Chapter 19: Discontent Must Be Challenged

On the training platform, Ning Yuchan also looked puzzled.

She had merely asked “Do you have any objections?” out of routine, intending it for Luo Geng—but unexpectedly, someone did object.

Others—Headmaster Dong Zhao, Deputy Headmaster Feng Shu, Supervising Inspector Cao Chun, Director Tian Zhang, and the instructors—all turned their gazes toward the crowd below.

This spring’s Star Pointing Examination was proving unusually eventful, one incident after another.

Lu Xianbing!

In an instant, every eye fixed on Lu Xianbing, the one who had stepped forward to voice his objection.

Deputy Headmaster Feng Shu, seeing this, felt a faint surge of delight.

Good.

An objection, though it couldn’t change the outcome, could shift the direction of attention.

With other events diverting focus from Xu Jin and Luo Geng’s earlier clash, his humiliation would seem less glaring.

Thinking this, Feng Shu—who had originally intended to leave after losing face—decided to stay.

“Lu Xianbing, Xu Jin and Luo Geng fought for the Middle Court slot—what is your objection?” Ning Yuchan’s voice carried irritation.

You already secured your slot early—why are you stirring up trouble now?

This year’s Star Pointing Season has already had enough drama.

“Headmistress Ning, I don’t object to Xu Jin winning the slot—I object to the Inner Court slot allocation from before!” Lu Xianbing declared loudly.

Ning Yuchan froze, instinctively glancing at Deputy Headmaster Feng Shu—this matter had been handled by him just moments ago.

Though routine, it was still his duty to announce.

Lu Xianbing knew such an opportunity was rare; he didn’t wait for his seniors to ask again, but spoke directly.

“I was inspired by Brother Xu Jin!”

As he spoke, Lu Xianbing bowed deeply to Xu Jin in sincere thanks.

“Esteemed instructors, Zhou Du achieved Star Pointing on day twenty-one; I achieved it on day twenty-nine. Our talent ratings are both Jia-Xia. Zhou Du broke through to Meal of Mist Fifth Layer three days ago; I broke through four days ago.

My talent rating and cultivation base are identical to his—why did he enter the Inner Court and not me?”

Feng Shu on the platform froze, his face darkening further—this was never going to end.

“Esteemed instructors, if the reason Zhou Du enters the Inner Court and I don’t is because he achieved Star Pointing on day twenty-one and I on day twenty-nine,

then I echo Brother Xu Jin’s words:

If everything is decided by Star Pointing days, then what’s the point of cultivation?

In the future, when patrolling Jinshan County, everyone just holds up a plaque showing their Star Pointing days—and bandits and demons will flee on their own. What’s the point of cultivation?

When defending our homeland and fighting enemies on the battlefield, everyone holds up their Star Pointing day plaques, and the winner is decided by who has more days. What’s the point of cultivation?”

Before Lu Xianbing finished speaking, many youths on the platform burst into laughter.

The scene he described was simply absurd.

On patrol, instead of confronting bandits, you first show your Star Pointing day.

On the battlefield, instead of drawing your blade against enemies, you first hold up your Star Pointing day plaque—this was laughable.

“Enough!”

Deputy Headmaster Feng Shu, his face as dark as a soot-blackened pot, roared like thunder: “Lu Xianbing, what are you trying to do?”

“Respected Deputy Headmaster, I’m not trying to do anything—I only demand fair treatment!

Otherwise, whenever I face an enemy, if I think his Star Pointing day is even one day less than mine, my fighting spirit vanishes and I surrender!” Lu Xianbing declared firmly.

All students fell silent.

The expressions of every instructor on the platform turned grave.

If Xu Jin’s earlier challenge was merely about personal treatment, Lu Xianbing’s words were far more serious.

They bordered on challenging the Dao Academy’s rules.

In essence, Deputy Headmaster Feng Shu had committed no error today—he merely followed routine, showed no favoritism, and was simply unlucky to encounter Xu Jin, this extraordinary troublemaker.

Yet now he was being made a target again—how could he not be furious?

Xu Jin, who had just stepped down from the platform, was stunned.

He hadn’t expected Lu Xianbing to pull this.

He’d already angered Deputy Headmaster Feng Shu badly enough—he’d likely face hidden retribution later.

But now Lu Xianbing had done this, claiming to be inspired by him—it meant Feng Shu was now utterly, irreparably enraged.

Completely and utterly.

After a moment’s thought, Xu Jin decided he had to act.

Reconciliation was impossible.

He could only amplify the conflict.

Amplify it until everyone knew that if Deputy Headmaster Feng ever treated Xu Jin unfairly, it was pure retaliation.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

A single, sharp, resonant round of applause rang out.

It was Xu Jin applauding Lu Xianbing’s words.

Ning Yuchan pressed her palm to her forehead.

What in the world was wrong with this year’s Star Pointing Season? Why were so many absurd things happening?

“Esteemed instructors, I don’t know how you feel, but the criteria you used today to select Inner and Middle Court candidates gave both me and Lu Xianbing this impression:

Even if talent ratings are equal, even if cultivation bases are equal, if someone’s Star Pointing day is earlier, they are forever superior.

After all that hard cultivation, you still judge by Star Pointing days—that makes cultivation meaningless!

Then what’s the point of cultivation?” Xu Jin said.

On the platform, Deputy Headmaster Feng Shu’s chest heaved violently—he’d merely presided over the examination, and now a few brats had taken turns dragging him out for humiliation. If no one were watching, he’d kill them all.

“It truly makes me feel cultivation is meaningless!

Since I achieved Star Pointing, I’ve never missed morning or evening practice, rain or shine. I’ve never skipped a single Star Martial Arts lesson.

I’ve labored through to Meal of Mist Fifth Layer, and in every spare moment, I’ve trained the Five Stars Killing Fist, refining my techniques—all to enter the Dao Academy’s Inner Court and advance further on the path of cultivation.

Yet I never imagined that, under equal talent and cultivation, my entire dedication and hard work would be defeated by Star Pointing days!

I refuse to accept it!

That’s why I have an objection!”

After speaking, Lu Xianbing bowed to the instructors on the stage. "My objection has been stated; I leave the decision to you, esteemed instructors."

All instructors on the platform turned their gazes toward Headmaster Dong Zhao.

Headmaster Dong Zhao still smiled warmly. After listening, he even clapped his hands in surprise!

“This is the spirit a young person ought to have!

Injustice must be voiced!

Discontent must be challenged!

Good. Since Lu Xianbing feels injustice and refuses to accept it, I, Headmaster, will give you an opportunity!

You may compete fairly with Zhou Du for the Inner Court slot!”

“Thank you, Headmaster!” Lu Xianbing bowed.

“You both are already Meal of Mist Fifth Layer. There are two ways to compete: first, each of you performs your Five Stars Killing Fist, and we judge based on your mastery; second, you fight a live combat, and the winner enters.

But for live combat—fists and feet are blind, and Star Arts are powerful. Even with us watching, if any accident occurs, you bear full responsibility for injury or death!” Headmaster Dong Zhao announced the rules, then turned to Lu Xianbing: “Which do you choose?”

“Headmaster, whether live combat or performance, I accept death or injury without regret—I am willing to do either.

Since I am the challenger, I leave the choice of competition method to Zhou Du.

Whatever he chooses, I will accept.” Lu Xianbing said.

“Agreed.”

Headmaster Dong Zhao turned to Zhou Du: “Zhou Du, Lu Xianbing’s talent rating and cultivation base match yours. He seeks to compete with you for the Inner Court slot. Between performance and live combat—which do you choose?

Or do you have another idea?”

Zhou Du was speechless.

What could he possibly say now?

He only wanted to enter the Inner Court without contest.

But if he refused, he’d be branded a coward, a spineless fool.

Moreover, the situation had gone too far—if he refused, the instructors wouldn’t allow it.

Yet when he truly considered the competition method, Zhou Du hesitated.

He had never fought in real combat—not even killed a chicken.

Looking at Lu Xianbing’s ferocious expression now, he was genuinely afraid.

“Respected Headmaster, I choose performance.”

Upon hearing this, Headmaster Dong Zhao’s expression remained unchanged, but Director Tian Zhang’s eyes flickered with regret.

This Zhou Du lacks courage—he will never be selected for the Star Patrol Corps.

What followed was simple.

First, Zhou Du ascended the platform and performed the Five Stars Killing Fist. He unleashed four basic Star Arts: Star Shield, Star Ray, Star Ring, and Star Arrow. His final move, Supreme Victory Over the World, failed to produce a Star Art.

His mastery of the Five Stars Killing Fist was decent—he’d achieved four Star Arts in less than two months, nearing minor completion.

But among those with Jia-tier talent, it was insufficient.

Both Yue Daqi and Ren Xiaoxiang had already achieved minor completion of the Five Stars Killing Fist a month ago, having produced five Star Arts.

Lu Xianbing stepped onto the stage and unleashed a set of Five Stars Killing Fist, seamlessly executing five basic Star Arts: Star Shield, Star Radiance, Star Ring, Star Arrow, and Star Veil.

When the Star Veil encircled Lu Xianbing’s entire body, Zhou Du’s face flushed with shame, utterly humiliated.

That face had been slapped.

Ning Yuchan, however, was not the least surprised.

Among the four with Class-A talent, Zhou Du cultivated in a standard, diligent manner, but to call him hardworking was still a stretch.

Under these circumstances, the outcome of this competition held no ambiguity.

Headmaster Dong Zhao had intended to seek Deputy Headmaster Feng Shu’s opinion, but when he turned, he found that Deputy Headmaster Feng Shu had already left without notice.

The result was simple: Lu Xianbing entered the Inner Court; Zhou Du was demoted to the Middle Court.

“Gentlemen, it is clear that the flaws in our academy’s regulations have reached a point where change is imperative.”

“Otherwise, what’s the point of cultivation?” As the controversy ended, Headmaster Dong Zhao suddenly spoke out publicly.

“Must be changed! If not, what’s the point of cultivation?!” Director Tian Zhang agreed immediately.

“Agreed!”

Supervisor Cao Chun, as always, spoke with utmost brevity.

“Gentlemen, this year’s Star Pointing Assembly is now concluded. All Inner, Middle, and Outer Court disciples must report to their respective courts within three days and select their daily duties; failure to do so will be deemed an automatic waiver!” Ning Yuchan announced.

What duties?

Xu Jin began to calculate in his mind.

(End of Chapter)