The grand arena of Shang Academy pulsed with tension. Rows of disciples stood beneath floating talismans, each glowing with runes. The academic test wasn't just about knowledge—it tested control, willpower, and combat theory under pressure.
Zhen Zenin stood calmly among them, his hands behind his back. Most recognized him now—once the clan's shame, now a rising force.
Elder Mo, the head examiner, floated above the arena on a jade platform. His voice boomed.
"The trial will begin. You have one incense stick to complete each of the three stages."
Stage One: Spiritual Theory.
Scrolls appeared mid-air. Questions formed in glowing characters.
Zenin didn't hesitate. His past life as the Demonic Emperor made these questions laughably easy. He answered with speed and precision, earning curious glances from elders above.
Lin Yue, in the crowd, smiled faintly. He's not even trying yet.
Stage Two: Formation Control.
Pillars of light erupted in the arena. Each disciple had to walk through an array maze designed to test Qi flow and energy manipulation.
Zenin stepped in.
The maze shifted, distorted by illusions and spiritual interference. One wrong move would send a backlash through the body.
But Zenin closed his eyes.
He didn't need to see.
His Qi moved like a blade, sensing the path with pinpoint precision. He walked forward, unwavering.
In less than half the time, he passed through. The elders stirred.
Elder Mo raised an eyebrow. "Who taught this boy?"
Stage Three: Combat Analysis.
A projection of a real battle appeared—two advanced cultivators in a clash of techniques. The disciples had to break down flaws, advantages, and predict outcomes.
Zenin wrote silently.
But in his mind, he saw hundreds of similar battles—he'd lived them, commanded them. This wasn't a test. It was nostalgia.
He submitted his scroll before most had begun.
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As the final incense burned out, Elder Mo reviewed the results.
Silence fell.
He raised his hand. "Zhen Zenin. Highest score recorded in the last decade."
The crowd erupted in shock and whispers.
Zenin simply turned and walked away.
This test was a stepping stone. The real trial has yet to begin.
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