Liu Bai wasn't surprised at all by the information brought back by his underling. After all, this was already the final sprint. Anyone who still harbored hopes of entering the Five Great Academies would be pushing themselves to their limits.
What did surprise Liu Bai, however, was that he had originally assumed very few from the Heaven Class of the Northern Spiritual Academy would meet the Five Great Academies' admission requirements. Yet, just from the West Branch alone, there were already four who qualified. If one included the six from the East Branch, then there were ten Spiritual Wheel Realm students under the age of eighteen, while the number of available spots was only half that.
On the stage, Instructor Xi had already made the announcement, and upon hearing that there were actually five spots this time, many people couldn't contain their excitement.
"There are five spots? Doesn't that mean all four of us from the West Branch have a chance to win one?"
Liu Bai overheard someone whispering nearby.
But those words nearly made him laugh. After all, the East Branch still had six who qualified. They were probably thinking that giving all five spots to them still wouldn't be enough.
However, regarding the number of spots, if Liu Bai remembered correctly, the original story mentioned that the Northern Spiritual Academy only had three at this time. Now there were two more could this be the result of his interference causing a deviation?
But was he really in a position right now to influence something as major as the Five Great Academies?
Of course, that kind of question only flashed briefly through Liu Bai's mind.
Whether it was five, three, or even just one spot, it didn't really matter to him.
"Liu Bai, Zhao Pei, Li Yuan, Zuo Yue—you four are the ones from our West Branch Heaven Class who meet the admission standards for the Five Great Academies. I hope you'll work hard to secure a spot."
Instructor Xi specifically addressed the four of them.
Liu Bai was already familiar with Zhao Pei and Li Yuan, but as for this Zuo Yue, she was somewhat mysterious. Liu Bai rarely saw her within the academy, not even in the Cultivation Hall. She was a plain-looking girl, but her aura was rather strange, which made Liu Bai instinctively more vigilant toward her.
A similar scene was unfolding in the East Branch, where the long-reclusive Xu Ling finally made an appearance. Rumor had it that he had already broken through to the middle phase of the Spiritual Wheel Realm..
Time passed quickly, and the selection battle for the spots was fast approaching.
As the date drew near, it wasn't just the Northern Spiritual Academy that was caught up in activity—even the entire Northern Spiritual Realm stirred into a frenzy.
At this moment, Northern Spirit City had become the focal point of the entire Northern Spiritual Realm. Even the Domain Lords of the Nine Great Domains had begun arriving in the city, all awaiting the arrival of the selection battle.
On this day, Northern Spirit City was undeniably in a state of immense expansion. The vast city was packed to the brim with people. The clamor of countless voices surged skyward, reverberating for miles. One could hear the noise even from a hundred li away.
The venue for the quota selection battle was set in Northern Spirit Plaza, located in the city's northwest quadrant. It was the most spacious place in the city, capable of accommodating hundreds of thousands.
Yet now, even that vast plaza had been completely consumed by the sea of people.
Looking out, the crowd extended to the farthest visible edges, and even atop the tall buildings surrounding the plaza, human figures were packed shoulder to shoulder.
This sight made Liu Bai, standing within the plaza, rather puzzled.
After all, only ten people were qualified to participate in the selection battle. At most, a few matches would be held. Besides the closest major powers, what could those further away even see?
Was there really a need to squeeze in like this?
It had nothing to do with them anyway...
Liu Bai quietly shook his head. He simply couldn't comprehend their mindset—just like he could never understand those rabid celebrity fanatics.
At the very center of the plaza, closest to the battle stage, was a row of special seats.
These seats were already fully occupied. Each figure sitting there carried a powerful aura, vast spiritual energy surging around them. A single sweep of their eyes could emit an overwhelming pressure. These were none other than the Nine Domain Lords of the Northern Spiritual Realm.
Liu Bai glanced over and immediately saw his father, Liu Qingtian, seated among them.
However, likely due to what had transpired earlier, Liu Qingtian wore a frosty expression, and his entire body emanated a chilling pressure. As such, no one dared approach or speak to him. But among the others, occasional glances were exchanged, revealing a sense of gloating hidden within.
It couldn't be helped. As the strongest domain, the Liu Domain naturally didn't get along well with the others. Even those close to the Liu Clan, like the Luo and Hong Domains, were probably secretly enjoying the show right now. Some might even already be scheming to take advantage of the Liu Domain's vulnerable moment.
Liu Bai's gaze swept across the other domain Lords and noticed that each was accompanied by several youths.
When Liu Bai's eyes landed on a tall, upright man with handsome and resolute features, he paused for a moment.
Mu Feng, the Lord of the Mu Domain.
Of course, he also held a far more significant identity he was the father of Mu Chen, the protagonist of the original story, and the husband of Qing Yanjing...
Although Mu Feng now appeared middle-aged, his youthful charm was still evident. With his rugged masculinity and determined eyes, it wasn't hard to imagine how dashing he must have been when younger. His aura certainly made him the type of man women would be drawn to.
It was just… his strength...
Although he was at the middle phase of the Divine Soul Realm—considered a powerhouse among the domain lords—he still couldn't compare to his wife. No one really knew why Qing Yanjing would fall for someone like him back then.
Liu Bai couldn't make sense of it. Maha Tian probably couldn't either. And as for the members of the Ancient Buddha Clan they were undoubtedly even more baffled...
Just as Liu Bai's gaze landed near Mu Feng, he soon realized that someone else was observing him as well.
Sweeping his eyes over, he quickly spotted the white-clothed youth standing beside Mu Feng...
The youth looked to be around thirteen or fourteen, with handsome features clearly inherited in part from his father. But those delicate qualities in his appearance revealed more influence from his mother.
"So this is Mu Chen..."
At this point, Mu Chen still couldn't even sense spiritual energy. Like Liu Bai's younger brother, Liu Yang, he was still undergoing body tempering at home. A year from now, when the Spiritual Road reopened, he would likely be sent in.
But Liu Bai wasn't sure when this information would be made public. It would probably surface in the near future...
Meanwhile, between the father and son of the Mu Clan
"Father, someone is looking at you..." Young Mu Chen softly reminded his father.
Mu Feng blinked and followed his son's line of sight, just in time to see Liu Bai look away.
"That's... someone from the Liu Domain."
Mu Feng frowned slightly.
"That's Liu Bai, son of the Liu Domain Lord. He's one of the candidates for this selection battle. Rumor has it he's already reached the early phase of the Spiritual Wheel Realm and possesses extraordinary talent."
Mu Feng gave his son a quiet introduction.
"I know him! But when I grow up, I'll definitely be stronger and even more talented than he is!"
Young Mu Chen spoke with absolute confidence, prompting a hearty laugh from Mu Feng.
"Good lad, Father believes in you!"
He patted his son's shoulder, but in the depths of Mu Feng's smiling eyes lay a deep worry.
"Jing'er..."
The thought of that gentle woman like the spring sunshine sent stabbing pain through his heart. Yet in front of his son, he could only keep wearing that bright smile.
Naturally, the commotion from the Mu Clan's father and son attracted quite a few onlookers. Among them was Tang Shan, Lord of the Tang Domain, who curiously glanced over from not far away.
Beside Tang Shan stood a tall girl dressed in pitch-black robes, her figure as graceful as any maiden in her prime. This was Tang Qian'er, childhood friend and close companion of Mu Chen, as well as the only daughter of Tang Shan.
Just then, as the toll of a great bell echoed through the air, Principal Xiao of Northern Spiritual Academy arrived slowly alongside the two senior instructors. Walking with them was a middle-aged man unfamiliar to all present.
This sight caused a stir in the hearts of the Nine Domain Lords. Their gazes quickly turned toward that unfamiliar middle-aged man, each filled with barely restrained anticipation.
For someone unknown to be treated with such respect by Northern Spiritual Academy could mean only one thing this man must be the one sent on behalf of the Five Great Academies.
If any among them could establish a connection with such a figure, it would undoubtedly bring great benefit to their respective domains.
Unfortunately, someone of that level would never look twice at them...
After introducing the guest, Principal Xiao finally stepped forward to announce the rules of the selection battle. There was actually nothing unusual about them—they were the same as in previous years, with the only difference being the number of matches due to the number of participants.
As for the man from the Five Great Academies, addressed as Mister Lin, he wore an expression of disinterest from beginning to end. He showed no curiosity toward the so-called talented students, and he was equally indifferent to the Domain Lords.
After all, Northern Spiritual Academy didn't yet have someone like Mu Chen, who had once participated in the Spiritual Road. Judging by past experience, the academy rarely produced anyone worthy of the Five Great Academies' attention. So such behavior from the representative wasn't strange at all.
Faced with this, Principal Xiao and the others could only smile bitterly in their hearts.
They knew better than anyone how many minor academies like Northern Spiritual Academy existed beneath the Five Great Academies.
Their entire Northern Spiritual Academy might only get a few spots, but across all participating academies, students like Liu Bai numbered in the millions.
Taking a deep breath to compose himself, Principal Xiao then smiled and addressed the gathered students. "There are ten participants in this selection battle. Six are from the East Branch and four from the West Branch. There are five spots available. The selection will consist of five one-on-one matches. The winner of each match will earn the right to enter the Five Great Academies."
"The matchups will be determined by drawing lots. Understood?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Bai could clearly sense the nervousness from the people around him their heartbeats had noticeably quickened.
It couldn't be helped. This was a battle where one defeat meant elimination. There would be no second chances. Even for adults, staying calm under such pressure would be difficult, let alone a group of teenagers.
Of course, not everyone was nervous.
Liu Bai, for one, was completely unfazed. He had no concern about who his opponent might be. Even if it were the so-called number one, Xu Ling, what of it?
Clearly, Xu Ling shared the same sentiment. His expression was equally calm. However, when Principal Xiao finished speaking, he couldn't help glancing at Liu Bai.
"All participants in the selection battle, step forward!"
As soon as Principal Xiao's voice fell, noise erupted from the East and West Branches. One figure after another flashed forward, bursting with vigor as they descended into the arena amid countless envious gazes.
Even if they were nervous inside, the moment they felt all those eyes focused on them, these youths couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.
There was no denying it. These ten were the strongest young elites not only of Northern Spiritual Academy, but of the entire Northern Spiritual Realm.
Looking at the ten before him, Principal Xiao, serving as the referee, finally showed a genuine smile.
"You are the strongest students of this year's Northern Spiritual Academy. No matter who your opponent is, I hope you give it your all. Although the official spots only go to the winners, if you can impress the Five Great Academies' representative, you may be awarded an additional spot. So do your best."
Upon hearing this, the students who had looked slightly uneasy suddenly brightened.
Only Principal Xiao knew the truth. Though he hadn't spoken falsely, gaining the approval of that representative was no simple matter. Among the ten before him, aside from Liu Bai and Xu Ling, he doubted any of the others could deliver a truly dazzling performance.
The lot drawing...
Liu Bai glanced at the bamboo slip in his hand. The character "Three" was engraved on it—he had drawn number three. His opponent would naturally be the other person who had drawn the same number.
Sweeping his gaze across the others, Liu Bai soon locked eyes with someone he knew well...
Zhang Jie stared at the number three on his slip, then looked at Liu Bai. His face had already turned pale.
Back during their training at the Northern Spiritual Fields, he had been the first to jump out and accuse Liu Bai of cheating. Though he had always looked down on someone like Liu Bai, who relied on his clan, deep down, he had always feared him.
If Liu Bai had truly obtained all those spoils during the training by his own ability, then being able to slay a mid-level Scarlet Flame Wolf King meant he could easily crush Zhang Jie...
Not just one Zhang Jie, even if there were two more, they still wouldn't be able to defeat him.
At this point, Zhang Jie was in a full-blown panic.
"It's fine... it's fine... He must have cheated back then... He's just someone raised through family resources and medicinal pills. He definitely won't be stronger than me!"
Zhang Jie could only keep comforting himself in his heart.
"Alright, since you all know your opponents now, let the selection battle... begin!"
As Principal Xiao's voice echoed out, the other students withdrew, leaving only the two who had drawn lot number one standing face to face on the battle platform.
Amid the attention of tens of thousands, the two youths began their duel.
There was no trash talk. The match began immediately. Their strength was about equal, and the techniques they cultivated were on the same level. It was a closely matched contest, with neither having a clear advantage.
Liu Bai narrowed his eyes as he quietly watched the two figures on the stage. Every so often, the shockwaves from their spiritual energy would ruffle his hair.
"Common-grade techniques... Common-grade offensive arts... This is the standard performance of ordinary students. Even if their talent is exceptional, and they've reached the Spiritual Wheel Realm at this age, so what..."
...
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