After speaking, Instructor Ruo Lin entered the tent and gracefully sat on the chair at the head of the table. With a flick of her delicate hand, a parchment scroll and a pen appeared before her. Looking at the new students filing in, she said calmly:
"Students, congratulations on passing the assessment. You have officially entered Jia Nan Academy. However, because the academy must differentiate student potential, I need to know your exact current strength."
"Eight Duan Dou Qi belongs to F-grade potential. This is Jia Nan Academy's minimum standard."
"Nine Duan Dou Qi belongs to E-grade potential."
"One-star Dou Zhe is D-grade, two-star Dou Zhe is C-grade, and so on. The highest is S-grade, five-star Dou Zhe. Of course, the age limit is under twenty."
"Now, from left to right, report your name, level, and age."
The students at the front began reporting one after another. Most were F-grade and E-grade. Currently, the highest cultivation was only a one-star Dou Zhe.
While waiting for his turn, Xiao Zhitian silently activated the system.
"System check-in."
Ding!Checked in at Jia Nan Academy Enrollment Site.Obtained: Mysterious High-Rank Combat Skill — Thunder Light Shield.Realm advanced by one star.
Xiao Zhitian's aura surged instantly, reaching five-star Dou Shi.
The Dou Technique Thunder Light Shield flowed directly into his mind as if the scroll had transformed into countless lines of text. In an instant, he completely mastered it. After briefly analyzing the technique, he realized it was a powerful defensive Dou Technique.
If he really had to spar with Instructor Ruo Lin later to obtain leave, this technique would greatly increase his chances.
Soon, it was the Xiao Family's turn.
"Xiao Ning, nine Duan Dou Qi, age eighteen."
"Xiao Mei, nine Duan Dou Qi, age sixteen."
"E-grade," Ruo Lin said as she recorded.
Then it was Xiao Yan's turn.
"Xiao Yan, four-star Dou Zhe, age sixteen."
Ruo Lin was startled."A-grade."
After Xiao Yan finished, it was Xiao Zhitian's turn. However, Xiao Zhitian was still focused on comprehending Thunder Light Shield.
Xun'er gently tugged his sleeve."Xiao Zhitian Ge Ge, it's your turn."
"Oh, already?" Xiao Zhitian snapped back to reality."Xiao Zhitian, five-star Dou Shi, age sixteen."
The moment his words fell, Instructor Ruo Lin, who had been about to write, suddenly stood up. Her gentle face filled with shock as she stared at him, thinking she had misheard.
"What realm did you say?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"Five-star Dou Shi."
The entire tent instantly fell into dead silence.
Everyone stared at Xiao Zhitian with wide eyes and open mouths.
"My goodness, why are you pinching me?""I'm checking whether this is a dream or reality.""Then why don't you pinch yourself?""I'm afraid of pain…"
The silence exploded into noisy discussion.
"Is this even human?""Sixteen years old and already Dou Shi?""Is there still justice in this world?"
Meanwhile, Luo Bu and Ge La, who were standing in the corner, were sweating profusely and shrinking deeper into the shadows, afraid Xiao Zhitian might notice them again.
Instructor Ruo Lin slowly calmed down. She stared at Xiao Zhitian with a bright gleam in her eyes.
"I truly didn't expect this… A genius far surpassing S-grade potential. Astonishing… absolutely astonishing."
The intense gazes — especially the bold stares from many girls — made Xiao Zhitian slightly uncomfortable. However, for the sake of obtaining leave, he decided to be honest. Besides, even if he hid it now, he would still have to reveal it later. That would only become more awkward.
"Next," Ruo Lin said, finally sitting down again.
Xun'er stepped forward gracefully.
"Xiao Xun'er, six-star Dou Zhe, age sixteen."
Another shockwave passed through the crowd.
Two monstrous talents appearing at once.
But because Xiao Zhitian had already shattered their sense of reality, they were now oddly calmer. Their mental endurance had been forcibly strengthened.
Just as Ruo Lin was about to put away the parchment, Xiao Zhitian suddenly spoke.
"Instructor Ruo Lin, I'd like to present you with another S-grade genius."
Ruo Lin paused."Another one? Who? Where?"
"There." Xiao Zhitian slightly lifted his chin toward Xiao Yan.
"Xiao Yan?" Ruo Lin looked confused. "He is outstanding, but he hasn't reached S-grade standards."
Xiao Zhitian glanced at Xiao Yan and said quietly,"Do you want to explain it yourself, or should I?"
Then he added softly,"Xiao Yan Zi, only by revealing your value can you gain the freedom to do what you want."
"I'll say it myself," Xiao Yan said firmly.
He then briefly explained his past and how he had cultivated to his current level within a single year. When the crowd understood, their gazes toward him changed completely.
"So that's the case…"
"If not for Xiao Zhitian, I would have nearly missed such a genius," Ruo Lin said with deep satisfaction. Looking at the three outstanding youths before her, pride filled her heart. Upon returning to the academy, she would certainly become the envy of other instructors.
Just as she was basking in this satisfaction, Xiao Zhitian and Xiao Yan spoke simultaneously.
"Instructor Ruo Lin, I wish to take a one-year leave."
Ruo Lin froze.
"Are you joking with me?" she said helplessly. "One year is already equivalent to one-third of your academy time. As your instructor, I cannot approve this. Don't make things difficult for me."
"Instructor, I must take this leave," Xiao Zhitian said seriously. "I have matters of extreme importance that cannot be delayed. If leave is impossible, I can only withdraw and re-enroll next year."
Xiao Yan didn't speak, but his determined gaze said everything.
Ruo Lin rubbed her forehead. A headache formed.
She had finally recruited these three monstrous talents. Letting them slip away was unbearable.
After a moment of contemplation, her gentle expression slowly faded, replaced by sharp eyes.
"Fine. Whoever can endure twenty rounds against me… I will approve their leave."
"Good." Xiao Zhitian agreed without hesitation.Xiao Yan forced a smile and nodded as well.
"This place is too cramped. Let's go outside to the plaza."
Ruo Lin walked out. With a touch to her storage ring, a sky-blue long whip appeared in her hand.
She looked at the two and asked calmly,"Who will go first?"
"I'll go first. Please be lenient, Instructor," Xiao Zhitian said as he stepped forward.
Ruo Lin did not reply. Instead, she flicked the whip lightly, responding with action.
Xiao Zhitian activated Heaven Smiting Thunder Halberd. A long halberd formed in his hand, crackling faintly with lightning.
Ruo Lin glanced at it with slight surprise."Oh? A weapon formed purely from lightning? It seems your mastery of the lightning attribute is quite high."
With a flick of her wrist, the long whip drew a graceful arc through the air, slicing toward Xiao Zhitian with a sharp whistling sound.
Xiao Zhitian narrowed his eyes, infused his lightning Dou Qi into the halberd, and thrust forward like a bolt of lightning, directly striking the tip of the whip.