Star Martial Soaring Cloud

One hundred and one?

Wang Xiao's failure to pass the exam was beyond Xiao He and the others' comprehension.

This was an outcome they had never anticipated.

They talked all the way, and even in the worst-case scenario, Wang Xiao was still in the top ten.

"Am I seeing things?" Ling Cheng even doubted his own eyes, rubbing them repeatedly to see again. "What's going on?"

Yuan Kong's large eyes widened like saucers as he peered at the list, then stepped back a few paces to look again, muttering to himself, "Amitabha, could the academy have made a mistake in publishing this?"

"Was there a mistake in the announcement?" Yun Qingyao frowned slightly. "When has the Jixia Academy's ranking ever been wrong?"

……

The wind whistled through the eaves of Shenming Pavilion and across the long bluestone street, but it couldn't dispel the shock and absurdity in everyone's hearts.

They preferred to believe that the college had made a mistake; no one wanted to believe the outcome before them.

Although the seven of them did not participate in this Jixia Grand Examination, and the academy has not yet officially started classes, as survivors who returned from the Demon Island, they already received special treatment at Jixia.

What's even stranger is the ranking rules of the list.

Three students tied for first place in this assessment, and the college has made the list public.

If there are ties at the end, why not mark the 100 tied places instead of adding three separate places?

If the list is supposed to show the scores of all the students who were assessed, why does it stop at 103rd place and then stop there?

At the same time, Wang Xiao was also thinking about the same question.

Why were only 103 cases released?

Wang Xiao stood on the wooden boat, a golden list still floating in the sky in front of him, his mind replaying the Dean's words: "You must advance as the last place."

Isn't the last one the hundredth?

Or does the Dean mean 103 when he said "last place"?

But 103 isn't me either.

"Could it be that the Dean messed things up himself?" Wang Xiao muttered to himself, then shook his head.

How could a peerless expert who could spread his divine sense across the entire world and contain tens of thousands of Dragon Gate Divine Realm cultivators make a mistake in such a matter?

"Or is it that the person affecting the fairness of the academy's assessment is the dean himself?" A bold thought popped into Wang Xiao's mind. "Is this a case of the thief crying 'stop thief'?"

A sense of absurdity washed over him. He immediately focused his mind, channeled his divine sense, and tentatively called out, "Dean, are you there?"

The world was quiet.

There was no fluctuation of spiritual energy or any echo of divine consciousness in the surroundings.

Something occurred to Wang Xiao, and he mustered his courage slightly, continuing to speak directly through his divine sense, his tone tinged with mockery and provocation: "What kind of Dean is this? He can't even control his own divine sense; he's just a fraud!"

After speaking, he looked around warily, his spiritual energy flowing around him as he assumed a defensive stance.

There was still no fluctuation.

The sea was as calm as a mirror, and the sun shone as brightly as ever.

"Pah! What a load of rubbish, what kind of dean is he!" Wang Xiao grew bolder, even putting his hands on his hips. "Looking like that, he still has the nerve to show his face in public!"

There was no movement.

Her clothes were wrinkled like pickled vegetables, and her hair was a mess like a bird's nest!

Still no movement.

Wang Xiao struggled for a long time, shouting dozens of disrespectful words, but the entire world remained completely still.

Without any overwhelming pressure or divine sense, the mysterious Dean completely vanished from this world.

He touched his nose, puzzled: "Has the Dean evolved? My mental attacks are ineffective against him?"

Just as Wang Xiao was pondering the matter repeatedly and filled with doubts, a deep, resonant, and righteous voice suddenly resounded throughout the heavens and earth.

It was the voice of the chief examiner, Vice Dean Gong Zheng.

"With integrity and fragrance, one should have a long boat in one's heart, never forgetting to persevere through wind and rain." The opening line is gentle yet powerful, touching the heart.

"These words are for all the students who were not selected today. I hope you will take them as a reminder."

Gong Zheng's voice was calm and unhurried, carrying the unique composure and grand vision of Jixia Academy, slowly spreading to every corner: "The Divine Sense Boat assessment is over, and the top one hundred are already clear. In fact, many students still had the strength to spare, but even if you used all your strength, you could not surpass one hundredth place, so most of you gave up."

"The path of cultivation is long and arduous. The future is already determined the moment you choose to give up."

"Many times, success or failure does not depend on the level of talent or the strength of combat power, but on a single thought."

After a slight pause, the world fell silent, and everyone held their breath, their minds resonating.

"But today, three students, knowing that the outcome was already decided and that they were powerless to reverse the rankings, and knowing that they had failed the exam, did not stop. They continued to drive their divine consciousness boat forward, uphold their original intentions, and fight to the end."

"Therefore, the academy has made an exceptional decision, awarding these three individuals the qualification for a new round of selection!"

Wang Xiao's heart skipped a beat: So that's what those three extra spots were all about?

Gong Zheng's voice grew increasingly solemn, carrying a comforting power, each word resonating deep within everyone's hearts.

"You have failed to be selected today, but please do not forget what happened today. You are also the pride of Kyushu, and no one can define you. I cannot, Jixia Academy cannot, and Kyushu cannot. As long as you keep moving forward and stay true to your original aspirations, you will eventually define your own path and glory. As time goes by, only those who persevere can sculpt time and forge the extraordinary."

His words, like a gentle spring breeze and nourishing rain, instantly soothed the resentment, disappointment, and frustration in the hearts of all the students who had failed the exam.

The cultivator who had been filled with disappointment after failing the exam now had a renewed light in his eyes and felt an endless surge of power within him.

They understand that an assessment is merely a fleeting trial in life, and winning or losing is normal. What is truly valuable is the spirit of never giving up in desperate situations and never yielding in adversity.

Those who do not give up today will receive extra opportunities.

Those who persevere in the future will ascend to the pinnacle of the great path.

"Is this the Jixia Academy? Its vision and breadth of mind far surpass what ordinary people can imagine!"

Even if I fail the exam, receiving this lesson will make the trip worthwhile!

"It turns out that the last three places are a special honor reserved for those who persevere!"

murmurs rose and fell as everyone suddenly realized the truth and were deeply moved by the educational spirit of Jixia Academy.

Many people looked at Ye Xin, who ranked 102nd, with admiration and praise in their eyes.

"This young master Ye is truly remarkable! Born into a top-tier family, possessing exceptional talent, yet he shows no arrogance whatsoever, and perseveres to the very end even in dire circumstances. This character is truly admirable!"

"I wonder who the other two students who were granted special admission are? Those who persevere even in dire circumstances must be extraordinary individuals!"

"I deeply regret my actions! If I had persisted just a little longer, would I have had this glimmer of hope?"

……

Annoyance, praise, doubt, and emotion mingled together.

"There are such things?" Wang Xiao stood there, filled with confusion and bewilderment. After all, he hadn't experienced any of what the examiner was talking about. "So, I guess I'm quite persistent! The dean has treated me well!"

He said that, but he felt increasingly uneasy.

Gong Zheng's words sound like encouragement to those who were not selected, but upon closer examination, they seem to be paving the way for the "three steadfast individuals" to advance to the next round.

The problem is, he was striving forward because of the Dean's interference.

What about the other two? And why?

Is this what the Dean meant by someone challenging the Jixia Academy's assessment?

Before Wang Xiao could think further, the world before him began to dissipate. It was as if someone was slowly lifting a thin veil in front of him; the golden sand, the azure sea, and the small wooden boat all turned into specks of light and vanished into the air.

By the time Wang Xiao came to his senses, he was already standing in the first examination room.

Besides the chief examiner, Gong Zheng, there were twelve other people in the room.

"Huh? Shouldn't it be the three of us defenders dueling? Who are these ten extra people?"

Wang Xiao's gaze swept quickly across the crowd, and he immediately spotted Ye Xin. Ye Xin had a calm expression, an upright posture, and a gentle and refined demeanor. He was indeed a distinguished young master from a prominent family, with outstanding character.

To his surprise, Zhou Qian was also among them.

"Isn't Zhou Qian ranked ninety-third? Does he also have to participate in subsequent assessments?"

Wang Xiao smiled and raised her hand, giving Zhou Qian a slight greeting.

Zhou Qian was completely stunned, in a daze, his eyes wide open, staring intently at Wang Xiao, utterly incredulous.

He never imagined that Wang Xiao's ranking in this assessment would fall behind his own.

For a moment, his emotions surged, and he stood there stunned, unable to respond to the greeting or ask for details.

Just as everyone was still unsettled and lost in their own thoughts, Gong Zheng's calm voice rang out again, silencing the murmurs throughout the room:

"Just now, I told all the students who failed the exam to 'persevere.' And now, I want to give you thirteen students two words as well—'unexpected.'"

As soon as the words were spoken, everyone listened intently, realizing that the true rules were finally being revealed.

Gong Zheng stood with his hands behind his back, dressed in a dark blue academic suit, his face calm and revealing no emotion.

His gaze swept over the thirteen people present. His voice was not loud, but it reached the ears of each of them clearly.

"Jixia Academy admits one hundred students each time. However, due to the changes on Demon Island, seven students have already been selected. Therefore, this assessment should have only admitted ninety-three students."

"However, after several discussions, the college decided to admit 100 students. As a result, the ten students with the lowest rankings will have to go through an additional round of assessments to compete for the final admission spot."

"But a series of coincidences and coincidences have led to today's change, with ten people becoming thirteen, and you will compete together for the final place in the college entrance examination."

Gong Zheng's gaze swept over the thirteen students, his expression fair and solemn, unbiased: "Next, you thirteen will choose yourselves to form two groups and engage in group-based practical combat. The final winners will all advance to the next level of the academy!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a murmur of commotion arose in the room.

With thirteen people divided into two groups, the number of participants is definitely unfair.

Puzzle flashed across everyone's eyes as they wondered why the academy had set such an unbalanced rule.

Gong Zheng had already seen through everyone's thoughts and calmly explained, "Seven against six seems unbalanced and unfair. But that's an accident, that's life. On the path of cultivation, there is never absolute fairness; variables and opportunities are inherently part of cultivation."

Everyone fell silent.

The Jixia Academy's assessments have always been fair, but in a sense, most people here should have been eliminated.

For them now, this is an extraordinary blessing.

This unexpected turn of events is their greatest form of fairness.

"In actual combat, numbers aren't necessarily an advantage; you should know this better than I do." Gong Zheng paused, then his tone shifted slightly. "To reward the brave and encourage integrity, if this group of six wins, everyone will be exempt from their first monthly exam after enrollment!"

No monthly exams!

These three simple words instantly shook everyone present.

Jixia Academy has strict rules and regulations. There is a small exam every month and a big exam every quarter. The bottom performers are eliminated and there are also competitions. It is extremely cruel, and the slightest mistake can lead to expulsion.

Being exempt from a monthly exam is undoubtedly like avoiding a life-or-death crisis, which is indeed tempting.

The crowd's eyes suddenly lit up, and their minds began to race.

Just as everyone was hesitating, observing, and weighing the pros and cons, a gentle and clear voice rang out first.

"I choose the group of six." The speaker was Ye Xin.

Wang Xiao's heart stirred slightly: Ye Xin was actively embracing injustice. As a disciple of a prestigious family, he was neither arrogant nor impatient. At this critical juncture, he even took the initiative to choose the group with fewer people and dared to challenge against the odds. Such a temperament and demeanor were not like that of a spoiled brat!

For a moment, everyone in the room looked at him with new respect.

"Young Master Ye is truly virtuous! I am willing to follow you!"

"It is my honor to fight alongside Young Master Ye! I am joining you!"

"It's our good fortune to have met Young Master Ye!"

As soon as he finished speaking, five figures stepped out one after another, actively approaching Ye Xin's side and forming a group of six.

The five people are two male cultivators ranked 91st and 92nd, two female cultivators ranked 94th and 96th, and Zhou Yan ranked 103rd.

The remaining seven people automatically formed another group.

"The two matches are scheduled to take place in two days at Chengzheng Square," Gong Zheng announced at the opportune moment. "This battle is also a public exhibition match presented by Jixia Academy to the capital. Tens of thousands of spectators will be present to watch the game, and various forces from all over the Nine Provinces, as well as dignitaries from the capital, are likely to attend. It will be a spectacular display of skill and a truly remarkable opportunity!"

"If anyone feels stage fright or uncomfortable in front of a large audience, they may voluntarily withdraw from the competition. Vacancies left by withdrawals can be filled by inviting enrolled Jixia students to take their place. The academy will maintain a consistent public statement, only announcing the results of the two matches and will not disclose any behind-the-scenes details of the assessment process."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiao's pupils suddenly contracted, and alarm bells rang in her heart.

"So this is where they were waiting?" Wang Xiao recalled the dean's words about someone challenging the academy's fairness.

He clearly remembers that among the three students who tied for first place in this unified examination, one of them was named Ye Sheng.

Ye Sheng is Ye Xin's older brother.

One person is firmly at the top of the list, while another is struggling to survive at the bottom. However, the competition opens up the substitution rights, allowing top students who have already enrolled to come off the field to help out.

This duel became completely unbalanced from the moment the rules were loosened.

Those around him instantly grasped the key point, and the entire room erupted in uproar.

Once the substitute privileges are activated, if Ye Xin were to ask his top-ranked elder brother Ye Sheng to join the fray, or invite two other top geniuses who are tied for first place to assist him, how could the seven-person group possibly contend with them, even if all of them were at full strength?

There is absolutely no chance of winning this duel!

Everyone was filled with doubt and speculation, wondering what the academy's intentions were.

Gong Zheng seemed to see through everyone's thoughts and calmly explained, "Interpersonal skills, networking, and situational awareness are also compulsory courses and assessment items for Jixia Academy students. You don't need to worry too much. The academy has already stipulated that Ye Sheng will not participate in the battle. As for whether you can invite the other two top students to take your place, that depends entirely on your own abilities."

"So that's how it is..." Wang Xiao murmured softly, his eyes swirling with thoughts, instantly connecting all the doubts and clearing away the layers of fog in his mind.

All of this seemed reasonable, but because of Ye Xin's existence, nothing of it made sense.

Competing with established families in terms of interpersonal relationships?

He finally understood this seemingly fair but actually treacherous assessment.

All the surface rules, rankings, and special quotas seem fair, just, and reasonable, but as soon as Ye Xin or the top Ye family are involved, all the details become incredibly strange.

"In this light, could it be that the Ye family is secretly intervening to disrupt the fairness of the assessment and pave the way for Ye Xin? But this method is far too simplistic and too blatant."

Wang Xiao frowned, filled with doubt, and pondered to himself: "Or is there something fishy going on inside Jixia Academy, with someone deliberately favoring the Ye family? But upon closer examination, it doesn't make any sense."

This arrangement appears to be the Ye family leveraging the situation to gain momentum and control the battle, but upon closer examination, it seems more like a deliberate scheme by the academy to push the Ye family and Ye Xin into the spotlight, making everyone watch this duel and every move of the Ye family.

"Is the academy's arrangement intended to force those who could compromise the fairness of the assessment to come forward?" Wang Xiao felt increasingly uneasy. "But so far, it seems the academy itself is creating unfairness. Or is there something fishy going on within the academy?"

Just as Wang Xiao was repeatedly analyzing the situation, a clear, cold female voice suddenly broke the silence.

"I'm quitting." The one who spoke was Zhou Yan, number 103.

She was slender and composed, without a trace of resentment or regret. She said softly, "I was originally destined to be last. To gain the recognition of Jixia Academy and obtain the 103rd seat is already the greatest honor of my life. I voluntarily abstain from this duel."

After speaking, she bowed to Gong Zheng, turned around and walked to the side, calmly retreating to the sidelines.

As soon as Zhou Yan finished speaking, a frail-looking young man from the group of seven stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said in a deep voice, "I also withdraw. I am shallow-minded and not suited for being in the spotlight. I am unworthy to perform on stage and voluntarily withdraw from the competition."

After the first and second person withdrew, calls for withdrawals arose one after another.

"I am also withdrawing."

"I am not up to the task and voluntarily withdraw from the competition."

Several voices rang out in succession, and Ye Xin's group retreated three more students.

In the blink of an eye, only Ye Xin and the male cultivator in the ninety-first place remained.

Zhou Yan withdrew because she was content.

The fact that the frail man chose to withdraw when he was outnumbered suggests that what he said is true.

Standing before ten thousand people requires immense courage.

The woman in green, ranked ninety-sixth, chose to withdraw, clearly not out of pure motives, as she appeared somewhat annoyed and her expression was gloomy.

She had intended to curry favor with the Ye family by withdrawing, but unexpectedly, the other two also chose to withdraw, leaving a large number of substitute positions vacant.

The woman in green was filled with mixed feelings and regret: if she hadn't been so eager to curry favor, she would still have her admission qualification.

But then I thought about it again. The Ye family is powerful and can win the favor of top families, which is far more valuable than a non-existent spot in the Jixia Academy.

The situation on the field changed rapidly, and the true nature of human nature was on full display.

Gong Zheng didn't speak, he just watched quietly.

Wang Xiao took in all of this and sighed inwardly, "These people aren't afraid of fighting or hesitant to step onto the stage; they're clearly vying to curry favor with the Ye family. The outcome of the assessment is unknown, and the spots are undetermined, but the opportunity to attach themselves to a top-tier family is something they can truly grasp."

His gaze darkened slightly, his thoughts becoming clearer: "But upon closer examination, it seems the Ye family is more like a pawn pushed to the forefront. This situation is becoming increasingly complex."

Ye Xin stood there, watching as four members of the team withdrew from the competition one after another, and the team instantly fell apart. A trace of surprise flashed across his gentle eyes.

He clearly never imagined that his decision to go against the tide and take on the pressure would trigger such a chain reaction.

The group of seven, excluding Wang Xiao and Zhou Qian, looked at the chaos on the other side and thought about the hidden game behind the situation. They instantly understood each other, exchanged glances, and reached a tacit understanding.

The four of them spoke in unison, their tone firm: "We're withdrawing too!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire room fell completely silent.

In a short period of time, nine out of the thirteen competitors voluntarily withdrew from the match.

In the vast arena, only four people remained in the end.

The six remaining are: Ye Xin and Zhang Yue, the male cultivator ranked ninety-first.

The remaining members of the seven-person team are: Wang Xiao and Zhou Qian.

Wang Xiao felt a chill run down his spine, realizing that the situation was increasingly unpredictable and terrifying.

"Is this also what they call an accident?"

He muttered to himself, layers of confusion churning in his mind, countless questions swirling around him.

I was able to become one of the three unexpected individuals because of the dean's arrangement.

He knew perfectly well what was going on.

Judging from Zhou Yan's behavior, she was completely innocently dragged into this game.

How did Ye Xin become an accident victim?

Wang Xiao didn't believe there was no Ye family behind this.

It's likely that the presence of three unexpected individuals was part of the Ye family's scheme.

The unexpected appearance of the stranger prompted Ye Xin to rise to the challenge.

Up to this point, everything is meant to highlight Ye Xin.

It highlights his perseverance and his unyielding spirit.

The rule of having a substitute seems to be paving the way for Ye Xin, giving him a chance to win.

However, the withdrawal of nine people from the competition immediately put Ye Xin in the spotlight.

Who orchestrated and planned this?

This is clearly putting Ye Xin on the hot seat, making him the target of everyone's criticism.

Is this also the work of the Ye family?

Why does this feel more like a setup against Ye Xin?

Who orchestrated this scheme?

Is it the layout of the college?

While seemingly giving the Ye family face and relaxing the rules, they were actually setting traps step by step, ultimately directing all conflicts, public opinion, and controversies toward the Ye family.

What an ingenious scheme within a scheme!

Why did the dean take the initiative to approach him?

Could the mastermind be someone else?

Wang Xiao suddenly chuckled. It seemed that the only one who could thwart everyone's plans was himself.

He looked up at Gong Zheng and said loudly, "Chief Examiner, now that nine people have withdrawn from the competition, only the four of us remain. Why bother with group competitions and team battles? Why not have the four of us compete on the same stage to determine the final qualifying spots? It's simple and efficient."

Gong Zheng's expression remained unchanged, his tone calm and even as he directly refused: "No. The exhibition match at Chengzheng Square is completely sold out. Everyone is eagerly anticipating it, and the event is set in stone and cannot be changed. The four of you just need to hurry up and fill the vacancies; this is also a test for you!"

The group assignments here haven't been finalized yet, and the 100,000 tickets for Chengzheng Square are already sold out.

What a grand gesture!

Wang Xiao's eyes flashed, and she asked again, "Then I have another question. When forming a team, do we have the right to choose our substitutes and refuse others from joining the team?"

"Of course." Gong Zheng nodded. "The right to form teams and the right to choose are entirely in your hands."

Having received a definite answer, Wang Xiao's last doubts were dispelled, and a strong interest appeared in his eyes instead.

Several pairs of eyes suddenly turned to Wang Xiao from all around, staring at him as if he were an idiot.

"This is clearly a show put on for Ye Xin. Does this guy think he can win or what?"