Chapter 158: Selection Quotas (Request Subscription)

After meeting Xu Jin in the Autumn Examination Mystery Realm of the Chen Guo Dao Academy, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao returned, his expression slightly gloomy.

Left Sacrificial Wine Master Meng Yanhui had already sensed something amiss and asked softly, "Grand Master, what has happened?"

"No matter. Someone has started sticking out their dog's claws—once done, we'll chop them off." Cheng Yuexiao spoke with casual ease, but Meng Yanhui was slightly startled, yet wisely said no more.

Half a quarter-hour later, Du Tingyun, Grand Master of Chen Guo from the Tianyang Star Hall, arrived with several others; within moments, Zhang Zhen, Grand Master of Chen Guo from the Cangming Star Hall, also arrived with a group.

The Left and Right Sacrificial Wine Masters rose to greet them, but Cheng Yuexiao remained unmoved.

"Everyone is here—let's begin."

Cheng Yuexiao gazed at the jade tablet hanging high within the Autumn Examination Mystery Realm and suddenly asked,

"Grand Master Cheng, your Chen Guo has definitely chosen the Yi-character size plan for this year, correct?" Grand Master Du Tingyun confirmed again.

"Does Grand Master Du disagree?"

"No, I'm merely confirming."

Cheng Yuexiao smiled, extended a hand, and the jade tablet floating in the air flew to his front, then was placed before the two Grand Masters: "Please verify whether the seals are intact."

"Intact."

"Intact."

"Good."

After verification, the Grand Master waved his hand, and instantly, the list inside the jade tablet projected forth.

Seven names in total.

At the sight of the names, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao frowned slightly, but Left Sacrificial Wine Master Meng Yanhui said, "Huh? This isn't right—according to the official document from the Tianyang Star Hall's Yanzhou branch, Yanzhou is not on this year's selection list; this was confirmed at the last meeting."

Grand Master Du Tingyun glanced at the list and said calmly, "Yanzhou is indeed not within the Tianyang Star Hall's selection scope."

"This year, Yanzhou's selection quota is used by our Cangming Star Hall," said Grand Master Zhang Zhen.

Meng Yanhui frowned again. "That's wrong!"

"Grand Master Du, Grand Master Zhang, by precedent, this year's Yanzhou selection quota should belong to the Tianyang Star Hall, not the Cangming Star Hall.

Exchanging quotas like this violates protocol."

"You Chen Guo can arbitrarily change your plan—do you deny us the right to swap our selection locations? Isn't it you who changed the plan first this year?" Du Tingyun sneered.

"Exactly. You changed your plan this year; we merely swap selection locations—that's fair, isn't it?" Zhang Zhen also smiled.

Left Sacrificial Wine Master Meng Yanhui turned to look at Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao, seeking guidance.

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao smiled and said, "Fairness is indeed necessary. Do as the two Grand Masters suggest."

Meng Yanhui nodded and added, "Grand Masters, since the list is uncontested, we now lock in cultivation bases."

With a wave of his hand, the selected disciples' list shifted again—Xu Jin's name appeared clearly.

【Wanyi: Ji Hongli, Star Refining Fourth Reckoning】

【Songzhou: Ying Ge, Star Refining Fourth Reckoning】

【Leizhou: Bu Xuxue, Star Refining Third Reckoning】

【Yanzhou: Xu Jin, Star Refining Third Reckoning】

【Jingzhou: Niu Ju, Star Refining Third Reckoning】

【Xihaizhou: Yin Mingzhang, Star Refining Third Reckoning】

【Danzhou: Wang Jiugao, Star Refining Third Reckoning】

One disciple per province, plus Wanyi—seven selected in total.

Originally, Yanzhou had been exempted from selection by Dong Zhao's prior manipulation, but under the two Grand Masters' forced arguments—and given that Chen Guo had indeed changed its plan—Yanzhou was selected again.

But it was selected by the Cangming Star Hall.

Yet regardless of which Star Hall selected them, it was no good for these disciples.

Their Dao path might be severed.

They might even die!

"Only two Star Refining Fourth Reckoning? Your Chen Guo Dao Academy wouldn't be hiding these disciples' cultivation bases, would you?" Du Tingyun chuckled.

"Whether there's concealment, we'll know tomorrow. But breakthroughs after today are still possible.

Still, by protocol, when you two Star Halls send disciples to fight tomorrow, their cultivation bases may exceed these listed disciples by no more than one level.

This is an absolute rule!" said Meng Yanhui.

"Naturally. But if they break through after entering the Star Realm, that doesn't violate the rules," said Zhang Zhen.

"Also, the rules regarding items allowed in combat haven't changed, correct?" Meng Yanhui remained extremely cautious.

"No changes."

"Let me confirm once more with both Grand Masters: each disciple may carry at most two third-rank Star Weapons inside, plus one third-rank speed talisman granted to each, and no more than three additional third-rank talismans. Elixirs are unrestricted—correct?" said Meng Yanhui.

"Correct."

"Correct."

Seeing both Grand Masters agree, Meng Yanhui added, "Only one issue remains: which third-rank Star Realm will they fight in? By past custom, the target third-rank Star Realm is designated by Chen Guo."

"No, no, no—that applied only under the Jia plan. When your Chen Guo designated the third-rank Star Realm, it was under the Jia plan. Since you've switched to the Yi plan this year, the third-rank Star Realm can no longer be chosen by you—it must be chosen by our two Star Halls," countered Du Tingyun.

"Absolutely impossible."

Right Sacrificial Wine Master Song Bing spoke, his tone resolute.

"Absolutely impossible," said Meng Yanhui as well.

Du Tingyun and Zhang Zhen exchanged glances, then Zhang Zhen said, "How about a compromise? Each side proposes one Star Realm, then we draw lots. Fair enough?"

"That's a good method—luck decides, each side has a one-in-three chance. Fair," Du Tingyun immediately agreed.

Meng Yanhui found it acceptable and was about to agree when Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao spoke: "Let each side propose three target Star Realms, then draw lots—that's even fairer."

After a few seconds of stunned silence, Du Tingyun suddenly laughed. "Grand Master's decision—fair, very fair—agreed!"

"Indeed fair. Accepted."

"Then we meet again tomorrow evening."

"Farewell!"

With that, the Tianyang and Cangming Star Hall members vanished simultaneously, leaving only Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao and the two Sacrificial Wine Masters in the Autumn Examination Mystery Realm.

"Grand Master, this year's selection quotas, aside from Xu Jin and Ji Hongli, are all the Autumn Examination champions from each province—they've already been preparing."

"Based on the results of the last Yi-character size plan, we should retain at least half our disciples—three at minimum, no problem," said Song Bing quietly.

Xu Jin was never originally on the list, and the selected candidate from Wanyi was expected to be Meng Qingqiu or Yan Chen.

These two were Wanyi's top two graduates.

But no one expected it would be Ji Hongli.

Still, Ji Hongli's cultivation base hasn't fallen behind. As for Xu Jin, his top ranking in the Killing God Battlefield proves his strength.

The only concern is the elite disciples the two Star Halls will send.

In actual strength, there's still a gap.

Chen Guo's provincial geniuses are limited within Chen Guo alone, but the two Star Halls' disciples are selected from the top of Chen Guo, Da Chu, and Da Hong—let alone their superior Star Arts, Star Talismans, and resources.

From this perspective, anyone involved faces great risk.

"Grand Master, should we temporarily boost their strength?" Meng Yanhui suddenly asked.

"What do you propose?" asked Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao.

"Open the fourth-rank Star Force Mystery Realm to them. With one day and one night left, they can still improve their cultivation bases," said Meng Yanhui.

"Hmm. Open it."

"In addition, issue each a bottle of high-grade Star Refining Elixir and one Divine Calming Golden Core Pill. Even if the medicinal power is wasted, it will still boost their strength by one or two tenths."

"Also, let them choose their own third-rank Star Weapons—anyone who returns alive keeps the weapon."

"Is this the maximum support the Dao Academy can offer them?"

Cheng Yuexiao smiled bitterly, his expression heavy, then sighed, "It's my failure as Grand Master—after all these years, this selection system still hasn't been abolished."

"The Lingji Star Hall has been destroyed! You alone stand against two Star Halls and still have elevated Chen Guo's strength—your efforts have been tireless," said Meng Yanhui.

"Without your fierce resistance, the selection quota would be seven disciples per year from each Star Hall!

And they could pick freely from all disciples across the entire year.

Now, they're limited to selecting only from Autumn Examination candidates—that's already a massive preservation of our strength," added Song Bing.

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao gave a bitter smile. "Inform these disciples clearly—let them write their last letters. Those who return alive will be rewarded; those who die will receive heavy compensation!"

"Grand Master, rest assured—it will be arranged."

Hearing this, Song Bing suggested, "Grand Master, should we gather these disciples early so they can become familiar with each other? If they're lucky enough to pair up, perhaps one or two more might return."

"Agreed. Gather them together for training tomorrow morning."

With that, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao vanished.

Xu Jin, who was meditating in his small courtyard, suddenly received an urgent Star Message from the External Affairs Hall—three sharp pulses, the highest urgency.

An External Affairs Hall urgent Star Message was nearly as immediate as a military order; Xu Jin immediately halted his cultivation and rushed to the External Affairs Hall.

When Xu Jin arrived, Ji Hongli was already there.

"Huh? Xu Senior Brother also received the urgent notice?"

"You got it too? Do you know what it's about?"

Soon after, Xu Jin saw Ying Ge and Bu Xuxue, whom he had met during the Autumn Examination; all four were surprised.

"It's likely the selection."

Seeing the later arrivals, Ying Ge's expression grew grave.

Moments later, in the flower hall where the seven had gathered, Left Sacrificial Wine Master Meng Yanhui appeared with External Affairs Hall Director Chu Xuan and announced the selection list.

As for Xu Jin's doubts, Meng Yanhui offered a detailed explanation.

Xu Jin was selected by the Starfall Star Hall as one of Yanzhou's top candidates.

Meng Yanhui explained at length, fearing Xu Jin might be dissatisfied.

But Xu Jin didn't care—he merely felt Master Dong Zhao's efforts had been in vain.

As for the selection to fight, Xu Jin felt no fear, only a strange sense of excitement.

Of course, all of this ultimately stemmed from Xu Jin's confidence in his own strength.

"The Grand National Master also deeply regrets it: twenty years ago, when the Spirit Star Hall fell, the former Grand Master Pei fought to the death, sacrificing his life to drive back the two Star Hall Masters and sign the Blood Star Pact."

"Over these years, the Grand National Master has strived to change things, but with Chen Guo alone, we cannot stand against two Star Halls or overturn the Blood Star Pact."

"Now, only your bloodshed can decide it," said Meng Yanhui.

"We've already done everything possible to enhance your strength! Tomorrow you enter battle, so the Grand National Master has decided on short notice: each of you will receive a bottle of Superior Star-Essence Elixir and one Calming Golden Core Pill—even if the medicinal power is wasted, it will still boost your strength somewhat."

"We are also opening the Fourth-Rank Star-Essence Secret Realm to you immediately. Your Star-Essence Third Stage cultivation base is now sufficient to enter the Fourth-Rank Star-Essence Secret Realm."

"From this moment on, if you wish, you may enter the Fourth-Rank Star-Essence Secret Realm and train continuously until battle," said Meng Yanhui.

"In addition, each of you may bring two Third-Rank Star Weapons into battle. The Grand National Master has ordered that we provide you all with Third-Rank Supreme Star Weapons."

"Our External Affairs Hall has spent years hoarding over a hundred Third-Rank Supreme Star Weapons—choose freely."

"And if you return alive, these Third-Rank Supreme Star Weapons will become yours to keep—no need to return them," said External Affairs Hall Master Chu Xuan.

This string of benefits lifted the spirits of every disciple.

Though they must fight to the death, the National Dao Academy had not neglected them.

Finally, the matter of wills and compensation silenced the disciples once more.

"Also, discuss among yourselves! Though the Third-Rank Star Realm is vast and your entry points are randomized, if fortune favors you and you can travel together, your chances of survival will multiply."

"Though we cannot pinpoint locations, certain methods still work."

"In short: any method not explicitly forbidden by the rules is permitted!"

"Everything is for one purpose: to bring you all back alive," said Meng Yanhui.

At these words, the disciples began chattering—some suggested moving in one direction, others proposed signaling with flares, still others proposed gathering at the highest point.

Various methods were proposed, then dismissed.

The Third-Rank Star Realm was vast; such simple methods had some use, but more often, survival came down to luck.

Xu Jin listened quietly, but another method arose in his mind.

And it had a very high chance of working.

It could greatly increase the likelihood of forming alliances.

But it was still too early—there might be a risk of leakage.

After thinking it over, Xu Jin suppressed the idea for now—he'd decide tomorrow based on circumstances.

"Come, follow me. First, choose your Star Weapons, then familiarize yourselves with them. Train—and better yet, fight a few more battles in the God-Slaying Battlefield and the Training Secret Realm! But by tomorrow evening, you must restore your condition to peak perfection!"

"This concerns each and every one of your lives!" said Meng Yanhui.

As Meng Yanhui and Chu Xuan led the disciples to select Star Weapons, within the Danxia Academy, Grand National Master Cheng Yuexiao suddenly spoke: "Peng Lao, is the time nearly here?"

"Half a moment remains until the appointed time," said Director Peng. "Master, perhaps I should go to the Star-Revealing Tower?"

"If I go, I can still leave some room for maneuver."

"Room for maneuver? I'll go myself!"

As he spoke, Grand National Master Cheng Yuexiao rose at once, took one step—and stepped out of the National Dao Academy.

(End of Chapter)