Late autumn had settled over Anping County, and though the leaves fell with a desolate rustle, the city’s atmosphere was hotter than midsummer.
Three days had passed since the Daoist School selections concluded. For the candidates and their families who were anxiously awaiting the results, every moment had been an agony.
In every street and alley, every teahouse and restaurant, everyone was discussing the same topic: Who would make the list?
"Did you hear? They cut the number of spots this year. The competition is ten times fiercer than usual!"
"You’re telling me. I heard that even Young Master Wang, the County Magistrate’s son, is on the bubble. We’re talking about the Wang Family! They’re incredibly powerful. If he can’t even get in, the whole power dynamic in Anping County is going to change."
"I’d say that mysterious Loose Cultivator, Li Han, has the best shot. I heard he was unstoppable during the Magic Technique portion, sweeping the field with his Thunder Technique."
"What about that Chu Bai? Didn’t they say he got a perfect score on the first test?"
"Chu Bai? He’s just some kid from a humble family. He got lucky on the first test. The next two are all about resources and backing. I doubt he made it. Probably just a flash in the pan."
The city was rife with gossip and speculation, and underground gambling dens had even started taking bets on the results.
「The morning of the announcement.」
Before dawn, the square in front of the Anping Examination Hall was already packed with a sea of people.
Through the swirling mist, countless pairs of eyes were fixed on the tightly shut, vermilion gate.
The members of the Wang Family had secured the best viewing spot. Wang Teng did his best to appear calm, but the way he kept clenching and unclenching his fists betrayed his anxiety.
Li Han stood alone, leaning against a stone pillar and cradling his sword, his expression cold.
Dressed in his usual blue robes, Chu Bai stood inconspicuously at the edge of the crowd with his parents.
At 7:00 AM, a bell rang out, followed by three drumbeats.
With a cringe-inducing groan of grinding wood, the heavy gates of the Examination Hall slowly swung open.
Escorted by two rows of Black Armored Soldiers, a Clerk in official robes walked solemnly to the announcement platform, carrying a massive Golden-Edged Red List.
The entire square fell deathly silent. It was as if everyone had stopped breathing. Countless gazes, as tangible as daggers, pierced the air, fixed on the red scroll that was about to be unfurled.
It was the verdict of their fate.
As paste was brushed across the announcement wall, the red list that held the fates of countless people was slowly unfurled and pressed against it.
"Quick, look! See if my young master is on there!"
The crowd instantly erupted. People in the back shoved desperately forward while those at the front fought to hold their ground.
Everyone’s eyes instinctively went to the bottom of the list. After all, with only two spots available this year, no one was confident enough to assume they were in the top two.
"Second place... Li Han!"
Someone shouted the name aloud. "Qi Absorption: B+, Spirit Control: A-, Heart Inquiry: B+. He actually got a Class A rating!"
The tension instantly drained from Li Han’s body, and a relieved smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
’I’m in! Even if it’s just second place, getting into the Daoist School is a meteoric rise.’
The next moment, however, a wave of incredulous gasps rippled through the crowd, followed by wails of despair.
"Third place... Wang Teng!"
"Qi Absorption: B+, Spirit Control: B+, Heart Inquiry: B!"
"He didn’t make the cut?!"
"Young Master Wang actually failed?! How is that possible!"
Wang Teng’s face turned deathly pale. He looked as though his spine had been ripped out, staggering back two steps and nearly collapsing. The Wang Family’s servants and elders looked even worse, their faces ashen with grief.
In any other year, third place would have been a guaranteed spot. But this year, it meant elimination!
So, who was the person who had pushed out Young Master Wang and taken the top spot?!
Everyone’s head snapped up to look at the very top of the list, at the name written in bold, golden script.
There were only a few short lines of text, but they weighed down on the crowd like a great mountain, making it hard for anyone to breathe.
First Place: Chu Bai (Cyan Cloud Academy)
Origin: Zhao Family Village, Anping County
Qi Absorption: A+!
Spirit Control: A-!
Heart Inquiry: A-!
Overall Assessment: Triple-A Champion, Admitted!
A deathly silence fell.
It was as if everyone had been stunned into a stupor by the string of A’s.
A+ in Qi Absorption—that was a perfect score!
An A- in Heart Inquiry... that was an incredibly high rating that could only be determined by the Daoist School itself!
Class A in all three categories! This meant the person’s aptitude, comprehension, and disposition were all flawless—a truly perfect genius!
"Triple... Triple-A?"
After a long moment, someone broke the silence with a trembling voice. "I’m not seeing things, am I? Our Anping County actually produced a Triple-A Champion?"
BOOM!
The crowd erupted.
"Who is Chu Bai? I’ve never heard of him! My god, he’s the first person to do this in fifty years!"
"This isn’t some unknown nobody! This is a hidden dragon!"
Li Han stared at the all-A results, and the hand cradling his sword trembled slightly.
’I always thought I lost because of bad luck... I never imagined I was completely outclassed.’
As for Wang Teng, his face was ashen, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"Chu Bai! That’s Chu Bai!"
Gu Qinghe was in the crowd, waving his arms frantically and babbling with excitement. "That’s my brother! Hahaha! My brother is the champion!"
Chu Bai stared at the dazzling results, stunned for a moment himself. Then, a heroic surge of pride welled up within him.
’He’d thought getting a B+ on the Heart Inquiry Pass would have been great; he never imagined he’d be rated Class A.’
In that moment, all his past hardships became the foundation of his present glory.
Just as the crowd reached a fever pitch, Zhang Cheng County Captain himself strode out of the Examination Hall, leading two Instructors. He ignored the pale-faced Wang Teng, walking straight through the crowd to stand before Chu Bai.
His actions quieted the boisterous crowd once more.
"Chu Bai."
Zhang Cheng publicly clasped his hands in a salute to the young man—a sign of respect for a peer, for a true genius. His voice was as loud and clear as a bell. "Congratulations. A Triple-A Champion. Anping County has waited decades for a result like this. Today, you have brought honor to Anping!"
At his words, the surrounding townspeople finally understood the situation.
The County Captain’s respectful treatment meant that from this day forward, this boy from a farming family was now one of the most important figures in the county. Even the Government would have to show him some deference.
Zhang Cheng County Captain didn’t leave right away. Instead, he gestured for the Instructors behind him to step back, his gaze softening as he looked at Chu Bai. He lowered his voice and asked, "Chu Bai, I saw your Water Technique. It’s exceptionally refined, and even more impressively, your fundamentals are incredibly solid. Have you already been taken on by a master?"
He had a great appreciation for talent. If Chu Bai was merely on a self-taught path, he was interested in taking the boy under his wing, or perhaps recommending him to an old friend in the Prefecture City.
Chu Bai answered respectfully, making no attempt to hide the truth. "To answer your question, Sir, this junior has already become a disciple of Daoist Zhang of Cyan Cloud Academy."
"Daoist Zhang?"
Zhang Cheng blinked, then realization dawned on him. He stroked his beard and laughed. "So it’s that old fellow. No wonder, no wonder! Your Spirit Water Needle technique bears his mark, but it has a sharper edge to it. That old Daoist has a wickedly sharp eye for talent. To think he quietly took on a fine disciple like you... he really struck gold."
Clearly, Zhang Cheng and Daoist Zhang were old acquaintances, and his tone was one of easy familiarity.
"Since you have a renowned master to guide you, I can rest easy," Zhang Cheng said with a nod. He then added meaningfully, "As for your score on the Heart Inquiry Pass... the other examiners and I were a bit divided on it. In the end, we reported it to the State Daoist School, where that eminence made the final judgment himself. That ’A-’ of yours... it’s the real deal."
A chill went down Chu Bai’s spine. Only now did he realize the complicated story behind his astonishing evaluation.
’Someone from the State Daoist School personally made the judgment? Just what Realm would an expert like that be in?’
"Thank you for your guidance, Sir. This junior will take it to heart," Chu Bai said, bowing solemnly.
"Go on now. Don’t let that talent of yours go to waste."
Zhang Cheng patted Chu Bai’s shoulder, then led his retinue away under the awed gazes of the townspeople.

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