Chapter 117: Refine-God Golden Pill and Reaching the Top First (Second update, please subscribe)

August 5th, exactly at the hour of Si (9:00-11:00 AM), Jin Shan Dao Academy Martial Arts Hall.

All disciples who got into the Autumn Examination had arrived, and arriving together were many instructors, teachers, and disciples who wanted to watch the battle.

As long as they were qualified to watch, the Dao Academy not only didn't oppose it, but also advocated it.

So many genius disciples showing their strength was also a kind of encouragement for the watching disciples.

"Is everyone ready? Is there anyone withdrawing?" After Mountain Chief Dong Zhao arrived on time, he asked a question, and seeing no one respond, he instantly activated the Star-Locking Ring, protecting the entire Martial Arts Hall.

This was also to prevent anyone from causing trouble and affecting the Autumn Examination.

The next instant, Xu Jin appeared in the Autumn Examination Secret Realm, which was exactly the same as the Autumn Examination Secret Realm yesterday.

However, the number of disciples appearing in the trial area was only nine.

Other Dao Academies were the same.

Nearly ten thousand people participated in the trial, and in the end, only eight hundred could get in, with an admission rate approaching eight percent.

It looked very cruel, but it was much higher than the civil service examination admission rate in his previous life.

The reason the National Dao Academy only admitted eight hundred people was also very simple: resources were limited.

Just like the inner-court disciples of the Jin Shan Dao Academy, the resources invested in each inner-court disciple were more than ten times that of an outer-court disciple.

The number of inner-court disciples could only be limited.

"Today's Autumn Examination is also known as the True Transmission Battle for the disciples who got in.

Eight hundred disciples who got in will compete for fifteen true transmission quotas and two hundred core disciple quotas.

As for other disciples, they can only obtain the inner-court disciple quota of the National Dao Academy.

By comparison, the cultivation resources of the core disciples of the National Dao Academy are ten times that of inner-court disciples, so the competition is very fierce.

However, the True Transmission Battle is not like the Autumn Examination Entry Battle.

The Autumn Examination Entry Battle changes every year, constantly changing patterns.

But the True Transmission Battle's mode is basically fixed.

It is generally divided into two stages.

The first stage is called Star-Plucking.

The second stage is called Competing for the Champion.

These two stages, there's nothing much to say; it all depends on strength, and basically there is no luck or performance involved," Ning Ning Yuchan instructed the group.

After speaking, seeing several disciples somewhat nervous and worried.

Ning Ning Yuchan understood instantly.

Clearly, this time, the fact that nine disciples of the Jin Shan Dao Academy could get in was more than half due to Xu Jin, who had brought them in.

Hearing Ning Ning Yuchan say this, they were worried about not being able to compete for the core disciple quota.

In fact, most of the disciples who got into the Jin Shan Dao Academy couldn't become core disciples of the National Dao Academy and could only become inner-gate disciples.

Currently, the only ones who had locked in the core disciple quota were Xu Jin and Wang Wang Weisheng.

"You don't need to worry either. Even as inner-court disciples of the National Dao Academy, the cultivation resources you obtain are dozens of times the treatment of inner-court disciples of the Jin Shan Dao Academy.

Moreover, as long as you cultivate diligently, there are still channels to be promoted to core disciples in the future," Ning Ning Yuchan comforted.

While listening, Xu Jin paid attention to the situation on the Martial Observation Platform.

Xu Jin remembered Old Qi's instructions.

Xu Jin didn't know what Old Qi had gone to do, but giving such instructions meant it was definitely a matter of utmost importance.

He absolutely couldn't cause danger to Old Qi because of his own negligence.

Unfortunately, until the True Transmission Battle began, he didn't see any abnormality on the Martial Observation Platform.

Those sitting on the Martial Observation Platform were currently all high-ranking officials from the Chen Guo Dao

"Reporting to the Grand Master, all participants have arrived and their identities have been verified. Please provide your instructions, Grand Master." Head Ning Jiaotou Yu Da requested.

"Begin."

Following a wave of the Grand Master's hand, Head Ning Jiaotou Yu Da slightly activated his Star-Plucking Token. In the sky of the Autumn Exam Secret Realm, several waterfalls of starlight immediately descended, and text appeared within them.

【Autumn Exam Fourth Stage: Star-Plucking】

【Rules: All participants are to attempt to climb the Heaven-Ascending Steps of the Zhai Xing Lou. Rankings are determined by the number of steps climbed; if the number of steps is the same, the duration of persistence determines the ranking. Hint: This stage is related to the power of the spirit. If you feel severe pain in your head, please give up immediately, otherwise, your spirit will be damaged.

During the climbing process, any form of conflict is prohibited. Violators will be directly eliminated.】

【Rewards: First place, Spirit-Refining Golden Pill, ten attempts at the Heaven-Ascending Steps. Second and third place, one Spirit-Stabilizing Golden Pill, eight attempts at the Heaven-Ascending Steps.

Fourth to sixth place, one Spirit-Stabilizing Golden Pill, six attempts at the Heaven-Ascending Steps.

Seventh to tenth place, four attempts at the Heaven-Ascending Steps; eleventh to one hundredth place, three attempts at the Heaven-Ascending Steps.

One hundred and first to two hundredth place, two attempts at the Heaven-Ascending Steps; two hundred and first to eight hundredth place, one attempt at the Heaven-Ascending Steps.】

【The top ten of the Autumn Exam Fourth Stage will directly obtain the status of Core Disciple.】

【If you encounter unbearable pressure, use your mind to activate the Star-Plucking Token and silently recite 'leave' to depart.】

The rules were extremely simple, and the rewards were also very direct and clear.

Xu Jin, however, subconsciously looked at Ning Ning Yuchan.

He understood the rules, but he didn't quite understand these rewards.

With just one glance, Ning Ning Yuchan understood what Xu Jin's look meant, because she had the same doubts back then.

"The Spirit-Refining Golden Pill is an extremely rare elixir that can enhance the power of the spirit. It is very precious and is never sold within the National Dao Academy; it only appears as a reward. It is said that it can significantly enhance the power of the spirit, with an effect two to three times that of the Spirit-Stabilizing Golden Pill.

It is said that some disciples born with powerful spirits can even directly achieve Star-Forging with their spirits after taking it.

You all know the efficacy of the Spirit-Stabilizing Golden Pill, so I don't need to say more.

As for the Heaven-Ascending Steps, this is a set of Heaven-Ascending Stone Steps outside the main body of the Star-Plucking Tower in the current world. It is mysterious and towering, with extremely strong spiritual pressure. Every step you climb, the spiritual pressure you bear increases exponentially.

Because of this, the major Star Palaces and the National Dao Academy often use these Heaven-Ascending Stone Steps to temper the spiritual power of their disciples, thereby strengthening their spirits.

But it is said that even for the major Star Palaces, using these Heaven-Ascending Stone Steps requires paying a price to the main body of the Star-Plucking Tower in the current world, so the number of attempts is very precious.

I climbed them back then, and later I also used them to temper my spiritual power.

Although this is an Autumn Exam, you must cherish it, because it also has the effect of enhancing spiritual power, so you must not waste it."

Having said this, Ning Ning Yuchan paused slightly, scanned the crowd, and said, "Among you, because Xu Jin has taken a Spirit-Stabilizing Golden Pill, he will climb more steps than you. But for the rest of you, just do your best.

Once you reach your limit, just sit quietly and persist until you can no longer hold on.

You must not force it. If you force it and fall from the Heaven-Ascending Stone Steps of the Star-Plucking Tower, your spirit will be damaged."

Within the Dao Academy, the news regarding the successful inscription of the Great Da Ju Xingwen had already been disseminated.

Lu Lu Xianbing was the second to successfully inscribe the Great Da Ju Xingwen, taking twenty-eight days; Han Yue Han Yue Daqi was the third, taking thirty-one days; Luo Geng, Yu Yu Guan, and Ren Ren Xiaoxiang all took about thirty-two days to inscribe the Great Da Ju Xingwen.

The Academy Head Dong Zhao also hid the actual number of days it took Xu Jin to inscribe the Great Da Ju Xingwen.

He only announced that Xu Jin had successfully inscribed the Great Da Ju Xingwen in twenty-six days, so the first-place reward, the Spirit-Stabilizing Golden Pill, naturally went to Xu Jin.

In this way, it also happened to explain from the side the reason for Xu Jin's rapid improvement in combat power, and no one had any doubts.

When Ning Ning Yuchan mentioned the Spirit-Stabilizing Golden Pill just now, Xu Jin finally remembered it.

Since obtaining the Spirit-Stabilizing Golden Pill on July 22nd, Xu Jin had placed it inside his Star Lamp to nourish it.

When he looked at it a few days ago, it was still at the second level of nourishment.

To reach the third level of nourishment, it would take at least thirteen days.

Calculating the time, that Spirit-Stabilizing Golden Pill should reach the third level of nourishment today. After today, he could take this Spirit-Stabilizing Golden Pill that had been nourished to the third level.

Xu Jin was somewhat expectant; what kind of improvement would the Spirit-Stabilizing Golden Pill bring him after the third level of nourishment?

As for this stage of the Heaven-Ascending Steps, once Xu Jin saw the rules, he had no worries at all.

The top three would definitely be his.

First place would also be his, barring any accidents, unless someone else had also achieved Star-Forging with their spirit.

However, Xu Jin had already planned it out.

In this stage, he couldn't perform too well.

He had to hold back a bit and just barely take first place.

Xu Jin was determined to take the first-place Spirit-Refining Golden Pill.

This was an elixir even rarer and more uncommon than the Spirit-Stabilizing Golden Pill.

After the rule information in the sky flickered for several dozen breaths, the instructors of each Dao Academy had basically explained the precautions to the participating disciples.

Head Ning Jiaotou Yu Da then bowed before the Martial Observation Platform and said, "Reporting to the Grand Master, the rule information has been fully displayed."

"Hmm, I know."

Grand Master Cheng Cheng Yuexiao nodded slightly. Without any visible movement, a jade Star-Plucking Token suddenly appeared before the Grand Master's chest. With a light swipe of his finger, a sudden, thunderous roar erupted within the Autumn Exam Secret Realm.

It was like an earthquake; the entire secret realm was shaking violently.

Amidst the shaking, the light and shadow of an ancient, towering Zhai Xing Lou suddenly appeared within the Autumn Exam Secret Realm.

The Zhai Xing Lou rose from the ground, reaching the heavens and entering the clouds; its very top actually submerged into the sky of the Autumn Exam Secret Realm.

What was even more surprising was that although it was a downward view, the feeling was one of looking up.

While looking up, an indescribable feeling of being as small as an ant arose spontaneously.

"This is what the Star-Plucking Tower looks like, but it is still not the main body, just a projection in the current world. It is said that by climbing the Star-Plucking Tower, one can directly set foot on the stars," Ning Ning Yuchan murmured, her head held high.

The next instant, starlight rolled within the light and shadow of the Zhai Xing Lou, and a set of starlight stone steps attached to the Zhai Xing Lou appeared outside the tower.

The stone steps towered into the clouds, with no end in sight; it was unknown how many steps there were.

【Xu Jin, the Autumn Exam Fourth Stage, Star-Plucking, has begun. Please enter the stage within ten breaths.】

A starlight message appeared.

Xu Jin did not enter the stage immediately, but instead glanced at the Martial Observation Platform; there were still no high-ranking officials from the Star Palaces present.

"Since they haven't appeared yet, they probably won't appear in this stage." Xu Jin made a decision in an instant and prepared to enter the stage.

Before entering, Xu Jin looked at Ning Ning Yuchan and suddenly asked, "Teacher, when you climbed these Heaven-Ascending Steps back then, how many steps did you climb?"

Other disciples who were about to enter the stage also looked at Ning Ning Yuchan with curiosity, all wanting to know.

"Why so many nonsense questions? Hurry up and enter the stage!" Ning Ning Yuchan waved her hand, urging the disciples to enter.

The disciples were disappointed, but they had no choice but to enter.

However, before Xu Jin took a step, Ning Ning Yuchan's voice rang in his ears, "Xu Jin, I climbed one hundred and eighty-two steps back then, ranking seventh. Don't tell anyone else, so as not to affect their confidence."

Hearing this, Xu Jin turned back and gave Ning Ning Yuchan an 'OK' gesture, which left Ning Ning Yuchan somewhat bewildered.

A circle with three raised fingers—what did that mean?

Xu Jin, however, understood Ning Ning Yuchan's good intentions.

It was likely that one hundred and eighty-two steps was a very difficult number to reach, as evidenced by the seventh-place ranking.

If he told Wang Wang Weisheng, Lu Lu Xianbing, Han Yue Han Yue Daqi, and the others, it might affect their mindset and thus their performance.

After all, climbing just one more step could improve one's ranking by several places.

The next instant, Xu Jin took a step forward.

At the same moment, in the trial area of the Great Chen National Dao Academy, the disciples appeared extremely relaxed.

Whether it was Meng Meng Qingqiu, Yan Chen, Yuan Yuan Feiqing, Yu Guan Li, or Fang Fang Mingchun, they were all very, very relaxed.

To put it bluntly, this was their home turf.

In most Autumn Exam fourth stages, even if the Great Chen National Dao Academy disciples didn't sweep the board, they could occupy eight or nine of the top spots.

As for the top three, they were already locked in as their own.

It was just a matter of who would get them.

Yan Chen glanced at Senior Sister Meng Meng Qingqiu and then at Yuan Yuan Feiqing; the top three would likely be the three of them, but who would take first place was hard to say.

Yan Chen, however, desperately wanted to take first place.

The Spirit-Refining Golden Pill was too rare.

As for the Spirit-Stabilizing Golden Pill, to put it bluntly, most of them had already taken one, and some had even taken two without fear of waste.

As for the number of attempts at the Heaven-Ascending Steps, Yan Chen's family elders had already let him try climbing them three times previously to temper and enhance his spiritual power.

But then again, among these seed players of the Great Chen National Dao Academy, who wasn't like that?

Their family background was right there.

"Senior Sister, Senior Brother Yan, Junior Brother Yuan, I shall wait and see which of you three can win the Spirit-Refining Golden Pill." In the spectator area, Lu Kun sent a starlight message to the three of them, but his handsome face was somewhat ferocious due to his gritted teeth.

This opportunity was originally his.

Originally, he should have been competing with Senior Sister, Yan Chen, Yuan Yuan Feiqing, and the others for this Spirit-Refining Golden Pill.

He, Lu Kun, had taken two Spirit-Stabilizing Golden Pills, and his family had spent a great price to let him try climbing the Heaven-Ascending Stone Steps five times in advance to temper and enhance his spiritual power, all to give him a chance to win that Spirit-Refining Golden Pill.

As long as he got that Spirit-Refining Golden Pill, his spiritual power would be far ahead of other geniuses before reaching the Gather Battle Realm.

As for the Heaven-Ascending Steps also tempering and enhancing spiritual power, even if he climbed them ten times, the effect wouldn't be as much as half a Spirit-Refining Golden Pill.

It was a pity; he had powerful spiritual power but could only watch from the sidelines.

All of this was caused by Xu Jin!

Lu Kun stared quietly in the direction of the Jin Shan Dao Academy.

Once that brat Xu Jin entered the Great Chen National Dao Academy, he would have plenty of ways to deal with him.

As for the Martial Observation Platform, the atmosphere today was calm.

Because there was nothing to compete for in this fourth stage.

It relied entirely on spiritual power; if your spiritual power was strong, you could climb a few more steps; if it was weak, you could only be trapped there.

Just sit and watch.

The only one standing to watch was Deputy Academician Liuzhou Qingzhu. Today, she didn't need to bury her head in her chest; instead, she had her hands on her slender waist, looking far away at the Heaven-Ascending Stone Steps at the center of the Autumn Exam Secret Realm. Today, she shouldn't have to lose face.

These elite seed players of the National Dao Academy had each taken a Spirit-Stabilizing Golden Pill, some won by the Dao Academy, some prepared by their families.

This stage was definitely a sure win.

Sweeping the top three was a sure thing.

Sweeping the top five was also a sure thing.

The top ten was hard to say, but if they could sweep the top ten, the face she had lost as a Deputy Academician could be recovered by a point or two, even though she hadn't taught the abilities for this stage.

But at least it was a ranking.

As the countdown ended, all eight hundred participating disciples appeared before the Heaven-Ascending Stone Steps.

Looking from afar, they seemed quite narrow, but up close, they were extremely majestic.

These stone steps were dozens of meters wide; eight hundred people climbing at the same time was quite easy, with just a little bit of spacing.

"Climbing begins!"

Following a loud shout from Head Ning Jiaotou Yu Da, the light screen blocking everyone instantly vanished.

All the disciples scrambled to step onto the first stone step, but as everyone's feet moved toward the first step, their movements slowed down; an invisible pressure rushed toward them.

Conversely, many disciples of the Great Chen National Dao Academy climbed the steps quite easily.

They had already tried climbing them one to several times through various means, so they had experience and were naturally relaxed.

Watching the relaxed climbing posture of these Great Chen National Dao Academy disciples, Ning Ning Yuchan shook her head slightly.

Just like before.

She was the same when she took the exam back then.

This couldn't be considered cheating; this stage relied on spiritual power, and the accumulation of their ancestors was right there.

For a family background built up by three, five, or even ten generations, why would you expect them to compete ignorantly on the same starting line as you!

Their ancestors had also paid a huge price.

Just like the peace enjoyed by the people of Great Chen today, it was actually earned by countless Great Chen heroes!

It was very reasonable!

Below the Heaven-Ascending Steps, Xu Jin was in no hurry to climb.

This wasn't a race for speed, nor was it a competition to see who could run the fastest.

What was the rush!

In the sky, a leaderboard formed by a starlight waterfall was displaying the climbing rankings of the eight hundred disciples in real-time.

First place was Yan Chen, who had already climbed thirty-eight steps.

But his speed remained undiminished, steadily climbing upward one step at a time.

It was at this moment that Xu Jin slowly stepped onto the first stone step.

An indescribable pressure rushed toward him.

That feeling was like having heavy mountains ahead; every time he lifted his foot, he had to push against these heavy mountains.

But after lifting his foot, he realized that these heavy mountains weren't on his legs, but in his head.

That feeling was a bit like the feeling when his spiritual power was insufficient after multiple practical martial arts exercises inside the Star-Plucking Tower.

However, Xu Jin focused his attention slightly, and he became like a blade, breaking through the heavy mountains and climbing up.

One step, two steps; Xu Jin climbed one step at a time, his steps extremely steady.

This was the result of observing the top ten climbers earlier.

Be steady, be slow; this should be more efficient.

When half a quarter of an hour had passed, some disciples had already reached their limits.

Many disciples were trapped at around sixty steps, with the lowest unable to move past sixty-two steps.

Xu Jin saw Lu Lu Xianbing currently trapped at sixty-nine steps, still trying hard to push upward.

"Brother Lu, after calming your mind, try to push for a few more steps!"

"Brother Jin, you continue!" Lu Lu Xianbing gave a bitter smile.

He understood that he had reached his limit and could climb at most three to five more steps.

Therefore, he no longer had high hopes for being a Core Disciple; of course, there was still a chance in the next stage.

On the seventy-first step, Xu Jin saw Han Yue Han Yue Daqi, offered a word of encouragement, and then steadily stepped upward.

Han Yue Han Yue Daqi looked at Xu Jin, who was climbing steadily as if without the slightest pressure, feeling both envious and helpless.

He, the first-place Point-Star of the Jin Shan Dao Academy, was probably the most questioned one in the history of the Point-Star Season.

As Xu Jin's performance became increasingly dazzling, most people believed that Xu Jin should have been the first-place Point-Star of this season, and that he, Han Yue Han Yue Daqi, was too mediocre.

First surpassed by Lu Lu Xianbing, then surpassed by Xu Jin.

Originally, when he first started climbing the Heaven-Ascending Steps, Han Yue Han Yue Daqi had surpassed Lu Lu Xianbing by three steps in one go and was quite excited; this should have proven that he wasn't mediocre.

The Heaven-Ascending Steps relied entirely on the strength of spiritual power, with no tricks or luck involved.

But watching Xu Jin easily step onto the seventy-third step, then the seventy-fourth, Han Yue Han Yue Daqi was hit hard again.

He felt that he was indeed a bit mediocre as the first-place Point-Star.

The true first-place Point-Star should have been Xu Jin.

Along the way, Xu Jin constantly surpassed others.

The first-place Yan Chen was currently at one hundred and eighty steps, second-place Meng Meng Qingqiu at one hundred and seventy-nine, third-place Yuan Yuan Feiqing at one hundred and seventy-eight, and fourth-place Ji Especially Ji Hongli at one hundred and seventy-seven.

Xu Jin was at seventy-five steps.

But it was clear that the forward speed of the top four had become very slow.

It took several breaths to climb just one step.

And Xu Jin was still climbing one step at a time, not fast, not slow—just one word: steady!

On the seventy-sixth step, Xu Jin saw Zhang Ming of the Dao Academy, offered a word of encouragement, and passed him.

On the seventy-ninth step, Xu Jin saw the current third senior brother of the Dao Academy, Zhang Han, and after a word of encouragement, passed him.

On the ninety-third step, Xu Jin encountered the former senior brother of the Dao Academy, Wang Wang Weisheng.

"Brother Wang, adjust yourself and try to climb one or two more steps," Xu Jin said.

"I'll try, Senior Brother, you continue!" Wang Wang Weisheng cupped his hands at Xu Jin, and after Xu Jin returned the gesture, he stepped onto the ninety-fourth step.

Half a quarter of an hour later, Xu Jin reached the one hundred and fiftieth step.

Looking back, from the one hundred and fiftieth step down to the one hundredth, there were only a few dozen people.

Among the eight hundred disciples, most were concentrated below the one hundredth step.

Among them, the number of people between sixty and seventy steps was the highest.

Above the one hundred and fiftieth step, eleven figures could be seen.

On the leaderboard in the sky, first place had become Meng Meng Qingqiu at one hundred and ninety-three steps; Yan Chen and Yuan Yuan Feiqing were tied for second at one hundred and ninety-two steps.

And Meng Meng Qingqiu had been standing on the one hundred and ninety-third step for over ten breaths.

Xu Jin continued to climb lightly.

One hundred and sixty steps, one hundred and seventy steps, one hundred and eighty steps.

When Xu Jin stepped onto the one hundred and eighty-first step, surpassing Yu Guan Li, Zeng Yao, and Fang Fang Mingchun, the three of them revealed expressions as if they had seen a ghost.

Are you kidding? How could a disciple from a county Dao Academy step onto the one hundred and eighty-first step?

Such an example wasn't even seen once in ten years.

They had not only taken the Spirit-Stabilizing Golden Pill but had also received special training several times!

On the Martial Observation Platform, Right Libationer Song Bing pointed at Xu Jin, who had just climbed to the one hundred and eighty-first step, and laughed, "It seems your Jin Shan Dao Academy has put a lot of effort into cultivating this kid! Little Dong, how many times have you given this kid special training and let him try climbing the Heaven-Ascending Stone Steps?"

"Libationer Song, as for special training, my Jin Shan Dao Academy doesn't have the capital for that. However, the Spirit-Stabilizing Golden Pill allocated to my Jin Shan Dao Academy this year was indeed won by this kid."

"Oh, really?" Song Bing clearly didn't believe it.

Dong Zhao smiled and didn't argue further.

Dong Zhao had the qualifications and status to give disciples special training on the Heaven-Ascending Stone Steps, but there was no need.

One time wasn't very useful, and he couldn't get first place; as for five, six, seven, or eight times, he didn't have the financial resources.

One time cost at least ten thousand Dao Merits.

Other high-ranking officials of the Great Chen National Dao Academy were lost in thought.

If this Xu Jin had climbed to the one hundred and eighty-first step relying only on one Spirit-Stabilizing Golden Pill, then his spiritual talent was definitely among the top three of this year's Autumn Exam.

"Look, Xu Jin has also slowed down. It seems the top three will be produced among Yan Chen, Meng Meng Qingqiu, and Yuan Yuan Feiqing," a Deputy Academician pointed at the disciples on the Heaven-Ascending Steps and laughed.

"Indeed, it seems this fourth stage will end in at most half a quarter of an hour."

On the Heaven-Ascending Steps, Meng Meng Qingqiu prepared with extreme difficulty for half a quarter of an hour and finally stepped onto the one hundred and ninety-fourth step.

Upon stepping onto the one hundred and ninety-fourth step, Meng Meng Qingqiu immediately sat cross-legged, barely able to stand.

Yan Chen and Yuan Yuan Feiqing had also stepped onto the one hundred and ninety-third step a few minutes earlier.

Yuan Yuan Feiqing was clearly at his limit.

Like Meng Meng Qingqiu, after stepping up, he couldn't stand straight and could only sit down.

And Yan Chen was still trying.

The next instant, Xu Jin took a step with extreme difficulty and stepped onto the one hundred and eighty-second step.

Xu Jin was somewhat anxious; he didn't know how his acting was.

Could he fool the big shots on the Martial Observation Platform?

Anyway, this time, Xu Jin spent a full dozen breaths before taking a step.

Five minutes later, Yan Chen, almost crawling, stepped onto the one hundred and ninety-fourth step, and then sat cross-legged on the one hundred and ninety-fourth step side-by-side with Meng Meng Qingqiu.

"Senior Sister, I've reached my limit. You climb one more step; I can't compete for this first place," Yan Chen said.

Hearing this, Meng Meng Qingqiu also shook her head, "I've reached my limit too; I can't climb anymore."

"Then just sit and persist. I estimate that Senior Sister will definitely persist longer than me; this first place must be Senior Sister's," Yan Chen said, closing his eyes. Now, he needed to concentrate and guard his mind.

He said first place was Meng Meng Qingqiu's, but he still wanted to compete.

The Spirit-Refining Golden Pill was something even his family background couldn't obtain.

"That's not necessarily true," Meng Meng Qingqiu said, then closed her eyes to concentrate and guard her mind.

At this moment, Xu Jin had just stepped onto the one hundred and eighty-fifth step.

Just this alone made many people's eyes widen like copper bells.

Because Xu Jin was already ranked fifth.

Ahead of Xu Jin were only four people.

They were Meng Meng Qingqiu, Yan Chen, Yuan Yuan Feiqing, and Ji Especially Ji Hongli!

On the Martial Observation Platform, the academicians and deputy academicians revealed expressions of astonishment. Deputy Academician Liuzhou Qingzhu felt she had lost face again; the top five hadn't been held at all.

She wanted to bury her head in her chest, but since first place hadn't been decided yet, she had to keep watching.

She still stood with her hands on her slender waist.

Twenty breaths later, Xu Jin seemingly climbed to the one hundred and eighty-seventh step with difficulty.

Ji Especially Ji Hongli, located on the one hundred and eighty-eighth step, gave Xu Jin a sweet smile, revealing two small dimples that looked like they had been pricked out. "Brother Xu Jin, put in some effort, step on them all, I'm rooting for you."

Ji Especially Ji Hongli's smile was very sweet, so sweet that Xu Jin couldn't help but smile back.

Then, he pretended to climb onto the one hundred and eighty-eighth step with difficulty.

Sixty breaths later, Xu Jin stepped onto the one hundred and ninety-second step. Yuan Yuan Feiqing, sitting cross-legged on the one hundred and ninety-third step, revealed a smile uglier than crying and cupped his hands at Xu Jin, "Brother Xu, keep trying!"

"Thank you!"

When Xu Jin stepped onto the one hundred and ninety-third step, Yuan Yuan Feiqing's desire for Xu Jin to step onto the one hundred and ninety-fourth step was incredibly strong!

Since you've already surpassed me, then surpass everyone!

This was Yuan Yuan Feiqing's inner voice.

Xu Jin panted heavily. Meng Meng Qingqiu and Yan Chen, both sitting cross-legged on the one hundred and ninety-fourth step, opened their eyes at the same time—one calm, one shocked!

"Brother Xu, keep trying, strive to go one step further." Meng Meng Qingqiu looked at Xu Jin, her calm eyes filled with anticipation.

Yan Chen stared at Xu Jin, his face full of astonishment.

This... this is impossible!

A disciple from a county Dao Academy?

The next instant, Yan Chen's eyes widened again as he watched Xu Jin lift his leg with effort, bend his waist, and then, trembling, step onto the one hundred and ninety-fourth step extremely slowly!

He stood firm!

"Damn it!"

Watching Xu Jin, who could still stand, Yan Chen couldn't help but curse, but because of this curse, his mind was agitated and instantly lost its guard.

The next moment, terrifying pressure like a surging sea and a mountain torrent rushed toward Yan Chen's Upper Star Palace.

In terror, Yan Chen directly activated his Star-Plucking Token and silently recited 'leave'.

In an instant, Yan Chen crumbled into specks of starlight.

Yan Chen's ranking stopped at the one hundred and ninety-fourth step!

At that very moment, Xu Jin took another step with extreme difficulty, bending his waist and hunching it as much as possible, to step onto the one hundred and ninety-fifth step.

On the Martial Arts Secret Realm leaderboard, Xu Jin's name instantly jumped to first place.

【First place, Xu Jin, one hundred and ninety-fifth step】

In an instant, the entire Autumn Exam Secret Realm was in an uproar.

No one expected that Xu Jin, from a county Dao Academy, would actually suppress Meng Meng Qingqiu and Yan Chen to take first place in this stage.

Not only the disciples, but the high-ranking officials of the Great Chen National Dao Academy on the Martial Observation Platform, the academicians and deputy academicians, and the deans and heads of each state's Dao Academy were all shocked.

Even Academy Head Dong Zhao was shocked.

He really didn't expect it!

As for Deputy Academician Liuzhou Qingzhu, she had already sat down and buried her head in her chest again.

"Damn it, I shouldn't have come today!"

(End of chapter)