In the plaza, the sight of Chu Bai practicing tirelessly, almost monotonously, struck the hearts of every candidate present like a silent, heavy hammer.
The despondency and defeatism that had taken root in the crowd after Ji Li’s breakthrough were, at that moment, slowly scattered by the young man’s perseverance.
Indeed. Unlike them, who had already resigned themselves to defeat, the one truly facing the mountain-like pressure from Ji Li was Chu Bai.
After all, they had already secured their spots. Even if they ran into Ji Li on the stage later, it would be no great shame to surrender immediately to conserve their strength, especially not in front of everyone.
Who would blame someone at the Qi Cultivation Third Layer for not daring to fight someone at the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer?
But Chu Bai was different.
He carried the honor of the new students, along with the legacy of having held his own against Ji Li in the first two rounds.
Now, facing a powerful foe who seemed invincible after his mid-competition breakthrough, Chu Bai did not complain, did not give up, and did not even waver for a single instant.
He was simply seizing every last minute, every last second, desperately honing his skills and searching for that one sliver of a chance at victory.
’Such mental fortitude...’
Lü Qing took a deep breath, the will to fight rekindling in his eyes. He instantly abandoned his plan to just go through the motions. ’I can’t lose to a junior apprentice-brother either.’
Even a few candidates on the side, who had been hesitating over whether to fight for their rankings, couldn’t help but sit up straighter, a desire to compete welling up inside them.
On the high platform.
Judge Li watched the scene below, stroking his beard lightly. His eyes filled with admiration as he slowly began to speak.
"The boy is teachable."
Of course, he knew that by bestowing the White Talismans early at such a critical moment, someone like Ji Li would inevitably choose to break through on the spot. This was, in fact, a test of character for this group of prodigies.
If everyone had been scared witless by this mid-competition breakthrough, then these so-called elites of the Daoist School would be nothing special.
Only those who dared to draw their swords even in desperate straits, who maintained their drive to advance, were the true talents the Merit Department was looking for.
"Your final ranking upon graduation from the Daoist School will have a pivotal impact on your internal evaluations, resource allocation, and even your initial rank after joining the Merit Department."
Judge Li’s voice wasn’t loud, yet it reached the ears of every candidate, carrying with it a hint of guidance and temptation.
"If you wish to secure a good future on your path, then... go and fight for it."
As soon as he spoke, a chill went through the hearts of the crowd, and their once-relaxed nerves tensed up again.
Meanwhile, in a corner of the plaza.
Chu Bai had entered a profound state, forgetting both himself and the world around him.
He practiced the Guardian Shield again and again, the Spells he formed with his hands constantly changing.
As his Five Elements Spiritual Power circulated, the Spirit Shield would sometimes appear a heavy, earthy yellow, at other times a pliant, watery blue, and at others a vibrant, verdant green...
With each formation and dissipation, his understanding of this Magic Technique deepened.
Finally, in the midst of his almost instinctual practice, a flash of lightning seemed to cut through the fog in Chu Bai’s mind. A sudden insight struck him, and he at last grasped a crucial sliver of enlightenment.
In that instant, the Guardian Shield that had just formed before him trembled violently. Its single color instantly faded, replaced by a brilliant, yet not blinding, golden light that flared into existence!
Within the golden light, five colors could be seen faintly swirling, an Endless Life cycle that finally merged together perfectly, transforming into a pale-gold Spirit Shield with profound runes flowing across its surface.
’Success!’
Chu Bai’s eyes snapped open, an indescribable elation surging through his heart.
[Guardian Shield (Perfection 1/???)]
The life-saving Magic Technique that had been with him for so long had finally reached the Perfection Level!
Chu Bai reached out and gently touched the pale-gold Spirit Shield, feeling the profound power it contained.
This shield was no longer limited by the weaknesses of a single element.
Possessing all Five Elements, it was a harmonious whole. Whether facing the explosive power of a Fire Technique, the piercing sharpness of a Gold Technique, or the ensnaring nature of a Water Technique, it could provide the most effective, all-around defense.
More importantly, Chu Bai keenly sensed that this Perfection Level Guardian Shield had gained an absurdly powerful new trait—
Like a sponge soaking up water, it could absorb a portion of the Spiritual Power dissipating from an opponent’s attack and convert it into its own energy, further strengthening the shield’s defense!
While it couldn’t quite turn an enemy’s attack back on them, using their power to protect himself was a truly god-tier skill!
With this trump card up his sleeve, Chu Bai’s confidence grew even stronger.
"What?!"
"He did it!"
On the high platform, the Magic Technique Instructor, Jii Yu, who had been sitting primly just a moment before, shot to her feet. Her beautiful eyes were wide as she stared intently at the young man below, a pale-gold Spirit Shield floating before him. Her face was a mask of disbelief.
She had assumed that in this last half-double-hour before the competition, Chu Bai was simply making some last-minute preparations—warming up with constant practice or, like any other student, trying to smooth out the transitions between his Magic Techniques.
She never imagined that he would actually push this Defense Technique to the next level right before everyone’s eyes!
’How long has it even been?’
Jii Yu’s mind went blank for a moment.
Of course, she wasn’t referring to the breakthrough he’d just had in that short half-double-hour.
As the Magic Technique Instructor for Class Three, she clearly remembered when Chu Bai had redeemed the Guardian Shield Magic Technique.
It had only been a few months at most, right?
For an ordinary Cultivator, just reaching the Beginner level with a Magic Technique was difficult enough. Reaching Mastery required several years, or even decades, of the Water Grinding Technique.

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