The Ge Nan Academy was divided into five factions: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. The ten individuals being recruited this time were classified by their primary cultivation attribute, with each faction accepting two individuals.
The strongest faction in Ge Nan Academy was undoubtedly the Metal Faction, led by its sect master, Luo Guiyuan. The Metal Faction was where everyone vied to be a part of. It was said that the Metal Faction produced "gold medals," and those who emerged from the Metal Faction throughout history had all been outstanding individuals, either rich or noble.
The disciples of the Fire Faction were more numerous, with a significant number achieving great success. The Wood Faction, on the other hand, had always focused on medicine, producing many renowned physicians.
Conversely, the Water and Earth Factions were much more laid-back, with their disciples more inclined to delve into subjects that interested them. Particularly, disciples of the Water Faction often became reclusive hermits. It was said that the Water Faction was the coldest faction in Ge Nan Academy, and among the students applying, most were unwilling to choose the Water Faction.
This was evident from the way the students gathered at the entrance of Ge Nan Academy that day, as Yan Jiaojiao could see.
At the entrance of Ge Nan Academy stood five enormous stone tablets, each thirty feet tall, arranged in a circle corresponding to the five factions. The upper parts of the tablets were carved with diagrams illustrating the historical evolution of each faction, while the lower parts were blank.
Beneath each stone tablet, people stood with their heads craned upwards, gazing at the carved diagrams. The Metal Faction's stone tablet had the largest crowd, and even the Earth Faction's tablet had about a dozen people gathered around it. In stark contrast, the Water Faction's stone tablet had only a sparse few.
The system of the Boundless Continent was not the same as the era of abundant magic from Yan Jiaojiao's past life. Moreover, Yan Jiaojiao had been an all-rounder in her previous life and hadn't particularly focused on any single faction for cultivation. She had only felt an involuntary pull towards the Water Faction's stone tablet due to her connection with water spirits.
As soon as Yan Jiaojiao stood beneath the stone tablet, someone nearby whispered, "Look, isn't that Yan Jiaojiao, known as the 'Genius Girl'!"
"It is indeed. Does she intend to choose the most unpopular Water Faction?"
"That would be for the better. Faction selection is first-come, first-served. With her abilities, securing a top-three spot is not an issue. If she chooses the Water Faction, spots in other factions will become available."
Yan Jiaojiao pretended not to hear, but a wry smile touched her heart. If the original owner's cultivation hadn't been damaged, securing a spot in the top three would have been no problem. But now, despite her diligent cultivation every night, she hadn't managed to break through to the third stage of the Red rank. To even make it into the top ten at this level would be thanking the heavens!
"Quick, look, someone's flying!" the people nearby exclaimed again.
"That's Xiao Su. He always likes to show off. So what if he knows sword control?" another person retorted dismissively.
"Do you know sword control?"
When the person beside him asked, he fell silent, muttering, "Seeing how interested he is in the Metal Faction, he'll definitely choose it once he's admitted."
Yan Jiaojiao couldn't help but look with curiosity. Before the Metal Faction's stone tablet, a man in flowing white robes and luxurious attire was soaring through the air on his sword, a stark contrast to the crowd below craning their necks to look at the carvings.
He was making a show of facing the carved diagrams in mid-air, as if genuinely studying them.
But everyone knew he was just showing off. After all, someone who could fly on a sword before even entering Ge Nan Academy was extremely rare throughout the years, indicating his cultivation had reached at least the ninth stage of the Red rank.
At this age, ordinary cultivators were at most at the third stage of the Red rank, just like Yan Jiaojiao currently.
Yan Jiaojiao couldn't help but recall Wen Jinshu from last night. Her cultivation was likely already beyond Yan Ruxue and this Xiao Su. Yan Jiaojiao sighed, realizing that entering Ge Nan Academy indeed meant facing countless formidable rivals.
Meanwhile, on the outer city walls of Ge Nan Academy, stood five elders with distinct styles. These were the sect masters of the Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth factions.
At this moment, they gazed at the students below the city walls, silently observing and judging them.
Upon seeing Xiao Su ascend on his sword, Luo Guiyuan of the Metal Faction smiled and said, "I've heard of this Xiao Su. He seems to be of royal lineage and possesses exceptional talent."
"It appears he is interested in your Metal Faction," added Xu Yantao, the sect master of the Fire Faction.
Luo Guiyuan stroked his beard. Despite his evident pride, he spoke with feigned modesty, "Perhaps he is merely a little curious."
At that moment, Xiao Su, still on his sword, turned towards the Fire Faction's stone tablet. After a brief glance, he actually sat down on his sword, seemingly engrossed in his study.
Xu Yantao of the Fire Faction remarked again, "It seems he is more interested in the Fire Faction."
Luo Guiyuan's expression became subtly displeased. The sect master of the Wood Faction couldn't help but chuckle, further worsening Luo Guiyuan's mood. Unable to vent his frustration, he turned to Shangguan Yuan, the sect master of the Water Faction, and asked, "Shangguan Yuan, how many disciples do you have this year?"
Shangguan Yuan, dressed in scholarly robes, leaned against the battlement with a plain and indifferent air, looking bored. He was startled when called upon, then turned to look at the students below the city wall. He replied innocently, "Isn't it obvious? Is your eyesight failing, Sect Master Luo?"
Luo Guiyuan's expression darkened further.
Shangguan Yuan paid him no mind. He let out a small yawn and continued to lean against the wall, lost in thought, completely uninterested in the conversation among the other sect masters.
However, his gaze inadvertently fell upon Yan Jiaojiao. He mused that this young girl was quite persistent. Even other students who were interested in the Water Faction would visit the other stone tablets, but she alone had been studying the Water Faction's tablet from beginning to end.
The other sect masters were accustomed to Shangguan Yuan's nonchalance and no longer engaged him. The remaining four chatted about the students below for a while longer, until a disciple approached to ask if the first stage of the assessment could commence. Only then did the sect masters stop and grant permission.
Subsequently, the grand gates of Ge Nan Academy opened, and a disciple dressed in dark robes emerged. He had clear features, an excellent bearing, and a gentle yet imposing aura. Simply standing there, the students below involuntarily fell silent.
After the disciple had taken his position, he surveyed the entire gathering and then said with a serious expression, "Greetings, everyone. I am Jiang Yiling, the senior disciple of the Metal Faction of Ge Nan Academy. Today, I will be presiding over the Ge Nan Academy Assessment Tournament. I hope everyone will give their utmost to enter the top ten and have the honor of becoming disciples of Ge Nan Academy."
Jiang Yiling's voice was not loud, but after being infused with spiritual energy, every word reached the ears of everyone present without a hitch.
The crowd was greatly inspired and began to applaud enthusiastically. Yan Jiaojiao joined in the applause, but her eyes continued to scan her surroundings. Naturally, she noticed the faint outlines of five figures on the city walls, surmising they were the five sect masters of Ge Nan Academy.
After speaking, Jiang Yiling wasted no more time. He stepped aside, and two other disciples pushed forward a small stand covered by a red cloth, concealing an object.
They placed the stand before Jiang Yiling and retreated behind him. Jiang Yiling then lifted the red cloth from the stand, revealing a transparent spherical object before the crowd.
It was the Spirit Testing Stone, Yan Jiaojiao recognized it at a glance.