Sure enough, Jiang Yiling spoke, "This item is a Spirit Testing Stone. It can determine one's cultivation level and attributes. The first stage of the Ge Nan Academy assessment requires all of you to have reached a cultivation level of..."
Jiang Yiling paused halfway through his sentence. Seeing that the students were all ears, he continued to build suspense: "The first requirement for admission is to reach Red level three!"
Upon hearing this, the vast majority breathed a sigh of relief. A smaller portion, however, showed signs of anxiety, and some even despaired, shaking their heads with a sigh as they turned to leave.
Yan Jiaojiao also felt relieved. Her recent cultivation of her inner core had fortunately brought her right to Red level three.
Among all the unfortunate events that had transpired on the Boundless Continent, this was an unprecedented stroke of luck.
From this point on, Yan Jiaojiao decided she would never complain about her inner core cultivation only being at Red level three again.
Jiang Yiling waited for the commotion to subside slightly before speaking again, "If there are no further questions, the first round of assessment begins now. Who will go first?"
Silence fell upon the crowd. They looked at each other, reluctant to be the first. After a good while, a clear voice was heard, "I will go first."
Everyone turned to look. It was none other than Xiao Su.
Yan Jiaojiao couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. This person was indeed as rumored, fond of the spotlight. However, in reality, it was precisely this kind of attention-seeking individual who could galvanize the rest.
As Xiao Su raised his hand, a few scattered voices chimed in, saying they would go second, third, and so on.
Jiang Yiling smiled at Xiao Su and gestured for him to come forward.
Xiao Su walked up and stood before the Spirit Testing Stone. Following Jiang Yiling's instructions, he placed his hand on it.
The moment Xiao Su's hand touched the stone, it emitted a faint glow. Initially, it was a riot of colors, but then the other colors gradually dimmed, and finally, a deep crimson appeared at the center of the stone, with the elements of gold, fire, and wood swirling around it. The gold element was the most prominent.
Jiang Yiling nodded with satisfaction, his gaze towards Xiao Su now akin to looking at one of his own. He then announced loudly, "Xiao Su, Red level nine, primary attribute is gold, with secondary attributes of fire and wood. He can choose to cultivate in the gold, fire, or wood factions."
A disciple behind Jiang Yiling quickly recorded Xiao Su's assessment results, casting a few extra glances at Xiao Su. Below, a wave of astonished murmurs immediately erupted.
"He's actually Red level nine, almost Orange level!"
"Gold, fire, and wood elements! All three are the most popular factions at Ge Nan Academy. He's truly blessed by luck."
"And gold is his primary attribute. He's almost certainly going to join the gold faction."
Yan Jiaojiao couldn't help but listen. Now she finally understood the rules.
This Spirit Testing Stone could, first, determine the cultivation level based on the color at its center; the deeper the color, the higher the stage.
Second, it could identify the most prominent element within a person. Most people might have only one or two elements. Then, based on their attributes, they could choose corresponding schools. With one attribute, they could only choose a school of that element. With two attributes, they could freely choose one of the two schools. However, generally speaking, people would only choose their primary attribute as their cultivation school.
Someone like Xiao Su, possessing three attributes, was indeed extremely rare. It was no wonder he could stand out among the royal disciples and participate in the Ge Nan Academy selection.
He was truly favored by the heavens, and it was no surprise that he had the confidence to be arrogant.
"Who's next?" Jiang Yiling motioned Xiao Su to the side and asked loudly.
With Xiao Su's excellent demonstration, those who had offered to go second now hesitated. Unable to withstand the scrutiny of the crowd, they finally stepped forward with trepidation.
Compared to Xiao Su, this person was far more ordinary: Red level four, with fire and earth elements.
The person looked somewhat dejected and hurried off after the test. The subsequent individuals then came forward one by one for their assessments.
Yan Jiaojiao watched from the corner, her gaze sweeping through the hundreds of people. On the right side of the front row, she spotted Yan Ruxue and Chen Bingbing.
Beside them was Wen Jinshu, whom she had met last night. They had indeed clung to them.
As Yan Jiaojiao watched them, Yan Ruxue seemed to sense her presence and suddenly turned her head, her gaze meeting Yan Jiaojiao's.
Yan Ruxue had not expected to actually see Yan Jiaojiao. A flicker of shocked resentment crossed her face, which she quickly suppressed, replacing it with a cold gaze, as if saying, "You dare to come, Yan Jiaojiao!"
Yan Jiaojiao simply smiled faintly, her emotions unperturbed.
Chen Bingbing noticed Yan Ruxue's change in demeanor, looked over, and also saw Yan Jiaojiao. She glared fiercely at Yan Jiaojiao and then tilted her chin towards Yan Jiaojiao, provocatively urging her to step up and test her spirit.
They were certain that Yan Jiaojiao's inner core was destroyed and that going up now would only result in embarrassment.
Yan Jiaojiao returned a subtle tilt of her head, indicating for them to go first.
The stage continued with the assessments. As if to provoke Yan Jiaojiao, Chen Bingbing decisively raised her hand next.
Jiang Yiling gestured to Chen Bingbing, "Please."
Chen Bingbing was exceptionally beautiful, but Jiang Yiling seemed unfazed, his attitude not as enthusiastic as it had been towards Xiao Su. However, other students, noticing Chen Bingbing, all stared at her as if she had glue on her that held their gaze.
Although Chen Bingbing was accustomed to admiring glances, she still puffed out her chest, walked forward with her chin raised, and even glanced towards Yan Jiaojiao's position.
It was merely a facade. If it were in the past, as long as Yan Jiaojiao wished, she could even transform into a more beautiful appearance than Chen Bingbing. Therefore, seeing Chen Bingbing's smugness, Yan Jiaojiao found it amusing.
When Chen Bingbing reached the Spirit Testing Stone under everyone's gaze and placed her hand on it, after a flash of light, a picture appeared with crimson at the center, surrounded by gold and earth elements.
Jiang Yiling announced, "Chen Bingbing, Red level six, primary attribute is gold, with secondary attribute of earth. She can choose to cultivate in the gold or earth factions."
Chen Bingbing cast another provocative glance at Yan Jiaojiao before swaying her hips as she stepped down.
Yan Jiaojiao narrowed her eyes. In her memory, Chen Bingbing was not a diligent cultivator. Before the original host's death, she had tested her and found her to be only at Red level two. Now, after just four months, Chen Bingbing could have made such rapid progress to Red level six?
Dongfang Xu's emaciated and pained face appeared before Yan Jiaojiao's eyes. Without a doubt, Chen Bingbing was also one of the beneficiaries of the energy orbs.
These damnable people were truly going too far.
Yan Jiaojiao clenched her fist. Her previously calm heart finally stirred with waves of anger as her sensitive spot was touched.
She then saw Yan Ruxue in front also raise her hand, and at the same time, she cast another gaze at Yan Jiaojiao—Do you dare?