exactly one hundred names appeared on the screen.

Du Fang scanned the list and immediately showed delight: “I’m in the Second Academy!”

Song Ling also found her name on the list and raised an eyebrow.

“New Student Entrance Exam, Rank 59, Song Ling, 76 points.”

“New Student Entrance Exam, Rank 77, Du Fang, 75 points.”

At the same time,

the neon lights on the Second Academy’s Whale-Ray Vessel began to glow one by one!

“New students assigned to the Second Academy, please board the Whale-Ray Vessel and return to campus!”

A teacher’s voice echoed from afar.

The remaining outsider students were once again halved.

“Jiang Jian, we’re heading to board now.”

Du Fang suppressed his excitement and said his farewell.

Song Ling’s gaze trembled as she said, “Jiang Jian, thank you for helping us secure such a high exam score.”

Jiang Jian waved his hand and smiled, “We’re both from Guangling City—just a small favor. Go on ahead.”

“Alright.”

Song Ling nodded.

Together with Du Fang, they walked toward the Second Academy’s Whale-Ray Vessel.

At this moment,

the outsider students remaining on the landing field

numbered only five.

“The First Academy has only fifty spots.”

“Outsider students account for five of them.”

Shi Xuan’s expression was unreadable: “The other forty-five are all local students from Linjiang State.”

“It’s normal.”

Jiang Jian said, “Beneath Tianzhu Mountain, the Five Rivers City.”

“Here, resources are abundant, and the land is spiritually exquisite.”

“It cannot be compared to any other state.”

As they spoke,

a “beep” sounded from their identity devices!

The overall new student rankings have been finalized!

Jiang Jian swiped the screen and looked up.

“First Academy, new student list!”

Shi Xuan’s eyes widened in shock, nearly crying out!

“Jiang Jian, how is your exam score so high!”

The overall ranking on the screen gradually became clear.

“New Student Entrance Exam, not counted in ranking, Luo Hua, 98 points!”

“New Student Entrance Exam, Rank 1, Liu Tiezhu, 97 points!”

“New Student Entrance Exam, Rank 2, Jiang Jian, 97 points!”

……

“New Student Entrance Exam, Rank 9, Shi Xuan, 91 points!”

Seeing this,

Jiang Jian’s gaze fixed on “not counted in ranking: Luo Hua.”

“This person,”

“must be the one who doesn’t need to take the exam.”

“The Level-4 Talent granted direct entry into the First Academy.”

At the same time,

Shi Xuan also noticed this and snorted: “Already got into the First Academy, yet still takes the exam just to show off on the rankings.”

“I don’t get what there is to show off.”

He clearly

harbored hostility toward Luo Hua.

Jiang Jian’s expression shifted slightly and asked, “Do you know this person?”

Shi Xuan sneered, “Luo Hua’s real name is Shi Luohua—she’s my cousin.”

“Level-4 Talent isn’t enough for her to boast about.”

“She still took the academy division exam.”

“Tsk tsk.”

His words dripped with sarcasm.

Clearly,

Shi Xuan’s complaints about being “unwanted” and “exiled”

were tied to this cousin.

“Students Jiang Jian and Shi Xuan, it’s time to board!”

Teacher Zhang stepped forward, his expression warm.

As the chief examiner of the entrance exam,

Teacher Zhang rarely showed any kindness to new students.

But Jiang Jian’s exam results were simply too outstanding.

Shi Xuan’s performance was also quite impressive.

For exceptional students,

Teacher Zhang clearly displayed a noticeably different attitude.

At the edge of the landing field,

a massive Whale-Ray Vessel rested quietly.

On its hull were written three large characters: “Linjiang Academy.”

Beep!

Beep!

Several new messages arrived in succession.

Jiang Jian followed Teacher Zhang and opened his identity device.

Five messages total.

Three were from Linjiang Academy: admission guidelines, new student rules, and identity verification emails.

Another was the First Academy’s new student benefits list.

The final one.

It is a special identity verification email exclusive to the First Academy.

“Don’t rush to open these emails yet.”

Teacher Zhang spoke gently, “Read them slowly once you’re aboard the Whale-Ray Craft.”

The double gangway lowered.

He had prior experience riding the Whale-Ray Craft.

Jiang Jian boarded the gangway, familiar with the routine.

Thud!

The heavy hatch slowly opened.

The vast interior held only three people.

All were familiar faces he’d seen in Cabin 1.

“Hello.”

Several people rose from behind the bar, smiling.

“We’re all new arrivals from outside—let’s exchange identity device information.”

“We didn’t have time to get to know each other in Cabin 1.”

“Now we’re in the First Academy, we should support one another.”

One by one, they spoke, their words brimming with goodwill.

Jiang Jian and Shi Xuan exchanged a glance.

Regardless of their inner thoughts, both smiled and raised their identity devices.

“That’s only right.”

“No problem.”

They exchanged identity device information.

The five people in the cabin sat apart, falling silent.

“Xu Yu sent me a message—he was assigned to the Third Academy.”

Shi Xuan found a stool at the bar and sat down.

Jiang Jian sat beside Shi Xuan and nodded. “I saw his name.”

Shi Xuan sighed. “Xu Yu’s strength is like a bear’s—he’s truly powerful.”

“He just had bad luck—he encountered the Hanger Ghost.”

“That thing is simply too strong.”

Here,

Shi Xuan suddenly looked up.

“To be honest, I never expected it.”

“You actually killed the Hanger Ghost.”

“If you ask me,”

Your evaluation score of 97 is too low.

“Shi Luohua, with a Level 4 talent.”

“If she’d faced the Hanger Ghost, she might not have been its match!”

Hearing this,

Jiang Jian shook his head. “Your evaluation is emotionally biased and unfair.”

“Any Level 4 talent is no ordinary force.”

“Level 2 talents are no longer useless.”

“Level 3 talents each have their own unique traits.”

“And Level 4 talents—”

Jiang Jian lifted his cup, took a sip of water, “Even your cousin, who hasn’t begun cultivation yet—”

“I can still say with certainty—”

“The Hanger Ghost—”

“Is no match for a Level 4 talent.”

Shi Xuan froze.

After a long pause, he came back to himself.

His expression turned grave as he said to Jiang Jian: “Jiang Jian, thank you.”

Jiang Jian smiled but said nothing.

Shi Xuan fell silent too.

Yet deep inside, he felt something stir.

His resentment toward his cousin—

Had quietly, imperceptibly, faded considerably.

In its place—

Was an urgent, overwhelming desire to grow stronger!

Shi Xuan turned his head, gazing out the porthole.

He clenched his fist, knuckles turning white.

(End of Chapter)