Chapter 100: Advancing to the Inner Court and Surrendering (Requesting Subscriptions and Monthly Votes)

At the third watch of the wei hour, Xu Jin arrived early at the training hall.

Upon arrival, he found the training ground packed—not only all current Spring Star-Pointing disciples had come, but also every senior from previous cohorts, totaling over three hundred people.

Some of the senior disciples stared intently at the current Spring Star-Pointing disciples, eyes sharp with intent.

Even as Xu Jin entered, several individuals sized him up, whispering about him, leaving him deeply puzzled.

After his surprise, Xu Jin asked his acquaintances—Lu Xianbing, Zhang Han, Qian Xiaohu, and others—and finally understood.

This monthly exam was not for the Spring Star-Pointing cohort alone.

It was the monthly exam for all disciples of the Dao Academy.

Those who excelled would retain or advance to the Inner Court; those who failed would be demoted to the Middle Court, or even to the Outer Court.

This competition applied to every disciple without exception.

In other words, the novice protection period for this year’s Spring Star-Pointing disciples had ended.

Starting today’s monthly exam, all Dao Academy disciples at the Meal-Cloud Realm would compete for slots in the Inner and Middle Courts.

As for the Outer Court, no one was fighting for those spots—but that didn’t mean they could slack off.

If a disciple received three “inferior” ratings from instructors within a year, they would be expelled from the academy.

The Inner Court had ten slots total; the Middle Court had forty-five; all others were Outer Court.

All disciples could challenge for positions.

In other words, seniors from last year’s Spring Star-Pointing cohort could directly challenge their junior counterparts from this year’s cohort.

If they lost, they forfeited their position.

This rule seemed unfair.

Last year’s Spring Star-Pointing seniors had already reached Meal-Cloud Seventh Layer through sheer endurance—how could they not easily snatch positions from this year’s juniors?

But while that seemed logical, it wasn’t actually true.

Very few of last year’s Spring Star-Pointing seniors remained.

Most had been selected for the National Dao Academy or the State Dao Academy; even those who hadn’t entered either had already forged their Stars and been assigned to practical duties.

Those still unstar-forged were mostly seniors with relatively poor talent, who had long remained in the Outer Court and had limited combat strength.

Because combat power depended not only on cultivation base, but also on Star Arts.

Of course, threatening the positions of some Middle Court disciples was entirely possible.

But this was the academy’s rule.

Monthly exams: the strong rise, the weak fall.

Losing once isn’t fatal—learn shame, then strive harder, and reclaim your place next month.

Soon, several instructors arrived, followed by Chief Instructor Ning Yuchan.

But after Ning Yuchan arrived, she did not immediately begin the exam—she was still waiting.

Within moments, Supervisor Cao Chun and Deputy Head Feng Shu arrived together.

“A temporary announcement: the National Dao Academy has just confirmed the final date for this year’s Autumn Exam—August 4th.”

That is, in half a month.

Therefore, the academy has decided to merge this month’s exam with the Autumn Exam candidate selection.

Now, please Chief Instructor Ning Yuchan announce the rules,” said Deputy Head Feng Shu.

Instantly, the disciples below erupted in uproar, murmuring loudly.

Supervisor Cao Chun said nothing, merely glanced—and four black-robed inspectors stepped forward, instantly silencing the crowd.

Ning Yuchan stepped forward. “The rules are largely unchanged from previous monthly exams.”

Combat remains the format, but the number of free challenges has increased from three to five.”

All disciples must accept challenges.

You may not challenge a disciple who is seriously injured and unable to fight.”

After listening for a while, Xu Jin roughly understood.

This month’s exam rules were brutally simple.

Compared to the fist-form demonstrations used to assess skill at the end of the Star-Pointing season a month ago, this was child’s play.

In short: if you think you can defeat someone, challenge them.

But you may not challenge across courts.

If you’re Outer Court, you may first challenge a Middle Court disciple—win, and you claim their Middle Court slot, then you may challenge an Inner Court disciple.

When an Outer Court disciple challenges a Middle Court disciple and wins, they take the defeated disciple’s Middle Court rank; the defeated disciple drops one rank.

Ultimately, the top ten Inner Court disciples and the top twenty-five Middle Court disciples will qualify for the Autumn Exam.

Qualifying for the Autumn Exam means a future possibility of selection for the State Dao Academy—or even the National Dao Academy.

The exam will be held across three small arenas, each guarded by Ning Yuchan, Feng Shu, and Cao Chun to prevent fatalities.

You may not use your own Star Weapons, nor use talismans, nor consume elixirs during combat—only academy-issued armor and weapons are permitted.

Notably, the academy provided six sets of first-grade Star Weapons, especially the double-layer soft chain armor weighing thirty jin, which prevents disciples from sustaining irreversible fatal injuries.

The academy does care about disciple safety.

As the exam was announced, Xu Jin began considering whom he would challenge.

He must secure an Autumn Exam slot—but the top twenty of the Middle Court was not his goal.

He must claim one of the ten Inner Court positions.

Though the Inner Court’s monthly eighty taels of stipend meant little to Xu Jin, a household worth ten thousand taels, even small gains were gains.

Moreover, the Inner Court offered many conveniences—less administrative work, allowing greater focus on cultivation.

Rumor had it the Inner Court had undisclosed benefits, known only to those who entered.

So, Inner Court he must enter.

But whom should he challenge?

Lu Xianbing? Ren Xiaoxiang? Or Yue Daqi?

After thinking, Xu Jin decided not to bully them—he’d leave opportunities for his fellow disciples.

Yes, Xu Jin had a clear understanding of this.

With his current strength, these three former Inner Court disciples would lose no matter whom he challenged.

“Five challenges—I’ll fight three. I’ll challenge the academy’s top three seniors.”

In an instant, Xu Jin made his decision: he would challenge Senior Brother Wang Weisheng, Senior Brother Zhang Han, and Senior Brother Yu Xianghua.

Xu Jin then walked directly toward Ning Yuchan’s small arena, ready to declare his challenge—when suddenly, an inspector’s voice rang out.

“Xu Jin, Outer Court disciple He Wei challenges you—report immediately to fight.”

Xu Jin froze.

An Outer Court disciple was challenging him?

Had they set their sights on his Middle Court position?

Did they think he was an easy target?

Xu Jin pinched his cheek—was he really that soft?

Suddenly, Xu Jin realized: his Middle Court ranking was second-to-last.

That second-to-last rank had only come after Zhou Du’s death.

“I’ve never truly shown my strength… then let me show it now—before everyone keeps treating me like a soft target.”

Xu Jin strode quickly toward Arena One—coincidentally, Ning Yuchan was on duty.

Suddenly, Ning Yuchan’s voice whispered into his ear: “Avoid targeting vital points—I’ll have to intervene otherwise.”

Xu Jin glanced at Ning Yuchan, then stepped swiftly into the arena.

The so-called “small arena” was merely a ten-meter-by-ten-meter square marked with lime—spectators could only watch from outside the line; combatants could not leave the area.

“He Wei, please, junior brother, instruct me,” said a burly senior disciple in Meal-Cloud Seventh Layer, smiling as he bowed to Xu Jin.

Though he was seizing Xu Jin’s Middle Court position,

Xu Jin had unexpectedly earned merit and risen to lead the Star-Patrol Unit, and as a Middle Court disciple, his future clearly outshone He Wei’s, who had lingered in the Outer Court for a year. Out of caution, He Wei greeted Xu Jin first.

“Xu Jin, please, senior brother, instruct me.”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the inspector’s voice rang out: “Xu Jin, you must don the academy’s standard armor before combat.”

“I don’t need it,” Xu Jin said.

At this, He Wei froze; the watching seniors gasped in astonishment.

The standard armor—weapons aside—wasn’t just strong; the double-layer soft chain armor could save your life in critical moments.

Yet Xu Jin refused outright.

Either he was arrogant—or supremely confident.

As for the Crocodile Dragon Soft Armor and Wind-Chasing Boots Xu Jin usually wore, he had already swapped them out before coming to the exam.

Xu Jin understood the basic rules of the monthly exam. “Xu junior brother, you really should wear armor—blades have no eyes,” urged He Wei, sword in hand.

“Truly unnecessary, Senior Brother He. Forgive me.” Xu Jin bowed.

The next instant, the inspector’s voice roared: “Begin.”

Shhh!

Bang!

In the instant combat began, everyone saw a blur—a whistling sound—and then Senior Brother He Wei flew upward, launching clean out of the arena’s boundary.

Everyone was stunned.

What kind of opening is this?

Over in a blink?

But some of the senior brothers had turned pale, especially those inner courtyard seniors watching.

Strong!

Absolutely absurdly strong.

They had trained for a year and still hadn’t achieved perfect mastery of Flying Star Step—yet they saw it in a junior brother.

And that burst of starlight—too fast to see clearly—but it was either perfect mastery or great attainment.

Not only were the watching senior brothers stunned, even Ning Yuchan, as the examiner, was taken aback.

Xu Jin’s displayed strength had exceeded her expectations.

During the great battle on Qianye Island, Ning Yuchan had already noticed Xu Jin’s exceptional combat ability, but she had been fighting herself and had no time to observe closely.

But now, after just this first match, Ning Yuchan knew the senior brothers in the Dao Academy would be wailing.

Just now, Xu Jin’s Flying Star Step had left afterimages.

That’s not something perfect mastery of Flying Star Step could achieve.

Usually, only profound Star Force from a Star Refining realm, combined with perfect mastery of Flying Star Step, could produce such an effect.

Among the crowd, He Wei, blood trickling from his lips, grimaced in pain as he struggled to rise, clutching his chest, then stared blankly at Xu Jin.

He didn’t even understand how he lost.

One moment he was there, the next he was here—he hadn’t even raised his Star Shield.

Suddenly, He Wei realized: he had chosen wrong.

He’d picked a soft target—and found a blade.

“Senior Brother Xu, formidable. I yield,” He Wei muttered bitterly as he limped away.

Choosing the wrong opponent would affect his later matches; this month’s exam, he’d hoped to sneak into the Middle Academy—now it looked unlikely.

Xu Jin sighed.

He hadn’t even used full strength.

Just seven or eight tenths of his speed.

One Flying Star Step, a flash of starlight striking his opponent’s armored chest—and he won.

“You withdraw?”

“Why are you withdrawing too?”

“Why didn’t you do it when you registered?”

“Remember, today’s monthly exam allows at most three challenge cancellations!” came the inspector’s shout from nearby.

Several former senior brothers who had seen Xu Jin as an easy target had already registered to challenge him—but now, seeing him defeat a Mealcloud Seventh Layer senior in one blow, they realized their mistake and hastily canceled.

The inspector scolded, but still canceled them.

After all, it was just an internal monthly exam; though it affected autumn exam slots, the rules weren’t that strict.

After just one match, no one else came to challenge Xu Jin.

Suddenly, Xu Jin understood the feeling of “one punch to open the way, preventing a hundred more.”

Though not perfectly fitting, the principle held true.

Fear the strong, bully the weak.

It was a universal flaw.

“Inspector, I challenge Third Senior Brother Yu Xianghua.”

Hearing this, the inspector looked up at Xu Jin, slightly surprised.

The top four senior brothers in the Dao Academy had held their positions for over half a year—finally, someone dared to challenge.

“Understood. Next match arranged.”

Xu Jin found the other senior brothers’ duels dull.

Far below the level of opponents he’d faced in the First-Level Battle Realm.

Notably, Luo Geng, whose cultivation had broken through to Mealcloud Fifth Layer, fought ferociously—two wins, both against Middle Academy disciples.

He should have no trouble advancing to the Middle Academy.

“Yu Xianghua, Dao Academy disciple Xu Jin challenges you. Report to Arena One immediately.”

A few dozen breaths later, Xu Jin and Yu Xianghua stood on Arena One. Xu Jin still wore his Dao Academy robes; Yu Xianghua had already donned double-layered soft chain armor.

“Junior Brother Xu, are you sure you won’t wear armor?” Yu Xianghua asked.

“No need. I find it cumbersome,” Xu Jin smiled.

Yu Xianghua frowned, glancing at Ning Yuchan, seeking permission.

He feared injuring Xu Jin and being blamed by the Dao Academy.

“No issue. He chose not to wear armor—he bears the consequences himself,” Ning Yuchan said.

That reassured him. Yu Xianghua nodded. “Junior Brother Xu, be careful.”

“Please.”

“Begin!”

In the next instant, Yu Xianghua lunged forward, his longsword spewing starlight as he slashed at Xu Jin.

Flying Star Step, great attainment; Mealcloud Seventh Layer peak; Star Shield likely perfected.

Xu Jin immediately noticed: Yu Xianghua was extremely cautious—he’d raised his Star Shield before even advancing.

Xu Jin didn’t move.

He watched the starlight blade draw near.

Just as all disciples thought Xu Jin would be grievously wounded, at the very moment the blade reached him, Xu Jin suddenly collapsed sideways—starlight flared from his waist, and he vanished with an uncanny teleport to Yu Xianghua’s back, then slapped his spine.

As his palm landed, starlight erupted.

Boom!

Yu Xianghua, struck squarely on the back, shuddered like lightning, spat a thread of blood, and collapsed.

Xu Jin stood with hands behind his back, calmly waiting for Yu Xianghua to rise.

One breath later, Yu Xianghua rose, spat out a bloody wad, looked at Xu Jin standing quietly, and finally smiled bitterly: “Senior Brother Xu, formidable. I lose.”

Yu Xianghua withdrew.

The watching senior brothers stood frozen.

One move!

Again, one move!

If defeating He Wei with one move was understandable,

now defeating Third Senior Brother Yu Xianghua with one move left them utterly stunned.

Could he really be this strong?

He was only a Spring Star Pointing cultivator—rumored to have taken eighty-three days to point his star.

This is too monstrous.

From this moment, from the moment Yu Xianghua called him “Senior Brother,” Xu Jin had officially entered the Inner Academy and was now formally ranked Third Senior Brother of Jinshan Dao Academy.

But this was not the end.

It was only the beginning.

Earlier, when registering with the inspector, Xu Jin had already listed all his challenges in sequence: Third Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother, then First Senior Brother—hence the inspector’s surprise.

“Zhang Han, Dao Academy disciple Xu Jin challenges you.”

As the inspector’s voice rang out, Second Senior Brother Zhang Han was already beside Xu Jin.

“Kid, your combat power has surged too much.”

Zhang Han slapped Xu Jin’s shoulder and laughed. “Then I’ll yield my position as Second Senior Brother to you.”

“Inspector, I’ve sparred with Xu Jin—I’m no match. I yield!”

Instantly, the entire Dao Academy erupted!

He yielded!

The Second Senior Brother, who had dominated the academy for over half a year, had just yielded outright!

First Senior Brother Wang Weisheng, watching from the side, was equally stunned.

The next instant, the inspector’s voice rang out.

“Wang Weisheng, Dao Academy disciple Xu Jin challenges you!”

(End of Chapter)