Chapter 16

Blood-Butcher Tian Zhang, this was a legendary figure born and raised in Jin Shan Prefecture; before he had performed Star-Dotting, he had single-handedly killed the thugs from the Flying Tiger Gang who had come to collect debts, was imprisoned, and because he was young, was sentenced to twenty years of hard labor, just happening to coincide with the new Emperor of Great Chen ascending the throne and granting amnesty to the world, so he was released.

After he was released, his father had already died, said to have slipped and fallen to his death while working, but coworkers said the death was suspicious, and his mother had also mysteriously disappeared, but nine times out of ten, it also had to do with the Flying Tiger Gang.

Tian Zhang didn't cry or make a scene; he sold off the family's farmland and property as quickly as possible, borrowed from every relative and uncle he had, scraped together fifty taels of silver, and entered the Academy halfway through to participate in the Star-Dotting season.

From then on, there was no stopping him.

After Star-Dotting ended, he entered the Intermediate Academy, forged stars half a year later, reached the peak of the ninth layer of the Refine Star Realm two years later, and subsequently, extermination cases occurred frequently within Jin Shan Prefecture.

Those whose families were exterminated were all high-ranking members of the Flying Tiger Gang; every member of their families, regardless of age, was beheaded, which was incomparably cruel. While the Flying Tiger Gang was in a panic, a masked man broke into the Flying Tiger Gang's hall on a rainy night, slaughtered forty-three members of the Flying Tiger Gang, and successfully retreated before the Prefecture Guards arrived.

The bloody case directly triggered panic in Jin Shan Prefecture; at the request of the Prefecture Governor, the Academy directly dispatched the Star-Patrol Guards, tracked the trail, and surrounded the fleeing Tian Zhang.

Facing his familiar fellow disciples, Tian Zhang didn't resist and allowed himself to be captured.

According to the law, he should have been executed immediately.

But later, the Academy stepped in, investigated the many evil deeds of the Flying Tiger Gang, and found the remains of Tian Zhang's missing mother.

It was said she had been sold to the neighboring Wu Chang Prefecture.

Dong Zhao, who was the Dean at the time, stepped forward, overcame all dissenting opinions, and defined this case of exterminating the Flying Tiger Gang as blood-kin revenge!

Blood-kin revenge, lasting for ten generations.

Tian Zhang was released without guilt, re-entered the Academy's Star-Patrol Guards, and rose all the way to his current position as Commandant of the Star-Patrol Guards.

This should have happened more than ten years ago.

Dong Zhao had now been promoted to Principal, and Tian Zhang was the Commandant of the Star-Patrol Guards; from this story, Xu Jin basically judged that the Principal of the Jin Shan Academy should be the true person in power, and it was even possible that he had the final say.

After all, he had a die-hard supporter like Star-Patrol Guard Commandant Tian Zhang.

With the arrival of the Academy's four major giants, the assessment for this Star-Dotting season officially began.

Calling it an assessment was more like a report.

First was the report from the Star-Dotting season's Chief Ning Jiaotou, Ning Yuchan.

"Reporting to the Principal, this Star-Dotting season, a total of seventy-six disciples successfully performed Star-Dotting. According to the Academy's talent evaluation standards, there is one person with Grade A-Top talent, named Yue Daqi; one person with Grade A-Mid talent, named Ren Xiaoxiang; two people with Grade A-Low talent; three people with Grade B-Top talent; three people with Grade B-Mid talent; six people with Grade B-Low talent; twelve people with Grade C-Top talent; nineteen people with Grade C-Mid talent; and twenty-nine people with Grade C-Low talent. This is the list; please review it, Principal."

Ning Yuchan presented a Star-Dotting book page; Principal Dong Zhao just beckoned, and the book page instantly flew up and appeared in Principal Dong Zhao's hand.

"Hmm, Yuchan, you've worked hard."

Principal Dong Zhao, who had finished reading the book, suddenly looked at the crowd below. "Who is Xu Jin?"

Xu Jin was startled, hurriedly stepped out of the ranks, took a step forward, and cupped his hands. "Disciple Xu Jin, greetings, Principal."

"Drive your Star Power."

"Yes!"

Xu Jin immediately visualized the Star Pattern, and in an instant, the Star Power within his body surged; at this very moment, Xu Jin felt as if he were being pricked by needles on his back, especially with the gaze of Commandant Tian Zhang looking over, which gave him the feeling of being stared at by a fierce tiger.

"Indeed, he has broken through to the first layer of the Meal of Mist Realm."

Principal Dong Zhao spoke again. "Take off your upper garment and let everyone see."

Xu Jin followed the order and took off his upper garment; he saw that under the drive of Star Power, his upper body was shining with starlight, especially at his right shoulder, where starlight was actually shining down to his upper arm; his body-tempering progress was astonishing.

Being naked in front of a large crowd and being stared at by everyone, Xu Jin was still somewhat shy.

Fortunately, after hard training and supplementation over these past few days, his congenital heart disease was gone, and he was no longer a skeleton-chested boy; one could see the shadows of muscles.

After successfully performing Star-Dotting, Xu Jin's body was becoming strong at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"It took eighty-three days to perform Star-Dotting, but after Star-Dotting, you have practiced hard without stopping, persisted day after day, and were diligent in learning and asking questions. Ning Jiaotou Ning applied to raise your talent evaluation from Grade C-Low to Grade C-Mid, but I think it is inappropriate." Principal Dong Zhao's words, the first half made people full of anticipation, while the second half was like a basin of cold water poured directly over their heads.

Ning Yuchan looked astonished; she had already reported this matter to the Principal before, and the Principal had agreed; it was also a normal process, so why was it like this now?

Xu Jin himself didn't care much.

There didn't seem to be much difference between Grade C-Mid and Grade C-Low.

Principal Dong Zhao looked at everyone's reactions with a smile, and suddenly said again, "Although it took eighty-three days to perform Star-Dotting, through diligent practice, he broke through to the first layer of the Meal of Mist Realm in seven days; although there was elixir assistance, it is still very rare. I think Xu Jin's talent evaluation should be raised from Grade C-Low to Grade C-Top. What do you think?"

Principal Dong Zhao asked everyone.

Surprise appeared again in Ning Yuchan's apricot eyes, and the iron crutch she was gripping tightly suddenly loosened.

This reversal really surprised Xu Jin somewhat.

"Many people with Grade C-Top talent evaluations haven't broken through to the first layer of the Meal of Mist Realm; I think it is acceptable!" Commandant Tian Zhang's voice was like metal and stone, landing with a thud; he was the first to stand out and express his position.

"Since the Principal and Military Commandant Tian have both spoken, then naturally it is acceptable." Vice Principal Feng Shu said slowly.

Dean Cao Chun was sparing with his words and only said four words: "Complies with Academy regulations." "Hmm, record it."

As soon as this sentence came out, the expressions of Fang Zhixing, Hong Gang, Luo Geng, and others below the martial arts platform changed.

Generally speaking, the order for entering the Intermediate Academy is to first look at talent evaluation, then look at cultivation.

Originally, there were only three spots to contend for; four people competing for three spots, the difficulty wasn't too great.

Now that this Xu Jin's evaluation had been raised to Grade C-Top, their difficulty in entering the Intermediate Academy had become five people competing for three spots; the probability of failure was close to half, and the difficulty had directly doubled.

After finishing this matter, Principal Dong Zhao put down a Star-Dotting book page, sat back in the main seat, and then turned his head to smile at Feng Shu. "Vice Principal Feng, next, you preside over it."

Feng Shu stood up, cupped his hands in salute to Principal Dong Zhao, and then picked up that page of the Star-Dotting list.

"Next, I will preside over the distribution according to the rules of the Jin Shan Academy, but I must emphasize one point: the Academy is divided into Inner, Intermediate, and Outer Academies, which is also to teach according to aptitude, but no matter which Academy you enter, you will all be disciples of the Jin Shan Academy in Yan Prefecture of our Great Chen in the future. You must be loyal and diligent in your duties; those who are unfaithful and unrighteous will be dealt with by the laws and regulations of the state and Academy." Vice Principal Feng Shu spoke quite slowly, but he carried a kind of invisible pressure, making everyone hear clearly.

"According to the regulations of our Jin Shan Academy, three people are selected for the Inner Academy each season, fifteen for the Intermediate Academy, and the rest all enter the Outer Academy."

As soon as this voice rose, whether it was Xu Jin or Hong Gang, Luo Geng, and others, their expressions were all startled.

They were all calculating the spots for the Intermediate Academy, but they had forgotten the spots for the Inner Academy.

This Star-Dotting season, there were four people with Grade A talent evaluations, but the Inner Academy only selected three.

"After the Academy evaluates according to the regulations, Yue Daqi, Ren Xiaoxiang, and Zhou Du are selected for the Inner Academy."

Hearing this, Yue Daqi, Ren Xiaoxiang, and Zhou Du stepped out to thank them at the same time, leaving only Lu Xianbing, who had performed Star-Dotting in twenty-nine days, with a miserable expression.

There was no help for it; although he had broken through to the fifth layer of the Meal of Mist Realm, the Academy regulations were such.

"Although you three have been selected for the Inner Academy, after entering the Inner Academy, you must not be slack; the Inner Academy has a small examination every month and a large examination every three months; those who do not pass will be demoted to the Intermediate Academy," Vice Principal Feng Shu lectured.

"According to the regulations of our Academy, there are now thirteen people, including Lu Xianbing and Yu Guan, who meet the requirements for selection into the Academy's Intermediate Academy; they are directly selected for the Intermediate Academy." Vice Principal Feng Shu announced the list on the spot, and all the selected people thanked him.

The expressions of Xu Jin, Qiao Ruonan, Fang Zhixing, Luo Geng, Song Ye, and others all became somewhat ugly.

There were two spots left; five people competing for two spots—the competition was even more intense.

"There are two spots left for the Intermediate Academy; according to the rules, they will be based on..."

"Wait!"

Dean Cao Chun suddenly spoke.

Vice Principal Feng Shu was interrupted and looked over with some displeasure.

"Principal, Vice Principal Feng, four months ago, Qiao Lie died in battle while suppressing demons; now, his daughter Qiao Ruonan has successfully performed Star-Dotting in this Star-Dotting season; according to precedent, she should be given preferential treatment," Dean Cao Chun said.

Vice Principal Feng Shu frowned, looked at the Star-Dotting book in his hand, and then nodded. "Qiao Ruonan is indeed on the list!"

Principal Dong Zhao stood up again, searched in the crowd, and found Qiao Ruonan, who was dressed in white with a sorrowful expression; after some comfort and encouragement, Principal Dong Zhao said, "Since she is the orphan of a brave martyr, she must be given preferential treatment."

"Dean Cao, according to the Academy regulations, to what extent can the maximum preferential treatment be given?" Principal Dong Zhao asked.

"Reporting to the Principal, she can be raised in rank and enter the Intermediate Academy directly, with double the cultivation resources every month!" Dean Cao Chun said.

"Acceptable!"

Just like that, the fourteenth spot for entering the Intermediate Academy was also decided.

Although they had no opinion on Qiao Ruonan entering the Intermediate Academy directly—after all, it was the legacy of a brave martyr—Xu Jin, Luo Geng, Hong Gang, and Fang Zhixing were still full of tension.

Only one spot left; four people competing for one spot!

With this interruption, Vice Principal Feng Shu was also somewhat dispirited and directly announced, "There are three people who meet the rules for entering the Academy's Intermediate Academy for the remaining spot—that is, those whose cultivation has reached the first layer of the Meal of Mist Realm—namely Hong Gang, Luo Geng, and Fang Zhixing."

"But among these three, only Luo Geng can unleash the basic Star Art Star Shield, and his talent is better."

"So this last spot for entering the Intermediate Academy should be given to Luo Geng; do you have any opinions?" Feng Shu asked.

As soon as these words were spoken, Luo Geng was wild with joy; after much effort, and even privately asking his elders for continuous guidance, he had finally obtained the spot to enter the Intermediate Academy, while Hong Gang and Fang Zhixing were dejected and couldn't express any opinion; they indeed hadn't practiced the basic Star Shield yet and indeed couldn't compare to Luo Geng.

But Xu Jin's expression changed abruptly, and his expression wasn't right.

Not him?

How could they directly exclude him?

He must have an opinion!

"Vice Principal Feng, I have an opinion!" Xu Jin shouted directly.

(End of chapter)