Chapter 16: Struggle in the Middle Court

Blood Butcher Tian Zhang, a legendary figure native to Jinshan County, slew a gangster from the Flying Tiger Gang who came to collect a debt, wielding only a single blade, before he had even been Star-Initiated; he was imprisoned and sentenced to twenty years of hard labor due to his youth, but was released when the new emperor of Da Chen ascended the throne and proclaimed a general amnesty.

After his release, he learned his father had died—reportedly from a fatal fall while working—but fellow laborers claimed his death was suspicious; his mother also vanished under mysterious circumstances, almost certainly linked to the Flying Tiger Gang.

Tian Zhang shed no tears or protests; he sold off his family’s land and property at the fastest pace possible, borrowed from every relative and uncle, and gathered fifty taels of silver, then joined the Dao Academy during the Star-Initiation season en route.

From then on, his rise was unstoppable.

After the Star-Initiation, he entered the Academy’s Middle Court; six months later, he forged his Star; two years after that, he reached the peak of Nine-Star Refinement; soon after, a string of family annihilations erupted across Jinshan County.

The victims were all high-ranking members of the Flying Tiger Gang—every man, woman, and child, regardless of age, beheaded with a single slash, brutally and mercilessly. As the Flying Tiger Gang trembled in fear, a masked figure infiltrated their main hall during a rainstorm and slaughtered forty-three members before vanishing safely before the County Guards arrived.

These massacres triggered panic throughout Jinshan County; at the County Magistrate’s request, the Dao Academy deployed the Star-Patrol Guards, tracked down the trail, and surrounded the fugitive Tian Zhang.

Facing familiar fellow disciples, Tian Zhang offered no resistance and surrendered willingly.

By law, he was to be executed immediately.

But later, the Dao Academy intervened, uncovered numerous crimes committed by the Flying Tiger Gang, and recovered the bones of Tian Zhang’s missing mother.

She was said to have been sold to the neighboring Wuchang County.

At the time, the Supervising Academy Head Dong Zhao stepped forward, defied all opposition, and classified the massacre of the Flying Tiger Gang as blood revenge.

Blood revenge lasts ten generations without ceasing.

Tian Zhang was acquitted and released, then re-entered the Dao Academy’s Star-Patrol Guards, rising steadily to his current position as Star-Patrol Guard Supervisor.

This should have happened over a decade ago.

Dong Zhao is now the Academy Head; Tian Zhang is the Star-Patrol Guard Supervisor; from this story, Xu Jin deduced that the Academy Head of Jinshan Dao Academy must be the true powerholder, possibly even an autocrat.

After all, he has a loyal ironclad ally in Star-Patrol Guard Supervisor Tian Zhang.

With the arrival of the Dao Academy’s four top figures, this year’s Star-Initiation evaluation officially began.

It was called an evaluation, but felt more like a report.

First, Ning Yuchan, the chief instructor of the Star-Initiation season, delivered her report.

“Your Excellency, this year’s Star-Initiation season produced seventy-six disciples who successfully initiated their stars. According to the Academy’s talent assessment standards: one with Jia-Shang talent—named Yue Daqi; one with Jia-Zhong talent—named Ren Xiaoxiang; two with Jia-Xia talent; three with Yi-Shang talent; three with Yi-Zhong talent; six with Yi-Xia talent; twelve with Bing-Shang talent; nineteen with Bing-Zhong talent; twenty-nine with Bing-Xia talent. Here is the list, please review, Your Excellency.”

Ning Yuchan presented a Star-Initiation scroll; Academy Head Dong Zhao merely waved his hand, and the scroll instantly flew into his grasp.

“Hmm, Yuchan, you’ve worked hard.”

After reading the scroll, Academy Head Dong Zhao suddenly looked down at the crowd. “Who is Xu Jin?”

Xu Jin froze, then stepped forward, bowing. “Disciple Xu Jin, greetings to the Academy Head.”

“Activate your star force.”

“Yes!”

Xu Jin immediately visualized the star pattern; instantly, star force surged through his body. At that moment, he felt a prickling sensation on his back—especially from Supervisor Tian Zhang’s gaze, which felt like being locked onto by a tiger.

“Indeed, he has broken through to Meal-Mist First Stage.”

Academy Head Dong Zhao spoke again. “Remove your upper garment. Let everyone see.”

Xu Jin obeyed, stripping off his top; as star force surged, his upper body shimmered with starlight—especially on his right shoulder, where the glow extended all the way to his upper arm, an astonishing progress in body refinement.

Exposing his body before so many eyes, all staring, made Xu Jin somewhat embarrassed.

Fortunately, after days of grueling training and supplementation, his congenital heart condition had improved—he was no longer a bony chest, and muscle contours were now visible.

Since his Star-Initiation, Xu Jin’s body had been growing stronger at a visibly rapid pace.

“You took eighty-three days to initiate your star, yet after that, you trained relentlessly, daily and diligently, studying hard and asking questions. Chief Instructor Ning requested upgrading your talent rating from Bing-Xia to Bing-Zhong. I find this inappropriate,” Academy Head Dong Zhao said; the first half of his words raised anticipation, the second half doused it with ice water.

Ning Yuchan stared in shock—she had already reported this to the Academy Head, who had approved it as standard procedure; why the sudden reversal?

Xu Jin himself was unfazed.

The difference between Bing-Zhong and Bing-Xia seemed negligible.

Academy Head Dong Zhao smiled, observing the crowd’s reactions, then added, “Though it took eighty-three days to initiate your star, your diligent training enabled you to break through to Meal-Mist First Stage in just seven days. Even with elixir assistance, this is remarkable. I propose upgrading Xu Jin’s talent rating from Bing-Xia to Bing-Shang. What do you all think?”

Academy Head Dong Zhao turned to the assembly.

Ning Yuchan’s almond eyes widened again; her tightly gripped iron cane loosened.

This reversal truly surprised Xu Jin.

“Many rated Bing-Shang have not even reached Meal-Mist First Stage. I agree,” Supervisor Tian Zhang declared, his voice like metal striking stone, resounding clearly as the first to speak.

“If the Academy Head and Supervisor Tian have spoken, then naturally it is acceptable,” Vice Academy Head Feng Shu said slowly.

Supervising Academy Head Cao Chun spoke sparingly, uttering only four words: “In accordance with academy rules.” “Hmm, record it.”

Upon hearing this, the faces of Fang Zixing, Hong Gang, Luo Geng, and others darkened.

Generally, admission to the Middle Court prioritizes talent rating, then cultivation base.

Originally, only three slots were available for competition—four candidates for three spots, not too difficult.

Now, with Xu Jin’s rating upgraded to Bing-Shang, the competition became five candidates for three spots—the failure rate nearly doubled, difficulty skyrocketed.

After this, Academy Head Dong Zhao placed the Star-Initiation scroll down, returned to his seat, and turned to Feng Shu with a smile. “Vice Academy Head Feng, you may proceed.”

Feng Shu rose, bowed to Academy Head Dong Zhao, then picked up the Star-Initiation scroll.

“Next, I will allocate placements according to Jinshan Dao Academy rules, but I must emphasize: the Academy is divided into Inner, Middle, and Outer Courts to tailor instruction. Yet regardless of which court you enter, you are all disciples of Da Chen, Yanzhou, Jinshan Dao Academy—you must remain loyal and diligent. Those who are disloyal or unrighteous will be punished by the state’s judicial code,” Vice Academy Head Feng Shu spoke slowly, yet his words carried an invisible pressure, ensuring every listener heard clearly.

“Per Jinshan Dao Academy rules, each season selects three disciples for the Inner Court, fifteen for the Middle Court; all others enter the Outer Court.”

At these words, Xu Jin, Hong Gang, Luo Geng, and others all reacted with shock.

They had been calculating Middle Court slots, forgetting the Inner Court entirely.

This season, there were four Jia-rated disciples—but only three Inner Court slots.

“Following academy rules, Yue Daqi, Ren Xiaoxiang, and Zhou Du are selected for the Inner Court.”

Upon hearing this, Yue Daqi, Ren Xiaoxiang, and Zhou Du stepped forward to thank the assembly; only Lu Xianbing, who had initiated his star in twenty-nine days, turned pale.

There was no recourse—he had reached Meal-Mist Fifth Stage, but the rules were absolute.

“Though you three have been selected for the Inner Court, do not grow complacent. The Inner Court holds minor examinations monthly and major ones every three months; those who fail will be demoted to the Middle Court,” Vice Academy Head Feng Shu warned.

“Per our academy rules, thirteen disciples—Lu Xianbing, Yu Guan, and eleven others—meet the criteria for admission to the Middle Court and are directly admitted.” Vice Academy Head Feng Shu announced the list on the spot; the selected disciples bowed in gratitude.

Xu Jin, Qiao Ruonan, Fang Zixing, Luo Geng, Song Ye, and others all looked grim.

Only two slots remained—five candidates for two spots; competition intensified further.

“The Middle Court has two remaining slots. According to procedure, they will be awarded to—”

“Wait!”

Supervising Academy Head Cao Chun suddenly spoke.

Vice Academy Head Feng Shu, interrupted, frowned and turned toward him.

“Your Excellency, Vice Academy Head Feng, four months ago, Qiao Lie died in battle while suppressing demonic forces. His daughter, Qiao Ruonan, has now successfully initiated her star this season. By precedent, she deserves special consideration,” Supervising Academy Head Cao Chun said.

Vice Academy Head Feng Shu frowned, checked the Star-Initiation scroll, then nodded. “Qiao Ruonan is indeed listed.”

Academy Head Dong Zhao rose again, scanned the crowd, found Qiao Ruonan in her white robes, face sorrowful, offered words of comfort and encouragement, then said, “As the orphan of a heroic martyr, she must be granted special treatment.

Cao Supervisor, according to academy rules, what is the maximum privilege we may grant?” Academy Head Dong Zhao asked.

“Your Excellency, she may be directly promoted to the Middle Court with double monthly cultivation resources,” Supervising Academy Head Cao Chun replied.

“Agreed.”

Thus, the fourteenth Middle Court slot was secured.

Though no one objected to Qiao Ruonan’s direct admission—she was the child of a martyr—Xu Jin, Luo Geng, Hong Gang, and Fang Zixing still looked tense.

Only one slot remained—four candidates for one spot.

This interruption had dampened Vice Academy Head Feng Shu’s enthusiasm; he declared directly: “The final slot goes to three disciples who meet the criteria—those who have reached Meal-Mist First Stage: Hong Gang, Luo Geng, and Fang Zixing.

Of these three, only Luo Geng can manifest the basic star shield technique—his talent is superior.

Therefore, the final Middle Court slot goes to Luo Geng. Do you have any objections?” Feng Shu asked.

Upon hearing this, Luo Geng erupted in joy—after years of effort, even securing private guidance from elders—he had finally earned the Middle Court slot. Hong Gang and Fang Zixing fell silent, unable to object—they had not yet mastered the basic star shield, and indeed could not match Luo Geng.

But Xu Jin’s face darkened abruptly; his expression shifted.

Not me?

Why was I simply excluded?

This must be contested!

“Vice Academy Head Feng, I object!” Xu Jin shouted loudly.

(End of Chapter)