Chapter 54: Jia (Upper) Rating, Reward Settlement

“Young brother, your physical foundation is extraordinary—interested in joining our Dao Academy?”

On the Ascension Platform, Yan Nanfeng also wasn’t idle; he smiled warmly and invited a man whose physique was clearly several times bulkier than those around him:

“The Qingshan Sect possesses a celestial-grade body-refining scripture, said to forge a divine body—rare and invaluable. If you’re willing to join the Qingshan Sect, you may borrow it free of charge.”

Gu Ling beside him snorted. “Just a fragmentary copy—call that a celestial art?”

He turned to the man and said: “Long A, we also have a celestial-grade fragment. Same terms—come anytime.”

Yan Nanfeng chuckled, and the two immediately began their “competition.”

The Ascension Platform now resembled a bustling marketplace.

After the Immortal Examination ended, the Immortal Masters from each major Dao Academy used techniques like spirit duplicates, paper-cutting to summon beings, or scattering beans to create soldiers, ascending the platform to begin recruiting.

Besides the Immortal Seedlings they’d already pre-selected, some who had emerged unexpectedly with strong performances during the examination naturally became targets.

No one was foolish enough to wait until the application phase to start competing for recruits.

Usually, the best moment to snatch up candidates was the very moment the Immortal Examination Realm ended.

But this year was slightly unusual: over ninety percent of candidates had already completed their exams; less than ten percent had been eliminated and perished.

Only fewer than ten individuals remained, stuck inside the realm for some unknown reason.

Still, such situations weren’t uncommon.

Perhaps the candidates were injured and needed time to recover, or perhaps some couldn’t accept defeat and hesitated to face the outcome…

In any case, they’d naturally emerge after a few more days.

Just as everyone thought this, the final result delivered a brutal slap in the face…

“Where is he? Why hasn’t Lin Mo come out yet?”

Among the crowd, impatient candidates stared at the Immortal List, where only one name still glowed.

“Yeah, he’s the only one left—what’s he doing in there? Did he pass out?”

“Hmph, I bet he’s not passed out—he’s too afraid to face failure, so he’s hiding.”

“I don’t know if he’s avoiding reality, but I haven’t pooped in ten days—I can’t hold it anymore!”

“Haha, brother, clearly didn’t bring any digestion pills—I’ve got some, eighty percent off, want some?”

“Yes yes yes, how much?”

“Eight hundred coins—honest deal!”

“Damn, your ‘eighty percent off’ means multiplying by eight, right?”

“…”

Hearing the crowd’s clamor, Yan Nanfeng and Gu Ling both furrowed their brows and exchanged a glance.

The nine Dao Academies recruit only geniuses—and “genius” here means more than just spiritual roots, talent, and physical foundation; it includes the Dao heart as well.

Otherwise, the Heavenly Dao Immortal Examination wouldn’t have included the Immortal Examination Realm, nor would it account for half the total score.

If Lin Mo was avoiding reality and refusing to emerge because he couldn’t face failure, how could such a mind ever pursue the Dao?

Though Lin Mo hadn’t appeared yet, a subtle unease had formed in both their hearts.

But out of respect for Chu Wange’s face, neither said anything yet.

Let’s wait a little longer—if it turns out as we suspect, we’ll find a way to separate them, no matter what.

With just a single glance, without even whispering, they reached an unspoken agreement.

On the summit of Great Ming Mountain, in the viewing pavilion.

“Why hasn’t this kid come out yet!”

Old Li was as frantic as ants on a hot pan.

Just now, the exchange of glances between the two Dao Academy elders in the Mirror of Illusions had been unmistakably clear.

Moreover, Meng Xianzhang had subtly hinted several times from within the pavilion.

As time passed, the likelihood of Lin Mo successfully passing the realm grew ever slimmer.

If he didn’t emerge now, not even a guaranteed admission to the nine Dao Academies would be possible—ordinary entry was doubtful.

Seeing this, Meng Xianzhang sighed and said:

“Lin Xiao you probably encountered some difficulty, but if he can overcome it, his future may still hold great promise. So Li Xiao you, don’t be too anxious—it’s all up to his own destiny.”

After hearing this, Old Li felt no relief; instead, his mood darkened further.

The man’s words sounded like comfort, but they had essentially sealed Lin Mo’s fate—the nine Dao Academies were now out of reach.

Worse still, Lin Mo had already left a poor impression on two great figures of the nine Dao Academies in this very setting—his future Immortal path would surely suffer consequences.

Zhu Xiao gave Old Li a meaningful glance; the latter slightly softened his expression and forced a smile:

“Just hope this kid comes out soon—everyone’s waiting.”

Meng Xianzhang nodded. It was already the tenth day of the Immortal Examination—three days had passed since the last batch of top students emerged.

Logically, even if Lin Mo refused to accept reality, he should’ve come out by now.

But Lin Mo had been too “unusual”—previous predictions had all been proven wrong, so he dared not make any more forecasts.

Thinking of this, he couldn’t help recalling Lin Mo’s shameless demeanor and muttered inwardly:

“Lin Xiao you doesn’t seem like the type to obsess over things—could he just be stuck on a difficult level?”

He had barely finished this thought when he slightly shook his head.

The time was simply too long—such speculation made little logical sense.

Well then, better to wait quietly.

…

…

【Congratulations, candidate! You have successfully passed the Immortal Realm: Yunyin Valley. Realm Score: Jia (Upper). Points Awarded: 500.】

Looking at the panel’s prompt, Lin Mo clenched his fists, his heart surging with excitement.

Whether the perfect score or the days of brutal combat, everything now lifted his spirits.

The sleepless nights, the countless “1s” deducted—finally, they had been repaid.

Perfect score!

His eyes gleamed at the perfect-score notification, and he couldn’t help shouting:

“Wuhu~ Awesome!”

Now he could finally “open the box”!

【Ding! Immortal Realm Examination concluded. Would you like to settle rewards based on your Jia (Upper) score?】

Soon, the system prompt came—but without the “Try Again” suffix.

This time, Lin Mo had no hesitation—he immediately selected “Confirm Settlement.”

【Ding! Congratulations! Candidate has received Jia (Upper) rating. Settling rewards…】

Lin Mo’s eyes gleamed as he stared at the settlement interface on the data screen.

According to the realm data he’d previously researched, higher realm scores increased the probability of receiving rare realm treasures upon settlement.

Perhaps even the Foundation Establishment Dao Art Chu Wange had mentioned.

Even if he got just any random one, wouldn’t it be worth more than the Heaven’s Thunder Incantation?

If fortune favored him and he got a legendary celestial art…

Lin Mo rubbed his hands together, his anticipation growing.

Moments later, a blue glow lit up the data screen, and the Heavenly Dao system’s voice echoed in his ears:

【Ding! Candidate has received: 10 x Grade 2 Upper-Grade Taiqing Pills. Bonus Points Awarded: 20.】

【Reward confirmed. You may now be teleported out of the realm. Confirm?】

As the system prompt appeared, Lin Mo’s excitement faded slowly; his right eyebrow twitched—

Wait, that’s it?